Elk Grove Newsletter- Upcoming Events for the kids and Football

The Elk Grove City Council will be reviewing Agenda Item 9.1 this evening—whether to move forward with Talking Walls, LLC as the City’s production partner for an inaugural Mural Festival, planned for June 1–6, 2026.

Key Details:

• Location: 5 murals planned along Elk Grove Blvd. between Elk Grove-Florin Rd. and Waterman Rd.

• Producer: Talking Walls, LLC (San Francisco-based, with 9 years’ experience running mural festivals).

• Budget: $85,000 fee, with Talking Walls retaining 40%. The City covers marketing, events, and logistics, bringing total Year One costs up to about $125,000.

• Funding: $50,000 from Measure E, with staff requesting an additional $75,000 to support the project. Sponsorships may offset some costs.

• Artistic Control: Building owners can offer input on mural designs, but artists are not required to incorporate those ideas.

The Arts & Creative Economy Commission voted 7–0 recommending Talking Walls over 4 other applicants.

Holistic Health & Fitness EXPO

Local Business Spotlight

Welcoming Sola Salon to Elk Grove!

The Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of Noble Beauty with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 5. Pastor Jon Smith of Harvest Church opened the event on a hopeful note, starting with a prayer to bless the business as it opens its doors to the community.

For owner Arlene Cardenas, the new salon marks a milestone in her esthetics career, one she said is guided by faith. Noble Beauty, described as “a space where faith and beauty flourish,” offers services such as facials, eyelash extensions, waxing and threading.

Cardenas told The Elk Grove Citizen that she began to offer home-based eyelash extension services three years ago. She later attended esthetics school, earned her license in May and began planning a salon earlier this year, leading to the September grand opening.

At first hesitant to bring faith into her work, Cardenas said that she later realized it could help her connect with clients on a deeper level.

“I didn’t know that going into esthetics, that it was going to be part of my ministry,” said Cardenas. “I wanted to help women out in some sort of way but just didn’t know how.”

Along her journey in esthetics, Cardenas said, new opportunities arose, strengthening her faith that this is her way of helping women: to feel beautiful on the outside and empowered on the inside.

Cardenas said her past struggles with abuse and mental health inspired her to create a beauty salon that not only offers comfort and support to everyone but also serves as a safe space for others who might be experiencing, or have experienced, similar challenges.

“Essentially, my heart behind everything is to create a safe place that is beyond the superficial,” she said.

The accomplishment is especially meaningful to Noble Beauty being a Latina-owned, faith-based business in Elk Grove. Cardenas honored her parents’ sacrifices as immigrants and spoke about the adversities that she navigated through growing up in a migrant household.

Cardenas shared that she came to the U.S. as an infant and did not learn of her legal status until she was 14. Cardenas described the path to citizenship as difficult and confusing, noting that the challenges she overcame are why she doesn’t take being a Latina business owner lightly.

Since becoming a legal citizen, Cardenas added, she hopes to visit her parents’ hometown in Sonora, Mexico, for the first time next year.

Pastor Smith said that he has known Cardenas for the past three years and that she has been a big help with church events, contributing her creativity through décor and food. Cardenas’ eye for detail will carry over into her work at the salon and with her customers, Smith added.

“Detail for what’s mattering in their emotions, hearts as well as aesthetics and the physical… she’s going to be a great asset to the city of Elk Grove,” said Smith.

Vice Mayor Sergio Robles attended the ribbon-cutting and noted the sense of vulnerability people often feel when visiting a salon. Robles said that there is already a level of trust between clients and their service providers, making it easier for individuals to open up.

“That’s what Noble Beauty is going to do. It’s going to create that safe space for women, or men, to come and speak about what they’re going through,” said Robles. “She also has the ability to point them toward resources that people can go to… it isn’t only a small business but it’s also a pillar in our community.”

Robles also highlighted the significance of celebrating the opening of a Latina-owned business during Hispanic Heritage Month.

“What a great way to kick it off, right? We need more Latina women-owned small businesses in this region; there’s not many,” Robles said. He noted that Latinos are vital to the economy, and amid a time when immigration is a divisive issue and where the Hispanic community faces hardship, the salon’s grand opening is especially “powerful.”

“This isn’t the first one and it won’t be the last one,” Robles said.

Noble Beauty is located inside Sola Salons, 9117 E. Stockton Blvd. Unit 100, Suite 9. To check out more information or to book a service, visit noblebty.glossgenius.com or find @noblebty on Instagram.

Trivia Question❓

In what year was the city of Elk Grove, California officially incorporated?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Caring For Kids Awards

xHope, a nonprofit serving vulnerable youth and families in Elk Grove and the greater Sacramento region, is calling on the community to submit nominations for its Caring for Kids Awards before the Sept. 20 deadline.

These awards will be presented during xHope’s fourth annual Evening of Hope: Denim & Diamonds, taking place on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the District56 Event Center, 8230 Civic Center Drive.

The Caring for Kids Awards honor individuals in the Sacramento region who go above and beyond for local youth. By celebrating these champions, xHope shines a light on community members who are making a lasting impact on the lives of youth in the region.

“These awards are one of the most meaningful parts of our Denim & Diamonds event,” said Outreach and Events Coordinator Gina Thielke. “It’s an opportunity to shine a light on everyday heroes such as teachers, social workers, mentors and coaches, who are changing lives and providing hope.”

Last year’s sold-out Denim & Diamonds event raised $130,000, helping xHope provide immediate relief and support to more than 900 foster, adoptive and kinship youth as well as unhoused and unaccompanied youth.

It also helped make possible the new xHope Hub, a 4,500-square-foot facility designed to expand programs, outreach experiences and community support. This year, xHope aims to raise $170,000 to meet the increasing needs of youth through essential items, enrichment programs and a safe space for families.

For award nominations, sponsorship opportunities or ticket information, contact xHope at local@xhopemissions.org.

Quote Of The Day

"Opportunities don't happen. You create them." - Chris Grosser

Local Hero Of the Week

This week, we honor Yuk, a shining example of compassion and commitment at Elk Grove Food Bank Services. For years, Yuk has given countless hours to serving families in need — never seeking recognition, always showing up with a smile and steady hands.

One of the moments that stands out is how Yuk goes the extra mile to connect with people on a personal level. It’s not just about handing out food — Yuk takes time to learn names, ask about families, and encourage neighbors during tough times. Many say they leave the food bank not only with groceries, but also with renewed hope, thanks to Yuk’s kindness.

Elk Grove is blessed to have heroes like Yuk who remind us that community isn’t just built through big gestures, but through small, faithful acts of love repeated over time. Thank you, Yuk, for inspiring us all to serve with heart.

We Are Currently Looking for Founding Sponsors

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Elk Grove was officially incorporated on July 1, 2000.