Happy New Year Rancho Cordova! 2016 promises to be one of new adventures and opportunities for us all. We hope you take this moment to mark your calendar for exciting events, read up on the latest programs, and make resolutions for the new year.
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According to Nielsen, an American global information and measurement company, the top five New Year's Resolutions of 2015 were the following:
- Stay healthy
- Get organized
- Spend less and save more
- Enjoy life to the fullest
- Spend more time with family and friends
If you find yourself making similar resolutions this year, we've got some tips and tricks for you to achieve your goals and have the best year yet!
Stay healthy.
Planet Fitness, 10373 Folsom Boulevard, is offering a special New Year's discount: a reduction in the initiation fee to only $10! This 24-hour gym is a "Judgement Free Zone" and offers lots of perks to members. Get unlimited access to the Planet Fitness location, free personal fitness training, and a t-shirt. The deal lasts until January 14th.
The Gym Fitness Center, 9844 Business Park Drive, invites first-time guests to work out one day completely free. Members have 24-hour access to all club amenities and services including weight equipment, cardio machines, spin bikes, boxing bags, a core training area, tanning beds, and personal trainers for hire. Membership starts at $39 per month.
Anytime Fitness, 3161 Zinfandel Drive, is offering a special New Year's discount. They also offer a free 7-day pass so you can see what they have to offer. The 24-hour gym offers convenient parking, affordable tanning (to add to your membership), fitness classes, and online tools to maximize your new, healthier lifestyle. Plus, all members have free access to every Anytime Fitness location in the world! Membership costs between $30 and $50 per month.
Get organized.
To get organized, start by going through your closet. Get rid of anything you don't wear often or doesn't fit and donate your clothes to those less fortunate. A few thrift stores in Rancho Cordova are: Salvation Army Family Thrift Store at 10309 Folsom Boulevard, Goodwill at 11092 Coloma Road, or Teen Challenge at 10025 Folsom Boulevard.
Organize electronic cords, computer accessories, and electrical items that tend to tangle by putting them each in a ziploc bag and then in a drawer or bin. Look around your house and ask yourself: Do I need this? Do I use it now? Will I use it ever?
Out with the old and in with the new! Recycle your Christmas tree by leaving it out on the curb on your regular garbage day and Republic Services will pick it up for free. This service is available now through January 15th. Flocked, decorated, or artificial trees will not be accepted.
Stop by Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive, with your broken or unwanted holiday lights for recycling. This service is available during normal business hours through January 29th.
Spend less and save more.
To spend less and save more, go shopping only when you need something. Another way to save is to pay with cash only, because the average shopper spends 30 percent more if they use a credit card, debit card, or checkbook than they would with cash, according to a money saving article on the Instructables website.
Grocery shop when you aren't hungry and have a list of what you need to avoid buying items that look tempting. Use coupons and ads from the mail, newspaper, and online.
Go to the library for books, movies, and CDs for entertainment instead of spending money at the movie theater. The Rancho Cordova Public Library, 9845 Folsom Boulevard, offers fun and informative events every week!
Enjoy life to the fullest.
Be a tourist in your own City! Visit Crocker Art Museum on O Street in Downtown Sacramento, or stroll around Village Green Park and the nearby Capital Village here in Rancho Cordova.
If day trips are more your thing, hop on an Amtrak train to the Bay Area and take your bike. Explore a location you've never been before.
Another way to stress less and enjoy life more is to make a new four-legged friend. Visit the Sacramento SPCA, 6201 Florin Perkins Road, to adopt a pet. If you're not looking for a permanent fur-baby, volunteer at the shelter and help change lives every single day.
Start each day with a smile and take a moment to think about something you appreciate. Putting yourself in a positive mood from the minute you wake up will help you stay that way.
Spend more time with family and friends.
Take an hour out of every day and turn off your phone and computer. Identify the people in your life who make you happy and spend that time with them.
Smile at strangers and don't be afraid to exchange small talk with people in line at the grocery store. You never know where you'll make a new friend!
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MEET YOUR NEW MAYOR
Dr. David M. Sander, Ph.D., was sworn in as Rancho Cordova's Mayor at the City Council meeting on Monday, December 7th. He has been a member of the City Council since Rancho Cordova incorporated in 2003.
Mayor Sander was sworn in by his wife, Dr. Margaret Parsons, their son Charles, and his mother, Lois Sander. The family has lived in Rancho Cordova since the 1990s.
