North Country News, January, 2011.

Elverta - rio Linda - Pleasant Grove - Antelope - North Highlands - McClellan - Sacramento - Natomas 

North Country News 

ESTABLISHED 2008....THE BEST PAPEr IN TOWN !!!! 

VOL. 4 NO. 1 • • • • • January 2011 • • • • • SINGLE COPY FrEE 

www.NCNews328.com 

Arden Playhouse Continues its Second 

Season With a Comedy Premiere 

Me rv i n’s Ma g i c is a n o t h e r c o m e d y, b y l o c a l p l ay w r i g h t mi c h a e l me s s m e r, o p e n i n g 

January 7, 2011. 

Some people (including his sister, May) think wealthy Mervin Coleman can’t run his company 

because he’s staying away from the office. A psychiatrist has been retained to evaluate Mervin’s 

competence. Meanwhile, Mervin’s niece (Lisa) wants him to find out if her husband (David) is 

having an affair. When David shows up to talk about a problem he has with his new business and 

introduces a strange woman, Mervin thinks she’s the “other woman” and does his best to scare 

her away. Which is not too hard, given Mervin’s penchant for dueling with imaginary foes. May May (Monique McKisson, right) confronts her son, David (Andy 

creates more complications, both for Anthony) with a sword to find out if he has been having an affair 

with Chris (Christina Kloiber) in the Arden Playhouse production 

Mervin and her son’s marriage. How 

of Mervin's Magic. 

he sorts out his problems, helps save 

a marriage, neutralizes his sister and 

manages to keep the psychiatrist from having him 

put away, makes for a fast-paced comedy with lots 

of twists, sword-fights and surprising warmth. 

Mervin (John Hanley) proposes a duel with Chris (Christina Kloiber) to 

see whether they'll have lunch or dinner together in Mervin's Magic. 

The Grassroots Working Group's campaign to 

RESCUE OUR REGIONAL 

PARKS & OPEN SPACE 

is proud to announce that on 

January 12, 2011 

from 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. 

in Midtown at 2004 Capitol Avenue 

(916) 448-7032 

The Rubicon Brewing Company 

will host the Grassroots Working Group for their 

"501(c)Wednesday", an event that 

Rubicon owner Glynn Phillips provides 

for select non-profits in the Sacramento area. 

A portion of the day's profits will go to the 

Grassroots Working Group. 

The Rubicon Brewing Company serves up a great selection of 

brews, food and fun so stop in on January 12, 2011 and enjoy the 

Rubicon Brewing Company's hospitality. 

There will be members of the Grassroots Working Group 

available to answer questions about the campaign to 

Rescue Our Regional Parks & Open Space. 

Me rv i n’s Ma g i c has its Arden Playhouse opening 

on January 7th and continues 

on Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm 

until February 19th. 

Sunday matinees: January 16th, & 30th, at 2pm. 

All tickets are $18 general admission. 

Tickets can be reserved by calling 

(916) 332-2582. 

Arden Playhouse is located at 5640 Roseville 

Road, Suite D, Sacramento, and seats 150. 

Arden Playhouse is a 

community theater 

dedicated to continuing its 

tradition of 

presenting entertainment in 

a casual setting. 

Petals & Paws 

FTD Florist 

916-992-0345 

Richard Kerr, Owner 

641 M Street 

Rio Linda, CA. 95673 

North Country News 

PO Box 328 Elverta, CA 95626 

BULK PERMIT 

NO. 328 

ELVERTA, CA 95626 

POSTAL CUSTOMER 

Lisa (Amy Williams) and her husband, David (Andy 

Anthony) share a tender moment as they make 

plans for their future in Mervin's Magic. 

Inside This Issue...... 

Food Link dates - page 2 

Book Review - page 4 

Business Listings - page 5 

Inspirational - page 6 

Church Listings - page 7 

Community - page 7 

Rebuttals - page 10 

Lets Dig In - page 11 

Bits & Pieces - page 11 

Letters to Editor - page 12 

School News - pages 14-15 

Classes/Clinics - page 16

Page 2 North Country News January 2011 

RIO LINDA’S SENIOR 

BROWN BAG 

PROGRAM 

Rio Linda’s Brown Bag program is held the 

first Thursday of every month. This month’s 

will be Jan. 6 th . If you are already signed 

up for Elverta’s Brown Bag program you 

may not sign up for Rio Linda’s. 

The food is supplied by Foodlink, a non profit 

organization that distributes food to seniors 

and disabled persons through out California. 

For additional information on qualification 

and how to register please call the Park District 

office at 916-991-5929 

The Rubicon Brewing 

Company 

hosts fundraiser for 

Grassroots Working Group 

Sacramento, CA – On Wednesday, January 12, 

2010, Rubicon Brewing Company will hold one of 

its “501(c) Wednesdays.” This weekly event was 

created by Rubicon’s Glynn Phillips to benefit local 

501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, by donating 

a portion of the day’s profits. Hours are 11a.m.- 

11p.m. 

The Grassroots Working Group was formed in response 

to devastating budget reductions and possible 

dismantling of the Sacramento County Regional 

Parks & Open Space System by the County 

Board of Supervisors. The group’s goal is to secure 

adequate, stable, long-term funding for operations, 

maintenance and expansion of our regional park facilities 

and open space. 

The Grass Roots Working Group is a coalition of 

individuals, some of whom are affiliated with nongovernmental 

organizations. Administrative support 

is provided by SARA (Save The American 

River Association). SARA is proud to have been the 

lead advocate for the American River and Parkway 

since its founding in 1961. “While SARA’s focus 

has been on protection of the American River and 

the Parkway, we have come to realize that preservation 

and protection of the American River Parkway 

requires that the entire regional parks and open 

space system be operational. The popularity of the 

American River Parkway -- some 8,000,000 visits 

per year – now stresses Parkway capacity, especially 

during the warmer months. Therefore, SARA is 

supporting the effort to Rescue Our Regional Parks 

& Open Space System…” says Warren V. Truitt, 

SARA President. 

For 23 years, the Rubicon Brewing Company has 

been a jewel of capital city culture. It’s not just because 

of the award-winning fine ales and great food 

served up by the Rubicon. Within the past four 

years, thanks to owner Glynn Phillips, the Rubicon 

has become renowned for its community outreach 

and philanthropic efforts. 

Grassroots Working Group volunteers will be on 

hand at Rubicon during this all-day event to answer 

questions about the organizations and options being 

studied. Rubicon Brewing Company is located in 

Midtown at 2004 Capitol Ave. and can be reached 

at (916) 448-7032. 

To learn more about the Grassroots effort, including 

the options being studied, or to make a donation 

toward a public outreach and education campaign, 

visit www.sarariverwatch.org and click on the gold 

Grassroots Process button on the Home Page or call 

(916) 482-2551. 

ELVERTA'S 

SENIOR BROWN 

BAG 

TUESDAY - Jan. 11 th 

Elverta Fire Station at Elwyn & Elverta Rd. 

For those 60 years old or disabled. 

Must be pre-registered. 

Call Nancy 387-9000 or register 

at the Fire Station 

Volunteer helpers … 9:00 a.m. 

Pick up bags from:10:00 to 12 noon. 

Please Be Prompt 

Food Closet 

The Rio Linda & Elverta Ministerial Association 

Food Closet serves zip codes 95673 & 

95626 only. 

The Food Closet is located at the Rio Linda 

United Methodist Church, 6800 6 th St. at the 

corner of 6 th and M St. in Rio Linda, across 

from the Rio Linda Elementary School. 

The Food Closet is open on Thursdays from 

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. 

you must provide proof of address and identification 

for everyone in your household that 

is requesting food. 

Donations are needed including canned and 

dry goods that can be made into nutritional 

meals. 

IT’S FIREWOOD SEASON – BUYER BEWARE 

Th e c o r d is T h e s Ta n d a r d M e a s u r e M e n T f o r s a l e 

SACRAMENTO, December 2, 2010 —As winter nears and the nights turn chilly, many people will 

choose to heat their homes with a nice, warm wood fire in the fireplace. While there are many wood 

dealers eager to sell at attractive prices, how do consumers know they're getting a good, fair deal? 

The only way to know for sure is to measure what is sold. 

Firewood has its own special unit of measurement called a "cord." Firewood, in units of 1/8th of a 

cord and above, must be sold by the cord or fractions of a cord. A cord of wood by law must equal 

128 cubic feet. To determine if there is a cord, the wood must be measured when it is "ranked and 

well stowed." This means the wood is stacked neatly in a row with the pieces of wood parallel and 

touching with as few gaps as possible. If, when 

measured, the width times the height, times the 

length equals 128 cubic feet, it is a cord of wood. 

Prices per cord vary throughout the state. In Southern 

California, the range is from $230-$480 per 

cord; in the Bay Area, $150-$400; in the Central 

Valley, $100-$275. 

Consumers should be wary of terms such as "pallet," 

"face cord," "rack," "rick," "tier," "pile," or 

"truck-load," as these terms are illegal to use in the 

sale of firewood. If a seller uses such terms, consumers 

should be on alert for a possible problem. 

