s r o b h g i e N e t a r b e m a g a z i n e l e C March 2013 Women of Note Healthy Life Margo Mullen John Davis 80279 GJ DIAP EGATSOP .S.U DTS TRSRP A home is more affordable now than it It’s Time to was in 1970 when record keeping started according to the National Association of Realtors. Come Home Very low interest rates with low home prices make it as easy to own than pay rent! to Natomas The experienced loan consultants in our office consider it a privilege to help you prepare financially for that first home purchase. We will do all the work necessary as your advocate to make sure you have the best interest rate and the best experience getting “Our staff will work hard to into your new home or even refinancing your get you into that new home.” current one. We’re right here in Natomas on Del Paso Vince Kaleel Road off Truxel. Come in for some coffee and Branch Manager | Loan Consultant 916 . 575-9740 | NMLS # 869445 take advantage of our commitment to your [email protected] future in our community. ...We are here to make your new home a reality CA DRE #01390474 NMLS #165193 Call Today: 916 . 575 . 9740 2250 Del Paso Road, Suite a • Sacramento, CA 95834 comstockmortgage.com Sac 1st Mortgage DBA Comstock Mortgage A home is more affordable now than it It’s Time to was in 1970 when record keeping started according to the National Association of Realtors. Come Home Very low interest rates with low home prices make it as easy to own than pay rent! Individual • Business • Partnership • Corporate to Natomas The experienced loan consultants in “Serving clients since 1982” our office consider it a privilege to help you prepare financially for that first home purchase. We will do all the work necessary as your advocate to make sure you have the best interest rate and the best experience getting “Our staff will work hard to into your new home or even refinancing your get you into that new home.” current one. We’re right here in Natomas on Del Paso Vince Kaleel Road off Truxel. Come in for some coffee and Branch Manager | Loan Consultant 916 . 575-9740 | NMLS # 869445 take advantage of our commitment to your [email protected] future in our community. FREE Initial Consultation We offer quality service Over 30 Years at very reasonable rates. of Experience Fast, Accurate and Friendly Service We’re open year-round. Licensed to practice before the FREE IRS - Audit Representation ...We are here to Experienced and Professional AUTHORIZED make your new National Society of Accountants with tax preparation PROVIDER National Association of Enrolled Agents home a reality CA DRE #01390474 NMLS #165193 California Society of Enrolled Agents California Society of Accounting & Tax Professionals Call Today: 916 . 575 . 9740 Sacramento|Natomas Yuba City 916 . 641 . 2585 530 . 674 . 7161 2250 Del Paso Road, Suite a • Sacramento, CA 95834 2087 Arena Blvd. • Suite 140 327 Percy Avenue www.ibstax.net comstockmortgage.com Sac 1st Mortgage DBA Comstock Mortgage On the corner of Truxel Rd. & Arena Blvd. On the corner of Franklin & Percy Ave. Contents Celebrating Neighbors is Our Mission N Communications, Inc. dba N magazine March 2013 2121 Natomas Crossing Dr. 200-130 Sacramento, CA 95834 916 927-9024 x 2 Volume 9a | Number 3 eMail to: [email protected] Published monthly by WIN D NI N Communications, Inc. AR N 06 08 10 www.nmag.net W G Contents copyright © 2012 N A Communications Inc. E N All material published in N magazine AZI becomes the sole property of N magazine. NATOMAS M A G Nrepor opdaurtc oefd t hwisi thpouubtl iscpaeticoinfi cm waryi ttbeen permission of the publisher. N magazine reserves the right to edit all submissions. 14 16 18 To Submit Material: Community Information Reader input is very important to our community content. Send calendar items, This QR code is direct access to the N press releases: N magazine calendar@ magazine Website through your smart phone or smart pad. nmag.net before the tenth of the month. 20 22 26 Cover Artists Publisher & Creative Director N magazine’s covers feature the work of Dennis Spear [email protected] Publishers’ Note ............5 PLanting Trees in a Natomas Park local artists. Send digital portfolios to: Remembering John Davis Tax Assistance [email protected] Contributing Editor Pruning Workshop Karen Wilson Pet Project .................5 Community Event Sponsorship [email protected] Send your pet stories & pictures Where in Natomas New N magazine’s free community events are available for sponsorship. Contributing Editor Artist Profile ...............6 Out n About ..............18 Ad reservations are typically by the fifth of Sadia Ashraf Margo Mullen Around the Region the month. To advertise, call or e-mail for current rates. Editing Consultant 50 Bikes for 50 Kids .......20 Lauren Oneto Women of Note ............8 Assets to the Community N magazine Participates Production schedules and mechanical Publisher Emeritus | Sales specifications at www.nmag.net Marni Leger Healthy Living ......... 