Free Early Childhood Education Conference

19th Annual Mountain Mandarin Festival

19th Annual Mountain Mandarin Festival

November 16, 17th and 18th, 2012

Gold Country Fairgrounds

1273 High Street, Auburn, CA

Hours:  Friday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm,

Admission:  FRIDAY SPECIAL: ADMISSION JUST $3 or Free with 2 non-perishable food items for the Auburn Food Closet.

Saturday/Sunday Admission: $7; Seniors $5; Age 12 & Under Free

Gold Country Fairgrounds Parking $5, some street parking available

Read more »

Giving in this Season of Giving

By Karl Thompson

As the holidays approach, many of us will be busy shopping the perfect gift for loved ones as carolers sing season favorites at area malls, and colorful lighting decorates the streets of our neighborhoods.

In all the festivities, it is easy to think there are few people in need around us; yet, that is not the case, especially during these difficult economic times.

Read more »

Whitney High School Cooking Classes Open to the Public!

Whitney High School Cooking Classes Taught by Carissa McCrory, WHS Culinary Instructor, and assisted by the student chefs. 

These classes will help to raise funds for us to participate in the 2013 ProStart Culinary Competition.

COST - $25.00 per class. Those who sign up for all 6 classes will receive a free Recipe CD. And a $10.00 discount!

WHO can attend? Anyone over the age of 12 who is interest

ed in becoming a better cook!

WHERE - Whitney High School 701 Wildcat Blvd. Rocklin, CA. 95765 Room F-9 *Take Ranch View Dr. off of Wildcat and park in the back parking lot. Look for signs.

RESERVATIONS - cmccrory@rocklin.k12.ca.us or call (916) 632-6500 ex: 6671 ***Payment must be made ahead of time to reserve a guaranteed spot in the class. 

Read more »

COMMUNITY EFFORT GEARS UP TO HELP CHILDREN IN NEED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

A local church is spearheading a community effort to provide families in need with support this holiday season.

St. Clare Catholic Church’s Social Concerns Committee has identified 250 families and 1,000 children to receive holiday food baskets, toys, coats, mittens, gloves, shoes, and other items this year.

“We are hoping to be able to provide food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as gifts for children for the holidays,” said Karl Thompson, Chair of the Social Concerns Committee. “We began this program last year and were blessed with great support from the community.”

Read more »

World Polio Day: South Placer Rotary Club fights to end polio worldwide

In honor of World Polio Day, which is widely recognized on October 24, the South Placer Rotary Club is continuing its efforts as part of Rotary’s 27-year mission to eradicate the crippling childhood disease polio.

On World Polio Day (Oct. 24), Rotary International will also launch the “World’s Biggest Commercial”, an innovative, interactive campaign at endpolionow.org, that gives everyone a chance to join Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bill Gates, Jackie Chan, Amanda Peet and other world figures and celebrities already participating in Rotary’s “This Close” campaign (as in, “this close” to ending polio) in raising awareness and support for polio eradication.

Read more »

12th Annual Rocklin Toast of the Town To Benefit REEF

Looking for a fun evening out to support a great cause? Rocklin's 12th Annual Toast of the Town is coming up November 3rd, 2012 at the City of Rocklin Event Center and promises to be a great time. With more than 30 wineries handing out tastings; 25 local celebrity chefs made up of city council members, school board members and other community leaders, preparing great dishes; and a fabulous Art Show, Silent Auction and Raffle it's no wonder that this popular event tends to sell out early.

Read more »

NAFE Affiliate network KICK OFF Dinner MEETING

Roseville and Surrounding Areas

NAFE Affiliate network

KICK OFF Dinner MEETING 

November 7^th  5:30 pm

Speaker Topic

"It’s all About SHOWING UP

and the

POWER is In the ASKING "

Join Connie Mosher , Director of the new Roseville NAFE Affiliate network at its kick off Dinner/Networking  meeting Wednesday November 7^th  hear our dynamic speaker Robbie Motter, who is also the NAFE Western & Mid Atlantic Regional Coordinator.

