Sentinel staff report–
The deadline is June 30 for community members to vote online for their favorite local businesses and restaurants to win this year’s “Best of Citrus Heights” contest, put on by the Chamber of Commerce.
Participants can vote in up to 37 different categories, ranging from “Best Veterinarian and Pet Services,” to “Best Restaurant” and “Best Dentist.” Categories also include best house of worship, car wash, bank, and community organization.
Under “Best Publication,” voters can select between the Citrus Heights Sentinel, the Citrus Heights Messenger, or the Valley Yellow Pages.
In the “Best Quick Service Food” category, options include Beach Hut Deli, Togo’s, Crepes & Burgers, Raising Cane’s, and others.
Winners will be announced July 5, and an awards ceremony is slated for August.
Retiring veterinarian Dean Henricks stands in front of Citrus Heights Pet Hospital, at 7404 Auburn Blvd. // M. Hazlip
By Mike Hazlip—
After more than five decades helping animals heal, a Citrus Heights veterinarian now says he is staying active as he turns a page in his career.
Dr. Dean Henricks began working as a veterinarian in Napa Valley after graduating college in 1969. Raised on a farm in Harrington, Kansas, Henricks was no stranger to animal care.
“I enjoyed working with the animals more than the field work,” Henricks said.
After graduation, a friend convinced Henricks to become board certified in California where he started working in St. Helena, just north of Napa. It wasn’t long before a local school teacher from Calistoga brought a puppy to the clinic.
Eventually, she started taking her students to the clinic for field trips. About a year later, Dean and Kathy Henricks were husband and wife.
Soon after, Henricks opened his first practice in Crescent City where he says he treated his most unusual patient. As the only veterinarian for miles around, Henricks said someone brought an injured bear cub to the clinic.
“He had been hit by a car and was pretty much out of it,” he said. “We were in a hurry to get done so we could get him out before he woke up. I didn’t want to be around him when he woke up.”
After his time in Crescent City, Henricks sold the practice and started working at a clinic in the Sacramento area in 1979. He eventually became the second owner of Citrus Heights Pet Hospital in 1997, just about the time the city incorporated.
One of the changes Henricks says he has seen over the years is the increasing specialization of veterinary medicine.
“Back when I started, you pretty much had to do everything,” he said. “Whereas now, in the Sacramento area, we’ve got board certified specialists in almost anything you can think of.”
Another change Henricks has seen is the role of pets in family life. He says families are spending increasingly greater amounts of money for the medical care of pets compared to previous years.
“The pets are the emotional value,” he said. A lot more is being done with them now, people get attached and don’t let them go.”
Along with the increasing sentimental value of pets, Henricks said he is seeing more service animals. While he understands the need for service animals, Henricks has concerns over what he sees as people taking advantage of emotional support animal policies by bringing untrained animals into places where animals are not typically allowed.
“I think we need to have some type of certification for that,” he said. “Especially as far as getting on planes, they can be quite a problem on a plane.”
Henricks has been active in community organizations such as the Rotary Club. He and his wife hosted 13 exchange students over the years. He says he still gets Father’s Day cards from some of the youth he hosted who are now adults.
Last year, Henricks cut back his hours at the Citrus Heights Pet Hospital after his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Kathy Henricks died November 2021.
Kathy Henricks is remembered by her husband for always being supportive, and Henricks counts his family as his greatest success. Over their 51 years of marriage, the couple had two children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Henricks is semi-retired now, still helping with surgeries at Citrus Heights Pet Hospital when needed as he prepares to pass the practice on to Dr. Averi Brickson, who has significant future plans to take the clinic further, Henricks says.
Looking back, Henricks is grateful for the opportunities he has had, and his life work in animal medicine was honored when he became a Distinguished Life Member of the the California Veterinary Medical Association.
“I’ve had opportunities to do a lot in my life,” he says. “Raised a family, watched them grow, grand kids, great-grand kids. It can’t get any better.”
Stephen McElroy and his son at the grand opening of his classic car repair and restoration business. // M. Hazlip
By Mike Hazlip— McElroy’s Repair and Restoration recently opened on Auburn Boulevard, but this isn’t your typical automotive repair shop.
Stephen McElroy specializes in classic vehicles, and he hosted a car show for the grand opening of his shop at 5910 Auburn Blvd. on Saturday, June 25. A live band and a snow-cone truck were on hand for the festivities.
McElroy, who says “every vehicle has a story,” opened the shop in February and came from another business in the Carmichael area.
