Folsom Parks & Recreation reminds families to monitor the temperature of playground equipment before allowing children to touch, climb, swing, or slide. Even if outdoor temperatures are moderate, someone should always do a touch-test before allowing kids to play on any outdoor equipment. On warm days, visit the playground earlier in the morning before play surfaces get hot, or later in the evening after they’ve cooled down. Also, children should keep their shoes on while playing.

The city’s three spray parks—located at Kemp, Livermore, and Nisenan parks—are a fun way for kids to actively cool off on hot days. The spray features are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through the end of September.

Reading to young children builds vocabulary, language skills, and helps prepare them with the skills they need for school while promoting a lifelong love of books and reading. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an early literacy library program that encourages families and caregivers to read 1,000 books with their young children before they start kindergarten. Families receive incentives after every 100 books read, and upon completion, receive a book, a backpack, and a certificate. Reading just three books a day will get families to their goal in a year!



Register online at folsom.beanstack.org.

There is hope. People experiencing mental health crises need to remember just three numbers to dial for help: 988. The 988 Lifeline provides free, confidential support to people experiencing suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The Lifeline is available 24/7 and helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day.

The new federal number, which is available throughout California and eventually throughout the country—is billed as an alternative to 911 for people experiencing mental health emergencies. The new number makes it simpler for people in crisis to tap into the state’s network of 13 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call centers.

People can call, text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. The 988 Lifeline serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.

The new citywide Green Bin program is underway, and together, we are putting food waste in its place! If you have not yet had the chance to pick up a free kitchen pail and begin collecting organic waste, you are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming kitchen pail giveaway events. The Recycling Team will be on hand to provide information about the Green Bin program and ready to answer any questions you may have.

• Tuesday, September 6, and Wednesday, September 7, 1 to 5 p.m., Folsom Public Library

• Tuesday, October 4, 1 to 5 p.m., Folsom Public Library

• Saturday, October 15, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Historic Folsom Farmer’s Market

Future events will be posted to the city website calendar as they are scheduled. Learn more at www.folsom.ca.us/organics.

The Folsom Fire and Police departments will host a 9/11 remembrance gathering to honor all those who lost their lives and commemorate the ultimate sacrifices made by first responders. The gathering will begin promptly at 8:46 a.m. Sunday, September 11, at Folsom City Lions Park.

The Rolling Hills Blue Star Moms are hosting a one-day donation drive to collect items for overseas military service members. The items will be assembled and packaged at this year’s Community Service Day event.

The drive-thru donation drive will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 9 at two Folsom locations:

• Folsom City Hall, 50 Natoma Street
• Steve Miklos Aquatic Center, 1200 Riley Street

Needed items include:

• Single-serving instant coffee (Starbucks Via)
• Protein bars
• Turkey and beef jerky
• Single-serve instant oatmeal packets
• Toothbrushes and travel-sized toothpaste
• AA and AAA batteries

Find more information and a complete list of most-needed items at www.rollinghillsbluestarmoms.org.

Folsom Parks & Recreation’s Fun Factory Preschool has a limited number of openings in the classes for 4-year-olds. Class is held from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; classrooms are located at the Folsom Community Center and Andy Morin Sports Complex. Children must be age 4 by September 1, 2022 to be eligible to register. Learn more about the program and find answers to frequently asked questions online. Contact Whitney Kahn at 916-461-6612 or by email with questions.

Thousands of volunteers will complete dozens of projects Saturday, September 17 at the ninth annual Community Service Day. Folsom’s largest day of volunteerism mobilizes residents of all ages to complete projects throughout the city that make a positive, lasting impact. Community Service Day is organized by the City of Folsom, local businesses, and community organizations. The annual event is made possible thanks to generous sponsorship support from Intel, Lennar, the Folsom Telegraph, Style Media Group, Goodfellow Bros., Lakeside Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Rotary Club of Folsom, and other members of the business and service community.

Volunteers Needed for Neighbors Helping Seniors Projects

Volunteers are still needed to help with Community Service Day projects to help spruce up and repair the homes of local seniors in need. Learn more and register to volunteer at www.folsomcommunityservice.org.

Community Blood Drive

As part of Folsom Community Service Day, Vitalant is hosting a community blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 17 at the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma Street. Visit donors.vitalant.org and use code SMFM396 to schedule an appointment; walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows. For eligibility questions call Vitalant at 877-258-4825 or visit their website. Your blood donation can help save a life!

Community Service Day Drive-Through Donation Drive

Local organizations are collecting needed items from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 17. Donations can be dropped off at the drive-through at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway.

Items being collected for local community nonprofits include:

• Eyeglasses
• Shelter pet supplies
• Unused/outgrown youth and adult bicycles
• Purses
• Legos
• Toiletry items for all ages
• Gift wrapping supplies
• Yarn and fabric

Learn more about the participating organizations and needed items.

Citywide Food Drive

Folsom’s Community Service Day includes a citywide food drive to benefit the Twin Lakes Food Bank. Volunteers will drop off empty grocery bags and a list of needed food items to every household in Folsom. The volunteers will return the morning of Saturday, September 17 to pick up the bags of food donations left in view of the street.

Top items needed:

• Cereal and oatmeal
• Canned tuna and chicken
• Soup and chili
• Pasta and rice
• Canned fruit, vegetables, and beans
• Nutrition supplement drinks (Ensure)
• Macaroni and cheese

Learn more at www.folsomcommunityservice.org/citywide-food-drive. 

Folsom Parks & Recreation offers a new foundational singing class for boys and girls ages 7 to 10. Students will develop their singing skills and self-confidence as they learn a fun repertoire of popular Broadway tunes from Newsies and the Lion King. Instructor Judy Britts, artistic director of the Northern California Children’s Chorus, provides classical vocal training that’s upbeat and age-appropriate. Class is held from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Thursdays from September 15 through October 6. Learn more and register.

Bill Corley presents “How to Avoid the Tax Bombs in Your Retirement” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 7. The workshop for ages 50+ includes a discussion of how taxes affect your savings, withdrawals, and Social Security benefits in retirement. A question and answer period is also included. Bill Corley is a Certified Financial Planner and Retirement Income Certified Professional. His personal mission is to help people increase their retirement income while paying less in taxes. The workshop will be held at the Folsom Senor Center, 48 Natoma Street; a $5 registration fee is required. Learn more and register online or call 916-461-6601 with questions.

City administrative offices will be closed Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day. For urgent city issues, call 916-461-6400. Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.



• Garbage service will be provided as usual; please place your cans curbside by 6 a.m. on your regular day of service.
• Transit services will be available through the Folsom Stage Line operated by SacRT.
• The Folsom Public Library is closed.
• The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Andy Morin Sports Complex is closed.
• The Steve Miklos Aquatic Center is open for lap and recreation swim from 1 to 5 p.m.
• The FIDO Field Dog Park will be open from 7 a.m. to one hour after sunset.
• The Folsom Skate and Bike Parks are open from 1 to 5 p.m.
• The CAVE Teen Centers, Fun Factory Preschool, and Kindergarten Readiness are closed.
• The Folsom Senior Center, Folsom Art Center, and Gallery at 48 Natoma are closed.