Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "citrus heights"

Document Keepsakes for the Next Generation

2012-01-08T06:50:48Z

You have your great-grandma's thimble collection. Someone else has their great-grandpa's high chair he used as a baby. Yet another has the family bible dating back to the early 1800's. The fancy word for these items is ephemera. Put simply, they are your family's keepsakes, heirlooms and momentos. Family historians in particular place a high value on these treasures because of the story they tell about the ancestor who owned, perhaps even made, them. As moving as it is to possess such history, be sure you have a thorough inventory of your collectibles. Help teach your descendants where they came from.

On Wednesday, February 8, 2012 bring your family keepsake or collection to Show and Tell at the Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society meeting. Local genealogy instructor Glenda Lloyd will host the evening and show how to create an inventory using photography, measurement and written history. Visitors welcome. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse, 6921 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights. Contact Sandi Benward 916-412-3511, www.rootcellar.org, or http://rootcellarramblings.blogspot.com. .

Disclosure: I have been a member of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society for four years. Currently, I serve as the Publicity Chairperson and member of the Technology Committee. Want to start our family tree? Contact me at rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

California International Marathon draws huge crowds in 28th year

2011-12-05T04:16:27Z

Early Sunday morning, over 4,000 runners from around the world participated in the California International Marathon, a 26.2-mile race from Folsom to downtown Sacramento. As the runners scaled the greater Sacramento area into the afternoon, hundreds of supporters lined the route carrying signs of support and yelling words of encouragement.

Meadow Bailey, a 34-year-old homemaker from Rancho Cordova, was one of the many who came out to show their support. She said that although this was her first time coming, she had an enjoyable experience.

“Everybody is cheering, and there’s a great sense of unity,” she said.

Starting near Folsom Lake, participants headed east down Oak Avenue. Passing through Orangevale, Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks, runners gradually traveled downhill, a signature element of the CIM that makes it one of the fastest races in the country. Taking Fair Oaks Boulevard all the way into Midtown, runners eventually turned onto L Street, where they raced to the finish line located on the west side of the Capitol. A full map can be found here.

Several events were held concurrently to the marathon. A shorter relay was held where participants worked in teams. Another event, the MaraFUNrun, was a 2.62-mile run for children and families.

The winners of the marathon were recognized at an award ceremony that started at 3 p.m. For the men, Erick Monyene, a 24-year-old from Keller, Texas, came in first place with a total time of 2:11:50. He was followed by 30-year-old Ryan Bak from Bend, Ore., in second place and Joseph Mutinda, 37, from Santa Fe, N.M., in third place. Their times were 2:14:17 and 2:14:53, respectively.

For the women, Abrha Serkalem, a 24-year-old from Eth, took first place with a time of 2:33:40. In second was Atalelech Asfaw, 20, from Albuquerque, N.M., with a time of 2:33:56. In third place was Nuta Olaru, a 41-year-old from Antioch with a time of 2:37:13. A complete list of finishing times can be found here.

As the runners raced toward the Capitol, the streets were lined with many people who came out to show support. Many bands played at several points throughout the race, including folk singer Willie Ames, hip-hop artist Crazy Ballhead and various high school marching bands. As the runners passed, musicians and supporters alike cheered out in their support.

Sara Nylin, a 29-year-old teacher from Rancho Cordova, participated in the marathon for the first time this year. She said if it weren’t for the people who came out in support, she wouldn’t have been able to pull through.

“It’s a big marathon, and there’s a lot of people,” she said. “I had people supporting me, and now I’m supporting my friends as they finish.”

Other people participated in the relay and later stood on the sidelines supporting the marathon runners. Faith Caplan, a 30-year-old teacher from East Sacramento, was one of them.

“The course is nice and the weather is usually beautiful,” Caplan said, adding that this was why she has participated for the last five years.

Tammy Cortopassi, 48, is a medical assistant who lives in Midtown. Having come to watch the race and support the runners for the first time, she said she believes the runners who come in last place deserve the same respect and recognition as those who come in first.

“No one waits for the last person,” she said after most of the runners had passed her spot along Alhambra Boulevard. “The last is just as important as the first.”

Cortopassi’s compassion for all racers was evident all throughout the day. Phrases such as “You can do it!” and “To the finish line!” were yelled by people who were watching the race and others who were simply walking by it.

When the runners reached the finish line, they were greeted with more cheers, lots of water and massages. Sweat darted down many of their foreheads, and others laid down in the grass surrounding the Capitol, catching their breath.

“The race was a lot of fun to watch,” Bailey said. “I’m just glad I wasn’t doing it.”

Elk Grove Force wins Jumpstart 21 Hoops and Alley Oops tournament

2011-11-15T06:49:05Z

The Elk Grove Force beat the Sacramento Donkey Fong, 33-23 in the final match, making Elk Grove the first champion of the annual Jumpstart 21 Hoops and Alley Oops Regional Celebrity Basketball Tournament.

There were more than 250 attendants watching the game Monday afternoon at the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation basketball arena in Elk Grove.

In the final match, Former Monarch Danielle Viglione of the Sacramento Donkey Fong injured her left ankle as she went for a rebound early in the game. In the last six minutes of the game, another Sacramento Donkey Fong player was injured: Rolland Foley III, 20, a Sacramento City College student, injured his knee.

"I'm sad for my teammates," Sacramento City Councilman Rob Fong of the Sacramento Donkey Fong said, referring to his teammates' injuries. "It's kind of hard to enjoy it after that."

He said that the event was for a great cause – Jumpstart 21 – and the game needs to be revisited so that injuries can be avoided in next years' tournament.

Jumpstart 21 is a workforce development and internship placement program for foster youth created by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce.

"The championship game, man, what a game. It was back and forth (and), unfortunately, the other team had a few injuries, we hung in there, and brought the championship for Elk Grove," Professional Water Skier Brian Detrick, 22, said.

In the first round of the tournament, the Elk Grove Force beat the Rocklin Rim Rattlers, 35-12; the West Sacramento Brick Layers won against the Folsom 49ers, 14-12; the Sacramento Donkey Fong secured the victory against the Roseville Annexers, 37-20; and the Citrus Heights Crush beat the Rancho Cordova Magic Makers, 25-20.

In the semi-finals, the Sacramento Donkey Fong beat the Citrus Heights Crush 29-22, and the Elk Grove Force beat the West Sacramento Brick Layers, 35-13.

"Everybody came together for the spirit of helping the emancipated foster youth so we were very excited." CEO and President Patricia Fong Kushida of the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce said. The event went well, she said, except for the couple of injuries during the final game.

Vice Mayor of Elk Grove Jim Cooper said that the biggest winners in the game are the youth in the Jumpstart 21 program. He was captain of the Elk Grove Force team.

Eight cities of the Sacramento region to compete in a celebrity basketball tournament

2011-11-08T05:43:29Z

The National Basketball Association might still be in a lockout, but the Sacramento region is set to have a celebrity basketball tournament Nov 14. where eight teams representing Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Elk Grove, Roseville, West Sacramento, Rocklin, Citrus Heights and Sacramento are participating for a fundraising event.

The Jumpstart 21 Hoops and Alley Oops Regional Celebrity Basketball Tournament is a three-on-three half-court basketball tournament fundraising event held by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (SACC).

The proceeds will benefit Jumpstart 21, a workforce development and internship placement program by the SACC for young adults recently out of the foster care system, said SACC Director of Events and Foundation Matthew Sumida.

The teams will be captained by an elected official from each of the cities and coached by a graduate of the program. Sumida said that the 12-week training program provides the young adults with basic employment skills, and once training is completed, the graduates are provided internship placement within the Sacramento region.

"This program will help raise funds for those internships," Sumida said,"and it's a great way for the former foster kids to get involved and to interact with high-level community leaders."

The captains for each of the teams are required to recruit their own players, Sumida said, where two have to be female, and one has to be a media person. During the game, a female player is required to be on the court at all times. Also, a member of the team should be a representative of the team’s official sponsor. It is not necessary for the teammates to be residents of the city their team represents, except for the team captain.

He said that some of the players have former professional basketball experience, including Danielle Viglione, a former Sacramento Monarch, who is playing for the city of Sacramento team.

Marcos Breton of The Sacramento Bee will be the master of ceremonies.