Some wood dealers try to sell firewood from a 

pick-up truck. Consumers should be on their 

guard, because a pick-up cannot hold a cord of 

firewood. An 8-foot truck bed can hold one-half 

of a cord while a 6-foot bed can barely hold onethird 

of a cord. 

Consumers are urged to get an invoice or delivery 

ticket that contains the name and address of 

the seller, the date purchased or delivered, the 

quantity purchased, and the price. The seller is 

required by law to provide this information in 

writing. Consumers may also want to take note 

of the license plate of the delivery vehicle. 

If consumers believe they have not received the 

quantity ordered and paid for, they may call the 

seller to correct the problem. Consumers should 

try to maintain the wood in the condition it was 

delivered, take a photograph, and do not burn 

any. If the seller can't or won't correct the problem, 

the next step would be contact with a local 

county weights and measures office as soon as 

possible at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/exec/county/ 

county_contacts.html or the California Department 

of Food and Agriculture's Division of Measurement 

Standards at (916) 229-3000. 

NORTH COUNTRy NEWS 

North of Sacramento 

Elverta • Rio Linda • Pleasant Grove 

Copyright 2011 by Vivien Spicer Johnson 

Published Monthly • Circulation 10,000 

PO Box 328, Elverta, CA 95626 

Phone: 916-991-5056 

Fax: 916-991-9536 

Email: NCNews328@aol.com 

Visit the web site: www.NCNews328.com 

Vivien Spicer Johnson 

Owner, Publisher and Managing Editor 

ADVERTISEMENTS 

For a price quote please call: 

916-991-5056 or fax: 916-991-9536 or 

Email…NCNews328 @ aol.com. 

NEWS DEADLINES: 

Articles; Letters to The Editor; Meeting Announcements; 

Event Flyers; due by the15 th of the preceding 

month. Example - items for the July issue will be 

due on June 15th.

“The Golden Girls” 

secure State’s NOAA Letter 

At their last meeting the “Board of 2008” announced that the district had 

finally received the State’s NOAA letter securing a loan of $7.5 million to 

complete the drilling of wells for the Rio Linda Elverta Community Water 

District. 

There have been many ups and downs along the way. The road ahead will be 

no smoother than the road already traveled, there are many hoops still to jump 

through. 

With the full support of their team, only two of the five will continue on. We, 

Cathy and I, know not what lies ahead but we pledge our full efforts toward 

keeping the water district in the hands of the Rio Linda/Elverta voters. 

January 2011 North Country News Page 3 

Left to right Directors Stephanie Suela, Vivien Spicer Johnson, Belinda 

Paine, Cathy Nelson-Hood, and Mary Harris. 

Senior Brown Bag Volunteers Recognized 

On December 14th Nancy Yavrom, from Sacramento 

Emergency Foodlink the organization that supports our 

“Senior Brown Bag Program,” presented certificates of 

appreciation to the Elverta Volunteers. 

Left to right: Phyllis Sheets, Nancy Yavrom 

(Foodlink Rep.) Caroline Lacitinola, and Mollie 

Carpenter. Angelo and Gracie Lacitinola 

Stan Pinson 

Over the past twenty plus years thousands of hours have 

been contributed by the Elverta group. They have sorted, 

bagged and delivered groceries to over 70 seniors in the 

area. 

Many remain from the founding group: Violet Stateler, 

Mollie Carpenter, Dorothy Servia, Cliff Veare, Rebecca 

Spicer and me, Vivien Johnson. 

In the late eighties Wilma Dyer, along with others, started 

the Senior Brown Bag program and we continue on …… 

for the good of all. 

Thanks again to Nancy for honoring our hard working 

volunteers! 

David Carruthers and Eldon Goodenbour 

Busy Bee Seniors are doing it 

all!!! Signing up, sorting, filling 

and delivering for those in need. 

Missing: Violet Stateler, our oldest volunteer at 

94 years of age (recouping from a fall);Cheyenne 

Lopez and Randal Everson were camera shy. 

A great big thanks comes from me as well!!! 

Without all the volunteers there would be no 

Senior Brown Bag Program! 

Left to right: Rebecca Spicer, Jeff Jones, 

Vickie Jones, Dorothy Servia and Cliff Veare. 

Nadine Hase 

Blake and Amy Springer, Jr. helpers


and mysterious sightings of one, or 

all, of the Romanovs continue to 

find traction in certain circles. 

Review by Ray Stanley 

Rio Linda Public Library 

Have you ever been scanning the 

shelves at the library, hurriedly 

looking for something new to read, 

but unsure about what exactly it is 

you want? you grab a 

book, check it out and 

take it home muttering 

“This better be good!” 

This is one of those 

books and it comes 

highly recommended. 

Even if historical 

events are not entirely 

your cup of tea when it 

comes to novels don’t 

let that stop you from 

trying this book. Good 

writing, powerful and 

evocative descriptions 

of the setting and a 

compelling mystery 

make this debut a powerhouse 

read. 

A bit of background is 

in order in case you’ve 

forgotten or never 

learned about the Romanov 

family and their 

tragic fate. In 1918 The 

Tsar of Russia, and his entire family, 

was put under house arrest during 

the Russian Revolution. Just after 

midnight on July 17th of that year 

they were led to a basement and, as 

most historians agree, were executed. 

For decades since conspiracies 

With this real event as its backdrop 

‘Eye’ begins in 1929 with a visit to 

a cold, dank and forsaken forest in 

Siberia inhabited only by prisoners 

unfortunate enough to have crossed 

the wrong Communist party politicians. 

One of these unfortunate 

souls is Pekkala. His current task 

is to strike out into the forest alone, 

mark trees for removal by other prisoners, 

then trod back to his shack. 

If you think it gets cold around here 

in the winter try surviving alone 

through a Siberian winter. 

One day a stranger in uniform is 

waiting outside his lowly outpost 

with a message and a mission that 

January Free Programs @ Rio Linda Library 

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 

2 3 4 5 6 

9 10 11 12 13 School Kids 

4 – 5:30 pm 

Fun! ~ Make banks 

and Learn About 

Money 

16 17 18 19 20 TEENS 

Yu-Gi-Oh 

Tournament 

4 – 5:30 

23 24 25 26 27 28 

30 31 

The Rio Linda Library 

Welcomes You 

The Library is located at: 902 Oak Lane, Rio Linda, CA 95673 

Hours: Tue 1:pm to 8:pm, Wed/Thur 11:am to 6:pm & Fri/Sat 1:pm to 5:pm 

For info about FRee children, teen and adult programs at the library 

please ask about them at the library or go to the online calendar at... 

http://cal.saclibrary.org/eventcalendar.asp 

For info about The Friends of the Rio Linda Library please go to… 

www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-the-Rio-Linda-Library/281704242959? 

and at… http://groups.myspace.com/FriendsoftheRioLindaLibrary 

will force Pekkala to face his past 

and bring him face to face with Stalin 

himself. 

Stalin, it turns out, is interested in 

putting to rest the theory that any 

member of the Romanov family 

survived and whether or not a fabled 

cache of gold they supposedly hid 

can be found. So much so that he 

promised freedom to whoever can 

get to the truth. Why pick Pekkala? 

He, it turns out, was so close with 

Nicholas that towards the end of his 

reign the Tsar never went anywhere 

without him. His loyalty, sense of 

duty, and conscience attracted the 

Tsar’s attention; being held in high 

regard by the ousted leader, however, 

led others to believe he knew 

more than he was letting on. 

How did a lower class Finnish boy 

become the right hand-man of a famous 

Russian Tsar? Why did Stalin 

seek him out to lead the investigation? 

Would Pekkala finally learn 

what happened to his older brother? 

Would Pekkala gain his freedom or 

be killed by people who wanted cer- 

7 Anime Club 

“Black Cat” 

episodes 

3 - 4:45 

14 15 

21 

Anime Club 

MangaLibs 

3 - 4:45 

1 

8 

22 

29 Family Movie 

TOY 

STORY 3 

1:15 

tain truths to remain hidden? The 

answers to all these questions, and 

more, await you between the covers 

of this phenomenal debut. Look 

for Eastland to release a follow-up 

to ‘Eye’ in early 2011. 

A note on the author: Sam Eastland 

lives in the United States and the 

United Kingdom. He is the grandson 

of a London police detective 

who served in Scotland yard’s famous 

“Ghost Squad” during the 

1940s. 

Similar books you might consider, 

if you enjoy this one, include 

“Gorky Park,” “Child 44,” or “City 

of Thieves.” 

For more reviews please sign up for 

Sacramento Public Library’s free 

“Book Bulletin” to have reviews emailed 

to your home. 

Visit our website http://www.saclibrary.org 

and click on “Book Bulletin” 

under “Read.” 

WORKSHOP AT THE 

HORTICULTURE CENTER 

EVENT: Berries, Grapes, Fruit 

Trees, & Ornamental Grasses… 

Learn from UC Master Gardeners 

techniques for the selection and 

care of berries, pruning grapes and 

fruit trees, and the maintenance of 

ornamental grasses. Located outside 

– rain or shine!!!! 

