American River Messenger

Wounded Soldier Proving There is Life After War

FAIR OAKS, June 12 – Sgt. Brian C. Fleming is no stranger to life and death situations. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, Fleming was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received in combat when he was attacked by a suicide bomber on July 24th, 2006 in Afghanistan. After surviving not just one, but two serious attacks in the War on Terror, Sgt. Fleming is now able to share his miraculous story to audiences all around the world. [More]

Smoke-Related Health Statement

(Sacramento, CA) – The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and Sacramento County Public Health Division are advising residents to take precautions and avoid voluntary outdoor activities as smoke from wildfires continues to remain at ground level in the Sacramento region.

“We’re advising schools, recreation districts and other organizations that operate outdoor sports programs to voluntarily cancel or postpone practices, games and recreational activities anytime particle air pollution levels reach “Unhealthy” on the Air Quality Index,” said Glennah Trochet M.D., Sacramento County Health Officer. [More]

Tomatoes Return to Stores and Menus as California Begins Harvest
Restaurant Writers/Agriculture Writers/Business Editors

FRESNO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2008--Just in time for the start of tomato harvest in major California production areas, restaurants and grocery stores are announcing the return of tomatoes to store shelves and menus. The move comes in light of announcements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearing most U.S. tomato producing areas because tomatoes from these areas are not associated with the recent salmonella outbreak.

"We understand the caution exercised by some restaurants and stores who may have stopped carrying tomatoes in light of the outbreak," said Ed Beckman, president of California Tomato Farmers, a cooperative representing approximately 80 percent of the fresh tomatoes produced in California. "However, now that government agencies have clearly removed all concern about tomatoes produced in California and several other states, we see no reason for restaurants and stores not to resume carrying tomatoes. We are encouraged by those who are doing so.[More]

Why Does Everyone Need to Spare The Air?
Common misconceptions about the Sacramento region’s Spare The Air season

The 2008 Spare The Air season is well underway and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District would like residents to understand the importance of improving air quality in the Sacramento region. Many residents comply with the AQMD’s requests to “Spare The Air,” but don’t necessarily understand the reasoning behind the program. The AQMD would like to clarify some common misconceptions about the Spare The Air program so residents can better understand why it’s important for everyone to do their part to help improve air quality.

Misconception #1: “Why does the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District ask us to Spare The Air in our homes and personal lives instead of regulating large vehicles, diesel trucks, etc.?”[More]

Life Jackets - Not Just A Good Idea Now It's The Law
By Jill Conner – Metro Fire Public Education

On July 11th, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt a new regulation which requires children ages 12 and under to wear a life jacket in any county controlled body of water. This would include the rivers and lake in the Sacramento area.

The parents of children caught without a life jacket will face up to six months in jail and a $500.00 fine.[More]

John DiStasio chosen as new SMUD general manager

John DiStasio, assistant general manager for Energy Delivery & Customer Service, has been named to succeed Jan Schori as SMUD’s general manager

DiStasio, a 27-year SMUD veteran, verbally accepted the offer from the SMUD Board of Directors Thursday night to fill the GM position after a national search. The appointment will not be finalized until a contract is signed and the Board issues a formal approval at its June 19 meeting. DiStasio would assume his new position June 20. [More]

Local Non-Profits Hoping for Recession-Proof Fourth of July
By David Dickstein
Fireworks Fundraisers Begin June 28

Much has been written about San Juan High School’s turnaround in football last season, when the Spartans went from being a team that won just once in 2 years to a respectable 4-6 and falling just one victory shy of making the playoffs. Factors cited for the dramatic improvement ranged from the team’s strong backfield and an improved passing game to beefed up defense and the impact of first-year coach Russ Hibbard.

No stories, however, mentioned fireworks as a reason for the team’s success, and that’s a shame, according to one San Juan parent. [More]

RT Experiences Record Ridership
System Ridership Up 20 Percent, Light Rail Ridership Up 43 Percent

With gas prices at an all-time high, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) is experiencing a dramatic surge in bus and light rail ridership. Overall system ridership has increased by 20.2 percent, compared to the same period last year.

