STATE OF THE CITY

Mayor David Sander presented his State of the City Address on November 10, 2016, summarizing  all that has been accomplished in the City of Rancho Cordova this past year. View Mayor Sander's full speech in the video above or click here to view his Prezi presentation.
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS IN CORDOVA

Make dreams come true and help a child in need this holiday season! The Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD) needs volunteers, gifts, and Christmas cookies for the annual Christmas in Cordova event on December 17th.

If you would like to volunteer, fill out the Volunteer Questionnaire and provide it to RCPD by:
  • Mail or deliver it to Heidi Herrera, RCPD, 2897 Kilgore Road 
  • Fax to (916) 875-9673 
  • Email to hherrera@sacsheriff.com
RANCHO CORDOVA POLICE CHIEF RETIRING

Rancho Cordova Police Department Chief Michael Goold announced that he will be retiring at the end of December 2016. Chief Goold has been with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for 23 years, serving as the Police Chief in Rancho Cordova during the last three years. 

"Chief Goold has been the best kind of law enforcement leader, policing with both an eye toward the public safety, as well as a heart toward building community," said Mayor David Sander.  "We wish Chief Goold well in his retirement, and thank him for his excellent service to our community."

INFORMATION ON PROPOSITIONS 64 & 67

During the November 8th election, California voters approved Proposition 64, which legalizes the recreational use of marijuana in California. Voters also approved Proposition 67, which bans single-use plastic bags in California. We have received questions regarding how these propositions will affect the City of Rancho Cordova. Both initiatives went into effect immediately.

The proposition does not generally change the current regulations relating to marijuana in the City of Rancho Cordova. For example, it is still illegal to grow marijuana outdoors anywhere in the City, and it is still illegal to smoke marijuana anywhere in the City where smoking is prohibited. Click here for more information.

Proposition 67 prohibits large grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores and liquor stores in the City of Rancho Cordova from providing single-use plastic bags to customers effective immediately. This will be an adjustment for many local shoppers. Click here for more information.


HOLIDAY TIPS

Water-Wise Tips for the Holidays

Lots of family, friends, and delicious food over the holidays can add up to lots of dirty dishes. And all that dishwashing can use much more water than everyday use. Follow these tips to conserve water:
  • Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, put food scraps into the garbage can or the composting bin (if plant-based).
  • Scrape dirty dishes clean instead of using water to rinse them before loading them into the dishwasher.
  • Run the dishwasher only when full - you'll save both water AND energy. Use the "light wash" setting, which can cut water use by 55 percent and work just as well for most loads.
Recipe for a FOG-Free Holiday

During the holiday season, your sewer pipes have a 70% greater chance of a blockage and backup. Reduce that risk by properly disposing of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) during your holiday cooking and year-round.
Here's a simple three-step recipe for a FOG-free  holiday:
  • Can it! Once cooled, pour leftover oils and grease into a sturdy container, like an empty coffee can or glass jar.
  • Scrape it! Before washing pots, pans, and dishes, scrape all fats, oils, and grease into the trash.
  • Trash it! Dump all fatty and greasy food scraps in the garbage, not down the drain.
Learn more about how to Stop the Clog by visiting www.stoptheclog.com. If you have a sewer problem, call the Sacramento Area Sewer District at (916) 875-6730.


'TIS THE SEASON TO RECYCLE

The City of Rancho Cordova and Republic Services (Rancho Cordova's waste and recycling provider) encourage you to follow these simple steps to recycle holiday materials and trees this winter season. 

Place these items in your recycle cart:

Batteries (in a ziploc bag and placed on top of your recycling cart) Magazines Cardboard (toy backing and boxes)
Paper shopping bags Catalogs Plastic bags (in a single bag tied shut)
Envelopes Shoe boxes Gift bags and boxes
Tissue paper Holiday cards (non-musical) Wrapping paper

Place these items in your trash cart:
  • Bubble wrap
  • Sticky gift labels
  • Ribbons, tape, and bows
  • Styrofoam (packing peanuts, packaging, etc.)
  • Tree ornaments and decorations
Click here to learn more about holiday treecycling, string light recycling, and battery recycling.  For additional information, call Republic Services at (916) 638-9000.


SUPPORT OUR FURRY FRIENDS

Our furry friends need your help! The City of Rancho Cordova is sponsoring Rio's Pet Outreach, a yearly collection for dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals in need this holiday season.

Items can be dropped off at Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive, and at Neighborhood Services, 2880 Gold Tailings Court, through Friday, December 23rd, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

For the full wish list and more information, click here  or call (916) 851-8770.


VOLUNTEER AWARD NOMINATIONS NEEDED

Do you know a great volunteer? The Cordova Community Council is seeking nominations for outstanding volunteer efforts. Winners will be honored at the 18th Annual Community Awards event, scheduled for March 10th at Rancho Cordova City Hall.

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. Nominate a volunteer by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 3rd.


CALL FOR ARTISTS

Calling all artists! Zoom In, an upcoming art show by Rancho Cordova Arts, will feature artwork that takes a close-up look at the world, so zoom in on something interesting! Artists must drop off their work at Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive, for jurying on Tuesday, January 10th, from 11 a.m. to  6 p.m. This show will run from January 23rd through April 7th and local artist Marsha Mason will be the juror. 

