DISASTER RELIEF FUNDING AVAILABLE

If your home or business was damaged in the recent storms, you may be eligible for federal aid. Eligibility varies depending on which type of assistance you are seeking. View the eligibility criteria. Apply for FEMA disaster relief online.

Local Tax Relief. If your property sustained damage totaling more than $10,000 due to a fire, flood, or disaster, you may be eligible for property tax relief. Learn more on the Sacramento County Assessor's Calamity Property Tax Relief webpage.

FOLSOM FIREFIGHTERS HONORED FOR DOG RESCUE

Congressman Kevin Kiley visited Folsom Fire Department Station 35 to award certificates of congressional recognition to firefighters who went “above and beyond the call of duty” after saving the life of a local dog.

Kiley formally recognized the firefighters for rescuing and providing immediate care to a dog that was limp, lethargic, and suffered burns. The dog was rescued from a structure fire in the Historic District.

He also awarded the congressional honor to Julia Romanelli, a Girl Scout in 10th grade, who donated pet oxygen masks to the department in late 2020 as part of her “silver award” project that aims to make a lasting difference in the community. She was inspired to make the donation after learning that fire departments are not permitted to use tax dollars to purchase equipment that isn't aimed at saving human lives. The only way they can get the pet oxygen masks is through donations.

WEEKEND LIGHT RAIL SERVICE DISRUPTION ON SACRT GOLD LINE 

Construction on SacRT’s Light Rail Modernization Project will require a service disruption on the Gold Line from Saturday, February 4 through Sunday, February 5. The project will modernize the light rail system with new low-floor light rail vehicles, updated station platforms, and a “passing track” in Folsom. The first light rail station to be modified is the 59th Street Station in Sacramento. As a result of construction efforts, the station will be temporarily closed the weekend of February 4-5.

The closure will impact light rail travel on the Gold Line. A bus bridge (buses travel between stations) will be in place between the 29th Street and Power Inn light rail stations from the start of morning service Saturday, February 4 through end of service day Sunday, February 5. Normal light rail service will resume Monday, February 6.

LEGO BUILDING CONTEST RETURNS TO THE FOLSOM PUBLIC LIBRARY

Put your LEGO building skills to the challenge in the 4th Annual Folsom Public Library LEGO Building Contest! LEGO enthusiasts are invited to submit their best original creations for competition or visit the library to see the creations and vote for their favorites.

Entries are due to the Folsom Public Library beginning Tuesday, February 21 through 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25. Judging will take place 1 p.m. Saturday, February 25, and the public is invited to view the entries and cast votes for their favorite in each age group.

For more information and the rules for the LEGO competition, visit the library

website at www.folsom.ca.us/library.

GALLERY AT 48 NATOMA HOSTS “COMMENTARIES IN CLOTH” EXHIBIT RECEPTION JANUARY 27

The gallery’s new “Commentaries in Cloth” exhibit showcases quilt collages by Pixeladies (Deb Cashatt and Kris Sazaki) and fiber sculpture by Susan Else. The adjacent Community Gallery displays small art quilts by Quartz, a mini-group from the Folsom Quilt and Fiber Guild.

The exhibit reception is open from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 27. The public is invited to attend the free reception to meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments and live music. The exhibit continues in the gallery through April 6.



The professional art gallery is located in the 48 Natoma Senior and Art Center; the gallery’s regular hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Call 916-461-6601 for more information.

NATURE SEMINAR: GAME NIGHT

Wild Game of the Hinkle Creek Nature Area

Join presenter Jason Fareira, with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 8 to learn about some of the more commonly sighted wildlife in the region. The seminar will include an overview of the natural history of several species, some of the programs and projects CDFW is involved with, and the role we all play to be good neighbors and stewards of our wild communities. This educational program is presented in partnership with the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA). The seminar will be held at the Rotary Clubhouse, 7150 Baldwin Dam Road. Registration fee is $5/person; ages 10 through adult are welcome to attend. Learn more and register; call 916-461-6601 with questions.

ONE-DAY BASEBALL SKILLS CAMP

Learn to play baseball the Smokey’s way! This one-day camp takes place on the President’s Day school break, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, February 20. Experienced coaches will lead kids ages 7 to 13 years through a variety of drills to learn and develop advanced-level hitting, throwing, and defensive skills. The action is fun and fast-paced, and will help players advance their skills for the upcoming season. Registration is limited; reserve your spot online today! Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

FOLSOM SENIOR CENTER HOSTS FREE FINANCIAL SCAM AWARENESS WORKSHOP

Join Luz Johnson, financial advisor with LPL Financial, to learn how to identify potential financial scams that target seniors. The workshop, Be Money Smart: Protect Yourself from Becoming a Scam Victim, takes place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 3 at the Folsom Senior Center, 48 Natoma Street. You’ll learn about some of the more common scams that exist and the tools and practices you can use to keep your financial business safe. The workshop is free for ages 55+; advance registration is mandatory. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSES JANUARY 31

Folsom Parks & Recreation’s Fun Factory Preschool and Kindergarten Readiness programs are hosting open houses from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 31.

Fun Factory offers separate classes for 3- and 4-year-olds; classrooms are located at 52 Natoma Street (inside the Folsom Community Center) and 66 Clarksville Road (inside the Andy Morin Sports Complex).

Kindergarten Readiness is for 4-year-olds; the classroom is located inside the sports complex at 66 Clarksville Road.

Parents can visit any–or all–of the classrooms to meet the wonderful teachers, ask questions, and determine which program and class best suits your child. Registration for the 2022-23 school year opens February 7. Learn more about the preschool programs online or call 916-461-6601 with questions.

• Cash for grass turf replacement program. Receive $1 per square foot of turf replaced, up to a maximum of $2,000.
• High-Efficiency Toilets. Replace older, higher volume per flush toilets with toilets that use 1.25 gallons per flush. Receive 50% of the material cost up to $175.
• Irrigation Efficiency Upgrades. Upgrade your existing sprinkler system by replacing inefficient equipment with newer models, including controllers, sprinkler heads, and drip irrigation. Receive 50% of the material cost up to $500.
• Rachio Wi-Fi Irrigation Controllers. A direct purchase program directly from the manufacturer. Water customers pay just $75 for the latest technology in irrigation controllers.
• Flume home water monitoring system. A direct purchase program directly from the manufacturer. Pay just $75 for a home water monitoring system that allows customers to track indoor and outdoor water use in real-time.  

To learn more about these programs, visit www.folsom.ca.us/rebates. For more information, contact the City of Folsom Water Conservation Division at 916-461-6177 or waterconservation@folsom.ca.us.

MAINTAINING YOUR TREES CAN HELP PREVENT TREE-RELATED STORM DAMAGE

Early 2023 brought back-to-back storms, high winds, and damaged and toppled trees. Trees that received regular maintenance and inspection by professional arborists sustained far less storm-related damage than those without a routine tree maintenance program.

Hiring an ISA-certified arborist to perform routine tree inspections and pruning maintenance can help identify and prevent issues like disease, rot, dead branches, and weak points. Learn more tips about hiring certified arborists.

If one of your trees does need to be removed, you can consider donating the tree or branches to an urban wood recycling program to help give it a second life. Visit Urban Wood Rescue to learn how to donate your tree so it can be milled and reused. 

City of Folsom Communications Director

Christine Brainerd | cbrainerd@folsom.ca.us | 916-461-6013 (office)

Get connected. Stay informed.

City of Folsom | 50 Natoma Street | www.folsom.ca.us