Following the swearing in ceremony, Mayor Sander discussed four priorities for his one-year Mayoral term including public safety, education, economic development, and community partnerships.
Mayor Sander commented that Rancho Cordova has taken a different approach than other cities, allowing us to get things done quicker and more efficiently. W
atch this video to learn more about his vision for 2016. Read More
NEW VICE MAYOR TO BE SWORN IN
Donald Terry will be sworn in as Vice Mayor on Tuesday, January 19th, 2016. Residents are invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony that will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Rancho Cordova City Council meeting, 2729 Prospect Park Drive.
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Are you a renter and need help? Sacramento Self-Help Housing offers a Renters Helpline that provides FREE help with your tenant, property manager, and/or housing discrimination disputes. The City of Rancho Cordova provides grant funding to the organization for such services to help provide fair housing in the community.
You can get answers for:
What are my rights?
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I have bed bugs.
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I can't get repairs done.
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What are Reasonable Accommodations?
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I am being discriminated against.
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I received an eviction notice.
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Call (916) 389-7877 for help.
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As California continues to endure the drought, the Regional Water Authority and local water providers ask everyone to start 2016 right by resolving to use water wisely.
Sacramento-area customers did an outstanding job at conserving water in 2015, but we must do more. Even above-average rain and snowfall this winter is unlikely to erase the drought.
The good news is that making small changes can add up to hundreds of gallons in water savings. Here are some simple, no-cost actions you can take today:
Let Mother Nature do the watering: Keep sprinklers off until spring, watering by hand only if the weather stays dry for several weeks in a row, but taking steps to protect your trees. Tree survival tips are available here.
Limit your shower time: Less time in the shower pays off with big savings, even if you already have a water-efficient showerhead. Keeping showers to five minutes (instead of 10) will save 12.5 gallons every time. Want to save even more? Turn off the water while washing your hair to save up to 150 gallons per month.
Don't let water run while handwashing dishes: Every minute the kitchen faucet runs sends
2.5 gallons of water down the drain. If you do dishes daily, that can add up to 4,500 gallons a year
. Instead of allowing the water to run, turn the water on and off as needed. Or, better yet, take a break from handwashing altogether and use the (fully loaded) dishwasher instead, which typically uses less water.
Wash only full loads of laundry: Waiting until the washer is full can save 15 to 45 gallons per load
, depending upon the efficiency of your machine. Other water-wise laundry tips: Wash clothes in cold water (which will also retain their color), select the minimum amount of water required per load (for machines with a variable water volume setting), and use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled clothes.
Turn off the faucet when brushing teeth or shaving: Every minute the bathroom faucet runs sends two gallons
of water down the drain. Multiply that by the number of times you brush or shave a day, and all that water adds up. Instead of running a steady stream, use short bursts of water to rinse to save at least 10 gallons a day
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CARING FOR YOUR CAR
On a rainy day, have you wondered what happens to motor oil on driveways, roads, parking lots, and highways? These fluids are common sources of urban runoff pollution that travel into storm drains and impact our waterways when it rains. With the increased rain we are likely to see this winter, please follow these easy tips to care for your car this season:
- Inspect and maintain your car regularly to prevent oil, antifreeze, and other fluid leaks.
- Place cardboard or an oil pan underneath your car if it is leaking fluids.
- Take motor oil, antifreeze, and other used fluids to an automotive center or gas station with a recycling program, or drop it off at a collection center.
- Use kitty litter to absorb leaks and spills and sweep it up afterwards.
- Reduce automobile use by carpooling, riding the bus, riding your bike, or walking. When it rains, air pollution turns into stormwater pollution.
- Conserve during the drought by considering a commercial car wash. They use less water!
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WE NEED YOUR HELP DECIDING HOW TO SPEND $2.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS
Helping our seniors, mentoring our youth, and beautifying our streets, are just some of the things we do at the City of Rancho Cordova. Now, we need your help determining which programs and events matter most to our community.
In the next five years, we anticipate $2.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Community Development Block Grant program. We are asking residents and people who work in our community to take a 15-20 minute survey to help us understand where you would like the money to be spent.
"We're really taking an all-inclusive approach to this campaign," said Peter Ibrahim, the City's Housing & Neighborhood Development Specialist. "We are also scheduling three in-person, public meetings in the hopes we receive a lot of feedback."