DAY-DATE: 

Saturday, January 22, 2011 

TIME: 

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

LOCATION: 

Horticulture Center, 11549 Fair 

Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 

South of Madison, on Fair Oaks 

Blvd., in Fair Oaks Park, next to the 

Library 

COST: Free 

FOR MORE INFO: UC Cooperative 

Extension, (916) 875-6913

PAPA’S 

PIZZERIA & GRILL 

420 Elkhorn Blvd. Rio Linda 

KEY SHOP 

825 M Street, Rio Linda 

Let's Talk Phone 

916-992-0518 


PETALS & PAWS 

COLLEGE OAK 

TOWING 

916-648-2580 

4125 Winters St., Sacramento 

CUT IT UP 

HAIR SALON 


Archway Market 

Archway Check Cashing 


Elverta Feed Pet 

& Tack, Inc. 

7831 Rio Linda Blvd. Elverta 

Rio Food & Liquor 

Corner of RL Blvd. & Elkhorn 

Elverta Market 

& Deli 


Rio Linda Library 

902 Oak Lane, Rio Linda 

Rio Linda Liquor 

Villa Fat Chinese 

Cuisine 

DEAR READERS 

Lew’s Club 

6734 Rio Linda Blvd. Rio Linda 

Vanessa’s Place 

Hair Salon 


Oak Tree Diner 


Pleasant Grove Cafe 

Corner of Pleasant Grove Rd. & Howsley 

Rd., Pleasant Grove 

BG’s Family 

Restaurant 

6730 Rio Linda Blvd. Rio Linda 

Riego Market & Deli 

Corner of Pleasant Grove Rd. & Baseline 

Water rite Products 

Pl u m b i n g & irrigation suPPlies 

4807 Rio Linda Blvd. 916-925-3629 

Stop & Shop 

6007 Dry Creek Rd. Rio Linda 

River Valley Feed 

& Pet Supply 

6549 16th Street Rio Linda 

Food Source 

430 Elkhorn Blvd. Rio Linda 

The Pink Door 

Mary’s Hair Salon 

1020 Q St. Rio Linda 

Elkhorn 

Bait & Tackle 

6745 20th St. Rio Linda 

Elverta Sudzy Paws 


916-991-3811 

Coffee Break Cafe 

717 Del Paso Rd. Sacramento 

Corner of Main Ave. & Northgate Blvd. 

916-641-5808 

Su p p ly Ha r d wa r e 

7115 Watt Ave. North Highlands 


Please visit our web site www.NCNews328.com for the current and all the back issues of NCNews. 


428 “M” Street, Rio Linda 

440 Elkhorn Blvd. Suite 5 

916-991-1228 

Vic Auto 

Paint & Supply 

7145 Watt Ave. Unit B North Highlands 

Phone: 916-339-9190 

Vic Cell: 916-600-6665 

www.vicautopaint.com 

7 Eleven 

Food Store 

Corner of Rio Linda & Elkhorn Blvd., 

Rio Linda 

Saveway 


Mama's Creamery 


Rio Linda Hardware 

&Building Supply 

6748 Front St. Rio Linda 

Rio Java 

440 Elkhorn Blvd. #1 Rio Linda 

Jimmy’s Donuts 

748 M Street, Rio Linda 798-4748 

Amy’s Cafe 

750 M Street, Rio Linda 992-0378 

Tummy’s Sub Shop 

741 M St. Rio Linda 991-5507 

Goodwill 

Industries 

8031 Watt Ave. Elverta 

Elverta Crossing Shopping Center 

Jenny Craig 

3661 North Freeway Blvd. #110 

Sacramento - Natomas area 

_ Support the Businesses that Support the North Country News _ 

___ Pick up your North Country News at any of these businesses _ _ _


THE RENEWING 

The start of a NEW yEAR always causes us to 

stop and think about our path 

HAPPy NEW yEAR ! 

This is my 49th year of life. As I look back 

upon the years I have been given, I have been 

very blessed. I was reminded recently by a dear 

friend of the fact that 7 x 7 = 49. Not thinking in 

mathematical terms myself she smiled and her 

eyes sparkled. Chris, you get a do-over every 

7 years. your body renews it's self I thought to 

myself. 

Wow! I get a do-over! What I do with this next 

7 years will definitely affect the rest of my 

life. Think about that each and every moment 

we have been given. We make choices the affect 

others as well as ourselves. If I did not care 

about others or myself, I would live my life in 

an unruly manner unguided by a loving God. 

It is my Choice to live my life in a way that 

pleases my lord and savior Jesus Christ. 

As I sit here today I 

am reminded it is a 

new day the sun has 

risen and I am alive. 

The new day opens 

new opportunities for 

me as I move forward. 

I am reminded of the 

goodness of my God 

and just how he has blessed my life. Today I am 

grateful for my many blessings. I open my heart 

to your plan for me God. Help me to open my 

eyes to see and my ears to hear. Guide my heart 

as only you can. Please hear the cry that comes 

from deep within my soul. Thank you Jesus for 

this new day 

A FRESH START 

Christine Hardcastle 

Away from Man's ungodly ways 

One must turn, 

One must pray, 

For help and strength along life's way 

Never-more to stray away. 

Return to God, it's not too late. 

Refuse and you will seal your fate. 

Listen now, God has a plan. 

Leave your past; its in Gods hands 

Time is running out my friend. 

Bow your knee return to him. 

Submit your inspirational 

articles for this page 

In future this space will be devoted to articles 

from our local ministers. Contact 

yours and suggest they submit something 

with that month’s theme. 

Rev. Tom R. Carpenter says to have a 

Blessed New year and always walk in the 

ways of Jesus treating others as you wish to 

be treated. Viv 

Here is a super treat for those of you that have a 

supply of persimmons. Dorothy Servia suggested 

this to me “Persimmon Sherbert.” 

7 ripe persimmons 

Peel and remove any seeds 

Cut in sections and puree. 

“DO NOT ADD SUGAR” 

Pour into small individual 

containers and freeze. 

Prior to serving remove 

from freezer for about 30 

minutes. 

I grabbed a handful of 

shelled walnuts and ate 

them along with the 

sherbert. It was soooooo 

good!!! 

YUMMY YUMS!!! 

If you try to peel a very ripe, soft persimmon you 

will waste most of it so before going any farther 

here is my suggestion. 

Wash fruit, place in single layer pans and freeze. 

When ready to process remove from freezer. 

Holding a frozen persimmon long enough to 

peel is impossible and I needed a glove liner 

under a rubber glove, left hand, in order to get 

the job done. Use a potato peeler, pop the leaf 

cluster/stem out, run tap water over the fruit and 

peal each end, then around the fruit. Sometimes 

a bird will peck the fruit, testing for ripeness and 

this will leave a little dark spot. Just use the point 

of the peeler to dip out any imperfections 

Set the fruit aside to thaw a bit more before cutting 

cross wise to check for seeds. Remove any 

and cube. So far I have only found 7 seeds in 

about 100 persimmons. Wonder if they will 

sprout? 

Now you are all set to place the fruit in the blender 

for pureeing. 

Here are some of my suggestions for using persimmon 

puree: 

Pour puree over a nice hot, buttered waffle or 

on a stack of pancakes. Persimmons cut crossways 

make a pretty garnish on a platter of roast 

pork, add slices to a salad or line a sherbert glass 

with thin slices then fill with alternating layers of 

French Vanilla ice cream and persimmon puree. 

Persimmon Smoothie 

Use slightly frozen, peeled persimmons, cut in 

chunks. Place in sturdy blender and blend until 

smooth. Pour into tall glasses and serve with a 

long handled spoon…..yum! ! ! 

Pictured above are a tray of ripening persimmons 

that I harvested this year. 

Persimmons will ripen after picking. They will 

ripen slowly, at room temperature, lasting for 

several weeks. Once ripe they will not keep and 

must be eaten right away or frozen. 

Persimmons are more nutritional than apples and 

so much easier to grow. Calories only 118! Carbohydrates 

19 - 31g. Omega 3 fatty acids 6.7mg, 

Omega 6 fatty acids 65.5mg, Fiber 4-6g. 

Protein 0.6 - 1g. Now for the vitamins listed: 

Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, and K. Plus all 

these minerals: Folic Acid, Choline Potassium, 

Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Iron, Zinc, 

Copper, Manganese and Selenium. 

Source: NutritionData.com. 

Pictured is a 

Fuyu persimmon 

cut cross-ways 

so you can see 

the star pattern 

inside. 

Now, go plant that tree and happy eating…Viv 

(See “Let’s Dig In” for more persimmon info - 

page 11). 

Quotes & 

Words of 

Wisdom! 

“The world is a product of our thinking. 

We cannot change the world until 

we change our thinking.” 

Albert Einstein 

“Smart is when you believe only 

half of what you hear. 

Brilliant is when you know which 

half to believe.” 

“Walk cheerfully over the World, 

Answering that of God in every one.” 