Sumida said that it would have been ideal to have Mayor Kevin Johnson included in the event, but he was not available.

The tournament will also have its own version of the Royal Court Dancers – the Jumpstart 21 Dancers – who will be trained by the Sacramento Kings Royal Court Dancers. The dancers are event sponsors and public officials, said Six Degreez President Sharon Gerber, the official event planner of the tournament.

There will be a five-minute warmup time before each of the games. Two fifteen-minute half-court matches will play simultaneously, and the teams will have one 30 second time-out.

"We are planning to have this as an annual event, and each year the trophy will be passed on to the next winner. " Sumida said. "It's a fun event that we came up with to help raise money and also to find out who the best basketball team in the region is."

Hear an explanation of how the tournament will work below:

The event runs from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Registration starts at 3:00 p.m.
The event will be held at the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation, 9040 High Tech Court in Elk Grove Tickets can be purchased here.

What the team captains have to say:

Citrus Heights Crush

Coach: Nicole Miller
Captain: Mayor Jeannie Bruins
Members:
Mel Turner
Paul Robins
Joel Archer
Nicole Garing
Diane Ebbitt

"I am looking forward to (a) faceoff with West Sacramento – a challenge I put out to Oscar Villegas," Citrus Heights Mayor Jeannie Bruins said. "We're going to crush them because we are the Citrus Heights Crush."

She said that her team has practiced once, and the players are ready. Unfortunately, Bruins said, she will not be playing and will stay on the sidelines. She said that she will be the No. 1 cheerleader for the team.

"It is just fabulous what they do," Bruins said of the Jumpstart 21 program.

Rancho Cordova Magic Makers

Coach: Angela Montes
Captain: Councilwoman Linda Budge
Members:
Nathan Dietrich
Bob Shallit
Sam Miller
Adam Lingren
Rebecca Sloan

"We have four dedicated basketball fans in our team, and we have been watching the Sacramento Kings for a long time, and hopefully it rubbed off," said Rancho Cordova City Councilwoman Linda Budge.

Budge said that in order for them to win in this competition, they will have to play like a team. She said that she will make sure that her teammates make some assists.

The team has not had the chance to practice together, but she said the players have practiced separately, with some of them practicing basketball with their kids.

"We are doing this because we are basketball fans, but most of all because it is for a good cause," Budge said."We will be playing for them."

Sacramento Donkey Fong

Coach: Roland Foley III
Captain: City Councilman Rob Fong
Members:
City Councilman Jay Schenirer
State Assemblyman Roger Dickinson
Bethany Crouch
Tim Mech
Sam Luong
Danielle Viglione

"We don't care who we meet in the finals, we just know we are going to win," Sacramento City Councilman Rob Fong said.

He said that they enjoy being the favorite team to win, even though the other teams might not like it. He has not talked with Mayor Kevin Johnson to get some basketball tips, but Fong said he will definitely do so.

"Most of us are rooted to the earth and won't be doing any jumping at all," said Fong, who also said that this should not be a problem. The team practiced Sunday.

"It is for a great cause, and we are willing to take great physical risk to support it," Fong said. "I'm just hoping that when all is said and done, none of us will be heading to the emergency room.”

West Sacramento Brick Layers

Coach: Reyan Reyes
Captain: City Councilman Oscar E. Villegas
Members:
Chris Ledesma
Kristin Marshall
Bob Johnston
Jeff Dorso
Kalyca Seabrook
Bernadette Austin-Bower

"We don't care who we face off," West Sacramento City Councilman Oscar Villegas said. "Bring it!"

Villegas said that a friendly game is always good for the soul. His team has practiced, and he said that it is going well.

"I would bet somebody else's paycheck that we would win," he added. "I can dunk if they lower the hoop to 7 feet,"

Folsom 49ers

Coach: April Redricks
Captain: Mayor Andy Morin
Members:
Matt Dawson
Teo Torres
Ben Porter
Lani Stowers
Shannon O'Neill

"I would like to go against Rancho Cordova in the final match, because they are our friendly neighbors, and if we can beat them, we can have some serious bragging rights," said Folsom Mayor Andy Morin.

"I want to be as competitive as possible, but I am also looking forward to meeting with old friends in a friendly, competitive setting," he added.

Morin said that his team is set to meet up this week for practice, and he hopes that his team will be in good condition for the tournament.

Rocklin Rim Rattlers

Coach: Leslie Lee Jr.
Captain: City Councilman Scott Yuill
Members:
Greg Daley
Tina Macuha
Brian Jenson
Dave Butler
Paul Ackerman

"I am looking forward most to helping supporting the Jumpstart 21 program and having fun doing it with the regional flair," said Rocklin City Councilman Scott Yuill.

He said jokingly that his team has practiced extensively through email and is well-prepared for the tournament.

"I am a much better golfer than a basketball player, and I am a horrible golfer," Yuill said."I'd like to go head-on with Rob Fong because he usually beats me in golf.”

"In Rocklin, we are very humble and polite, and I think it will be out of character to point out our sheer athletic superiority," he added.

Elk Grove Force

Coach: Naomi Mendez
Captain: Mayor Steve Detrick
Members:
Jim Cooper
Drisha Leggitt
Dan Elliott
Keri Thomas
Alex Van Dyke
Brian Detrick

"My team, of course," Elk Grove Mayor Steve Detrick said when asked who will win. "We are the team to look out for."

He said that he is a recreational basketball player, but his team has not had the chance to practice yet.

"I put my best into everything I do, and hopefully our team can come up on top," he added.

"I think it's great that we are taking the cities of Sacramento and participating in such (an) event for a common goal," Detrick said. “The Sacramento region has no boundaries when it comes to fulfilling such goals."

Roseville Annexers

Coach: Olajuwon Curtis
Captain: City Councilman Tim Herman
Members:
Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Kelly Brothers
Steve Fleming
Daniel Hahn
Steffi Jones

"We did not snag any former Monarch or King, but we will try to be competitive and have a lot of fun," City Councilman Tim Herman said.

Herman said that his team has already practiced once and will be practicing once more before the game. His players are happy and proud to represent Roseville and Placer County, he added.

"Most of us are under-the-basket kind of players. Unless they lower the hoop, I do not think we will be doing any dunks," Herman said.

"It's for a great cause, and to raise awareness and money for the Jumpstart 21 is a victory for all of us," Herman said.

Check Before You Burn Starts November 1 in Sacramento County and its Cities

2011-10-28T22:16:15Z

Check Before You Burn Starts November 1 in Sacramento County and its Cities

The fifth season of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s Check Before You Burn program starts November 1 and runs through February 29, 2012. Residential wood burning will be restricted or prohibited on days when fine particle pollution is forecast to be high. The law is in effect in Sacramento County and its cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova and Sacramento. Residents are required to Check Before You Burn.

The District will restrict or prohibit the use of indoor and outdoor fireplaces and wood stoves, and fire pits and chimineas that burn wood, pellets, manufactured logs or any other solid fuel to keep fine particle pollution down. A voluntary request to discourage burning will be issued when air pollution levels are on the rise.

Check Before You Burn Categories:
Stage 2 – All Burning Prohibited

All burning is prohibited in any device when fine particle pollution is forecast to exceed 35 micrograms per cubic meter. It is illegal to burn any solid fuel, including wood, manufactured logs and pellets.
Stage 1 – No Burn – Unless Exempt
It is illegal to burn when fine particle pollution is forecast to be 32-35 micrograms per cubic meter unless EPA certified fireplace inserts or stoves, or pellet stoves are used.
Burning Discouraged – Voluntary
Burning is discouraged when fine particle pollution is forecast to be 26-31 micrograms per cubic meter. The AQMD asks you to voluntarily choose not to burn.
Legal to Burn
When the forecast is 25 micrograms per cubic meter or lower then it is legal to burn and the use of manufactured fire logs is acceptable at this level. If you choose to burn please follow clean burning techniques in order to burn as cleanly as possible.

Exemptions:
The following exemptions apply to both Stage 1 and Stage 2 categories:

Homes where wood burning is the sole source of heat
Financial hardship waiver approved by the Air Pollution Control Officer – must be renewed each burn season
Devices that operate exclusively with natural gas or propane
Cooking devices
Ceremonial fires related to specific religious activities

Enforcement:
Enforcement will be through complaints (800-880-9025) and sightings of visible smoke by Air District enforcement staff. First time violations will result in a $50 fine or a requirement to complete and pass a wood smoke awareness course. Fines for subsequent violations are higher.

