Home Care In Rio Linda, CA

Hunters can soon participate in no-fee waterfowl hunts amid restored salt ponds at Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve in Hayward.

Hunters can soon participate in no-fee waterfowl hunts amid restored salt ponds at Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve at Eden Landing (formerly Eden Landing Ecological Reserve) in Hayward, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) land. Access to the ecological reserve will be open to 100 hunters on a first-come, first-served basis on the following dates:

2023 hunts (5 a.m. check-in)

2024 hunts (5 a.m. check-in)

“Eden Landing waterfowl hunts are unique in that there are no fees charged and hunting is offered on some Tuesdays and Thursdays when other public waterfowl hunting areas are closed. These hunts typically have a three-bird average per season with northern shoveler and American wigeon being the most common harvest.”

CDFW Lands Manager John Krause

Adult hunters must have a valid California hunting license, a signed Federal Duck stamp, California Duck Validation and Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation. Youth hunters younger than 16 will need a valid Junior Hunting License and Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation. Junior Hunting License holders who have turned 16 will also need a signed Federal Duck Stamp.

There is a 25-shell limit in the field and nonlead ammunition is required when taking wildlife anywhere in California. A hunting dog is recommended for retrieving birds. A small boat, canoe or other floatation device is also highly recommended to access ponds and blinds. Pete Stark Ecological Reserve has a boat launch on Mount Eden Creek allowing access to tidal areas. Boaters are advised to consult local tide charts before launching as mud flats can subject vessels to hidden underwater hazards during low tides.

Hunters should also be aware that vehicle access to some areas of Pete Stark Ecological Reserve may be temporarily limited due to ongoing levee maintenance. Hunters are responsible for avoiding closed areas.

To access Pete Stark Ecological Reserve from Interstate 880: Exit at Alvarado Boulevard; continue west and turn right on Union City Boulevard; left on Bettencourt Road (look for Union Sanitary District sign); left on Whipple Road, right on Horner Street; right on Veasy Street. Enter at the yellow gate and proceed to the check station.

Public access opportunities at the reserve in addition to hunting are available. More information is available at wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Eden-Landing-ER and South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project at www.southbayrestoration.org.

Over 3 million households in California rely on CalFresh, the state’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure they have access to food. The program is more commonly known as “food stamps,” and the latest data from January 2023 shows that over 5 million people are currently using these funds.

During the pandemic, CalFresh users have been receiving extra funds, called “emergency allotments,” in recognition of the challenges brought about by COVID-19. However, starting in April 2023, CalFresh users have seen a significant drop in their food benefits.

The reason for this is due to the federal funding changes for SNAP programs across the United States, rather than a change in California law.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ended the pandemic-era release of extra funds to households across the country. As a result, a person using CalFresh at the very least is losing $95 each month in their food benefits. Families with multiple children, older people, and those with disabilities are expected to be the most affected by the changes.

Becky Silva, government relations director at the California Association of Food Banks, told CalMatters that a single-person household could see their food aid drop from $281 a month to as low as $23 in April.

“There’s no way to overstate how devastating this is going to be. Families are going to see a dramatic and sudden drop in their food benefits at a time when food price inflation and the cost of living in California especially is through the roof.”

Becky Silva, government relations director at the California Association of Food Banks

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has been using various communication methods, including texts, social media, automated phone calls, and mailers to alert CalFresh users about the drop in funds. The CDSS has also advised people being hit by the sudden drop in food benefits that they can get free food from their local food banks, as an additional food resource. However, food bank representatives are deeply concerned about the impact of hunger in California. The cost of living in California is high, and food price inflation is a problem, so families are expected to see a dramatic and sudden drop in their food benefits at a time when they need it most.

What can you do?

Call 211

CalFresh officials say that if you are in “immediate need of food assistance,” you can dial 211 and speak with someone about food services that are available in your area.

This hotline is open 24 hours a day, but they warn that “not all areas provide 211 phone support.”

Alternatively, the CalFresh Info Line can be reached at (877) 847-3663. The California Department of Social Services Helpline is (888) 445-1955, which CalFresh says can also offer information and assistance.

Get free produce at a farmers market that’s participating in California’s Fruit and Vegetable EBT pilot

The state’s Fruit and Vegetable EBT pilot provides CalFresh participants with up to $60 per month in rebates when they use their EBT card to pay for California-grown produce at a limited number of farmers markets and grocery stores statewide.

How it works: If you have funds on your EBT card and use them to pay for eligible produce at a participating location, you’ll instantly get a rebate for the cost of that produce — effectively making it free at the point of sale.