Click here to participate in the survey before February 5th. The survey is available in English, Russian, and Spanish. Printed copies are available at the following:
- Folsom Cordova Community Partnership, (916) 361-8684, 10665 Coloma Road, Suite 200
- Rancho Cordova City Hall, (916) 851-8700, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
- Neighborhood Services Center, (916) 851-8770, 2880 Gold Tailings Court
- Rancho Cordova Police Department, (916) 875-9600, 2897 Kilgore Road
"This is a great opportunity to partner with our residents to maximize our funding," said the City's Community Development Director Aaron Busch. "They hold the keys to our success."
Stay tuned to the City website for meeting dates. For more information, contact Ibrahim at (916) 851-8785 or
by email
.
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 WHAT'S AHEAD
Mayor David Sander kicks off the year with the traditional visit as keynote speaker at the Rancho Cordova Luncheon on Friday, January 15th at 11:30 a.m. at Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive. Come and hear the Mayor's goals for the City for 2016!
The Rancho Cordova Luncheon is the monthly combined meeting of the Cordova Community Council and Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce and is open to the public. Tickets for the luncheon meeting are $12 for members of either organization, and $20 for non-members. Make your reservation here.
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BUSINESS OUTLOOK & ECONOMIC FORECAST
Presented by the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, January 28th
Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova
11211 Point East Drive, Rancho Cordova
Doors open at 7:30 a.m.
Program begins promptly at 8 a.m.
As the geographic center and business hub of the Sacramento region, the Rancho Cordova business community grows through a greater understanding of economic elements supporting local business success.
Business Outlook & Economic Forecast 2016 is a must-attend event for business leaders who value well-researched information and professional insight into the economy of our community.
The program offers relevant analysis of the distinctive characteristics of markets within the region. Our speakers present dynamic views on national trends, regional perspectives, and local indicators.
Our 2016 speakers include: Dr. Jeffrey Michael, Director of the Business Forecasting Center, University of the Pacific and Mr. Barry Broome, President & CEO of the Greater Sacramento Area Economic Council. The Chamber will also present its annual "Rancho Cordova Economic Index" and "Business Confidence Survey" - a simple means of reviewing the economic performance of our community. And, the program will conclude with a presentation from the City's Economic Development team diving into some specifics about what new and exciting projects are in the works for our City.
Tickets are $30 through January 15th and include a full, hot breakfast and program-related materials. Ticket price will be $37 beginning January 16th.
A reserved table for your team is just $250 and will include mention in the program and other benefits. Ticket sales are historically robust for this event and the Chamber anticipates selling out. Purchase tickets here
or call (916) 273-5700.
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Our artists let their imaginations run wild with the opening of "Unreal and Imagined," the first Rancho Cordova City Hall Gallery Art Exhibit of the Year.
Those wishing to have their work considered for this show should register online
. Work will be accepted for jurying on January 6th only, so be sure to get all the details about participating.
"Unreal and Imagined" explores the world of fantasy and things imagined in the creative brain of the artist. Tracy Lewis of Chroma Art Gallery in Cameron Park - an artist focusing on fantasy - is the guest juror for this event.
Come and see what our artists are imagining during the Artist Reception, slated for Thursday, January 28th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive. Meet the artists, view the work, have complimentary refreshments, and enjoy music ensembles from the Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra. Admission is free
. Come live the arts! Learn More
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VOLUNTEERING: IT'S A MAGIC  CARPET RIDE!
Do you know a great volunteer? Speak up!
The Cordova Community Council is seeking nominations for outstanding volunteer efforts to be honored at the 17th Annual Community Awards event, scheduled for Friday, March 11th at Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive.
Each year, inspiring stories emerge about individuals, teenagers, businesses, and organizations that are making a big difference in the Rancho Cordova community through extraordinary volunteer efforts. The awards range from Outstanding Community Service to Rancho Cordovan of the Year, which often recognizes a lifetime of volunteering.
It is all celebrated in a fun and exciting event at City Hall. This year's theme is "Rock the Kasbah," and puts a spotlight on the magic carpet ride of volunteering in our community.
Tickets for this wonderful Rancho Cordova tradition are $25 and include dinner, entertainment, and program. Tickets go on sale February 5th.
Great things are happening in Rancho Cordova every day, but it takes more than three wishes or uncorking a genie in a bottle. They happen with the help of great volunteers. Nominate one of them here.
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EVENTS CALENDAR
P
olar Bear Plunge and Pancake Breakfast - Saturday, January 9th, 8 - 11 a.m.