Our topic will be: It's All About SHOWING UP
and the POWER is in the ASKING 

Read more »

Kick up Your Heels for a Great Cause It’s Time to Sip & Shop to Support!

Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce

  To Host Inaugural Wine Women and Shoes Event In Placer County

ROCKLIN –Slip on your stilettos and bring hope to a child with cancer.

Join the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce for an afternoon of wine tasting, culinary delicacies, exclusive shoes, and accessory shopping at Westfield Galleria at Roseville’s Center Court and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Keaton Raphael Memorial.

The festive event will take place at Westfield Galleria at Roseville on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. A fashion marketplace and sensational wines will help take away those daily cares and teach you about wine, as well as shoes!

Watch Wine Women & Shoes on KCRA TV!   http://www.kcra.com/ews/Roseville-hosts-wine-women-and-shoes/-/11797728/16976894/-/70xtxoz/-/index.html

Read more »

Greg Janda endorsed by Rocklin Police Officers' Association

The Rocklin Police Officers’ Association has endorsed small business owner and community volunteer Greg Janda for Rocklin City Council.

“After careful consideration of your background, the RPOA welcomes the knowledge and experience you could bring to the Rocklin City Council,” the organization said in its endorsement. “We believe your community involvement combined with your business background, make you a unique candidate with a clear vision for the City of Rocklin.”

“I am honored to have the support of Rocklin law enforcement,” Greg said. “Rocklin is known as a safe city and we owe that to the hard work of law enforcement. As I have said throughout my campaign, public safety is a core responsibility of local government and one that I will work to properly fund as a Councilmember.”
Read more »

Wells Fargo supports regional effort to provide meals for malnourished children

Volunteers assemble MobilePacks for the benefit of 

malnourished children around the world. (Courtesy Photo). 

Wells Fargo has donated $10,000 to support a unique community effort to provide a half-million meals for malnourished children around the world.

The contribution to the 2012 Sacramento Region Feed My Starving Children MobilePack event will cover the cost of more than 45,000 meals toward the goal of packing 500,000 meals, organizers said. It is the largest sponsorship for the 2012 MobilePack and the third year that Wells Fargo has provided a leadership sponsorship for the event. During the first two years, the MobilePack event packed a total of more than 786,000 meals for malnourished children in 2011 and 2012.   

This year’s MobilePack event is being held at William Jessup University in Rocklin, beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 and ending at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17.
Read more »

Hearing continues for controversial housing development in Loomis

The Placer County Board of Supervisors heard testimony from more than 20 people Thursday before deciding to complete its public hearing on the Orchard at Penryn project during a regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 6.

The public hearing will resume at 1 p.m. on Nov. 6. The meeting will take place in the Board of Supervisors 

The board held a three-hour special meeting Thursday to conduct a public hearing on two appeals that seek to overturn Planning Commission approval of the Orchard at Penryn, a proposed 150-unit multi-family residential project. It would be built on 15 acres at the west side of Penryn Road just north of Interstate 80.
Read more »

Bandits raid illegal pot farm; owner calls 911

File this one under Duh! 

A Loomis man, who was illegally cultivating pot plants, called the Placer County Sheriff’s Office early Wednesday morning after several masked bandits attempted to raid the marijuana crop. The men failed to steal the dope, but managed to fire two shots at the house as they fled. No one was injured. 

A Placer County Sheriff spokesperson said the pot grower told dispatchers that two or three suspects entered his backyard in the 9100 block of King Road. The man ran into his home to tell his roommate what was happening and the would-be thieves ran back to their vehicle. 

The case is still under investigation. 

As for the Loomis man, he lost all 100 plants--averaging 5 feet in size -- which were uprooted and removed from the property by sheriff deputies. And he could face criminal charges.

Win, win situation: Play golf, give to charity at annual event

Carmichael Dave is hosting the Annual Legends Charity Classic on Oct. 12 at Woodcreek Golf Club.  This year's proceeds will go to Athletes vs. Cancer and Shoulder to Shoulder. The event includes the Ultimate After Party with live bands, food stations, live auctions, silent auctions and much more.  

See the entry form and flyer for more information.