In April 2008, total monthly bus ridership was 1,429,400 – up 2.5 percent from April 2007 (despite a five percent reduction in bus service in January 2008). Last month, total monthly light rail ridership was 1,534,000 – up 43.3 percent from April 2007. Light rail ridership has steadily increased over the past year and has now surpassed bus ridership – unprecedented since light rail service began in 1987. In addition, the positive trend has carried over to usage at RT’s 18 free park-and-ride lots. The park-and-ride lots at the Historic Folsom, Iron Point, Glenn and Meadowview light rail stations are typically at capacity during the weekday commute. [More]

35th Annual ‘Eppie’s Great Race’ to Introduce New Race Divisions

The 35th annual “Eppie’s Great Race” — known as “The World’s Oldest Triathlon” — is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2008. This year’s event will introduce three new race divisions for competitors at both ends of the age spectrum: Junior Ironman and Junior Ironwoman Divisions (for competitors, ages 18 years and under); and Ironwoman-Age 60 years and older. The “Iron” divisions signify that the participating Eppie’s Great Race competitor completes all three Race legs themselves (running 5.82 miles, biking 12.5 miles and then paddling 6.35 miles, along the American River Parkway), rather than completing one leg of Eppie’s Great Race as a member of a three-person team. Potential Great Race event participants, volunteers, event sponsors and potential exhibitors, are encouraged to check: www.thegreatrace.org, to register or receive more information.

Both teams and/or individuals can compete in Eppie’s Great Race, participating in a variety of divisions from “Junior,” to “Iron Person,” 14 - 70 years and older, and team divisions that include “Family,” “Corporate,” and “Police & Fire Division,” among others. The Eppie’s Great Race participants run 5.82 miles, cycle 12.5 miles, and paddle boats 6.35 miles, on a racecourse located on and alongside the American River Parkway. Also scheduled for July 19, 2008, will be the Eppie’s Great Race “Kaiser Permanente Kids’ Duathlon,” a 2.5 mile run, and a 6 mile bike ride; where children can train with their families, and compete in their own race. Find information regarding both Eppie’s Great Race and the Eppie’s Great Race Kaiser Permanente Kids Duathlon on: www.thegreatrace.org.[More]

American Lung Association of California Endorses New Statewide Strategic Plan for Asthma
Asthma Awareness Month Reinforces Importance of Asthma Prevention and Management

Los Angeles, CA- Bringing much-needed attention to a chronic disease that strikes one out of six kids in the state, the American Lung Association of California today marked Asthma Awareness Month by endorsing the California Department of Public Health's new five-year Strategic Plan for Asthma in California 2008-2012. The plan provides strategies to improve the health and quality of life of the more than 5 million Californians affected by asthma, and outlines steps to reduce the disease's health care costs - California hospitalizations totaled more than $763 million in 2005 alone. [More]

‘Eppie’s Great Race’ Hosting Third Annual Kaiser Permanente Kids Duathlon July 19, 2008

What is a Duathlon?
A Duathlon is an event that combines two activities, most commonly running and cycling. Training for and competing in duathlons has become a popular way to achieve overall fitness, as a Duathlon requires more training, and makes use of more muscles, than if only training for one of these activities.[More]

Citrus Heights Solicits Public Feedback on Community Center Conceptual Designs
Public workshop reviewed initial conceptual designs and obtains feedback

The City of Citrus Heights will be developing a 26,000 to 32,000 square foot one-story community center and meeting facility on a 1.9 acre parcel located on the northeast corner across the street from the existing City Hall complex. The building will be a multi-function meeting facility with the following key elements: banquet room with a 1,000 person capacity (approx.); flex meeting space; commercial grade kitchen; space for programming and/or activities that are focused on young children, pre-teens, teens, and senior citizens; space for an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and an emergency shelter in the event of a disaster. Williams+Paddon has been selected as the architectural firm leading the design phase of the project. The City of Citrus Heights has placed a high importance on “green-building”, so the future facility will utilize sustainable, renewable and recycled resources. [More]

Raley Field Announces July 11th Lynyrd Skynyrd Concert

West Sacramento, Calif. – Legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform a concert at Raley Field on Friday, July 11th at 7:00 p.m., Raley Field officials announced today. Tickets for the event, which will include an opening act to be named at a later date, will go on sale on Saturday, February 9 at the Raley Field ticket office (hours of operation can be found at raleyfield.com) and Ticketmaster.com. This marks the second time that Lynyrd Skynyrd has played at Raley Field, having played the venue on August 24, 2006.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, a 2006 inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has recorded a remarkable thirteen platinum albums since forming in the mid-‘60s and is widely considered a pioneer in the ‘Country Rock’ genre. The band has recorded countless hit songs, including legendary classics ‘Free Bird’ and ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ both recently included in Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the top 500 Rock & Roll songs of all-time. Rolling Stone also recently called Lynyrd Skynyrd one of the top 100 artists in the history of Rock & Roll music.

For more information about this show, or any other event at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

Advertise With Us
About the Messenger