Are you an artist? Get involved in Rancho Cordova's arts community by signing up on the Rancho Cordova Artist Database.

Now Open
InterCoast College
9738 Lincoln Village Drive

Mi Rancho
10669 Coloma Road

Cali Bowl Teriyaki
10673 Coloma Road

Taiko Sushi
11291 Folsom Boulevard

Coming Soon
Huong Lan
10145 Folsom Boulevard

Strad Meadery
Mercantile Road

Thin Line Brewing Company
White Rock Road & Fitzgerald Road

Red Dragon
Capital Village

Bridgeway Square Apartments
Disk Drive and Bridgeway Drive

Zinfandel Village Shopping Center - facade renovation
Olson Drive

Taco Bell - facade renovation
Zinfandel Drive & Olson Drive

Sunridge Plaza
Sunrise Boulevard & Douglas Road
This shopping center will feature Great Clips, Jimboy's Tacos, Go 4 Pizza, Sunridge Nail Spa, Arco AM/PM, NG Cleaners, Pacific Dental Services, and Raley's
STAY AN HOUR AFTER WORK

Do you want to avoid rush hour traffic and have fun doing it? We've come up with a list of things to do to inspire you to stay in Rancho Cordova for an hour after work. Here are a few ideas from the list:

Entertainment
Parkwest Casino Cordova
2801 Prospect Park Drive

Karaoke Gangnam Style
10971 Olson Drive

Happy Hour
Root of Happiness
1949 Zinfandel Drive
Every day,  4 - 7 p.m.

Fire Rock Grille
11275 Folsom Boulevard
Monday - Friday,  3 - 6 p.m.

The Lodge (Parkwest Casino Cordova)
2801 Prospect Park Drive
Monday - Friday,  4 - 7 p.m. & 10 p.m. - midnight

Do you have ideas of fun ways to stay an hour in Rancho Cordova after work?
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Rancho Cordova's own Free Form Factory Inc. won a Sacramento Region Innovation Award from the Sacramento Business Journal in the Advanced Manufacturing Category!  Free Form Factory  engineered a cutting-edge manufacturing technology to build high-performance jet skis that are one of a kind. Congratulations, Free Form!

Agee Fashion Institute, a private art institute in Rancho Cordova, is recruiting for a free community program. AFI-Preparatory Academy is an extension of Agee Fashion Institute with the goal of encouraging youth to explore careers in the fashion industry and to provide a pathway to post-secondary education, which makes students more marketable for employment in the fashion world. Apply here by December 17th to enroll in the AFI-Preparatory Academy.
NEW BOOKS FOR WILLIAMSON STUDENTS
 
Cindy Mongan, a longtime Rancho Cordova resident, asked for children's books for her 70th birthday.  Why? To give to the students at Williamson Elementary! 
 
"Reading is crucial " Cindy said. "Reading is a gift that keeps on giving."
 
Students at Williamson who participate in the Community Readers program got to choose a book and plush toy from Cindy and her husband Kevin. Every student involved in Community Readers not only has a volunteer reading tutor, they also receive books that they get to keep. Learn more about Community Readers.
SPRING SEMESTER AT FOLSOM LAKE COLLEGE

Registration for spring classes is underway at Folsom Lake College. A variety of general education, university transfer, and personal enrichment courses - offered on campus and online - are available. Save your spot by registering now!

The spring semester kicks off the week of January 14, 2017 and runs through May 17, 2017. Other shorter-term or "Fast-Track" classes begin throughout the semester. Classes are offered at the Rancho Cordova Center, the main Folsom campus, the El Dorado Center in Placerville, and online. 

FARM-TO-FORK STUDENTS

At George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science, nature is the textbook. Students work in the garden sowing seeds, weeding, harvesting the vegetables, and picking fruit from the orchard. Their Farm-to-Fork class prepares the harvest into a variety of foods in their "Kitchen on Wheels." This year, peppers were bountiful and were transformed into grilled pepper poppers.  The orchard also produced bushels of apples and students fed the community with delicious apple crisp pastries.
 
If you are interested in learning more about George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science, a Waldorf-inspired high school right here in Rancho Cordova, visit the website or attend their next Visit Day on Tu esday, December 13th from 8:30 - 10 a.m.
PAL HOLIDAY RUN

Run for a good cause! The Rancho Cordova Police Activities League (PAL) is holding its annual Holiday Run on Saturday, December 10th, to benefit youth in our community.  Run registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the races kick off at 8:30 a.m. at Village Green Park, 3141 Bridgeway Drive.  Register for the 1.2 mile walk/run, 5K, or 10K run, and be sure to bring an unwrapped toy to support Christmas in Cordova.

