EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

Join the City of Folsom for our Earth Day celebration! This free, family-friendly event brings the community together through volunteerism, fun activities, and inspiring exhibits that raise environmental awareness. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate our vibrant city and get involved by volunteering and learning about solutions to address environmental concerns in our community. The event will begin with volunteer opportunities followed by an informational and fun festival near City Hall. Earth Day is a worldwide annual celebration dedicated to raising awareness and appreciation for the planet’s environment and advocating for environmental protection. Learn more and sign up to volunteer at www.folsom.ca.us/EarthDay.

Earth Day Celebration

Saturday, April 20

• Earth Day Cleanup: 9 a.m. to noon
• Earth Day Festival: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 48 Natoma Street

Folsom Mayor Mike Kozlowski, who represents Council District 1, will host a community listening session on homelessness Thursday, April 11.

The goal of the listening session is to gather community feedback and explore strategies and solutions for addressing and preventing homelessness in the Folsom community. This session is designed for listening and gathering input. The session is not a City Council meeting, and no action will be taken.

The solutions-oriented session will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Folsom Community Center, RG Smith Room, at 52 Natoma Street. 

For more information, contact Mayor Mike Kozlowski at mkozlowski@folsom.ca.us.

Folsom’s Largest Day of Volunteerism Seeks Sponsorship Support

Planning is underway for the 11th annual Community Service Day Saturday, September 21. This major citywide event mobilizes thousands of volunteers to complete service projects throughout Folsom that make a positive, lasting impact. Sponsorship support is vital to the success of the event, providing funding for the supplies volunteers use to complete 80+ service projects throughout the community. Want to help support this wonderful community event? A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available; call Jen Thiot at 916-461-6712 or email jthiot@folsom.ca.us for more details.

LOVE MY MOM FAMILY FITNESS EVENT

The 10th annual Love My Mom 5K and Kids’ Dash takes place Sunday, May 5. This popular event that celebrates family and community is presented by Folsom Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Palladio and Kaiser. The start and finish are located by Whole Foods, and the course route is fast and flat, making it an ideal route for runners, walkers, and stroller striders–leashed dogs are welcome, too. The fun Kids’ Dash for ages 10 and under will be held prior to the start of the 5K, with medals awarded to all registered participants.

Participants in the 5K will be electronically timed and special awards will be presented to top finishers in a variety of categories including single and double strollers, top mom, top female, and top male. All registered 5K participants will receive a special 10th anniversary finisher’s medal and other custom swag.

The post-race festivities take place in the Palladio Piazza, with a variety of vendor booths to explore, DJ music, delicious refreshments, and a raffle for high-value prizes. Save on registration: use code “CityNews” for a $5 discount on each 5K registration at raceroster.com.

FREE WORKSHOP: MANAGEABLE MAINTENANCE 

The City of Folsom Water Conservation Division hosts “Manageable Maintenance” from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, May 9, at the Folsom Public Library Meeting Room.

This workshop is for those who are:

• Spending too much time and money caring for your landscape.
• Seeing poor pruning results, lackluster curb appeal, weeds, and failing trees and plants.
• Trying to care for plants with an unfamiliar irrigation system.
• Noticing fewer birds, bees, and other garden life.

The workshop covers:

• A less-is-more approach to avoid high maintenance and water waste is needed.
• Dos and don’ts for selecting, placing, and caring for trees and plants.
• Tried and true maintenance practices, tools, and resources.
• Basics for creating healthy soil, managing weeds, and other common issues.

Space is limited. To reserve your seat, call 916-461-6177 or email waterconservation@folsom.ca.us.

REPORT ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS 

In addition to being costly for stores to replace, carts removed from store parking lots can be a potential hazard and are a blight to the community. Persons removing shopping carts from private property can be issued a criminal citation if caught in the possession of a cart. The City of Folsom is committed to keeping city streets, sidewalks, parks, trails, and open spaces clean. Residents can report abandoned shopping carts to our vendor by text, phone, or online 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The carts will be removed within 48 hours of the report. To report an abandoned cart, text or call 800-913-5639 or file a report online.