Check Before You Burn:
1. 1-877-NO-BURN-5 (1-877-662-8765)
2. Visit www.AirQuality.org
3. Subscribe to Air Alert at www.SpareTheAir.com and check the Daily Air Quality Forecast box to receive a daily email
4. Check the Sacramento Bee’s weather page located on the back of the Our Region section
5. Listen to television and radio weather forecasts
6. Follow us at twitter.com/aqmd

Residents can visit www.AirQuality.org or call 916-874-4800 for more information.

Disclosure: On behalf of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

Law enforcement, firefighters box for charity

2011-08-22T05:31:59Z

Law enforcement and correctional officers, military personnel and a firefighter went toe to toe in the boxing ring Saturday night, raising money for charity in the Battle of the Badges Fight Series: Road to the Championship.

Held in the intimate courtyard setting of Liquid Nightclub in Citrus Heights, the well-attended event benefitted charities including the Armed Forces Foundation, Firefighters Burn Institute and Sacramento Sheriff's Toy Project.

Battle of the Badges Fight Series events are a lead-up to the title fight at Battle of the Badges VIII. Last year's Battle of the Badges VII was held in August at Memorial Auditorium.

All bouts had a three-round limit, and on the card Saturday were 10 preliminary matches and one main event, featuring heavyweights Bryan Williams (Fresno PD) vs. Mike Gomez (CDC-CSP Sac).

Highlights of the evening for the crowd included a lights-out KO of David Richardson (CDC Solano) by Chris McElroy (CDC CSP Sac) and a brutal pummeling of Mike Hernandez (El Cerrito PD) by Noel Montes (CDC-CCPOA) that went the full three rounds and left Hernandez's face covered in blood.

All boxers were ranked by the United Combat Association and the matches were officiated by the California State Athletic Commission. Visit the Battle of the Badges website for information on upcoming bouts.

Fight results:

1. Brent Burkhart (CDC-DVI) defeated Gary Mungia (Army)

2. Jed McNamara (Dept of ABC) defeated Jose Hermosillo (Williams PD)

3. Dru McDonald (Sac Fire) defeated Craig Hamblin (CDC Solano)

4. Fracnsico Flores (Stanislaus County Sheriff) defeated Neil Tremethick (Army)

5. Brenden Reavis (CPS) defeated Javier Banuelos (CDC CSP-Sac)

6. Ruben Jones (CHP) defeated Eduardo Barajas (Williams PD)

7. James Davis (CDC-Folsom) defeated Craig Colosimo (CDC - Mule Creek)

8. Chris McElroy (CDC CSP Sac) defeated David Richardson (CDC Solano)

9. Chris Martinez (Avenal PD) defeated Orlando Rivera (Border Patrol)

10. Noel Montes (CDC CCPOA) defeated Mike Hernandez (El Cerrito PD)

11. Bryan Williams (Fresno PD) defeated Mike Gomez (CDC CSP Sac)

All images copyright: Steven Chea

County Records at the State Archives

2011-08-06T16:12:14Z

On Wednesday, September 14, 2011, Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society will host Linda Johnson, Senior Archivist at the California State Archives. Linda will describe county records held there and answer audience questions. A brief membership meeting will precede the program.

We welcome your questions in advance! Email them to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com. Questions will also be taken at the meeting.

All Root Cellar membership meetings are free so bring someone with you.

7pm-8:30pm
Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse
6921 Sylvan Way
Citrus Heights

Contact Sandi Benward 916-412-3511
Website: http://www.rootcellar.org
Blog: http://rootcellarramblings.blogspot.com

October Datebook:

Saturday, October 1: Archives Crawl
Blog: http://sacarchivescrawl.blogspot.com/

Saturday, October 15: Family History Day at the California State Archives
Blog: http://fhdnews.blogspot.com/

Fourth of July roundup

2011-06-30T20:32:12Z

Sacramento

Cal Expo Sacramento Independence Day Celebration
Monday – Gates open at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m.
1600 Exposition Blvd. – Fireworks in the Miller Lite Grandstand
Price: Free
Parking: $10 in the Cal Expo parking lot
Age: All ages

Cal Expo will present its famed fireworks display for guests. Guests can enjoy preshow music provided by 107.9 The End and the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West.

Raley Field Independence Day Weekend Celebration
Saturday and Sunday. Games start at 7:05 p.m. Sat and 6:35 p.m. Sun
Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Drive
Price: $7-$42
Age: All ages

Family and friends can enjoy Raley Field’s annual Fourth of July celebration with two games against the Tucson Padres. There will be a fireworks show after each game to celebrate. In addition to the festivities, there is an American flag giveaway presented by the Army to the first 2,500 fans.

2011 Sacramento Firecracker 5K/10K Run & Walk Sacramento CA
Saturday at 9 a.m.
William Land Park, 3800 West Land Park Drive
Price: Adult entrance costs $35 until Thursday and is $40 on race day
Children (15 and under) are $20
Age: All ages

It’s time to don the running shoes for the Firecracker 5K/10K run. The course will follow the paths and nearby roads of William Land Park and is divided into 5K and 10K divisions.

There will be post-race refreshments at the finish line and an award ceremony and raffle giveaways after the event.

“We’re expecting a few thousand people,” said Robert Mathis, race director. That’s 50 percent more than last year.

“We encourage people to wear red, white and blue,” Mathis added.

Fourth of July Fun at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center
Saturday and Sunday from 12:30- 4p.m.
3615 Auburn Blvd.
Price: Children (3 and younger) are Free, Children (4 - 12) are $4, Teens (13 - 17) are $5, Adults (18 and older) are $6, Senior Citizens (60 and older) are $5
Age: All ages

The Discovery Museum Science & Space Center presents an inexpensive, fun and educational family weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the Space Quest exhibit, and kids finish with free craft activities for children ages 4 - 12. Families can also choose to attend the Planetarium shows (at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) that are included with ticket purchases.

The Science & Space Center will also be selling fireworks at the museum for those on the more adventurous side. Proceeds will benefit the museum.

40 Palooza
Saturday, 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. Sunday
7440 Auburn Blvd.
Price: $8
Age: 21 and older

For those looking for a little extra excitement for the Fourth of July, Rocky’s 7440 will spice the night up with drink specials and music from DJs Victorious, Snoope and D-Rock. The 40 Palooza will be hosted by ILL Fam and MySacNightLife.

Old Sacramento Fourth of July Champagne Brunch Cruise
Monday, 11 a.m. - 1p.m.
A cruise along the Sacramento River departing from the L Street Dock, 1206 Front St.
Price: $25.80 - $43
Age: All ages

The Hornblower Cruise will provide a unique way of celebrating the Fourth of July. With a two-hour cruise, guests can dress up and enjoy a brunch buffet, drinks, and a live soloist entertainer. Formal wear is not required, but guests are asked to dressy-casual clothing.

Folsom

Folsom Pro Rodeo
Friday - Sunday
Dan Russell Rodeo Arena in Folsom, at Stafford Street and Leidesdorff Street
Price: Reserved seating is $24.50, and general admission ranges from $15 - $19.50
Age: All ages

The Folsom Pro Rodeo will have daily events including rodeo competitions, a carnival, kids activities, country music and dancing, and nightly fireworks shows over the arena.

Each night of the event, renowned skydiver Kent Lane will free-fall from 4,500 feet trailing a 2,000-square-foot American flag behind him.

El Dorado Hills

Second Annual Fireworks Jubilee
Sunday 4 p.m. - Monday at midnight
El Dorado Hills Town Center
Price: Free
Age: All ages

El Dorado Hills will present a day of fun for all ages. From live music on three stages to a chili cook-off to a fireworks show, there will be plenty to do throughout the town center.

Following the fireworks show is a performance by band Mother Mayhem in the Steven Young Amphitheater until 11:30 p.m.

Rancho Cordova Third and Fourth of July Carnival and Parade
Sunday and Monday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. (Parade Monday at 10 a.m.)
Hagan Park, 2197 Chase Drive
Price: Free for kids 5 and under, $2 general admission, 10.00 parking.
Age: All ages

For those looking for an all-day, activity-filled event, Rancho Cordova’s July Carnival and Parade offers just that.

