FUN AND FIREWORKS
This year Carmichael is the place to celebrate Independence Day also known as the Fourth of July.
The big celebration kick-offs with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club from 7 to 11 a.m. at Carmichael Park followed by the61st Annual Elks Club Parade on Fair Oaks Boulevard starting at 10:30 a.m. at Marconi Avenue and continuing to Manzanita and Cypress Avenues. The parade features floats, antique automobiles, marching bands, equestrian entries, and much more.
Carmichael also will experience fireworks lighting up the evening sky at the La Sierra Community Center, 5325 Engle Road. The first sky rocket is expected to go off at approximately 9:30 p.m. and starting at 7 p.m. there will be plenty of activities before the big show including music, food, and children’s activities. For more information, please visit the Carmichael Recreation and Park District website
USE ONLY SAFE & SANE FIREWORKS
Because of risk of fire danger, please only use those fireworks that have been certified as “safe and sane” when celebrating this year’s Independence Day.
Dangerous illegal fireworks like aerial shells and other flying devices pose a significant fire hazard, potentially allowing sparks to fall onto roofs and dry brush. If you are aware about illegal fireworks being used, please call the Sheriff via the non-emergency number 874-5115 or if an emergency situation exists dial 911.
And even “safe and sane” fireworks can pose a hazard if abused or not exercised with good judgment. Fire officials advise that you should set off fireworks far from dry grass or vegetation, and soak used fireworks in water.
SHERIFF TO TARGET ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
The Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a dedicated illegal fireworks enforcement shift between 6 pm and 2 am from July 2 – 4 to address scofflaws who endanger themselves and others through the use of illegal fireworks.
Ten teams of two deputies per team will be targeting areas of the unincorporated area known for past illegal fireworks activity. Besides having law enforcement’s commitment to have “boots on the ground,” the District Attorney’s Office is in full support of this effort and will prosecute offenders.
Violators you have been forewarned! Sacramento County will be actively pursuing illegal fireworks offenders and citing you to the maximum penalties allowed by California Health and Safety Code 12500 – 12728 which can include up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 for a misdemeanor offense. Large quantities of dangerous fireworks can be charged as a felony with penalties of up to three years in state prison and fines as high as $50,000.
A big thank you goes to TNT Fireworks and Phantom Fireworks which have offered to assist with funding half of this targeted enforcement effort.
ROADWORK CONSTRUCTION SEASON IS HERE
It’s that time of the year where Sacramento County’s Department of Transportation (SacDOT) crews or contractors are busy on projects to improve area roads through new construction and /or maintenance efforts to beat back the wear and tear on our streets.
Some projects will be big efforts like the widening of the bridge on Winding Way at Chicago Creek in Fair Oaks or major paving overlays of streets in the neighborhoods of Arden Manor and in Old Foothill Farms. Others are designed to improve safety and mobility for all users including pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, like the Garfield Avenue Improvement Project which will add bike lanes, sidewalk and street lights from Whitney Avenue to Gibbons Drive while modifying the traffic signal at Winding Way.
SacDOT’s Transportation Improvement and Program Guide identifies $53,284,000 for overlay projects to be constructed during this summer’s construction season as well as next summer’s thanks to a new source of funding for road maintenance through the increased gas tax provided by SB 1 retained by the voters last November. However, with a maintenance backlog of more than $700 million for the unincorporated area’s roads, not every road in need can be addressed immediately but the Department of Transportation is adding projects as the new gas tax money becomes available. You can track the County’s road projects funded by the SB 1 gas tax by visiting the Department of Transportation SB 1 website.
And construction season isn’t solely focused on roadways. The summer weather also means trees are in full bloom, the grass is growing, and weeds need to be abated. That bloom can also mean excess growth that needs to be trimmed before that causes a driving hazard. Ensuring public safety and healthy landscapes are the focus of the department’s Trees and Landscape section. Learn more by visiting this link.