“This was always my goal in life and a passion was to open up and do something like this,” he said. “It ended up over time becoming a reality.”
With a background in automotive repair, McElroy said he started working on classics about five years ago. The average cost for a full restoration can be $80,000 to $120,000, he said.
“It just all depends on what it is with the car, what parts you’re using. It’s all going to fluctuate.”
With five vehicles in the shop, and more in the parking lot, McElroy has plenty of work to keep him busy.
“We’re grateful for the community,” he said. “We’re really happy to be here.”
A banner announces the Burger King location at 8034 Greenback Ln. is hiring. // M. Hazlip
By Mike Hazlip—
That first summer job is a rite of passage for many teens, and with teen unemployment rates steadily declining since the pandemic according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Sentinel took a look at Citrus Heights businesses hiring teen workers.
Jobs are mostly in the food industry, but also include retail, clothing and grocery employment opportunities. Below are some highlights of jobs available in Citrus Heights, as posted on indeed.com.
Sprouts Farmers Market. Job seekers ages 16 and over can apply to Sprouts Farmers Market, located at 7905 Greenback Lane. The company is looking for candidates who are dependable and reliable to be a courtesy clerk. Benefits include a competitive wage, 401(k), disability insurance, employee assistance program, flexible schedule, and health insurance according to the listing. (Link)
Hot Topic. Clothing and popular culture merchandise chain Hot Topic is seeking candidates 16 years old and older to join what it calls “the loudest store in the mall.” The business is looking for “music and pop culture fanatics” to assist customers, stock merchandise, and work the cash register. (Link)
Big Lots. The retail store on Auburn Boulevard is hiring part-time workers as young as 16 for their Citrus Heights location. The business is looking for candidates with strong customer service skills. Strong communication skills are also required, and prior retail experience is preferred. Truck unloading, stocking, and moving merchandise is part of the job, so candidates must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds as well as standing and walking for long periods of time. (Link)
Food Industry Burger King. The recently opened Burger King on Greenback Lane is hiring full-time team members at $16 per hour. Candidates must be at least 16 years old and have a willingness to learn the operations of the restaurant.
Raising Cane’s. One of Citrus Heights’ newest restaurant chains has several jobs listed, with starting pay for crew members at the restaurant is $15 an hour. The business also lists cashier positions in Citrus Heights, but employees often fill multiple roles according to the listing.
McDonald’s. The company is offering Citrus Heights crew members $15 to $18 an hour and lists tuition reimbursement as one of the benefits.
Little Caesars at 7855 Madison Ave. is looking for crew members 16 and older starting at $14 to $15 an hour. Both full-time and part-time work is listed, but the typical shift is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. according to the listing. The company prefers candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish.
Jamba Juice at Birdcage is seeking candidates 16 years old an older for day and night shifts starting at $15 an hour. The quick-serve smoothie and juice chain is looking for candidates who have a “passion for the Jamba brand and enthusiasm for learning more about Jamba products and nutrition.”
Noodles & Company. Another bustling Birdcage business hiring full-time and part-time employees is Noodles and Company, offering hourly pay plus dental insurance, health insurance, paid sick time, paid time off, vision insurance, and opportunities for advancement. Workers will greet and serve guests, take food orders, prepare food, and clean the restaurant. Wages start at $15 to $17 an hour.
Application links for the above jobs are posted at indeed.com. More local job postings can also be found on The Sentinel’s jobs board.
By Phillip Pesola–
Many businesses in Citrus Heights are hiring for a variety of positions, from retail to food service and tech jobs.
While most jobs are in the $16-20 per hour range, a review of local jobs posted at indeed.com include at least four that pay over $40,000 per year. Below are four active job listings, as of June 22.
Restaurant Industry. The Habit Burger Grill, located in the Sunrise Village Shopping Center, is hiring two positions for a restaurant manager or assistant restaurant manager. Both are full-time positions, with a base annual salary of $50,000 and up per year. Benefits include 401(k) matching, health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
The job description says restaurant managers are responsible for daily restaurant operations and maintenance, as well as training and development of team members. Applicants should be available for night, weekend, and holiday shifts. (See job posting)
Information Technology. Located in Auburn Oaks Plaza, Prestwood IT Solutions is looking for a programmer with experience using the ObjectPAL language. Strong written and verbal skills are required in order to communicate with clients effectively, according to the job posting.
