The Fourth of July Pocket Parade organizing is now underway. This is a community parade. Kids, families, friends, businesses, organizations – you name it, join in. Ride your bike or build a float. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Parkway Oaks Park (next to Lisbon Elementary on South Land Park Drive) travels down Windbridge, ending at Garcia Bend Park.

After the parade, join in festivities at Garcia Bend Park for a parade awards ceremony, local business community fair, hot dog eating contest, city animal care services adoption event and music. New this year will be food trucks!

Parade and pre-registration ends June 28. Walk-ons are gladly accepted, but pre-registering is encouraged. Parade entry forms are available at The Pocket News, 2709 Riverside Blvd. or Riverside Wesleyan Church, 6449 Riverside Blvd.

Volunteer! The Pocket Parade is made possible because of volunteers. Organizers are encouraging each parade entry to have members of their family, organization, or business volunteer. Call for a complete list of volunteer positions or email pastormike @rwcsac.org

Questions? Call Linda of the Pocket News at 429-9901 or email Linda@valcomnews.com

On Thursday, May 10, the Sacramento Elks 6 honored students and educators at their annual scholarship dinner. The event opened with a welcome from Stephen B. Clazie,
Scholarship Chair, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Boy Scout Troop 259, an invocation by Chaplain Valerie Keyser, and a prime rib dinner served by JFK criminal justice students.

The following is information provided by the Elks Lodge about each of the awardees.

Elks #6 Educators of the Year

Outstanding Middle School Educator for 2013
Mrs. Mikila Fetzer, Genevieve Didion K-8 School

Outstanding High School Educator for 2013
Ms. Lori Jablonski,  C.K. McClatchy High School

Sacramento City Teachers Association  & Elks #6 Scholarships
Presented by Debbie Eto, Exalted Ruler

Elks #6 & Boy Scout Troop 259
Eagle Scout Scholarship
Presented by Debbie Eto, Exalted Ruler

Dillon S. Thomas, C.K. McClatchy High School, $700

Mark A. Thompson, John F. Kennedy High School, $700

Elks #6 Golf Club Scholarship
Wes Okuhara,  C.K. McClatchy High School, $500
Chloe Kashiwagi, C.K. McClatchy High School, $500

Elks #6 Middle School Scholarships
Presented by Debbie Eto, Exalted Ruler

Tilton Hoyt, Sutter Middle School
He strives not only to do ‘A’ work but makes it as creative and original as possible. He is continually thinking outside the box.  He participates in spirit activities, has joined clubs and plays soccer.  He is involved in his local church and does community service.  He is an all-around student that would serve as a role model for our community.

Emily Louie, Genevieve Didion K-8 School
She is co-captain of the cheerleaders and has been a Girl Scout for eight years.  As a Girl Scout, she volunteered at the Special Olympics and distributed Girl Scout cookies for her church. She coordinated the collection of donated materials for military officers stationed overseas.  She earned a level four certificate of merit for piano, and was Elks 6’s April Student of the Month for Didion K-8 School.

Dipp Nguyen, Will C. Wood Middle School
This year, she has participated in Mathletes, MESA , Club Live, Korean Club, and Book Club.  In these numerous endeavors, she strives to uphold leadership roles.  She is team captain of her robotics team, treasurer of Korean Club, and president of Club Live.  Her commitment to these organizations shows her dedication to bettering herself and her peers.

Sacramento Elks #6  Elks National “Most Valuable Student” 2013
Presented by Debbie Eto, Exalted Ruler

Daniel Mingrue Li
As a junior at John F. Kennedy High School, he started the International Student Society, and the club has collaborated with Amnesty International. The group is starting an international women’s rights campaign.  He had a very unique opportunity of traveling across the world to Sacramento’s sister city in China as a youth ambassador.
(DISTRICT $400 & STATE $800 & $1,500 from Emblem Club and $36 from Elks 6 for a total of $2,736)

Keegan Pincombe
He has always been a positive force for hard work.  He has been in the Sacramento Children’s Choir, a youth ambassador to China through a Sister Cities program, and is an Eagle Scout. (STATE $800 & $1,500 from Emblem Club $436 from Elks 6 for a total of $2,736). John F. Kennedy High School

