SHERIFF NORTH DIVISION COMMANDER TO SPEAK
Sheriff Captain Matt Morgan who commands the North Division will be the speaker at my next Community Coffee Meeting onWednesday, March 19. These informal morning gatherings are held five times throughout the year and include guest speakers on topical issues. The meeting this month will be at 7:30 a.m. at the Fair Oaks Water District’s conference room, 10326 Fair Oaks Blvd. near Winding Way.
The Sheriff’s North Division is responsible for the municipal police services for the unincorporated area north of the American River including the communities of Arden Arcade, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, and North Highlands.
My first Community Coffee Meeting, held in January, featured a very informative presentation by the San Juan Water District which was extremely timely since last year was one of the driest on record. There were questions about the level of Folsom Lake not to mention concern about our future water supply if Governor Brown’s proposed tunnels are built to divert water from the Delta.
Please join me on March 19 when we hear from Captain Matt Morgan. Coffee, of course, will be provided.
PLEASE SUPPORT CARMICHAEL’S PARKS
Homeowners located in the Carmichael Recreation and Park Districtare being asked to vote on an annual benefit assessment of $44.87 (less than $4 per month) that will go on their property tax bill. Approval of the measure will generate approximately $666,000 per year that will be used for park rangers to enhance public safety as well as for improved maintenance and capital improvements of neighborhood parks.
During the last several years when the economy was struggling, the Park District proved its resourcefulness by opening three new neighborhood parks that had been vacant abandoned sites (some in excess of 30 years). Through a combination of innovative techniques consisting of selling unneeded surplus property, engaging neighborhood volunteers to provide “sweat equity” and securing private donations as well as aggressively pursuing a state grant, Carmichael built three parks – Patriots Park, O’Donnell Heritage Park and Jan Park.
Besides the above locations, the Park District operates the La Sierra Center and 8 other parks—Bird Track, Capra, Cardinal Oaks, Del Campo, Glancy Oaks, Sutter-Jensen, Schweitzer Grove Nature Center and, of course, Carmichael Park which is the community’s central park that is home to the popular weekly Sunday Farmers Market, summer concerts and various events. These locations are in need of help and Carmichael’s neighborhood parks will benefit from this modest assessment -- and the funding of park rangers will add another level of security for the protection of residents by patrolling neighborhood parks. Former Sheriff John McGuiness says the addition of park rangers will complement existing law enforcement.
A vote for the measure will also include adoption of four safeguards designed to protect taxpayers on benefit assessments: an annual independent audit, a special public hearing to review that audit, a cap on administrative expenses, and the establishment of a citizens' oversight committee.
Carmichael is known for its wonderful quality of life and a prudent investment in local neighborhood parks can help keep it that way.
LEARN ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Citizens Academy, a 10-week course designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system. The program is sponsored by District Attorney Jan Scully and supported by Sheriff Scott Jones along with the Sacramento Police Department. The aim of the program is to improved relations and communication with diverse communities and members of the criminal justice system.
The program involves weekly classes at the Sacramento Police Department Headquarters plus field trips. The academy begins April 8 and meets on 10 Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Participants must either live or work in Sacramento County. The deadline to submit an application is March 7.
PLAY POKER AND HELP YOUTH
The Sheriff’s Community Impact Program (SCIP) works to lessen negative influences facing many youth in the Arden Arcadecommunity so as to avoid juvenile delinquency and gang involvement. You can help the cause – and have fun playing poker – by participating in the Arden Arcade Rotary Club’s upcomingHorsepower and Hold’em Poker Tournament on Saturday, March 15.
For a donation of $150 you get the chance to be a winner and have a seat at the table playing poker in the exciting venue of the CaliforniaAuto Museum. Various sponsorship also are available ranging from having your company logo on the playing cards to being a table sponsor at the tournament, signage at the table, program listing, etc. For more information visit the website of Zoom Imaging Solutions, Inc.–the event title sponsor.
The big payout goes to the students at Greer Elementary School, Edison Elementary School and Encina 6-12 Prep High School who are involved in SCIP which provides traditional police activities league programs as well as educational opportunities by working hand-in-hand with school administrators and other community based organizations. SCIP members include retired and active law enforcement personnel, school administrators, business and community members.
SPRING COMMUNITY CONCERT
On Sunday, March 16, the Sacramento Symphonic Winds, -- a 60 piece concert orchestra -- will be performing its spring concert featuring Broadway show tunes at 2:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5321 Date Avenue (just north on Madison and east of I-80 interchange).
The community orchestra is conducted by Dr. Les Lehr and this performance will feature all-time favorites from Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific and The Sound of Music. A special sing-along will also be part of the program. Tickets will be sold at the door (Children under 8 Free; Student/ Senior (65+) $5; and General Admission $10. For more information, please visit the Sacramento Symphonic Winds website.
SHERIFF’S MARCH COMMUNITY MEETINGS
The Sheriff’s Department holds regular community meetings to share information about trends in crime and recent activities. Below is the schedule for meetings in March.