The position can be either part-time or full-time, with pay ranging from $39,000-49,000 per year. Benefits include 401(k) matching and paid time off. (See job posting)
Software Development. The Technology Crest Corporation, located just off Sunrise Boulevard, is hiring a senior technical lead. The full-time position starts at $70 per hour, according to a job posting. A minimum of five years experience is required in JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, and other technology. (See job posting)
Retail Sales. An AT&T store in Citrus Heights is hiring a retail sales consultant, with a base pay plus commission model. The average first year earnings for this position when sales goals are met is $44,792, with top sales consultants earning an average of $55,965 per year, according to the job posting. Prior experience does not appear to be required, as the listing states: “while prior retail or customer-facing sales experience is a plus, we’ll provide training to bring you up to speed.”
Benefits include medical and dental insurance, a 401(k) plan, tuition reimbursement, and a company provided mobile device and service plan. Responsibilities include delivering excellent customer service while providing extensive knowledge of AT&T’s range of products and services. (See job posting)
Be sure to check The Sentinel’s community job listings page for more opportunities.
File photo, a for sale sign advertises a local home on the market. // M. Hazlip
By Mike Hazlip—
Rapidly rising mortgage rates are causing a “massive impact” on the prices home buyers are able to afford, according to a regional analyst.
Real estate appraiser Ryan Lundquist told The Sentinel in an email Tuesday that over 36 percent of Citrus Heights homes on the market have seen a price drop, marking a sharp change from the over-heated housing market coming out of the pandemic. He said that number is in line with regional statistics that show 39 percent of all listings have a reduced price.
“Price drops are happening throughout all price ranges, which supports the idea that every single range is feeling the effect from higher mortgage rates,” said Lundquist, who regularly publishes analyses at www.sacramentoappraisalblog.com. “Buyers having to pay $500 to $700 more each month compared to what they would have paid just six months ago has made a massive impact on buyers being able to afford the market.”
Of homes that have seen a price reduction, a little over a third of them have dropped between $5-10,000 off list price and another 35 percent have dropped $10-$25,000 from the original list price, he said.
The Sentinel previously reported a million-dollar mansion saw a price drop after what the seller said was a lot line adjustment that reduced the size of the lot.
Two Citrus Heights sellers are hoping to break the $1 million mark with a home on Sycamore Drive listed at $1,299,000 and one on Holly Drive for $1,250,000. Both offerings feature large lots, with the Sycamore Drive property at five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and over 4,000 square feet.
The Holly Drive property has been on the market for more than 50 days, according to the listing. The Sycamore Drive home was re-listed June 9 after first being listed in November 2020 and a price change that same month. The listing was eventually removed December of that year, records show.
One home at 8087 Alma Mesa Wy. is now listed for $616,000 after initially being on the market for $627,000. The 1,806-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath home in Sunrise Oaks also offers a pool.
One reason Lundquist sees for the reductions is that sellers are listing for a market that has already passed them by.
“Sellers throughout the market seem to be infatuated with hot headlines from the past instead of current market conditions with fewer offers, fewer showings, and fewer buyers playing the game,” he said.
Lundquist pointed out that Bay Area cash buyers who added fuel to the local market six months ago might now be seeing what he called a “massive hit” to their portfolio, as stock prices and crypto currency values drop.
With the Citrus Heights market closely resembling the larger regional picture, Lundquist said it would be a mistake for sellers to think their property is an exception to the market that will attract a “mythical unicorn buyer.”
“I think the bigger takeaway is for sellers to recognize we’ve left that really aggressive market from early 2022 in the dust,” Lundquist said. “We are in a different market today where it’s simply going to take longer to sell.”
A new California Burrito is slated to open at 7858 Lichen Drive, in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel
By Mike Hazlip—
Residents looking for their California Burrito fix at a “coming soon” location in Citrus Heights continue to wait for the business to open.
The restaurant chain plans to open a new location at 7858 Lichen Dr. and installed signage announcing the move in August 2021. However, the location remains unopened to the public as of press time June 20.
A company representative could not be reached for comment, but city spokesman Elyjah Wilbur told The Sentinel in an email Wednesday that the location is “in the development approvals process” with the city as well as outside agencies.
“City staff are working with the business owners so they can open as soon as possible and we are excited to activate the vacant space with new business,” said Wilbur.
A spokesman for Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost’s office said plans at the county level are processed within a 20-day turnaround time according to the California Retail Food Code. He said a “complete plan for review for this location has not yet been submitted, nor has the plan check fee been paid.”
California Burrito began renovation of the property after a failed attempt to bring a Burger King to the location last year, according to a report by The Sentinel.
