California Observes 55th Annual Native American Day Celebration at State Capitol
Story from: Dena Mitchell, Cultural Resources Division
 Left to right: State Park Interpreter I Devin McCutchen; Volunteer Coordinator Brian Nevis; Program Manager Blake Roberts with the Delta Protection Commission; Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Program Analyst Maia Posted; Senior Park Aide Michael Ramirez, Tribal Affairs Program Manager Sabine Talaugon; Department Tribal Liaison Leslie Hartzell; Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot; and Recruitment Manager Xochi Prock. Photo from Ruby Nishida from Sacramento.
California observed the 55th Annual Native American Day celebration on Friday, September 23, at the State Capitol, as proclaimed by Governor Newsom. The Governor also signed three pieces of legislation to support California Native communities, advance equity and inclusion on Native American Day.
The event honors the valuable historical and cultural contributions made by California Native Americans. This was the first in-person celebration of California Native American Day at the Capitol in Sacramento since 2019. This year, under the theme of "Stand Strong Together," the Native American community celebrated importance of unity among California Native American Tribal Nations and State Government.
At the Cultural Heritage Pavilion, leading California Native cultural arts practitioners provided demonstrations, including tule reed design, basketry art, and the gift of acorns. The event also featured a ceremony honoring elders and veterans and the posting of colors by the Tule River Color Guard. The event included 3,500 attendees, 200 volunteers, 100 exhibitor booths, 20 vendors, 12 cultural practitioners, 6 cultural performance groups, and 3 food trucks.
At the State Parks table, the State Indian Museum brought items including baskets, acorns, and a demonstration drill that gave participants the opportunity to touch and interact with examples of the traditional California Native American items that can be found at the State Indian Museum. The Workforce Planning and Recruitment Office and Tribal Affairs Program were there to have open discussion with participants and foster relationships between California State Parks and California Native Americans and Tribal Nations.
California State Parks was honored to participate in this event to recognize the legacy and continued importance of California Native Americans as we work to further partner with Tribal Nations.
Design Firm Visits Future Site of the California Indian Heritage Center
Story and photos from: Doug Johnson, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 Parks staff, members of the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC) Task Force, design firm Fentress Architects and their consultants as well as members of the Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs gather in West Sacramento at the future site of the CIHC.
California State Parks leaders, the California Indian Heritage Center (CIHC) Task Force, Fentress Architects and their consultants, as well as members of the Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs, took a tour of the 51-acre CIHC future project site at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers in West Sacramento on Thursday, September 22.
The tour showcased the site and allowed all parties involved to be able to ask questions and share the projects overall vision. The group also heard from the Director of the First Americans Museum (FAM) in Oklahoma City and Consultant for the CIHC, James Pepper Henry, who shared a slideshow on the design and operation of the museum in Oklahoma City.
In May, State Parks and the CIHC Task Force announced Fentress Architects as the design firm for the CIHC. It constitutes a decades-long collaboration and demonstrates the State’s commitment to and responsibility for partnering with California Native American tribal governments and communities along with allied individuals and institutions to develop the site.
CIHC’s design and development began in earnest with the commitment in the State’s 2018-2019 budget to invest $100 million in state funds. An additional $100 million was authorized in the budget for the phased buildout via private and philanthropic support. Currently a public engagement process is underway, including extensive tribal outreach.
Once complete, visitors from across California, the nation, and the world will be drawn to this center of statewide significance for cultural preservation, learning and exchange, land stewardship based on Native American values, and a place to engage all visitors celebrating the living cultures of California tribal communities.
 Top left: Jennifer Cabrera and Leslie Hartzell show design renderings for the CIHC in West Sacramento. Top right: tour group looks at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers. Bottom left: Director of the FAM in Oklahoma City and Consultant for the CIHC, James Pepper Henry shares a slideshow on the design and operation of the museum in Oklahoma City. Bottom right: Larry Myers, the CIHC task force and Chairman of the CIHC foundation, speaks with other CIHC task force members.
