03/22/2013 -- Help needed to bring community health facility to Esparto
Fellow community members;
A great opportunity has come to our community and I would like to invite your support. For a year now, some of us have been exploring ways to expand health care coverage in Esparto with access to a full service clinic for people who live and/or work in the area. As an employer, we wanted some place close where our employees could access to health care for both scheduled and emergency situations.
In the fall of 2012 We approached Winters Healthcare Foundation (WHF) with the request to open a sattillite facility in Esparto. WHF is know throughout the agricultural and rural communities as an shinning example of affordable health care for all ages; infants, children, adults, and elders. Local control and local ownership.
WHF is excited to take on a facility in Esparto and they are currently putting together a grant to fund the operation. They will be able to accept patients of all ages and economic levels. Their medical care coverage will include everything from fever and runny nose, to broken bones, to preventative medicine. A pharmacy would also be included.
At the same time, we have a commitment to build a state-of–the-art facility in cooperation with Mercy Housing. UCD teaching hospital would also like to get involved in the clinic for training doctors and medical personnel. They may also help with funding.
We need is a sign of community support from organizations, employers, and individuals to include with the grant. These letters need to be given to WHF by April 1 to be included with the grant application.
Click here to download a template letter of support for your organization. Click here to download a survey for individuals to complete asking where you go now for health care and how you would use this new facility. If you could complete them and return them, then something that used to be a dream may well be on its way to reality. They can be emailed to maya.m.walker@gmail.com, mailed to P.O. Box 799, Esparto, CA 95627, or dropped off at 16856 Yolo Avenue, Esparto. If you need them picked up please contact Lynn Rolston at (916) 425-0010.
10/25/2008 -- Refugee Family Finds Reward and Peace In The Land of the Free
Competing October 18 in the annual California State Grange Talent Contest, a family of Liberian refugees celebrated their salvation through traditional dance, spirited by the thunderous rhythms of African drums. Charged by their rousing performance, the panel of eight judges rewarded the Tarlesson family "Best In Show" out of sixteen finalist acts entered in the contest held at the Sacramento Holiday Inn Northeast. With the win, the Tarlesson family of sixteen dancers and drummers are eligible to represent the California State Grange at the National Grange competition November 15 in Cromwell, Connecticut.
To make a donation, send your check to Western Yolo Grange, 7909 Hwy 16, Brooks, CA 95606. If we aren’t able to make our target to send the family to Connecticut, the funds will be used to help them with their mission to send the goods to Liberia or we will return your check if you so request. For more information, phone Western Yolo Grange Lecturer Trudie Martin at (530) 796-3312 or email her at tmart@gvni.com.
The full press release is available here.
5/15/2008 -- High School Diplomas were awarded to Gale James Marlow, Sr., a Capay Valley resident and other Yolo County veterans.
4/11/2008 -- Veterans and Internment Camp Internees are able to receive Honorary High School Diplomas!
The Yolo County Office of Education is once again honored and proud to be able to award an honorary high school diploma to veterans of: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War; along with former pupils who were interned in the United States.
A high school diploma is and always has been a symbol of accomplishment. Because of the war, or because of internment by order of the federal government, many of our veterans or fellow citizens were not able to achieve this milestone. Senate Bill 1517 allows the County Office of Education to grant high school diplomas to these individuals.
Veterans, or internees, who resided in Yolo County during these wars and would have graduated from high school, are eligible to apply for an honorary high school diploma. You may request an application to participate in "Operation Recognition" in the following ways:
Call Patti Robles, 530-668-3755 to have an application mailed to you; or contact Patti through email: probles@ycoe.org or contact Gayle McLevich, 530-668-3710.
The application and verification of military eligibility or honorable discharge must be received at the Yolo County Office of Education no later than May 1, 2008. A ceremony to present these honorary diplomas is planned for Wednesday, May 14, 2008 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Yolo County Office of Education.
Diplomas may be awarded posthumously to the family of a veteran.
8/8/2007 -- Yolo County Gives Assistance To Buy First Home and Make Home Repairs
The County of Yolo has funding available for two housing programs: to help income eligible families buy their first house and to help existing eligible homeowners make necessary repairs to their homes. The County can provide down payment assistance to first time home buyers as a silent second loan for up to $80,000 at 3% simple interest with no additional loan fees.
Qualifying homeowners and owner investors with income qualified tenants interested in making home repairs can borrow up to $95,000 at 3-5% simple interest with no additional loan fees. Eligible repairs include, but are not limited to, water damage, leaky roofs, cracked foundations, heating and cooling system, broken windows, and handicap accessibility improvements. Mobile homes on permanent foundations or in mobile home parks are eligible for the County’s repair program.
Eligibility for the program is based upon gross household income adjusted to the household size. The home being purchased or repaired must be within the unincorporated areas of Yolo County, such as Brooks, Capay, Clarksburg, Dunnigan, El Macro, Esparto, Guinda, Knights Landing, Madison, Rumsey, Yolo, and Zamora. Please note that homes within the city limits of Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, and Woodland do not qualify for this program.