10 - 14 Tia’s Natomas ............22 [email protected] Special Section and story More events from Tia Gemmell Corrections Policy — N magazine will correct errors when brought to our Senior Sales Consultant Bits n Pieces ..............16 Dining Dudes .............24 attention. Patricia Cardosa Viet-Ha e-Mail [email protected] [email protected] Fallrise has Natomas Talent Sweethart Gala for IB Program. Sales Consultants Day Trip .................26 Circulation — N magazine is Heinz Ludke Where in Natomas Winner Adam visits Tahoe / Reno mailed and distributed free directly to about [email protected] Charter School History 27,000 Natomas businesses and homes Carl Schultz New Natomas Arrival Events & Meetings .........28 (in zip codes 95833-37, with an estimated [email protected] readership of up to 80,000. Community Grant Community Happenings Physical Distribution — Natomas & West Contributing Writers Sacramento libraries, City Hall, Natomas Liane Quirk Community Center, and our advertiser Barry Pitluk & Bob Beyn Karen Wilson locations. Sadia Ashraf Theresa Gallagher March is National Women’s Month Contributing Photographers Tia Gemmell Steve & Lee Folino Arts in Business Council Award Nominee 58th Annual MAGGIE AWARDS Top 5 Finalist: Series: Artist Profiles N magazine has awards from these organizations 57th Annual MAGGIE AWARDS Recycle N magazine 4 | N magazine Top 5 Finalist: Best Overall Web Design PublisherNote | Dennis Spear | Publisher | Creative Director AWARD WINNING N NE A ATOMAS MAGAZI nother longtime Digital Reel and Showcase five years ago. It is an era of friend has been lost. John Awards at the Crest Theater. rapid adoption or oblivion. We Davis was an Emmy award His death has me looking must take note of those who winning videographer and more closely at the transition will not be along for the ride editor. We worked together at we have been making in the to the brave new world be- KVIE Channel 6 for many years twenty first century. From the ing created each day. An era before John started his own nineteenth to twentieth centu- has passed and we are forging business, AlpenWolf Produc- ries, many businesses became a new visions of communica- tions. His wonderful images obsolete and jobs were lost that tion media, and what they and deft editing for the Water were never to be seen again. mean to our country’s future. Education Foundation and for We are going through that As technology allows Channel 6 created an immedi- change again and John’s field individuals to create new ways ate and sympathetic connection of work was shifting rapidly. to reach large numbers of with the outdoors he loved. Just as desktop publishing people, those who created what On the Cover John was a valuable ad- changed the design and print we are building on should not Margo Mullen dition to projects close to my world, digital SLR cameras be discarded so easily. We are Valley Summer heart: video production for and home-based editing are standing on their shoulders. Acrylic on Canvas WIN D NIthe Sacramento Tree Founda- changing professional photog- John is now a memory R Ntion, and exhibit design for the raphy and videography. We of the twentieth century A W CaGlifornia History Museum must adapt to the new world and I honor his contribu- on "Pat Brown and a New with speed or be left behind. tion to bring us this far. A CalifoErnia." He contributed his The methods used to cre- N expertise as a judge for video ate this magazine are radically ZI entrieAs in the Annual Teen different from those used only N G A A T M OMAS John Davis 1953 to 2013 PetProject Send Your Pets Stories & Pics Deadline: March 8 April will be here before you know it, and with it one of our most popular features: We Love Our Pets. Send us 70 to 100 words telling us why your pet is a part of your family, along with a high-resolution photo to: [email protected] C oTnot dr i ab uy t! e “cat” by Parry Lee 12” x 18” N cover artist, June 2010 watercolor on paper NN m maaggaazzininee | 5 WARD WINNI A NG N NE Artist Profile ATOMAS MAGAZIBy | Karen Wilson "The process of painting a mural can change a community and bring a sense of life and love that wasn’t there before." (right) Margo in her studio with her latest "Robot Travels Through Time" MargoMullen Margo Mullen is in touch