Published
in Rio Linda Elverta News April 14, 2005 - Scroll for other articles
County
to form Community Councils;
Chamber of Commerce hears details
By Jay O'Brien
Victor Morrison-Vega, Sacramento County's new Department of
Neighborhood Services Director, was introduced at the Rio Linda/Elverta
Chamber of Commerce meeting last week by Sacramento County's North
County Service Area Manager Mark Manoff.
Morrison-Vega, with over 15 years of government experience in Arizona,
developed Phoenix's Neighborhood Services operation and was recruited
to implement a similar operation in Sacramento County.
He said that his task here is to reach out to the communities and to
make sure that community input is felt at the County level.
Morrison-Vega explained the new community councils that are being
formed. He said they "basically act as a town council". "This allows
members in the specific community to actually take authority for the
decisions that are being made." The councils will replace other
decision-making boards, such as planning commissions.
Rio Linda/Elverta has been selected to participate as one of the the
first councils; our council will have five members who will serve at
large. The Arden-Arcade community will also have five members at large.
However, the other two of the four initial councils, Fair Oaks and
Carmichael, will have individual districts within their communities and
their councils will have 7 or 9 members.
Morrison-Vega explained that Rio Linda/Elverta, being less populated
than the other three initial councils, will have more representation
than the others; about 3300-3500 residents per council member. This
compares to 20,000 per council member in Arden-Arcade.
Morrison-Vega told the Chamber meeting, "I see this as the best of all
worlds for a community that's starting out with a self-governance kind
of process. So you don't run too many of the risks and the liabilities
but you do have the authority to render your own decisions."
The Community Council makeup and concept will be tested and fine-tuned
to determine what works best. Morrison-Vega hopes to have an evaluator
observing the process over the next two years, who will make periodic
reports and a final recommendation.
Applicants for the community council should submit applications to the
Board of Supervisors; their applications must include 25 or more
signatures of supporting community members.
Would you like to serve on our community council? Call Mark Manoff at
874-5381 for details.
Published
in Rio Linda Elverta News April 14, 2005 - Scroll for other articles
Two Men's Dream Equals Fine
Cuisine
By Norma-Lee
Friends for more than twenty years, the chef and the printer had a
dream. One day, they hoped to open their own restaurant. The dream
eventually came true but it took time. Time during which, Dennis Aston,
continued to hone his culinary skills and Jarome Hagen continued to
encourage his friend.
By now, you probably know that I am talking about the owners of the
restaurant, Dry Creek Station, that recently opened at 6750 Front
Street. Dennis was more than ready to assume his duties of owner and
Head Chef. He graduated from The Culinary Arts Institute of San Diego
and he also holds a graduate degree from the Culinary Institute of
America, Napa, California. Mr. Aston (no relation to the hotel chain)
started his career as a fry cook in Flagstaff, AZ, where he was
attending the University of Northern Arizona. He spent seventeen years
as the General and District Manager of the Howard Johnson chain and ten
years as the Executive Chef of Marriott's Corporate Services. He even
owned his own nightclub "Monk's" in San Diego for about a year and a
half. No, he is not 110 years old; some of these positions and studies
overlapped.
Meanwhile,
friend Jarome Hagen was busy building his own career as a professional
printer. He married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn, thirty-five
years ago. Together, they have a son, Adam, and a daughter, Chris, and
five grandchildren. Both men have lived in the Sacramento area for
several years and to find their dream in their own back yard, so to
speak, was a bonus. When the opportunity to purchase their own
restaurant presented itself, Jarome readily bought in with his friend
Dennis, and "The Dry Creek Station" was born. While he is more of a
silent partner (he continues to work as a professional printer) he is
no stranger to the establishment or it's cuisine.
Jarome is very proud of Dennis' skills as a chef and he gave me a
guided tour of the menu, which features excellent seafood dishes.
"But", he said, "don't hesitate to order prime rib on Friday, Saturday,
or Sunday, or steaks, chicken, pork, and even Cajun dishes any day of
the week". They are also open for breakfast at 7 a.m. every day and
they serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Hour from 4 to 6 each day
features beverage and "munchie" specials.
Jarome says you must try Dennis' creation known as the California
Cocktail. It is served in a margarita glass on a bed of fresh avocado
with Dungeness crab, shrimp, prawns and Dennis' secret cocktail sauce.
No reservations are required however, if you are planning to bring a
big group, please call, 991-3244 for accommodations.
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