Community

SacPress on Insight: Chickens, redistricting and fish bowls

2011-08-31T01:17:31Z

I filled in for David Watts Barton Tuesday morning for the weekly segment of The Sacramento Press on Capital Public Radio's “Insight,” and Jeffrey Callison and I talked about chicken keeping, a record-setting City Council meeting on redistricting and a few fun additions to the central city – including a restaurant that serves drinks in fish bowls.

The Sacramento City Council may pass an ordinance at its meeting Tuesday night that will allow residents to keep up to three egg-laying chickens in their backyards – as long as the chickens are enclosed and the enclosure is 20 feet away from the neighbors’ homes.

Residents would need to apply for a permit and pay to renew it each year. There is a $15 fee per household and $10 fee per chicken.

The Department of Animal Care Services will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance, however, the department won’t get involved unless neighbors make complaints.

The Maydestone Building renovation is set to be completed in mid-September after roughly a year of construction.

The D&S Development, Inc., project cost $7 million, and tenants are expected to start renting Oct. 1.

The four-story building houses 32 units, with spaces varying in size from 300 - 700 square feet and rents between $700 and $1500.

Some of the original features of the building were kept intact, including the original windows that use a rope-and-pulley system and restored pull-out beds and dressers. New features include solar-powered water heaters and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning units.

The two-year taxi moratorium in Sacramento – that was enacted Aug. 4 – has caused a lot of stir among commenters on The Sacramento Press.

We decided to look into it further and find out why the city staff proposed a moratorium – where no new taxi permits will be issued – in the first place.

The city was receiving complaints from both cab drivers and businesses that there were too many taxis in Sacramento so city staff decided to study the industry.

There are currently more than 500 taxis in the city of Sacramento – a number that has grown 66 percent since 2004, while the population has grown 8 percent during that time.

City staff will study similar-sized cities to see how Sacramento compares and see how problems like traffic congestion and passenger complaints can be resolved. The study is expected to take two years.

After five hours of public comment and a record 103 people who signed up to give public comment – the City Council approved a revised Neighborhoods 2.0 map Tuesday in a 6-3 vote.

The map draws the district boundaries right down Stockton Boulevard and places the UC Davis Med Center in District 6 instead of in District 5, which outraged many Oak Park residents.

City Hall was a packed house with nearly 500 people attending the council meeting.

The final vote on a new redistricting map will take place Sept. 6.

The unofficial “Mayor of Midtown,” Andy Ekstrom, passed away just over a year ago, and last Wednesday, friends and family gathered at the MARRS building to remember him and dedicate a sculpture in his honor.

Artist Marc Foster created the 10-foot-tall, 9,000-lb. sculpture, which is made of steel and layers of concrete. Funds are currently being raised to help cover the cost of constructing the sculpture. So far, $6,500 has been raised and friends and family are hoping to raise and additional $15,000 to cover the rest of the costs.

BarWest Burgers & Wings at 2724 J St. opened Thursday. It occupies the space where Aura used to be.

The restaurant’s menu emphasizes burgers and wings, and it also has a few interesting dessert items: deep-fried ding dongs and funnel cakes.

Some of the popular alcoholic drinks on the menu are the 64-ounce fish bowls, which come with four long straws and are served in fish bowls.

BarWest has been responsive to customer feedback, reading Yelp! reviews and making adjustments where necessary. Co-owner Trevor Shults said he is working to improve customer service after seeing complaints on Yelp! The menu has also been updated so that fries now come with burgers. Originally, fries had to be ordered separately, but after customers complained about this, Shults said they changed that and increased the price of burgers.

Last but not least, we talked about the Sacramento Man Hunt coming up on Saturday.

More than 200 people have signed up for this tag-like game that begins at 10 p.m. at the entrance to Old Sacramento and ends at midnight at the Safeway on Alhambra Boulevard.

There are two teams of people: runners and chasers. Runners get a seven-minute head start and must travel on foot to the destination, while chasers can get around in any vehicle of their choosing.

Chasers “catch” runners by tagging them with two hands, and once runners have been tagged, they become chasers.

The winner doesn’t receive a prize, just bragging rights.

Eppie's Great Race: A race with something for everyone

2011-07-22T02:54:41Z

For John Weed, Eppie’s Great Race – now in its 38th year – serves as a new year’s celebration.