Museum, closed for nearly four Mullen’s robots have been with her inner robots, and years for renovation, will feature featured in gallery shows, and they’re leading her to a career a permanent interactive instal- were the face of Sacramento’s as an artist. The south Natomas lation by Mullen at its grand re- Chalk It Up festival last year. native won her first art competi- opening this June. She describes “For as simple as they are,” tion at age four. It landed her a it as an interactive stop motion she says, “they can evoke such spot on the cover of Chickadee animation. “I created 27 illus- emotion. At first my robots were Magazine and “a really cool Dr. trations,” she says. “Three are by themselves, lonely and sad. I Seuss anthology”. Today, Mullen large backgrounds. You’ll be able was that way myself. I wanted has developed her own whimsi- to put the others on top of the some friends, so I started making cal characters tackling important background to make your own these little guys. Now they’re subjects in an engaging way. stop action animation. A camera doing all kinds of things. They’re Mullen received a degree above will record where you under the sea, time traveling in art from California State place the pictures. The museum with dinosaurs. They tell me Monterey Bay, where she met where they want to go. When mixed media artist Andre my paintings make people laugh, Miripolski. He introduced her that makes my heart full.” to mural painting, and took Mullen credits much of her her under his wing. Celebrity success to her father’s early ad- artist John Pugh has also helped vice: put in the work, and some- Mullen along. She has been a thing will happen. She says her primary or assistant painter on inspiration comes from interact- murals in her new hometown of ing with people, and from writ- (above top) Santa Cruz, as well as Monterey, ing. “I love science,” she says. “If Mullen Suzka Mural Acrylic on Wall Canada, Europe, Mexico and had me illustrate things like ani- I couldn’t be a comedian or a vet, Barbados. “Murals give people mals, futuristic flying cars, a bus, an artist is the next best thing. (above) BonnyDoon free art with instant access,” she robots, solar panels and a home. Encaustic: Uses heated beeswax LearnMore to which colored pigments and says. “The process of painting a For example, you can put the objects are added. mural can change a community home in a redwood forest scene N magazine nmag.net and bring a sense of life and to talk about more humans pop- Margo Mullen (right) SheepBot Studiomargo.com love that wasn’t there before.” ulating natural places. The idea is Acrylic on Canvas Artist’s Collective Natomas The Gallery of California to stimulate dialog to talk about artistscollectivenatomas.com. Natural Sciences at the Oakland what will happen in Oakland.” 6 | N magazine Ready, Set, Ride! Spring riding is just around the corner, are you ready ? All sessions take place from 6-7:30pm Apply at NNTMA.org to get approved at the 4660 Via Ingoglia, Sacramento, CA 95835 Buy a new bike or accessory Wednesday, March 20th Thursday, April 18th Get 40% of your money back Tuesday, May 21st A maximum of $250 towards a bike and $50 towards an accessory NNNNNNTTTMMMAAA...ooorrrggg ||| LLLiiikkkeee uuusss ooonnn ||| FFFooollllllooowww uuusss ooonnn @@@NNNooorrrttthhhNNNaaatttooommmaaasssTTTMMMAAA ||| 999111666...444111999...999999555555 WARD WINNI A NG Creating a network among her N NE Women of Note friends, neighbors and associates, ATOMAS MAGAZIBy | Sadia Ashraf Irene has many people donat- ing soaps, shampoos, lotions, toothpaste, and other ‘travel’ items for such places as Frances House and Loaves & fishes. She has collected many hundreds of items for donation, including large numbers of winter coats. Irene also mentors children one-on-one at Glenwood School, and has encouraged others to 2013 volunteer too. She makes ten quilts on average every month to GloriaSantana donate where needed. Her gen- WomenofNotethat diversity is embraced and erosity is greatly appreciated by celebrated in every corner of the all. Much more can be said about community,” said Gloria. When Irene’s spirit of giving to her she’s not home-schooling or community; but in recognizing volunteering, she’s on the soccer Irene; we are all lifted higher and GloriaSantana field sidelines cheering on her kids are motivated to join her efforts Gloria Santana of Natomas in the North Natomas League. for these wonderful charities. Each year, in honor of has an already full schedule with IreneBaker CarolSveilich home-schooling her children, Women’s History Month, but still finds time to volunteer Irene is an amazing lady Carol Sveilich wants you N magazine pays tribute with Sacramento Life Center’s whose compassion and caring to know that it is okay to not to women who are helping Baby Bottle Project, which raises has inspired others within our be okay. Counselor, author and shape the future of our funds for pregnant women in Natomas community. She has group facilitator, Carol is one need. Gloria helps deliver 7,000 worked tirelessly for nonprofit of millions of Americans living great community and state. baby bottles across the region agencies such as: The Heritage with a chronic condition. Like This story continues on our to schools, churches and more many others, she may look fine IreneBaker Website www.nmag.net. to be filled with coins, cash on the outside, but struggles or checks, and helps Nato- inwardly with health challenges. mas families participate. Last Her experience with an autoim- year’s project raised $56,000. mune disorder, Crohn’s Disease, The project also helps families forced her into early retirement, teach kids about giving back. but opened up an opportunity to With four children, and a make a difference in her commu- baby on the way, it’s important nity. Wanting to share and spread to Gloria and her husband, Luis, information about this and other Publisher’s Note: that their kids learn how to be easily concealed disorders, Carol This section of N magazine could not caring citizens. “The Baby Bottle Park Charity Club; Francis created a local support group happen without the contribution of the Project helps me teach my chil- House; Glenwood Elementary and a nationwide newsletter, community. I thank Kristin Thébaud , dren that they start as babies and School; Make-A-Wish Founda- which later became worldwide. Kay Tucker, Liane Quirk, Diane Ramsdell, become kids who can help others. tion; Sacramento Youth De- Her contributions earned her Sharon Holstege and all those who It starts at home, and then they velopment Network; Loaves the ABC Leadership Award in have contributed to this recognition of Natomas women. hopefully will grow up and repeat & Fishes, and Project Linus. her hometown of San Diego. the same habits,” she said. Gloria Irene has strived to alleviate In hopes of reaching a wider says that raising her kids in Nato- suffering and to create brighter audience, Carol wrote a book mas will teach them to be caring days for those in need. In doing entitled JUST FINE: Unmasking adults. “I have lived in Nato- so, she has been a beacon to oth- Concealed Chronic Illness and mas for two years, and I love ers who have joined in her efforts. Pain. A follow-up book focus- 8 | N magazine ing on mood disorders is now Foundation’s website, Lupus is in Operation Cratchit, the event business. Shortly after that, she available: But You Look Just a chronic, autoimmune disease right before Christmas that found herself running the hip Fine: Unmasking Depression, that can damage any part of the distributes food and baskets to and trendy salon located on Del Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress body. There is no cure for Lupus people in need. She’s also worked Paso Road. She said she loved to Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive and an estimated 1.5 million decorate and move and enjoyed Disorder, Panic Disorder and Americans are affected by it. the opportunity to start up in an Seasonal Affective Disorder. Pauline has become a area that was just expanding. She hopes both books will be a resource to people all over our Daena is also the president source of education and sup- region who want to know more of the Sons of Italy Sacramento port for those who may be about the condition. She says that Chapter and has recently opened feeling alone in their struggles. she’s amazed at the number of a new lodge in Natomas. “I people she comes across who do truly believe every Italian should not know we have resources here be a part of the Sons of Italy,” in Sacramento in the form of a she said about the charity that support group. Every year, Pau- SandyDudley supports and promotes the line participates in the "Walk for with Amreek Singh, the home- Italian culture. In response to Lupus", which is held in Golden less person liaison for the Nato- the devastating earthquake that Gate Park. All funds raised go mas Unified School District, to hit two towns in Italy in which toward education, research and provide backpacks filled with Daena spent much of her life, finding a cure. “I like it when I supplies for homeless students the lodge fundraised by creat- can help just one person un- and well as provid- DaenaBiondi derstand what is going on with ing turkeys around the CarolSveilich them; in the beginning, it can be holiday season. Sandy In her spare time, Carol a scary experience,” she said. has been involved with has a passion for photography Pauline loves to cook for that group over the and has assisted in judging of her husband Robert and sons past three years. N magazine’s photo contests. Robert III and Nick. She also As if she didn’t have enjoys going out to breakfast her hands full with all of PaulineGarcia with her sister, going on camp- the above, she has also She’s a mother, an advo- ing trips, barbequing with family served on the board of cate, and most of all, a survivor. and friends and taking trips to Big Brothers and Big Sis- Pauline Garcia has been battling the coast. “My home is my haven ters for six years. Other Lupus for over 23 years. She which I truly enjoy,” said Pauline. organizations she’s has participated in Health and volunteered for have been the ing a cookbook with recipes SandyDudley Make-A-Wish Foundation, So- donated by Natomas residents. One woman who believes ciety for the Blind and Women’s She is also a very stylish in putting action behind com- Empowerment. “As a business- fashionista who operates a bou- munity service rather than just person, we have an obligation tique from her salon. “I wanted her money is Sandy Dudley. She to get involved and give back to give women of Natomas and has been involved in the Natomas to the community,” says Sandy. Sacramento another option in community for many years. Most In her free time, Sandy likes to style which I felt was missing,” recently, she was the President spend time with her husband, said Daena. She has also been of the Natomas Chapter of the read, cook and likes to take part involved in the American Cancer Rotary Club and is still involved in walks and ride her bike. Society’s Relay for Life as a with the organization as the Team Captain for the last four DaenaBiondi PaulineGarcia secretary treasurer. She currently years. As if she would have any works for United Corporate Another woman who’s been time left after doing all that she Wellness Fairs, on behalf of the Furnishings, Inc. as a controller making an impact in Natomas does, she says that she enjoys Lupus Foundation of America overseeing customer service. over the past several years is listening to music and entertain- and traveled to different State Sandy has also volunteered Hair Phases Salon owner, Daena ing friends in her free time. agencies, to educate people on at the Standford Settlement here Biondi. She arrived in Natomas Continued on www.nmag.net lupus and give them the resources in Natomas, helped with the seven years ago and started as a they need. According to the May Day Run and was involved receptionist in the family salon N magazine | 9 WARD WINNI A NG N NE Health&Wellnes ATOMAS MAGAZIBy | Liane Quirk HealthyLife inNatomas When you commit to taking care of your body, your body will take care of you. (above right) "Loop the Lake" What better way to Now through March 30th, “Live Well Natomas” is in full was the starting route of these beat the chill of winter than you can join Natomas residents swing for its second year. Pas- Live Well Natomas walkers and to work up a sweat?! for Loop the Lake Saturdays at tor Sayers doesn’t just want you joggers just like last year. Staying physically active year 8am and 1pm. Started last year by to be healthy. He wants your round can help you maintain Pastor Glenn Sayers of Natomas family, neighbors and pets to (or lose) weight, lower blood Crossroads church and a group live well: “We want wellness to pressure and cholesterol, reduce of local businesses and churches, be a normal, practical, personal stress, improve quality of life, and life-style choice for everyone.” maintain independence. People New this year, they have part- who regularly exercise look nered with “Walk with a Doc,” better and feel better, making it giving Natomas residents the (right center) Our best friends are a popular 2-in-1 resolution. opportunity to chat with a local getting involved in healthy living these days with the "Dog GONE Even if you didn’t set physician while walking. And Good" effort to get pet owners a resolution for this year or they also gave away dog ban- out and exercising. have already fallen off the danas for “Dog GONE Good” in wagon, it’s never too late to an effort to get more pet own- re-commit to your health. Here ers and their pets to get out and are some ways you can get fit exercise. The bandanas are gone, in your neck of the woods: but you can still enjoy “Yappy Health Continued on page 12 10| N magazine