Pocket News - Mar. 19, 2015

March 19, 2015 | www.valcomnews.com

Pock e t News — Bringing you community news for 24 years —

Smoke detectors, check!

For our safety: Volunteers checked neighbors’ smoke detector batteries

See page 14

Lance Armstorng history feature................4 School News............................................8 Faces and Places. ......................................14 Calendar..................................................... 20 Rick Jennings column. ..............................22

BSA Troop 259 to recognize four new Eagle Scouts See page 7

Dog Faces and Places: Lynn Robie Dog Park now open

See page 14

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More details revealed surrounding the mystery of the decapitated animals

By Monica Stark

editor@valcomnews.com

Tucked behind the soccer fields at Reichmuth Park belies a woodland area with an entry that is easy to miss, but if found, welcomes wanderers to a pristine and extensive nature area where some people in the past have hung swings from trees and have arranged fallen logs

into rows of benches. During a typical winter, the area floods, hence all the bushes and trees.

It’s a hidden, local treasure that has most recently been exploited as ground zero for five out of the 11 locations where authorities have reported finding decapitated animals. Front Street Animal Shelter Director Gina Knepp, a Hollywood Park resident, has been on the

case since the first animals were found, beginning last year with a 120-pound cow’s head at Reichmuth and another one last December at Garcia Bend Park.

In The Sacramento Bee and during television news interviews, Knepp has mentioned that the mutilations have resembled religious practices. In speaking with this publication, she said the best example of this was along the Sacramento River around the 5800 block of Riverside Boulevard where there were several beheaded chickens, five $1 bills splattered in blood, and a paper plate with strange oils on it.

(There was) an offering of food, like a cornmeal cake.

Google ‘Santeria.’ It is religion. (The mutilations) have the appearance of some type of religion, possibly from Afro-Caribbean practices like Santeria, or Macumba, which has a similar practice in Brazil. You will see that activity in the Haitian community and Sacramento is one of the most diverse cities (in the country).”

Taking heed on that lead to “Google ‘Santeria,’” a 2009 See Animals, page 3

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w w w. va l c o m n e w s . c o m E-mail stories & photos to: editor@valcomnews.com Pocket News is published on the first and third Thursdays of the month in the area bounded by Interstate 5 on the east and the Sacramento River on the north, west, and south.

Publisher....................................................................... George Macko General Manager......................................................... Kathleen Egan Editor............................................................................... Monica Stark Art Director......................................................................John Ochoa Graphic Designer.................................................Annin Greenhalgh Advertising Executives......................Linda Pohl, Melissa Andrews Distribution/Subscriptions....................................... George Macko Copyright 2015 by Valley Community Newspapers Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Pocket News • March 19, 2015 • www.valcomnews.com

Vol. XXIV • No. 6 2709 Riverside Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95818 t: (916) 429-9901 f: (916) 429-9906

Cover photo by: Stephen Crowley

Other photos by: Courtesy Monica Stark Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Animals:

Continued from page 2

British Broadcast Company cultural report on Santeria, can be found online which discusses the Afro-Caribbean religion and animal sacrifices as one of its primary practices. “Animal sacrifice is central to Santeria. The animal is sacrificed as food, rather than for any obscure mystical purpose. Followers of an Orisha (a manifestation of a god or gods) will offer them food and sacrifice animals to them in order to build and maintain a

personal relationship with the spirit. The process not only brings the worshipper closer to their Orisha, but makes them more aware of the presence of the Orisha within them. “ This is a mutual process; the food is essential for the Orishas, who will die without being fed, and in return the Orishas are able to help the worshippers. Orishas are also nourished by other forms of worship and praise. Sacrifices are performed for life events such as birth, marriage, and death. They are also used

for healing. Without sacrifice the religion would die out, as sacrifice is essential for initiation into the faith community and the ‘ordination’ of priests. “ The animals are killed by cutting the carotid arteries with a single knife stroke in a similar way to other religious methods of slaughter.

“Animals are cooked and eaten following all Santeria rituals (except healing and death rites, where the sickness is believed to pass into the dead animal). Eating the sacrificed animal is considered a sharing with

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the Orisha, who only consumes the animal’s blood, while the worshippers eat the meat.

“Sacrificial animals include chickens (the most common), pigeons, doves, ducks, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, and turtles. “ The USA Supreme Court has stated that it is constitutional for Santeria worshippers to kill animals for such a ritual sacrifice.”

In the interview with this publication, Knepp reiterated that constitutional right, stating: “Animal sacrifice is not illegal,” but, she added,

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“a protracted act suffering during a sacrifice is illegal.”

To determine the level of suffering, however, intensive necropsies would be required, but she hopes the perpetrator will be found.

“We need someone to turn somebody in.” Complicating the findings is when animals, like the rabbit which was found at 20th and X streets, have been dead for awhile, Knepp said.

As with the mutilations cases in Sacramento, officials aren’t certain if the anSee Remains, page 23

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www.valcomnews.com • March 19, 2015 • Pocket News

Photo courtesy of CAPVM Committee

This rendition shows how the future memorial is expected to appear at its intended location in Capitol Park.

California American Portuguese Veterans Memorial close to becoming a reality

By LANCE ARMSTRONG Lance@valcomnews.com

Having a California American Portuguese Veterans Memorial placed at the southern end of Capitol Park is something that a group of local people have been striving to have become a reality for several years. And it appears that the group’s dedicated efforts are finally about to pay off.

On Monday morning, March 9, Steve Kanelos arrived at the park and installed a sign, which reads: “Proposed site: California American Portuguese Veterans Memorial.”

Steve’s father, Gus, had suggested the idea of such a memorial many years prior to the formation of a committee for the project.

After being asked to describe his feelings regarding having that sign placed at the park, Steve said, “Well, it’s been a long time coming, and we’ve been waiting a long time for this (moment). It’s a great accomplishment and we feel that it’s just the beginning of what’s next to come here.”

The group working to have the monument set in place at Capitol Park prefers the name

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American Portuguese, as opposed to Portuguese American, because they are dedicated to the notion that they are “Americans first and Portuguese second.”

In commenting about that point, Eddie Maria III, the chairman of the committee, said, “We never lose sight of the fact, of course, that we are Americans first that have a strong, rich (appreciation) of our Portuguese heritage.”

And part of that heritage is the service of “American Portuguese,” who served in the United States military.

During an interview with this publication following the installation of the sign, Maria said, “(Portuguese) came here from Portugal and without being required to do so, signed up and said, ‘I want to fight for this country. I’m from Portugal, but I’m an American citizen and I want to fight for the freedoms of America. And even if I’m not being asked to do so, I’m going to step up and fight for this country.’”

Maria, whose Portuguese grandparents came to America through Hawaii in the 1910s, also See Memorial, page 5

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Memorial: Continued from page 4

shared details about the project to have the memorial placed at the park.

“It all started at an American Portuguese Club meeting some years ago,” said Maria, who grew up in the Pocket and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1987. And Gus Kanelos (who had a very Greek American upbringing and is also part Portuguese and part Italian) came in as a past president of the APC. He attended the meetings regularly, and at the meeting that I attended – one of my first meetings, actually – (Gus) talked to the group about the opportunity to honor American Portuguese that served for this country (from) California.

“There was quite a bit of excitement about the opportunity. It was something that I’m sure a lot of the people within the organization had not considered before. We knew about these monuments (on the grounds of ) the state Capitol, but they always looked to be so expansive, in such that we never thought that a little group like the American Portuguese Club could do something like that. We saw hundreds of thousands of dollars into these incredible looking monuments, and thought, ‘What could we really accomplish?’ But we set forth to see.”