George Fox 

“There’s a message in my books, 

that if you behave well and care about 

other people and try to be honest and kind, 

you’re going to be much happier than 

if you don’t. Nowadays we are constantly 

confronted by sex and violence and 

obscenity, but I think the greatest thing 

in life is happiness.” 

Victoria Holt, 1982 

“To long a sacrifice, can make a 

stone of the heart.” 

yeats 

“your expression is the most important 

thing you can wear.” 

Sid Archer 

“An optimist stays up until midnight to see 

the new year in. A pessimist stays up to 

make sure the old one leaves.” 

Bill Vaughan 

“Remember, today is the tomorrow you 

worried about yesterday.” 

Dale Carnegie

CalVaRy 

lutheRan ChuRCh 

5 th & L Streets, Rio Linda 

(916) 991-2135 Pastor: Todd Eckblad 

Sunday Adult Ed: 9:00 am 

Sunday Worship: 10:30 am 

Child Care Provided during Worship 

with Bible Stories and Crafts 

Teens Meet 2 nd & 4 th Monday’s 

4:30 pm – 6:00 pm 

Free Community Meals: Last Saturday 

Each Month: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 

All Are Welcome! 

Elverta 

United Methodist Church 

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, 

Open Doors” 

916-991-1451 

7861 Elmont Avenue • Elverta 

Worship Service 9:00am. 

Pastor Judy Robbins 

New Life Center 

2037 Elkhorn Boulevard • Rio Linda 

Ph. 916-991-3001 

Sunday School 9:45am. 

Sunday Service l0:45am. 

Sunday Evening 6:00pm 

Wednesday 7:00pm. 

Pastor James A. Duncan 

The Church 

Home of 

Old Time Religion 

6550 Dry Creek Road • Rio Linda 

Ph. 916-991-6766 

Bob Royer, Pastor 

Sunday School 10:00am 

Sunday Evangelistic 6:00pm. 

Wed. Bible Study 7:30pm. 

Fri.. youth Service 7:30pm 

FULL GOSPEL 

LIGHTHOUSE FELLOWSHIP 

18th St. & Elkhorn Blvd.. • Rio Linda 

Phone 991-9774 Pastor Lyle Monday 

su n d ay wo r s h i p 

Morning 10:00 a.m. 

Evening 6:00 p.m. 

Children’s Classes 10 a.m. 

Rivers of Living Water Church 

Christian Fellowship Center 

“The Little Santa Ana Avenue Church” 

1350 Santa Ana Ave. Sacramento, CA. 95838 

Pastor Dave Chapman 

(916) 922-0763 Please call for scheduled 

Services & Event Information 

LIBERTY MINISTRIES 

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 

4840 Marysville Blvd.. • Rio Linda 

PASTOR SHANNON FANNIN 

Liberty Ministries extends an 

Invitation to come and join us 

for Celebration Worship each 

Sunday 9am or 11am 

Call for info on Child Care, Pre-School, 

youth Extreme & Food Closet. 922-6442 

FIRST SOUTHERN 

BAPTIST CHURCH 

6420 Rio Linda Blvd. • Rio Linda 

Corner of Elkhorn & Rio Linda Blvd. 

Pastor Steve Gleghorn 


Morning Worship 11:00am 

Evening Worship 6:00pm 

Wed. Prayer Service & youth 7:00pm 

trinity apostolic 

Faith Church 

7842 Elmont Avenue 

Elverta, CA 95626 

991-7895 

Pastor Steve Mixer 

Sunday School 9:30 am 

Worship Service 11:00 am 

Evening Evangelistic Service 6:00 p.m. 

Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30 p.m. 

RIO LINDA Seventh Day 

Adventist Church 

7535 - 10th St. & U • Rio Linda 

991-4091 

9:15am Saturday 

Sabbath School for Adults & Children 

11:00am Worship Service 

6:30pm Wednesday • Prayer Meeting 

6:30pm Friday • Vespers 

ELVERTA FIRST BAPTIST 

CHURCH (SBC) 

112 West Delano Street • Elverta 

Pastors Ted Hooker & Randall Gillespie 

Church Ph:. 991-5545 

Sunday 

Adult Bible Study: 9:45am 

Teen Bible Study: 9:30am 

Worship with Band : 11:00am 

KidSpace Children’s Service: 11:00am 

Gospel Service:6:00pm 

Wed.: Worship & Bible Study 7:00pm 

Friday: TeenLIVE! youth 7:00pm 

LifePointe 

Church of the Nazarene 

A Place of New Beginnings 

Corner Q St. & Rio Linda Blvd. R. L. 

Phone 991-4624 

Pastor Dennis Druckhammer 


Worship 10:30am & 6:00pm 

Wed. Family Night 7:00pm 

Rio Linda Community 

United Methodist Church 

6th & M Streets • Rio Linda 

991-1638 

Pastor Judy Robbins 


Worship Service 11:00am 

Rio Linda 

Pentecostal Church of God 

“Home of Christian Family Worship” 

736 “O” Street • Rio Linda 

(916) 606-6928 

Pastor Rick Willock 

• Sunday Services • 

10am -Christian Education 

11:00am - Morning Worship 

6:00pm - Evening Worship 

FAMILY 

GOSPEL CENTER 

Rio Linda Four Square Church 

1281 Q Street • Rio Linda • 348-3637 

Pastor John Frank 

Church and Sunday School 10:00am 

Wed. Bible Study 7:00pm 


ATTEND YOUR PLACE OF WORSHIP AND FEED YOUR SOUL 

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 

Sunday of each week 6:00pm. 

Tuesday of each week 7:00pm 

Wednesday of each week 7:30pm. 

Friday of each week 7:00pm. 

Calvary Lutheran Church 

Parish Hall 

5th & L Street • Rio Linda. 

916-992-1409 

or Call 24/7 hotline AA 454-1100 

RIO LINDA ELVERTA 

RECREATION & PARKS 

DISTRICT BOARD 

3rd Wednesday of each month 

6:30pm Community Center 

810 Oak Lane • Rio Linda 

991-5929 

DRY CREEK PARKWAY 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

1st Wednesday of each month. 

Please call for location and time 

Sac. Co. Parks - Liz Bellas 

916-875-5925 

RLE VISIONS TASK FORCE 

2nd Monday each month 

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. 

Depot • 6730 Front St. 

Rio Linda 

TWIN RIVERS SCHOOL 


1st & 3rd Tuesday each month 

916-566-1786 

5107 Dudley Blvd. Building 250 

Bay “B” 

McClellan • McClellan Park 

www.twinriversusd.org 

FRIENDS OF 

THE RIO LINDA 

PUBLIC LIBRARY 

1st Wednesday - Quarterly 

6:30-8:00 p.m. 

Next meeting Dec. 1 st 

902 Oak Lane (inside the library) 

Phone: 566-2138 

NORTH METRO 

CHURCH OF CHRIST 

4191 Norwood Ave. Sac. 95838 

Phone (916) 923-1147 

Jason Darden, Minister 

Su n d ay 

Bible Classes 10:00am 

Worship 11:00am 

Worship 6:00pm 

Wednesday • Bible Classes • 7:00pm 

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH 

3644 Bolivar Ave. 

North Highlands, CA. 

(LCMS) Tel:332-4001 

http://www.ZionLutheranNH.org 

Su n d ay Sc h e d u l e 

8:00 AM Traditional Worship 

9:30 AM Kingdom Quest for kids 

9:30 AM Adult & Teen Bible Study 

10:45 AM Praise Service with Band 

Kid’s Church (during 10:45 service) 

CALVARY 

BAPTIST CHURCH 

6608 16th St. • Rio Linda 

Ph. 991-5870 

Pastor William Hilton 


Morning worship 11:00am 

Evening Worship 6:00pm 

Wednesday Bible Study 7:00pm 

RIO LINDA 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 

(American Baptist) 

10th & O Streets • Rio Linda 

Pastor Tom Daniels - 991-2918 


Sunday Worship 11:00am 

Wednesday Bible Study 5:30pm 

St. Clare 

Catholic Church 

1950 Junction Blvd. • Roseville, CA 

Rev. Liam MacCarthy, Pastor 

Rev. Paul Ricks, Parochial Vicar 

(916) 772-4717 

Saturday 5:00 p.m. 

Sunday 9 a.m. • 11 a.m. • 5 p.m. 

Community Meeting Notices 

Please call 916-991-5056 to list meetings 

TRI COMMUNITIES 

LUNCH BUNCH 

1st Thursday each month 

11:30am 

Pancake Palace Watt Ave. 

North Highlands 

RIO LINDA/ELVERTA 

COMMUNITY 

WATER DISTRICT BOARD 

3rd Monday of each month 

7pm Depot/Visitors Center 

6730 Front Street • Rio Linda 

991-1000 

COMMUNITY WATCH 

3rd Thursday of each month. 

