‘Woman of the Year’ nominee Gloria Torres may be considered petite by her friends, but what she lacks in height, she makes up for with her passion to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which is recognizing her as the organization’s Woman of the Year on Thursday, Feb. 28.
Torres was born in Truckee and moved to Sacramento as a young adult. She comes from a large family who believed living and working together was a way of life. Torres was forced to face her own battle against leukemia 15 years ago. She was uncertain if she would live long enough to see her children grow up. The survival rate for leukemia at that time was not good.
‘It took my spirit, my soul and my laughter,” says Torres.  “Being able to research the disease and receive support from loved ones helps you through the journey.”
Torres said it is especially hard to watch children go through the battle of disease. Torres believes children have great spirits and research of blood cancers helps improve the quality of life for these children and their families.
“I want to pass the baton,” Torres said. “To embrace our loved ones. A lot of people have been diagnosed with cancer.”
Marilyn Lluch, Torres’ campaign manager, has known Torres about 23 years. They met while volunteering for community events.
“The first day I met Gloria I just connected with her,” Lluch said. “Gloria would do anything for anybody without thinking of herself. She is the epitome of good, the most kindhearted person one could meet.”
Lluch said their goal is to raise $50,000 during the 10-week event, starting with spaghetti feed at the VFW Hall On Stockton Boulevard on March 3, 2012.
Together Lluch and Torres have planned several events to educate the public on blood cancers.
Executive Director for LLS, Robert Ojeda, also met Torres while doing volunteer work. Ojeda thinks it is nice to see someone who has been working on the sidelines, take the spotlight to raise funds for LLS.
“Torres not only understands what it is like to live with a blood cancer, she also understands in order to find a cure we have to raise money for research,” Ojeda said.
Ojeda finds it important for the successful candidate to have a network for support and more importantly, the passion and belief that doing this is something bigger than themselves, it’s about making a difference and Ojeda sees this in Torres.
Torres wants folks to know it is easier to deal with the disease when others are there to help. When Torres first learned she had leukemia, she kept it from her family and friends for three months. Torres admits that was a mistake. It isolates the patient and what is needed is support and friendship.
“It takes courage, commitment, loyalty and respect to survive leukemia,” says Torres. “I would not be here if it were not for the research and new medication that I take every day.”
Torres feels blessed she was able to fund a research under her name last year because of Delbert Stapp, runner up for ‘Man of the Year’ in 2012. Stapp raised over  $72,000 for LLS. The Sacramento organization as a whole raised a total of $360,000.
LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. LLS was founded in 1949 and has invested more than $814 million in research. Last year the Man & Woman events raised over $19 million nationwide.  www.lls.org
A great deal of consideration and care is put into these nominations because it takes a very special person to be a Man & Woman of the Year candidate. The candidates compete in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors, the Boy & Girl of the Year. Every dollar they raise counts as one vote, and the titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes at the end of ten weeks. The local candidates who raise more funds than anyone else in the country also win the national Man & Woman of the Year titles. www.lls.org

The Facts

Approximately every four minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer.
For 2011, it was estimated there would be approximately 44,600 new cases diagnosed.
In 1977, the survival rate was 34 percent, in 2007 it was 57% and the survival rate is even better today.
Stapp feels right now history is being made. Compared to a five percent survival rate for leukemia in the 1950’s and 1960’s, there is now a 50-60 percent survival rate and a 73 percent survival rate for children.
“Scientists have reengineered the HIV virus to attack cancer cells,” said Stepp.  “There is also a new drug that is in the process of being approved through the FDA that is doubling the amount of people in remission and extending lives. People are living five years longer with this drug.”
For those interested in donations or sponsoring an event for LLS, please see Jennifer Pear, the campaign manager for this year’s event at mwoy.org/sac or email Ms. Pear at Jennifer.pear@lls.org
For information on how to get involved or check out the events for ‘Woman of the Year’ go to:
www.facebook.com/GloriaTorresMwoy2013LeukemiaLymphomaSociety

Often called America’s favorite pastime, baseball’s history goes way back and so does the history of retired C.K. McClatchy High School coach Bernie Church.