Derek Taylor
He is intensely competitive as an athlete and compassionate as a citizen.  He is wise beyond his years.  He will make his mark in the world in a way that will be both significant and positive.
($1,500 from Emblem Club & $1,236 from Elks 6 for a total of $2,736)
C.K. McClatchy High School

Keiko Jordan Fong
She completed the highest level of math C.K. McClatchy offers by her junior year, and as high school senior received an A in Math 402 at Sacramento City College.  She is an athlete, Girl Scout and accomplished musician, a professional math tutor, artist and an active member of he church group.  She also performs a wide variety of community service, both independently and with her dance troop, often entertaining the elderly at nursing homes.
($1,500 from Emblem Club & $1,236 from Elks 6 for a total of $2,736)
C.K. McClatchy High School

Christina Fang
She assists in the UC Davis Medical Center Trauma Department by performing basic patient care and completing clerical duties.  As a true leader, she is also humble and listens to other’s input.
(ENF SCHOLAR $1,000 for four years for a total of $4,000)
West Campus High School

Allison Yamamoto
Her passion for educational equality empowered her to initiate a volunteer tutoring program at my local library. The positive feedback she received from parents was overwhelming.  She has learned that she can create positive change in my community when there is passion motivating that change.
(ENF SCHOLAR $1,000 for four years for a total of $4,000)
C.K. McClatchy High School

The Gunther & Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarship
The Elks National Foundation is pleased to offer an exclusive scholarship opportunity just for Elks scholars pursuing a medical degree. The Gunther & Lee Weigel Medical School Scholarship will go to six Elks scholars (current or alum) entering the first year of medical school in 2013-14. The $20,000 scholarships were established through the generosity of Lee Weigel, widow of Gunther Weigel. Lee lost her husband of 51 years in November 2009. Gunther was a longtime member of Miami, Fla., Elks Lodge No. 948. He was passionate about the Foundation’s scholarship programs. Lee established these scholarships to help Elks scholars pursue a career in medicine. The application will be available in mid-March 2013 and will be due in mid-May 2013. If you are an Elks scholar pursuing a medical degree starting in 2013-14, email scholarship@elks.org for more information.

The prompt for this year’s contest was a position statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics (April 2000): “Firearm regulations, to include bans of handguns and assault weapons, are the most effective way to reduce firearm-related injuries.” The ten finalists presented their essays on April 28 at a dinner attended by 170 people at the Dante Club in Sacramento.

First Place Finalist: Divya Bhaskar, Rio Americano High School, Sacramento
Second Place Finalist: Kyle Thielen, C.K. McClatchy High School, Sacramento
Third Place Finalist: Lucas Brown, C.K. McClatchy High School, Sacramento

Other Finalists
Ella Beckman, C.K. McClatchy High School, Sacramento
Amber Conness, C.K. McClatchy High School, Sacramento
Faith Lemire-Baeten, Liberty Ranch High School, Galt
Molly Parsons, Davis Senior High School, Davis
Casey Stockel, Granite Bay High School, Granite Bay
Jeffrey Williams, Granite Bay High School, Roseville
Angela Yoder, Folsom High School, Folsom

The first, second, and third place finalists were chosen by a panel of distinguished judges from the community. Read their essays by clicking on their names. The first place finalist won a $3000 scholarship, second place a $2500 scholarship, and third place a $2000 scholarship. The other seven finalists each won $1000 scholarships and two alternate finalists $250 each. The judges were: former Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel, Sacramento County Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Julie Leftwich, former Sacramento mayor Anne Rudin, and Amanda Wilcox.

Between now and May 31, scholarship fund donations will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $5,000. To ensure that organizers are able to offer at least $15,000 in scholarship awards again next year, consider making a tax-deductible donation now toward next year’s scholarship fund via the PSR/Sacramento website: http://www.sacpsr.org/join.asp

Editor’s note: Following is Bhaskar’s winning essay, written in its entirety and is the opinion of the writer.

The Convictions of an Anti-Gun Activist
By Divya Bhaskar  Rio Americano High School, Sacramento

Almost as appalling as the deaths of 26 innocent victims of the Connecticut shooting is the fact that in its aftermath, we still have no legislation banning handguns and assault weapons to prevent further uncalled for deaths. Congress has well surpassed the point in time for “debate” and contemplation regarding these bans; we need to implement them.

