"Oh god, this is gonna be a long night," said radio personality Jack Armstrong as he and Joe Getty kicked off the 11th annual Best of Sacramento party on Thursday. The party, a benefit for the March of Dimes, was full of Sacramento Magazine's notion of the best of what Sacramento has to offer, everything from food and drinks to local media and entertainment. "It's really a huge honor, it's a reflection of the station I work for," said 'Best TV Reporter Team' winner Edie Lambert. "It's a big compliment to quality journalism." Booths filled the Convention Center, and lines wrapped around the exhibit hall as attendees took full advantage of the free food, services and other goodies. Expre

Saturday, Nov. 21 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. California State Sen. George Runner and California State Assemblyman Roger Neillo will team up with the Patriot Defenders Network to sponsor the "Water For Farmlands" forum. The group seeks a temporary waiver of the Endangered Species Act in order to revert water that is currently rehabilitating endangered fish species to Central Valley farmers. About 500 people are expected to attend the forum, which will be held on the Capitol's west steps. 2 - 5 p.m. Aspiranet, a nonprofit that provides social services to foster children, will be holding a National Adoption Day rally on the north steps of the Capitol. About 300 people are expected to participate. No

A 1950s Lionel train advertisement shows a father, mother, little girl and boy peering into a window display featuring a model train going through a city, over a bridge and into the mountains. The father appears to be the most interested -- head cocked, hand on his chin, ready to help his child build the toy train set. An adjacent Lionel Train advertisement shows a father sitting on the ground assembling a train set, while his son sits in the background frowning. California State Railroad Museum's "Some Assembly Required" exhibit, which opened today, featured a somewhat similar scene. Many families were in the museum, but the historical toy exhibit seemed to strike the strongest chord wi

Allegations that Mayor Kevin Johnson engaged in inappropriate conduct with three girls are included in a new joint report from a congressman and senator, both Republicans. The report focuses on the firing of federal Inspector General Gerald Walpin, who was investigating the finances of Johnson’s nonprofit St. HOPE. Walpin was the inspector general of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The report, which was released today, can be read in its entirety here. Sen. Charles Grassley, a ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote the report with Rep. Darrell Issa, a ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Grassley and Issa argue in

The Mayor's Winter Shelter Task Force announced on October 23 that they had $500,000 to spend on shelter beds and had succeeded in finding a magnificent 269 slots for the 4 1/2-month chilly period. In the midst of our Grand Recession, with money tight and the need at its greatest ever for chilly-season safety from the elements, a committee had come through for homeless folk, finding means and ways to stave off misery. So it was thought. It's nearly a month later, and its now known that the task force, instead of doing grade A+ work did grade F work. There never were 269 slots; only a paltry few. And that is all we have now as a major storm descends. Mr. Mayor, please show some grit. Mak

A worker uses a plumb line to make sure Westfield Downtown Plaza's  Christmas tree stands straight. It was delivered by crane early this morning.  The tall tree was lowered into a hole in the concrete in front of the plaza.   Huge planks of wood are used as shims to straighten the trunk. This worker walked the circumference of the tree, using his plumb line from all angles, to ensure the tree stands upright.   This year will be a brighter holiday for Sacramento. The first-ever Carnival of Lights will delight visitors with a dazzling display of lights throughout the Central City from the waterfront through Midtown starting the week of Thanksgiving through January 3. The Carniv

Here are some of the concerts and music events happening this weekend and next week in the Sacramento area. For more detailed information on these events and more go to the www.eMusiConnect.com homepage. Get out and enjoy!! Concerts & Music Events This Week: Sacramento Opera presents “The Elixir of Love” on 11/20, 11/22, 11/24 at Sacramento Community Center Threatre. Tix: $15 - $115 FRI 11/20: Hope Productions Presents “Hope In Harmony” with Natalie Cole & Louie Anderson @ Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Tix at Door $50 - $150 Show at 9PM SAT 11/21: Camellia Symphony Presents Prodigies/St Petersburg with Silent Auction & Wine Tasting at 6PM. TIX: $25. Performance at 8PM THIRD Saturday

Well, last night was another not so typical night for Sacramento Firefighters! It was typical in the fact that we were very busy with a few structure fires that we had to fight and the numerous medical aid calls that we respond to daily. The not so typical aspect was the call we received from Sacramento City Animal Control requesting our assistance to help them rescue a Goose that had become trapped on an island in one of the Duck Ponds at William Land Park. Firefighters from Engine 12 responded and were met by one of the Animal Control Officers. Across the pond, there he (or she) was! A large white Goose was stuck on the island, with one its foot entangled in some type of wire. The crew

One of the most respected men in basketball and with over 50 years in the game, meet Pete Carril. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997 and the winningest coach in Ivy League history. From Princeton to the Sacramento Kings, I spoke with Coach Carril about the differences of basketball now and then, advice to kids, and much more. Check out the video and get to know Legendary Coach Pete Carril. Video by: Chris Morrow Follow Chris on Twitter: www.twitter.com/morrowchris Did you know... On February 21, 2009, Princeton University named the game floor of Jadwin Gym "Carril Court" in honor of the Kings Assistant Coach Pete Carril, who coached at Princeton for 29 seasons.

  With announcement of Sacramento First Entertainment and Sports Complex Task Force, Nov. 19, by Mayor Kevin Johson, the Sacramento Metro Chamber  issued this statement by President & CEO Matthew Mahood:   We are pleased that Mayor Johnson is taking a strong leadership role in solving this ongoing regional issue on how to finance and construct an entertainment and sports complex. We hope the task force can find a viable solution to building a world-class facility here that will attract quality entertainment for our residents.   The issue is complex and needs focused attention. We applaud the combination of task force members who have subject-matter expertise and civic interest in find