When girls with Ride to Walk, a non-profit therapeutic horseback-riding program in Lincoln, realized donations had been cut during tough economic times, they held a bake sale to raise funds. And thanks to Niello Volkswagen Sacramento, the sale was a sweet success! For more information or to donate, visit ridetowalk.org.

Congrats to Mary Conkey for her support and commitment to Sierra College! The Sierra College Foundation recognized her with the 2009 “Outstanding Partner” award at the Foundation’s Major Donor Gala. Conkey, a Granite Bay resident, has served five years as a chairperson of “A Taste of Excellence”.

Do you have cabin fever? Elisa Taylor’s new free membership group might be just what you need. The group Travel Guiders will let you know about all the right sites to visit and how to maximize your vacation. The group can answer various getaway questions from finding the best pasta in Italy to avoiding long lines at Disneyland. The group meets January 7, from 7-9 p.m. at Jericho Coffee on Sierra College Boulevard.

The Placer County Supervisors honored nine outstanding individuals in the community for their acts of heroism, long-standing community service or exceptional acts that have impacted lives. The individuals each received commemorative coins to recognize their work and sacrifice. Style congratulates the honorees, which include Diane Howe, Col. John Lathrop, Shirley Russell, Richard Wyatt, Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Skogen, Jim Lane and Sheriff’s Sergeant Bill Walton.

In the mood for a good game of Scrabble? The Martha Riley Community Library is expanding game times on selected Thursdays and Saturdays from 1-4:30 p.m. (Upcoming game meetings are 1/9, 1/16, 2/6, 2/13, 2/16). There is no fee and individuals of all skill levels can play. For more information, contact Dave at [email protected].

The KidsFirst Board of Directors announced that Executive Director DeAnne Thornton is stepping down from her position after 11 years at the organization, serving as director for the last four and a half years. KidsFirst Program Director Tilisa May will take over her duties as interim director until a new executive director is found. KidsFirst is a private non-profit organization dedicated to stopping child abuse before it happens. For more information, visit kidsfirstnow.org.

For Roseville and Granite Bay residents, the Sunset Ridge Mandarins are now available at the corner of Barton Road and Douglas Boulevard. Look for the parking lot in front of Sierra Pediatric Therapy, which is opposite the strawberry stand on Saturday and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A new Web site, parenthelplive.com is an online resource to give busy parents easy access to local parenting professionals. The interactive forum connects parents with experts, leading psychologists and educators to receive interactive parenting classes and phone therapy sessions.

In the “Oops We’re Only Human Department,” we mistakenly referenced Mt. McKinley in Weekender as the vista from the Manzanar National Historic Site just outside of Bishop, CA; however, the correct mountain you’ll see there is Mt. Whitney.

Check back next month for our annual Home Design feature issue!

Send your news to: [email protected].