DEDICATED ROLE MODEL. Bernie Church, former baseball coach at C.K. McClatchy High School, will be recognized for his contributions to the sport when the high school names its baseball field in his honor. / Photo courtesy, Bernie Church

At 11 a.m., Saturday, April 28, 2012, McClatchy High School will dedicate the school baseball field to this highly respected former coach.

Church coached Varsity baseball at McClatchy from 1973 to 1988. He taught at McClatchy for 36 years and is remembered fondly by many former students, teachers and parents. Church retired in 2004.

McClatchy varsity baseball coach Michael De Necochea recalls his past as a student and baseball player under coach Church and it stirs up many fond memories.

“He was larger than life,” De Necochea said. “He was successful and not just in baseball.”

De Nocochea said Church established a booster club for the baseball team and raised lots of donations. He said Church set up batting cages, a new pitching mound and a storage shed for the equipment. Church also added a scoreboard. De Nocochea said Church expected his baseball team to take care of the field and to know how to dress as a ball player. Players were expected to wear their shirts tucked in and to have their black cleats shined before every game. And their baseball caps had better be straight, not crooked.

De Nocochea laughingly said he remembers being traumatized by having to get his hair cut above the ears. Back then, guys wore their hair longer – but not if they played ball for Church.

The thing that stuck with De Nocochea was how Church said it didn’t matter how many games a team wins, what mattered is that the team was in better shape than when it started.

“Church stressed giving back,” De Nocochea said. “I learned from him the importance of helping the community.”

Bob Sandoval was the JV coach at McClatchy. He said Church is a tremendous colleague and mentor.

“He expected the players to behave in a certain manner,” Sandoval said. “He mentored by example and everyone was rewarded.”

Church grew up in Oak Park and attended Christian Brothers High School, then simply called Christian Brothers School. He comes from a large family with lots of athletes. Church played baseball in high school and college. His dad played semi-pro baseball, and his oldest brother played baseball. Church played ball in the first Oak Park game in1952. He still plays golden senior softball.

Church said McClatchy has always had a reputation for having a good baseball program. When he was hired as the baseball coach, he felt it was important to leave the program in better condition than he found it, continuing the tradition of a good ball program.

Church said he is very honored having a baseball field named after him, but wants people to know he had a lot of help. He feels this award honors all the people who helped. Many families contributed time and money to the effort. He said Bob and Betty Snook, Hank and Barbara Wencke, Dick and Helen Davila, Betty Latino and his wife Jody are just a few of the folks who gave of themselves and their time. It was tradition to have an annual Western Bar-B-Que fundraiser. The money raised was put back into the baseball program. Coach Church did what mattered and felt he had left the field in better condition than he had found it in. He explained the coaches that came after him have followed the tradition by keeping up the program.

“The field is in real good shape right now,” Church said.

Church said his philosophy for coaching was never about winning or losing.

“It’s not about how many games you win as a coach, a coach never wins a game,” Church said. “What I based my career on was how many students came out of the program to be better sons, better brothers, better husbands, better fathers. And that is where you judge yourself as a coach.”

Bob Feikert, the athletic director at McClatchy said Church was nominated because he has integrity and discipline.

“I remember a student coming into Coach Church’s office visibly upset because someone had stolen his shoes. After we looked for them and could not find them, Church asked him what size shoe he wore. It was the same size shoe Church wore, so Church took off his shoes and gave them to the young man, Feikert said. “That’s the kind of person he was.”

Church said it bothers him that it is harder for coaches in schools with budget cuts to keep baseball going.

“I don’t think enough folks understand what sports do for these kids,” Church said. “They learn about success and failure and how to deal with it.”

Just like the history of baseball, those whose lives he touched will always remember Coach Church.