The group met with people who had previously worked on monument projects to obtain a better understanding of what it would take for the group to meet its goal of honoring “American Portuguese” military veterans from California through a special monument.

The first official meeting of the committee was held at Balshor Florist at 2661 Riverside Blvd. in May 2011, and later meetings were held at the Cabrillo Club at 4605 Karbet Way. Maria acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the committee, saying, “I believe that the only reason we’re here today putting the temporary sign to let people know the future of this monument is because of the hard work and the passion and the dedication that the eightmember committee had to making this happen.”

Additionally, Maria praised the APC, noting that it “took (the monument project) by the horns and ran with it.”

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APC presidents during that time have been Wes Silva, Phil Soto and Jack Cornelius.

In speaking about one of the obstacles of the lengthy process of reaching the present status of the monument project, Maria said, “Maybe 18 months or so ago, I didn’t even know if we would be able to put a temporary sign in this spot. There were a lot of concerns from different departments of the state Capitol.

They just didn’t want this to be a situation where you had a bunch of monuments all over the place. And they termed it as looking like a graveyard.”

The group had originally planned for a much larger memorial, which was described in the Sept. 15, 2011 edition of this paper, as follows: “The arched-topped center piece of the green granite memorial, which will include American and Portuguese national flags and insignias of military service branches and the POWMIA insignia, will stand 96 inches tall by 24 inches wide by 10 inches thick, and will be accompanied by two outside wing pieces, which will each measure 86 inches tall by 24 inches wide by 10 inches thick.

The base of the monument, which will be created by the Ruhkala Monument Co. of Sacramento, will be 10 inches tall by 96 inches wide by 16 inches deep.”

That large monument plan was eventually abandoned, and a compromise was agreed upon.

The committee mentioned that the project now calls for a granite memorial bench,

which is anticipated to be installed as early as this summer, but no later than the end of this year.

The cost of the project is estimated at $80,000, a sum that includes an $8,500 state inspection fee. Thus far, about $43,000 of those needed funds has been raised.

In front of the bench, which will be about 7 feet long, will be four pavers, with the names of sponsors, donors and honored veterans.

Maria spoke about the bench, saying, “Over time, we got some responses back from the Department of General Services (and) the California Department of Veterans Affairs. And their point of view was that we needed to do something a little different than we initially anticipated.

We needed to create something that could be useful in the park, and that’s where the bench idea came into play.”

A very significant day in the process of having the memorial placed in the park was Sept.

28, 2012, when the bill for the memorial was signed. The bill’s author was Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, of Modesto.

There were also about 10 coauthors of the bill.

In speaking about Olsen, Maria said, “Without her support, we would not be here. There is no doubt about it. She’s been part of (the monument efforts) every step of the way.”

Maria also commended various members of the Department of General Services, and J.P. Tremblay, deputy secretary of the state Department of Veterans Af-

fairs, who he described as “a huge supporter and somebody that we’ve counted on from the very beginning.”

But Maria’s highest praise was given to committee member Loretta (Petit) Kanelos, who was heavily supported in her efforts by her husband, Gus, who is also a member of the committee.

“It is amazing the amount of time that (Loretta) has put into (this project). She has never wavered in her desire to make this a reality. Her mindset has always been, ‘This will happen.’

“I can’t say enough of how much gratitude the American Portuguese community of California should have for Loretta Kanelos. And, of course, with her husband, Gus, as well, she is really the reason that all of this came about. They came up with an idea, they plugged people into place to make sure that idea came to fruition. And every step of the way, they’ve been there supporting us, not only from an emotional standpoint, but from just a work ethic that I’ve never seen before. It’s just amazing, and I’m very proud to have been able to work with them. I can as-

sure you that we would not be here today without their efforts. And Loretta really is the backbone. There’s no doubt about it. But it has been a group effort.”

Loretta, who was present with her husband at Maria’s interview with this paper and at the sign installation, responded to Maria’s comment, saying, “No matter what I’ve done, I couldn’t have done it if (Maria) would not have led (the committee).”

Maria said that having the California American Portuguese Veterans Memorial placed at Capitol Park sets a precedent for future cultural veteran memorials at the park. “(The state commented), ‘You’re really the guinea pigs in all of this, because you’re the first of a kind when it comes to a group coming together from an ethnic perspective or a nationality perspective, and placing something in (Capitol Park) as this bench,’” Maria said. “To have a bench here and to have the American Portuguese be honored in that way, it is the first of its kind and it will be the template for groups that want to do something similar in the future.”

www.valcomnews.com • March 19, 2015 • Pocket News

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BSA Troop 259 to recognize four new Eagle Scouts Court of Honor to be held on March 22 Boy Scout Troop 259 is pleased to announce that a Court of Honor will be held on March 22 to recognize its newest Eagle Scouts. Sacramento scouts Cameron Vansoest, Abraham Fong, Zachary Kazee and Matthew Signorotti have achieved the highest rank awarded in scouting this past year. The award requires years of active participation in troop activities, pursuing study in a wide variety of interests by earning merit badges, and many hours of community service including the planning and completion of an Eagle project. Fewer than six out of 100 scouts in the nation are awarded the Eagle Scout rank per year, and Troop 259 is proud to honor four of its members who have risen to the challenge.

The young men of Troop 259 chose projects that benefited the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Matsuyama Elementary, Oak Park Sol Community Garden, and First Tee of Sacramento at William Land Park. They are grateful to their friends and fellow scouts for the many years of support and encouragement Elks

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Lodge No. 6 is the charter organization which sponsors Troop 259. Their involvement with the troop is instrumental in hosting our meetings, providing community service opportunities, and acting as a mentor in our community. The public is invited to attend the Court of Honor. It will be held at 3 p.m. at the Elks Lodge No. 6, located at 6446 Riverside Blvd. at Florin Road.

new skills and meet new challenges should take up Scouting.

Cameron Vansoest: Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is not easy to attain. It requires a lot of time and dedication, but it is also educational and very rewarding.

Becoming and Eagle Scout has bettered me for the future and it will always be an advantage and asset in my Photo courtesy life. It has taught me sur- Shown here from left to right are Cameron Vansoest, Abraham Fong, Matthew Q: WHAT DOES THE vival and life skills I can use Signorotti and Zachary Kazee. These Boy Scouts from Troop 259 will be recognized HONOR MEAN TO YOU? in everyday life. The trail to as Eagle Scouts on March 22 at the Elks No. 6, located at 6446 Riverside Blvd.

Abraham Fong: Honor is Eagle has been an experisomething that is a privi- ence I will never regret. administrators, measure- tience is needed to accomlege to have and to hold. An ments to be taken, consid- plish anything, and that we example of this would be Q: TELL ME ABOUT eration of materials that should not take even the working with others to im- A SPECIFIC PROJECT would last the longest. Ad- simplest things for granted. prove the community.