5:30pm to 6:30pm 

Community Center 

810 Oak Lane • Rio Linda. 


COMMUNITY PLANNING 

COMMISSION (CPC) 

4th Wednesday of each month 

7:00 p.m. Depot/Visitors Center 


RIO LINDA GRANGE # 403 

1315 G Street Rio Linda 

1st Wed. each month 

Mary Anne 991-3933 


CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

1st Tuesday of each month. 

5:30pm. Depot/Visitors Center 


916-991-9344 

SACRAMENTO 

METROPOLITAN 

FIRE DISTRICT 

1st & 3rd. Wed. of each month. 

6:00pm. - 916-566-4000 

2101 Hurley Way • Sacramento 

ELVERTA SCHOOL 


2nd Monday of each month. 

5:30pm • 916-991-2244 

7900 Eloise Ave. • Elverta 

OVERCOMERS OUTREACH 

Christian based 12 Step 

Every Thursday at 7:00p.m. 

Capitol Free Will Baptist 

in the Fellowship Hall 

6201 Watt Ave. North Highlands 

916-432-0980


SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE NORTH COUNTRY NEWS 

Tina Renison ready for a day making the best coffee in town. 

Stop by, have a cup and sit a spell 

Subway 

440 Elkhorn Blvd. #2; Rio Linda 916-991-4129 

Left to right: Anna Luong, Laura Chau and Lisa Chen dish up some tasty 

Chinese dishes. Stop in for a great lunch or dinner. 

Left to right: Javier and Daniel know how to fix a tasty platter. 

Stop by and say Hi and try some take out, you will love it. 

Rio Java 

440 Elkhorn Blvd. #1; Rio Linda 916-991-6656 

Left to right: Victoria and Oksana put together some great subs 

Taqueria 

440 

Elkhorn 

Blvd. 

#8; Rio 

Linda 

Villa Fat Chinese Cuisine 

440 Elkhorn Blvd. #5; Rio Linda 916-991-1228

Need some flowers for that special occasion? Just call Rick, 

he will fix a really beautiful bouquet or plant just for you. 

Left to right: Ricky, Julie, Kevin and Nathan are just part of 

the crew that will help you find the right feed and such for that 

favorite critter of yours. The choices are endless. 

Need a 

special 

"do" 

just call 

Vanessa 

and she 

will fix 

you right 

up. 


Petals & Paws 

641 M Street; Rio Linda 916-992-0345 

Vanessa’s Place 

641 M Street; Rio Linda 916-991-7330 

River Valley Feed & Pet Supply 

6549 16th Street; Rio Linda 

916-991-0077 

Left to right: 

Virginia 

McClaughlin 

and 

Brian Russo. 

When you 

need just 

the right 

gadget for 

that home 

project 

Stop in, 

they have 

everything. 

Supply Hardware 

7115 Watt Avenue; North Highlands 916-331-1228


The Rio Linda News and Kathy Santos-Reed are reporting false information 

Editor's note: As stated by Joseph Sherrill, he 

has NEVER been asked to comment or give his 

version on a single story that has been written 

about him in the Rio Linda News. 

an o p e n l e t t e r to t h e no rt h co u n t ry 

ne w s b y Joseph sh e r r i l l. 

VERBAL THREATS/UNLAWFUL 

HARASSMENT 

I, Joseph Sherrill did not threaten Martin Smith 

as was reported. Martin Smith and Frank Caron 

came to the water district office and asked me if 

they could speak to me in my office. I agreed 

and the three of us entered the GM’s office. After 

a minute of small talk, I was asked by Frank 

and Martin to resign as GM. I declined their request 

and told them that I was here to correct the 

district’s problems and that they were out of line 

to ask such a thing. Frank and Martin then stated 

that if I did not resign by the following day, that 

Frank and Martin would destroy me, my family’s 

name and reputation in Rio Linda and that 

the Sherrill family would never be able to show 

their face in this town again. I again declined to 

resign and warned the two directors-elect not to 

threaten me or my family. 

Martin then asked me how I found out about 

the job opening for a general manager? I told 

him that I had heard about it from Cathy Hood’s 

brother. Martin Smith claimed that he knew that 

I was a known friend of Cathy Hood, prior to 

being hired by the board. I told Martin that I did 

not know Cathy Hood personally, but knew of 

her. Martin called me a “Liar” and stated that 

he knew that Cathy and the board had hired me 

only to fire all of the employees. I denied knowing 

Cathy Hood. Martin Smith jumped up out of 

his chair and began yelling "Liar, Liar, Liar." I 

asked Martin to settle down and stop yelling in 

my office, and that if Martin wanted to discuss 

this issue further, that I would contact him after 

work and we could continue the discussion 

away from the public and employees. At this 

time Frank stated, “Are you threatening us?” I 

replied, “No.” Then Martin and Frank said to 

each other, “He just threatened us call the sheriff.” 

Martin and Frank began dialing on their 

cell phones as they walked out of the office saying 

to each other, “He threatened us. How Convenient!” 

WILLFUL ABANDONMENT OF POST 

th e re a l Fa c t s ab o u t t h e il l e g a l me e t i n g o n 

de c e m b e r 6, 2010. 

1. Board members are not official until their oath 

of office documents are filed (date stamped) with 

the Secretary of the Board (general manager). 

Frank Caron, Courtney Caron and Martin Smith 

were sworn in on December 3, 2010. 

2. Their documents were filed and stamped with 

the Secretary of the Board on Monday morning, 

December 6, 2010. The meeting could only be 

legal if it took place on December 7, 2010 because 

of the required hours for posting the meeting 

notice. 

3. A “Special Meeting” can only be called by 

a majority of the board members or the president 

of the board. The agenda must be posted 

24 hours before the meeting. The December 

6th meeting was called for and posted by Frank 

Caron, Courtney Caron & Martin Smith on December 

3, 2010, prior to their documents being 

received by the Secretary of the Board. 

4. At the December 6th “illegal meeting” the 

new directors self elected a President and Vice- 

President. The policy clearly states the election 

of officers Shall (must) be at the first “Regular 

Meeting” in the month of December. The regular 

meeting of the Board is the third Monday of 

the month, on December 20, 2010. Courtney 

Caron and Martin Smith acted as the President 

and Vice-President of the board at the December 

6th, 11th and 20th meetings. So which meetings 

were legal? 

5. The policy manual and the GM’s contract 

BOTH state that the GM is to be disciplined or 

Let’s Set the Record Straight!!! 

Cathy Hood did not say that she would “cause 

the district to go bankrupt.” We all know the 

district has had plenty of help from prior Boards, 

General Managers and employees. 

As everyone knows cities, corporations and special 

districts file bankruptcy for their protection. 

It allows a period of time for that entity to sort 

out, clean out, take another look and redirect 

without the fear of being taken over. 

This is what Cathy said “I will do everything in 

my power to help the water district file bankruptcy…. 

before being taken over.” Those that fail to 

note how serious the situation is and how passionate 

Cathy is about the district are the usual 

“Handful of Rio Linda Vultures” that have been 

circling for the past two years. They only hear 

what they want to hear they failed to hear the last 

part of her statement because the vultures were 

yelling so much. 

This handful has never suggested any solutions 

to any of the district's problems. They go around 

bragging about all the things they have managed 

to toss in the path of progress. They seek to destroy 

under the guise of “we are just looking out 

for the district.” 

Now my statement “You have made the biggest 

mistake of your lives when you terminated the 

general manager. And I will make sure you regret 

it.” 

My statement means that I will remind the “Three 

Amigos” every chance I get just what they have 

cost the district in big bold print. 

I am all for seeking the truth, not just hearing 

what I want to hear. 

At our Dec. 11th meeting it was announced that 

we, the board, would present a united front, 

work together and support the General Manager, 

Joe Sherrill. You see what happened on December 

20th at our marathon meeting of seven plus 

hours. I look at not just what a person says, but 

what they do and I will continue doing this. 

terminated “In Writing!” I, Joseph Sherrill, was 

verbally terminated, without “Written Notice.” 

6. The Brown Act specifies that when a person 

is on the agenda to be disciplined or dismissed, 

only the position is to be named on the agenda. 

The December 6, 2010 “Alleged” special meeting 

agenda clearly stated the following “General 

Manager” and then my name “Joseph Sherrill.” 

7. I, Joseph Sherrill, was NOT Terminated at the 

December 6, 2010 “alleged” special meeting because 

in Closed session, I brought it to the attention 

of the directors that I had NOT been served 

the required 24 hour written and hand delivered 

notice. This notice would have given me the option 

to be terminated in either an Open or Closed 

session of the board. After I read and showed the 

Califormia Gov. Codes to the directors and general 

counsel, the motion was withdrawn and the 

closed session adjourned and then reconvened to 

open session. 

UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT OF 

DISTRICT EMPLOYEES 

The following is in answer to articles printed in 

the Rio Linda News. 

1. This is a total fabrication by the RL 

News! 

2. Who was written up on the first day? 

Where’s the proof? 

3. This is a total fabrication by the RL 

News! 

4. Read the “Verbal Threats/Unlawful 

Harassment” story above. 

5. The Union & employees have an 

established pattern of this type of behav- 

ior with prior GM’s. 