“It is the largest local event,” said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the Cordova Community Council and main organizer of the event. “There will be the parade, concerts and, of course, our highlight is hosting the All-American barbecue showdown. People come with their own decorated barbecue sets, funny aprons, and guests come to taste it all.

“It’s a lot of fun and should be fantastic,” Blanchard added.

Carmichael

Carmichael's Fouth of July Parade and Fireworks
A pancake breakfast starts Monday’s events from 7:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
Parade begins at 10:30 a.m.
Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m.
Carmichael Park, 5750 Grant Avenue
Fireworks can be seen from the La Sierra Community Center, 5325 Engle Road
Price: Free ($5 for unlimited access to the Kid Zone inflatables)
Age: All ages

Folks can enjoy a pancake breakfast at Carmichael Park to start their day and then head over to the La Sierra Community Center to watch the annual Fourth of July parade at 10:30 a.m.The route begins at the intersection of Marconi Square and Fair Oaks Boulevard and heads to the intersection of Cypress Avenue and Manzanita Avenue. The parade will feature community floats, marching bands, equestrian entries, military units, antique cars and more. For front-row seating, head to the front of the park on Fair Oaks Boulevard or watch from the grandstand located at 5757 Grant Avenue across the street from Carmichael Park.

Following the events of the morning, La Sierra Community Center will provide activities for children ranging from puppet shows to Kid Zone inflatables. Food and drinks will be provided by the Carmichael Little League snack bar. Once it is dark, the fireworks will begin.

Elk Grove

Elk Grove Fourth of July Fireworks
The event Begins Monday at 6p.m., and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Elk Grove Regional Park
Price: Free admission, $10 parking
Age: All ages

For an easygoing Fourth of July, Elk Grove will present music, food and fireworks. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Live music from Latin and R&B band Solsa will be provided, and people are encouraged to bring a blanket and have a picnic or barbecue before the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

Roseville

Roseville Fouth of July Parade
Mondayfrom 10 a.m. - noon
Vernon/Douglas/Riverside intersection to Royer Park, 190 Park Drive
Price: Free
Age: All ages

The City of Roseville will have its annual Fourth of July parade. For anyone who wants to go and grab a seat, the parade route will follow Vernon/Douglas/Riverside intersections, continue down Vernon, take a right on Lincoln Street and a right on Park Drive, ending at Royer Park.

The Music in the Park series will have the Capitol Pops Concert Band, playing the kind of music enjoyed since 1997, perform at Royer Park from noon -2 p.m. following the parade. There will be games for kids and food for everyone.

Roseville Fireworks
Monday. Gates open at 7 p.m. Fireworks show begins around 9:30 p.m.
Placer County Fairgrounds, 800 All America City Blvd.
Price: Free
Age: All ages

Roseville’s fireworks show will be held in the Placer County Fairgrounds. Guests can bring their friends and families to a traditional setting for the fireworks show.

Roseville Fourth of July Cosmos Crime Run
Monday at 8 a.m.
Sculpture Park, 350 N Sunrise Ave
Price: $20 Age 17 and under, $30 pre-registered runners/walkers, #35 race-day registration, $100 pre-registered team of 4 - 7
Age: All ages

For a healthy start to the day, Roseville will host the 17th annual Cosmos Crime Run, which will benefit the Roseville Community Crime Stoppers. The route will follow the Miner’s Ravine Bike Trail.

“It is a popular event. There were 400 people last year,” said Bob Smith, one of the organizers of the event. “There will also be police and fire service demonstrations this year for anyone who wants to go.”

Citrus Heights

Fourth of July Weekend Carnival and Fireworks
The carnival runs Thursday through Monday, and fireworks will be held Monday.
Sunrise Mall, 6196 Sunrise Mall
Thursday and Friday from 4 - 11 p.m.
Saturday through Monday from noon - 11 p.m.
Price: Single Tickets are $0.95, a 20-pack costs $18 and an all-day pass costs. $20.
Age: All ages

For a day of fun, the Sunrise Mall will host a Fourth of July carnival. Carnival rides and activities will be provided, and the event will be concluded with a fireworks show at about 9 p.m. with an additional hour of the carnival after.

Child Drowns in Backyard Pool

2011-06-15T16:11:26Z

Citrus Heights, CA- June 12, 2011 at 6:18pm, Sacramento Metro firefighters responded to the 6000 block of Oak Creek Way to the report of a four-year old male child that had been pulled from a pool and was not breathing. At 6:21pm firefighter/ paramedics arrived on scene to the backyard of a residential home where they found two people performing CPR on the small child. 9-1-1 dispatchers had been able to give CPR instructions to an adult on scene. Firefighter/Paramedics immediately started advanced life support measures and transported the child to Mercy San Juan Hospital. The child did not survive.

With the change in weather conditions, more children are going to be in and around the water. Remember that there is no substitute for constant supervision. Have a plan in place for who will be watching the pool area and switch-off on regular intervals so you do not become complacent.

Genealogy Meeting

2011-05-12T04:52:46Z

A nifty mobile scanning service will be discussed at the next meeting of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society. If you have boxes and boxes full of treasured family history photos and documents that you want to preserve in one fell swoop, this service may be for you.

Everyone is welcome on June 8th at the Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse, 6921 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights, 7:00pm - 8:30pm.

Blog: http://rootcellarramblings.blogspot.com

Website: www.rootcellar.org

Email: rootcellarsgs@gmail.com

What's In Your Genealogical Research Suitcase?

2011-04-15T17:55:29Z

Are you starting to plan your summer vacation? Despite spring weather trying to take hold in the Sacramento area, it's not too early to think about summer-time travel. For many family history researchers, travel will involve going to their ancestor's place of origin, visiting with newly discovered relatives and delving into courthouses, libraries and other record repositories.

What research documents and equipment should you take with you? What should you leave home? What should you wear?

Get answers to these questions and more at Glenda Lloyd's presentation "Planning a Research Trip" at the next meeting of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society. All meetings are free and open to the public.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
7pm-8:30pm
Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse
6921 Sylvan Way, Citrus Heights
Contact Sandi Benward 916-412-3511

Website: www.rootcellar.org
email: rootcellarsgs@gmail.com

About the Presenter: Glenda has over 30 years of genealogical research experience involving visits to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and multiple record repositories in the U.S. and Europe. She has taught beginning and intermediate genealogy classes through local adult education for 28 years. She is a founding member of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.

Fire Department's brownouts to end soon

2011-02-24T20:05:48Z

The Sacramento Fire Department expects to hire 27 firefighters and end its “brownouts” soon, thanks to a $5.6 million grant from the federal government.

The grant to the city fire department and a $5.4 million grant to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were discussed at a Thursday morning press conference held by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) and local fire officials.

The Metropolitan Fire District, which covers Sacramento and Placer counties and the cities of Citrus Heights and Rancho Cordova, will hire 24 or more firefighters with its funding, said Metro Fire Chief Bill Sponable.

The city fire department has two rolling brownouts in effect, which means that certain fire trucks and engines are out of service at various times, according to former Fire Department spokesman Jim Doucette. Matsui said Thursday that the grant money could be released “pretty quickly” and must be awarded by September.

“It will alleviate two brownouts that we currently have,” said city Fire Chief Ray Jones.

The money comes from the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program.

“As we know, sadly, the budget cuts on the state and local levels have left our first responders both understaffed and overworked,” Matsui said. “We all know that we’ve witnessed brownouts that have temporarily shut down fire stations in our neighborhoods.”

Assistant City Manager Cassandra Jennings praised Matsui, who wrote a letter advocating for the city fire department to receive the grant.

“We are in the midst of dealing with budget challenges here in the city of Sacramento,” Jennings said. “We have looked at revenue sources; we’re looking at efficiencies and other ways to address our budget challenges. But there’s no better way than (for) a great partner to come and sort of save the day, and give us some resources.”

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Effort to count the homeless underway

2010-11-26T18:34:06Z

A local group that addresses homelessness is already preparing to count the county’s homeless population in January.