As 15 Patriot Guard Riders lined up on each side of the escalator at Sacramento International Airport, an arriving passenger headed for the escalator, saw the line and immediately stepped aside.

The other arriving passengers followed his course, leaving the escalator empty, until a woman with big blonde hair showed up.

She stepped onto the escalator smiling and thanked everyone for greeting her. The Guard Riders had not noticed as she stepped off the escalator, she stayed with group. The long awaited soldier finally appeared and proceeded down the escalator, while shaking hands and being cheered by Guard members. As he stepped off the escalator the woman with the big blonde hair stepped forward, threw her arms around him and said, “Welcome home.”

Mike Doyle, a former sailor who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and a member of the Patriot Guard Riders for two and a half years, said that is one of his favorite stories.

“The thrill of seeing a soldier come down the escalator of an airport and back to the arms of loved ones is just absolutely incredible,” Doyle said. “If a family invites us to come, how can we not.”

American Legion connection

Patriot Guards began in Westboro, Kansas in August 2005, when a group from the American Legion Riders Chapter 136 was appalled to hear that a group of misguided religious zealots were protesting the Iraqi war at soldiers’ funerals. Their chapter established a mission statement requiring the Guards receive permission from the families to attend the funerals and to include the local police. On Oct. 18, 2005, the Patriot Guard name was established.

There for the family

Doyle said the Guards simply form a flag line and quietly stand in front of the protesters, blocking them from the family and funeral. They are not there to confront anyone.

“Funerals are extremely sad and emotional,” Doyle said. “But it is also such a point of pride to be able to honor these people, particularly those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

When the Guard is invited to attend the funeral of a soldier, there are anywhere from 40 to over 100 riders showing up. Doyle said at a recent funeral in Anderson, Calif., hundreds of riders showed up to honor the local sailor who had been killed. There are close to 400 Guard members in the Sacramento region.

It’s about R-E-S-P-E-C-T

The Patriot Guards mission statement establishes that the one thing members have in common (besides riding motorcycles), is an unwavering respect for those who risk their lives for America’s freedom and security.

Although a motorcycle group started the organization, Doyle wants people to know that riding a motorcycle is not a requirement to be a member of the Patriot Guard. There are no dues or meetings and it is not required to have served in the military. The only requirement is that respect and honor are shown to the soldiers and their families.

Working with families

There is no solicitation by the Patriot Guards. If a family request the presence of the Guard at a funeral or greeting the returning soldier at the airport, a ride captain from the Guard meets with the family to gather necessary information. The ride captain adds this information to the Guard website and sends out a notice to Guard members via a mailing list. There is no requirement that a Guard member must show up at an event. Occasionally the returning soldier is escorted home with flags attached to motorcycles and cars. Doyle said it is quite a sight to see.

All service members honored

Soldiers are amazed when they realize total strangers are waiting to greet them. And, Doyle added, if other military service members show up they don’t know about, they receive the same greeting.

For example, right before Christmas, the Guard had been invited to greet one soldier at the airport. As the Guard members gladly stood at the escalator waiting for this one soldier, streams of military service members started coming down the escalator and they ended up greeting 44 returning soldiers.

The capitol region makes a special welcome home dog tag for returning soldiers. The Guard buys the tags and a local printing company donates the engraving on the tags.

When soldiers are greeted at the airport, they receive a card and the dog tag.

Tell a friend

Doyle said he wants to get the word out to all military families about what the Patriot Guard Riders do. He said they greet soldiers returning home from anywhere, even those who just get home from boot camp.

The national Website for the Patriot Guard Riders is www.patriotguard.org. There is information on the site so families across the nation can reach the Guard.

“Bottom line,” Doyle said. “These soldiers are sacrificing their lives for their country.”

Kennedy High School student Brittany Bowen was awarded a National Letter of Intent to play soccer for Canisius College, a private Jesuit school in Buffalo, New York. She signed the Letter on Wednesday, Feb.1 in the Kennedy library.