The Burger King franchise was blocked after discovery of a 1987 non-compete clause in favor of the adjacent McDonald’s restaurant, according to franchise owner Sunny Ghai.
Sentinel staff report–
Through the end of June, community members are invited to vote online for their favorite local businesses to win this year’s “Best of Citrus Heights” contest, put on by the Chamber of Commerce.
Participants can vote in up to 37 different categories, ranging from “Best Veterinarian and Pet Services,” to “Best Restaurant” and “Best Dentist.” Categories also include best house of worship, car wash, bank, and community organization.
Under “Best Publication,” voters can select between the Citrus Heights Sentinel, the Citrus Heights Messenger, or the Valley Yellow Pages.
In the “Best Quick Service Food” category, options include Beach Hut Deli, Togo’s, Crepes & Burgers, Raising Cane’s, and others. Ranking of businesses with the most votes is also shown this year, with Beach Hut Deli currently in first.
Voting will continue through June 30, with winners announced July 5. An awards ceremony is also slated for August.
A vandalism incident at Fukumi Ramen left windows damaged at the restaurant’s location at 5410 Sunrise Blvd. // Image courtesy, SMP
By Mike Hazlip—
A vandalism incident last week resulted in property damage of around $28,000 for a popular Japanese noodle restaurant near Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue.
Fukumi Ramen Shift Leader Calvin Alford said the bottom portion of several windows were broken along one side of the restaurant and confirmed nothing had been stolen inside. He said employees witnessed a couple who appeared to be homeless arguing near the location earlier the same day, but could not confirm any connection to the vandalism.
Manager of neighboring California Fish Grill, Ken Burrows, told The Sentinel the vandal or vandals broke only those windows out of view of his security cameras.
Executive Director of Sunrise MarketPlace, Kathilynn Carpenter, shared photos of the damage with The Sentinel, showing eight of ten glass windows along one side of the restaurant with a single hole that appears to have been smashed from the outside.
A suspect or suspect has not been identified, but Carpenter said “transient property damage is a real problem” for businesses in the Sunrise-Greenback commercial corridor. “Trying to stay on top of it is like playing whack a mole,” she said.
Citrus Heights police said no other businesses in the shopping center on the northeastern corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue were vandalized. There is no evidence the act was targeted or has any connection to other similar incidents in the area, police say.
The Sentinel previously reported a similar act targeting Mountain Mike’s pizza at 7777 Sunrise Blvd. on May 8. Dalvir Singh Brar, owner of the restaurant, said it appeared to be a targeted act. Nothing was reported stolen.
Multiple windows were also broken at Asian and Cajun 2, located just outside the city limit at Fair Oaks Boulevard and Greenback Lane. Restaurant owner Raymond Saechao told The Sentinel surveillance camera video shows two individuals used a hammer to break several windows at about 4 a.m. on June 11. He said both individuals had their faces covered and could not be identified.
Saechao said his business has been broken into on two previous occasions where thieves took cash registers. Nothing was stolen in this latest act of vandalism, Saechao said. He noted that a vehicle parked in front of his business was towed away earlier the same day as the vandalism, but said he was not the one who reported the vehicle to authorities.
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Flowers and notes can be seen outside Hair Depot, following the death of the salon’s owner. // M. Hazlip
By Mike Hazlip—
A local hair salon in operation for more than 40 years has permanently closed after the tragic death of the owner, a note on the door says.
“Thank you Kevin for all you did for us,” a large sign on the door of Hair Depot at 8941 Auburn Blvd. read last week. “You will forever remain in our hearts! Our deepest condolences to your family!”
Employees at neighboring businesses described police activity at the location on June 1, and Police Lt. Chad Morris confirmed that officers had been called to the location and determined that the business owner, 63-year-old Kevin McGrath, took his own life. There were no signs of foul play, he said.
“We are saddened by this event and encourage anyone who feels they need help to call 911 or the suicide prevention line,” Morris said.
Anyone considering suicide is urged to reach out for help. A local Suicide Prevention Hotline, operated by WellSpace Health, can be reached at (916) 368-3111. The group says its hotline is also available for those concerned about friends or loved ones who may be suicidal.
The national suicide prevention hotline is (800) 273-8255 and a new three digit dialing code, 988, will be available nationwide starting July 16, 2022, according the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline organization. The 988 code is already active in some areas, the organization said.
According to various suicide prevention resources, warning indicators of suicide can include talking about feeling hopeless, having no reason to live, and other behavior or mood signs.
Services for McGrath were held Thursday, June 16 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Flowers and messages for the family are also being left outside Hair Depot.