The statistics supporting legislative action for stricter gun control are overwhelming. According to the U.S. C.D.C., 5,740 children and teenagers were killed by firearms in 2008 and  2009. A gun within a household results in a higher likelihood of a death of a family member than the death of an intruder. Globally, the United States has the highest number of firearm-related deaths compared to other high-income countries. In the United States, children are thirteen times more likely to be killed by firearms than children of other developed countries, such as Italy. Statistically speaking, stricter firearm regulations are necessary to ensure a safer environment for the general public.

The National Rifle Association wields the Second Amendment as its major counterargument against these rising numbers. Though the Supreme Court upheld the Second Amendment, historical evidence renders this Amendment obsolete. The Second Amendment originated when colonies depended on every-day citizens to form local militia. Today, the United States has a well-established military, so citizens need not carry these weapons. This Amendment also allowed state militia and plantation owners to prevent slave rebellions.

To argue that the Second Amendment establishes the right to bear arms in today’s context would be ridiculous. After all, America is a leader in progressivism, not a country that clings onto archaic, unreasonable practices.  Other proponents of gun ownership argue that citizens may possess firearms in case the government abuses its authority. This seems like a valid point, but only because Americans have adopted a romanticized mentality about guns. We think that the only solution is “to fight fire with fire.” Naturally, this only results in more violence. There are other ways to “fight back” without resorting to firearms.

While the media and video industries glorify the use of firearms, our society largely underestimates the power of peaceful protest. In the past, writers have mitigated social injustices and completely revolutionized the standards of industries through works like The Jungle. Women and African Americans battled for suffrage utilizing the power of speech as their strongest weapon. Gandhi liberated a nation without the use of a single firearm. As a society, we need to change our perception of security and safety. For if we take no action regarding gun control, then we will continue to hear about the deaths of innocent people and children. Frankly, the next time I turn on the news I would like to hear Congress initiating bans on firearms, instead of uncalled for deaths.  If we can learn anything from the past and statistics, it is that strong determination triumphs over firearms in the struggle to attain peace.

EVA Airlines, Taiwan’s second largest airline, has identified Executive Airport as the potential location for a U.S. based flight training school. The long-term plan for this exciting development is the construction of a new flight training facility.

The project could result in a $13-$15 million investment in Executive Airport, including classrooms, a cafeteria, dormitory housing for students, a maintenance hangar, shade hangars and a private apron. This development is consistent with the Draft Airport Master Plan.

Prior to development and operation of the new facility, EVA must obtain certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate a flight training facility.

To support the curriculum development effort and establish an immediate Sacramento presence EVA is proposing to lease building 10318 at Executive Airport. The lease, which was on the agenda to be considered by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, passed on March 12, 2013.

“This type of private investment at Executive Airport is a long-term shot in the arm for our local economy,” said District 1 Supervisor Jimmie Yee. “Sacramento County is committed to exploring these types of projects to ensure a bright future for Executive.”

If the FAA approves the EVA curriculum, training for the first 12-15 students would begin in early 2014. The EVA training program will use modern 2- to 4-seat aircraft similar to other types of airplanes that operate at Executive Airport.

“This is the first step in what will be a long-term partnership,” said Interim Director of
Airports Rob Leonard. “Over the next few months, our staff will work with EVA and other stakeholders on a ground lease and other details for development of the project.”

EVA Air offers a global flight network, with connections to more than 60 cities in Asia,
China, Europe, North America and Oceania. EVA’s parent company, The Evergreen Group, owns a diverse set of companies that include land and air transportation companies and an international chain of hotels.

Sacramento County Airport System, a department of Sacramento County, is responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining four of the County’s airports: Sacramento International Airport, Executive Airport, Mather Airport and Franklin Field. The Airport System provides more than $4 billion in annual economic impact to the Sacramento region. For more information, visit www.sacramento.aero

As Erin Cassady Sims lugged her new tree out of the lot for the holiday season, an attendant ran after her with an item that had fallen behind:

Out of the tree had dropped a green-and-white notecard with a short poem that wished its random recipient a joyful holiday.