BRITTANY BOWEN signed a national letter of intent to play soccer for Canisius College in New York on Feb. 1. It was a proud day for her family. She is a student at Kennedy High School. / Valley Community Newspapers writer, Sally King

Bowen is an amazing young woman, who, in addition to receiving a soccer scholarship, received an academic merit scholarship. She has a 4.4 GPA.

“My plan is to major in international business with a minor in marketing,” Bowen said. “I’m pretty good at marketing.”

Assistant Principal of Kennedy High School David Van Natten said the school is very proud of her.

“I am confident this is the beginning of a fantastic future for her,” Van Natten said.

Bowen began playing soccer at age four. She plays center defender most of the time.

“I love soccer,” Bowen said. “My parents tried to get me interested in softball and swimming, but I always came back to soccer.”

Bowen said her older sister Jessica referees for soccer, so it was natural for her to follow her sisters’ footsteps and take up the sport. What Bowen likes most about soccer is that it is analytical. She is always anticipating the next move and how to play it.

Bowen also plays soccer for Davis Legacy. Typically she plays soccer three nights a week, except January through the beginning of April, when she plays soccer for Kennedy High School five nights a week. Last year she was voted Kennedy High School Girls Soccer All League, which is the equivalent of being voted MVP.

Bowen keeps very busy being on two soccer leagues and taking college prep classes at school. She said her life right now is school and soccer, with an occasional good book to read.

Bowen met the Canisius College soccer coach last year. He watched her play and invited her to check out the school. Bowen’s dad, Tom, went with her to see the school and they both liked it.

Kennedy Athletic Director Marcus Pineda said he is very excited and happy for Bowen.

“Her coach would like her to be team captain this year,” Pineda said. “She has excelled both on the field and off the field academically.”

Bowen is looking forward to starting college next fall. She has visited the campus twice and thinks it is a great school. She said she knows she has a great future ahead of her.

This year’s Rotary Club theme is “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity,” and that is exactly what Daniel Li did Thursday morning, Feb. 9, at the Aviator’s Restaurant located at the Executive Airport.

REACHING WITHIN, Kennedy High School upperclassmen Daniel Li and Simon Lal (left to right) competed in the Rotary Club of Pocket-Greenhaven’s annual speech contest. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Sally King

Li, a junior at Kennedy High School competed against Simon Lal in the annual Rotary Speech contest. His speech touched on the shallowness of society as a whole.

“I looked at the theme and I wanted to get looser with the style of my writing,” Li said. “This year’s theme took a lot of thinking and it was a fun process.”

Li lives in the Greenhaven Pocket area and said he plans on getting a business degree and might follow the footsteps of his two older brothers who attend UC Berkeley. The Rotary Club awarded him first place with a gift of $200.

Lal, a senior at Kennedy High School said he wants to become a stunt director and actor. His theme was being true to self and others. Lal lives in South Sacramento. He received $100 for his speech.

“I decided to be in the speech contest because I tend to be shy and sometimes stutter and slur my words,” Lal said. “I figured this would help me improve my public speaking.”

Speaking well in public takes years of practice and begins with experience. These are two reasons the Rotary Club has an annual speech contest for young people. The Rotary Website explains the contest is an opportunity to spread the themes and motto of Rotary, “Service Above Self.”

The Rotary Club rules state contestants must be in grades 9 to 12. The speaker must give a five to eight minute speech without displays, prompts or prompting. The speaker must convince listeners how he/she will reach within and find their inner strength to accomplish great things within their community and around the world. They are allowed to use notes for the first round, after that notes are not allowed.

There were three judges; Linda Whitney, retired principal of Caroline Wenzel Elementary School, Terry Thomas, retired teacher from Alice Birney Elementary School and Marilee Bellotti, retired principal of Holy Spirit Parish School.

Li advances to the Area 4 Level Semi-final Contest to be held Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m. in the SMUD auditorium.