THAT YOU WORKED ditionally, I worked against ON... DESCRIBE WHAT IT constant school closures Zachary Kazee: By doZachary Kazee: I know WAS LIKE TO DO FROM due to an overhaul of its ing my Eagle project, I that I am an Eagle Scout START TO FINISH. WHAT communications systems learned leadership and orfor the rest of my life, and it DID YOU LEARN? and reroofing. I was worried will tell something to oth- Abraham Fong: I installed that the shelves would be See Eagle Scouts, page 11 ers about my work ethic a set of trophy shelves at my torn down during the renand character. old school, Matsuyama El- ovating process. In spite of ementary School, sounds these hardships, it was exMatthew Signorotti: To simple right? Wrong. From tremely satisfying to place me, the Eagle Scout rank start until finish, there were the trophies on the shelves. means hard work, dedi- many meetings with school I learned that great pacation to Scouting, and leadership skills. Scouting guides its boys to go above and beyond what they believe they can do. Every boy who likes to learn

www.valcomnews.com • March 19, 2015 • Pocket News

“Every Fifteen Minutes” at John F. Kennedy High School

By Lauren Akabori

March 2nd and 3rd at John F. Kennedy high school were quite busy, emotional, and fearful. Every other year JFK holds an event called “Every Fifteen Minutes” and is held by a few students for their senior project. EFM is a two-day event where, the Chaplain police, fire stations, Sacramento mortuary, and UC Davis Medical Center along with Sacramento State medical students get involved in the reenactment of the drunk driving crash scene, with the participation of JFK students. The whole experience is meant to feel real for both the victims and audience (student body), everything in fact looked painfully real, especially the crash scene. Throughout the rest of the day a student is pulled out of class every fifteen minutes as though they were a victim of a drunk driving accident; the following day a funeral is held for the students who were the victims, and this was the most emotional part of the program. This presentation is usually for just the junior and seniors, but I was lucky enough to experience it both my freshman and junior year. From my point of view EFM was a scary and incredibly emotional experience, especially since I was close with some of the victims.

Although it is very heartbreaking, EFM is a program that I believe every high school student should experience. EFM is supposed to teach the youth the reality and consequences of drunk driving. I spoke to one of the victims, Marissa Yamauchi who played a part of the crash scene. Her role was, a student in the car of nondrinkers who ended up brain-dead. From the crash scene, she laid on top of the hood of the car through the windshield, and was rushed in a real ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center. When asking her about her experience, she said that it was difficult to stay still in play the role for over two hours. Even in the hospital she had to act as though she was unconscious, which was quite difficult for her. She had to remain in character even when her parents came in to visit her, which was probably one of the most heartbreaking things to see. I asked her what she gained from this experience

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Photo by Lauren Akabori

John F. Kennedy student Marissa Yamauchi played a part of the crash scene at the Every 15 Minutes event held on campus. Here she shown on top of the hood of the car. She was rushed in a real ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center.

and she said, “I learned to make smarter decisions, and that drunk driving can affect people in so many ways and everyone needs to learn that.”

I also asked her how it felt to play the role she did, and she responded, “Honestly, I was so scared, it felt so real.” She continued, “I couldn’t imagine this happening to someone, and sadly it does.” She concluded saying that she was glad to play this role, it made her understand the real impact of drunk driving.

The following day at the “funeral” was emotional for everyone, it was set up to look so real. There were speakers from the Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento Mortuary, a few of the victims and parents, and a family of a fellow student who graduated from JFK and died in a drunk driving accident. The emotions I felt were so real, see-

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ing one of my friends read her letter out loud to her parents; it was as though she were really gone so I can only imagine how everyone else felt.

I spoke to a few students after the funeral and I asked them what they learned from this whole entire experience. They responded with, “We learn the true happiness and consequences of something like drunk driving, we want others to understand this as well and hopefully it will get across to all schools in the nation.” Seeing that they look like they have cried through the entire funeral, means that the goals were met for this program. Overall it was supposed to feel emotionally real, and hopefully to help the youth learn the real impact of drunk driving.

As someone who has experienced this twice now, I think every teenager should experience it as well.

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Eagle Scouts: Continued from page 7

ganization skills that I use at school, and will probably apply in my career. I now understand how important it is to plan in advance when working with a group of people, like the garden planning committee and with volunteers.

My project consisted of building redwood benches and raised bed gardens at the Oak Park Sol Community Garden. The work included clearing the site of weeds and rubbish and leveling the ground. The raised beds were built to be handicap accessible for those who want to participate in gardening but are physically unable to work at ground level. It was a long process, delayed by school, weather, and changes in management at the site. It took me an entire year to finish, but it is great to drive by and see what I built being used by the community.

of America. The project was finished in May 2014. I learned a lot from this project, like how to work with wood, paint, using a router and it also made my communication skills better. Five signs in all were made, two large ones and 3 small ones. So next time you are at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, look for the “Visitor Center” signs, two in the parking lot and three others pointing the way.

with my troop like the Tahoe Rim and Yosemite. But one of the most memorable trips I’ve taken was to Pt. Reyes where we hiked in, set up camp, broke camp, and hiked out in 8 hours. It was a whole weekend of camping in a half day because high winds flattened our tents and broke the poles.

We ended up hiking out in the full moonlight and had a great time even though our plans were derailed.

Q: WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES SCOUTING? Abraham Fong: My favorite memory in scouting when I went to my second scout outing. We went to the Train museum in Portola.

We got to sleep there overnight in a real WWII train boxcar!! Also, I finished my first merit badge, the Railroading merit badge. I even got to conduct a train and feel the power of 10000 HP on the fingertips!!

Matthew Signorotti: My favorite Scouting memories include camping, hiking, and biking with my troop.

Perhaps my favorite memory is hiking through Angel Island and learning the island’s history.

Cameron Vansoest: My favorite memories were camping in the snow and throwing snowballs while at Klondike. Also, I very much enjoyed my trips to Camp Marin Sierra. We were able to earn several merit badges in a week’s time. I enjoyed Matthew Signorotti: Dur- Zachary Kazee: My fa- swimming and all the other ing my Eagle Scout proj- vorite activity is hiking. I’ve activities they offered. The ect, I led a team of 24 vol- been to some amazing places food was pretty good too! unteers across 3 work days to rebuild a wooden stage, reenhaven utheran hurch restore wooden bleachers, paint 20 golf stalls and their safety rails, and install new signs for The First Tee of April 2: Maundy Thursday Greater Sacramento. I chose 7:00pm - Worship with Holy Communion The First Tee as the benefiApril 3: Good Friday ciary for my project because 7:00pm - Good Friday Tenebrae Service it had taught me to play golf Sunday, April 5: Easter Sunday starting at around age 5.

8:00am - Sunrise Service with Holy The First Tee teaches Nine Communion and Easter Breakfast Core Values very similar to the values of the Scout Law. 10:30am - Easter Worship with Holy Communion My project required about $625 of fundraising. From Greenhaven Lutheran Church my project, I learned how 475 Florin Road, Sacramento, CA (at Gloria Avenue) to lead many people to com916-428-8449 • www.greenhavenlutheran.org plete complex tasks, how to make critical decisions wisely, and how to raise large amounts of funds.

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Cameron Vansoest: My specific project was to make Visitor Center signs for the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. I started my project in November 2013. I had to set everything up from the initial meeting with the beneficiary, getting sponsors and donations from organizations and soliciting volunteers to help with the project. The project had to be approved by both the beneficiary and the Boy Scouts Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

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Dog Faces and Places Photos by Monica Stark editor@valcomnews.com

Despite the postponed grand opening celebration for the Lynn Robie Dog Park, dogs (and their owners) have opened the gates and have enjoyed the beautiful facility, located at 7895 Freeport Blvd. at the Bill Conlin Youth Sports Complex.