Last year, crews trimmed 4,000 trees and removed another 257 diseased trees. This maintenance responsibility covers County owned roadway frontages, medians, pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, and overpasses. Along with the trees, you can find crews mowing more than 4,000 miles of roadside grass and performing nearly 2,000 miles of weed control to ensure public safety free of obstacles and hazards. If you see a problem, please call 3-1-1 or report it online to Sacramento County 311 website. Your input can help stop problems before they grow, and that can help save money by stopping small issues before becoming worse.
There are 5,200 lane miles of paved roads in the unincorporated area that need to be maintained. SacDOT appreciates your patience as County crews and/or contractors work to improve the roads, sidewalks, and landscaping in your neighborhood and elsewhere. You can stay up-to-date with emails on road closures by subscribing to the SacDOT Road and Lanes Closure List at this link.
FREE MUSICAL FUN IN CARMICHAEL
Enjoy the summer nights by attending free concerts at Carmichael Park.
Each concert will be held at Carmichael Park, 5750 Grant Avenue. This month’s fun starts on Saturday, July 6, with the band “On Air” featuring classic rock and power horns.
A total of ten concerts featuring a different group each time will be held this month and continuing through September 1. There will be a total of nine Saturday night gigs and one Sunday evening performance. A variety of music will be offered including classic, southern and country rock along with rhythm and blues, funk, and dance band tunes.
All concerts start at 6:30 pm. A list of all the bands can be obtained by going online to the Carmichael Recreation and Parks website.
MORE FREE CONCERTS IN FAIR OAKS
The annual free Thursday night concert series in Fair Oaks Village continues during July and into August.
The popular program is held in Village Park and the first performance for this month, July 11, features Swing Masters playing big band favorites. The concert series continues through August 22 with each show beginning at 6:30 pm.
The concerts are hosted by the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District and the Fair Oaks Foundation for Leisure and the Arts. For a complete listing of all the bands, please visit the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce website.
SUMMER CLEAN-UP MADE EASY
Is your garage or backyard filled with an old couch, left-over lumber, one-legged chairs, a broken refrigerator, a beat-up mattress and other junk?
Sacramento County’s Department of Waste Management and Recycling will come to your home and pick up these items from your curb at no charge under the Bulky Waste Pick-Up provided once per calendar year, which is included in your garbage rate. The no-charge pick-up is good for an 8’ x 4’ x 4’ pile, with a maximum material amount of 5 cubic yards – about the size of a pickup bed loaded to the top of the cab. Additional pickups are only $25!
Bulky Waste Pick-Up services are available by appointment only. For more information, please visit the Department of Waste Management and Recycling website.
PARKWAY ALCOHOL BAN
This Fourth of July there will be a complete ban on alcohol consumption and possession both on land and in the water within the American River Parkway between Hazel and Watt avenues. An exception exists for Ancil Hoffman Golf Course.
In past years summer holidays had become major problems along the American River making the parkway less of a family friendly outing because of fights, public nudity, profanity and littering. The Board of Supervisors restored decorum beginning with the 2006 Labor Day weekend and the ban is also applicable for Memorial Day weekend.
Since the restriction has taken effect, families I have talked to have expressed appreciation for making these holidays once again a time for everyone to enjoy the American River Parkway.
PROTECT YOUR PETS
The County Animal Shelter reminds you that a pet left in a vehicle can quickly turn deadly on warm days. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a parked car can jump 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. Being outdoors in temperatures over 90 degrees can also be dangerous.
It’s important to provide your pet with shade and plenty of water if you can’t bring your furry four-legged friend inside. For more hot weather pet tips, visit the Department of Animal Care and Regulation website.
And remember fireworks can be very stressful for your pet possibly causing fear and anxiety. Sadly, the volume of missing pets significantly increases during the Fourth of July holiday. Leaving a pet outside unattended even in a fenced yard or on a chain can lead to disastrous consequences. In their fear, pets who normally would not leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death. Also please make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so if they become lost, they can be returned home promptly.
KIDS DON’T FLOAT AND NEITHER DO ADULTS
Summer is here and visiting Sacramento County’s public waterways and rivers is a traditional way to cool off . . . but before letting little ones take the plunge, remember it’s the law for children under 13 to wear a life vest because kids don’t float.
