The Rancho Cordova Podcast

Jeff Kaut, regarded as the best catcher to come out of Cordova High School, sits down with Mike Marando this month on the Rancho Cordova Sports podcast!

In 1970, Kaut earned the rare distinction of being named to both the Sacramento Bee and Sacramento Union’s All-City baseball team – as a junior. Kaut led all area catchers with a .362 batting average in 1970 and hit .469 in league. Post high school, Jeff enjoyed a stellar real estate career.

Jeff talks about growing up in Rancho Cordova in the early 1960s, the important role his mentors played in shaping the man he has become today, and yes, a little baseball along the way!

Tune in to explore Fuentes's musical journey and creative process!

Welcome  listeners to another captivating Arts and Culture installment of the Rancho Cordova Podcast. Today, Guest Host Cheryl Gleason, Director and Curator of the MACC, extends a warm welcome to a true dignitary in the field of education, Dr. Steven Winlock, Executive Director of the Sacramento County Office of Education.

Born and raised In Rancho Cordova, and a career spanning over 45 years, Dr. Winlock's dedication as a teacher, principal, and superintendent serves as a guiding beacon  in our evolving educational journey. As the Sacramento City arts commissioner, his dedication to advocating for the arts and commitment to enhancing our communities through culture and creativity shines through. We hope you enjoy this special episode. 

Community advocate … philanthropist … ultra-runner and promoter. This guy has one speed:  fast! Mike Marando sits down with Jason Harper, Director of the Rancho Cordova Athletic Association for a high-octane conversation on everything from youth athletics to what the Rancho Cordova of tomorrow will look like. No stranger to the Sacramento region, Jason grew up in El Dorado Hills, and played varsity baseball for Oak Ridge High in the late 1980s and pitched a no-hitter against Mesa Verde in 1989. Fasten your seat belt!

On today's episode, Dan Fong joins guest host Cheryl Gleason, offering a glimpse into the organization's rich history and cultural significance. With a background in optometry, shares his journey from flute player to deep involvement in the Mandarins, marching for nine years and eventually taking on leadership roles.

As the current president and CEO, Fong oversees various programs beyond the drum corps, including music education initiatives in schools. Founded in 1963, the Mandarins initially served as a musical outlet for Sacramento's Chinese community but have since evolved to welcome members of all backgrounds. The organization's commitment to equity, inclusion, and core values like respect and family has kept its community strong and cohesive, fostering a sense of belonging and support for all members.

"Transforming lives through performing arts." 

On today’s show we are delighted to welcome three special guests. Elizabeth Culp the Regional Development Director for  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Landon Capagli, Resource Planning Manager at Woodside Homes and Alexandria Seele, Sales and Marketing coordinator at Woodside Homes.

If I told you that for $100 you stand the chance, and a very good chance at that, of winning a newly built, 2,400 sq. foot, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, double garage and a beautiful backyard home located in the Sycamore at Cypress community right here in Rancho Cordova that was built by well-known developer Woodside Homes and  that is worth $750,000, and then I told you that no more than 9,000 people will be entered to win so the odds are extremely good, would you believe me?

Well it's absolutely true. The City of Rancho Cordova, Woodside Homes and other partners are making this happen. And the reason? to raise money for  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

In order to buy tickets visit

• Sacramento St. Jude Dream Home landing page https://www.stjude.org/give/dream-home/sacramento.html

The Home is located at the Sycamore at Cypress community in Rancho Cordova

4304 Nobelton Way, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

Free open house tours:

April 6 – April 21

Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sundays: noon – p.m.

              Guests may register for free at the open house for a chance to win a $10,000 shopping spree, courtesy of Ashley®

About  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

As a young man, Danny Thomas had a simple goal: to entertain people and be successful enough at it to provide for his wife and family. But work wasn’t easy to come by. As he and his family struggled, his despair grew. He wondered if he should give up on his dreams of acting or find a steady job. He turned to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes. “Show me my way in life,” he vowed to the saint one night in a Detroit church, “and I will build you a shrine.”

That prayer to  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital marked a pivotal moment in his life. Soon after, he began finding work, eventually becoming one of the biggest stars of radio, film and television in his day.

And as one of the world’s biggest celebrities, Danny used his fame to fulfill his vow to St. Jude Thaddeus and to change the lives of thousands of children and families with a unique research institute.

Danny’s shrine to St. Jude Thaddeus was originally to be a general children’s hospital located somewhere in the south. Danny’s mentor, Cardinal Samuel Stritch, recommended he look to Memphis, Tennessee, the cardinal’s hometown. By 1955 Danny and a group of Memphis businessmen he’d rallied to build the hospital decided it should be more than a general children’s hospital. At the time, the survival rate for childhood cancers was 20%, and for those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) — the most common form of childhood cancer — only 4% of children would live

Danny began raising money for his vision in the early 1950s. By 1955, the Memphis business leaders who’d joined his cause also began local fundraising efforts. Danny also wanted to get the word out across the country about what he was doing and enlist the support of everyone he could.

 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened its doors on February 4, 1962, based on Danny's dream that "no child should die in the dawn of life." Since then, we’ve made incredible strides in childhood cancer research. We’ve helped improve the survival rate of childhood cancer from 20% to 80%. And ALL, the disease with a virtual death sentence in 1962, now has a survival rate of 94 percent.

So let’s get right to the show and we are going to let our guests explain this exciting opportunity. So grab a pen and paper, and get ready to buy a ticket or more there’s no limit to your new dream home.  

On today's episode of the Rancho Cordova Podcast we are joined by Claire Bone, the passionate owner and co-founder of Wild Sisters Book Company. Claire's journey into entrepreneurship was ignited by a long-standing desire to run her own business, but it took the upheaval of the pandemic to truly catalyze her dreams into action.

Tune in as Claire takes us through the inspiring tale of not just opening a bookstore, but creating a vibrant community hub. Wild Sisters isn't merely a place to peruse books; it's a sanctuary for relaxation, a haven for learning, listening to a upcoming long list of guest speakers and authors,  a space for forging new connections, and above all, an inspiring environment where individuals can simply be. Join us as we delve into Claire's entrepreneurial odyssey and explore the profound impact of her vision.

Wild Sisters Book Company

3325 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816