The 58-year-old kayak instructor and whitewater guide has competed in the “no-swim” triathlon 35 times. The 38th annual Eppie’s Great Race takes place Saturday along the American River Parkway and is open to athletes of all ages.

Weed said almost 40 years ago, he was hit by a semi truck while on his bicycle.

Before that, he had been an avid runner. He came from a family of runners and in college would run 200 miles per week.

“The doctors told me I’d never walk again, let alone run,” Weed said.

That same year, the Whitewater Slalom was introduced as an Olympic sport. Weed said he watched it on TV while he was in the hospital and decided that he wanted to try kayaking.

He took up the sport after he got out of the hospital. He is able to walk and run now, but one leg is shorter than the other which requires him to use a special seat in his kayak, he said.

His team has placed first eight times in the open division of Eppie’s Great Race and has been in the 40-plus division for the past 18 years. Weed competes in the kayak portion of the race.

Last year, he said he was the ninth-fastest kayaker.

“I feel like it’s my own personal race,” Weed said. “It’s an annual assessment of where I am now and where I once was.”

Weed and the race’s founder, Eppie Johnson, have become good friends since meeting more than 30 years ago.

“The first time I met (Eppie) was when he was learning to kayak,” Weed said. They met in kayaks near the San Juan rapids.

Weed said he knew Johnson’s kayak instructor, who introduced the two of them. Johnson told Weed about Eppie’s Great Race, and Weed signed up for the race the next year, which was the second annual Eppie’s Great Race.

Weed has been on the U.S. National Wildwater Team. The only other Eppie’s Great Race that Weed missed (besides the first) was in 1980 when the race fell on the same weekend as the USA Wildwater National Championships.

Johnson has sponsored Weed in various competitions, internationally and nationally. Most recently, Johnson sponsored Weed in the Great Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon last year.

Weed’s kayak team placed first, and he was the second fastest kayaker in the race by 58 seconds, he said.

For his 36th race, he said he is excited about the electronic chip timing.

Last year was the first year they had the chips, and he said keeping track of the athletes’ times adds a lot more pressure.

“Now everybody knows how they rank with others,” he said. “Every year before that, the biker would blame the kayaker (etc.) … (and) nobody really knew for sure” what their times were except by going off of their own watches.

The race consists of a 5.82-mile run, a 12.5-mile bike ride along the American River Parkway and finishes on the river, where racers paddle 6.35 miles to the finish.

It begins at 8 a.m. at William Pond Recreation Area and ends at River Bend Park (formerly Goethe Park).

Athletes can compete as part of a team, where each person does one leg of the race, or as an Ironman where one person does the entire race.

All proceeds from the race go to Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS), which provides Sacramento County with sports and recreation activities for people with disabilities and impairments.

In 2010, which was a record-breaking year with nearly 2,100 athletes participating, $20,000 was raised for TRS and, to date, nearly $1 million has been raised for the organization.

Water flow in the river, which has been much faster this year because of all of the rain, is expected to be at the same levels as last year, according to a July 8 Eppie’s Great Race press release.

"Based on currently available information, (the Bureau of) Reclamation expects our releases to the lower American River on race day to be about 4,500 to 5,000 cubic feet per second - comparable to that of last year,” according to the release.

“But, it is important to recognize that reservoir operations and releases to the river are based on developing conditions and needs," Bureau of Reclamation spokeswoman Lynnette Wirth said in the press release.

There will be a prerace expo from 4 - 8 p.m. Friday at River Bend Park at Goethe Park Road and Rod Beaudry Road. The Old Spaghetti Factory will provide a “carbo-load” dinner, Eppie’s Great Race spokesperson Anita Fitzhugh said. For $7 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and under, the dinner includes salad, bread, spaghetti and a drink.

Those who already registered for the race can pick up their race packets, maps and T-shirts. Last-minute race entrants can register at the expo Friday or from 6:30-7:30 a.m. before the race Saturday.

For kids, there is the US Bank Duathlon where 17-and-under participants run 2 miles and bike 5.75 miles.

After the race, there will be an expo and party from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. with vendor booths, live music by local blues band The Hucklebucks and food available for purchase including chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and sodas.

The 30th anniversary plaque that stood at the starting point of the race was stolen a few months ago, and the Eppie’s Great Race Foundation will be raising funds to replace it. Donations will be accepted at Friday's expo or after the race at River Bend Park.

