The Antelope Friends of the Veterans sit at their picnic table during the inaugural Western Ranch House Barbeque in Rio Linda on June 7, presented by the Rio Linda Lion’s Club. Photo by Seth Henderson 

RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - About 10 attendees representing businesses, community organizations, nonprofit organizations and elected officials discussed upcoming community events and promotions June 5 at Brookfields Restaurant Sacramento on Madison Avenue during the monthly Tri-Communities Lunch Bunch. 

The Tri-Communities Lunch Bunch is an informal monthly networking “no-host” luncheon that features a guest speaker every first Thursday of the month. Open to the public, participants are encouraged to bring fliers, publications, business cards and information for the community. The Tri-Communities area includes Rio Linda, Elverta and North Highlands.

Former Rio Linda-Elverta Country Faire CEO Charlea Moore said that the event has been held regularly for more than 50 years and has 10 to 40 involved community members attending every month. Moore said the meeting location was moved to Brookfields Restaurant after previously meeting at the Pancake Palace in North Highlands on Watt Avenue before it burned down last year. 

“You’ll be able to find someone to help you do what you need to do,” Moore said. 

June’s guest speaker was Tony Shelton, the new Rio Linda-Elverta Country Faire CEO and soon-to-be Rio Linda Lions Club secretary and a local masonic lodge master. Shelton spoke about humanities and social involvement. His goal, Shelton said, is to provide an equal opportunity to succeed and he was heavily influenced by a desire for knowledge. 

 
Lunch Bunch guest speaker Tony Shelton stands in his western-themed disguise behind the live band as they set up for their performance at the inaugural Western Ranch House Barbeque in Rio Linda on June 7. Photo by Seth Henderson 

“To be a great person means to be in the community whenever possible,” Shelton said. “Show compassion and healing with the less informed.”

Shelton spoke about the historical difficulties faced by women and minorities in the United States. He described the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that provided women with the right to vote, which led to them obtaining managerial roles by the 1960s. He also spoke about affirmative action through the Civil Rights Movement to prohibit employment discrimination to all.

“When you think about it, the women in our society raise our children, prepare our foods, provide lifelong stability; and we did that. It’s pretty sad. I just strive to hope that we can overcome that in the future wherever everybody is  and that applies across all lives,” Shelton said. 

Shelton said that the Masonic organization’s goal across the world is to create a society where everyone can have an education. He said that the Masonic organization founded public education and it’s a constant evolution of the organization to make sure it succeeds.  

“It’s a necessary evil and that’s why, in that nonprofit that I belong to, we think so highly of (education),” Shelton said. 

The Rio Linda-Elverta Country Faire strives to bring their community together with beneficial public events that can assist anyone, Shelton said. 

Mentioned at the Lunch Bunch, the Rio Linda Lions Club hosted its inaugural Western Ranch Barbeque at the Dry Creek Ranch House on June 7, featuring views of the 180-acre ranch, lively music, a hearty dinner and a raffle.

Joanna McVay of the North Highlands Recreation and Parks District shared her experience of dealing with cancer while being a business owner during Shelton’s speech when he inquired about the audience’s personal experience. McVay said she echoed Shelton’s comments about unity. 

Special assistant Forrest Johnson from Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodiguez’s office and field representative Natalya Sachuk of Assemblymember Josh Hoover’s office provided updates on legislation and county proceedings that affects the tri-communities area and the county abroad. 

Johnson spoke about Sacramento County’s budget meeting on June 4, reporting that the District Attorney’s office Community Prosecutor program and the county Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Team will continue to receive funding. The funding was passed with a unanimous vote, Johnson said.

Sachuk spoke about Assembly Bill 84, pertaining to the financial reformation of nonclassroom-based education, implementing stronger audits and stricter regulations. After passing the State Assembly, the bill will move forward to the Senate before making its way to the governor’s desk, if passed. 

According to the 2025 Legislative Calendar, Assembly Bill 84 must be passed in the Senate by Sept. 12.

Other participants in June’s Lunch Bunch included Giovanni, a manager from OK Tire and Automotive in North Highlands, who passed out fliers for the California Cool Air Rebate, a program providing financial assistance for California residents in need of repairs to their car’s air conditioning system. 

The next Tri-Communities Lunch Bunch will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 3 at the Brookfields Restaurant in Sacramento, 4343 Madison Ave. and there is no reservation or sign up required.