Safety and comedy: It took a little longer than they hoped, but Harmony House, the Citrus Heights safe house operated by the Domestic Violence Intervention Center, will reopen on Tuesday.
The center serves women – and men – from throughout the region who are struggling with domestic violence.
The safe house – in a quiet and secret section of town – was purchased last year, largely with a $350,000 federal grant provided through the city. It closed in December, barely after opening, because of a shortage of trained staff to run it.
But co-executive director Elaine Whitefeather said a class of 24 trained volunteers graduated last week and the house will open for good this time. A grand opening will be held in October, she said, but it will open next week.
Meanwhile, while domestic violence is no laughing matter, the center will host its fourth annual Night of Laughs on Sunday at the Dante Club, 2330 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sacramento.
Tickets are $25 for a night of comedy, wine tasting, appetizers, dessert, door prizes and a silent auction, and all proceeds will benefit the center. Tickets will be available at the door, or you can call Rosanne Anderson at (916) 799-8702.
Elaine said the center, which has a full-fledged partnership with Citrus Heights, always is looking for additional partners and volunteers. For more information, call the center's non- crisis line, (916) 728-5613. The crisis line is (916) 728-7210. …
Del Campo reunion: Sounds like a gala evening is planned Sept. 13 for the 30-year gathering of the Del Campo High class of '78.
Publicist Debbie Ceriani said it will be a luau-style dinner and such at the home of Philip Duncan overlooking the American River. Debbie asks for RSVPs at office.synergex.com/ delcampoclassof78; for more information, e-mail Liz Stremple Murphy at murphyelizabeth@mac.com.
Cheers. …
Fowl play: No, this is not a Fair Oaks rooster item. But I must credit columnist colleague Carlos Alcalá, who wrote this one first, and longtime education reporter Walter Yost (the older fellow who sits next to me in the Folsom bureau), who lived through it.
Anyway, Walt and Manda Ness, his significant other, were driving home week before last after walking their dog, Wiggly (honest), at Carmichael Park. It was a warm night, and Walt – being green and cheap, er, thrifty – had the air conditioner off and the window open.
Suddenly, something flew in the window and whacked him upside the head.
Yup. Flew in. When Walt gathered his wits (Carlos gives Walt too much credit, but I digress), he discovered a screech owl perched on his leg. The creature looked like a pet bird, Walt said, until it opened its not-so-small wings and suddenly looked less cute.
When the owl declined to fly away, Walt took it home for the evening and to a Wildlife Care Association volunteer the next day.
"Can you imagine the odds of that?" asked Lisa Maljian, the volunteer, who is also a vet tech.
Sadly, the stunned owl never came out of its stupor and died a few days later. Walt, who said his head hurt for about a week, seems to be recovering.
Call The Bee's Bob Walter, (916) 608-7448. Back columns, www.sacbee.com/walter.