Take a photo with Santa, get your face painted, dance around with the Sacramento Children's Museum's mascot Leo, and munch on a Chick-fil-A sandwich at this fun holiday event!  Learn More
HOLIDAY MUSIC IN THE AIR
 
It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas.... Don't miss any of these performances that are sure to put you in a jolly mood .
  • The Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band kicks off the music on Saturday, December 10th, at 2 p.m. with "A Wonderful Christmas." The band will perform holiday favorites in the Cordova High School Performing Arts Center, 2239 Chase Drive.
  • The Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra gets into the Christmas spirit on Friday, December 16th at River City Christian Church, 10933 Progress Court.  "Expressions of Joy" starts at 7:30 p.m. and will feature solo vocalists, the River City Christian Choir, and even a harmonica virtuoso. 
  • Sunrise Elementary School, 11821 Cobble Brook Drive, will host their Winter Music and Choir Performance on Tuesday, December 20th from 6:30 - 7 p.m. This year's concert will highlight the school's beginning music program, as well as the growing school choir with classic carols to get everyone in the spirit of the holidays.
Off the Grid Food Truck Lunch - Every Thursday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
Off the Grid Sacramento brings a pop-up food market with rotating local food trucks to our City each week. From gyros to burgers to lobster rolls, they've got you covered. December 22nd will be the last day in 2016 to enjoy the food truck lunch! Don't miss it!

Camp Cordova Winter Break Camp 
Hagan Community Center, 2197 Chase Drive
This camp is a great way to keep kids busy while school is out for the holidays! The enthusiastic and experienced staff will lead children from K-5th grades in activities such as arts and crafts, sports, cooking projects, games, and fun. There are two sessions available for kiddos to participate in:  December 19th to December 23rd and December 26th to December 30th, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Learn More

H.Y.D.E Out Winter Break Camp
Hagan Community Center, 2197 Chase Drive
This winter program is for teens looking to meet new friends, explore life skills, and have fun. Each weekly session includes team building and leadership activities, as well as games that build self-confidence and self-esteem. There are two sessions available for kids from 6th-10th grades to participate in: December 19th to December 23rd and December 26th to December 30th, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Learn More

Reindeer Games Luncheon- Friday, December 9th, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
The Rancho Cordova Luncheon gets a little silly when the podium is cleared for the annual Reindeer Games. Tickets are $12 for members of the Cordova Community Council and Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce; non-member tickets are $20.  Rock your ugly Christmas sweater and compete for the top prize of a Southwest Airlines gift card sure to inspire a holiday visit or set a 2017 trip into motion. Buy Tickets

Holiday Pop-Up Art Gallery - Friday, December 9th - Sunday, December 11th, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
3161 Zinfandel Drive, Suite 4
Stop by the Holiday Pop-Up Art Gallery at Capital Village and shop Rancho Cordova's finest local art. Explore and purchase watercolors, oils and acrylics, pottery, and more!   Plus, enjoy a special Artists Reception on December 4th from noon - 5 p.m. featuring live music and refreshments.   Learn More

Anatolia Family Taekwondo Holiday Community Event - Saturday, December 10th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Anatolia Family Taekwondo, 2951 Sunrise Boulevard, Suite 120
Bring your family to this festive event and take a free picture with Santa! Enjoy free kids activities like a letter-to-Santa writing station, an inflatable boxing ring, an exciting raffle, and a chance to meet the Mayor of Rancho Cordova, David Sander! Click here to download your coupon for five free raffle tickets and bring it to the event to win big!

Anatolia II Parent Meeting - Monday, December 12th, 6 - 7 p.m.
Sunrise Elementary School, 11821 Cobble Brook Drive
Join Elk Grove Unified School District for an informational meeting for all parents about Anatolia II, the new year-round school set to open in July of 2017. Learn more about important topics including the school calendar, track selection, construction progress, and a brief introduction to the school vision. Learn More

Rental Housing Education Workshop - Friday, December 16th, 8 a.m. - Noon
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive
Join the City of Rancho Cordova Neighborhood Services Division for an educational meeting for property owners, residents, and management companies. Take away useful tips, techniques, and materials to help you effectively manage and maintain rental properties in the City of Rancho Cordova. Register

City Council Regular Meeting - Monday, December 19th, 5:30 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall, 2729 Prospect Park Drive

Please note that City Hall will be closed from Monday, December 26th through Friday, December 30th in observance of the holidays.
SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

Elk Grove Unified School District Registration - Thursday, January 5th, 7:30 a.m.
Registration  for kindergarten students for the 2017-2018 school year begins on January 5th at your home elementary school. Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2017. Registration packets are available at your home school. Learn More

Polar Bear Plunge - Saturday, January 7th, 8 - 10 a.m.
Lincoln Village Pool & Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center, 3450 Routier Road
Party like it's 32 degrees! Dress up in your wildest costume and take the plunge at Cordova Recreation and Park District's third annual Polar Bear Plunge. Register by December 7th to receive a free t-shirt (adult sizes only). Learn More

Sunrise Elementary School Presents "Wizard of Oz" - Wednesday, January 25th and Thursday, January 26th, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Sunrise Elementary School, 11821 Cobble Brook Drive
Don't miss Sunrise Elementary School's annual musical performance!
 
 
We love hearing from our residents! Let us know how you're  getting a FRESH TAKE on Rancho Cordova today!
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