More locations will be participating in this pilot program in 2023. But right now, you can get up to $60 worth of California-grown produce with your EBT card at the following farmers markets in the Sacramento Area:

Apply for WIC

The Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) provides food assistance to lower-income families who have young children or are expecting a new child. Like CalFresh, it’s federally funded, and you can receive WIC benefits on top of your CalFresh benefits.

The program is income-based, and is available to pregnant people, plus new parents and grandparents of young children. See whether you’re eligible for WIC and apply online.

Use Market Match to double your CalFresh or WIC dollars at a farmers market

Market Match is a statewide program that enables you to double your CalFresh or Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) funds at certain farmers markets and farm-direct locations near you.

How it works: Use the Market Match map to find a participating farmers market or other farm-direct location near you, and when you arrive during operating hours, go to that market’s information booth with your EBT card and ask for Market Match. Your EBT card will be swiped for a dollar amount of your choice, and in return you’ll receive tokens for double that dollar amount to spend at the market. (In other words, Market Match effectively gives you 50% off produce you buy at participating farmers markets.)

Find a food bank or community pantry near you

Sacramento Food BankIn Sacramento County, Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services is the largest nonprofit provider of basic human needs in Sacramento County. https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org(916) 456-1980

REACH (Rio Linda Elverta Area Churches for the Hungry)REACH only serves those residing in zip codes 95626, 95673, 95660 & 95652.151 Delano Street, Elverta, CA 95626 (916) 717-3265Tuesday: 9:30AM – 11:30AMThursday: 9:30AM – 11:30AM

Manna Food Bank4840 Marysville Boulevard, Sacramento, CA, 95838(916) 922-6442Friday: 9:30AM – 12:00PM

Twin Rivers Unified School District (TRUSD) celebrated a significant milestone as they broke ground on the Northlake TK-8 School, located in the North Natomas area of Sacramento. The special groundbreaking ceremony, held on May 23, 2023, marked the beginning of construction for the state-of-the-art facility, which is set to open its doors to over 1,000 transitional kindergarten through eighth-grade students in the 2024-2025 school year. The event took place at 3651 Oyster Point Way, Sacramento, CA 95835.

TRUSD is particularly thrilled about the Northlake TK-8 School as it will be the district’s first educational institution situated west of SR-99 and Interstate 5. Dr. Steve Martinez, the superintendent of TRUSD, expressed his excitement and pride in the new school, emphasizing its role in providing students with a top-quality education and preparing them for future success.

Despite the recent approval of Measures J and K, two bond measures aimed at initiating health and safety projects throughout TRUSD, the construction of Northlake TK-8 was solely funded through existing resources. Basim Elkarra, a TRUSD school board member representing Area Five, where Northlake TK-8 is located, commended the school as a testament to the district’s commitment to delivering a quality education to all students. He emphasized that the school would not only address the growing needs of the community but also create a welcoming learning environment for its students.

The new Northlake TK-8 School will feature modern classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, and a gymnasium. Equipped with the latest technology and resources, the school aims to provide students with a cutting-edge educational experience.

May 12, 2023

To Staff and the Twin Rivers School Community,

They say to teach is to impact the future. Imagine how this profound responsibility feels to today’s teachers given the fact that our society, collectively, cannot fully imagine or comprehend the future.

Today’s teachers are preparing students for success in our ever-changing world. To prepare our students to succeed in college and career, our teachers cover more than the core academic subjects.

They nurture their students’ confidence, resiliency, perseverance and, to ensure they can work well with others, teachers guide students to be collaborative and compassionate. This is a tall order, a very tall order indeed. And yet every day, our dedicated TR teachers and the many members of our support staff come to work to offer students lessons in academics and invest in the characteristics that will help them to be successful in our rapidly evolving society.

As we close Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to express my deep gratitude to all our education professionals who know that we measure our students not by what they know, but what they can become. When I visit our schools, I see you devoting yourselves to help all students to become their best.

We will sorely miss our TR teachers who are retiring this school year. Some have been with the district for more than 30 years. Among them—Jean Friedrich, Regency Park, 38 years. Laura Pavlos, Pioneer, 37 years. Doris Hanson, Babcock, 36 years. Tracy Haysbert, Woodlake, 32 years. Jimmie Durham, Rio Linda High School, 31 years, and Lynn Reed, Grant Union High School, 30 years.

Our 2022-2023 retirees have helped steer this district through times of great change and challenges. Thank you for your tireless efforts on behalf of our students. Thank you for performing your work with compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to all you haveserved over the years.

Best wishes for the years ahead and know that you will always remain a part of the Twin Rivers family.

