FOLSOM RENAISSANCE FAIRE RETURNS

This living history event transports guests back in time to a 16th century English village with hundreds of costumed entertainers, artisan crafts and wares, and a variety of tasty food and drink. Jousting tournaments take place both days of the faire, featuring riders in full suits of armor riding on sturdy draft horses. The Faire takes place in Folsom City Lions Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. September 23 and 24. Tickets are available by advance online purchase only; no tickets will be sold at the gate. Visit folsomfaire.com for tickets and more event details.

NEW WAY TO REPORT ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS

In addition to being a costly item for stores to replace, carts removed from store parking lots can be a potential hazard and are a blight to the community. Persons removing shopping carts from private property can be issued a criminal citation if caught in the possession of a cart. The City of Folsom is committed to keeping city streets, sidewalks, parks, trails, and open spaces clean. A new pilot program allows residents to report abandoned shopping carts to our vendor by text, phone, or online 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The carts will be removed within 48 hours of the report. To report an abandoned cart, text or call 800-913-5639, or file a report online.

FOLSOM POLICE DEPARTMENT URGES RESIDENTS TO RIDE E-BIKES AND E-SCOOTERS SAFELY 

E-bikes, e-scooters, motorized bikes, and mopeds are all the rage. Because these bikes, scooters, and motorcycles are self-propelled, their use is governed by the California Vehicle Code and each type has its own rules about who can drive or ride them and where they can be ridden. Stay safe and know the rules before you go! Find information about these vehicles and the rules of the road at www.folsom.ca.us/ebikes-escooters.   

VOLUNTEERS SHINE AT COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY!

More than 1,800 volunteers took part in the 10th annual Community Service Day Saturday, September 16. Volunteers of all ages completed 34 community projects, helping to beautify parks, trails, and schools; assembled care packages for active duty military service members; collected and sorted food donations; and assisted local nonprofit organizations. Dedicated volunteers also completed 71 projects for the Neighbors Helping Seniors initiative, helping to complete a variety of repairs and outdoor tasks for many thankful senior residents.

Folsom residents generously contributed to the Community Service Day donation drives, including:

• 28 tons of food for the Twin Lakes Food Bank
• 35 youth and adult bicycles to be refurbished for community members in need
• 1,000+ toys for the Happy Smiles Toy Drive 
• 2 truckloads of pet supplies for the Sacramento SPCA and Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary
• 400+ pairs of eyeglasses for the Folsom Vision Project
• 45+ bags of yarn and fabric for the Hooks N Needles program
• 99 purses for Julie’s Purse Project
• Plus a variety of other needed supplies for local nonprofit organizations

Community Service Day is organized by the City of Folsom, local businesses, and community organizations. The event was made possible this year thanks to the sponsorship support from Intel, Dignity Health, Lennar, Folsom Times, Lakeside Church, Style Media Group, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Rotary Club of Folsom, The Folsom Telegraph, Dokken Engineering, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento, Kaiser Permanente, American Logowear, Elliott Homes, Kikkoman, WinCo, Choose Folsom, SAFE Credit Union, Sierra Marlins, CynSational Aesthetics, American River Ace Hardware, and Big Wave Coffee House.

TRADERS LANE PARKING LOT PROJECT UPDATE

An improvement project is underway at the Traders Lane Parking Lot in Historic Folsom. The project, located along Leidesdorff Street, between Riley Street and Wool Street, is designed to improve safety, vehicle circulation, aesthetics, and accessibility for community members and visitors. The project is expected to last approximately one month.

The Traders Lane Parking Lot is an essential public parking space in the Folsom Historic District. Over time, it has endured wear and tear from regular use. The parking lot will be resurfaced, and crews will restripe the parking spaces according to current state guidelines, also adding dedicated commercial loading spots for local vendors. The entrance/exit closest to Riley Street will be removed to improve safety and traffic circulation. All future traffic will enter and exit the lot from Wool Street. An additional dumpster enclosure will be added to service the businesses of Sutter Street.

The improvement project will include the installation of new concrete tree wells housing new trees and landscape irrigation. This week, crews removed 12 mulberry trees that were nearing the end of their expected lifespan. In their place, 13 new drought-tolerant and parking lot-appropriate trees will be replanted this fall. The new trees will allow better streetlight distribution for increased safety while continuing to contribute to the vibrance of Historic Folsom as they grow. 

During the project, the parking stalls nearest the buildings will remain accessible, while all other parking stalls and vehicle circulation areas will be closed. Motorists are encouraged to utilize the parking structure located at the intersection of Leidesdorff Street and Reading Street or seek available parking in other public lots within the Historic District.

For more information, contact Assistant Civil Engineer Shane Rush at 916-461-6706 or srush@folsom.ca.us.

LIBRARY OFFERS FREE TEST PREPARATION SOFTWARE FOR ACT, SAT, AND AP TESTS

The Folsom Public Library can help you meet your college and career goals with free test preparation software. Learning Express is an online college and career preparation program that allows students to take practice exams and learn test-taking strategies for the PSAT, ACT, SAT, AP, and other college and career readiness tests. Sign up through our Teen School Resources page or ask the library staff for more information. This resource is available thanks to funding provided by the State of California and administered by the California State Library. 

FALL FOR COMPOSTING

Fall is a great time to set up a backyard compost system. Here are simple steps to get started:

1. Select location and composting bin. Choose a convenient spot that provides enough space for a 3’x3’x3’ pile, room for turning the pile, and a water source nearby. Compost bins can be purchased or be built from scrap materials such as pallets and chicken wire.
2. Gather organic matter. A healthy compost pile has about a 3:1 ratio by volume of brown carbon-rich material (dried leaves, twigs and branches, wood chips, and cardboard) to green nitrogen-rich material (food scraps, fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, pesticide-free yard clippings). Avoid adding meat and dairy products, and instead bag these items in a clear plastic or compostable bag and place them in your Green Bin.
3. Turn compost and keep it moist. A compost bin requires moisture to begin and maintain a healthy microbial presence, which allows the decomposition process to take place. Water the compost at least once a week and monitor to ensure that it is staying moist. Turn and mix the compost to aerate the pile once a week in the summer or more if you want your compost to be ready earlier.

Within 8 to 12 months, compost will be ready for use in your garden beds and yards to add nutrients and improve soil texture and water retention. Learn more about backyard composting at a free workshop hosted by the City of Folsom and the Twin Lakes Food Bank from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, October 13 at the Twin Lakes Food Bank Garden, 320 Montrose Drive. Attendees must park in the Eastside parking lot at Mount Olive Church. Email recycle@folsom.ca.us with questions. 

City of Folsom Communications Director

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

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