Free Veterans' Forum Focuses on Service Benefits

Suisun City, Calif. - A free forum to help all military veterans learn about and apply for state and federal benefits they earned through their service will be held Saturday, April 2, 2011, at the Nelson Community Center. >> Get Map >>

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a complimentary lunch for those who RSVP (see information below).

On hand to discuss services with veterans and their families will be representatives from

• California Department of Veterans Affairs
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs
• Social Security Administration
• Sacramento Valley National Cemetery
• Local veterans groups
• Several other groups.

The forum will be presented in two parts. In the morning session, speakers from federal, state, and local agencies will discuss services available to all veterans, such as health care, disability claims, survivor and burial benefits, and employment assistance.

Following a complimentary lunch, the afternoon sessions will focus on services specifically for women veterans and veterans readjusting to civilian life.

Caseworkers will be available throughout the day to help veterans file disability and pension claims. Please bring your DD214 if available.

For more information or to RSVP, call 707-455-8025 or click here.

The forum is sponsored by Assemblymember Mariko Yamada and the City of Suisun City.

Due to heavy rains, hiking-only this weekend at Lynch Canyon

The Solano Land Trust has announced:

Because of the recent severe rains and upcoming weather reports, Lynch Canyon’s trails will temporarily be restricted to hiking-only this weekend, March 26 and 27. For this weekend only, no horse riding or bicycling will be allowed. This is for public safety and to minimize damage to the trails.

Hikers are asked to use caution and be prepared for rain and rain damage. The trail conditions are extremely wet and slippery with areas of standing water and erosion.

For more information, see www.SolanoLandTrust.org or www.SolanoCounty.com/Parks.

SOLANO COLLEGE THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR SUMMER SHOWS

Summer Production Classes Give Everyone a Chance to Experience Theatre

Fairfield, CA – March 22, 2011 – Solano College Theatre announces auditions for two upcoming summer productions, The Visit and Love’s Labour’s Lost. Unlike other SCT productions, everyone who auditions for these summer classes will receive a part. Both productions are completely student produced, and design and technical skills are needed as well.

Auditions for The Visit, directed by George Maguire, are April 25 and 27 at the Harbor Theatre in Downtown Suisun City. Callbacks are May 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Actors are asked to prepare a one-minute contemporary monologue. All roles are available, except the role of Claire Zachanassian, which will be played by SCT Conservatory Director Carla Spindt. Please see our website at www.solanocollegetheatre.com for a complete listing of available roles. Please call the Solano College Theatre production office at (707) 864-7000, ext. 4518 to schedule an audition appointment. Written by German playwright Friedrich Durrenmatt, The Visit takes place “somewhere in Central Europe” and tells of an elderly millionairess who, merely on the promise of her millions, swiftly turns a depressed area into a boom town…but with what macabre condition? Rehearsals for The Visit begin June 13, 2011. The play performs outside on the Suisun City Waterfront July 26-28 and August 2-4.

Auditions for Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost, Directed by Carla Spindt, are April 29 from 6-10 p.m. and May 1 from 2-5 p.m. at the Harbor Theatre in Downtown Suisun City. Callbacks are May 9 from 6-10 p.m. Actors are asked to prepare a one-minute monologue from Shakespeare and be prepared to read from the script. All roles are available. Please see our website at www.solanocollegetheatre.com for a complete listing of available roles. Please call the Solano College Theatre production office at (707) 864-7000, ext. 4518 to schedule an audition appointment. Love’s Labour’s Lost is one of the bard's earliest comedies, in which four bachelors who have dedicated themselves to chastity and scholarly pursuits soon encounter the women of their dreams. Rehearsals for the play are June 6 to August 4, 2011, from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. It performs at the Harbor Square Courtyard in front of the fireplace on August 5-7 and 10-13.

Both of these shows are summer production classes. All actors are required to assist with technical and design support. Actors will also be required to register for four units at Solano Community College to participate in either production (or eight units to participate in both).

Get the Rush and Birds of Prey Workshop and Hike at Rush Ranch

Bring your whole family to Rush Ranch south of Suisun City, Calif., this Saturday, March 19th from 9am to 1pm for Get the Rush, and stay from 1pm to 5pm for the last Birds of Prey Workshop and Hike of the season.

Starting at 9am, enjoy an easy and informative guided walk along the marsh trails. Learn about the marsh and local human history. Meet your guide at the map outside the Nature Center. >> Where is Rush Ranch? >>

Between 10am to 1pm, travel back in time as you enter the historic Rush Ranch Blacksmith Shop. Join in an interactive demonstration with a smithy. Learn about traditional blacksmithing tools and equipment, and see the forge in the center of the ranch. Make your own iron nail or other keepsake!

Also from 10am to 1pm, visit Little Bear at his table full of Native American tools that he hand-crafted himself. Ask him about his life experiences and the history and culture of Native Americans.

From 11 am to 1pm, ride around the ranch on a wagon drawn by strong but gentle horses. Everyone is welcome, but the wagon is specially equipped for persons with limited mobility, including a solar powered wheelchair lift. These wagon rides allow those with limited mobility to experience the freedom and excitement of exploring beautiful open spaces like Rush Ranch, with highly trained horses and experienced drivers.

Stay from 1pm to 5pm to join birds of prey expert Larry Broderick for his last presentation and hike of the winter migratory season. In the Nature Center from 1-3pm, Broderick will give a presentation about raptor identification and interpretation including a season wrap-up and highlights from this incredible year. He gives beginning and experienced birders easy ways to identify year-round and migratory raptors. He shares useful handouts on raptor information and identification, and brochures on where to spot them.

Then after a 30 minute social break, from 3:30-5pm he'll lead a hike up Suisun Hill where eagles, falcons and hawks seek out ground squirrel colonies. Broderick has 25 years experience studying, researching, rescuing and rehabilitating birds of prey, and loves to share his knowledge. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birder, you’ll be entertained as Broderick shows over 100 photos, demonstrates wing beat patterns, and takes you for a hike showing you how to spot birds of prey in the wild.

The blacksmith demonstration and Birds of Prey workshop take place rain or shine. Rain usually cancels other events.

Rush Ranch is owned and operated by Solano Land Trust.

For more on events & things to do near Suisun City, California, go to www.VisitSuisunCity.com

This Weekend in Suisun City

Here are some ideas for things to do this weekend in and around Suisun City, California:

Friday (March 18, 2011)

• "Eurydice" Presented by Solano College Theatre at Suisun City Harbor Theater. 7:30 pm; Tickets $13-20. 720 Main Street, Suisun City
  

Saturday (March 19, 2011)

• Get the Rush and Birds of Prey Workshop at Rush Ranch. 9am-5pm. FREE. Grizzly Island Road south of Suisun City. Hikes, blacksmithing demo, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more for the entire family.
  
  
• Salvation Army KROC Center Construction Kickoff Party. Noon-2pm. FREE. 586 E. Wigeon Way, Suisun City. BBQ, jump house, face painting, family games, info about new KROC Center.
  
  
• "Eurydice" Presented by Solano College Theatre at Suisun City Harbor Theater. 7:30 pm; Tickets $13-20. 720 Main Street, Suisun City

Sunday (March 20, 2011)

• "Eurydice" Presented by Solano College Theatre at Suisun City Harbor Theater. FINAL SHOW 2 pm; Tickets $13-20. 720 Main Street, Suisun City
  
  
• Solano Suzuki Strings presented by the Wednesday Club of Suisun's Young Artists Series. 2 pm; Tickets $10. 225 Sacramento Street, Suisun City
  

Ongoing

• Lawler House Gallery (718 Main Street) Open Noon to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday
• Solano History Exploration Center, now open 12-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday at Lawler House
• The Suisun Wildlife Center Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily
• Visit the rustic Suisun Valley wine country
• Western Railway Museum, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
  

For more upcoming events and things to do in Suisun City, go to www.VisitSuisunCity.com

Reaching Out to Help Disaster Victims in Japan

As our thoughts and attention turns to Japan in this time of natural disaster, here is what the Salvation Army is doing to mobilize to help the earthquake and tsunami victims in that nation.

(Sacramento, CA)-Early Friday morning, a tsunami slammed Japan's eastern coast following a large earthquake that rocked the region. Early reports indicate extensive damage to property and significant loss of life.

Salvation Army personnel are assessing the damage and initiating recovery efforts.

The Salvation Army operates many programs and services in Japan. Japan’s Territorial Commander, Commissioner Makoto Yoshido, says the following:

“We are sending a team to Sendai tonight and will start providing the basic necessities as well as assessing the level of damage and what we can do from now on. We have opened our hall on the ground floor of our Territorial Headquarters building to those who could not go home. We were able to serve them with hot drinks and packed meals.”

The Salvation Army is asking for the public’s help to aid in the relief efforts in Japan. Those interested in helping are encouraged to give financial donations, which offer great flexibility and enable local disaster responders to purchase exactly what is needed as close to the disaster zone as possible.

There are four ways people can contribute money to The Salvation Army's 'Japan Earthquake / Tsunamis' disaster relief efforts:

- Text the words “Japan” or “Quake” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
- By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY -- designate gift for 'Japan Earthquake / Tsunamis'
- On-line at: www.salvationarmy.usawest.org -- designate gift for 'Japan Earthquake / Tsunamis'
- By mail: Send your check, marked 'Japan Earthquake / Tsunamis' to
The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728

At this time, The Salvation Army is not accepting in-kind donations from the general public for disaster relief operations in Japan as it is extremely difficult and expensive to ship in-kind donations overseas from the United States to Japan. It is more efficient for disaster relief agencies to purchase needed resources locally and for immediate distribution with the disaster area. The best way for U.S. donors to help Japanese disaster survivors is to make a cash donation.