Metro Fire posted a photo on social media showing damage to an apartment during a fire on Thanksgiving morning in Citrus Heights.
Sentinel staff report– Firefighters responded Thursday morning to a fire at an apartment complex on Greenback Lane near Auburn Boulevard, where multiple residents were displaced and one individual was sent to the hospital.
In a series of tweets about the incident, Metro Fire said crews arrived shortly before 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day to find “fire showing from multiple windows on the ground floor.” A specific address was not listed, but fire officials said the apartment was located near Desimone Lane on Greenback Lane.
Metro Fire said three units of the apartment were damaged and showed a photo of what appears to be an interior bedroom, with smoke and fire damage visible on the doorway and floor. At least seven people were displaced, and one person was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
Authorities said the Red Cross is working to assist those who were displaced by the blaze.
The cause of the fire was under investigation Thursday morning. A news report on the incident from Fox40 reported that the fire “may have started in the kitchen.”
Volunteers look inside a crate with food supplies during a Thanksgiving meal distribution on Wednesday. // M. Hazlip
By Mike Hazlip– Sunrise Christian Food Ministry volunteers began giving out Thanksgiving meals to a line-up of cars in Citrus Heights Wednesday morning, but about four hours later, almost all of the canned goods had been handed out, and not enough food items remained for a complete meal.
A non-stop parade of vehicles kept volunteers busy handing out bags of canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and turkeys to families in need. Organizer Rocky Peterson estimates he has seen a 30% to 40% increase in families needing essential food items this year.
“We’re all out of produce, all out of bread products, all out of turkeys, all out of canned foods. We’re closing early because of the lack of food supplies,” Peterson said early Wednesday afternoon.
Volunteers typically keep the ministry going until about 3 p.m., but they were turning people away by 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Peterson said increased demand is due to a combination of factors: limited food bank options in the area amid COVID-19, and heightened demand before Thanksgiving as the ministry was giving out turkeys.
The biggest factor however has been the ripple effect of the COVID-19, according to Peterson. He estimates about 30% of the people coming to the ministry are doing so for the first time. He has supplied food to many younger families who have not been in need before.
Others coming to the food pantry are older parents with adult children. Peterson said some parents have found their needs changed overnight as their adult children move back in and bring their families along. Individuals who might normally be self-sufficient suddenly find they can’t feed everyone in the household, according to Peterson.
Peterson said they are serving over 250 families each day and he estimates that represents about 700 to 800 individuals. That demand is depleting the ministry’s resources: “Our food supply has reduced considerably by now,” he said.
People coming to the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry’s food closet are generally grateful, and some turn around to offer help in return. Aron Briggs said he came to get food for Thanksgiving and wanted to help those helping him.
“He’s kind enough to give me food, why not return the favor?” Biggs said. “You guys are out here all day worrying about us to make sure we get food, that says a lot.”
Peterson says it isn’t unusual to see people come to the ministry for food, then return and volunteer.
Sunrise Food Ministry is accepting food items and monetary donations. Peterson said they are currently out of canned tomato sauce, canned diced tomatoes, canned beans, peanut butter, and dried goods such as beans and rice. The ministry’s cereal supply is also running low.
Monetary donations can be made online at sunrisechristianfoodministry.org. Donations of food items can be brought to the ministry behind Advent Lutheran Church, 5901 San Juan Ave. The food pantry’s regular hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Guest column submitted by David Warren–
As an empty nester with family members either too distant to visit or who are now gone, it was difficult to find meaning for Thanksgiving. I awoke to view news that we seem to have forgotten the meaning of the holiday and civility.
David Warren
After briefly watching the news, I turned to other television channels only to find a barrage of advertisements attempting to coerce us to shop as soon as possible. I turned to the cable music channel to listen to the sounds of the season, yearning for a Saturday Evening Post Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving, knowing that such family times are likely long gone for too many of us.
My wife, for whom I am always grateful chose to marry me, asked me to go for groceries again, for the one thing “that I forgot” to purchase. As I drove to the store, even with the potholes that we have in our streets, I realized the streets are in better condition than those in the adjacent unincorporated areas and enjoyed the knowledge that our police department responds timely to requests for service.