A young student had written the verse, and just in case Sims wished to write her back, the student provided a mailing address for her elementary school miles away in Oregon.

Sims, a third-grade teacher at Dyer-Kelly Elementary School, thought she’d do something more special than simply write this girl back.

“I’m going to have my whole class write to her,” she thought. As in, 31 students writing 31 letters.

What resulted in the weeks that followed the chance encounter was a lasting literacy lesson for Sims’ students. Third-graders already are required to learn how to write letters this year, Sims said, so why not correspond with a real pen pal and make a little girl’s day at the same time?

“(The students) have never had an actual buddy from another school – let alone another state – to write to,” Sims said. “They were really excited about it.”

One by one, her students enthusiastically got to work. As they learned how to write introductory sentences, conclusions and other letter-writing fundamentals, they also came up with a lot of questions for their mystery girl:

What’s her name? What color is her hair? Does she like One Direction?

When the package stuffed with letters reached the students’ new friend in Hillsboro, Oregon – turns out her name is Lindsey, and she’s in the fourth grade – she was ecstatic. The news was announced over the school intercom.

And Lindsey responded to every single letter. All 31. A sampling:

Dear Jeremiah: I liked your card! You are great at drawing!

Dear Jasmine: I like soccer too! Your handwriting is great!

Dear Jaleel: I do like penguins! Your card was so good!

Andrea Ceja said she learned a lot by gaining a pen pal.

“I learned that when you ask questions, people have to answer them,” Andrea said. “Also, when you write a letter, you have to have a ‘dear,’ and an ending. And a body. And a name. And a date.”

The students still keep in touch with Lindsey, even exchanging valentines last month. Sims said she hoped the experience was memorable.

“The fact that we took a (grade-level) standard and made it a real-life thing,” she said, “I think this is something that they will never forget.”

Elaine Lederer volunteers at the food closet behind Bethany Church on Fruitridge Road every Tuesday and she reported that the Pocket Area Churches Together donated 400 bags of food to The SSIP (South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership) Food Closet in March. She said the food closet serves about 90 families. “It’s nice to see our shelves full,” Lederer said.

The community brought in: Canned vegetables (include green beans), canned beans and chili, tomato products, (tomato sauce, paste, canned tomatoes, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, etc.), canned soup, canned fruit, ramen and dry soup (include cup of noodles, Lipton soup, etc.), canned meats and fish (include canned stew), dry pasta and rice (include Rice-a-Roni, Hamburger Helper, Macaroni & Cheese, etc.), canned pasta (include Spaghetti Os, ravioli, etc.), peanut butter, jams and jellies (include almond butter), holiday foods (canned cranberry, canned pumpkin, canned yams, canned gravy and stuffing mix), miscellaneous (including: canned milk, cake mixes, crackers, etc.)

PACT includes: Faith Presbyterian Church, Greenhaven Lutheran Church, Greenhaven Neighborhood Church, Riverside Wesleyan Church, and St. Anthony Church.

Local residents joined Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) at the Asian Community Center (ACC) Greenhaven Terrace recently to hear from the representatives of the growing Script Your Future campaign about the importance of taking medications as directed.

“Action is the foundation for optimal health, and the Script Your Future campaign empowers communities to proactively manage their health through education,” said Dr. Pan, who chairs the California State Assembly Health Committee. “By making sure our communities are informed about the risks and responsibilities of prescription medications, we can help people live fuller, healthier lives.”

With a focus on knowledge and empowerment, the audience was presented with tools to improve overall health. Dr. Pan and representatives of Script Your Future unveiled for the first time medication log wallet cards translated in Vietnamese and Chinese.  The wallet cards provide an easily transportable way for people to record when they take their prescriptions.

“Today’s workshop and health screenings provide an opportunity for you to take control of your health by becoming more informed about the medications you take, and making a commitment to take medication as directed, not only for the sake of your own health, but also so you can be there for those that you love,” said ACC CEO Donna Yee, “When you talk with your doctor and your pharmacist about your medicines you create a prescription for better health!”