6. How much money was paid to the 

Asst. GM? Who supplied this info.? 

Sac Bee: The Sacramento Bee wrote several articles 

because the new board of directors were 

not able to correctly terminate the GM in twobotched 

termination attempts. 

RIDDLES 

1. On “Full House,” what was 

D. J’s full name? 

2. What type of vehicle does 

“Troy Bolton” drive? 

3. Which “bread” is best for weight loss? 

4. What is a combination of “Air 

temperature” and “Humidity” called? 

Answers on page 12

LET’S 

DIG IN !!! 

_ _ _ _ _ 

Check “yummy yums” on page 6 for several super 

treats using persimmons. 

Now I cannot stress enough, plant something. If 

you plant a flower you will enjoy looking at it. If 

you only grow a small part of your fruits and veggies 

you will reap many benefits. You will know 

the food you grow is fresh, clean, safe and available 

to you without leaving your property. Store 

bought fruits and veggies have been harvested 

for several days and have very little taste. 

BITS & PIECES 

 

Be sure and gather things to send to our troops. The gang at Lew’s Club 

have been sent special goodies to those that are in the Military for some 

time now. Usually every other month and some times every month. Some 

suggestions are toiletry items, snacks crackers, peanut butter, Ritz crackers, 

beef jerky just the usual things that people like to much on. If you cannot 

think of something donate cash. Iris or one of the girls can purchase items 

that they may be short on. Call Iris at 916-992-6685 for the next shipping 

date. 

 

Bits & Pieces continued on page 13 

Gardening can be a family project or even 

a neighbor hood project. As an extra you 

will usually have extras for gifts or even as 

a cash crop. 

I called around to several stores, trying to 

locate Fuyu Persimmons and pomegranates. 

I did not find one store that still had 

either and most never did have any this season. 

Two locations stocked both, but were 

all out. Sacramento Natural Foods Coop at 

1900 Alhambra Blvd. and Whole Foods at 

315 Arden way, both in Sacramento. 

The price for Fuyu Persimmons ranged 

from $3.99 to $4.99 per pound. At 3 per 

pound that works out to $1.33 to $1.66 

each!!! Pomegranates ranged from $1.95 

each to $6.00 per pound. 

Pick your persimmon tree sites now. Bare 

root stock will be available, mid January, 

at Home Depot. Ask for Rena. It might be 

a good idea to go over now and pre pay or 

reserve your trees, they go fast. 

Persimmon trees like morning sun till early 

afternoon and shade from 2 or 3pm on. 

Pomegranates like full Sun. 

At the moment I do not know where you can 

buy pomegranate trees. I will have some trees in 

February, as I did last year. Look for the notice 

in the February edition of NCN. 

Another good tree to plant now is the dwarf 

lemon tree. Eureka is more frost resistant and 

produces at Christmas time. The Meyer prefers 

a warmer spot in the winter and produces year 

round. 


Watson Storage 

(916-992-6022) 

Storage Units, Rv’s & Boats 

8628 Pleasant Grove Rd. 

Open 8:30 am - 5:00 p.m. 

Closed Sundays & Mondays 

_ _ _ _ _ 

Sorry if it seems that I dwell on too few veggie 

or fruit varieties. I only write about what I have 

experience growing. That list is considerable 

but there is always room to learn more. 

One area that I have no experience in is growing 

the different varieties of lettuce and greens. 

If anyone has experience growing other fruits or 

veggies write and let us know, share your tips. 

In this day and age we need all the help we can 

get……… so let NCN know your tips and I will 

pass them along. 

I have been driving around and have spotted new 

trees in several front yards. Good for you. Lets Dig In continued on page 13 

5 X 10 - $45.00 

5 X 14 - $55.00 - 1 Room 

10 X 10 - $65.00 - 2 Rooms 

10 X 12 - $75.00 - 3 Rooms 

10 X 14 - $85.00 - 4 Rooms 

12 X 14 - $95.00 - 5 Rooms 

14 X 24 - $140.00 - 6 Rooms+


Letters 

to the Editor 

Hi Vivien 

 

Vivien 

First of all, thank you for all your efforts in creating 

a community newspaper that is not only informative 

but enjoyable to read as well. I look 

forward to each issue and hungrily read it cover 

to cover. 

Second, the Historical Society will be having a 

rose pruning demonstration on Sat. Jan. 8th from 

10 AM to 1PM. If it is raining we will try again 

on Jan 15th. 

Keep up the good work. 

Sincerely, Linda Hosford 

(Editor check out page 16, hope it is not raining....Viv) 

Dear Viv, 

 

Well the Net has been quiet since Christmas. I 

was just wondering if all is happy with the Water 

District and the 3 new Board Members? 

It was my understanding that the Board was going 

to call a meeting this week to possibly hire 

Dave Andres, that lives apx. 75 miles from Rio 

Linda. I have some questions: 

1. Is he going to move or commute? 

2. If he commutes how much is it going to cost 

the rate payers and do we have to pay for a car? 

3. What will he be paid per hour? 

I hear he was terminated from his last job because 

he was not aggressive enough. If he didn’t get 

the job done at his last job why would the Board 

think he would do a good job here? I would like 

to know who contacted Dave Andres? 

4. Has the State evaluated the district in the last 

few years and what year was the last time? Is the 

State using fabricated numbers? 

The Board of Directors needs to really think 

about not going into Voluntary Receivership and 

check into the protection of filing for Chapter 9 

Bankruptcy. 

Mary Nelson 

(Editors note: Dave Andres was not hired and 

will not be reconsidered. A committee was formed 

consisting of Martin Smith and myself to develop 

a protocal for hiring a new General Manager 

and to review applications for recommendation 

to the board. 

In answer to #4: according to my information the 

State has not evaluated the District since 2006.) 

RIDDLE ANSWERS 

1. Donna Jo Tanner 

2. A truck 

3. The kind that you don’t eat! 

4. The "Heat Index." 

Lets Dig In continued from page 11 

_ _ _ _ _ 

Now is a good time to round up materials for your 

gardening projects and craft projects. Check out 

the State Site called “Cal Max” California Materials 

Exchange. www.CalMAX.org or call 

1-877-520-9703. This is a classified Re Use Ad 

site for California Businesses. 

Businesses receive credits when they recycle 

their used materials such as: 55gal barrels, 5 gal 

buckets (these items are washed and clean), chain 

link fencing, pipe, wood scraps from construction 

sites, windows, garage doors, tubs, leather 

scraps, flexible magnet scrap, rubber mats, craft 

candle/soap fragrances, carpet scraps, …the list 

is endless. you will need a truck for hauling 

your treasures home. Sometimes they will load 

for you but it is always good to take someone 

one with you. 

Some projects: Garage doors = small sheds 

- chicken coop - goat barn, windows = green 

house, barrels = planters. Use your imagination 

and tap into this great resource. 

All these items, when recycled will help the 

dumps last longer, therefore the reason for the 

credits. 

I once noticed a brewery that had several hundred 

gallons of the grain mixture, used in the brewing 

process, to dispose of every week. Guess it 

could be used as feed. 

Ads are coded and cover every county in the 

state. Best of all, many items are FREE or can 

be had for a small cost!!! 

_ _ _ _ _ 

January is the month for pruning, a time to take 

cuttings and to lay out your summer projects. 

Build a chicken coop, grape arbor, new garden 

fence, make stepping stones with your children’s 

foot and hand prints. Put your hand print in one 

with your children‘s on each side. you will be 

surprised how, at some later date, your children 

will enjoy looking at the line-up. 

_ _ _ _ _ 

The pictures are of my Fuyu persimmon tree 

(that is a 6’ ladder in front), my Eureka lemon 

tree and some of my pomegranates. 

_ _ _ _ _ 

The seed catalogues are arriving, time to make 

those lists and check them twice, cause gardening 

time is on the way……….Viv 

"Discontent is the penalty we pay for being 

ungrateful for what we have." 

Next Regular 

RLECWD 

BOARD MEETING 

January 17 TH 

7:00p.m. 

Depot Visitors Center 

6730 Front Street 

916-991-1000 

Social and Fraternal 

Organizations 

RIO LINDA GRANGE #85 

1315 G Street, Rio Linda 

Meetings 

First Wednesdays - 7:00pm 

916-335-1613 

ELKHORN MOOSE LODGE #260 

& 

WOMEN OF THE MOOSE LODGE 

6003 Rio Linda Blvd, Rio Linda 

Meetings 

First & third Tuesdays - 7:30 pm 

916-992-1273 

RIO LINDA/ELVERTA LIONS CLUB 

Rio Linda/Elverta Community Center 


Meetings 

Second, third & fourth Thursdays 

Dinner 6:00pm / Meeting 7:00 pm 

916-991-6223 

AMERICAN LEGION POST #521 

6700 8th Street, Rio Linda 

Meetings 

Second Tuesdays - 7:30pm 

916-991-9921 

RIO LINDA MASONIC LODGE 

Front & M Street, Rio Linda 

Meetings 

Third Mondays 

Dinner 6:00pm - Meeting 7:30pm 

916-992-1891 or 916-991-7715 

GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING 

VFW POST 4647 

3300 U Street, North Highlands 

Meetings 

First & third Thursdays-7:00pm 

Hall Rental 

916-332-5960 

Next Regular 

RLE Recreation 

& Park District 

BOARD MEETING 

January 19 TH 

6:30 p.m. 