The winner of that contest advances to the District Level Contest, held at the Grand Sierra Resort, Reno Nev. on Saturday, May 19. The district level first place award is $1000 and second place is $700.

Restore the Roar, an athletic booster club at C.K. McClatchy High School, is establishing an Athletic Hall of Fame, and in so doing, is establishing something more: a group of involved alumni who are enjoying making a difference in the community while having fun together.

‘How can I help?’

RESTORE THE ROAR began as a high school alumni booster club to support the C.K. McClatchy High School football team in 2007. Today, the booster group is working to support student athletes in all sports at the school. / Photo iStockphoto

Former Chief Deputy of Social Services Bob Sertich helped start the booster club in 2007 after he retired. He wanted to help out in his community and because he and his three adult children are alumni of McClatchy High School, he went to the school to find out where it needed help. The athletic director needed some assistance with the football team, so Sertich focused on the needs of the football team for two years.

Shift from football to all sports

The focus for the booster club has changed and the club is now working with Athletic Director Rod Feikert to create an umbrella for all sports, involving the alumni, parents and businesses. In 2009, Restore the Roar was licensed as a non-profit business.

“It is an outstanding program,” Feikert said. “It’s always great to have the alumni involved with the school.”

Mentoring…and building

Sertich started the booster club with the idea of having past athletes from the school meet with current student athletes. He wants the students to have positive role models.

“I want the long and heralded athletic tradition at McClatchy High School to continue,” Sertich said. “The goal is to build a booster program similar to that of many large suburban schools.”

Sertich said his father died when he was 10-years-old and he missed out on becoming athletically involved as a young boy. While attending McClatchy in 1964, Sertich remembers one man in particular who made a difference in his life. His name was Bill Morgan and he was the vice principal.

“He was a great educator,” Sertich said. “He talked to the students about the role of public service and making the community stronger. That stuck with me.”

Academic, athletic recognition

This year the club had a recognition event for seniors who played more than one sport and kept a high GPA. They also helped the girls basketball team. They were able to provide an after school study hall and tutors for the athletes and Taylor’s Market generously donated meals to the football team.

Cameraderie

Rod Kunisaki, an alum and member of the Sacramento Sports Commission, is the treasurer for the club

“I became involved in the club mostly because of the camaraderie,” Kunisaki said. “I enjoy the connection between the students and the athletes who attended McClatchy.”

2012 nominees – partial list

Many great athletes attended McClatchy High School. Lenore Modell, Barbara Romack and Judy Ghillarducci are three examples of the type of athletes being nominated for the first Hall of Fame.

Romack played professional golf, winning the U.S. Women’s Amateur golf tournament in 1954. She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated on April 16, 1956. At one time she served as vice-president of the LPGA.

Ghillarducci was golf pro at Haggin Oaks for over 20 years. She is a past winner of the County and City of Sacramento women’s golf tournaments.

Modell swam the English Channel in 1964.

The complete list of nominees thus far is posted on the Restore the Roar website, www.restoretheroar.org.

Sertich said the club is organizing a dinner for the Hall of Fame and they are still accepting nominations.

Four requirements for ‘Restore the Roar’ nominees

The following categories will be considered for induction into the C. K. McClatchy Athletic Hall of Fame:

1. Former student-athletes who compiled an outstanding record of athletic accomplishments while competing for McClatchy High School.

2. Entire athletic teams that represented McClatchy High School at the highest level of competition in its respective sport.

3. Coaches with a demonstrated record of teaching and athletic accomplishment during his/her tenure at McClatchy.

Imagine an older woman in her wheel chair; leaving her Natomas home in the morning with her little dachshund bundled up on her lap, switching between light rail and the bus for three hours to reach her destination point.