The North Highlands/Foothill Farms meeting will be held on Thursday, March 6, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the North Highlands Community Center, 6040 Watt Avenue.
The Arden Arcade meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, starting at 6 p.m. at the Sheriff's North Service Center, 2500 Marconi Avenue near Fulton Avenue.
The Old Foothill Farms meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 12, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Pioneer Elementary School, 5816 Pioneer Way.
The Carmichael meeting will be held on Tuesday, March18, 6 p.m., at the Del Campo High School Library, 4925 Dewey Drive.
The Fair Oaks meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 6 pm, at La Vista School, 4501 Bannister Road (North of Winding Way).
Besides hearing first-hand what is occurring in your community, these meetings provide the opportunity to learn first-hand about the importance of Neighborhood Watch. Individual neighborhoods have demonstrated time and again that this simple concept can help strengthen a neighborhood as residents work together to reduce their own crime risks, implement home security survey recommendations from local law enforcement, coupled with training in how to be observant, how to help each other, and how to work with law enforcement. For more information, visit the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department website and click on crime prevention. 
CHP OFFERS TEEN DRIVING CLASS
The leading cause of death for American youth 15-20 years old are motor vehicle collisions. And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers.
In an effort to reduce that, the California Highway Patrol’s East Sacramento Area Office is offering a free driver safety education class, Start Smart, designed for new and future licensed teenage drivers between the age of 15 -19 and their parents/guardians.
Three evening Start Smart classes will be held through May. Subjects include collision avoidance techniques, driver responsibility, collision trends, distracted driving laws, alcohol related driving laws and the provisional license process. The program also offers an opportunity for new drivers and parents/guardians to ask CHP Officers clarifying questions.
Each class will be at the CHP’s East Sacramento Area Office, 11336 Trade Center Drive, in Rancho Cordova. Space is limited. Parents/guardians can call 464-1450 to register.
BIRDS AND NATURE
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center and American River Natural History Association is sponsoring a Family-Friendly Bird and Breakfastevent on Sunday, March 23, at 8 am. The morning program includes a nature walk plus a pancake breakfast prepared by the Carmichael Kiwanis Club.
General admission is only $10 per child under age 12 with a discount at $8 per child available for children of members of the Audubon Society and the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA). Adult general admission (12 years and older) is $40 per person and discounted to $35 for ARNHA and Audubon members.
To accommodate those with young children, there will be a 1 hour Family Walk. The Adult Walk suitable for youngsters 12 and older will be 90 minutes. Click here to register.
And those individuals interested in earning a Naturalist Certificate, the American River Natural History Association in conjunction with the UC Cooperative Extension will be offering a 40-hour course at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center.
The course combines a science curriculum with guest lecturers, field trips and project-based learning to explore the unique ecology and natural history of the greater Sacramento region. Limited to 20 participants, the course will run from April 22 to June 10 and cover basic ecology, watershed concepts, geology, wildlife, plants, and global environmental issues. Tuition is $350 before April 1. ($390 after April 1). For more details visit the Effie Yeaw Nature Center website.
VISITING WITH NEIGHBORS
March is a busy month. I held my first “Office Hours” for 2014 on Saturday, March 1, at Howe Park during the annual Trout Fishing Derby sponsored by the Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District. Since 2005 I have been holding “no appointment necessary” sessions throughout the area where residents can come by and chat in conjunction with family fun type community events.
On Thursday, March 6, I will participate at the Sheriff’s Community Meeting for North Highlands and Foothill Farms by providing an update on county activities. That meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the North Highlands Community Center.
The following week I will visit Carmichael and speak to theCarmichael Kiwanis Club on Wednesday, March 12.
And then I go to Fair Oaks on Wednesday, March 19, when I hold my Community Coffee Meeting at 7:30 a.m. at Fair Oaks Water District featuring Sheriff Captain Matt Morgan who heads the Sheriff’s North Division that serves the unincorporated area north of the American River including the communities of Arden Arcade, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms and North Highlands. The complete schedule for these 2014 coffees is available on my webpage.
EAGLE SCOUT HELPS SCHOOL
Five new redwood benches now exist for the upper level classrooms at St. Mel Catholic School in Fair Oaks thanks to Eagle Scout Mackenzie Arthur Cunningham.
As part of his Eagle Scout project, the Jesuit High School senior led a project team that transformed raw materials into functional school benches. The effort involved learning how to fabricate steel, prep and stain the wood, construct the benches, and measure and mark the build site that led to the final installation.
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
For all of you that have a Facebook account please feel free to check out my Facebook fan page and I invite you to like my page so you can be notified of my postings. I will be putting information about events, activities and constituents within the Third District on the page periodically. Also please be sure to check out the pictures posted that commemorate events or accomplishments by citizens in the district. The page can be found by searching for Supervisor Susan Peters within the facebook site or you can access my page by clicking the link.
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Carmichael Park Master Plan Final Community Workshop