To see if you qualify and for full details about the Down Payment Assistance and/or Housing Rehabilitation Programs, please contact Mercy Housing California, the County’s nonprofit housing consultant, at 1-800-995-0431, ext 4412. Applications are available upon request on a first-come, first-serve basis. Funding is available through grants from the Department of Housing and Community Development CDBG and HOME programs. Se habla español
11/30/2004 -- LOW-INTEREST HOME REPAIR/IMPROVEMENT LOANS ADMINISTERED BY YOLO COUNTY
Mercy Housing is administering a CDBG-funded housing repair program for Yolo County. Basically, the county is interested in making low interest loans to homeowners in Yolo County that need to make code-related repairs and upgrades to their homes. The loan rates are below market and homeowners can borrow pretty large sums for work on their homes.
To be eligible the household has to be low-moderate income as defined below:
H/H size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Income | 33,700 | 38,550 | 43,350 | 48,150 | 52,000 |
Interested applicants should contact:
David Wilkinson, Community Development Specialist
Mercy Housing California
3120 Freeboard Drive, Suite 202
West Sacramento, CA. 95691
916-414-4419, 916-414-4492 Fax
5/23/2004 -- In the West Coast Wine Competition, held on April 16th at Fountaingrove Inn, Santa Rosa, Capay Valley Vineyards won Best of Class Gold for their Viognier 2003, a Silver for their 2002 Tempranillo and a Silver for their 2000 Syrah. Click here to see all the results. You'll find their contact information in the business listings on this site.
5/9/2003 -- DIXON-- The Teat Tuggers Trio of Capay Valley, Yolo County, lived up to its name by winning the Dixon May Fair’s annual Cowmilking Contest, a benefit for Bids for Kids.
The trio of Dru Rivers, Gwenaël Engelskirchen and Susan Monahan, all of Guinda, managed three and a half cups in three minutes.
In the “udderly challenging event,” they had to milk into a soda pop container. Each team member was allowed only one minute. The TT Trio competed with nine other teams, including the reigning “Got Milk?”champions from Napa; two peewee teams from Dixon, a trio of dairy goat milkers from the Elmira 4-H Club and Vacaville FFA (who acknowledged they know more about dairy goats than dairy cattle), and a trio from the Solano Cattlemen’s Association (who know more about beef cattle than dairy cattle). The reigning champions, the Robert Hertan Team of Napa, finished second with three cups. The team consisted of Brett Hertan, Karen Hertan and Al Schloezer. Last year the Hertan team, then sponsored by Assemblywoman Helen Thomson won the championship with 6 ½ cups of milks. The Hertan team also competed this year as the Eurasian Auto Works Team. PeeWee Team No. 2, comprised of Catie Emigh, Kassi Rasmussen and Ally Roberts, all of Dixon, finished third with 2 ½ cups. Finishing dead last in the 10-team lineup was the Royalty Court, comprised of Dixon May Fair queen Whitney Dragon of Fairfield, princess KC Brett Mertz of Dixon and junior princess Kelli Dragon of Fairfield. They received a meadow muffin (chocolate cow patty) for their efforts.
Among the teams competing was Team SLO, a trio of young women from Cal Poly. Amanda Irwin of Dixon convinced her Cal Poly colleagues, Lacy Amarante of Gustine and Lauren King of Petaluma to enter. Irwin competed for many years as a junior exhibitor at the Dixon May Fair. Kim Herinckx of Vacaville, an Oregon State University graduate, coached the team. They sported hats decorated with Holstein spots. Quipped one bystander: “Let’s give those Cal Poly girls a steer to milk and see if they know the difference.” Drumming up lots of interest were the Rebels of Dixon who emitted rebel yells before, during and after the event: Brian Carter, Josh Wright and Andrew Jacobs, on leave from the U.S. Navy. An enthusiastic Carter rolled up his shirt above the waist to improve his chances.
Among the other teams competing: Fletcher Farms, comprised of Dale Fletcher and his children, Amanda and Matthew of the Maine Prairie 4-H Club, Dixon (they finished second last year with five cups). The Jesus Rubacava Team with Jesus Rubacava of Dixon and Phillip Carter and Julian Rodriguez, both of Davis. The Dairy Goatmilkers, with 4-H’ers Carolyn and Ben Stark and Vicky Furman of the Vacaville FFA. Solano Cattlemen’s Association: Jeff Dittmer, Martin Emigh and Ross Rasmussen, coached by Randy Baptiste. PeeWee Team: Sarah Emigh, Bridgett Roberts and Garrett Rasmussen.
The entry fee of $75 per team benefited Bid for Kids, a volunteer group that buys junior exhibitors’ animals at the annual Dixon May Fair Junior Livestock Auction. The group is headed by Sandy Bonesteel of Dixon, president. Other officers of Bids for Kids are Delynda Eldridge, vice president; Rhonda Rayn, treasurer; Joyce Waller, secretary; and “active (board) members” Tim Fletcher and David Eldridge.