KEEPING SENIORS AND PETS TOGETHER is one of the missions of the Sacramento SPCA. / Photo iStockphoto

The woman was bringing her dog to the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals (SPCA) located at 6201 Florin Perkins Road, where a program called “Senior Services” provides free pet vaccinations to senior citizens age 60 and over the first Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This woman arrived late and was incredibly grateful and gracious to us when we told her we would vaccinate her dog that day,” SPCA Senior Services Coordinator Shari Lowen said. “Our goal is keeping seniors and their pets together.”

Pet, senior needs met

For many seniors, their life is their pet.

“No one can argue the benefits of keeping seniors and their pets together,” Lowen said. “The senior program provides free vaccinations, nail trims, and pet adoptions.”

The money saved on free pet vaccinations provide many seniors money needed for pet food.

Lynn Humphries, ‘A Sure Solution’ consultant, thinks the SPCA Senior program is wonderful.

“Three years ago I received a call from a gentleman who had a sick dog and no money. At that time the SPCA didn’t have a senior program, so I split the cost of the veterinarian fees with a friend,” Humphries said. “The man started crying when he found out his dog was going to be OK.”

Meals on Wheels connection

Humphries said the folks who volunteer with “Meals on Wheels” keep their eyes open for seniors who might need assistance with a pet.

Lori Olshaskie, Meals on Wheels’ Social Services supervisor, said she has known seniors on fixed incomes who would rather see their pet eat than themselves.

“The level of love and commitment to their pets is amazing,” Olshaskie said. “Especially when a person lives alone, having a pet makes a huge difference in that persons life.”

Meals on Wheels is grateful for pet food donations and is willing to pick them up.

Golf tournament

The SPCA holds an annual golf tournament to raise money for the Senior Service program. It will take place Monday, May 9 at the Del Paso Country Club, presented by Hank Fisher.

In addition to free vaccinations, the Senior Service program provides discounted dog training, free telephone assistance with dog and cat behavior issues and discounted private animal behavior consultations. They also provide quarterly estate planning seminars that include information about options for pets in the event the owner is no longer here to care for them.

Future programs

Lowen said the SPCA is working on a program where volunteers go to the senior’s home and provide whatever services his or her pet might need, such as transportation to the veterinarian because many seniors no longer drive. The SPCA is trying to get volunteers together to walk dogs for folks who are immobile or not able to walk far.

To learn more, call the Sacramento SPCA at (916) 383-7387 or visit www.sspca.org.

Ms. Moore and Ms. Saechao’s third grade classes at Yav Pem Suab Academy School were in for a big surprise on Jan. 5.

Judy Foote, treasurer of the Rotary Club of Pocket Greenhaven, presented each child and teacher with a new picture dictionary.

Pam Whipple, school nurse and safety coordinator said the quality of the dictionaries was impressive.

“I watched the students reactions to receiving the dictionaries and they were immediately engaged,” Whipple said. “The illustrations in the dictionaries help bring the words to life.”

Foote began the morning by introducing the five Rotary Club members who came to present the dictionaries to the children. Each member talked to the students about the importance of a good education and how they too were excited that each child was receiving a new dictionary. Foote gave a short speech to the students explaining what the Rotary Club is about and that it is an international organization of business people who serve others locally, nationally and internationally. She asked the children if they could explain the purpose of a dictionary. Many students raised their hands eagerly, hoping to be called on.

Clarence Parkins, District Foundation Chair, said the dictionary project started in 2004 with two clubs participating with 167 books purchased for three elementary classes in two schools. In 2011, 35 District Rotary clubs purchased 9,990 books, providing dictionaries to approximately 96 area elementary schools.

Foote says the Rotarians enjoy giving the dictionaries away just as much as the kids enjoy receiving them.

Third grade teachers Ms. Moore and Ms. Saechao said they are thankful to the Rotary Club for donating the dictionaries. Moore said the colorful picture dictionaries are amazing.

“Before the Rotary Club came to distribute the dictionaries, there was one dictionary the class had to share,” Moore said. “Now the students can’t stop using their dictionaries. One child told me the day he received his dictionary was the best day of class.”