Sacramento Steps Forward, a group formed by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to combat homelessness locally, is organizing the 2011 Homeless Street Count. While Johnson’s group is running the event, the information from the Jan. 27 count will be used by Sacramento County.

The county is required by the federal Housing and Urban Development agency to provide information from a count every other year, said Michele Watts, program manager for Sacramento Steps Forward. The federal housing agency provides millions of dollars to Sacramento County’s homeless programs, Watts said.

At this point, Sacramento Steps Forward is gathering information to map out where the county’s homeless are living. The group and hundreds of volunteers will use that information to find homeless people during the Homeless Count.

“What we have on our maps now is a lot of high-density areas,” Watts said. These areas include downtown and Midtown Sacramento, which are locations with many homeless people, she said.

About 20 people turned out for a series of drop-in sessions held last week to help pinpoint where the homeless are living in the county, she said. In addition, a group of about 50 participated in a session at Loaves & Fishes earlier this week.

Watts said she will continue to work on the mapping process in appointments with people who may have information about where the homeless are staying. For example, she said she had set up meetings with a Sacramento police officer and a Sacramento County park ranger.

Tracie Rice-Bailey, an advocate who was once homeless, participated in a recent mapping session. She echoed Watts’ comment, saying that the downtown area was mapped out well.

However, she said Sacramento Steps Forward needs more information about where homeless people are living in outlying areas, such as spots near Citrus Heights. She suggested that the group ask law enforcement officials in outlying areas for information on locations. “If they don’t know, nobody does,” Bailey said.

Watts also said that law enforcement representatives have good information on locations.

However, the role of law enforcement in the count and mapping sessions is a complicated matter, according to Watts.

Sacramento Steps Forward will not publish maps with the exact locations where homeless people live, she said. The group is making efforts to protect the homeless population from rousting, she said, pointing out that the city of Sacramento has a camping ban on its books.

“It is technically illegal to sleep outside,” Watts said. “That’s the concern.”

However, the group will rely on hundreds of volunteers to help count the homeless in January. The count will be conducted at night, which means there could be some safety concerns, Watts said. To address any safety issues, teams of volunteers will have a law enforcement official accompany them, she said.

The law enforcement presence during the count “is sort of a trade-off,” she said, between the group’s concerns about rousting and protecting the safety of the volunteers.

But Sgt. Norm Leong, spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department, said the location of homeless people is not a significant concern for the department.

“Identifying where the camps are is not a major issue for us,” he said. “The reality is, we only enforce the camping ordinance when we get complaints.”

Sacramento Steps Forward will recruit volunteers for the count starting Dec. 10, Watts said. About 350-400 volunteers are needed to count the county’s homeless on Jan. 27, she said. Volunteers may sign up to volunteer on the Hands on Sacramento website. More information about the sign-up process is here.

Photo by Brandon Darnell.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Skaters jam Thursday nights

2010-09-09T02:02:55Z

Word is growing about free weekly skate jams at Surf & Skate's Sacramento headquarters.

At least 20 skateboarders have been showing up each week since the Citrus Heights shop's custom-built Skatelite bowl and street course opened a year and a half ago. The skate sessions changed this week from Wednesday to Thursday nights.

Most skaters are locals. But up to 60 people from as far as San Francisco and Truckee have dropped in to carve the bowl, practice tricks and learn from each other on any given evening, said Surf & Skate owner Bob Mitchell.

"You'll see some of the best skateboarders in the country show up here," he said. "(These) nights are pretty off the hook."

Mitchell was a record-breaking pro water skier at Redwood City's Marine World in the 1970s. By 1981, he was snowboarding in the Sierra Nevada and working as a carpenter in Sacramento. After breaking his leg for the third time, he gave up snowboarding and carpentry.

He opened Surf & Skate beneath a brothel at Del Paso Boulevard and El Camino Avenue in 1984. He now operates three stores in Sacramento, Citrus Heights and Elk Grove. He closed a struggling Roseville store and one in Fair Oaks replaced by the newest store.

Mitchell bought an old bank for his newest store at 7411 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights. Mitchell sells high-end swimsuits and sunglasses in the old bank vault. The store carries lots of bikinis and equipment, clothing and accessories for skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding and surfing.

The $200,000 bowl and street course were designed by 49-year-old Nevada City pro skater Steve-O Brockway, who's built "tons" of skateboarding ramps for World Cup Skateboarding competitions throughout the world.

"It's all about creating a scene," Brockway said. "For us, the scene has to happen first. Everything else will follow."

For Surf & Skate, he designed a roughly 35-foot by 30-foot, one-of-a-kind bowl shaped like a square-jawed Mickey Mouse head. Using nearly 2,000 custom-cut plasticized wood pieces, the bowl took nearly four months and four carpenters to build. The bowl surface can give skaters a lot of speed because it was made with a material that doesn't change in the rain or in cold or hot temperatures, Mitchell said.

Brockway also turned the bank's old drive-through into a 120-foot-long street course featuring a mini half-pipe, ramps, rails, curbs, a pole jam and other obstacles. The course includes a replica of a famous San Francisco skate spot known as China Banks.

In the 1970s and 1980s, skating was a more isolated sport. Skateboarders had to be in a group to be at the right sessions, Brockway said. Surf & Skate jam sessions are open to everyone. The jams are held from 7-10 p.m.

Other pro skaters such as J.J. Rogers of Sacramento and "Noggin" of San Jose said the sessions give experienced skaters — including some who've skated together for 30 years — a chance to teach the sport. Three generations skated together last week.

"It's not about who's skating the sickest lines," Noggin said. "You watch them progress and you get stoked, too."

Many cities like Sacramento have built state-of-the-art skate parks that can be used for free. But skateboarders like skating at Surf & Skate because the bowl and street course are maintained and free of debris. The sessions are monitored, so no one's ever skating alone. Previously, there was a $5 charge to skate for four hours.

But possibly most important is that the area is open only to skateboards. BMX bikes and scooters aren't allowed, so there's less wear and tear on the facilities and less chance for collisions.

At some skate parks, there are ongoing wars between different types of riders, said Placerville photographer Michael Chantry, a snowboarding pioneer and former pro skateboarder also known as Master Blaster. He's traveled the planet to capture skateboarders and snowboarders on film and video.

"This is a labor of love," Chantry said last week as he stood on the platform built around the edge of the bowl. "It's built entirely by skateboarders for skateboarders."

Brockway has been skating 36 years. He's now teaching his 11-year-old son, Ezra, to skate at the skate jams.

"This session is about being able to bring all the skaters together in a nice local setting," Brockway said. "It's like keeping our skate family together."

Photos by Suzanne Hurt, a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Sacramento Fourth of July roundup

2010-06-30T03:23:02Z

Looking for an explosive way to spend your Fourth of July? Well, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Fourth of July events in the Sacramento area.

Sacramento

Cal Expo will once again host an Independence Day Celebration sponsored by Coca-Cola and Miller Lite at the Miller Lite Grandstand near the East Gate entrance. The festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a performance from Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers. State Fair mascot Poppy will also be there to entertain the crowds. Cal Expo’s media partner, radio station 107.9 The End, will provide music to the spectacular fireworks show, starting at 9:30 p.m. Parking for the event is $10, and general admission to the show is free. You can also buy reserved seating for $10 at tickets.com, or at the East Gate box office beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday. Cal Expo is located on 1600 Exposition Blvd.

The Sacramento River Cats will be having their own celebration at Raley Field on Friday and Saturday as they host the Fresno Grizzlies. On Friday, the team will honor Sacramento firefighters with a firefighters' night. Fire engine displays will be set up, and firefighters in attendance will be recognized on the field. Stick around after the game for the fireworks, a kick-off to their weekend celebrations. And as the Cats close out their three-game series with the Grizzlies on Saturday, the U.S. Army will present the Sutter Health Fireworks Extravaganza and start the Fourth of July with a bang. Tickets to the games can be purchased online at rivercats.com, or at the Raley Field box office. Raley Field is located at 400 Ballpark Drive in West Sacramento.

If you want to watch the Raley Field fireworks in a classier setting, you can climb aboard the Hornblower yacht in Old Sacramento. Departing from Front Street, the cruise will begin at 7 p.m. and will include the fireworks show, dinner, and dancing. Tickets for the Hornblower are $109 and can be reserved at the Hornblower website.

