N magazine

07/07/2025

If you live in California, learn more about your Hispanic heritage. Washington DC and ICE have no clue or respect for this wonderful state and the heritage it was built on.

07/07/2025

One of the best of Sacramento

02/07/2025

Natomas has free parking, great restaurants and much more. It is a lot easier than parking downtown.

01/07/2025

01/07/2025

Autocracy is very important to understand in this current American climate. I address the background and tendencies of that issue. It is always in partnership with Fascism and Authoritarianism. At this point in our history, it is wise to understand that it has always been easy to drift from a Representative Democracy toward Autocracy.

There are always back-door ways that Autocracy can slip into our lives, because many are afraid of losing their rights. In fact, our rights are never taken away, we give them away gladly in the voting booth. That story is on page 8.

In World II, 141,000 American soldiers were killed in Europe, and 111,606 in the Pacific. They were fighting against Fascism and Autocracy. It is my intent to honor them by addressing the background of what they lost their lives trying in the hope that Autocracy would never come to the United States of America.

Our artist profile is very interesting about the pottery of Nancy Hill. It is refreshing to see practical pottery, that is still creative. Her story is on page 6. It was a joy to visit her studio and learn her history and see the great products she produces.

There is a profile of a very interesting person, who volunteers for our Vice Mayor, Karina Talamantes. It is Gabriel Corrie. I have been so lucky to stumble across this great person helping in District 3 park cleanup. But it is his background and what he has accomplished to become the talented guy he is. His dedication to public service and the goal of library science is clear to all who know him. Gabe represents the best of us all. His story is on page 12.
California was admitted to the Union in 1850 as a bilingual state. There is an important story behind that and a lesson for us all in the importance of diversity that makes us such a rich state. That story is on page 20.

N magazine is in its 20th year, and I am (as always) juggling to keep it all going so you have interesting and positive stories to read each month. Page 22 reminds us of the great youth we are producing and the importance of nonprofit work in our Natomas Region. The GNNA Scholarships are an important symbol, as is the Natomas Chamber's Youth Workforce Project.

Get involved with your community is some way. Work with our nonprofits that provide us with a better community. Help keep N magazine going by letting every restaurant and store in our region know how important we have been to this community for the last 20 years. Have all your contact follow N magazine at www.nmag.net

20/06/2025

N magazine publisher, (me Dennis Spear), went to the Juneteenth celebration at the South Natomas community center. It was another important event sponsored by Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes, who represents District 3.

June 19, 1865, the day when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, finally informing the last enslaved people in the United States of their freedom. This moment has since become a symbol of Black liberation and a testament to the resilience of a community that endured centuries of bo***ge. That was the first Juneteenth. The first actual celebration took place in 1866. Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, and rightly so.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Emancipation Day, is a historic and significant holiday in the United States that commemorates the end of slavery. Its origins are rooted in one of the most transformative periods in American history. Juneteenth represents delayed justice, hard-fought freedom, and enduring hope. The people involved—enslaved African Americans, Union soldiers, abolitionists, and leaders like General Granger and President Lincoln—each played a role in a turning point of American history. Juneteenth’s significance extends beyond a single day; it is a living testament to the struggles and triumphs of the Black American experience. As the holiday gains wider recognition, it calls on all Americans to honor the past, confront the legacies of injustice, and commit to a more just and equitable future.

The Juneteenth flag was created in 1997 by Ben Haith and flown in Boston of that year. The flag is red, white and blue, featuring a white center star with a bursting star around it. There is an arc of red that symbolizes the blood spilled, and the new opportunity for black Americans with the ever-evolving promise of freedom. We are living in unusual times, but we will come out of this part of history with a new invigorated future and will be closer to “The More Perfect Union” we all are working for.

There were many friends of N magazine at the celebration, entertainment and enthusiasm of this event went on long after I had to leave. What a great evening to see the diversity of our Natomas community. This evening reminded me of how rich we are in our part of California. I drove home feeling enriched and, thanking the Vice Mayor and all those volunteers who made our Natomas Juneteenth celebration possible.

Be sure to read N magazine each month at www.nmag.net We have been the source for positive news of our community for twenty years.

20/06/2025

N magazine is always pleased to cover the annual Natomas Chamber of Commerce Youth Workforce Program. Chamber President, Alyssa Lozano, created this program when she saw the need to expand the experience of high school students in specific areas. From learning about credit, loans, interviews, dressing for success and the processes needed for integration into the working world, this program focuses on points not addressed in regular school curriculum.

Knowledgable people from a variety of businesses gave their time to help students understand the transition from school to the working world. The first day N magazine was at Inderkum High to cover this, SAFE Credit Union made a presentation on credit and the pitfalls of the marketing done by credit card companies. The SAFE representative covered how credit works and who the companies are that report and track your credit history. SAFE was very pointed about watching your finances and how your credit history can affect your life in ways many do not think about. It was enlightening to witness the student interest in this subject. The subjects presented by the Youth Workforce Program, should be part of the basic curriculum in every public school.