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Neighborhood smoke detector installation held in the Pocket area Photos by Stephen Crowley stephen@valcomnews.com

Thanks to efforts by the Sacramento Fire Department, John F. Kennedy High School’s Interact Club and the Rotary Club of Pocket/ Greenhaven, happy were residents to receive new batteries for their smoke detectors on Saturday, March 7. The Sacramento Fire Department has once again generously donated 200-plus batteries for Rotary and Interact volunteers to distribute and install them free of charge for Pocket/Greenhaven and neighboring community residents who need assistance. Many people who die in fires die from inhaling poisonous gases and smoke. A working smoke detector provides a warning signal to allow escape. Smoke detectors are the single most important means of preventing residential fire deaths and are one of the best safety features to protect yourself and your family.

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www.valcomnews.com • March 19, 2015 • Pocket News

15

Over The Fence

Vic’s IGA goes belly up

By Greg Brown

Vic’s IGA, the supermarket with the zig zag roofline that anchors the South Hills Shopping Center, has filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy and closed its doors.

Vic’s Market, which was originally a Jumbo Market designed by architect Sooky Lee back in 1968, has seen better days.

When I went by the tattered old market, the parking lot was empty, the trash cans were overfilled with garbage, and the two trees in the big blue pots were dead.

The big red and worn Vic’s sign had some dam-

age that was being held together with duct tape. The “Under New Management” banner was still up, too. It was a sad scene.

Potential shoppers were trickling by asking,“Is Vic’s closed?”

Folks stopping by told me things like, “I knew something was up when the shelves were nearly empty.”

Another patron said, “the store used to be fully stocked. You go in there now, and you don’t know what you’re gonna get.”

Meat shouldn’t be green and lettuce shouldn’t be brown.

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the items were past the “best if sold by” date.

Vic’s ICK. Vendors were stopping by the shuttered market, too.

Donald Miller, who boasted he had 51 years in the grocery

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business, said, “I saw it coming. Bottom line. They didn’t know how to run a grocery store.”

Miller, who works for Acosta Sales and Marketing added, “If the right person comes along, they could make a go of this store.”

Shoppers were trickling into the vast parking lot and peeking in the door that had the “Hometown Pride” stick-

er on it when they found out about the store closure.

One patron asked, “Is it closed for good?”

Another person added, “I’m not surprised.”

Vic’s customers thought something was up and would ask the owner, who’s first name is Kumar, “What’s going on?”

Kumar would tell people they See Over the Fence, page 17

Vic’s IGA Market closes after 18-year run

By LANCE ARMSTRONG

Beijing Wok), the Chinese restauLance@valcomnews.com rant (which also operated inside the Vic’s IGA Market in the South store), has two other locations.”

Hills Shopping Center in South Vic’s was only the second busiLand Park has permanently closed. ness to operate at this South Land The 40,000-square-foot market, Park location. which operated at 5820 South Land The other business was also a groPark Drive, had opened its doors to the cery store – Jumbo Market. public in 1996. And those doors were closed for the final time on Sunday, Jumbo Markets March 1 in preparation of the busiThat South Land Park building ness’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. opened in 1968 as the new location During an interview with this pub- of Store No. 4 of the Jumbo Market lication on Sunday, March 8, bank- chain, which eventually included 11 ruptcy attorney Pete Macaluso said stores from Jackson to Dixon. that Vic’s would be filing for bankThe first Jumbo Market was opened ruptcy during the following day. at 2355 Florin Road in 1961.

And in addressing the topic of the And heading the market at that closure of the store, which is owned by time was Ben Mar, president; and A.L. Groups, Inc., Macaluso, a long- Harry T. Wong, vice president. time local resident who graduated Ben was not new to the grocery busifrom John F. Kennedy High School in ness, as he became the manager of State 1976, said, “They can’t go back (to op- Fair Market at 3222 Stockton Blvd., near erating the store). Look at the compe- the old State Fair grounds, in 1951. tition and the environment. Smart and A 1954 advertisement for that Final (at 7205 Freeport Blvd.) was the market includes a photograph of Ben last straw. (That store) opened a cou- and the words: “Ben is just a little guy ple months ago within four miles (of who runs a big market and does a Vic’s). You have the two Bel Airs and very good job of it. Shop in the State Nugget [Market, which] have histor- Fair Market and see for yourself.” ically been players in the game. You After a decade of managing State Fair have down on South Land Park Drive, Market, Ben witnessed the opening of (by) the zoo, there’s that kind of up- the first Jumbo Market, which had its scale market, (Sprouts). Then you have large business sign placed at the Florin Grocery Outlet (at 6419 Riverside Road site in September 1961. The sign, Blvd.). So, this guy just cannot com- which cost about $1,600, was created pete given the lease he has. This com- by the Ad-Art Sign Co. of Sacramento. plex went through a series of (AmerA second Jumbo Market opened icans with Disabilities Act) lawsuits at 7870 Florin Road in about 1964, four or five years ago, which caused a and Jumbo Market Store No. 3 at couple other of the people in the area 2711 El Camino Ave. made its debut to go bankrupt, as in Brick Oven Piz- about two years later. za. And coming out of that (situation), Also involved in the early operathe leases haven’t been made any bet- tions of Jumbo Market was Joe Mar, ter for the tenants. And because of manager; Raymond Mar, clerk; and that (point), he just cannot keep losing Thomas Mar, buyer. money every month.

The featured South Land Park “Unfortunately given the econom- Drive building was built to house ic competition and environment, Jumbo Market No. 4 in 1968. and given the bad lease that he has, The project’s architect was Sooky there’s no opportunity to renegotiate Lee and the contractor was John F. and reorganize. He’s just got to take Otto, Inc. his losses and go on and do a new A building inspector’s card, dated job. He’s going to go on and find an May 14, 1968, recognizes the conemployee job somewhere. struction cost of the two-story gro“It’s unfortunate. He didn’t want cery store building as $419,000. to do the bankruptcy. Sometimes The building passed its final inyou just can’t help. But given his age, spection on December 3, 1968. at this point in time, people have to In 1989, five of the last seven Jumlook at how old they are. Are they bo Markets were sold, and with the going to make their retirement or are 1996 sale of the business’s South they going to spend 10 more years Land Park Drive store, there were no paying off their bills and have no re- more Jumbo Markets in operation. tirement? Sometimes bankruptcy is As for the original Jumbo Market the only smart economic decision.” location at 2355 Florin Road, it was Macaluso also mentioned that pri- replaced by The Food Depot on Nov. or to the closure of the South Land 28, 1994. The store site is presently Park Vic’s, the store’s employees were home to Mi Rancho supermarket. paid in full and all taxes were paid.

And he added, “(Good Eats), the Vic’s IGA Markets barbecue place inside the store, (is) The final Jumbo Market store on South moving around the corner, (and Land Park Drive was purchased by Vic and Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

LaReece DeStefani and operated as a Vic’s IGA Market. The couple already owned a Vic’s IGA Market at 1330 Fulton Ave. IGA, which stands for Independent Grocers Alliance, is self described as an organization “founded in 1926, bringing together independent grocers across the United States to ensure that the trusted, family-owned local grocery store remained strong in the face of growing chain competition.” In addition to its American presence, IGA is also represented in more than 30 countries, commonwealths and territories.

The first Vic’s IGA Market opened at Florin and Power Inn roads in 1983, and the Fulton Avenue store opened at the former site of an Alpha Beta store two years later. The latter named Vic’s store remained open until 2007, when it was purchased by Jagtar Kandola, owner of the Zinfandel Grille restaurant, at 2384 Fair Oaks Blvd.

