Holly Jolly Residence – best overall residence: 530 Flower Drive

TOUR THE 2023 FOLSOM HOLIDAY LIGHTS CONTEST WINNERS

The results are in! Congratulations to this year's Holiday Lights Contest winners:

• Holly Jolly Residence – best overall residence: 530 Flower Drive
• Clark Griswold – best use of holiday lights (residential): 360 Listowe Drive
• Hollywood Christmas – best use of theme and/or fictional characters (residential): 152 Witmer Drive
• Merry and Bright Business – festive commercial business display: Bayside Church, 870/890 Glenn Drive
• Illuminate the Block – best multi-house display: Ledgemont Court

Check out the winners of this year’s Folsom Holiday Lights Contest, along with dozens of other entries on an interactive holiday light tour map at www.folsom.ca.us/holidaylightscontest.

Merry and Bright Business – festive commercial business display: Bayside Church, 870/890 Glenn Drive

Hollywood Christmas – best use of theme and/or fictional characters (residential): 152 Witmer Drive

Clark Griswold – best use of holiday lights (residential): 360 Listowe Drive

Illuminate the Block – best multi-house display: Ledgemont Court

Ice skating in Historic Folsom is a cherished winter tradition. The Folsom Ice Rink is open through January 14. This year’s rink encircles the historic railroad turntable and a tall, decorated Christmas tree. Features include special events, firepits, lighting, and a party zone. Learn more at folsomicerink.com.

STOP THE CLOG THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 

Every day is a good day to practice proper disposal of grease products, but hosting gatherings and holiday cooking often means that fats, oils, and grease may be in our kitchens more than usual. The City of Folsom reminds residents that it’s important not to pour fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down the drain, which could lead to clogged pipes and sewer spills. To help prevent backups, properly dispose of FOG with these four easy steps:

• Can It: Pour solidified fats and grease into a sturdy container and place it in your garbage.
• Scrape It: Before washing, scrape fats, oils, and grease from pots and pans into your garbage.
• Trash It: Put fatty and greasy food scraps in the garbage.
• Recycle It: Place cooled cooking oil back into the original container and make an appointment for it to be picked up through the City of Folsom Door-2-Door residential household hazardous waste program.

For more information, call 916-461-6177 or visit www.folsom.ca.us/FOG.

LADDER FUEL REMOVAL PROJECT

Fire safety is a top priority for the City of Folsom. Crews contracted by the city have begun work to remove ladder fuel in open space areas, parks, and Landscaping and Lighting (L&L) Districts. Ladder fuel consists of living or dead vegetation, including lower branches on large trees, small trees, and shrubs that grow under the canopy of the larger trees. This vegetation is easily ignitable under the right conditions, allowing a low burning fire to vertically climb up from the ground and into the tree canopy. Canopy fires involve additional fuel which can rapidly spread and are much more difficult for fire crews to contain. To remove ladder fuel, tree limbs are typically pruned to a height of 8 to 10 feet above the ground.

This grant-funded project will continue in phased stages to clear ladder fuel from 357 acres over the course of three years. The Folsom Fire Department has identified the areas needing ladder fuel work based on criteria that include the type of vegetation, proximity to structures, and recent fire history. City staff from the fire department, the city arborist, park maintenance, and L&L divisions will monitor the work to ensure that the pruning maintains the health of the trees and the intended safety outcome. Work in open space areas that provide habitat for native species will be scheduled so as not to interfere with breeding or nesting seasons.

Effective management of ladder fuel helps preserve and protect Folsom’s neighborhoods, parks, and open space areas, maintains the habitat of native plants and animals, and provides fire crews with greater access in the event of a fire. Learn more about the city’s ladder fuel plan and the weed abatement and defensible space requirements for residents on the City of Folsom Fire Department webpage.

SHOP AND DINE LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Shopping and dining locally supports the local economy, promotes a thriving community, and contributes to a high quality of life in Folsom. Dollars you spend in Folsom help fund vital public services, such as police, fire, schools, trash collection, recycling, and road maintenance—plus amenities such as parks, the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, and the Folsom Public Library. When you shop online, a smaller percentage of the sales tax is invested locally. Make sales tax dollars work for you and your community this holiday season!

