By Kimberly K. Fu

Solano County sheriff’s deputies, all off duty, descended on Target in Vacaville early Saturday with one aim in mind — to make the holiday season bright for 20 students throughout the county.

Just after 7 a.m., the “Shop with a Deputy” event, sponsored by the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, was in full swing. Kids from pre-K to 10th grade, all who thrived despite experiencing adversity, were partnered with a deputy and then embarked on the ultimate shopping adventure.

“We’re always looking for ways to give back to the community,” advised Sgt. Christine Castillo. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Source: Deputies bring cheer to Solano students – The Vacaville Reporter

By Zachary Cimaglio

Cars and bikes of various makes and models gathered round in the parking lot of the Ball Metal Beverage Packaging plant in Fairfield Saturday for the 9th Annual Ball Metal Car and Motorcycle School Supply Drive Car Show.

The event consisted of a contest for attendees to vote on their favorite vehicles and a raffle table laden with various prizes.

The car show has been a staple in the community for nearly a decade, and public support appears to be as high as ever. Car junkies, bikers and various other community members came together to provide school supplies for students who may not have access to them as the school year gets into full swing.

Source: Solano County residents show off their rides to support local students – The Vacaville Reporter

The Workforce Development Board of Solano County is offering a free, five-week pre-apprenticeship training for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 that will help them to complete all the training they need for an introductory trades position at no cost to them.

The pre-apprenticeship training will be offered Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 11 to Aug. 15, at the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School.

“This program will truly open doors for their future,” said Nel Sweet-Davis, an employability specialist with the Workforce Development Board of Solano County and one of the organizers of the training program. “It’s more than the trades. It will encompass so many industries, industries that are becoming very common here in Solano County. We encourage the students to see this as a kickstart program to their future in the trades or labor industry.”

Source: Solano Workforce Development Board offering free pre-apprenticeship training program – Times-Herald

Travis Credit Union is challenging youths to be fiscally aware.

April is Financial Literacy Month and TCU is giving teens ages 13 to 18 the opportunity to complete four online money challenges and learn about managing money.

Every challenge will be a new online financial education activity on organizing finances, Avoiding debt, establishing savings and building credit. Those who complete every challenge will be entered to win an Apple iPad.

Source: Program teaches teens money management – The Vacaville Reporter

A campaign designed to stop underage drinking, “Keep Youth Safe,” has been launched by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Students Against Destructive Decisions are part of the campaign.

The state agency reported that 100 California teenagers died in alcohol-related crashes in 2019 and 2020.

“Protecting youth has always been a priority for ABC, and will continue to be a major emphasis,” Eric Hirata, director of the state agency, said in a statement. “We hope this message helps in preventing alcohol-related crashes and poisonings throughout the state.”

Source: State, MADD, SADD launch youth drinking prevention campaign

By Matt Miller

What started out as a vision by one Vacaville Rotarian and local engineer has taken shape into a countywide network of volunteers as the new Play 4 All Park off of Elmira Road is slowly taking shape.

Tom Phillippi, president of Phillippi Engineering, was visiting his daughter in Round Rock, Texas, when he saw a fully adaptive play park and decided Vacaville needed to have one of its own. He returned to tell his fellow Rotarians and others in the community. A plan was hatched and the project grew into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

“It’s been very humbling,” Phillippi said. “They’ve all given on just an idea. That is very overwhelming. So many volunteers have spent endless hours pulling this together.”

Source: Play 4 All Park hopes for final financial push before completion

By Todd R. Hansen

The Solano County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to spend $1.87 million in federal pandemic relief funds toward a new Early Learning Center at the site of the former Beverly Hills Elementary School in Vallejo.

The board also approved $533,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding toward programs to reconnect with students who did not graduate during the pandemic and are not engaged in any kind of school or work programs. It is a three-year program.

The actions were taken during a presentation by the Children/Education working group, one of 10 groups addressing various priorities eligible for the federal funding.

Source: Solano spends $2.4M on Vallejo learning center, program for ‘disconnected students’

The Fairfield-Suisun City Visual Arts Association invites the community to the 6th Annual FSVAA High School Student Art Show, which opens Wednesday.

The show features artwork from students at various high schools in Solano County.

Categories include Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel/Drawing, Sculpture/Assemblage, Ceramic Vessel, Mixed Media/Collage, Color Photography, B&W Photography, Computer Art/Digital Art, Fiber Art/Textile, Printmaking, Jewelry, and Video/Other.

Source: Student art show opens this week at Solano Town Center

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Eric Land’s inner child takes over as Halloween draws near.

He’s created Fearfilled Prep this year inside the Sullivan Interagency Youth Services gym.

“There’s a lot of space here,” said Land, who heads up sKreamZ Haunted Attractions. “This is probably one of the biggest.”

Land and the Fairfield Police Activities League began working together on haunted offerings in 2010, setting up frights in a variety of locations including the PAL’s former center next to Grocery Outlet, a one-time quilt shop in downtown Fairfield and a long-abandoned restaurant at the Solano Town Center mall.

Source: PAL joins ‘sKreamZ’ to transform Fairfield school gym into Fearfilled Prep

The Vacaville Youth Roundtable will host a Teen Summit from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 25 titled “Mental Health is Mental Wealth.”

All Solano County middle and high school students are welcome to attend. The summit will feature youth- and adult-led workshops discussing the importance of mental wellness during the pandemic.

Prizes and interactive activities will be available, such as a yoga session and a dance performance by Bliss.

Source: Vaca Youth Roundtable Teen Summit open to Solano middle, high school students