The holiday season is officially upon us. The decorations are out. The shopping has begun. And Christmas music is being piped into every building that accepts major credit cards. Rancho Cordova kicked off all things holiday with a fantastic Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday evening. Singers, dancers, and a hay ride completed the festive event. But if you find yourself humming “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and strategizing the most effective neighborhood caroling map, have no fear- there will be plenty of opportunities to celebrate the holiday season in Rancho.

Rancho Cordova-based GenCorp Inc. and its Aerojet subsidiary are facing a fine of $12,000 by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board in connection with alleged violations of effluent limitations. Water quality-based effluent limitations are calculated in order to insure that discharges to waters are in compliance with water quality standards

The funeral service for Larry Canfield, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputy killed in a motorcycle accident on Coloma Road, has been scheduled for Thursday morning in Elk Grove. The memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Elk Grove, 8939 E. Stockton Blvd. The public is invited to attend.

The big news of the night was obviously the victory of Barack Obama over John McCain for President of the United States and voters in the County of Sacramento followed suit. Voter turnout was strong at 58.7% county-wide. For President, the County went for Obama 58% to 39% for McCain.

Polls are already open in 32 states for early voting and mant absentee ballots have been cast, but the votes won’t be counted until Tuesday. In response we’re conducting our own informal poll right here, right now. Vote for who you think will become the next President of the United States. Let’s see if Rancho Cordova can predict the outcome of the election.