Partners in crime prevention: Sierra College and Rocklin PD offer catalytic converter etching

The Rocklin Police Department and the Sierra College Auto Club are partnering with local businesses and organizations to host free catalytic converter etching on Nov. 3 at the Sierra College Auto Shop, 5000 Rocklin Road (map).

Vehicle license plate numbers etched onto catalytic converters can provide police with the information needed to identify stolen property, contact victims, and apprehend and prosecute criminals. 

Please call the Rocklin Police Department at (916) 625-5418 to schedule an appointment. Provide your name, telephone number, vehicle make, model and license plate number. Etching will take about a half an hour to complete. 

Placer Nature Center presents composting workshop

The Placer Nature Center offers a composting and vermiculture workshop on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Placer Nature Center (3700 Christian Valley Road, Auburn). 

Richard Huntley, Master Gardener and Placer Nature Center docent, will provide information and demonstration on composting and vermiculture.

$7/person; Placer Nature Center Members Free.

Save Mart S.H.A.R.E.S program partners with Placer County Kitten Central

Placer County Kitten Central announced it has partnered with Save Mart S.H.A.R.E.S program. Kitten Central will receive 3% of purchases made by people who use a special card at Save Mart, Smart Foods, Food Max and Lucky's. 

"This could really help make a difference in the lives of these kittens and it's simple and free," said Penny Dougherty, director of Placer County Kitten Central.

Dougherty says anyone interested in acquiring a S.H.A.R.E.S card to please contact Kimmie Storm at (916) 435-0180 or Kimmiestorm@gmail.com. 

"When you shop there, just present your card at the beginning of your purchase and we will benefit in a huge way," Dougherty said.

"Thanks for being a loyal Kitten Central supporter."

Event aids local arts programs

The Lottery for the Arts is an Oct. 12 fundraising event that provides art collectors with an opportunity to acquire original works of fine art, while supporting a non-profit organization and community of artists.

Everybody wins during this exciting evening event. Every ticket holder will take home an original piece of quality art (valued at $250 or more) produced and donated by artists from the Northern California region and beyond while supporting community arts programs. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

To buy tickets please click here.

Tickets:
2 Admissions + 1 Lottery Ticket = $150
Admission Only (no lottery ticket) = $100

Placer County Supes to discuss Orchard at Penryn at Thursday meeting

The Placer County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting Thursday, Oct. 11 to consider two appeals that seek to overturn Planning Commission approval of the Orchard at Penryn project.

The meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at the County Administrative Center, 175 Fulweiler Ave. in Auburn.

The board will hold a public hearing before deliberating on whether to uphold or overturn Planning Commission approval of the project.

Read more »

Attorney General Harris urges parents and coaches to develop policies for posting Minors’ information online

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today urged parents, coaches and officials for youth sports to develop protective policies related to minors’ personal information, particularly for information posted online.

Attorney General Harris also announced that after an inquiry from her office, GameChanger, a popular sports statistics website, has updated its privacy policy and practices to better protect minors. The action comes as more and more information about minors is being posted online, often without adult consent.

“Most parents probably do not realize that the simple act of signing a child up for soccer or Little League could put enough information online to put the minor in harm’s way,” said Attorney General Harris. “While the Internet makes tracking games and statistics easier, it is important that parents, coaches, school officials and volunteers all are informed and think carefully about any information that is put online, especially when it pertains to children.”
Read more »

California tax board member Runner says sales tax revenue 'on track'

Board of Equalization member George Runner today released the latest general fund sales and use tax revenue collection numbers from the first three months of the 2012-13 fiscal year.

According to Runner, from July through September the State Board of Equalization received $4.64 billion in revenue, just two and a half percent shy of the Department of Finance’s budget projection of $4.76 billion.
Read more »

Lucky gamblers take away nearly $9 million from Thunder Valley Casino in September

Thunder Valley Casino Resort gave away more than $8.8 million in jackpots during the month of September with one lucky Lincoln guest hitting an $116,000 jackpot. 

“Thunder Valley Casino Resort is thrilled to offer our guests the chance to win some phenomenal prizes this fall,” said C.J. Graham, General Manager of Thunder Valley Casino Resort.