Old Sacramento’s newest street theater program, “Time Travel Weekends," will put an Independence Day twist on its historical re-enactments for the Fourth of July weekend. Guests can take part in square dancing, croquet, pie-eating contests and picnics while enjoying military parades and cannon firings. The weekend will also feature a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The Grange Restaurant and Bar on 926 J Street will host its inaugural All American barbecue. The three-course menu will include all the barbecue fixings you love on the Fourth of July. The meal starts with a salad with ranch dressing. The second course provides a slow-cooked Riverdog Farm hog with Carolina barbecue sauce, corn on the cob and potato salad. For dessert, the restaurant offers a berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. The all-American meal is $35 per person.

The Sacramento Firecracker 5K/10K will be held at McKinley Park at 8 a.m. Saturday. Participants will be given a free short-sleeve T-shirt at the event. Adults and children can take part in a 5K or a 10K run or walk. Registration is $35 until Wednesday for adults, and $40 on race day. Children 15 and under can participate for $20. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a group that aims to help injured men and women in the service.

If you prefer to run for free, the Buffalo Chips Running Club will host its 35th annual Fourth of July five mile run, starting at Glen Hall Park on the corner of Sandburg and Carlson Drives in River Park at 8 a.m. Arrive by 7:45 a.m. to sign in. The kid’s half-mile race begins at 7:45 for ages 10 and younger, and the five mile race begins at 8 a.m.

On Saturday, the Sacramento Pocket area will host its annual Spirit of the Pocket Parade. The parade, featuring about 60 floats, will start at 10 a.m. at Lisbon Elementary School, located at 7775 S. Land Park Drive, and will end at Garcia Bend Park on 7654 Pocket Road. The Grand Marshall of this year’s parade will be Bandit, the German shepherd police dog that was recently shot in the line of duty. Other notables at the parade will be Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg and Councilman Robbie Waters. At the end of the parade, a community fair will be held at Garcia Bend Park, where different area businesses will show off some of their wares.

Carmichael

Enjoy a pancake breakfast on the Fourth of July at the Carmichael Park Elks Club Lodge, located at 5631 Cypress Ave. After breakfast, the Carmichael Elks will hold their 52nd annual Fourth of July parade, beginning at 11 a.m. on Marconi and Fair Oaks and ending at the Elks Club Lodge. A celebration will follow at the La Sierra Community Center on 5325 Engle Rd., which will include an outdoor barbecue, live music and dancing, free swimming and games for the kids. The fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m. at the La Sierra Community Center.

Citrus Heights

In Citrus Heights, Sunrise Mall, located at 6196 Sunrise Mall, will host a free celebration from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through July 6. The festivities will include live music beginning at 7:30 p.m., a kid’s carnival and a 3D fireworks show. On Independence Day, the mall will present a fireworks show in the parking lot at 9:30 p.m. Special 3D glasses will be distributed for the show, and radio station 98 Rock will provide synchronized music for the festivities.

Rancho Cordova

Rancho Cordova will begin its two-day celebration of Independence Day at 10 a.m. Saturday with a parade on Coloma Road and Cordova Lane. Activities for the children will be provided from 1-6 p.m. at Hagan Park, located on 2197 Chase Drive, including a carnival, water show, tae kwon do, train rides, petting zoo, pony rides and pedal boats. A beer garden will be open from noon until 11 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., former Bad Company singer Brian Howe will perform live. A fireworks show will begin at 9:45 p.m., and on July 4th, Carmichael will provide more food, music and fun. Along with the kids' zone and beer garden, party band Busta-Groove will perform at 8:30 p.m., followed by the grand finale fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Parking is $10 at the park.

Folsom

Presented by the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, the Folsom Pro Rodeo is offering a new laser light show for fans along with nightly fireworks displays. The rodeo begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with a Bullipede, where brightly-dressed teams of five runners gallop in a western-style race. Also at 6:30 is the cattle drive. Cowboys will parade steers down Sutter Street in the true fashion of the Old West. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the rodeo gates will open at 6 p.m., with roping events starting at 7 p.m. and riding events at 8:15 p.m. After dusk, enjoy the laser and fireworks show while enjoying live music from the Dave Russell Band and a drink in Mike's Golden Spike Saloon. The rodeo is held at the Dan Russell arena, located at 401 Stafford St. in Folsom. Reserved tickets are $22.50 in advance. General admission is $19 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under, and $15 for seniors. Visitors can park at the nearby Wal-Mart on 1018 Riley St. and ride a free shuttle to the arena.

Red, White and Blue Parade

2010-06-28T07:12:00Z

The 4th of July is next weekend but the celebratory parades have already begun. In Citrus Heights the 11th Annual Red, White, and Blue Parade took place on Saturday. This was the first time I’ve attended this parade mainly due to an email I received. Since it was held in the morning the weather was very pleasant and hundreds of families began staking out viewing spots on Sunrise Avenue from just north of Madison to the end near Greenback Avenue.

A skydiving display kicked off the parade after the second diver landed and moved his gear off the street. Marching bands, floats, and several classic cars made their way down the parade route. Children happily waved at parade participants and more so when they noticed that balloons, candy, and other giveaways were passed out. I sat next to Marlene who brought her 3 children and her sister’s children as well and had her hands full keeping an eye on 5 under 12 year old kids kids. The giveaways the children gathered were able to get help keep things in check. I wondered what happened once the sugar from the candy wore off.

Sacramento Kings’ mascot Slamson made an appearance. He’s well known for his skating skills and he entertained children (and adults) and posed for pictures as well. One of the marching groups involved in the parade was the Eastern Way Martial Arts. A member of the Dragon Dancer’s team was Charlie Perez who happens to be a good friend of the family and for whom I was a kindergarten teacher a while ago. He now is a Christian Brothers High School student. I also noticed that many of those watching the parade knew friends or relatives who were members of drill teams, band members, and other participants riding on floats. Although Citrus Heights has grown over the years the parade made it seem like it still has that small community feel.

After the parade ended I walked up to a place on the parking lot that was selling breakfast. Sales from the pancake breakfast benefited the Citrus Heights Rotary Club. Also at the parking lot a BMX Stunt Bike put on a show and was a good end to the festivities.

High Strangeness in Citrus Heights

2010-06-20T11:47:15Z

By Paul Dale Roberts, HPI General Manager
www.hpiparanormal.net

I have to give this article a theme song. Since most of my investigators are women and since they are from California.
The theme song for this article is: California Girls by Katy Perry feat Snoop Dogg, hear the song here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP_hLBY1bVQ

Now that I am pumped up with my Monster energy drink and a good song while I was driving to the residence in question..let's get on with the story.

JUST IN! OUR HPI RESEARCHER LAURIE RUTLEDGE SAYS THIS:
Laurie Mztaken commented on your link:

"Paul, just read about the vinegar scent. It was commonly used to tenderize rougher cuts of meat, especially back in the olden days.

Wondering if there was a Russian connection?

If is still used, especially among the eastern Europeans. When I ate at my Russian relatives as a child, the meat was soaked for hours, even had a slight vinegar taste to it. And sometimes they use vinegar wine. Anyway, it is strong stuff, more acidic, stronger kick to it than most are used to.

Now read the article and you will see how (vinegar) comes to play!

This full report was given to Shannon 'Ms. Macabre' McCabe - Owner of HPI via cell phone and Facebook. Shannon just did her very own investigation in San Diego and I am anxious to see the full report!

June 19, 2010, Saturday: Citrus Heights has a lot of history. This is not my first time investigating this area. At one time there was a Japanese Internment Camp in this area. HPI London Researcher Laurie Rutledge discovered that Douglas Al Wood owned some estate in this area. Douglas was called ‘Allen’ by his friends. There are possibly 3 entities in this home and one of the entities is possibly named Allen. It appears that Allen owned property here during the 1920s. Could it be Douglas Al Wood’s ghost at this home along with 2 other entities? Laurie also discovered that the house is 40 years old. Citrus Heights started as 11 square leagues of land owned by John Sutter. The Con Cow (Maidu) and Miwok Indians roamed this land. Prehistoric sites that go back 4000 years have been discovered here. The Sylvan (Russian) cemetery plots have been scattered throughout this area and homes were rumored to have been built over these plots. So there are many reasons why this home could be haunted.