CONSTRUCTION FOR FOLSOM 15-MINUTE LIGHT RAIL SERVICE BEGINS IN JANUARY

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) announces the start of construction for the Folsom 15-Minute Light Rail Service Project. Beginning Tuesday, January 2, SacRT will begin construction to add a passing track at the Glenn/Robert G. Holderness Station. Upon the successful completion of the project in summer 2024, SacRT will introduce 15-minute service at all Folsom area stations, utilizing new state-of-the-art low-floor light rail trains.

During the construction period, which is anticipated to conclude

in summer 2024, there will be temporary suspension of light rail service

between Iron Point and Historic Folsom stations. SacRT will provide

supplemental shuttle bus services for affected customers. Alternatively,

customers may utilize SacRT's free park-and-ride lots at Iron Point, Hazel, and

Sunrise stations.

In conjunction with the construction activities, road closures

will be implemented starting Tuesday, January 2. The northbound stretch of

Folsom Boulevard, between Bidwell Street and Parkshore Drive, will experience

lane closures. Glenn Drive will also be closed between Folsom Boulevard and

Coolridge Drive. During this period, the two northbound lanes closest to the

train tracks will be closed to vehicular traffic. To ensure safety, redirected

traffic will utilize the adjacent southbound lanes for both directions of

travel. Folsom Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in both directions, with a

speed limit of 35 mph.

For more detailed information about the project and shuttle bus

information, visit sacrt.com/Folsom15.

SANDBAGS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES 

Sand and sandbags are available for Folsom residents and business owners at no charge. The city’s two self-serve sandbag stations are next to Fire Station 36 at 9700 Oak Avenue Parkway and behind City Hall at 50 Natoma Street. Proof of Folsom residency is required, such as a driver’s license or utility bill. Shovels are also available to use onsite to fill the bags. Learn how to fill a sandbag and find other information at www.folsom.ca.us/sandbags.

HELP PLAN THE FUTURE OF THE FOLSOM RIVER DISTRICT 

The City of Folsom is home to more than six miles of frontage on the American River and Lake Natoma. The city’s General Plan calls for the preparation of a River District Master Plan to activate Folsom’s expansive waterfront for improved access, recreation, and economic development. This important area is located on the American River at Lake Natoma and is bound by Folsom-Auburn Road, Greenback Lane, and Folsom Boulevard.

The city and its consultant team are seeking input on the River District area, and community members are encouraged to weigh in and inform the master planning process with a new interactive engagement platform available on the city’s website. A community comment/ mapping activity and questionnaire are the first steps to gathering feedback on community preferences, needs, issues, and opportunities within the River District Master Plan area. We want to hear your thoughts—the online survey and mapping tool is available through Wednesday, January 17. Learn more, share your opinion, and sign up for updates at www.folsom.ca.us/RiverDistrict.

988 SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE: CALL, TEXT, OR CHAT

There is hope. People experiencing mental health crises need to remember just three numbers to dial for help: 988. The 988 Lifeline provides free, confidential support to people experiencing suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The Lifeline is available 24/7 and helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day.

The federal number, which is available throughout California and eventually throughout the country—is billed as an alternative to 911 for people experiencing mental health emergencies. The new number makes it simpler for people in crisis to tap into the state’s network of 13 Lifeline call centers.

People can call, text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. The 988 Lifeline serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.

City of Folsom Holiday Schedules

City administrative offices will be closed Monday and Tuesday, December 25 and 26, and Monday and Tuesday, January 1 and 2 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

For urgent city issues, call 916-461-6400. Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.

• There is no change to City of Folsom waste collection services on holidays. Please place your cans curbside according to your usual collection schedule.
• Transit services will be available through the Folsom Stage Line operated by SacRT.
• The Folsom Public Library is closed Tuesday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday, and Tuesday, January 2 in observance of the New Year’s holiday.
• The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is open special hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. December 24 and 31.
• The Andy Morin Sports Complex has special hours of operation over the holidays.
• The Steve Miklos Aquatic Center is closed December 24 through January 2.
• The FIDO Field Dog Park will be open from 7 a.m. to one hour after sunset.
• The Folsom Skate and Bike Parks have special hours of operation over the holidays.
• The Folsom Senior Center, Folsom Art Center, and Gallery at 48 Natoma are closed from December 25 through January 2.
• Fun Factory, Kindergarten Readiness, and the after-school CAVE programs are closed from December 18 through January 1.

City of Folsom Communications Director

Christine Brainerd | cbrainerd@folsom.ca.us | 916-461-6013 (office)

Get connected. Stay informed.

City of Folsom | 50 Natoma Street | www.folsom.ca.us