“What we’re doing is we’re asking people to donate some money so we can get a new one: something that can’t be stolen,” Johnson said, adding that he expects it will cost between $3,500 and $4,000 to replace it.

There are 30 different divisions of the race, including a firefighter/police division, family division, women 50-plus and a recently added men 60-plus.

“We have a committee that works all year round and every year, if necessary, they improve on rules, adjust rules.... As far as division in the race we recently even added a men’s 60-plus category because of the interest of men in that age range,” Fitzhugh said.

Johnson said he thinks Eppie’s Great Race has grown to be so popular in large part because of the venue.

“The key is the format, the venue. The American River Parkway is Sacramento’s jewel. And the whole thing is on the parkway system. People love that,” he said

One thing that has changed over the years is the individual athleticism, Fitzhugh said.

“It is interesting (that) our number of Ironpeople, Ironwomen, Ironmen – that division really is growing at a very rapid pace compared to teams. We’re finding that more and more people are wanting to take on the entire race themselves,” she added.

One athlete who will be switching from competing on a team to competing as an Ironman is Folsom resident David Lockwood.

The 28-year-old was the cyclist for his team last year. Lockwood said his work as a coach and trainer at Folsom City CrossFit has prepared him to do the whole race.

“I feel like I’m in shape. I feel like I have a good chance of doing well,” he said. However, “if there was a swim involved, I would reconsider doing an Ironman.”

Lockwood said he enjoys the scenery of the course.

“You can’t beat the course.... It’s beautiful – whether you’re running or kayaking or biking, that trail is awesome.”

He also said he liked the variety of people who take part in the race.

“You (see) all different walks of life as far as athletes go,” he said. “I was riding next to kids on mountain bikes and … guys with track bikes … everybody was out there. It’s kind of an everybody event.”

For more information on Eppie’s Great Race 38, click here.

Table Talk Sacramento Live Chat today at noon

2011-03-30T14:47:27Z

Today at noon, The Sacramento Bee's Allen Pierleoni will host a live chat with Rick Mindermann of Corti Bros. and John Paul Khoury of Preferred Meats, Inc.

Visit sacbee.com/live from noon - 1 p.m. to ask questions relating to "What's new in the Sacramento food scene?"

The live chat is a preview of what will be discussed at Table Talk Sacramento, April 13. Read more about Table Talk Sacramento here.

Click here to go to the Bee's Live Chat page.

The Bee, Sac Press present 'Table Talk Sacramento' April 13

2011-03-23T19:01:04Z

Do you love talking about food? Do you flip to the food section of the newspaper before even reading the front page? Is a trip to the grocery store an excursion? For all you foodies, bloggers and lovers of Sacramento’s restaurants and food: The Sacramento Bee and The Sacramento Press have teamed up to bring you “Table Talk Sacramento: The region’s food community comes together for an evening of lively discussion.”

There will be two panels addressing different topics, including “What Sacramentans Eat” and the quality of local food writing.

Chris Macias will moderate the food writing panel. Macias has served as the Bee’s food and wine writer since 2008. The panelists include:

Niesha Lofing, who writes food and family stories for the Bee as well as a parenting column, Mom.me.
Catherine Enfield, a state worker by day and a local food blogger by night – or whenever she can sneak away to a computer. She is also a food truck advocate and co-organizer of the SactoMoFo mobile food festival scheduled for April 30.
Micah Rousey, who eats out at least five times per week and shares his experience on Yelp. He has contributed dozens of restaurant reviews and been named a member of the “Yelp Elite Squad.”

Allen Pierleoni will moderate the second panel, “What Sacramentans Eat,” which will cover local food trends. This panel consists of:

Rick Mindermann, an internationally known grocer and wine merchant and store director of Corti Bros. Market. He has 34 years in the food and wine business and acts as a personal assistant to Darrell Corti, who has been called “the man who knows the most about food and wine in the world.”
John Paul Khoury, the corporate chef for Preferred Meats, Inc., a premium meat company in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a focus on sustainable husbandry and smaller farm operations. He is also certified as a chef de cuisine with the American Culinary Federation.
Kelly McCown, the executive chef at Ella restaurant and a 1990 graduate of the California Culinary Academy. He was worked in the kitchens of Martini House, Flying Fish, Fleur de Lys, Hayes Street Grill and others, and he has been named “a rising star” and “top young chef” by several magazines, including Bon Appetit and Japanese GQ.

“Table Talk” will be at The Sacramento Bee, 2100 Q St., at 6 p.m. April 13. Source Global Tapas will provide light snacks.

The event will be live-tweeted by @sacramentopress using the hashtag #SacTableTalk.

The event is free, but registration is required. If you do not register, you will not be allowed to enter. Registration is limited to 160. To sign up for “Table Talk,” click here.

Come join the conversation as we discuss Sacramento’s rich food and restaurant culture.

A thank you to our community contributors

2010-12-24T02:14:13Z

We have a lot to be grateful for at The Sacramento Press. We celebrated our two-year anniversary in October, and we expanded our office over the summer. We are most thankful for our community contributors – you take the cake.

Your comments fill in the blanks of questions unanswered. You keep us honest and accurate by pointing out errors. Your thoughts and opinions spark a stream of community dialogue.

Your stories and photos document Sacramento’s history in the making. Your firsthand accounts often break stories like the evacuation of the Roseville Galleria Mall or give us an up-close at, say, a fire in Midtown.

A lot of what comes in is unexpected: a letter written by Thomas Enterprises addressing the foreclosure, video of political sign stealing, photos of an upside down rainbow or a lunar eclipse. We’ve had stories about rescued animals, commentary on a Second Saturday Art Walk shooting and plenty other unique and extraordinary stories.

There are a dozen or so community contributors who we work with on a regular basis. These all-stars take on multiple assignments, many of them working around their full-time jobs. We’ve been happy to work with them as they prepare for a big interview with a celebrity, or give them feedback on their sports coverage or emphasize the importance of meeting deadlines.

As a way of saying thank you to those who have really gone above and beyond in volunteering their time and energy to The Sacramento Press, we created “splash” pages to highlight some of their articles.

Lindol French, a new Sacramento resident, has entertained us with his musings on just about everything. We’ve been there for his first breakup with a Sacramento bar. We got to share his interview with Anthony Bourdain and experience the Neo-Crocker Party. And who could forget his Lindol-isms like this one from when the San Francisco Giants were in the World Series: “This is the kind of torture doled out by a beautiful woman with hot wax and a feather.”

Ron Nabity, a professional photographer, has really brought his love of sports to The Sacramento Press. He has captured stunning action shots, whether it be at a Sacramento Capitols game or of a running back sprinting down the field at a UFL Mountain Lions game. His engaging perspective, both in writing and behind the lens, are a real treat.

Alejandra Gonzalez first approached us with interest of becoming an intern. Her busy school schedule prevented her from committing fully to an internship, but that didn’t stop her from taking on assignments. She has done a wonderful job of highlighting local charities and fundraisers in the area, as well as writing captivating reviews of performers like Shakira and the Eagles.

Bill Burgua first participated on The Sacramento Press as a resident and neighborhood advocate and has since created his own niche. He has become one of our best-known theater reviewers, frequently quoted next to The Sacramento Bee’s critics in e-mail blasts from local theater companies. Bill has worked diligently, doing research and diving headfirst into his assignments. His appreciation of local theater shines through.

Marc McLaughlin has been contributing since August, and has really wowed us with his photos. Marc first introduced us to the Sacred City Derby Girls, with some great shots of mud wrestling and that captured the intensity of the sport. He has taken on some big performers, from Jay Leno to Justin Bieber, and has done telephone interviews for previews (the Judds, Tony Orlando, etc.)

David Alvarez has contributed 89 articles since May of this year! We’ve been lucky to have his coverage of many of the events in Folsom (Sutter Street construction, Ghost Train and Folsom Live!). David has tackled all sorts of stories, from fashion shows to cultural celebrations and festivals to Concerts in the Park. What sets him apart is his interactions with the people involved in the events he covers. As readers, we learn what he has learned as his curiosity leads to a deeper level of reporting.

Barry Wisdom is another fantastic photographer we’ve been lucky to work with. He has worked a lot with Bill Burgua in covering theater, doing many of the previews and showing up to dress rehearsals to get shots of the actors. He’s been there to indulge the eyes at Ginger Elizabeth’s Cupcake Day and showcase the art at Chalk It Up! Sacramento. Barry has a lot of fun doing his articles, and it shows.