California State Parks Lifeguard Competition Team End Competition Season on High Note
Story from: Kevin Selna, Orange Coast District
 The 2022 Cal State Surf Racing Team finished second at the USLA National Championships. Photo from Andres Weishaupt, Communications and Marketing Division.
The California State Parks Lifeguard Competition Team completed the racing season at the United States Lifesaving Association National Championships August 11-13, 2022, in Hermosa Beach, California, on top. The team finished in second place while Los Angeles County Lifeguards were crowned the National Champions. Sussex and Monmouth counties in New Jersey finished in third and fourth place respectively.
The team had 160 current and former State Parks lifeguards who competed over three days against the top lifeguard agencies in the nation. It was the largest competition since 2006.
During competition, points can be scored in the Open (≤ age 29) and Masters (≥ age 30) events to combine for an overall team ranking. Top Open Division scorers for Cal State Surf Racing were Lifeguard IIs Madison Feldman and Boston Williams (Orange Coast District), Lifeguard II Audrey Neilan (Channel Coast District), and Lifeguard I Joshua Billotte (San Diego Coast District). Top Masters Division point scorers were Lifeguard II Emily Hagen and State Park Peace Officer Supervisor I (Lifeguard) Ryan Gates (Orange Coast District), Lifeguard Alumna Courtney Romero and Lifeguard Alumnus Jason Gabriel.
In July, our team defeated Los Angeles County Lifeguards during the Southwestern United States Regional Lifeguard Championships at Huntington State Beach. The team has won the Regional Championships (aka the California Championships) every year since 2013!
Each lifesaving competition race is comprised of basic skills used by lifeguards every day: swimming, running, paddling, ocean knowledge, rescue techniques, spotting/responding to rescues, and teamwork. The sport promotes aquatic safety and awareness through public outreach, health and fitness within the lifeguard community, and challenges even the toughest lifeguards to become better athletes and rescuers. At competitions, we interact and network with other lifeguards from all over the United States, often recruiting lifeguards to work for State Parks the following season!
Currently, a small group of team members from the Orange Coast District are overseas in Riccione, Italy, competing in the Lifesaving World Championships where they will compete alongside the world’s best.
Congratulations California State Parks lifeguards for another great competition, representing our department, and motivating our lifeguard staff to be the best versions of themselves!
 Top: Lifeguard II Chuy Mena (San Diego Coast District) exits the water after the men’s surf swim race. Bottom left: Lifeguard II Boston Williams (Orange Coast District) also exits the water after men’s surf swim race. Middle: Lifeguard II Madison Feldman (Orange Coast District) during the women’s run relay. Right: Lifeguard I Mike Olsberg (Orange Coast District) during the men’s run relay. Photos from Dan Martin, Waterblogged.
 Top: Lifeguard I Josh Billotte and Lifeguard II Colin Boothman (San Diego Coast District, left), and Lifeguard II Drew Zailik (Channel Coast District, right) during the men’s board rescue race. Bottom: Lifeguard I Josh Billotte (San Diego Coast District, left), and Lifeguard I Kekoa Wheeler (San Diego Coast) and Lifeguard II Robert Ginoti (Angeles District) during the men’s surf swim race. Photos from Dan Martin, Waterblogged.
 Lifeguard II Dalton Kenefick (Orange Coast District) during the men’s run-swim-run race and during the men's run relay. Photos from Dan Martin, Waterblogged.
"Darn Good Stuff" at District Superintendents Meeting
Story and photos from: Jason De Wall, Northern Division
 State Park District Superintendents meet at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.
For the first time since pre-pandemic, State Park district superintendents were able to all meet together in the same location. From September 20 – 22, State Park field leaders had an opportunity to collaborate in a long overdue district superintendent meeting in the Cascade Sector of Northern Buttes District. The two-and-a-half-day event gave us all a chance to reconnect and get updates from State Parks Director Armando Quintero, partners, headquarters program area managers along with segments we call “Darn Good Stuff.”
What is “Darn Good Stuff” you may be wondering? These are segments lead by a District Superintendent where we present specific accomplishments within respective districts through projects, training, or leadership by field staff at any level or program area and often cross disciplinary. These segments spark the best conversation and inspire all of us to see the good in the field even when challenges add up.