I have observed ignorant individuals telling people speaking Spanish that if they do not speak English, they should go back to where they came from and leave Citrus Heights to real Americans. I remembered reading threatening mail addressed to a Hindu individual if they did not leave Citrus Heights, and having my Kippah knocked off my head by ignorant teenagers threatening me because they thought I was a Muslim.
As I sat brooding over a mug of tea, the rain clouds parted and the sun broke through. At that moment, I realized that my cup is half full, not half empty.
Our community for the first time in twenty years has elected a member to the City Council who was likely a teenager when the city was incorporated. Despite municipal political acrimony, the city staff, i.e., police, planning, municipal services, etc., continue to respond to each resident’s questions and requests, whether we like the answer(s) or not. I remembered the too many unnecessary gun deaths.
When I sat down to prepare this submission to The Sentinel, although there is a need for commentary over the city’s recent decision to obtain a multi-million-dollar line of credit, there was something much more important to say. So, to each of you, I share these paraphrased thoughts of others which are not repeated enough.
Be thankful for your tax bill, because it means that you have an income.
Be thankful for the clothing that fits a little too snugly because it means that you have enough to eat.
Be thankful for the sun in your eyes, causing you to squint and tear because that means that you can see.
Be thankful that your windows need cleaning because that means you have a home to live in.
Be thankful for the mess to clean after a holiday gathering because it means that you are surrounded by friends and family.
Be thankful for the complaining you hear about the government and the media because it means you have freedom of speech.
Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot because it means that you are capable of walking and will get some exercise.
Be thankful for hearing the woman who sits behind you in worship singing off-key because it means that you can hear.
Be thankful for piles of laundry and ironing because it means that you have clothes to wear.
Be thankful for the stream messages arriving through multiple devices because it means that people are thinking of you and opportunities are coming your way.
Be thankful for what a friend, a Holocaust survivor, called “the magic of a boring evening at home,” because it means that you are blessed with security, rest, companions and choices.
Be thankful for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because they mean that you have been active and, hopefully, productive.
Be thankful that every morning when you awake, your spouse is by your side.
Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the morning because it means that G-d has given you another day of life.
At the last council meeting, the plans for the municipal “holiday” celebration were discussed with gusto and joy. What was forgotten during that discussion is a reminder from our municipal leaders that our community is a tapestry of cultures and holiday celebrations, and that we should all respect and participate with those different celebrations with the same gusto and joy.
As we prepare for the end of the year celebrations, if you see mistreatment of any member of the community, do not remain silent. Instead, remember that “You either have to be part of the solution, or you’re going to be part of the problem.”
David Warren is a Citrus Heights resident and legislative advocate at the State Capitol with Taxpayers for Public Safety. He can be reached at David@forpublicsafety.com.
