EGGS HUNTS GALORE!
Arden Park, Carmichael, Fair Oaks and North Highlands, each will be holding their own egg hunt on Saturday, April 19. The Arden Park Recreation and Park District will be sponsoring its “Eggstravaganza” on that Saturday morning. It’s a great family event located at Arden Park, 1000 La Sierra Drive. For more information contact the park district at 483-6069 or visit the Arden Park Recreation and Park District’s website.
The Carmichael Egg Hunt also is on that Saturday and the free search starts at 10 am sharp rain or shine. In addition, there will be a pancake breakfast that runs from 7 to 11 am cooked by the Kiwanis Club of Carmichael. The egg hunt is sponsored by the Carmichael Recreation and Park District and the fun will occur at Carmichael Park, 5750 Grant Avenue. For more information, call the Carmichael Recreation and Park District at 485-5322 or visit their website. Note during the Carmichael event from 9:30 to 11 am I will be holding “Office Hours” and be available to visit with residents on a “no appointment necessary, first come basis.” The Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District will be sponsoring “Easter Eggstravaganza” at Fair Oaks Park, 11549 Fair Oaks Boulevard on Saturday, April 19, too. There will be a free egg hunt by age group for children at different times plus other activities. For more information contact the park district at 966-1036 or visit their website.
And that same day the North Highlands Recreation and Park District will be holding its “Eggstra! Eggstra!” at Freedom Park(Freedom Park Drive and Dudley Blvd.) featuring a free egg hunt along with a petting zoo, carnival games, a bounce house and much more between 10 am to 12 pm. For more information please visit the North Highlands Recreation and Park District website or call 332-7440.
Photo courtesy of Susan Skinner
CALL 311 TO CONNECT WITH THE COUNTY
It’s easy to be confused about who to call for the many municipal services provided by Sacramento County, or even where to start with at least 33 departments, boards or affiliated organizations.
Where do I report an abandoned vehicle? Who fixes broken street lights? Where do I take old pharmaceuticals? These are just a few of the hundreds of questions coming in every day to County operators – and sometimes even to my office (if we don’t know we try to find an answer).
Now there is a simple solution, one number to connect with virtually any Sacramento County service; on the web, by mobile app or by phone; the number is 311.
Now you no longer have to remember which department resolves an issue; residents of the unincorporated area can report all concerns directly to 311 and call center representatives are ready to do the rest.
Issues reported to 311 can range from a stray animal to illegal dumping, even graffiti on a public building to mention a few. And now on the new smartphone app, available in the app store for Apple and Android users, you can take a picture of the issue and attach it to your report from your phone.
No matter what the concern might be, customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 am to 6 pmto answer questions, route calls, and manage cases for verification and resolution. Never remember another County number again… call 311!(Oh yes, you can still remember my number, too - - 874-5471).
Issues that can be handled via 311 include abandoned vehicles or shopping carts, animals (stray, deceased or dangerous), zoning code violations, repairs needed for curbs, gutters or sidewalks , graffiti, illegal dumping, street light problems and, of course, potholes.
To report an issue within the unincorporated area, simply call 311 or 875-4311, visit the 311 website, or download Sac County 311 Connect in the app store on your smartphone.
ENJOY THE PARKWAY AND OUR PARKS
Spring is here and it is time to enjoy the great outdoors in theAmerican River Parkway – and you can demonstrate your support by purchasing a year-long unlimited Parks Pass.
The pass is great for bicyclists and nature enthusiasts who frequent the Parkway. The proceeds go towards our regional parks and the pass costs only $50 per year – paying for itself after ten trips. You can purchase a pass at The American River Parkway FoundationOffice in the William B. Pond Recreation Area or online at the American River Parkway Foundation website.
And if you need quick access online to find specific recreational facilities like dog parks, swimming pools (and lessons), community centers, trails, arts and culture, golf, horseback riding, tennis courts and more remember all sorts of information is available at Your Sacramento Area Parks website.
This website is a one stop gateway to fun and recreation where you can reserve a facility for your next family or business function, make a tee time, sign up to volunteer, or improve your health and fitness.
The result of a partnership of 19 local recreation and park agencies including Sacramento County’s Department of Regional Parks, the website’s goal is to help connect you with the beautiful parks and recreational services available in our area.
Now there’s no excuse about not being able to find your favorite way to recreate!