After a morning with Safe Credit Union, the students had a lunch provided by City Council member Lisa Kaplan, District 1. As they were having lunch, a panel consisting of Captain Cybulski, Sacramento Police North Command and Captain Lawrence Wang from the Sacramento City Fire Department. They told of their work and how they came to be in these jobs. They discussed the education needed, the process to become a public employee and the value they see in their jobs. There are personal rewards in working with the city to protect and serve the citizens of our Natomas Region and Sacramento. Chamber President Alyssa Lozano moderated this panel, as well as the one the next day with multiple Natomas business owners.

The next day of the Youth Workforce Program

Safe Credit Union was back, giving insight into how to manage finances. How to organize your life and the funds you have is important. There were valuable insights into where to spend your money, how to budget, how to purchase and how to save. Again, this is a subject that should be part of the normal curriculum within any high school.

Lunch was provided by Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes from Algo Bueno Restaurant (A wonderful Hispanic food restaurant in Natomas). The Vice Mayor was a major speaker at this part of the program. She covered her own history growing up in the farmworker community and how she persevered to become a student advocate, an advisor to a council member, a council member herself and then elected to the City Council as a representative for District3. She was then appointed Mayor Pro Tem, and this year as Vice Mayor of Sacramento. Her story is an inspiration to us all and is a perfect example of the American Dream so many strive for. Make no mistake, it took a lot of work and support. She discussed the ongoing issue of the 1.6-billion-dollar city budget and the deficit that the city must overcome. Hard decisions will have to be made in the coming fiscal year.

A panel discussion was held with local business leaders, hosted by Alyssa Lozano. It included an Economic Development and SEED Partnership Representative from SMUD; the owner of Color Me Mine; a barber from CeCe’s Cuts; a Makeup Artist; an Airline Pilot, and the district representative from California Senator Angelique Ashby’s office. Alyssa, beside moderating, discussed her role as a flight attendant. The discussion covered the process to get to where they were, the pitfalls and rewards of having your own business. The questions from students were probing and useful. It was a panel that should always be a part of any high school class structure.

Toward the end of the day, students met with business and chamber members, for probing interviews to test their abilities in getting a job after they graduate. There is a lot to learn to survive an interview and come out of it with an actual job. This part of the workforce program is critical to surviving in the world of work and business.

Representatives from the business community hosted a small fashion show; to emphasize just how important it is to look the part for a job interview. Students modeled different types of fashion specific for surviving a job interview.

There is much more to this Chamber Workforce Program, and I urge you to get involved with the Natomas Chamber and contribute to their work in the community and with the workers of the future. On the last day, student was interviewed by potential employers.

Be sure to read and follow N magazine online each month at www.nmag.net and get involved with the Natomas Chamber of Commerce at www.natomaschamber.org

19/06/2025

N magazine joined Natomas residents at the Ray & Judy Tretheway Oak Preserve for a morning of cleanup and reflection on a great treasure of this community. Sponsored by Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes office (representing District 3 of the City of Sacramento), her office set up a tent for registration and had some treats for those lending a hand to keep this community treasure in good shape.

A lot of the community turned out to help along with namesakes, Ray and Judy Tretheway. A representative from City Parks was there to instruct the participants and provide tools and methods of disposing of the trash that was gathered. Monika Lee, Chief of Staff for Talamantes, led the day with others from her office as volunteers.

This grove of trees is unique in our region. The preserve is a bit over 12 acres and includes a Nature Area with Valley Oak Preserves, jogging trail and picnic areas. It represents only a taste of what was covering our area in days gone by. When walking through the preserve, one can feel the very essence of the beauty of what the Central Valley was like in days long gone. It reminds us that we must maintain what open land there is left in our community. While we all love our homes and businesses, they would not be as valued to us without the open land to enhance our lives. Natomas, with the oak preserve, is right in the middle of one of the largest migration paths in the world. The great Pacific Flyway. It reaches from Patagonia along the Western Americas, to our great State of Alaska. The Ray & Judy Tretheway Oak Preserve is an important place along that migration path.

Thank to Vice Mayor Talamantes and her staff along with the volunteers who chose to help maintain this great treasure of Natomas. Volunteers found trash left by those who may seem unaware of the importance of where they were, when tossing trash. Some volunteers even found an abandoned shopping cart. What was great about the morning was the comradery and great feeling everyone had just to be able to lend a hand in keeping our Natomas treasures useable. We need the Nature of our community as much as it needs us.

Join in from time-to-time and lend a hand with projects like this. You will meet people of like mind and have a rewarding fun time. Be sure and visit Vice Mayor Talamantes page at www.cityofsacramento.org and get involved.