One of the highlights for Rotary International is literacy and passing out the dictionaries to the third graders at Yav Pem Suab Academy was truly a highlight.

It’s hard to walk into Parkside Pharmacy in Sacramento without sampling a body lotion or perusing the many cards made by local artists.

JOHN AND MICHELLE ORTEGO are the owners of Parkside Pharmacy in Sacramento. John won a national award for coming up with a business concept for a whole wellness pharmacy that includes a compounding pharmacy, a boutique and skincare…all in one. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Sally King

Now open for two and a half years, Parkside was formally known as Land Park Pharmacy. Ted and Georgia Econome opened the pharmacy in 1953 and are now retired. Current owner John Ortego worked for Land Park Pharmacy three years before the Econome’s retired. When the pharmacy closed, Ortego saw the perfect opportunity to remodel it based on an idea he and his wife Michelle had discussed.

John graduated from the University of Pacific and had a vision of running a compound pharmacy. Compounding is the mixing of drugs by a compounding pharmacist to fit the unique needs of a patient. This may be done for medically necessary reasons, such as to change the form of the medication from a solid pill to a liquid, to avoid a non-essential ingredient that the patient is allergic to, or to obtain the exact dose needed. It may also be done for voluntary reasons, such as adding favorite flavors to a medication.

John wanted to run an independent, whole wellness pharmacy that included a spa.

“John entered a nationwide competition with the idea of having a whole wellness pharmacy that included the compounding pharmacy, boutique and skincare and won,” Michelle said. “He received a lot of recognition for his idea.”

In addition to servicing the local community, he also makes compound medications for his neighbor, the Sacramento Zoo. Compound medications make it easier to treat the animals there.

John hired Gary Thomas to help him run the pharmacy. Thomas previously ran the Land Park Pharmacy for 35 years.

“Gary is a celebrity,” Michelle said. “He reminds me of the old-fashioned doctors, who used to make house calls.”

Michelle wanted a boutique where people could purchase jewelry, paintings and cards made by local artists.

“Our cards are provided mostly by Papyrus and a local artist known as Artey Mas,” Michelle said. “Artey Mas is owned by Marisa Gutierrez, who happens to be my cousin.”

Gutierrez also brings in featured paintings by local artists in the area.

Michelle said another popular item in the boutique is hand-stitched baby booties, made by a woman who lives in Land Park.

“Our biggest hit in the boutique is the jewelry, which is from all over the world and very unique,” Michelle said. “We have a variety of price ranges too.”

With a medical background in skin care, Michelle wanted to make sure the spa had a medically trained aesthetician on hand.

Michelle has over 10 years experience working with dermatologists. She bought a medical grade machine for the microdermabrasion treatments and said it took her a while to find a good aesthetician.

“Everyone loves Marla, our aesthetician, and we even have Arden Park residents coming in for spa treatments,” Michelle said. “I eventually want to add a massage therapist.”

THE BOUTIQUE section of Parkside Pharmacy features local and international items that are unique and one-of-a-kind. Perfect for gift giving. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Sally King

Michelle said her goal for the new pharmacy was pulling in the newer generation with the spa and cosmetics. With more light coming into the building now, it appears larger and warmly inviting.

Michelle promotes local business to the visitors who come to her store. She thinks it is important to support the local economy and said it is a big deal to her.

The store is set up with the compounding pharmacy located in the back and the boutique and spa in the front. Parkside has a website with a calendar listing their monthly events. A book signing at the store in early December delighted Wayne Thiebaud fans. Children recently had the opportunity to pose with Santa. Parkside is also presenting the “12 days of Christmas” that include spa specials.

An email is sent every second Saturday with daily specials to Parkside’s email listing. Michelle said this has become quite popular.

Both John and Michelle say that running the Parkside Pharmacy has been a lot of work, but also a lot of fun in the making.