We spent a day at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park with a walk, led by a true Generalist Supervising Ranger Ryan Rzab. Ryan kept us engaged and wanting more of the history and details of operations in a park so heavily impacted with visitation the past few years. What he didn’t need to tell us, we could see throughout the entire park and facilities as they were amazing, the attention to detail by the maintenance and resource staff was obvious. The natural and traditional mountain park feel with the rushing sound of the waterfalls in the background was a great setting to continue our meeting at the campfire center.
I was able to slip away and see some of the maintenance staff I worked with 17 years ago as a supervising ranger in the Cascade Sector. Renee Clair, Terri Ashe and the rest of the maintenance staff have done great work over the years. Today, I can see they take just as much pride in making sure our visitors have a clean and safe place to recreate, just as much as they did when we worked side-by-side years ago. This is “Darn Good Stuff.”
The feedback from the district superintendents from our meeting highlighted the wonderful work accomplished by those who don’t seek recognition. Instead, they find creative ideas and ways to lead through day-to-day impacts, constraints and projects to success. Thank you to the Northern Buttes District and Cascade Sector for hosting such a great meeting.
 State Park District Superintendents present "Darn Good Stuff" about their staff.
BVST48 Cadets Begin Their Training
Story from: Lindsey Phillips, Training Section
 BVST 48 cadet class photo. Photo from Lindsey Phillips, Training Section.
This week the cadets of Basic Visitor Services Training (BVST) Class 48 donned their field uniforms for the first time and were tested both mentally and physically at Butte College in Oroville, California. Sergeants Raducanu and Townsend lead a team of instructors who taught the cadets basic marching, discipline and resilience. The emergency medical services instructors also worked side by side with the cadets teaching them skills in basic first aid and emergency patient care, including CPR.
Alternating between the two subjects throughout the week no doubt tested the cadets, but they ended the week working as a cohesive team. I saw cadets helping secure gear that had fallen off their partner’s while exercising, encouraging each other in moments of adversity, and bravely standing up to take leadership roles within their class. The cadets of BVST 48 are well on their way to becoming strong, motivated, compassionate, and competent state park peace officers for California State Parks.
 Top left: BVST 48 Cadets with Sgt. Raducanu enjoying the sunrise. Top right: Capt. Shoemaker (Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division) and Officer Ortiz (Gold Fields Districts) inspecting uniforms. Bottom left: Sgt. Townsend (Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District) inspecting Cadet Enriquez’s uniform. Bottom right: BVST 48 Cadets running by water bottles during physical training.
K-9s Khan and Storm Retire from State Parks
Story and photos from: Mike Gleckler, Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Division
 K-9 Khan (left) and K-9 Storm are now officially retired from State Parks.
K-9 Storm and K-9 Khan have both patrolled their last shifts. They are officially retired. K-9 Storm, partnered with State Park Peace Officer (SPPO) Iain Beveridge and K-9 Khan, partnered with SPPO Jason Rule, both served their careers in the San Luis Obispo (SLO) Coast District being assigned to Hearst Castle.
K-9 Storm and K-9 Khan were born in the Czech Republic. They are, as with each State Park K-9, patrol trained in officer protection, suspect apprehension, searching and tracking. They are also both dual purpose K-9s, cross trained in explosives detection. With this skill set and in addition to patrolling Hearst Castle, Officer Beveridge and Officer Rule performed many preliminary explosive detection-sweeps for not only SLO Coast District but for many large State Park events. They fulfilled allied agency requests though out the state to assist with events, dignitary visits and reactive sweeps from bomb threats.
All good things must come to an end and it’s now time for both K-9s to call it a career and enter into retirement. On behalf of the California State Parks K-9 Program, I would like to thank Officer Beveridge and K-9 Storm, and Officer Rule and K-9 Khan for their years of dedicated K-9 service to our department, our visitors, the communities they served, and the citizens of California.