1/8/2003: Cache Creek Casino Donates Uniforms and Textbooks to EHS Restaurant Occupation Class
By Angelica Mendez & Mari Sanchez, Esparto High School Journalism Class
Esparto High School Restaurant Occupation Class received a donation of uniforms and textbooks from Cache Creek Indian Bingo & Casino early Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003. This is the first set of textbooks the students have had all year. Presenting the donations from Cache Creek were Christine Smith, Benefits Manager and Fredrick Shankar, Sous Chef. Also in attendence were Kerry Gibson and Brendea Arteche of the Yolo County Office of Education, Regional Occupation Program (ROP) and the ROP Coordinator, Gayle McLevich.
Preparing for the presentation
Posing with the Chef
The restaurant occupation class is offered at Esparto High School to teach students the skills to start restaurant careers in entry level positions. The class hopes to give students enough experience in class so they can advance rapidly in a job. In the restaurant occupation class offered at EHS there are about 21 students. These students come to class prepared to make delicious meals from different heritages.
Cache Creek Indian Bingo and Casino’s donation was made to support this new ROP class. It will also help students to secure employment at Cache Creek in the food service area. With the expansion of the casino in the next 18 months, the casino will go from three resturants to five, and 1,600 employees to about 2,000 emploees throughout the entire casino.
The Food and Beverage Department is one of the Casino’s biggest departments. It employs about 25 percent of employees. Sous chefs, such as Fredrick Shankar, make an average of about $35,000-$40,000 a year. There is only one level above a sous chef and they range from $65,000- $100,000 a year. Entry level cooks, known as prep cooks, average $8-$10.75 per hour, and lead cooks average $12-$15 per hour.
When asked what Shankar liked most about his job he replied, "eating." It takes an estimated three years to go from an entry level postion to sous chef. Esparto High School is very pleased and would like to thank Cache Creek for their generous donation.
In order to join a Rop class you must be 16 years old or older. The fees run from low-cost to no-cost, students are not expected to pay a fee. This program also offers career technology programs for those to go to a 2-4 year college. For more information you can contact the Yolo County Office of Education.
Residents are encouraged to review the Environmental Evaluation report at the Esparto Public Library and mail their comments regarding the proposed project before July 5, 2002 to the following address:
Rumsey Rancheria Tribal Council
c/o Betsy Taloff, Director of Administration
P.O. Box 18
Brooks, CA 95606
6/3/2002: Last night there was a Town Hall meeting at the Esparto High School sponsored by the Citizens for Capay Valley, the Capay Valley Vision, and the United Voice of Capay Valley. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the impact of a proposed Cache Creek Casino expansion on the residents and environment of the Capay Valley.
For those people who are opposed to this expansion, there is a petition being circulated -- look for copy at the Esparto Library. The Environmental Assessment report is also available there.
2/24/2002: The Almond Festival, sponsored by Esparto District Chamber of Commerce, was held on a beautiful, sunny day. The festival was started in 1915, and features a Sunday Brunch, a Queen selected from local candidates (chosen Saturday, February 16th at the Almond Queen Dinner), and many special events in each community. In Guinda, there was a craft fair, petting zoo, and antique farm equipment display. Click here to view some pictures taken at the event!
2/10/2002: A celebration of Black History was held at the Guinda Grange Hall yesterday. The turn-out was excellent and everyone seemed to be having a great time! Click here to view some pictures taken at the event!
6/6/2000: Rumsey Hall Seeks Funds to Serve Another Century
Rumsey Hall, having generously served Capay Valley since 1903, needs a little help from its friends to prosper for another century. Armed with two-thirds of the needed funds, a devoted group of Rumsey citizens has finished the studies, hired architects and a carpenter, got approved plans, and started the first stage of a three-month renovation last week.
"We've come a long way, " says Robert Becker, president of the Rumsey Improvement Association that owns the Hall, "having put together almost $50,000. But we're still $15,000 short to complete the basic structure and be ready for winter winds and storms."
Known for its remarkable original 1910 murals, Rumsey Hall has Yolo County Historic Designation and is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.
"Because the structure is compromised," Becker explains, "it's amazing there hasn't been more damage. We redid the foundation last year, and now the biggest change in 100 years is finally underway. The added space is important but even more so we need to buttress the considerable lean that threatens the entire Hall. Our building directors, Cliff Cain and Bob Bramlett, have done a magnificent job over countless hours."
A town of 50, Rumsey was helped by two Rural Block grants totaling $20,000, the result of helpful work by Yolo County's Planning and Public Works Department. With the end in sight, this is the first time the Association has gone public seeking contributions. Because the Association became a 501(C)3 non-profit corporation in 1995, all donations are tax deductible.
"We certainly hope those who have enjoyed the Hall and the Capay Valley," says Becker, "will come forward, large and small, to support the historic centerpiece to our community, well worth all of our efforts. We've done the planning and organized the labor; all we need is a bit of money and we're home free.
Rumsey is in rural northwest Yolo county, the last stop on the Almond Festival every February in the Capay Valley. Anyone who's enjoyed an Almond Festival - or a lecture, concert, political forum or meeting in Rumsey – has experienced the Hall.
Contributions may be made to the Rumsey Improvement Association and sent c/o Linda Wilson at P.O. Box 34, Rumsey CA 95679. Please call Linda at 796-3091 about donations.