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A message from Cindy Smith, whose mother, Jo Smith, was co-founder of the Sacramento Urban Creeks Council and creator of the Junk and Gunk Contest:

Hi everyone,

I coordinated the Junk and Gunk contest again this year for the Celebration, along with my sister Susie Durant and her two daughters, Kira and Jessie. I want to share how impressed I was with the entire event this year and to commend all those who contributed to making it a huge success. The planning and layout of the Celebration were fantastic ' we were blessed with a new site, but the committee really knew how to take advantage of it. Radio Disney, the exhibits, the lunch, the t'shirts ' everything went very smoothly. The kids were thoroughly involved and people were really enjoying themselves.

Junk and Gunk had more entries than usual (19 sculptures and 18 unusual items) and they were fabulous. The judges David Viar, president of American River College; Christine Flowers, Executive Director of Keep California Beautiful and Mark Leary, Executive Director of California Integrated Waste Management Board had a great (although challenging) time judging the entries.

It was perfect. You all are the best! My mom (Jo Smith) would have been so proud and pleased. She was certainly there in spirit, enjoying the kids and their fun and creativity.

Cindy Smith