Solano Land Trust Seeks Rush Ranch Docents

SUISUN CITY - Solano Land Trust is recruiting docents to teach about the ecology of Rush Ranch and Suisun Marsh. This is a brand new docent program that will complement the existing education and recreation programs at Rush Ranch.

do·cent, noun, \ˈdō-s^ənt, dō(t)-ˈsent\: a person who leads guided tours
ecol·o·gy, noun \i-ˈkä-lə-jē, e-\: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments

No prior experience is necessary. New docents will receive four days of training, each covering a different topic about the marsh. The training dates are

• Thursday, June 9th from 6:30pm to 8pm
• Wednesday, June 15th from 6:30pm to 8pm
• Saturday, June 18th from 2pm to 5pm, and
• Thursday, June 23rd from 6:30pm to 8pm.

All trainings will be on-site at Rush Ranch: 3521 Grizzly Island Road, off Highway 12, about 2 miles south of Suisun City.

Rush Ranch is recognized as one of the best remaining brackish tidal marsh habitats in the United States, and therefore it's protected as part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (San Francisco Bay NERR). Sarah Ferner of NERR will be the expert trainer for new docents. She'll share what makes Rush Ranch so special – how it’s exceptionally rich in plants and animals; why these plants and animals depend on Rush Ranch for survival; how the marsh provides essential habitat for commercially important fish and crabs; how it filters mud from the Bay's murky waters; and how it protects the shoreline from flooding. Docents-in-training will reflect on the ways the marsh was important for Native American food and travel, and how Rush Ranch continues to serve as a living laboratory for scientific research.

Docents in this new program will share insights about the marsh, guide and inspire children and adults, and join the Solano Land Trust community.

Solano Land Trust is a public benefit organization dedicated to protecting working farms and natural areas in Solano County. 2011 is Solano Land Trust’s 25^th Anniversary. Since 1986, it has permanently protected over 20,000 acres of land for the current and future residents of Solano County.

RSVP on or before Thursday, June 9th by contacting Natalie DuMont, Solano Land Trust Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, at 707-432-0150 x200 or volunteer@SolanoLandTrust.org.

Bidding Opens for Firms to Repair Lawler Falls Park Ponds

SUISUN CITY — The Public Works Department has issued a notice to contractors seeking bids the repair and reconstruction of the Lawler Falls Park Ponds.

The public bidding process follows City Council authorization to repair and rehabilitate the ponds, which had been inoperable due to an undetermined leakage problem.

Lawler Falls Park is located in Lawler Ranch and was built in the late 1980’s. The Park has a waterfall and a two- tier lower pond basin with a circulation system. >> map >>

Last summer, KASL Consulting Engineers inspected the ponds and concluded that a new geomembrane liner be installed to prevent water seepage through the bottom of the ponds.

Qualified firms are invited to review the project plans and specifications to submit a bid by June 16. Construction work is expected to begin shortly thereafter.

The work plan requires the removal of the existing ponds and reconstructing them with a new liner to prevent leaking issues that kept the ponds from functioning properly.

>> Click here for the Notice to Contractor information >>

>> Read related staff report to the City Council >>

"Spring Fling" Saturday Celebrates Kroc Center Progress

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The Salvation Army serving Solano County invites the entire community to participate in Saturday's "Spring Fling" to celebrate the progress of the Suisun City Kroc Center.

This community barbecue with jumphouses, inflatables, games, giveaways, music and much more will run 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the facility adjacent to Hall Park on Pintail at East Wigeon Way. >> map >>

The Salvation Army believes this community center will play a vital role to enhance and improve the lives of individuals and families living throughout Solano County. This new community center will offer people ways to improve the health of their mind, body and soul, enabling individuals to grow and improve themselves in all aspects of life.

The Salvation Army serving Solano County is pleased to announce that construction of this multi-million dollar life enrichment center is about to begin, the first step in the creation and implementation of this important project.

When complete, this community center will boast a full aquatic center, community rooms, cardio and weight machines, banquet and party facilities, a rock climbing wall as well as multiple group fitness areas and a chapel and performing arts center.

“This event will be an opportunity for the community to come together and learn more about this center and what it will be offering to them,” said Captain Jonathan Harvey, Suisun City Corps Officer. “We will have lots of fun things for the entire family, including a bbq lunch, bounce house for the children, and most importantly, a chance for neighbors to get to know each other.”

For more information about the Kroc Center, go to www.suisunkroc.org

Suisun City RDA Delivers $1.3 million to State as Required

PAYMENT LAST INSTALLMENT OF $2.05 BILLION STATE RAID ON LOCAL COFFERS

SUISUN CITY, Calif. — The Suisun City Redevelopment Agency this week sent $1.278 million in local funds to the Solano County Auditor as the second installment in it’s share of the $2.05 billion State raid passed by the State Legislature in 2009.