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Updated Nov. 3, 1:01 p.m.–
Local events and activities planned around Citrus Heights this November include three craft fairs, a Veterans Day ceremony, various community meetings, and more. Here’s some highlights of what’s happening this month:
Veterans art display, — A gallery of veterans art, previously displayed at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., is temporarily on display in Citrus Heights through Nov. 11. The free display opened on Oct. 17 and can be viewed daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 5925 Birdcage Centre Ln., in D102, behind Ulta. (See more)
Auburn Blvd. “Phase II” project meeting, Nov. 3 — As the effort to revitalize Auburn Boulevard continues, the City will be hosting its first business and property owner community meeting for the second phase of the project, which extends towards the Roseville border. The meeting will be held in the Rusch Park Sunrise Room at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with all Auburn Boulevard businesses and property owners from Grand Oaks Boulevard to Whyte Avenue encouraged to attend. According to the City’s website, the meeting will discuss the revised timeline and project design, with a time for questions and answers. (See more)
Craft fair, Nov. 7 — Holiday items, handcrafted gifts, and baked goods will be on sale during the “Home for the Holidays” craft fair at the Lakeview Village housing community in Citrus Heights. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the community’s clubhouse, at 6211 Summerset Ln. (See event posting)
Veterans Day, Nov. 11 — An annual ceremony to honor veterans will be held at Sylvan Cemetery, beginning with a march around the cemetery’s “Avenue of Flags” at 10:30 a.m. The cemetery is located at 7401 Auburn Blvd. (See last year’s story)
Sunrise Craft Fair, Nov. 14 — An annual craft fair featuring seasonal handmade gifts and crafts will be held at the Rusch Park Community Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (See flier)
“Boutique & Bake Rummage Sale,” Nov. 14 — Various rummage and craft items will be on sale at the Citrus Heights Community Church from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will also have hot drinks for sale, as well as hot dogs, chili, and soda. The church is located at 7405 Mariposa Ave. (See flier)
Holiday Referral Program — From Nov. 16 through Dec. 21, the Citrus Heights Police Department will be accepting unwrapped gift donations to help local families who struggled with a hardship in the past year. Donations can be dropped off at the Department Monday through Friday at 6315 Fountain Square Dr., or Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Individuals can also recommend families to benefit from the program by filling out a referral form through Nov. 20. (See full story)
Pedestrian Master Plan Workshop, Nov. 17 – Another City-hosted workshop will be held at the Community Center on Nov. 17, designed to give residents an opportunity to provide input on the development of a 30-year master plan that seeks to improve sidewalks and walkability in Citrus Heights. The meeting will be from 5 to 7 p.m., with a short presentation about the plan scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. A nine-question online survey related to the plan has also been launched. (See flier)
Water district public hearing, Nov. 17 — A public hearing regarding a water rate increase for those served by the Citrus Heights Water District will be held at the Rusch Park Community Center at 6:30 p.m. (see story)
Planning commission meeting, Nov. 18 — Planning Commissioners are scheduled to consider adoption of a “Mitigated Negative Declaration” environmental report for Phase II of the Auburn Boulevard revitalization project. (See more)
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Lions Club Craft fair, Nov. 21 — Check back soon for more details. (link)
Marching Band event, Nov. 21 — The Citrus Heights Community Marching Band will be playing in the neighboring city of Roseville, during their 2015 Holiday Parade. The 54th annual parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and travel along Roseville’s historic Vernon Street. (See band calendar)
Thanksgiving, Nov. 26 – City Hall offices will be closed Nov. 26 and 27 in observance of the national holiday.
Blood Drive, Nov. 27-29 — Blood Source will host a weekend blood drive in the Sunrise Mall parking lot, near the Elephant Bar restaurant. “Bloodmobile” donation centers will be open on Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (See details)
Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28 — Consumers are encouraged to “shop local” on the Saturday immediately following Black Friday, as part of a growing movement to support small, local businesses in communities around the country. Small Business Saturday officially began in 2010 and has since received national and local recognition. (See last year’s coverage)
<<Don’t see a local event you think should be listed here? Let us know.>>
Hot Java Cafe in Citrus Heights says it’s giving thanks by “giving back” this year, with free coffee for nurses, firefighters, police and any other uniformed profession, through Thanksgiving.
Hot Java Cafe in Citrus Heights.
Located near the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Greenback Lane for the past 17 years, owner Katie Almendariz says the family-owned drive-thru has always sought to give special thanks to those who serve in public safety – but decided to open the offer this year to security guards, nurses and other uniformed professions as well.
Almendariz says the free coffee offer works on trust, without any rigid rules for proving a customer works in a qualifying uniformed profession, and free coffee-seekers don’t have to show up in work clothes.
Other local coffee drive-thru’s have also sought to show support for those in public safety, like Dutch Bros., whose Sacramento-area locations gave a day’s worth of proceeds to families of two slain law enforcement officers last month.
Not without strings, Hot Java’s free coffee is only offered from 4-6 p.m. through November 28, although those seeking a free boost this Saturday and Sunday can get a free coffee all day, as well as on Thanksgiving Day from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to Almendariz. The offer also doesn’t apply for specialty drinks, and she recommends bringing a cup to fill –though not required.