Click HERE for a slideshow featuring both certificated and classified retirees.

With deep gratitude and sincere appreciation, I salute the teachers of TR for your remarkable contributions to our students—our future.

With warm regards,Steve Martinez, Ed.D.Superintendent, Twin Rivers Unified

December 16th, 2022

To Staff and the Twin Rivers School Community,

This week, TR celebrates accomplishments that come from hard work and greatattitudes.

Go Grant!

Our Grant Union High School Pacers are the Division III-AA State Football Champions, and we could not be more proud. Their season is a celebration of teamwork, tenacity and triumph. Last season, the Pacers had a winless season, but that did not deter them. We can all take a lesson from the Pacers, and that lesson is just this simple: you must not give up. Sometimes you do not succeed, you may miss the mark, or even fail the test, but you must not give up. Our victorious football players showed us that focusing on and improving your weaknesses only helps you to not only grow stronger, you can become champions!

Grant Pacers, you are a shining example of hard work and great attitudes.

Benchmark Winners, You Did It!

We’re extremely pleased with some of the results of the district’s latest benchmark assessments in math and English language arts (ELA). Our students are making significant gains since last year. Dry Creek experienced the most growth at the elementary level—13.86% in ELA and 9.33% in math. For K-8, it was Hillsdale at 19.72% in ELA and 5.24% in math. And at the secondary level, it was Grant Union High School, up 6.83% in ELA and 9.94% in math. We administer benchmark assessments three times a year to measure studentprogress.

Great Teams Attract Great Talent

We welcome Ryan DiGiulio to the district leadership team as our Chief Business Official. Ryan will join us on Feb. 6, 2023, after serving for more than five years as the Associate Superintendent of Business Services at Fontana Unified School District. With more than 11 years of experience in district leadership roles, Ryan has also served as an Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for Marysville Joint Unified School District, an Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services for Rowland Unified School District, and Chief Business Official for El Monte Union High School District.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

With so many successes to celebrate, I am reminded that having our students and staff back at school increases our ability to support students to do their best. From sports and enrichment programs to an intense focus on teaching and learning, we are at our best when we are together. To this point, please take good care of yourselves. The flu season is in full swing. FYI— all of our schools continue to receive at-home COVID-19 tests to disperse to our K-12 families before Winter Break—Dec. 23 – Jan. 6. We encourage you to test your children for COVID-19 before they return to the classroom on Jan. 9.

Congratulations to our scholars, our staff, and our community. We are TR!

With warm regards,Steve Martinez, Ed.D.Superintendent, Twin Rivers Unified

Buckle up, thrill-seekers! The California Capital Airshow (CCA), a high-flying extravaganza brought to you by Sacramento County and the City of Rancho Cordova, is revving its engines and ready for takeoff!

Mark your calendars for September 23 and 24, 2023, because Mather Airport in Sacramento is about to become the epicenter of aviation excitement. Get ready for two days jam-packed with jaw-dropping aerial displays, courtesy of sensational airborne performers, from noon to 4 p.m. each day. And guess who’s headlining the grand finale? None other than the thrilling United States Air Force Thunderbirds jet demo team!

But wait, there’s more! Between those heart-pounding flights, you’ll have the chance to roam a staggering 171 miles of static aircraft displays and exhibitor booths. It’s an aviation wonderland from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Tickets are still available for this aviation extravaganza. General Admission starts at a mere $42.50 (and kiddos under 15 fly free!), while VIP experiences are available for those who crave a little extra pampering.

New this year is “The Hangar Chalet,” a venue within the festival where attendees will receive a commemorative tasting glass and seven tasters from select local brewers and distillers from the Rancho Cordova Barrel District.

The 2023 California Capital Airshow offers a host of new attractions and rare opportunities to meet performers up close. Kick off the festivities at the Village Green in Rancho Cordova on September 22, where you can meet the USAF Thunderbirds, groove to live beats and indulge in scrumptious delights from food trucks. It’s a party for the whole community!

This isn’t just a show, folks. It’s a dazzling display that puts our region on the map. The CCA attracts thousands of wide-eyed spectators, both from California and around the globe. The annual economic impact stemming from the Airshow to benefit the Sacramento Region totals $7.1 million.

Snag your discounted tickets now and become an Airshow Insider at CaliforniaCapitalAirshow.com for exclusive intel! No tickets will be available onsite during Airshow weekend. This is an event you won’t want to miss, so get ready to soar!

...but Mistakes kill ASU in 24-21 Loss in Berkeley

Berkeley, CA – Cam Skattebo, that multi-talented, multi-skilled running back who led the Rio Linda Knights to a State Championship in 2018 came calling with his latest team, the Arizona State Sun Devils. Family and friends were both well represented at Memorial Stadium as one of Rio Linda’s favorite sons came to Northern California for a tussle with the California Golden Bears.