Redevelopment agencies across California were required to forward $350 million on May 10 to cover the State’s obligations to trial courts. Last year, redevelopment agencies paid a total of $1.7 billion to cover State budget spending.

In 2010, the Suisun City Redevelopment Agency paid $5.7 million to the State.

The California Redevelopment Association has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of ABX4-26, the State budget trailer bill passed in July 2009 as that authorized the $2.05 billion raid of local redevelopment funds to use for State purposes. The lawsuit is under appeal at the Court of Appeals.

“Losing this money is challenging. The proposed elimination of redevelopment by the Governor, is even worse. These actions by the State cripple our ability to build and expand our City’s economy,” said City Manager Suzanne Bragdon. “By taking our local funds, the State is not only harming us, but is likewise hindering the overall economic recovery of the State. Redevelopment is the State’s economic development engine.”

Suisun City uses redevelopment funds generated by the success of our revitalization efforts to pay for programs and support the establishment of new businesses and jobs such as

• Hampton Inn & Suites on the Waterfront
• Harbor Square – a mixed use project of restaurants, entertainment venues and office space
• First-Time Homebuyer Program and Neighborhood Reinvestment Program
• Suisun City Library.

This payment comes at a time when Gov. Jerry Brown wants to abolish redevelopment agencies altogether. A broad coalition of local government, business and labor has successfully fought the proposal and, thus far, the Governor has failed to garner enough votes. The coalition warns that abolishing redevelopment agencies would result in the loss of more than 300,000 private-sector jobs and billions in economic activity annually statewide.

“Redevelopment is a vital tool to create local jobs, reduce crime, build affordable housing, clean up contaminated toxic sites, and otherwise transform rundown, blighted communities in need,” said John Shirey, executive director, California Redevelopment Association. “Redevelopment is one of the only tools local governments have to put people to work. Continued State raids of local funds are not only illegal, but they make no fiscal sense at a time when we should be emphasizing job-creation.”

For more information about the Governor’s proposal and the coalition fighting to stop this illegal and fiscally reckless proposal visit www.ProtectOurLocalEconomy.com.

Travis AFB Plans Friday Exercise

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - Travis Air Force Base will conduct an exercise on Friday that may result in visible smoke and noise that can be heard from nearby urban areas.

The smoke should dissipate quickly, and is not expected to pose any hazards.

The exercise is part of the ongoing readiness mission of Travis Air Force Base as the leading military airlift facility on the West Coast.

For more information, please contact the 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office at 707-424-2011.

Solano Community College Celebrates 65th Anniversary

Solano Community College has been a key part of the local higher education system for 65 years. Suisun City has long supported the College and its programs, including the Theater Arts program housed at Harbor Theater in the Suisun City Waterfront.

Here's the College's announcement regarding its upcoming gala celebration:

SCC CELEBRATES 65 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Solano Community College Foundation (SCCF) announces our 65th Anniversary Celebration on May 20, benefitting the SCC Osher Scholarship Endowment.

The anniversary celebration will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a wine reception and gourmet dinner by Alex’s Catering. Featured keynote speaker is Ed Rollins, former White House political director and Class of 1962 alumni.

Following dinner, jazz and blues legend, Barbara Morrison, will kick off a musical tribute to the evening’s theme, “Celebrating the College’s history; Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” The musical tribute will include performances from the SCC Jazz Band and the Social Dance Club.

Peter Bostic, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement said that this musical reunion is going to be a fun way of raising $65,000 for student scholarships. The monies raised will be matched by the Bernard Osher Foundation through June 2011.

The anniversary event begins at the Ulatis Community Center for the reception and dinner, and then the musical concert will take place next door at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. This will be an evening of gathering, food, and entertainment that will be remembered for years to come.

For more information on tickets and sponsorship, call 707-864-7141 or go to www.solano.edu.

About Solano Community College

Solano Community College is celebrating its 65th Anniversary this year! The College has been an icon in the county since 1945 when it started as Vallejo Junior College. In the early 1970s, the College moved to its present Fairfield site. The College serves over 12,000 students every semester and over 20,000 over the academic year. In addition to the campus in Fairfield, the College has two Centers at Vallejo and Vacaville, and offers courses at Travis Air Force Base. The College operates a School of Aeronautics at the Nut Tree Airport. The College offers Associate Degrees and Certificates in various disciplines and provides training in several trades. For more information, please visit us at www.solano.edu.