To see pictures of this investigation, stop by here (more to come in future articles!)
http://s970.photobucket.com/albums/ae185/PaulDaleRoberts55/OutlookCitrusHeights/?previewTheme=203&track=addtheme&previewCancelUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fs970.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fae185%2FPaulDaleRoberts55%2FOutlookCitrusHeights%2F%3Faction%3Dthemeadd

HPI Investigators present are: Chantal Apodaca – Lead Investigator/Case Manager, Note: Chantal is credited for getting this investigation together! Crystal Scudder/Lead Investigator and Kim Phillips of CVParanormal Searchers; Jen & Steve Roland, Michelle Fontana, Nicole Fontana, Angel Kesti, Geoff Foley and Matthew Clark of Waterline Entertainment, John Shue/YouTube Videographer, Chantell Bender of Waterline Entertainment, John Bender of Waterline Entertainment, Shirley Hasselbrink/Psychic, Helen Henkel, Patty Short, Alethia F. Poso, Carmela Roman, Donna Jackson/Lead Investigator and Connie Brenner of EnVision, Tiffany Gonzales, Walter Recinos, Beatrice Esquivel.

Now let me introduce the occupants, Steve and Jen Roland. Jen is a massage therapist with Smooth Moto – www.smoothmoto.com Email: jroland@smoothmoto.com - Jen is going to explain the activity in her home, in her own words: There are lots of foot steps heard and shuffling is also heard in the hall way, living room, and in the kitchen. Sometimes we can actually feel vibrations from the foot steps and my shot glass collection on the counter in the kitchen will rattle. We hear voices through out the house and even the sound of children playing in the back yard at times. There are lots of shadows seen through out the house as well. We’ve seen shadow figures sitting in the chairs in the living room, standing in the door way to our daughter’s room, in our bedroom, etc. Also, we have had things go missing and then show up months later in places that we have already looked. We hear the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing when we are in the shower and that is sometimes followed by a shadow figure on the other side of the shower curtain. We’ve heard the sound of the front door unlocking and opening and the sound of keys being put into the lock and hearing it unlocking. Also I have heard the sound of keys jingling. There is also the feeling of being watched and I hear someone following me. We get the feeling we’re not alone a lot. I’ve seen a little girl in the back yard from the kitchen window above the sink. Our daughter has said something about a man being in her room before. Also, our daughter has claimed to see a “monkey” in her room and at her window.

Equipment being used: K2 meters, EMF readers, digital audio recorders, video cameras, cameras with telescopic lens, 3 walkie talkies. Team Leaders all have one walkie talkie.

We are conducting 3 investigative sessions. Each investigative session is for 45 minutes. After each investigative session we have evidence briefings. To finalize everything, we will conduct a debriefing. No cleansing is necessary because the occupants only want validation and the entities seem benevolent.

FIRST EVIDENCE BRIEFING:
Multiple orbs have been captured on photographs. Unusual pink orb captured in the front yard. Note: Orbs do not prove paranormal activity. No EVPs captured. Three investigators have personal experiences, they receive temple lobe area headaches.

SECOND EVIDENCE BRIEFING:
More orb photos taken. No EVPs. Designer orb photo enhanced and it looks like a woman in 1800 garb holding a baby. Pink orb enhanced and enlarged and what appears to be a smiling face inside the orb.

THIRD EVIDENCE BRIEFING:
Strange faces seen in photos. Strange shadows appearing in photos. Strange light anomalies shooting out from the TV monitor, I try to duplicate the light anomalies by moving my camera and I cannot duplicate the effect.

SEANCE EVIDENCE:
Shadowy heads peeking around corners seen by investigators. Shadow creature seen darting down the hallway. I even saw a head popping out from the kitchen wall. Now did the investigators and I experience tricks to the eyes during these late hours because of fatigue and exhaustion? I can't give you an answer on that. I can tell you that we did get two EVPs, possibly 3 more. One says 'here' and another one says 'two' and something inaudible when Shirley asks how many people died in the car. Shirley, our psychic was picking up the name Roland and a car accident. NOTE: The occupants last name is Roland. All of my investigators during the seance heard with their own ears, the number THREE. I heard an electronic voice from behind me. I heard this with my ears. There were slight tappings on the wall, when I asked for the entity to tap on the wall. Jen (occupant) felt chills and cold spots. Some investigators smelled vinegar and then the smell dissipated. Ghost Radar got some unusual answers. Ghost Radar even indicated that I was the leader.

CONCLUSION:
I do believe something abnormal is happening at this home. EVPs that I can't explain, shows something out of the norm. People hearing voices with their own ears. Paranormal? I shake my head in bewilderment, I can't explain some of the activity that we experienced at this home.

BELOW ARE HPI UPDATES!

My Thoughts on the Night Glider Story
The Night Glider story is an interesting one. A man transforming from human to a bat. I try and theorize how one can be a shapeshifter, to go from our human body and transform into an animal. Could it be that somehow certain people have DNA molecules that interact with our own reality and on the atomic level interacts with another reality? In one reality we are humans and in an alternate reality, our molecules on the atomic level change and we discover we are now an animal, such as a bear, wolf or even a bat. Ancient gifts from our ancient gods were once bestowed upon certain individuals. Perhaps their ancestors served a purpose of transforming from human to bat and certain selected humans in our present time carry this unique DNA that contains the properties of transforming from human to bat. The DNA that these unique humans possess place them from our reality into another reality, a reality that their ancestors are too familiar with. When transforming into a bat, they were sent on a special mission in that alternate reality, that mission could possibly be reconnaissance, since the shapeshifter has the power of flight in the persona of the bat. Energy cannot be destroyed, but it can be altered, so on the sub-atomic level, on the quantum level our own bodies are pure energy and changing from a human to a werewolf should not be any kind of problem at all. Of course these are my thoughts, my theories. I just think that if there are stories, legends and myths of normal human beings transforming into animals, there must be some kind of foundation of truth to all of these stories. Here is the link to the story (The Night Glider): http://forums.jazmaonline.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1930 /Paul Dale Roberts.

Charlene Kay Stockert Velasquez Movies Review!
June 18, 2010, Friday: Charlene and I - were invited to Century Stadium 14 - 1590 Ethan Way to review two movies - Russell Crowe in Robin Hood and The A Team. After munching on some popcorn & sipping down a Coke, we both agreed that these movies were spectacular. The legend of The A Team lives on. The A-Team are Army Rangers and I love their teamwork, camaraderie throughout this movie. Even though their stunts were unbelievable, the movie was just plain enjoyable to watch. No one knows the true story of Robin Hood, but I love how the legend of Robin Hood keeps growing. In this movie, Robin Hood leads the English into victory over the French. I thought Robin Hood just robbed from the rich and gave to the poor? In this movie, Robin Hood does some astonishing deeds that even amazes the king! Great movie, great fighting scenes! Special Note: When I was in the Army's OPFOR (Opposing Forces) - I had the honor and privilege to teach Army Ranger's the Soviet Threat. Paul Dale Roberts.

HPI Researcher Laurie Rutledge discovers information about the resident homes we are investigating and you can find that information here:
http://forums.jazmaonline.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1906

Paul Dale Roberts, HPI General Manager
aka The Demon Warrior
Shannon McCabe's HPI (Haunted and Paranormal Investigations International)
www.hpiparanormal.net
Baycon 2010 - Shannon & Paul on the Panel Part 1:
http://www.viddler.com/explore/HPI_Shannon/videos/17/
Baycon 2010 - Part 2
http://www.viddler.com/explore/HPI_Shannon/videos/16/
Shannon McCabe/Paul Dale Roberts Paranormal Speaking Engagement at the Elk Grove Library:
http://www.viddler.com/explore/ParanormalView/videos/1/
HPI's Catlike Demon of Vacaville (Video)
http://www.viddler.com/explore/HPI_Shannon/videos/14/
http://www.chatterbrew.com/
Chatterbrew!
Email: pauld5606@comcast.net
Cellular Paranormal Hotline: 916 203 7503
If you have a possible investigation call: 1-888-709-4HPI

Local Bands Light up the Fire Escape

2010-06-03T02:19:35Z

The Fire Escape Bar & Grill played host to four local bands Sunday evening.

The first band, Purgatory, is from Elk Grove. Their last show was at The Distillery in Midtown on May 14. Their consistently hard-hitting sound is a more matured form of metal that blends everything from Nine Inch Nails to Johnny Cash.

"I was really inspired playing with the other bands and being a part of something I dream of doing," said Gary Gruwell, one of the band's guitarists. "When I play, I have adrenaline and beer running through my veins."

Gruwell Continued, "It felt unreal being up there on stage. It always does. I always dreamed of playing in front of a crowd. Every time is like the first time all over again. We appreciate everything about the people who come out to see us play."

Gruwell's humility is shared by the other members of Purgatory, and that is no doubt a factor contributing to the band's rising success. Their next big show is at the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands 14, the winner of which will play on the Vans Warped Tour’s Sacramento stop. That will be held at Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Wheatland on Aug. 12. In between, be sure to catch their house-band appearances at Happy Garden in Elk Grove.

The next group to take the stage was the Sub-Fobias. Their blend of high-energy thrash, old 1980s punk, Reverend Horton Heat rockabilly and country is truly unique. Their lead singer and guitar player, Dino Mehicic, was born in Bosnia.

“We’re a mix of sounds: Fugazi, Dead Kennedys, Nirvana and Hank Williams III," Mehicic said.

Mehicic reveals that the band actually wasn’t started in the United States.

“We started the band in Spain,” he said. “We recorded a record out there.”

In fact, he continued by saying that one of the members of the band has been living in Spain for the past two and a half years. The international makeup certainly shows as there is levity to their style that is refreshing and fun. Perhaps a reminder of a lost era of rock'n'roll, their music tells us that it’s OK to thrash around and play rough just because you can. Indeed, the Sub-Fobias’ music is a reflection on freedom and ease. The Sub-Fobias next show is in two weeks at the Kannaroo Music Festival in New Mexico.

The next act to take the stage was Stasis Burden, also from Elk Grove. Their sound is kind of like an emo, extreme uptempo Lykke Li whirring through a meat grinder. This is definitely feminist shred. Moments of old school hip-hop beats are violently torn apart by the perfect mix of inflected voice and chainsaw strings to shatter your eardrums. If this band ever goes through a rebranding, they should be named Angry Ani (in reference to Ani DiFranco).

“We’ve been together for about a year with our new bassist, about three years all together," lead singer and guitarist Emily O'Neill said. "We’re going back into the studio soon, but we already have one full album out there.

O’Neill indicated the band's obvious indie rock roots. Bands such as Muse, Circa Survive, The Beatles, The Deftones and Team Sleep (a Deftones side project) are all influences. Given the number of young women who crowded the stage area, there’s a good market for this sound here in Sacramento.

The headliner was none other than Vesuvius. Their Stevie Ray Vaughn-meets-Megadeth style of bluesy, dark metal is soulful, deep, hard shred. On this night, guitarist Albert Kolesinski, drummer Austin Mooney and bassist Ben Armstrong all shared lead vocal duties. Kolesinski’s voice sounded like Glen Danzig imitating Rob Zombie, while his guitar was vintage Dave Mustaine. Mooney’s drums reminded of Gregg Bissonette. He opened with a drum solo that reminded of a young Bissonette years earlier with David Lee Roth at Cal Expo.

Armstrong had perhaps his best show ever, letting loose on the bass like never before. He was like a 7-foot Les Claypool.

“Last night’s show was the most fun I’ve had on stage yet," Armstrong said of the Fire Escape show. "We really got to experience that mythical give-and-take energy that all those before me felt as well.”

Armstrong also said a few words about energy and inspiration.

“The energy I felt from the crowd last night inspired me," he said "I was fueled by water. I decided to see how I would do without energy drinks or soda, and it turns out I don’t need them.”

Keep in mind that Armstrong is the oldest member of the band at age 21. Kolesinski is 19, and Mooney is only 17. It would be fair to say that these guys still have their entire careers ahead of them. Vesuvius’ next show is June 12 at Club Retro, located at 6521 Hazel Ave. in Orangevale.

The New Girl: Straight Talk from CH

2009-11-17T08:01:00Z

I was sad to leave nearly all my friends behind when I left the Bay Area, but the good news is that I have relatives coming out of the woodwork here in Citrus Heights, all within a few miles’ radius of my house. They have been leading busy lives here for decades and lifetimes. They are some of the smartest and funniest people I know, too. They probably wouldn’t take too kindly to my grousing about their neck of the woods, but then they’re the ones I stole the best lines from, so they have only themselves to blame!

In contrast to people in the Bay Area, who tend to either be very kind or very opinionated, I have found that folks here tend to be both kind and opinionated. They generally will let you know what they think, and they’ll give you the weather report, too. This hit home just this past week when I gave myself a black eye while visiting my daughter in Monterey. (I had a run-in with a stairwell; don’t ask. The eye is fine, but even the doctor said it was the most impressive shiner she had seen in a long time.) So my daughter and I made up stories to tell people in the restaurants, the shops, at the beach, at the aquarium when they asked about my eye. She got tired of my lip and let me have it. I got into a healthcare debate over at the bingo hall. That kind of thing. But the funny thing is, no one asked. They looked away and were exceedingly polite; I guess somehow a black eye seems like it’s—well, a private matter.

When I got home, it was an entirely different story—I should say stories, because everyone asked, with great concern, and then proceeded to tell me their own black eye stories. One sweet old guy at Kaiser came over to tell me about a battered wife who finally tied down her husband while he was sleeping and started in on him with a frying pan. (I think he wanted to encourage me to stick up for myself, in case my story about the staircase turned out to be fabricated.) The woman at the dentist’s office told me she had had five black eyes in her life—all accidents—but one was accidentally inflicted by her father, so she held it over his head every time she wanted a new toy. My favorite shiner story of all time is from a friend of the family—who finally admitted that it happened the night before when she and her husband were “playing fort.” (They live near Foothill Farms. It’s okay to do stuff like that there.)

Another funny thing about people who live here: you ask them where something is and they tell you what it’s next to. I asked where a certain little sushi place was and was told it’s over by Raley’s. When they see the glazed look in my eye, they think I’m nuts; who in the world doesn’t know where Raley’s is? Everything around here is just over behind something else. Where’s Costco? Well, it’s right there next to Walmart. Do we have a party supply store? Well, that’s Wishing Well. And where is that? Do I know where Smart & Final is? Turn left and it’s right behind that, across from the 99-Cent Store. Duh.

I had to call Uncle Ed to get the above conversation. I wrote it down verbatim. He calls me Sueburger—don’t ask me why—but I like it! No one in the Bay Area would ever even consider calling me Sueburger. In fact I told Ed there’s a Suzie Burger downtown at the P Street exit off 80 and he was astounded. Why would you want to go all that way when you’ve got one right here in Citrus Heights? That’s me; I’m Sueburger, the New Girl.

He Came, he gamed and left "Magic" in the Hearts of Those Who Knew Him

2009-04-23T21:37:15Z

For his friends he was a tenacious fighter known for his fairness, and remembered for his love of the games. Former A-1 Comics Store Manager, Joe Guardalibene passed away but his strong example of the importance of knowing right from wrong lives on. Many of the kids who played in his game tournaments, including the popular Magic games, discovered a role model who inspired them beyond the game board.

Joe was an important part of the Sacramento gaming community for over 8 years. He made many friends managing a local comic book and gaming store where he took great pride in keeping up to date on the latest popular games, comics, anime and was an expert on the market for older comic collectibles. Participants say he was one of the best around at running Magic and other types of tournaments. Joe was tenacious, with a strong sense of right from wrong. If Joe said he was going to do something, he made sure the job got done. He will be greatly missed.

Avrom Oliver owner of Adventure in Comics and Games and Mary Beth Avila choose to honor Joes’ life with a Memorial Magic Charity Tournament with proceeds benefiting The Wall Youth Center in Carmichael.

On Saturday April 18th fifty players showed up to honor Joe’s legacy and enjoy the game of Magic. Jason Smyth and Chia Lee battled round after round with Smyth taking home first prize in the tourney.

The Memorial Tournament raised $455.00 for the youth center where Joe is still remembered by the kids who played the games.

Learn more about The Wall Youth Center by visiting, www.thewallcarmichael.com