Carmichael Improvement District Board Directors and VIPS present a Bright Star award for commercial beautification. Among the businesses honored is Wellness Salt Cave. Operators Maksim Salk (third from left), Violetta Kass and Anna Tretyakova celebrate with CID Chair James Eowan (left) Supervising District Attorney Ron Linthicum, Supervisor Rich Desmond and CID Directors Rosie Buck and Nick Bloise.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Three businesses recently received the Carmichael Improvement District's “Bright Star Award” for bettering the visual landscape of Carmichael.

The merchants were Wellness Salt Cave (a Fair Oaks Boulevard health spa), Von’s Chicken (a Korean-style restaurant on Gibbon’s Drive) and Carmichael Academy Family Taekwondo (a martial art center on Marconi Avenue).

More than 100 Carmichael Improvement District property owners, plus elected officials, cheered awardees and celebrated business zone improvements in Carmichael. The Carmichael Improvement District announced an upcoming beautification effort to wrap SMUD utility boxes with photographic images depicting local bird life. Stakeholders voted on preferred photographs for the project.

“We want to highlight our area’s natural landscape,” explained Carmichael Improvement District board director Rosie Buck. “Everybody loves birds. We also hope this beautification will discourage vandalism and graffiti.”

Addressing attendees, Supervising District Attorney Ron Linthicum noted local problems for law enforcement.

“The public has a right to be free from criminal conduct,” he said. “I’ve seen too many businesses start off with the best of intentions and go into oblivion because of theft.

“Too many times, leaders make decisions that work to our detriment,” Linthicum said. “It’s false compassion to leave fellow citizens in a mud puddle, strung out on methamphetamine. It takes more than love. It takes tough love. That’s where our justice system plays its part. But law enforcement is run ragged.”

Sacramento County, said Supervisor Rich Desmond, acts to provide social services for people in need.

“But people have the responsibility to take advantage of those services,” Desmond said. “If they don’t, at some point, there must be consequences. Since Sheriff Jim Cooper got elected, he’s brought on improvements. But there’s much more to do. The county has to strike a better balance. I’ll continue to work on that.”

Desmond nevertheless called the Carmichael Improvement District “part of the tapestry that makes Carmichael a wonderful place to live.”

Carmichael Improvement District Bright Star awards recognize efforts that enhance the commercial district. Wellness Salt Cave improvements included a total remodel for an old Fair Oaks Boulevard store.

The vacant property, noted the district’s director Nick Bloise, was a source of many calls for the Sacramento County Sheriff. Its renovation took four years to complete.

“The business owners worked with the property owner all through the COVID pandemic and beyond,” said Bloise. “They created an impressive facility that’s a true Bright Star in Carmichael.”  

Started in 2016 by Carmichael Corridor property owners, the Carmichael Improvement District is among many similar agencies in the county that aim to improve merchant operations. The Carmichael group’s operation extends through three miles of Fair Oaks Boulevard and adjacent streets.

Funded by self-imposed assessments on property owners, the Carmichael Improvement District enables seven-day-per-week mobile security to counter trespassing, vandalism and homeless camping. The organization also removes trash from the business corridor and advocates for community interests.

Learn about PBID (Property-Business Improvement Districts) operations www.discovercarmichael.com.

 VIP guests at the Carmichael Improvement District’s annual dinner include legislative, civic and business officials.