Community Center 

810 Oak Lane, Rio Linda

Bits & Pieces continued from 

page 11 

 

Makes one wonder, you know the water board of 

2008 were screamed and yelled at for having so 

many special meetings and that they lasted too 

long. Those doing all the screaming presumably 

elected the new directors and how many meetings 

were held in December? You guessed, a record 

number, five and so far the longest was only 

seven hours and 23 minutes. 

Question, when the 2008 board was doing it, it 

was just terrible and when the 2010 board does 

the same thing it is ok? Now figure that one 

out. 

 

you know I read somewhere that, “Christmas is 

a time when kids tell Santa what they want and 

adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the 

government what they want and their kids pay 

for it!” 

I was reading a book written about growing up 

during the 1930’s. In some ways it sounds about 

like current times. Wages were low, if you could 

even find a job. Many people needed assistance 

obtaining food and shelter. Families were moving 

back together. The morality was far stricter 

and the young respected their parents, teachers 

and neighbors. Everyone was pulling together 

to bring back the good times. 

Some of the things I noticed that were different 

from now. They did not have the violence we are 

surrounded with on a daily basis. Now, so often 

right and wrong has a price tag. Many seem to 

think it is ok as long as you do not get caught. If 

you do get caught and the crime does not involve 

lots of money or someone getting killed then it 

seems to fall by the wayside with the excuse “it 

costs more to prosecute than can be retrieved.” 

Victims have no rights it seems and the criminals 

can have free attorneys and all sorts of agencies 

to protect their rights, paid for by us the victims. 

The world has been turned upside down. No 

one seems to be responsible for the things they 

do anymore. Many have turned a blind eye to 

most everything else with the statement “It‘s 

not my job.” Until people stand together and demand 

some accountability it will continue to get 

worse. 

 

Every year we make “New years Resolutions” 

and then rarely keep them. I believe the key is 

to make only a few that start the first of the year 

and then come July add a few more. 

Another thing we need to think about is our 

health, mind and body, every age group. Our 

country has become so overweight that if we 

were ever to have a war on our own soil most 

would die, not from the invaders weapons but 

the inability to do the hard work and handle the 

stress it would take to survive. 

Many are so use to sitting around that if they had 

to walk ten miles they could not make it. What if 

you had to run several miles or do without food 

for several days? 

Most people are more worried about what they 

eat between Christmas and the New year ….. 

instead of what they should be worrying about, 


GRAND JURY…it operates in 

Secret??? or …. NOT!!! 

In order to become part of the Grand Jury you must fill out an application and present it to the clerk 

at the Court House. Several hundred individuals apply every year. Through various checks the list 

of possible jurists are narrowed down and a few extras are included as alternates. you can sign up 

for the whole year or just for a few cases, what ever you have the time for. 

you are told that this group operates under strict rules of secrecy. No one knows just who will be 

called to testify and the witnesses even have to sign statements of secrecy. Sounds good……… 

BUT............ 

On November 12th at the Rio Linda Elverta Community Water District Board meeting Frank Caron 

advised the “2008 Board of Directors” that they would each be receiving subpoenas from the Grand 

Jury. Frank even named a prior board member and a prior interim general manager. Frank read from 

a paper he claimed came directly from the Grand Jury. Then to top it all on November 18th the Rio 

Linda News proceeded to print Frank’s statement as follows: “Frank Caron read a statement to the 

Board of Directors from the Grand Jury. It stated this was being done at the request of the Grand 

Jury and it was to notify subpoenas were being issued to Mary Harris, Belinda, Paine, Stephanie 

Suela, Cathy Nelson-Hood and Vivien Johnson; additionally subpoenas were being issued to former 

director Joyce Hafner, former General Manager Gilbert Tafoya and current general counsel Ravi 

Mehta. The subpoenas were to be delivered on November 15, 2010.” 

In fact these subpoenas arrived at the district office on November 22nd having just been postmarked 

on December 19th. This is well after Frank Caron’s announcement at the meeting on the 12th and 

after the statement was printed in the paper on the 18th. 

DOES THE GRAND JURY HAVE A LEAK???? 

Now it makes one wonder just where the leak came from. Seems to me the leak came from the 

Grand Jury otherwise how would Frank Caron have had that information on November 12th? 

Now, we know the clerk of the Grand Jury would know the names of witnesses to be subpoenaed. 

The department that issues the subpoenas would know their names, and maybe even the Grand Jury 

panel would know their names BUT … would they know Frank and why would they tell him? 

Just who else could know those names and give them to Frank? Would someone that had already 

received a subpoena tell Frank? How would they know the names of the other witnesses? 

Could it be someone that works at the Court house and was nosing around where they should not 

be???? Who do we know that works at the court house, that knows Frank and would give him this 

information? 

Someone said to always seek the truth and that is just what I am doing. Let the chips fall where they 

may. Time will tell. 

….. what they eat between the New year and the 

next Christmas. 

Try doing just one extra thing per day like drinking 

just one extra glass of water or eliminating 

100 calories or one less cigarette or walking 500 

feet or running 50 feet. I have read that it takes 

doing something only five times to create a bad 

habit and twice as long to break that bad habit. 

The first is to have the will or the want-to to even 

get started. 

 

A good resolution would be to read a book a 

month and better still is read a book to or with 

your children. Minds need exercise as well. I 

still think all this technology really is not making 

anyone smarter. 

Sure, many know how to work the gadget but 

does anyone know how to “do” anything such 

as, fix the gadget? What if the electricity were 

off for several days or even a couple of weeks, 

like it has been across the country this winter. 

Would you know how to cook your food, wash 

your clothes, keep warm, legibly write with paper 

and pencil??? 

Those of you that have a well, do you know how 

to get water from it if there were no electricity? 

Do you even have the tools to do the job? If you 

were not strong enough to do the job could you 

show some else how to do it? 

I know it sounds funny but just stop and think 

about it. There are all kinds of disasters that 

could disable a town. It was in the news just 

last week about a town here in the US. Their 

water supply had been disrupted and the news 

pictures were showing great big blue portable 

water tanks being trucked in. The news reported 

that there was a worry that disease could strike 

before things were repaired. 

Better bone up on some skills other than just 

those you use sitting at your pushing buttons 

computer. 

 

Well it is time to go for now…..there is so much 

more that could be said…….but at the moment 

it is time to prepare our “New Years Day” dinner 

(lunch for those not from the south) to insure 

luck for the coming year…..Blackeyed peas, 

greens, ham hocks and cornbread (yes I am from 

the south). On that note I wish you all well in 

the coming year and I will try to keep you informed…..the 

rest is up to you….. 

Some people may doubt what I say or write, but 

they will always believe what I do. So, I will 

keep the faith, always do my best and let God do 

the rest……………Viv!!!


Pleasant Grove School’s Harvest Dinner 

Pleasant Grove Parents’ Club would like to thank you ~ our community of parents, teachers and 

supporters of the Annual Harvest Dinner & Craft Fair held on December 4, 2010. 

Thank you to our Chair-Debbie Darrach 

Thank you to our Kitchen: Chair-Karen Scheidel, Robbie Gilliespie, Roy & Sandi Smith, Wendy 

& Kevin Rosell, Mrs. Alberti 

Valley Spuds = Red Potatoes 

Brice Lauppe & Farmers Rice Cooperative = 50 lbs of Rice 

Raley's & Bel Air = Rolls 

Pleasant Grove Fire Dept & Friends = Charcoal, firewood and their excellent grilling skills 

Scheidel Families = Cookies 

Thank you to our student servers: Chair-Julie Gobbell, Debbie Darrach 

Alex, Amy, Maddy, Georgia, Connor, Kade, Jacob, Hannah, Quintin, Noah, Ronee, Tara, Skye & 

Baylee 

Thank you to our Vendors: Co-Chairs-Brandi Burnsed & Susan Lonergan 

Valerie Simmonds - Personalized Reindeer Families 

Margaret Shoffner - Women's Specialized Clothing 

Missy Dickson - Avon & Tomboy Tools 

Marlene Carter & Barbara Sugar - Fairy items 

Sheenah Tidwell - Mary Kay 

Terry Werner - Wildtree Food & Candies 

Robyn Thornton - Jewelry 

Laura Croxall - Baby hats & hairbands 

Christie Ganguet - Homemade Candies 

Megan Sullivan - Duct tape wallets 

Susan Christiano - Beauty Control lotion 

Laura Zine - Homemade Soaps & Lotions 

Pleasant Grove 4-H & Better Health Chiropractic - Massage Certificates 

Yvonne McDonald - Tupperware 

Kathy Hammons & Melodee Weither - Cookie Lee Jewelry 

Brenna Lonergan - Photos 

Thank you to our kids for their Carnival Style Games: Chair-Brandi Burnsed 

Maddy B, Carrie H & Georgia H-Fishing Booth 

Katie H-Face Painting 

Danielle B-Wii Guitar Hero 

Macie W-Washer Toss 

Sydnie C-Duck Pluck 

David D Ring Toss 

Thank you to our publicity crew: Chair-Sarah Hintz, Buddy Gobbell & Carolyn 

Coker 

Thank you to our Security: Laurie Graves 

Thank you to our Ticket crew: Rebecca Gillespie & Shelly Nowak 

Each classroom put together a themed basket full of goodies donated by parents 

& families. They were live auctioned off ~ the highest going for $200! 