Delgreta Brown has highlighted Sacramento’s music scene with her soulful music writing. She really makes you feel as if you’re right there in the audience.

Steven Chea continues to amaze us. He has blossomed from someone who has dabbled in video and photography to a valuable reporter and photojournalist. Steven is able to snap photos and capture both amusing and intense facial expressions. He is noted for taking his camera into the crowd, where the other action is.

Mark Needham is a true Sacramento Kings fan. As the 2010-11 season ramped up, Mark was there at every practice, interviewing players, sharing his predictions for the season and creating a presence for the Kings on The Sacramento Press.

Aaron Davis has his finger on the pulse of Sacramento’s music scene. He’s shared details of the Smashing Pumpkins coming to Sacramento and kept us in the know with his weekly roundup. His writing is fun to read and a pleasure to have on the site.

Ed Fogle has been with The Sacramento Press from the very beginning, chasing down some courageous shots. He has been there on the scene alongside ambulances, yellow tape and blazing fires, getting the photos and sharing them with the rest of us. Ed seems to be everywhere and anywhere the police scanner alerts say the action is.

Steven Bloom is becoming synonymous with the word “comedy” in Sacramento. He has interviewed the likes of Cedric the Entertainer and shared his reviews of Robin Williams, Howie Mandel and Conan O’Brien for those of us who couldn’t make it out to their shows.

Last but definitely not least is Kati Garner. She has taken her camera and breathed life into local media coverage. Her photos are Sacramento. She is there for major political events, for the installation of the Capitol Christmas tree, at the American Idol auditions, Sacramento’s Pride events and everything in between. She was there taking panoramic shots of the Railyards as construction was beginning, and she’s one of the first people we turn to when we hope to get photography. Kati, who has 313 articles to date, is a living camera, leaving a flurry of visual memories in her path.

Take a look at the contributors’ splash pages if you’d like by clicking on their names.

Thanks to everyone above and to everyone we haven’t mentioned. We would be nothing without you.

Vigil for Andy Ekstrom Friday at MARRS Building

2010-08-06T01:04:28Z

Andy Ekstrom's family and friends will be holding a candlelight vigil at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the MARRS Building, 1050 20th St.

His family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends make donations to a foundation that will be set up in Andy's name. More details will be available soon.

Sac City College's magazine in jeopardy of being cut

2010-01-07T23:20:16Z

A student at Sac City College wrote to The Sacramento Press asking us to help spread the word that Mainline magazine could be cut if it doesn't reach the minimum enrollment. Below is the email we received from Stephanie.

My name is Stephanie and I wanted to write you and let you know that Sacramento City College's journalism program has really taken huge class cuts this semester, which is definitely unfortunate for young journalists.

One class that is being cut in particular is Mainline magazine. If the roster doesn't reach 20 people by Monday, Jan. 11, it will be cut. Mainline is a very important class, it helps writers, photographers, graphic designers and illustrators by putting them in an environment that mimics the development of a magazine. I don't know if you can help or what can be done, but I just thought I would throw that out there? I think this program helps students in our community a great deal and to see it be cut, would really be sad.

http://www.losrios.edu/lrc/lrc_reg_online.php

This link is where people could go if they wanted to sign up for the class. This class is award-winning and at the end of the semester students produce a magazine. There is even a working website www.sacmainline.com.

Pets dressed for the holidays

2009-12-25T00:35:14Z

Thanks to those of you who have sent pictures of your pets. We'd love to have many more photos from your family gatherings or celebrations. Please continue to send your pet photos to journalism@sacramentopress.com

Gertie is a 1-year-old pug. Her owner is Tyler Williams.

Bradley Wiggins, a Westie sits in front of owners Ali Tabatabai's and Monica Gutierrez's tree.

Suzanne Hurt holds Appa, a toy Australian Shepherd and Lhasa Apso terrier mix. Jonathan Mendick and Samedi Thach are the owners of 4-month-old, Appa.

Beau, a miniature Schnauzer, dreams of sugarplums and fairies but Cal still lost yesterday's game despite wearing this t-shirt. Loren and Elaine Belcher own 13-year-old Beau.

Calling all pet owners: Send us your photos

2009-12-22T21:44:07Z

Tis the season to decorate your house, your tree and many times, your pet.

