Folsom Powerhouse 31st Anniversary Celebration

July 16 / Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park

Members of the community headed down to the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park for the grand unveiling of the brick pathway beautification project, which will be primarily funded by donations from sponsored-engraved bricks, which celebrate and commemorate family, friends, businesses and community leaders. The Friends of the Folsom Powerhouse’s goal is to raise $100,000 for this community treasure that hosts tens of thousands of visitors; bricks can be sponsored for $100 each.

1. Orangevale Glass Co. event sponsor Corrado Polastri preps area for brick placement  2. Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park docents Paul Money and Stephen Porten  3. FFP members Brad Livingood and Rick Dwyer with brick donors Joy and Stan Newell, Terri Lopez and Richard Preston

Photos by Paul Money

Yappy Hour

July 12 & 19 / El Pueblo Cocina Mexicana Restaurant, Folsom

Trends ‘n’ Treats, a pet supply store and boutique specializing in pet-lover gifts and organic diets, combined everybody’s two favorite things: canines and cocktails. Dog-lovers and their favorite tail-waggers indulged in delicious food and drink specials and partook in raffles on the patio while raising funds that were then donated to selected animal charities, including Itsie Bitsie Rescue and Canine Companions for Independence.

1. President of Canine Companions for Independence Cristie Gerard and husband Ken  2. Event Director Millie Finch with Lori Whitney and Makenna Whitney  3. Kayla McGuire  4. Sonja Patel

Photos by Ryan Griffith

Nostalgic Cruise of Dreams

July 23 / Folsom City Lions Park

Organized by the Cappuccino Cruisers, car enthusiasts of this motorhead-friendly event took a trip back in time and reminisced of their first car and the music they cruised to while perusing a spectacular show of pre-1974 classic cars. Fund-raising efforts totaled to $2,450 and were donated to local organizations such as the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary, Folsom Public Library, Hospice Counseling and Twin Lakes Food Bank, among others.

1. Chris and Anna Joyal with Rich Lessa, Patrick Farrell and Don and Lynne Cooney  2. Mark Underwood  3. Robert Hyberg, Jodie and Austin Vahderburg, Mike Matchem, and Pat Shelley and Andy Cuthbert  4. Chris Marchese presents a check to Folsom Zoo’s Jacqueline Smeltz er

Photos by James Smith

Lunar Lunacy Ride

July 23 / Capitol Mall, Sacramento

This luminescent, moonlit bike ride—benefiting CASA Sacramento and other local children’s community benefit organizations—greeted over 500 cyclists dressed head-to-toe in shining gear. Riders participated in either a 4.2- or 8-mile trail that started at Capitol Mall Greens and continued through the city past Capitol Dome, the Pyramid building and Tower Bridge.

1. Cody Stark, Mike Steele and Rob Stewart  2. Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, Mike Steele, Rob Stewart, Cody Stark, Victoria McCarty and Barbara McCarty  3. CASA Sacramento members Benush Venunopal and Carol Noreen with Good Day Sacramento Emcee Cody Stark, Randee Rolfe and Miles Rolfe  4. Lunar Lunacy Co-chair Judee Daniels with Cody Stark and John Armand  5. Lunar Lunacy Co-chair Jim Fritzsche, Bev Rager, Linda Candy, Terri Griffin and Cody Stark

Photos by George Daniels III

Justin and Michele’s Surprise Wedding
July 17 / Private Residence, Folsom

Justin and Michele Raithel, owners of Revolutions Naturopathic—with locations in Folsom and Roseville—arrived home on July 17 only to realize that they had unexpectedly walked into the wedding night of their dreams; their friends and family surprised them with the magical matrimony they missed out on nine years ago! Spirits were high throughout the night at this beautifully decorated vow renewal, as the Rolling Heads Band provided live entertainment and guests indulged in an exquisite dinner courtesy of Le Charenton Restaurant and Wine Bar. 

1. Michele Raithel and Justin Raithel  2. Lynette Zezoff, Olga Vasilenko, Renee Parlier, Robin Vierra, Michele Raithel, Anne Hutto and Conni Thompson  3. Heather Raithel, Sage Raithel, Bodhi Raithel and Jarod Raithel  4. Justin and Michele Raithel  5. Judy Raithel, Sage Raithel and Ernie Raithel  6. Sunanda Dontha, Michele Raithel, Justin Raithel and Ramesh Dontha

Photos by Barbara Leary

Cowboys and Cornbread

July 17 / El Dorado County Fair and Event Center, Placerville

Organized by the El Dorado County Fair Association, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and El Dorado County Visitors Authority, this day-long celebration of Western living and old-fashioned fun opened its gates to over 2,000 fairgoers who enjoyed partaking in Pee Wee Rodeo’s hay bucking and stick horse racing, Home Depot’s make-and-take projects, a kiddie corral, pony rides, face painting and a chili cook-off run by Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises. 

1. El Dorado County Fair Supervisor Colleen and CEO Jody Gray, with Michael Ranalli  2. Stick horse barrel racing winners Gage Romeo, Dillon Gygax and Willy McVeigh  3. Harmonica Winners Mark Silverstein, David Crow and Eric Hill  4. Hay bucking winners Cooper Russell, Ava Yarborough and Danny Scarborough 

Photos by Carolynne Knisley

Dancin’ in the Street 

July 16 / Main Street, Placerville

With their dancing shoes laced up, over 500 attendees at this free community dance festival—promoting dance, health, fitness and fun—were not only dazzled by the lively choreography from local dance groups, including Bellyfit Sierra Foothills, Salsa Dorado, Jammin’ Dance and Fitness and Main Street Strollers, but also took advantage of the chance to groove to their own beat with live music provided by the Garage Openers.

1. EDAC Director of Operations and Outreach Alisyn Gularte with her mom Lara Gularte  2. Bellyfit Sierra Foothills’ Jan Lowry and Jammin’ Dance and Fitness’s Kay Lenhart  3. Alex White, Ally Isenhour, Olivea Flichinger-Renzi, Anthony Isenhour and Alexa Flichinger-Renzi  4. Sarpika Global Tribal Dance’s Karen Trowbridge, Cindy Dvoracek, Jean Vrechek and Lisa Hlayay  5. Lynn Salsbury, Laura Hebern, Brad Penner, Bill Ousley and Michael Frenn of Old Hangtown Beer Works  6. Joanie Clayton, Dick Clayton and Linda Pietraczyk

Photos by Caitlin Thompson and Ruth Thompson

If you know of any events happening in the Folsom, El Dorado Hills area or have photos you would like to share with us, please submit them to [email protected].