Lincoln Village Pool and Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center, 3480 Routier Road
Dress up in your wildest costume and take the plunge at the Cordova Recreation and Park District's 2nd annual Polar Bear Plunge. All plungers must pledge a minimum of $10/person to benefit the Cordova Community Pool renovation project and the Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center. Warm up afterwards with free refreshments. A pancake breakfast will be sold inside the Senior Center for $5/person for ages 9 and up or $2/person for ages 8 and under. For more information, contact (916) 366-3133.
Rancho Cordova City Hall Closed - Monday, January 18th
City Hall will be closed in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As such, the regular City Council meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, January 19th.
SAVE THE DATES
A new year brings plenty of new adventures for Rancho Cordova! A wide-range of fun family activities are planned, including longtime favorites like Kids Day and Rancho Cordova Fourth of July, concerts and art exhibits, and so much more. The fun begins soon!
March 3:
Aloha Rancho Cordova
March 11:
Volunteer Awards
April 14:
Artist Reception
April 23:
Cordova Community Classic Golf Tournament
April 30:
Kids Day in the Park
April 30: Rebuilding Together's Volunteer Rebuild Day
May 14: iFest International Festival
June 3, 10, 17 & 24: Moonlight Movies at Village Green
July 3-4:
Rancho Cordova Fourth of July
July 21:
Artist Reception
Aug. 5, 12, 19 & 26, Sept. 2:
Summer Concerts
Aug. 18: Rancho Cordova Chamber Business Expo
Sept. 10:
Rancho Cordova Athletic Association Sports Hall of Fame
Sept. 24 & 25: California Capital Airshow
Sept. 30:
Rancho Cordova Chamber Golf Tournament
Oct. 1-31:
Heartstoppers Haunted House
Oct. 13:
Artist Reception
Nov. 10:
State of the City
Nov. 17:
Holiday Craft Boutique
Nov. 27:
Christmas Tree Lighting
Stay tuned to Fresh News for the latest event information.
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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Did you know that there are 13 higher education institutions in Rancho Cordova? From fashion design to construction to music production, Rancho Cordova's schools have a lot to offer. This issue, we are highlighting four of them.
Highlands Community Charter School
The Highlands Community Charter School offers a free high school diploma program to adults ages 22 and older. Students can start with a Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED) or simply with unfinished high school credits. The school has recently expanded from Del Paso Heights with a second location in Rancho Cordova in partnership with Sacramento County and Volunteers of America.
Enrollment is open year-round due to the varying lengths of programs. Students are required to attend school Monday through Friday for six hours a day. Also offered are electives like Class A Truck Driving, career building, and office and software skills. Courses for English as a Second Language (ESL) students are also available.
Students can sign up online. Once enrolled, students will attend an orientation, take an assessment test, create an educational plan with their counselor, and register for classes. Learn More
Agee Fashion Institute
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| Founder Constance Agee (left) and Priscilla Xayaphet, who earned the AFIT Concept to Consumer Mix certificate. |
Agee Fashion Institute (AFI) is a private art institute at 11275 Sunrise Gold Circle, Suite A. Students can earn certificates in fashion design, merchandising, and entrepreneurship for a fraction of the cost of other design schools. Student class sizes are smaller to provide personal interaction and assistance from the instructors, and internal internships are guaranteed. The school focuses on practical application to ensure that students leave with both the confidence and the skills needed to succeed in the fashion industry.
AFI also offers Accelerated Open Institute classes that are designed to provide non-traditional students with a shorter alternative to the programs that are typically long-term. Classes are available in the morning and evenings for convenience to the students.
Registration for the spring semester is open! Learn More
 Folsom Lake College
In October 2015, Folsom Lake College's new Rancho Cordova Center opened. The new facility is over 24,000 square feet of instructional space that includes a student learning center with a computer lab and nine classrooms. The Rancho Cordova Center is located across the street from the Mather Field/Mills light rail station, at the corner of Mather Field Road/Paseo Drive and Folsom Boulevard.
Around 2,500 students will be able to enroll each semester in a variety of classes. This spring, the center is open and ready to use. Classes start the week of January 16th, 2016 and it's not too late to sign up! Learn More
California Northstate University
The former site of Heald College at 2910 Prospect Park Drive is now occupied by California Northstate University's College of Health Sciences. The college has a pharmacy and a medical school in Elk Grove. The Rancho Cordova location provides a new undergraduate program for students interested in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and other health professions. It also offers a bachelor's of science degree in health sciences in human biology, biopsychology, or health science administration. The college is now open! Learn More
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