“This month, we welcome our $500,000 High Voltage Giveaway where 12 loyal guests will be guaranteed winners of a brand new Dodge vehicle.”
Read more »

Rocklin Police arrest two women after county-wide mail theft spree

Rocklin Police officers stopped a suspicious vehicle early Sunday morning in the area of Granite Drive and Sierra Meadows Drive. Officers discovered the driver was driving on a suspended license and had warrants for her arrest.

Inside the vehicle, officers located stolen mail belonging to various Placer County residents, including Meadow Vista, Colfax, and Applegate.  Additionally, inside of the vehicle officers found drug paraphernalia and burglary tools.  The two female suspects were booked at the Placer County Jail.  

Officers contacted an Inspector with the US Postal Service and a joint investigation has begun.  The Rocklin Police Department encourages citizens who believe they have been the victim of mail theft to contact their local law enforcement agency.



Arrested were Kimberly Jackson, 37; and Leslie McCarrick, 38. Both women are Sacramento residents. 

Style Magazine presents 2012 Readers' Choice awards

Congrats to our friends in the restaurant business who received some props from local readers in Style Magazine's 2012 Readers' Choice Awards. 

Read about the winners here. 

Lincoln Bypass opens today

The freeway bypass built to circumvent the city of Lincoln, and thus alleviate traffic, opened today ahead of schedule. News10 filed a video news story here. 

The bypass is good news for commuters, but may spell doom for downtown Lincoln merchants and restaurateurs. CBS-Local posted the story here. 

Art in October: Auburn preview show opens Tuesday Oct. 9

PlacerArts presents the 19th Annual Autumn Art Studios Tour Preview Show at The Arts Building Gallery beginning Oct. 9.

This is your opportunity to view the work of the 50+ Placer County artists who will show and demonstrate their work in over studio locations from Roseville to Colfax November 9-11, 2012. 3-day Tour Tickets $10 per person, Students K-12 free.

Click here to learn more about the event. 

Sugar Bowl inks deal to Operate Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Resort as Conservation Purchase nears

Sugar Bowl Resort has signed an agreement to operate Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort, America’s largest cross-country operation, which is being purchased by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, the Trust for Public Land and the Northern Sierra Partnership.

The Sugar Bowl Resort operating agreement was inked on Monday, Oct. 1, and includes the 3,000 acres the conservation groups have agreed to purchase. 

The Truckee Donner Land Trust, the Trust for Public Land and the Northern Sierra Partnership put down a $500,000 non-refundable deposit on the property on Oct. 1, and plan to complete the $11.25 million purchase on Dec. 20, 2012.  The previous owners of Royal Gorge defaulted on their loan on the property, and Royal Gorge was taken over by the lender last summer.
Read more »

Chainsaw Use Allowed Until 1 p.m. Daily on BLM Managed Lands

With cool nights and shorter days helping to ease wildland fire dangers slightly, the Bureau of Land Management announced that beginning Saturday, Oct. 6, firewood cutters can again use chainsaws on public lands until 1 p.m. daily.

This restriction, commonly known as “hootowl,” will be in effect on public lands managed by the BLM Northern California District in northeast California and far northwest Nevada, and will remain in place until rain reduces  reduce fire dangers significantly.

“While we are again allowing chainsaw use, wood cutters and other public land users need to be aware that forests and rangelands are critically dry,” said BLM Fire Management Officer Paul Whitcome.  “Small sparks can still start large fires and people need to use extreme caution outdoors.”
Read more »

'The Art of Conservation' helps Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep

The Department of Fish and Game is joining artist and science illustrator Jane Kim to raise public awareness of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. This endangered species is one of the rarest large mammals in North America. Kim’s show, “The Art of Conservation,” launches the Migrating Mural to benefit the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Foundation.

The Migrating Mural is a collection of murals to be painted along migration corridors of endangered species. Through the murals, the transient life of these animals can be seen and appreciated from highways. 

The first series of four migrating wildlife murals will feature Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and be visible from U.S. Highway 395 in the eastern Sierra Nevada, between Tioga Pass and Cartago, which is south of Lone Pine.
Read more »