Another Vic’s store made its debut at 9249 Folsom Blvd. in 1986.

At their height, Vic’s IGA Markets were located at seven sites from south Sacramento to Folsom.

Vic, whose parents were immigrants from Italy, sold his last grocery store in the Village Shopping Center at 9580 Oak Ave. Parkway, Suite 4 in Folsom in 2010, but continued to work at that store for another year, at which time he finally retired at the age of 82.

That departure from the Folsom store concluded Vic’s 64 years of working in the grocery business.

Vic, who was raised on a farm near Stockton, began working in the produce side of a grocery establishment in Manteca following World War II, and he worked his way to the vice president role of grocery stores in Fairfield and Stockton.

Associated with the Vic’s on South Land Park Drive was the Vic’s Market Bakery, and a Chinese takeout, which was a carry over from the Jumbo Market at the same location.

And well known at the bakery was baker Charlie Wong’s coffee toffee crunch cake, which was topped with coffee-flavored whipped cream.

The DeStefani era of Vic’s IGA Market on South Land Park Drive ended in October 2007, when the store was sold to Jay Saini, who was making his first venture in the grocery vending world.

With the 2007 sale of that store, Vic then-owned only one store – the aforementioned Vic’s IGA Market in Folsom.

That location of Vic’s was replaced by Boom Supermarket, which operated at that site from April to December 2014.

The closure of the South Land Park Vic’s store, which began operating under new ownership in 2013, will obviously leave a void in the South Hills Shopping Center.

Macaluso said that there is presently no plan for what business would fill the vacancy at the old supermarket site.

Over the Fence: Continued from page 16

were “remodeling and waiting for new equipment to come in.”

Bob Montenegro was peeking in the store window when he said, “I’ve been coming here for years, all the old employees are gone.” He added, “the last couple of months I stopped coming here because they had no bread or milk”.

The closing of the Vic’s also effects the two businesses that were sub leasing space from the owner; Beijing Wok and Good Eats Southern BBQ. An employee at the Beijing Wok was busy packing up bags of rice, peas and carrots and didn’t want to talk about the store closing. They were in a hurry moving their products out before the creditors came.

Eric McFadden, the owner of Good Eats Southern Bar-B-B-Q said, “On Monday, the doors were locked and foamed; I couldn’t get into my own business.”

Eric said, “I knew something was going on.” The owner had told him and everybody else they were planning a remodel of the store and that was the reason for the halfempty shelves.

Eric added, “He lied to everybody right to their faces.”

While I spoke to Eric, his business partner Dawn Sirstad was running out to rent a U-Haul truck.

They were in a hurry to move out all their restaurant equipment before the doors were locked and foamed again.

McFadden was annoyed at the situation but was already making calls to move Good Eats BBQ to a nearby location.

Good Eats BBQ, which gets rave reviews on Yelp for their old fashioned comfort food, may move into the empty Brick Oven Pizza building located on the right side of the shopping center.

His goal is to open very soon and have “The Big Mama Grill,” BBQ-ing ribs outside the joint. He is currently in negotiations with the property management company which also manages Vic’s and the entire right side of the shopping center.

Good Eats would give some life to that side of the shopping center which recently lost Erawan Thai Restaurant. Erawan moved over to Freeport Boulevard.

Vic’s Market closing leaves a big hole in the historic South Hills shopping center. Hopefully, a higher quality market can move in while keeping the original architecture of the building intact.

Got a local neighborhood news story?

Email Greg@valcomnews.com

www.valcomnews.com • March 19, 2015 • Pocket News

17

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19

Deer Creek guided equestrian ride

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

March Planning for the inevitable March 19: A 25-minute presentation on why everyone should pre-plan funeral arrangements.

Eliminate stress and relieve your family of the burden, know all available choices, get what you want, ensure every detail is covered, and save money. Free lunch provided. Free of charge; class will be held from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at ACC Senior Services, 7334 Park City Dr. Preregistration is required. For more details, call 393-9026 ext. 330, www.accsv.org.Dr. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Sutter Children’s Center Wellness Festival to be held at Fairytale Town March 21: From 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., enjoy fun games, free play, gardening activities, health screenings and more at this free celebration of active and healthy living. Sutter’s medical personnel will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on healthy childhood development. Admission is free thanks to a generous grant from Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento. For more information, visit www. fairytaletown.org or call 808-7462. Fairytale Town is located at 3901 Land Park Dr. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Clay art with Maggie Jiminez at Ella K. McClatchy Library (School Age (6-12)) March 21: Clay face mask workshop with noted artist Maggie Jimenez. Maggie will help kids make the masks and will fire them

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Woodland bird watching at Deer Creek March 21: The beauty of Spring-time can be both seen and heard through the many bird species that call Deer Creek Hills home. Join Sacramento Valley Conservancy’s Volunteer Docents for Woodland Bird watching from 7 to 11 a.m. A 4 ½ mile walk overland on non-trail surfaces to key birding locations can be expected. Frequent stops to observe the busy activity of foragers and soaring bird species is a part of this guided outing. White-breasted Nut Hatch will be busy as it gleans the limbs and trunks of the trees for insects under the Blue Oak canopy. Wood Peckers, Loggerhead Shrike and Red-tailed Hawk’s nest can be spotted on this outing. Hushed tones, walking and stopping are the best ways to bird watch in the Oak Woodland.

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Solution to Crossword: M A T H

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A U R A L

C A D A M H I E V E U M B E D I R I M A T T A O B T P S D O E E P E R N N E L C A L V T E E R F A S I T E U P T I A T E E C T O R

Spring Arts & Crafts Fling Artists & Crafters Welcome!

Saturday, March 28, 2015 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Elks Lodge No. 6

6446 Riverside Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95831

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A N G D I I N R A E C G U E S N T T O M E R

G U R U N E O N I N A N E

I T A T E M E R A L A N O L A M S O T G E N E C E A R W I G M M O D E A R E A N E A R R E E W A S C H I N E T E N T E O R D E R

March 21: The Sacramento Valley Conservancy’s featured monthly outing at Deer Creek Hills is the Native American History Hike scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join Deer Creek Hill’s historian docent, David Scharlach on a 4-mile hike through the traditional land of the Nisenan Indians. Learn how Native Americans lived, their beliefs, customs, successes and tragic demise. David Scharlach, will speak in greater depth to the Native Americans that thrived at Deer Creek Hills since the last ice age, and the coming of the Europeans and Americans that brought their rapid decline and decimated their ancient culture. The hike is good for all ages and the cost is $10.

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Walk4Water March 22: Join Faith Presbyterian Church for their second annual Walk4Water at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The walks begins at Faith Church, 625 Florin Road for a two-mile round-trip walk to Cabana Club South private swimming pool, 6615 Gloria Dr. Walkers will experience what it is like for most people in developing nations around the globe to fetch water every day. They will carry an empty water container one mile and fill it up at the pool and return to the church and empty their load into the courtyard fountain. Bring a container of any size. Cost is $25 for adults and $10 for children accompanied by an adult. All donations benefit the Faith Church sponsored World Vision Abaya Ethiopia Area Development Program clean water projects. The goal is $10,000 and Faith Church will match $5,000 which will provide one clean water source for a village in remote Abaya, Ethiopia. This will also be a time to learn about water awareness and the hardships most people globally are challenged with each day in acquiring safe, clean water. In light of our current drought and water shortage in California, this will bring a greater appreciation for every drop of water we use.

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Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Lion Dance Demonstrations by Eastern Ways Martial Arts March 22: See demonstrations of kung fu, tai chi and lion dancing by Eastern Ways Martial Arts, starting at 12:30 p.m. at the central branch of the Sacramento Public Library, 828 I St. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Free ukulele workshop at Ohana Dance March 24: Ohana Dance Group is inviting youth of all ages to attend a free ‘Ukulele workshop at 6235 Belleau Wood Lane Suite 1B in South Land Park, led by Saichi Kawahara of San Francisco. Call 808-782-2583 to sign up. Class starts at 2 p.m.

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Save the Date!!!

SPRING CRAFT FAIRE

Lunch & “Wine Social” Tuesday, April 7- 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, March 21, 2015 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Entree choices: Three-Cheese Garden Lasagne, Tortellini or Spinach Salad Dessert: Almond Cake Framboise

Mission Oaks Community Center

Casa Garden Restaurant

4701 Gibbons Drive Carmichael

972-0336

Pocket News • March 19, 2015 • www.valcomnews.com

2760 Sutterville Rd. Sacto

$24 per person, includes tax & gratuity.

Reservations a must, (916) 452-2809 Proceeds benefit the Sacramento Children’s Home.

Family training at ACC (veteran and non-veteran welcome) March 24: The presentation will address public benefit resources and how to access them, pre-planning for the future, the VA Aid and attendance Pension program, and will provide a question and answer session. Free of charge; class will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. at ACC Senior Services,7334 Park City Dr. Pre-registration is required. For detail, call 393-9026, ext 330, www.accsv.org.

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Music at noon free concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church March 25: Bring your lunch and enjoy fine music. This week there will be music featuring classical Guitarist Gordon Rowland and Friends. Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 1300 N St. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Nutrition workshop troops for fitness March 25: Do you think you should be eating healthier, but do not know where to begin? Find out what foods are great for you and where to begin? Find out what foods are great for you and have the highest nutritional value. Good nutrition complements exercise. Make the most of your journey to a healthy body. Free of charge; class will be held from 1:00-2;00pm on March 25, 2015 at ACC Senior Services,7334 Park City Dr. Pre-registration is required. For detail, call 393-9026, ext 330, www.accsv.org.

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Join the Food Literacy Center and Sacramento Public Library for “Terra Firma.”

March 25: Celebrate Women’s History Month and women’s roles in the food movement this March at a free community screening of “Terra Firma.” Doors open 5 p.m. at the Central branch of the library inside the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, 828 I St. This event is free, but requires RSVP. Event is subject to capacity and availability. The film follows three female veterans as they transition back into civilian life, finding solace in farming, which also gives them a new way to serve their country by growing food for their communities. The event is part of the Food Literacy Center’s Sacramento Food Film Festival, which runs March 18 to 29 at a variety of locations around Sacramento. This pioneering nonprofit has partnered with Sacramento Public Library, Farm to Fork, U.C. Davis, The World Food Center, and the Sacramento Food System Collaborative to celebrate female veterans and farmers with a night of camaraderie and discussion. The event will feature: 5 p.m.: Reception featuring appetizers made by female chefs with beverages provided by female brewers, wine-makers and coffee roasters.

6:15 p.m.: Film screening. 7:45 p.m.: Panel discussion with Sonia Kendrick, one of the stars of the film, and others.

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ACC to present tips for choosing cell phone service March 26: If you are thinking abut buying a cell phone or changing your cell phone service provider, this class is for you! Join us for a FREE workshop to learn what questions to ask when choosing a service, what you should know before you sign a contract, and how to cut your cell phone costs. Bring a recent phone bill and we’ll review it for FREE! We might be able to save you money. Free of charge; class will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at ACC Senior Services,7334 Park City Dr. Pre-registration is required. For detail, call 393-9026, ext 330, www.accsv.org.

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The Romance of Ruins Presented by Ed Sherman, CSUS Renaissance Society March 30: A survey of those ruins that still inspire students of Western Civilization: poets, artists, philosophers, historians, etc. Fully illustrated with art and archaeological artifacts. Call 441-1015 or email scott.okamoto@ eskaton.org to reserve your space today! The presentation goes from 1 to 3 p.m. at Eskaton Monroe Lodge, 3225 Freeport Blvd.

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Fall Prevention Workshop & Refresher Balance Training Class with The Fall Prevention Lady March 30: From 10 a.m. to noon, class will concentrate on proper form, good posture, flexibility or range of motion training, strength training, and progressively challenging balance techniques. All program concepts are evidence-based. This is a great refresher for those who have taken classes with Kelly however ANYONE who is concerned about falls is welcome to attend.

This class is appropriate for older adults who have experienced falls and have trouble with balance. Although some segments of the class are done while seated, participants will practice walking and stopping variations.

Wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.

Pre-registration is preferred to identify special needs or medical conditions. It is up to instructor discretion to require physician approval prior to participation in exercise class.

Kelly Ward, M.S., Therapeutic Aging, Certified FallProof Balance and Mobility Instructor. Class will be held at Parkside Community Church, 5700 South Land Park Dr. Preregistration and info: 821-5715. Fee $10.

April April is Poetry Month ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Music at noon free concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church April 1: Bring your lunch and enjoy fine music. This week there will be music featurSee more Calendar, page 21

CALL AND PLACE YOUR EVENT TODAY! (916) 429-9901 Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Calendar:

Continued from page 20 ing Vocal Art Ensemble; Tracia Barbieri, director. Upcoming concert information and “printed� programs can be accessed from www.musicatnoon.org. Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 1300 N St. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

4th Annual Bertha Henschel Easter Egg Hunt April 4: Starting at 10 a.m., this is a low key, neighborhood hunt put on by mamas in this group- last year we had some awesome businesses step up and help us cover the minimal expenses- if anyone wants to help sponsor or help on the committee let me know! Its is super easy and super fun!!

Event features include: coffee, egg hunts for 3 and under and 4 and up, Firefly Art table, Early Engineers Lego table, Easter Bunny and face painting provided by Fancy Feet, (hopefully) Music Matt, and byo mimosa table. Nut free filled eggs donated by the sweet mamas that attend the hunt. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Fairytale Town to hold a ‘Spring Eggstravaganza�

April 4 and 5: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, this fun-filled family weekend features egg hunts, prizes, springthemed hands-on activities and visits with Peter Cottontail. Daily egg hunts are held promptly at noon, 1 and 2 p.m. Hunt areas are separated by age group: 0-3 years, 46 years, and 7-12 years. Magical Moonshine Theatre will perform “Tales of Br’er Rabbit� in the Children’s Theater at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Theater tickets are $2 for nonmembers and $1 for members. Spring Eggstravaganza is free with paid park admission. Weekend admission is $5.50 for adults and children ages 2 and older. Children ages 1 and under are free. For more information, visit fairytaletown.org or call 808-7462.

Sponsored by Extra Self Storage. Fairytale Town is located at 3901 Land Park Dr. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Theater Performance: “Tales of Br’er Rabbit�

April 4 and 5: Magical Moonshine Theatre brings the traditional African American tales of Br’er Rabbit to life with humor, large table-top puppets, a live banjo and singing during three afternoon shows, 12:30, 1:30 and at 2:30 p.m.! Br’er Rabbit may be small, but he has his wits. That doesn’t keep him out of trouble, but does tend to get him out of it, once he gets into it. When he comes up against the likes of Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear, it turns out they are no match for the clever rabbit. Tickets are $2 for nonmembers in addition to park admission, and $1 for members. For more information, visit fairytaletown.org or call 808-7462. Sponsored by ScholarShare College Savings Plan. Fairytale Town is located at 3901 Land Park Dr. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Lunch and wine social at Casa Garden Restaurant April 7: Lunch and “Wine Social� with red and white wine sips offered by Karmere Vineyards and Winery from Plymouth paired with Casa hors d’oeuvres at 11:30 a.m. (one seating only), Casa Garden Restaurant, 2760 Sutterville Road. Entree choices: Three-Cheese Garden Lasagne or Tortellini and Spinach Salad; dessert: Almond Cake Framboise -- $24 per person, includes tax and gratuity. Reservations a must, open seating -- call 452-2809. Proceeds benefit the Sacramento Children’s Home. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Music at noon free concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church April 8: Bring your lunch and enjoy fine music. This week there will be music featuring Camellia City Flute Choir; Marty Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Melicharek, director. Upcoming concert information and “printed� programs can be accessed from www.musicatnoon.org. Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 1300 N St. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Root Cellar Genealogical Society membership meeting April 9: From 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Christ Community Church, 5025 Manzanita Ave., will present a program, presented by Melinda Herzog Landrith, titled “Cemeteries in the Mother Lode.� There will be a pre-meeting from 6:15 to 7 p.m. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Deadline for scholarships for Sacramento Youth Symphony April 10: Attention all oboe, bassoon, string bass, and brass players! The award-winning Sacramento Youth Symphony is now offering several merit-based scholarships to new SYS members who audition on select instruments and are placed in the Premier Orchestra or the Symphonic Winds Ensemble. Deadline to apply for a scholarship is April 10. Visit us online at www.sacramentoyouthsymphony.org or call Robert at 7315777 for details. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Sutterville Elementary School rummage sale April 11: Sutterville Elementary School is in need of your help. They are looking for gently used items to sell at their annual rummage sale. You can drop off items at the school on Friday, April 10 from 2 to 8 p.m. Sutterville Elementary is located at 4967 Monterey Way. The rummage sale is set for Saturday, April 11 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds will go towards the school’s music program. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

MEGA Family Expo April 11: Don’t miss out on the largest free mega family event of the year from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 6446 Riverside Blvd. The event will include a bounce house, face painting, games, vendors, free prizes, talent show, shopping, resource, entertainment and food. There will appearances from Disney characters and super heroes. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

E-Waste Fundraising Event for JFK Class of 2016 and 2017 April 11: An e-waste fundraising event for the John F. Kennedy High School Class of 2016 and 2017 will be held at the high school, 6715 Gloria Dr. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Guided Sunset Equestrian Ride (must provide your own horse) April 11: The Sacramento Valley Conservancy invites you to saddle up for a sunset guided Equestrian ride at Deer Creek Hills from 4 to 8 p.m. Riders and horses alike, will explore the preserves 4400+ acres of open space in the late afternoon light. Views of the sun setting from eastern Sacramento County foothills will be enjoyed by those attending. This is suitable for only intermediate and advanced riders and not suggested for novice riders. All public outings are Docent led, traveling this working cattle ranch. Approximate ride time, two and a half hours. Ride through open country over a variety of terrain, including water crossings, climbing and descending hills. Horses should be accustom to riding in groups and in open fields. Most groups are from ten to twenty people in size, and travel at a walk.

Deep shadows and rich colors will embrace those traveling the Blue Oak Woodland hills. The sun is scheduled to set at 7:39pm and arriving back to truck and trailer will be in complete darkness - don’t forget to pack a headlamp or flashlight! Take in the evening’s stillness to Sacramento’s largest open space preserve is a very unique experience attend.

The outing is good for ages 16 years old and older. Cost for the ride is $20. Register online: www.sacramentovalleyconservancy.org/ calendar.asp ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Free SAT class at the Central Library April 11: Practice for the SAT with a real SAT test under real test conditions – just as if you were taking the actual SAT. Kaplan Test Prep will administer the practice test. The SAT practice test is open to all high school students. Registration is required to attend., 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 828 I St. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

EXP 0.

LuAnn Higgs and the B’nai Israel Choir Sunday, March 29th, 3 p.m. (Sanctuary)

Congregation B’nai Israel 3600 Riverside Blvd. Sacramento Ticket Prices at the door: $20 general, $15 senior, $10 student

Robert Bloch & Catherine Huesner, violins / Gay Currier, viola / Rejean Anderson & Louise Saunders, celli Includes works by Carl Naluai and Schubert

For further information, call (916) 428-7379 • www.capitolchamberplayers.org

Doreen Irwin Singers present . . .

Super Solo Show Sunday, March 29th, 7:30pm St. Luke's Lutheran Church 7595 Center Parkway Sacramento, 95823

$10 donation purchased at the door (Includes a dessert and coffee)

Irwin, Director ForDoreen more information call:

(916) 991-5232

Proceeds will help send the Doreen Irwin Singers to Carnegie Hall on Memorial Day, 2015.

www.valcomnews.com • March 19, 2015 • Pocket News

21

Council member names finishing the parkway trail a top priority, discusses fence removal

By Rick Jennings

Our neighborhood’s close proximity to open space and our rivers provide unique civic assets that we all treasure. Access to our rivers is a fundamental aspect of our community’s quality of life. City Councils through the years have voted to ensure public access to the Sacramento River Parkway through the adoption and support of the Sacramento River Parkway Master Plan. I am fully in support of the goals and objectives of the SRPMP. As your representative, finishing the parkway trail is a top priority. The policies of the Council’s adopted SRPMP will govern our collective efforts. An important component in the SRPMP is the recognition of the needs of the overall community in balance with our neighbors that reside along and in close proximity to the levees. The focus on balance within this discussion is not only required by policy adopted by the City Council, but it is also a foundational approach that I take when viewing public policy.

Within the SRPMP there are two primary policies that underscore that balance: Policy 5: Public Access to the Parkway shall be limited to daylight hours (dawn to dusk).

Policy 8: Access points and associated improvements shall be designed to minimize impact upon adjacent land uses.

In addition, California Government Code Section 66478.4(b)(4) states that in making the determination of what is reasonable access, the local agency shall consider the following: The likelihood of trespass on private property and reasonable means of avoiding these trespasses.

During our collective efforts to complete the Parkway, the policy of balanced public access and neighborhood safety will guide us. The potential impacts to our neighbors need to be addressed as we protect the public’s right to access our rivers and the Parkway. During my discussions with neighbors in our community, it has become clear to me that our neighbors value public access and understand the need for public safety.

Understanding the need for balance was key for me in working through the issues with the fences that are on Chicory Bend and Rivershore Court. The residents of those two streets installed fencing that after installation the Sacramento Valley Flood Protection Board required that the fences be moved out of the flood protection easements.

There were three primary issues that needed to be addressed.

First was to make sure that any fences do not interfere with flood safety. The fences once relocated will not interfere. This has been confirmed with the CVFPB.

Photo by Stephen Crowley

Shown here are two walkers enjoying the bike trail on the Sacramento River near Garcia Bend Park.

The second is that the fences would not limit public access. The parkway hours are from dawn to dusk. The gates are required to be open during that time.

If they are not, the city retains the right to remove the locks and/or the gates ensuring public access.

The third is that there is no tax money used in the relocation of the fences.

The residents will pay for the relocation or the fences will be removed.

To be clear, these fences do not obstruct travel along the parkway trail, nor do they obstruct access to the SVP during normal operating hours.

There may be some confusion with other fences that do indeed block access to the parkway during normal operat-

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Pocket News • March 19, 2015 • www.valcomnews.com

ing hours. Those fences are further North on the unimproved portion of the parkway trail.

During the research on what could be done, it was discovered that there were backyard/side yard fences that were installed beyond the property owner’s lot.

This is not an uncommon occurrence. There are hundreds of situations like this throughout the city The city of Sacramento has a process to address the encroachment of backyard/side yard fences on city property. The current situation of having the backyard/side yard fences installed on city property will be addressed.

Lastly, we need to move forward on finishing the Parkway in the Pocket/Greenhaven neighborhood. There are currently 71 properties that do not have the public easements necessary to finish the trail. Moving forward will take a collective commitment on behalf of our community. I am committed to having this discussion with our entire neighborhood with a goal to provide public access balanced with the addressing the safety and privacy impacts on our neighbors living along the levee.

Only as a committed community and a city will we finish the Parkway Master Plan.

I feel it is extremely important that we engage the entire community in this important discussion. I am committed to a collective process of community participation and engagement.

Rails to Trails to hold easy 5-6 mile walk starting at Garcia Bend on March 28 Help the Rails-for-Trails Conservancy celebrate multiuse trails by joining the Sierra Club for a hike on the Sacramento River Parkway from Garcia Bend Park to the Conlin Youth Sports Complex. Please note the request for an RSVP: Day Hike (1A). Sacramento River Parkway (Sacramento Group): This is a moderate-to-easy, round-trip 5-6 mile walk along the Sacramento River Parkway from Garcia Bend Park to the Bill Conlin Youth Sports Complex near the water tower.

March 28 is “Opening Day for Trails” established by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to celebrate multiuse trails. In addition to enjoying the beautiful natural scenery, come learn about local efforts being made by the Sacramento River Parkway Coalition to obtain completion of the Sacramento River Parkway. Bring snacks, two liters of water, and the other usual essentials.

Meet at 9:30 a.m. at Garcia Bend Park (next to the restrooms) on Pocket Road in the Greenhaven/Pocket area. Call 216-0923 and inform the leader, Stan Jones, if you plan to attend. Learn more about opening day for “trails”: http://www.railstotrails.org/opening-day.

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

Remains:

Timeline of animal remain findings

Continued from page 3

imals were beheaded before or after they were killed.

The cuts appear to have been made with a saw and do not appear to be precise and, the fact some bodies of animals are found without the heads leads one to question the application of religious practice here, as the BBC report and other sources indicate eating the animals and leaving the blood for their supreme being is the traditional approach.

The question still remains, why were remains left in bags in public view?

On Feb. 27 at 19th and V streets, two baby goats were found. “They were young enough to fit in a Raley’s brown paper bag. They were both decapitated and the heads were left behind. It’s clear that none of the killings are occurring at the locations where we find the animals,” Knepp said.

Every once in a while, Knepp said discarded farm

Jan. 8: Decapitated goat – Reichmuth Park Jan. 28: Several bags of decapitated chickens – Reichmuth Park Feb. 1: Decapitated tortoise – Reichmuth Park Feb. 17: Decapitated lamb – Reichmuth Park Feb. 21: Several bags of decapitated chickens – Reichmuth Park Feb. 25: Two adult and four offspring decapitated goats – Sulley and Claire Ave/North Sacramento (may not be related) Feb. 27: Decapitated baby goats – 19th and V streets March 2: Decapitated chickens, bloody money, cornmeal cake – bike trail 5804 Riverside Blvd.

March 2: Decapitated chickens – 1925 U St./midtown March 3: Decapitated rabbit, chickens, tea lights March 4: Decapitated chickens-19th and W streets (near the YMCA) (Courtesy of Gina Knepp, City of Sacramento Animal Care Services Director) animals are found, but to her knowledge, officials have not seen this practice to this extent ever in Sacramento. “I’ve been checking with staff (who have been here longer) and they have never seen quite so many. In my travels, in working this case, I’ve learned

about a high amount in Florida. In Miami, they have to pick up sacrifices every day.

I’m so glad we are not there.”

Anyone with information about the cases is asked to call the City of Sacramento Animal Care Services at 808-8333.

Got News? e-mail editor@valcomnews.com

Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

www.valcomnews.com • March 19, 2015 • Pocket News

23

PENDING

WONDERFUL ELK GROVE

COMFORTABLE GREENHAVEN POCKET

GREENHAVEN PLANNED UNIT

Beautifully maintained single stor y 4 bedroom, 2 bath home located in quiet community. Great open kitchen, dinning and family room combo. Master bath, walk-in closet, and sunken tub. Well-manicured backyard. Conveniently located! $379,900

4 bedrooms, 2½ baths, open floor plan great for entertaining! Features include family room fireplace, master bedroom opens to 2nd bedroom, inside laundr y. Beautifully landscaped with raised brick garden and extended driveway $349,000

This single family 2 bedroom 1½ bath home features new exterior paint, open floor plan, spacious bedrooms, huge dining area, attached 1 car garage, community pool, plenty of parking, newer roof, covered patio, yard space, fireplace, ceiling fans.

Close to river, bike trails, parks, and downtown. $189,000

SYLVIA MORENO 996-4760

LINDA WOOD 802-8042

MONA GERGEN 247-9555

PENDING

SOLD

POCKET CONTEMPORARY

WELL MANINTAINED

ADORABLE HOLLYWOOD PARK

Lovely 3 bedroom 2 bath in a wonderful neighborhood. Very open floor plan with atrium and tons of light. Nice home for entertaining inside or in lovely, large backyard. Side yards are large, raised planter bed too! Patio cover is spectacular when in bloom. $349,900

Impeccably maintained, roomy 3 bedroom 1½ bath on a big .2 acre lot. Lifetime roof, newer water heater and carpet. Heat pump and attached 1-car garage. Convenient to park and transportation. $187,000

LEIGH RUTLEDGE 612-6911 BILL HAMBRICK 600-6528

LISA MCCAULEY 601-5474

Darling 3 bedroom home with hardwood parquet floors, living room fireplace, cute kitchen and formal dining room. Central heat and air, dual pane windows and bonus rooms at the back have been used as family room and 3rd bedroom. Fruit trees and work shop in backyard. $159,000

SOLD

PAULA SWAYNE 425-9715

SOLD

COMFORTABLE SPACE

QUALITY GREENHAVEN HOME

HOLLYWOOD PARK CUTIE

3 bedrooms 2 baths, nice floor plan with brick fireplace in living room. Large backyard with fruit trees and a built-in BBQ. Walking distance to park; 2-car attached garage. Priced to sell! $155,000

Lee Basford built 3 bedroom 2½ bath home close to the Sacramento River. New two-tone paint, refinished hardwood floors, remodeled kitchen, master bath, Pella dual pane windows, plantation shutters and so much more! Newer front and backyard landscaping, and a pool! $432,500

Move-in-ready 2 bedroom home within easy walking distance of James Mangan Park! Updated kitchen and nook, updated bath; central heat and air. Nice sized backyard with small patio, oversized 1-car garage with extra storage closet. Convenient and comfortable! $175,000

MONA GERGEN 247-9555

PAULA SWAYNE 425-9715

LISA MCCAULEY 601-5474

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