Both K-9s will enjoy retirement with their partners and their families. Enjoy your retirement days K-9 Storm and K-9 Khan; they are well deserved. 16T60 and 16T70 are 10-10.
 Left: Trading card for K-9 Khan. Right: SPPO Jason Rule with K-9 Khan at Hearst Castle.
 Left: Trading card for K-9 Storm. Right: SPPO Iain Beveridge with K-9 Storm.
Clear Lake State Park Enters Float in Pear Festival Parade
Story from: Kaylie Williams, Northern Buttes District
 Top left: Staff members Park Aide Karen Schuler, Park Interpretive Specialist Kaylie Williams, Lifeguards Nicholas Dobusch and Jacob Jensen standing in front of the Clear Lake float during parade staging. Photo from Karen Schuler, Northern Buttes District. Top right: Clear Lake State Park's float entry: "Escape from the Concrete Jungle" as it sits in staging before the parade. Photo from James Morris, Northern Buttes District. Bottom: Maintenance Chief Wendy Lieberg staffs the booth at the Pear Festival and speaks to festival guests, alongside camp host Donna Bass. Photo from Christopher Glenn, Northern Buttes District.
Every year, the town of Kelseyville in Lake County, takes a chance to celebrate its rich agricultural history, with the annual Pear Festival. Guests can find anything pear related, from food and drinks to trinkets and gifts, and even a pear pie-eating contest and parade!
This year, Clear Lake State Park (SP) was proud to not only have a float entered in the parade, but also to have the opportunity to host a booth at the highly anticipated festival. Staff members provided information about the park and cooperating volunteer association, Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association, or "CLSPIA", and allowed guests to check out the impressive pelts and taxidermy from the visitor center.
The float was themed "Escape from the Concrete Jungle" and was constructed the week prior to the event. It featured a pontoon boat that was borrowed from district headquarters in Oroville, California. Staff and their families came together to decorate by adding waves, some taxidermy, cattails, and pears (of course) which were hand decorated by the children of the rangers and camp hosts at Clear Lake. After recruiting staff and their families to ride on the float, the park ended up placing second in the float decoration contest!
Clear Lake SP staff were thrilled to be active in the festival, and the included activities. Overall, the festival was a huge success, bringing in nearly 15,000 visitors to the tiny Northern California town, and people from many different cities and towns across the state. Clear Lake SP looks forward to participating in the years to come!
"Track or Treat" Excursion Train Rides to Delight Passengers on the Sacramento Southern Railroad
Story and photo from: California State Railroad Museum Foundation
 "Track or Treat" excursion train rides along the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
In proud partnership with California State Parks, the California State Railroad Museum Foundation is thrilled to offer interactive and entertaining “Track or Treat” excursion train rides at the Old Sacramento Waterfront over the course of four “fangtastic” weekends this fall: October 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, and 29-30. With wonderful yet wacky coach or VIP First Class train rides available, “Track or Treat” excursion trains are pulled by a historic diesel locomotive and depart at 10 a.m. 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
New this year and part of a reimagined experience, a dedicated skeleton crew and “(g)host with the most” train car attendants will keep the party going for 45 fun-filled minutes. Plus, before and after each train departure, riders will enjoy exclusive access to the Passenger Station where they can participate in spirited games, activities, and photo ops. Also, train riders are encouraged to dress to impress along with weekly themes: October 8-9, Princess and Pirates; October 15-16, Outer Space; October 22-23, Witches, Wizards, and Ghosts; and October 29-30; Heroes and Villains.
And, for those wishing for a VIP First Class train ride experience, a Magical Mad Scientist and his crew of minions are up to the terrific task. An on-board laboratory is decorated with a display of crazy experiments fit for the mad doctor himself, and his tricks and illusions will leave guests of all ages in awe. Of course, First Class guests will receive onboard refreshments, non-stop fun, and excellent service.