Thank you to Raffle Crew: Carlene Burnsed, the Burnsed 

family, our MC-Terry Fuentes, Snowflake Thank you 

Board-Valerie Grolla. Our thanks to the generous businesses, 

families & friends that donated over 200 raffle prizes. 

The Grand Prize Emerson 42" Flat Screen, 4G XBOX with 

Kinect was highly anticipated. 

If we didn't say it enough: Our THANKS to everyone involved 

in this event from set-up to clean-up! 

We look forward to seeing you next year. 

Mark your calendar 

Saturday, December 3, 2011 

a th o u g h t to re m e m b e r: 

yo u'r e n o t a Fa i l u r e iF y o u Fa l l 

d o w n, b u t y o u a r e iF y o u s tay d o w n! 

Student Council Event at 

Pleasant Grove School 

By Regina Gutierrez - 8 th grade 

Student Council at Pleasant Grove School decided 

to further the school’s environmental focus 

by holding a clothing exchange. More than 30 

bags of gently used to brand-new-with-tags-on 

clothes, shoes, and coats were donated for the 

event. After everything was washed, students 

sorted, folded, and displayed the clothing for the 

event. 

Shoppers arrived at 5:00, excited about being 

able to pick out free clothing. Student helpers 

“shopped” with children giving them fashion advice. 

At 7:00 the tables were mostly cleaned out 

of clothing so the students picked up the shoes, 

clothes, and coats and put them in bags to be 

taken to Goodwill. 

Student Council met their goal to “be green” and 

not have usable clothes, shoes, and coats thrown 

in the landfills. 

Great job, Student Council members: Dylan, 

Dallas, Matthew, and Abby; class representatives: 

8 th grade – Hannah B and Regina; 7 th grade 

– Ethan and Susie; 6 th grade –Alex A and Abby; 

and 5 th grader - Maya. Other helpers were: Nicole, 

Lily, Brandon, Andrea, Macie, Skye, Hannah 

L, Jacob, Alisha, Maddy, and Danielle. This 

wouldn’t have been possible without the help of 

Student Council advisor and teacher Mrs. Carl. 

Student Council and helpers 

Students setting up


Spotlighting Our Schools 

Superintendent's Corner 

The holiday season is a time to give thanks. I want to you to know how much you are appreciated. 

Thank you for all that you do for our students, families, and employees. 

As we prepare for a new year, it lifts my spirit to realize how much we have accomplished together. 

Twin Rivers is fortunate to have so many dedicated and hard-working employees. 

Together, we: 

Opened three libraries for students 

Served over 4.5 million meals and over 300,000 snacks to our students each year 

Safely transport students on102 daily bus routes 

Increased graduation rates by nearly 10 percent 

Achieved district-wide API growth of more than 20 points 

Enrolled more students in Advanced Placement classes 

Dramatically improved student enrollment 

Are closing the achievement gap at a greater pace than any area district 

Can boast having the California State Teacher and Classified Employee of the Year 

Hosted our first ever college fair for hundreds of students 

Offered full preschool programs at 21 schools 

Offered online classes for the first time 

Achieved WASC certification for our adult education program 

Built a nationally recognized Visual and Performing Arts program 

Offered after school programs at all elementary schools and many middle schools 

Made facilities improvements at many of our campuses 

Brought our schools together with Neighborhood Networks 

Provide more educational options than ever for our families 

January has four President’s birthdays. 

Here is a bit of information about them. 

Millard Fillmore 13th President 

Born January 7, 1800 and died March 8, 1874 at 74 years of age. He was 50 when taking office and his term was 1850 - 1853. 

His party was “Whig.” He stood 5’9” tall and one of his nicknames was “His Accidency.” 

Millard Fillmore cut quite a figure. He was well built, a natty dresser and considered good-looking. 

No less a source than Queen Victoria, who upon receiving the former president in 1855 called him the handsomest man she’d ever met. 

William McKinley, 25th President 

Born January 29, 1843 and died September 14, 1901 at 58 years of age. He was 54 when taking office and his term was 1897 -1901, 

he died in office. His party was “Republican.” He stood 5’7” tall and one of his nicknames was “Wobby Willie.” 

McKinley had a pet parrot that could whistle “Yankee Doodle.” 

A quote from him “We need Hawaii just as much and a good deal more than we did California; it is Manifest Destiny.” 

It wasn’t just the naked use of force that distinguished McKinley as the first true twentieth-century president. 

He was also the last president to have served in the Civil War and the first to have his inaugural captured on film. 

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President 

Born January 30, 1882 and died in office on April 12, 1945 at 63 years of age. He was 51 when taking office and his terms began in 1933 - 1945. 

His party was “Democratic.” He stood 6’1” tall and one of his nicknames was “The New Dealer.” Roosevelt had a pet Scottish terrier named Fala. 

Roosevelt was the only President in history to run for the office of President four times and win all four times. 

FDR was extremely superstitious. He never lit three cigarettes off a single match, refused to sit at a table set for thirteen and never began a trip on a 

Friday. It is ironic that the funeral train that took his body back home from Georgia began its journey on Friday the thirteenth. 

Richard M. Nixon, 37th President 

Best wishes for good health and happiness in 

the coming year. you deserve to relax and enjoy 

the spirit of the season with family and friends. 

Frank S. Porter, Superintendent, 

Twin Rivers USD 

Born January 8, 1913 and died April 22, 1994 at the age of 81. He was 56 when taking office and his term in office was 1969-1974. 

His party was “Republican.” He stood 5’11” and one of his nicknames was “Tricky Dicky.” 

Bringing fire arms into the White House is illegal, unless your name was Elvis Presley. The King brought Nixon a gift of a gold plated .45 caliber 

pistol. It remains on display in the White House along with a picture of Elvis & Nixon. 

Watergate brought this President down. By his own recorded words Nixon was a bigot and a racist. 

Hung by his own tapes, faced with impeachment, Nixon became the first President in history to resign his office.


Join the 

Rio Linda/Elverta 

Historical Society 

for their Social 

Sunday - Jan. 16 

Place: Calvary Lutheran Church 

Parish Hall at 5th & L St. Rio Linda 

Time: 2:00 p.m. 

The public is invited and 

everyone is welcome. 

The Society will provide light refreshments 

Donations are always welcome. 

UC MASTER GARDENER 

PLANT CLINICS 

The Sacramento County UC Master 

Gardeners have scheduled a plant clinic 

to assist the public in diagnosing and 

solving garden problems. All clinics 

are free and the public is encouraged to 

bring samples from problem plants or 

insects that need to be identified. Timely 

Tips for Garden Maintenance: What 

to do to prevent pests, grow healthy 

plants, and conserve water. 

DAY - DATE: 

Saturday, January 22, 2011 

TIME: 

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

LOCATION: 

Horticulture Center, 11549 Fair Oaks 

Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 

South of Madison, on Fair Oaks Blvd., 

in Fair Oaks Park, next to the Library 

COST: FREE 

FOR MORE INFO: 

UC Cooperative Extension, 

(916) 875-6913 

Rio Linda Farmers Market & 

Peddlers Fair has closed for the 

winter months. The Farmers' 

Market & Peddlers' Fair will open in 

the spring. Please watch for our opening 

date. 

For information or to reserve a 10 x 10 

booth please call Kristi Curson 991- 

5139. Discounts available for reserving 

5 Thursdays. Cost is $20 per 10 x 

10 space. 

Food Preservation Demonstration 

Who: The Sacramento County UC Cooperative Extension 

Master Food Preservers 

What: Food Preservation Public Demonstration: Citrus in 

the Limelight 

When: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 

Where: Sacramento Cooperative Extension Office 

4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA 95827 

Cost: $3.00…..No pre-registration required. 

For additional information, please call (916) 875-6913. 

**Cooperative Extension Office facilities are handicap accessible. 

Rio Linda/Elverta Historical Society 

invites you to attend their annual 

Rose Pruning 

Clinic & 

Demonstration 

Saturday January 8 

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

6852 Dry Creek Rd. Rio Linda 

Rain Date will be Saturday 

January 15 - same times 

The demonstration will be 

conducted by 

by Linda Hosford 

in the 

Pioneer Memorial Rose Garden 

Light refreshments will be served 

The Rio Linda/Elverta Historical Society is a tax deductible non profit organization 

Donations are gratefully accepted

North Country News, January, 2011.

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