Community members were also able to discuss their individual medication, vitamin and supplement schedules with Rite Aid Pharmacist Noora Ahram, while registered dietitian Katie Renner, RD provided a healthy food demonstration along with a basic food and medication interaction education.

Website of Assemblymember Richard Pan: www.asmdc.org/pan

In honor of twenty years of providing musical education to youth in the region, the Sacramento Children’s Chorus will hold its 20th Anniversary Concert, For the Joy of Singing, on Sunday April 21, 2013 at 4:00 pm in the historic Crest Theatre in downtown Sacramento.  All five choirs that make up the SCC will perform delightful pieces from musical greats such as Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Louis Armstrong, and Mozart, just to name a few.   There will be a special film tribute, and songs will be sung from movies in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Crest Theatre building.

In addition, this special concert will showcase an alumni ensemble.  Former SCC singers from across the nation will gather to perform at the Crest, celebrate the Sacramento Children’s Chorus, and pay tribute to the positive long-term impact that singing has made on their lives.

Artistic Director and SCC founder Lynn Stevens says, “We strive to develop skilled, passionate and confident students through exceptional music education and performance experiences.”   The choirs sing in many languages and honor diverse cultures and religions.

The past two decades have been marked with numerous milestones.  More than 2,000 children from all over the Sacramento area have:  collaborated with well-known adult choirs like the Sacramento Choral Society; performed in England, France, the Czech Republic, Scandinavia, New York (Carnegie Hall), and Hawaii; appeared at gubernatorial inaugurations and the opening of legislative sessions; and participated in Mayor Kevin Johnson’s “For Arts Sake” initiative (part of the Kennedy Center’s “Any Given Child” program) at Sacramento City public school assemblies.  In addition, the SCC has hosted choirs from as far away as Korea.

This summer, over 30 singers will tour China — representing Sacramento and the United States as music ambassadors and performing a multicultural repertoire in some of China’s best recital halls in cities such as Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai.

In times like these, with arts education virtually disappearing from our schools, the continued existence of an organization like SCC is more important than ever.  SCC provides children with an opportunity to fall in love with music and develop strong vocal abilities.  Not only that, SCC provides audiences with an opportunity to be inspired by beautiful music.  Learning and sharing music enriches our community beyond measure.

20TH ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS: For the Joy of Singing – 20th Anniversary Concert will be held on April 214 p.m. at the Crest Theatre, Sacramento. Tickets are $50 for VIP seating and reception after concert, $40 reserved, $25 general, $15 students. The Tour of China will be held June 18-30. Pre-tour concert TBA.

For more information and tickets, visit  www.sacramentochildrenschorus.org or call (916) 646-1141.

Women Organized to Resist and Defend [W.O.R.D.] Sacramento held an International Women’s Day March and Rally to End Violence on Friday, March 8. It started at Southside Park and ended at the Capitol.

From the flyer: “Rise up! We hold the power to bring an end to sexual violence. Every single gain, every single right we as women have today is the result of struggle. We have to fight back. The status quo must go!”

There were demonstrations and protests throughout the United States that day and on March 9 to say: Stop Violence Against Women Everywhere – The Status Quo Must Go!.

Andrea Lepore, Gina Lujan, Stephanie Nguyen, Estella Sanchez

The Association of California School Administrators has selected five Sacramento City Unified School District administrators to be honored at its annual awards ceremony in May.

Congratulations to:  Becky Bryant, Special Education Administrator; Paula Hanzel, principal of Sacramento New Technology High School; Lilia Ibarra Pelegri, assistant principal at Hiram Johnson High School; Dave Rodriquez, principal of Sutter Middle School; and Rachel Lane, principal of Nicholas Elementary School.  They will be honored May 15 at the ACSA Region III Awards Gala of the Year.

The five were chosen for promoting the success of all students and for their commitment to educational quality and student achievement.

Also that night, the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center (SCCSC) will be honored as an excellent community partner at Hiram Johnson High School and Nicholas Elementary.

For the last three years, the After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens Program (ASSETs) has helped support student achievement by developing and implementing multiple academic support programs geared toward student’s success.

The ACSA ceremony in May will start out with the C.K. McClatchy High School Jazz Orchestra performing the national anthem.