Photo courtesy of Susan Skinner
MORE STREETS APPROVED FOR SPEED CONTRLS
Slowing down speeders on County roadways is a top priority of the Board of Supervisors and nine residential streets were recently approved to have speed control devices installed as part of the Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP).
In North Highlands, San Vincente Way between Karl Drive and Santa Fe Way received approval to have 3 speed bumps and 4 more will be added on Santa Fe Way from San Vincente to Gilman Way. Galbrath Drive between Larchmont Drive and Walerga Road received the OK to have 5 speed tables installed and another portion of Galbrath from Walerga to Monument Drive in Foothill Farms will be getting 2 speed bumps. And Walerga Road from Hillsdale Boulevard to Palm Avenue is also slated to receive 2 speed tables.
Rampart Drive from Ranger Way to Jan Drive in Carmichael will have 3 speed tables installed. California Avenue from Grant Avenue to Palm Drive was approved for 4 speed tables, too.
In Arden Arcade, Stewart Road between Arden Way and Fair Oaks Boulevard received approval for 4 speed bumps. Six speed tables also were approved for Edison Avenue between Annadale Lane and Eastern Avenue. And San Ysidro Way between Watt Avenue and La Sierra Drive in Arden Park will be getting 2 speed tables.
All of the aforementioned streets were submitted by residents via petition requests through the NTMP. Upon receipt of those submissions, the department evaluated and ranked each street using objective criteria like volume, average speed and collision history.
Last May the Board of Supervisors authorized the residents on each street to come up with a traffic management plan involving devices intended to slow vehicle speed. After a plan was developed the neighbors on each street were surveyed on the proposed devices. To move forward, majority approval was required with at least 50 percent of the households participating in the survey. For this latest group of streets, the average participation level was 65.4% and the average approval vote was 85.7%.
Installation of the devices will occur later this year during the road construction season.
COMMUTER ALERT FOR HIGHWAY 50
Please be advised that Caltrans will be commencing construction this month on Highway 50 in the so-called “WX Freeway”segment.
While this segment is within the city of Sacramento, many suburban commuters use it on a daily basis. The construction area is south of downtown, between 18th and 24th Streets.
Age and heavy use have caused extensive wear and cracking on the roadbed, which was built in 1968. It is in need of seismic strengthening and a complete resurfacing.
The dates are April 22 - May 21 for Eastbound US Highway 50 and May 27 - June 25 for Westbound traffic. No work will be performed over the Memorial Day weekend.
Significant traffic delays are expected on the segment as well as other freeways and arteries serving downtown.
PARTY NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
The Rotary Club of Foothill-Highlands is holding its seventh annual wine and food gala entitled “Night at the Museum” to benefit local charities.
The California Automobile Museum will be the venue for the fun to be held on Friday, April 25, 6-10 pm. Plan to enjoy music and dancing, bid for great prizes in the live and silent auctions, and join in a balloon pop for special prizes. Tickets cost $40 per person in advance or $50 at the door. Proceeds will go to Birth and Beyond, Sacramento Crisis Nursery, Children's Receiving Home, andWIND.
TURN HERE FOR ARTS CENTER
The Sacramento Fine Arts Center is dedicated to the creation and presentation of original visual arts as well as to support the cultural life of the community and to encourage all artists to fulfill their potential. Located in Carmichael at 5330B Gibbons Drive on the backside of theLa Sierra Community Center, the Fine Arts Center offers classes, workshops and exhibits.
Recently the Fine Arts Center sought assistance to make it easier for patrons and art lovers to find the Fine Arts Center. As a result, the County Department of Transportation installed directional signs on both sides of Fair Oaks Boulevard near Gibbons Drive. Now there’s less of a chance to miss this unique resource. For more information about the center and what it offers, please visit the Sacramento Fine Arts Center website. 
LIBRARY WAREHOUSE SALE
The Friends of the Sacramento Public Library will be holding two massive weekend warehouse book sales in April.
Members of the Friends will have special access and the first opportunity to search through the literary treasure trove on Friday, April 4, starting at 5 to 8 pm (If you are not a member of the Friends, membership can be purchased at the door). The general public can access the warehouse on Saturday, April 5 at 9 am through 4 pm.
The warehouse doors will open again to the general public the followingSaturday, April 12, at 9 am with no restrictions through to 4 pm.
The Friends of the Library Warehouse is located at 8250 Belvedere Avenue, rear of suite E (located off Power Inn Road, on block south of 14th Avenue).
TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR TO SPEAK
Wednesday morning, May 21, Sacramento County Transportation Director Michael Penrose will be the guest speaker at my nextCommunity Coffee Meeting. These informal morning gatherings are held five times throughout the year and include guest speakers on topical issues. The meeting for May will be at 7:30 am at the Fair Oaks Water District’s conference room, 10326 Fair Oaks Blvd. near Winding Way.
The Sacramento County Department of Transportation (SACDOT) is responsible for maintaining 5,200 lane miles in the unincorporated area including the roads within the communities of Arden Arcade, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, and North Highlands. Among SACDOT’s responsibilities is fixing potholes – and department repairs approximately 40,600 potholes on a yearly basis.
Coffee, of course, will be provided. For a list of dates for the remaining Community Coffee Meetings for 2014, please visit my webpage.
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED
Two older neighborhoods in the unincorporated communities of Arden Arcade and Carmichael received approval from the Board of Supervisors recently to have their local storm drainage systems upgraded so to provide a higher level of flood protection for residents.
The Kovanda Avenue project in Carmichael is designed to alleviate flooding problems in that neighborhood. The project calls for the installation of 700 lineal feet of storm drain pipe that will pickup water flows from two new drain inlets at the east end of Kovanda. At the intersection of Kovanda and Walnut Avenue the existing drain inlets will be enlarged so flows are directed into the existing mainline on Walnut via an upgraded manhole. This project was initiated by property owners who reported localized flooding in the area. For more information, visit the Department of Water Resources website.
Also scheduled for an upgrade is the Arden Arcade neighborhood bounded by Maison Way on the north, Hurley Way on the South, Fulton Avenue on the west and Wyant Way on the east. The majority of that area was developed in the 1940’s and the drainage facilities comprise of roadside ditches and underground pipe built to long ago standards. Over time the ditches have been filled in and the storm drain system is no longer able to convey storm runoff from upstream areas. The project will involve installing a new underground pipe system and drain inlets on Rowena Way that will improve storm water capture and conveyance to alleviate flooding in the area. For additional information, visit the Department of Water Resources website.
Bids for both projects are expected to be received in April.
SUPPORT STANFORD YOUTH SOLUTIONS
Stanford Youth Solutions, formerly the Stanford Home for Children, will be holding its annual gala, “A Magical Night in the Emerald City,” on Thursday, May 1. This fundraising event supports nearly 2,400 local young people and family members who benefit throughout the year from Stanford Youth Solutions’ programs and services.
For more than 114 years, Stanford has supported those unable to advocate, support or provide for themselves in our community. I am especially honored and humbled because Stanford is honoring me that night for my efforts in preserving the Leland Stanford Mansion. The Victorian-era building served not only as home to California’s eighth governor but later functioned as the home for the “friendless children” of California. Thanks to the Leland Stanford Mansion Foundation, the restored home is open to the public for viewing and a portion has been preserved capturing the era when it served as an orphanage through the generosity of Jane Lathrop Stanford, the governor’s widow.
For the gala, between the hours 6-10 pm North Ridge Country Clubwill be transformed into scenes from the Wizard of Oz. Guests can follow the Yellow Brick Road and enjoy tasty farm-to-fork treats, fabulous wines, live music, DJ entertainment and an auction hosted by the Great and Powerful Oz.
FAIR OAKS FIESTA DAYS
Fair Oaks Village will be holding Fiesta Days during the weekend of May 3-4 and activities include – among other things -- a parade, one-of-a-kind Toilet Bowl Race, crafts, games for children, and a huge classic car show. It should be a lot of fun so save the dates on your calendar.
EFFIE YEAW NATURE CENTER GALA
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 31, for the upcoming Annual Gala and Art Auction benefitting the Effie Yeaw Nature Center.
My predecessor, former County Supervisor Muriel Johnson, is the gala’s chair this year and she tells me that this special event will feature delicious food, wine, music, and art depicting the American River Parkway and its “wild things.” The master of ceremonies will be Channel 13 weatherman Dave Bender.
Proceeds benefit the nature center and the American River Natural History Association, a nonprofit organization that supports educational and interpretive activities in the American River Parkway.
Your support is especially welcomed since the operation of the nature center has been assumed by the American River Natural History Association as the result of a cooperative public-private partnership with Sacramento County’s Department of Regional Parks.
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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