Be sure to read N magazine each month online at www.nmag.net We’ve been providing positive news for the Natomas community for 20 years.

19/06/2025

N magazine publisher, Dennis Spear (me) was invited to the Gardenland Northgate Neighborhood Association (GNNA) annual presentation of scholarships. It was held outdoors under the shade of a great tree at Stanford Settlement in Natomas. GNNA has presented scholarships for many years to students within South Natomas. This year, one of the past recipients, America Lomeli Ramirez, was the keynote speaker. She graduated from U.C. Davis and now works for a nonprofit that helps the community she grew up in. America represents the best of our community.

The introduction to the evening of presentations was made by Roberto Ramirez, Vice President of GNNA. His parents, Gilberto and Lucy Ramirez were longtime contributors to this community. Roberto is continuing his parents’ community tradition. One of the presentations was a memorial to Gilberto and Lucy. Roberto introduced Vice Mayor (and representative of Sacramento City District 3) Karina Talamantes. The Vice Mayor read the background of each of the scholarship recipients. Joining in the presentations was Anthony Uribe, representing U.S. Representative Ami Bera of California. The evening also included comments from Mayor Pro Tem, Eric Guerra. Karina, Anthony and Eric handed out presentations along with a framed GNNA certificate to each of the recipients.

The recipients of the scholarships were, Arie Riphagen, who received the Recipient Gilberto and Lucy Ramirez Memorial Award. Arie graduated from Natomas Charter School and will be attending the University of California San Diego. Richard “Wolfgang” Bow Graduated from American River College and will be attending California State University Monterey Bay. Arshad Hassaan Graduated from Natomas Pacific Pathways and will be attending University of California Davis. Graduate Jose Salazar will be attending American River College. The last recipient is Ray Duque, who will be attending California State University Sacramento.

This event was a small, but intimate, event with parents and relatives along with community leaders and volunteers. Kudos must be given to Marbella Sala for her work in getting this together in a short time frame. There were other volunteers, including staff from the Vice Mayor’s office, that helped with refreshments and cake for the evening. It is important that we all get involved in our community activities and support organizations like GNNA. You can find them at www.gnna.info

Be sure to read and follow N magazine online and learn more about your community. www.nmag,net This is N magazine’s 20th year serving the Natomas community.

04/06/2025

My recent experience with the veterans at Heritage Park reminded me of two of my favorite veterans, William "Easy" Smith and Lorna Griess. Easy has worked hard over the years to see that veterans are recognized and honored. Lorna has worked hard for veterans rights and has published an informative book titled "M.A.S.H. Vietnam, What's it like to be a War Nurse." That book is promoted on page 15 of the current issue of N magaine (Scroll down to see that issue). I am honored to know these two great assets to the United States of America. They represent the best of our country.

03/06/2025

03/06/2025

N magazine publisher, Dennis Spear, was invited to the Ivan Flett Memorial Day festivities at Heritage Park. The Heritage Park complex has a very large group of veterans from World War II, through current conflicts. For years, the magazine has honored Natomas Region veteran in our pages. In fact, if you go to our website, and click on the “Honoring Veterans” button, you can read about many of the veterans that have served us with honor.

It was Heritage Park veteran and resident, Bob Hilachk, who called and wanted to discuss the veteran’s group plan to rename Willow Park, Veteran’s Park. Willow Park sits just outside Heritage Park, east of the roundabout and on the north side of Rose Arbor Drive and just east of Northborough Drive. There will be a story on that plan as they work with their council member for City District 1, Lisa Kaplan, to get the project completed. It seems that they may have to raise $20,000 to have the city facilitate that change. There may be a few other ways to get this done.

The Veterans Day Event at Heritage Park had sponsors setting up booths and the veterans setting up the presentation venue. N magazine would take pictures and work with Bob and veteran Steve Werner. Steve was the Emcee for the event. Sponsors included H&D Real Estate. Helen Tischhauser and Dana Harward are active with the Natomas Chamber of Commerce and their husbands are veterans. Lisa Kaplan’s office was represented by Austin Busch-Estrada, who is working with the veterans on the park renaming. Kaplan’s office also contributed the Pizzas that would be enjoyed by all attending.

The event started off with the pledge of Allegiance and words from Steve. A presentation was made about the history of the Civil War. One special moment was when veteran Teresa Ubag had Cortez Montalbo brilliantly played taps. It was a wonderful moment of reflection. Steve addressed the table set for veterans missing in action. There was great symbolism in the day and great comradery. The widow of Tuskegee Airman, Boyd Taylor, Gloria, was attending and it is always great to see her. She is a great friend of N magazine.

The day was beautiful and the event inspiring. It’s always nice to remember that a great many of these veterans served to see that despotism and fascism, would not darken our Constitutional and Democratic Republic. There is a lot of work to be done, but it was a great Veteran’s Day at Heritage Park.