All “Track or Treat” excursion train rides depart from the Central Pacific Passenger Station on Front Street between J and K streets) and cost $24 for adults, $14 for youths ages 3-17, and children ages 2 and under are free (member prices are $14 for adults, $9 for youths). First Class tickets cost $34 for adults, $24 for youths ages 3-17, and children ages 2 and under are free (member prices are $24 for adults, $17 for youths). Limited VIP seating is available and online booking is recommended. Tickets are available online in advance (recommended) or at the ticket office on the day of the train ride (based on availability). For tickets or more information, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.
California State Railroad Museum Reintroduces All Aboard for Story Time! on Mondays, Year-Round
Story and photo from: California State Railroad Museum
 All Aboard for Story Time! will soon be back in person at the California State Railroad Museum, starting October 3.
The California State Railroad Museum is excited to reintroduce the popular – and in-person -- All Aboard for Story Time! program beginning on Monday, October 3. This interactive and fun program takes place inside the Museum every Monday at 11 a.m., year-round. Designed for toddlers and preschoolers (approximately 18 months to 5 years old), Story Time helps to bring railroad-themed books to life with an engaging reading followed by a related activity.
Activities include themed scavenger hunts, games with stickers, coloring sheets, and more, all that help to reinforce topics from the books. For example, one Thomas the Tank Engine book highlights a hedgehog that is active at night, so the related activity will have kids coloring other types of nocturnal animals.
In addition, periodic Story Time programs will include special readings by community partners, which will be announced on social media (be sure to follow on social!). The first partnership will, in fact, be with a fellow State Park. A shout-out goes to the State Indian Museum that will be working on a Story Time in November!
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was wildly successful. Thankfully, the Museum was able to quickly pivot this program to social media in March of 2020. For the first few months, Story Time featured community partners and local celebrities to increase awareness of the new digital program, before switching to interpretive staff and volunteers. Eventually, the Museum re-opened and the demand for an online Story Time significantly decreased. Today, the Museum is thrilled to bring the program back for children and families as well as looking forward to reinvigorating those community partnerships and excellent volunteer readers.
After Story Time each week, children and parents are encouraged to explore the Museum. Whether it’s toy trains or big locomotives, there is always something to discover in the California State Railroad Museum – North America’s most popular railroad museum – that will thrill children (and adults) of all ages.
The All Aboard for Story Time! program is included with Museum admission: $12 for adults; $6 for youths ages 6-17; free for children ages 5 and under. For more, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.
Lights, Camera, Action at the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
Story and photos from: Stephen Porten, Volunteer docent at Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park
 Left: Tiffany Villaky and Ramon Rodrigues taking a break. Top right: Ben Hutchinson from Tamron Lenses, and Conner Hunt and Michelle Nicholson from Action Camera. Bottom right: Ashlee Green and Ernesto Perez checking out some shots inside the historic Powerhouse.
The Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park hosted the “Folsom Portrait Slam for Gods and Goddesses” on Sunday, September 25.
This event brought together approximately 50 photographers, both amateur and professional, and models, makeup artist and lighting professionals.
They spent three hours taking photos, using the Powerhouse and surrounding park grounds as the background. You can see many of the pictures on Instagram with the hashtag #FolsomSlam.
Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area Cultural Collections Gets an Organizational Makeover
Story and photo from: Elise Fleishman, Diablo Range District
 Left to right: Phaedra Nations, Andrew Case, Elise Fleishman, Meaghan Cathcart.
This summer, the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area’s cultural collections received some much-needed attention. This summer long project was headed by Senior Park Aide, Meaghan Cathcart, with oversight from Interpreter I, Elise Fleishman. It involved inventorying, photographing items, accessioning objects into The Museum System (TMS), and matching identifying documents all mostly relating to the Harris Ranch history.
Last week, many folks joined forces to provide expertise and guidance, forming one large work party. Visiting from the Statewide Museum Collections Center were Museum Curator I, Andrew Case, and TMS Assistant, Phaedra Nations. Visiting from San Juan Bautista State Historic Park was Museum Technician, Dave Mueller. Joining us from Diablo Range District staff was Historian I, Joe Starr.
Additionally, throughout the summer many volunteers helped with this project in anticipation of this work party. A great collaboration amongst staff!
  Email photos to the WeeklyDigest@parks.ca.gov.
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