More than 20 individuals network and eat amongst themselves during the monthly Tri-Communities Lunch Bunch event at Brookfields Restaurant in North Highlands on July 3. Photo by Seth Henderson

NORTH HIGHLANDS, CA (MPG) - More than 25 people played patriotic trivia, enjoyed food and/or networked at the monthly Tri-Communities Lunch Bunch, sharing upcoming community events, honors, struggles and other announcements on July 3 at Brookfields Restaurant in Sacramento.

The tri-communities consist of Rio Linda, Elverta and North Highlands and the Lunch Bunch meets every first Thursday at Brookfields. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District’s Battalion Chief Brian Gonsalves and Community Relations Specialist April West were in attendance, with Gonsalves featured as the guest speaker. 

Members from the office of U.S. Representative Ami Bera’s office and Assemblymember Josh Hoover were in attendance, providing updates on legislation such as the Trump administration’s Big Beautiful Bill. Both representatives said that neither member voted in favor of the bill, saying constituents with concerns about the potential effects should reach out to their respective representatives with their grievances.

Gonsalves spoke about his tenure with the fire district as a second-generation member and situations the district handles. He said the district receives three times the normal number of calls on Independence Day, at about 1200 calls, compared to an average of 400 calls daily. He said the district has weed abatement programs to encourage homeowners to maintain their lots. 

“The challenge is that this is all private property. So, we work with the county on county property, but when it’s privately owned, it really is on that individual to maintain their land,” Gonsalves said. “If they don't, the weed abatement program will start sending them fines to try and encourage them to take care of their property.”

Gonsalves said, when it comes to large brushy lots, finding creative ways to work the land can help reduce the likelihood of fines and fires. 

“If they can utilize that property for something more, then it will keep the grass down and naturally be a barrier,” Gonsalves said. “Community gardens, I’ve seen a couple of them in North Highlands and they’re a fantastic way to use that property for something that’s positive and good, and allows people to work that land.”

With more than 20 attendees, each table in the select portion of the restaurant was stacked with fliers of upcoming community events throughout the tri-communities area and other parts of Sacramento. 

Events for the Rio Linda and Elverta communities included the Rio Linda Farmer’s Market and Peddler’s Fair, which takes place every Thursday at Depot Park, starting at 5 p.m. Depot Park is located at 6730 Front St. in Rio Linda. 

This year’s annual Zucchini Races are scheduled to take place on Aug. 9 at the Rio Linda Library from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with no cost to enter. The zucchini races are expected to feature vendors for the first time, in addition to food, a car show and prizes. 

The annual Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire and Community Showcase is scheduled to take place on both Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 at Depot Park in Rio Linda, with the “Fun Zone” only open on Sept. 20. The faire is expected to feature a climbing wall, games, bounce houses, face painters, and balloon twisters. More than 150 vendors are expected at the faire, including food trucks, the Rio Pub Beer Garden and live entertainment. 

A kids swap meet also took place on July 12 at the Historic Dry Creek Ranch House & Museum, located at 6852 Dry Creek Road in Rio Linda, with at least two groups of young entrepreneurs braving the forecasted heat to make some money during the weekend. The event was in partnership with the Rio Linda Elverta Historical Society and Girl Scout Troop 1565.

In the McClellan Park and Foothill Farms areas, the National Night Out takes place at Freedom Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Foothill High School from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Battalion Cheif Brian Gonsalves in action, wearing his uniform. Photo courtesy of Brian Gonsalves

Freedom Park is located at 5931 Recreation Way in McClellan Park and the National Night Out is hosted by Love Action Int, the North Highlands Recreation and Parks District, Sacramento County Sheriff and the Sacramento Police Department. In addition to the joint community and police event, Freedom Park will also be the location of Back to School Night, during the National Night Out. More information can be found at LoveActionInt.org.

Foothill High School is located at 5000 McCloud Drive and the event will be held at the school’s quad, as well as the Baker-Rivas Pool. The event is expected to feature food, free swimming and vendors in addition to being hosted by the Foothill Farms Neighborhood Association, Twin Rivers Unified School District Police and the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District. More information can be found at foothillfarms.org.

Love Action Int is a North Highlands based nonprofit community resource center, providing programs and services, according to their website. The organization’s summer programs mentioned at the Lunch Bunch were its backpack and school supply drive, taking place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4141 Palm Ave. in Sacramento. Love Action Int also hosts yard sales on every first Saturday of the month

Sac Metro Fire hosted an open house for Fire Station 65, located at 11201 Coloma Road in Gold River on July 12, providing station tours, free swag and an opportunity to interact with crew members. 

North Watt Business Watch also had fliers to promote its program developed to strengthen the relationship between small businesses and law enforcement. Meetings take place every second Monday of the month at the Family Community Church, located at 6331 Watt Ave. from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The next Lunch Bunch is expected to take place on Aug. 7 at the Brookfields Restaurant on Madison Avenue.