Parkside Pharmacy is located 4404 Del Rio Road in Sacramento. Call (916) 452-2200 or visit www.myparksidepharmacy.com.

sally@valcomnews.com

Bill Clausen, owner of B&T Upholstery Repair in Sacramento, has reupholstered furniture for over 46 years. The B stands for Bill and the T for his wife, Terri.

ARTISTS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT. Left to right, Bill Clausen and John Combs bring cherished, heirloom and collectible furniture pieces back to life at B&T Upholstery Repair. From re-covering dining room chairs, to complex projects…these men can do it all. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Sally King

“I became interested in reupholstering furniture when I was 11-years-old,” Clausen said. “I used to hang out at an upholstery shop located on 21st Street and 2nd Avenue.”

It started with cutting class

Clausen said he hung out there because his friend lived above the shop. Clausen’s last class of the day was woodshop and he didn’t like the class. One day Clausen caught his shop teacher drinking, so he made a deal with him, that he wouldn’t tell anyone what he saw as long as he could skip the class. The teacher agreed, so Clausen spent his afternoons watching the shop owner through the window while waiting for his friend to come home.

Leading to a career

After six months of watching through the window, the shop owner asked him what he was doing. When Clausen told him, the owner asked him if he wanted to work there, sweeping and cleaning up. Clausen agreed and he worked at the shop for seven years, learning how to reupholster furniture.

Shop owner Richard Combs younger brother John, now works for Clausen.

Quality reupholstering for quality furniture

There is no limit to the types of furniture that can be reupholstered. Clausen offers his years of knowledge to customers, whether they are novices or veterans in the restoration of furniture.

B&T Upholstery Repair offers free estimates, pickup and delivery. Clausen lets his clients know if their furniture is worth being reupholstered. He said most of the time it costs more to reupholster a piece than to buy new, which is the one big misconception most people have. He believes if the furniture is quality, it is worth the price of reupholstering.

Recliners are popular

He receives many requests to reupholster old recliners. His clients like the older style.

He also reupholsters art deco and modernist period furniture for collectors. In some cases, Clausen explained, people want the same exact style and color of the original piece of furniture.

Another reason folks consider reupholstering is the sentimental value of a piece of furniture being passed down in the family.

“Sometimes I have to rebuild the piece to make it good enough to reupholster,” Clausen said. “It usually turns out better than the original piece.”

Jim Burrus, owner of Garland Fabrics, has known Clausen since 1956.

“His work is superior,” Burrus said. “We have a good relationship and trade customers back and forth all the time.”

Clausen said he only uses the best foam and it has a five-year guarantee. He also reupholsters a lot of antique furniture. He has a list of referrals customers can use for wood refinishing and painting.

Redesign advantages

Clausen said in this economy, people often would rather pay to have a piece of furniture repaired, rather than to buy new. An advantage to reupholstering a piece of furniture, Clausen explained, is an unlimited choice of fabrics. He also restyles furniture. He can shorten, add height, or restyle the arms on chairs and sofas.

A vanishing art

Clausen said he views his work as a dying art. There are many rules and regulations he must follow and thinks that is why there are not as many people in the industry today.

THIS HEIRLOOM antique chair will be handed down to future generations, thanks to professional restoration efforts and reupholstering. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Sally King

Bob Locke, a Sacramento resident, said he owns a unique three-piece sofa set he bought 35 years ago. He had Clausen reupholster it because one of the pieces had mold developing on it.

“Bill was gracious, knowledgeable and accessible,” Locke said. “I am very pleased with his work. The sofa originally stood close to the floor and Bill added two to three inch legs under the sofa, so it isn’t so hard on my knees to get up.”

Clausen has many customers in the Bay Area, Reno and Tahoe. He said most of his art deco clients live in the Bay Area.

Upholstery may be a “dying art,” but Clausen said he is booked through the end of the year “and that is really good.”

B&T Upholstery Repair is located at 1600-B Kitchner Road, off Freeport Boulevard, near Executive Airport. Call (916) 392-1959 for more information.