More Than Just Weekend Plans 📆

Your go-to list for family-friendly events and happenings:

📖 Early Literacy Storytime – January 8 | 10:00 AM
Location: El Dorado Hills Library
Fun stories and songs that build early reading skills for little learners. See more →

🎨 Paint and Sip (Moon Over Sunset) – January 9 | 5:00-8:00 PM
Location: Mimis Cafe, Folsom
Sip wine, paint a dreamy sunset, and enjoy a fun, no-pressure creative night. See more →

🎵 Live Music with Bart Vogel – January 9 | 6:00-9:00 PM
Location: Barrel and Bliss Wine Bar, EDH
Smooth vocals and feel-good classics create the perfect wine-bar night. See more →

⛸️ Princess Party on Ice – January 10 | 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Historic Folsom Ice Rink
Skate with princesses, dress up, snap photos, and enjoy magical royal fun. See more →

🎨 Matcha Cat Painting (ages 7+) – January 10 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Painted. Studios, Folsom
Paint a playful matcha cat with guided fun, music, and creative vibes. See more →

🧘‍♀️ Beginner’s Power Vinyasa Workshop – January 11 | 2:00-4:00 PM
Location: Radiant Yoga, EDH
Learn foundational poses, breathwork, and flow in a FREE beginner-friendly yoga workshop. See more →

🍪 Cookie Decorating Class – January 11 | 3:00-4:30 PM
Location: Painted. Studios, Folsom
Learn how to pipe and decorate FOUR amazing cookies like a pro. See more →

⛸️ Donate & Skate – January 13 | 2:00-9:30 PM
Location: Historic Folsom Ice Rink
Skate for a cause while supporting Sweet Dreams Foundation. See more →

🤝 Town Center Connect – January 14 | 4:00-8:00 PM
Location: X-Golf, El Dorado Hills
Meet local business owners, creatives, and neighbors over drinks and conversation. See more →

✍️ Teen Writers Workshop – January 14 | 5:30-6:30 PM
Location: Folsom Public Library
Sharpen creative writing skills, share work, and get supportive feedback. See more →

🎨 Happy Hour Paint Class – January 15 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Painted. Studios, Folsom
Paint, sip discounted wine, and unwind with music in a fun vibe. See more →

Got exciting events to share? Let our community know by sending in local happenings here. 📩

Weekly updates on practices, standout players, and upcoming matches:

From buzzer-beaters to perfect passes, share your team’s triumphs and pics with our community—upload them here. 📩

New menus, soft openings & can’t-miss flavors around town:

🍳 The Pantry Restaurant
Classic comfort breakfast & lunch favorites with hometown charm. See more →

🍕 Slice House
Hand-tossed pizzas, tasty slices, and craft drinks in Folsom. See more →

Got a local food fave? Tell us - we’ll shout it out next issue! 📩

— by Leo C.

Imagine starting your school day by placing your phone into a small, lockable pouch. It stays with you until the final bell, when you tap it on a magnet at the door to be released. This is the new normal for students across California in 2026, as the Phone-Free School Act is now fully in effect, requiring schools to have a plan to limit phone use.

The intent behind the law is to create a space for focus and connection. Teachers in schools that started early report seeing students engage more with lessons and with each other. Hallway and lunchtime conversations have replaced silent scrolling, and many note a real decrease in classroom distractions and online bullying. The idea is to offer a daily respite from the constant buzz of notifications and social media pressure.

Naturally, this major change brings significant questions, particularly about safety and fairness. The most common concern is: what happens in an emergency? The state law directly addresses this. It builds in clear exceptions, ensuring a student can access their phone if there's a real emergency, if they feel unsafe, or if a teacher, doctor, or a student's own education plan allows it for a specific reason. This means the school office remains the primary contact point, but the door isn't completely locked for times when a personal device is truly needed.

The debate in our community reflects this balance. Some see the ban as an essential step to reclaim the classroom environment and student well-being. Others question if it is overly restrictive, arguing that learning to use technology responsibly is a critical modern skill. The law does not end this conversation; it frames it within new boundaries, asking us all to consider the purpose of school in a connected world.

With the policy now active in our halls, the focus shifts to living with it. How is the adjustment going for students and teachers? Are the built-in safety provisions working as intended?

Want to get your biz in front of hundreds (soon thousands!) of local parents and students who actually open their emails? Let’s get you in the next issue! 📩

✅ Submit a Story: You have a scoop, spotlight, or question? Share it with us →

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Are you a local business owner or know someone who is?

We’re featuring local businesses in upcoming issues of the Lil City newsletter—and we’d love to include yours. Whether you want to share your story, highlight a service, or sponsor a local giveaway, just reply to this email and let us know.

Let’s build something great together for our community.

Catch up on our last issue: Beloved bookstore closes, new CA laws & neighborly conflict talk. Read it here 👉

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