In the picturesque setting of Berkeley, California, where California Memorial Stadium, a century-old venue, stood surrounded not only by history but also by an abundance of spectators and serene tree groves, a gridiron showdown unfolded. The ambiance, apart from the occasional booming cannon fire echoing through the nearby hills, was typical of a football clash in Berkeley, with fans well aware of the style of play expected under the leadership of Cal’s head coach, Justin Wilcox.

While there had been hints of a potential offensive transformation under Wilcox, Cal’s performance in their conference opener against Washington last week suggested that they were not quite ready to match the explosive offense often associated with the Pac-12. On a tranquil Saturday, where moments of excitement were sparse until late in the game, Cal managed to edge out a victory against a struggling ASU squad, resulting in a 24-21 final score.

ASU, now with a 1-4 overall record and an 0-2 mark in the Pac-12, had one last chance to either level the score or secure a victory with 2:50 remaining in the game. Despite junior quarterback Trenton Bourguet’s spirited efforts in the second half, he fell short of leading ASU on a game-winning drive, starting from their own 1-yard line. The drive came to an end with back-to-back incomplete passes after Bourguet had advanced ASU near midfield with 30 passing yards and eight rushing yards.

Cal assumed the victory formation despite recording 104 fewer total offensive yards than their opponents’ 430.

Cameron Skattebo, played a significant role in accumulating those yards. He contributed 157 scrimmage yards, with 98 coming from receptions and 58 from rushing attempts. However, the Sun Devils struggled to convert their trips to the red zone into touchdowns.

Coach Dillingham remarked, “We couldn’t run the ball in the red zone. When you can’t run the ball in the red zone, it’s going to be hard because the field shrinks, and their defensive backs are good players. So, we had a plan, and we’re going to go back to see why we couldn’t run the ball down there. They’re sound, they do what they do.”

Skattebo’s 66-yard pass reception set up two red-zone opportunities for ASU in the third quarter, both resulting in short field goals by senior kicker Dario Longhetto.

Possibly the best ASU drive of the day ended with Skattebo throwing a pass to junior wideout Elijhah Badger, and appeared to result in a 1-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, an illegal substitution penalty nullified the score, as ASU had 12 players on the field. Subsequently, a false start penalty on junior center Leif Fautanu led to the field goal unit taking the field. The points that slipped away proved costly as Cal maintained a 17-13 lead.

Skattebo acknowledged, “Players and coaches: We all make mistakes, and we had too many people on the field. Simple. Someone just forgot to come off, and someone went on. It’s huge that we didn’t get that touchdown, but it happened and it’s over with now.”

While both Bourguet and Skattebo recorded rushing touchdowns in the first and second halves, respectively, ASU’s offensive drives often started deep within their own territory. Cal, on the other hand, frequently began their drives in favorable field position.

Cal’s junior punter, Lachlan Wilson, averaged an impressive 49.7 yards per punt, while ASU’s senior punter, Josh Carson, managed only 36.2 yards per punt across four attempts, none of which pinned the opponent inside the 20-yard line.

Cal’s sophomore quarterback, Sam Jackson V, completed only 12 of 29 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, enduring two sacks. However, sophomore running back Jaydn Ott made up for it with a strong ground performance, rushing for 165 yards at an average of 5.7 yards per carry.

Despite their struggles and a string of losses, ASU continues to display resilience. Skattebo summed up the team’s attitude, saying, “We never count ourselves out. Even last week, we didn’t count ourselves out. We had the right plays, and we were just a couple of plays away. This game is played off of three or four different plays: They go the complete opposite way and a team could blow somebody out or completely get smoked.”

The illegal substitution penalty that negated a touchdown and other critical penalties weighed heavily on the outcome of the game. Coach Dillingham acknowledged the impact, stating, “We’re still keeping the penalties down, but they were crucial penalties. You get a penalty that takes four points off the board and then you get [pass interference] with a quarterback scrambling and throws a chuck ball with four minutes left to go in the game. So, it wasn’t a matter of the sloppiness of penalties, it was a matter of timely penalties that were critical on pretty much the most important plays of the football game. We had two critical penalties.”

Dillingham also explained the team’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-short, noting that it had worked successfully earlier in the game and that they intended to continue being aggressive in such situations.

Ultimately, the Sun Devils’ efforts fell short, leaving them with room for improvement as they look ahead to their next game, welcoming Coach Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes to Tempe next week.

Personal notes: