In the latest installment of the Radio Free Rio Linda podcast, host John Todd sat down with Mike Heller, the General Manager of the Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Park District (RLERPD), to unpack a transformative vision for the community's green spaces. The wide-ranging discussion highlights a significant milestone for local infrastructure: a $2 million federal grant secured by Representative Ami Bera, which serves as the cornerstone for a massive $10 million rehabilitation project for Central and Hayer Parks. Beyond these large-scale developments, Heller detailed the district's 20-year master plan to modernize aging playgrounds with a focus on universal accessibility, navigated current hurdles in local aquatics programming, and reinforced a commitment to administrative transparency and community safety. From the revitalization of long-standing traditions like Farm and Tractor Days to the introduction of modern amenities like splash pads and improved security, this conversation outlines a future where Rio Linda’s parks continue to serve as the "heart and soul" of the community.

Half-hour show!

We sit with Rio Linda's Karrie Anderson (at Rio Java, as always) and talk about her non-profit "Bluebirds Take Flight" which provides holiday meals and support for our military members who may be spending the holidays away from home for the first time.

Find more information about Bluebirds Take Flight at their website bluebirdstakeflight.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/684189573142953

Show note: I went cheap on the microphones and it shows. I am so sorry. New microphones have already been ordered.

We spend an hour with Rio Linda's Honorary Mayor, clothing entrepreneur, parolee advocate, erstwhile sprint car driver, and incredible shrinking man, Tommy Hall. We spend time talking about his journey from addiction and prison to where he is now, clean and sober and helping others on their path. We also talk about the Konnected school backpack giveaway which is taking place on August 5th.

For our first real outing of the ToddCast, John Todd sat down with the organizers of the Rio Linda Elverta Country Faire and Rio Linda Expo, which will be hosting its 10th Anniversary event on September 16, 2023. Kris McCandless, Charlea Moore, Shirley Breckenridge, and Cheryl Cook give us all of the secrets and details about the new events taking place this year.

It's well known that I intend to keep these episodes under 30 minutes... however this one went off the rails, and even after cleaning up 25 minutes of rants, musings, insane laughter, profanities, vocal tics, hums, coughs, etc, it still clocks in at 43 minutes. Feel free to listen to it in chunks! It moves along at a nice clip, however, so it doesn't feel like 43 minutes.

It is the first real episode, so the audio is not perfect, but it's perfectly audible and legible. We learned some technical lessons that will go a long way toward making it sound 1000% better next time around.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to drop us a line at johntodd@riolindaonline.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RioLindaOnline

Thanks for listening!

For our very first attempt at a podcast way back in 2016, Tabitha Worth joined me to pump up the very first Rio Linda Christmas Light Parade, and we spent some time talking about the closure of Locust Road.