Putting a life vest on before going into the river is the smart and safe thing to do for both children and adults. If you need one, there are borrowing stations along Sacramento’s waterways and at local fire stations.
There are several life vest borrowing stations serving the American River Parkway at Discovery Park (2 sites -- kids and adults), Ancil Hoffman Park (kids only), Howe Avenue river access (kids only), Watt Avenue river access (kids only), River Bend Park (kids only), and Sunrise river access (kids only).
For more information, please visit the Regional Parks website.
SUPPORT THE AMERICAN RIVER PARKWAY
Please show your support for the American River Parkway by purchasing a yearlong unlimited Parks Pass. This convenient annual parking/day use pass is great for joggers, bicyclists as well as outdoor and nature enthusiasts who frequent the Parkway. The pass costs only $50 per year – and pays for itself after ten trips.
Parks Passes are sold at The American River Parkway Foundation Office in the William B. Pound Recreation Area or online at the American River Parkway Foundation website. For other locations, please visit this link
HARVEST DAY 2019 IN FAIR OAKS
Attention all gardening enthusiasts -- the 21st annual Harvest Day will be held next month on Saturday, August 3, 8 am to 2 pm at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center located near the intersection of Madison Avenue and Fair Oaks Boulevard.
The event will include tours and talks, demonstrations as well as information about a variety of topics including vegetables, composting, and water-efficient landscaping plus the opportunity to converse with expert Master Gardeners of Sacramento County.
For more information, please visit the Master Gardeners of Sacramento County website.
EFFIE YEAW NATURE CENTER
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center, located on the grounds of Ancil Hoffman Park in Carmichael, provides numerous educational and interpretive programs to school children about the natural environment, principally in the American River Parkway. For many of these youngsters, this contact with the Nature Center is their encounter to enjoy the natural and cultural resources of the Sacramento Region.
Last month’s successful Annual Gala and Art Auction generated needed funds to 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. 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.
It was a wonderful event and I want to thank the many attendees, artists and volunteers who make it possible. That evening I visited with many residents and supporters of the nature center among them Carmichael resident and CHP Chief Rich Desmond and his wife Lisa. For more information about the nature center, please visit the Effie Yeaw Nature Center website.
SUMMER WEDDING TIPS
The wedding season is officially upon us and with that, comes a lot of planning – and Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder’s office is here to help from marriage licenses and ceremonies to copies of marriage certificates.
In 2018, more than 9,400 marriage licenses were registered and 4,423 civil ceremonies were performed. This year is off to a busy start and the Sacramento County Clerk/ Recorder’s office would like to help residents make the planning process a bit easier.
Apply for a marriage license: You can get started by filling out an application and scheduling an appointment. To help save time, the application is available online at Sacramento County Clerk /Recorder website at this link. Before applying, review the eligibility requirements and check to make sure you have everything needed for your appointment. And remember, marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you don’t get married within those 90 days, the license becomes void and you must re-apply to purchase a new license.
Changing your name: Thinking about changing your name through the marriage process? Couples can make this change when completing the marriage license application. Certain rules apply with how a name may be changed. Be sure to check out the Name Equality Act of 2007 at this link.
Ceremonies: If you are looking for an intimate, cost-efficient ceremony, Sacramento County’s Clerk/ Recorder‘s office conducts civil marriage ceremonies weekdays, at all three office locations. For more details, visit the Clerk/Recorder’s website.
One-time Deputy Commissioner Program: Do you have a friend or family member that you’d like to perform the ceremony? Through this program, any U.S. citizen who is over 18 years of age can do just that. After completing and returning the Deputy Commissioner Application Form, a representative will review the application and schedule a time for the applicant to appear in the County Clerk/Recorder’s office to be sworn in as a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriage. For more information, visit this link.
Marriage certificates: After you say “I Do” your signed marriage license will need to be delivered back to the County Clerk /Recorder’s office. Once processed and registered, a certified copy of the marriage certificate will be made available for purchase. To purchase a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you can order copies online at this link, in person, by mail or fax.
To learn more about the above mentioned services and programs, please visit the Sacramento County Clerk/ Recorder’s website.
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