We'd love to see your photos of your pets dressed up in their holiday best. Send your photos to journalism@sacramentopress.com with the name of your pet, your name and where you live, and we'll put together a photo essay of the photos we receive.

Halloween in Sacramento - a photo essay

2009-11-01T19:37:00Z

Photos of the dog fashion show by Eric Whalen

Photos of Midtown Trick or Treat by Suzanne Hurt

Photos of Halloween night by Tina Armour

Friends of Laura Ling share their experiences

2009-08-10T09:00:56Z

The Sacramento Press has followed the timeline of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee since their detainment in North Korea, covering some of the vigils that took place in Sacramento.

Ling was born and raised in Carmichael and her ties to the Sacramento community brought enormous support for the two women throughout their ordeal.

Following Bill Clinton's visit with Kim Jong Il, Ling and Lee were pardoned and allowed to return home. The Sacramento Press interviewed two of Ling's friends to hear what it was like for them during Ling's absence.

Cheryll Marsh and Stephanie Tomasegovich met Ling in seventh grade at Barrett Middle School in Carmichael. Marsh met Ling through the school's drill team and Tomasegovich met Ling because of their shared love of New Kids on the Block.

Friendships made in middle school proved to be instrumental in the campaign and efforts to get Ling and Lee back home safely.

On March 17, when Ling and Lee were arrested on charges of spying and illegal entry into North Korea, both Marsh and Tomasegovich heard the shocking news while at work. Tomasegovich came across the story via the Internet and Marsh's mother called her on the phone.

“I was in complete shock, in disbelief,” Marsh said. Her first thought was, “How do we get her out?”

“I didn’t believe the severity of it,” Tomasegovich said.

“I was going to do something," Marsh said. "I wasn't going to just sit around.”

Tomasegovich sent a letter to Michelle Obama appealing to her as a mother, since Lee is also a mother of a girl.

Marsh sent letters to officials in North Korea and to President Barack Obama pleading for the release of the two journalists. Both women sent numerous postcards to Ling, and Marsh wrote emails to Ling even though she knew she wasn’t able to read them.

One of her emails read, “I’m thinking about you. I think about you every single day.”

Both Marsh and Tomasegovich were put under the media spotlight because of their friendships with Ling. The two spoke on radio programs and at the vigils in Sacramento.

Tomasegovich was not a fan of all the media attention. “I did not like it," she said. "I was unprepared, [but] I did it for Laura.”

Tomasegovich made bracelets similar to the Live Strong bracelets. She passed out the baby blue bracelets that said “Keep Hope Alive” to everyone she knew and sent them to Lisa Ling, Laura's sister, in L.A.

For Tomasegovich, the most difficult part was a feeling of helplessness. She said she hated not being able to help Ling and wondering what her family was feeling every minute of the day. She also felt guilty about having her life continue to go on knowing what Ling was going through.

Marsh said the most difficult part of Ling being away was not knowing anything, especially at the beginning. She admitted it was very discouraging because no one knew what to do.

"The turning point [was] when I met with an old friend of the Ling [family], a friend of Laura's and Lisa's mom at a cafe in San Francisco," she said. "I had a new sense of purpose. [I thought to myself] stop being sad, there needs to be action!"

On Aug. 4, the news of Ling and Lee's release reached the two friends.

Marsh described her reaction as “the most amazing feeling.” She said that their release was “a dream that I kept on playing in my head,” and her heart lifted when the dream became a reality.

Tomasegovich was in the midst of a trial as a juror. She received the news from her brother while on her lunch break. She yelled out to the jury, “You guys, she’s coming home!”

She also made it a point to tell the judge presiding over the trial. “The judge announced it to the court and everyone cheered,” Tomasegovich said.

Both friends agreed that the media played a huge role in keeping the Ling and Lee story on the public’s mind and in bringing them home.

“As much as people hate the media, the more they were annoying, the better it was for them,” Tomasegovich said.

Tomasegovich recently lost her job and her sister-in-law pointed out that everything happens for a reason. Had she been employed full-time, she might not have been able to appear on TV and speak on the radio.

In a Facebook message, her sister-in-law said, “Life needed you and you were there.”

Both women have been celebrating the safe return of their long-time friend, but neither have spoken to or seen Ling since her return.

“She needs her privacy,” Marsh said.

“She’ll give me a call when she’s ready," Tomasegovich said.