BUILD SWIM SKILLS WITH LEGO SWIM LESSONS

The Sea Squad Swim School is offering LEGO swim lessons—a unique lesson format designed to introduce kids ages 5 to 12 to swimming. These lessons provide an alternative for children who may not be ready to participate in a traditional swim lesson format. LEGO swim lessons incorporate the basic building blocks of swimming: front float, back float, blowing bubbles, and coordinated arm/leg action, with creative play, building, and sharing with LEGOs. The interactive play lesson format provides tactile and visual support to help students gain water confidence and build social and physical skills. Lessons begin in June and are held at the Steve Miklos Aquatic Center. Learn more and register online or call 916-461-6640 with questions.

FOLSOM LIBRARY PRESENTS: MASTER GARDENERS' GUIDE TO COMPOSTING 

The Folsom Public Library hosts a lighthearted presentation on how you can turn yard and kitchen waste—such as leaves, clippings, discarded vegetables, and fruit—into compost. On Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m. at the Folsom Public Library, Master Gardeners of Sacramento County will explain how to keep your organic household waste out of landfills and get healthier plants in the process. This class on the basics of composting will include how to set up a compost bin, types of compost bins, where to place your bin, and more tips for success. Learn more about upcoming Library programs and events at www.folsom.ca.us/library.

Did you ditch the thirsty lawn, add vibrant low-water native plants, or install water-wise drip irrigation? Is your yard ready to brave the Sacramento heat and still look fabulous? Now's your time to shine!

Local water providers are searching for stunning Summer Strong yards to feature in a regional advertising campaign in the summer of 2024. We want your yard to be the star of the show! Plus, entrants have a chance to win gift cards from local nurseries.

Imagine a professional photographer documenting the essence of your Summer Strong Yard, with you—the proud owner—in the spotlight. They also will want to learn about the highlights of your yard—because your story matters. Learn more and enter today! 

HEALTHY TREES ARE RESILIENT

After the stormy winter season, you may be wondering what you can do to protect your trees. The key is establishing healthy trees at a young age! By pruning a tree when it is young, you can establish a dominant truck and healthy tree structure for the tree to grow into. It will also reduce the time and money spent pruning large mature branches later in life.

You can continue caring for the tree by watering it properly and replenishing mulch around its base yearly. Mulch will protect the tree's roots, retain moisture, and release nutrients into the soil.

For tree care and pruning tips, visit the Sacramento Tree Foundation's website. The city of Folsom partners with the Sacramento Tree Foundation and SMUD to bring free trees to Folsom residents. Sign up for a free tree.

YA AUTHOR TALK WITH MARGIE FUSTON AND ANGELA MONTOYA

Join the Folsom Public Library for a YA Author Talk with authors Margie Fuston and Angela Montoya at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 13. Margie Fuston will discuss her latest release, "The Revenant Games." Ruby's Books will be selling their titles. Don't miss this chance to meet the authors and explore the world of young adult literature! Visit the Folsom Public Library and the Friend's of the Folsom Library Bookstore at 411 Stafford Street. Learn more at www.folsom.ca.us/library.

GOING BATTY! 

Natural Science Seminar April 10

Join bat specialist Corky Quirk to demystify the negative concepts of bats and to learn about the environmental benefits they contribute to. Corky is an environmental education embassador and leads school trips to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. She founded NorCal Bats and has worked with bats since 2004. She is dedicated to dispelling the fears and myths that surround bats and cause the death of roosts and bat colonies. Corky will have some live bats for seminar participants to observe.

The seminar will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 at the Rotary Clubhouse, 7150 Baldwin Dam Road. Ages 10 through adult are welcome to attend; the registration fee is $10/person. Learn more and register online.

NEW FAMILY FUN NIGHT EVENT APRIL 26

Folsom Parks & Recreation is hosting a new special event for active families from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 at the Andy Morin Sports Complex, 66 Clarksville Road. The event begins with a pizza dinner and the option to create a family flag for your team. Then you’ll decide what to take on first: organized games, activities, and competitions that are sure to keep everyone laughing and ready to take on more. There’s something for everyone: a free throw competition and soccer shoot out if you’re feeling sporty, a puzzle competition and some life-sized board games if that’s more your speed, and a relay obstacle course for the families who like to get silly and play hard. Registration for a Folsom resident family of four is $40; each additional family member is $10. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

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