Q. Dear Law Librarian, I am starting a new business. I hired a graphic artist and now have a really awesome logo. I have gotten my business license and registered as an LLC with the Secretary of State. How can I protect my logo? What’s the difference between a trade name and a trademark? Dana A. You are right this is a confusing area of the law especially for new businesses. Trade Names Trade names are just the name of the business entity used in identifying a business and generally used by the company for billing, taxes, banking, or other identification purposes. Trademarks Trademarks are marks used in connection with goods or services so that consumers recognize the marks as identif

The Sacramento Children’s Chorus (SCC) will be spending its 20th Anniversary tour in China. But before they take off, the choir will be performing a free concert to preview their upcoming tour on Wednesday, June 12th. The SCC is comprised of five choirs with over 150 children, ranging in age from elementary school children to college freshmen. The SCC often collaborates with other choirs and musicians to present concerts with the aim of inspiring their audiences. The touring children’s choir has visited many countries in its 20-season run so far, including England, France, Hungary, Norway, and Sweden. This year’s trip will take the chorus to China, where the young singers will get to per

Hunger action day was held Wednesday May 22 at the state Capital. The day was a focused effort to promote and publicize bills AB 5, SB 283, AB 309, AB 191, and SB 134 at the legislature and with the public. Here is a quick summary of the bills. AB 5 – Homeless Person’s Bill of Rights SB 283 – Reentry and Job Support (for released prison inmates) AB 309 – CalFresh benefits for unaccompanied homeless youth AB 191 – Strengthening the connection between CalFresh and Medi-Cal SB 134 – No Hunger for Heroes Act James Kinchen and Tim Shadix, policy associate for the California Association of Food Banks. James related to me his story and how SB 283 would help inmates returning to society. In

NorCal AIDS Cycle: Four days, 107 riders, 100 crew, 330 miles, and $325,000 raised for HIV and AIDS awareness and treatment! by Councilmember Jay Schenirer When I ran for the Sacramento City Council 2 1/2 years ago, I had a lot of ideas about the kind of city and community Sacramento could be, and what I could do to move us in that direction. My vision included not only a robust economy that provided jobs for all Sacramentans, but just as important, a compassionate, caring and generous community that takes care of its own. Two and one-half years later, I’m more confident than ever that Sacramento can be that community, and here’s one of the reasons why – I just spent last Thursday, May

The Rind, a new cheese bar in Midtown with a rustic-meets-modern look and a farm-to-form inspired menu, opens today at at 18th and L streets next to Buckhorn Grill. The focus of Rind remains the same from when we interviewed her last summer, while the plans were still in development. “Our mission will be to pair wines, beers, ports and bubblies with the featured cheeses so you get to learn how to enjoy them together,” owner Sara Arbabian said at the time. “We’re looking to create a really comfortable and fun environment where you sit down at the bar and order a cheese plate and a glass of whatever you’re jonesing for.” At the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Arbabian said she was g

The USDA recently identified South Oak Park as a “food desert” – a produce-deficient area – but a local convenience store and community development nonprofit have joined forces in an attempt to address the problem. Starting on May 26, Sam’s Market, at 23rd Avenue and 42nd Street in Oak Park, will offer fresh fruits and vegetables, sourced primarily from local small and midsize growers. The shop will also sport signs inside and outside that promote eating well and staying active, as well as “shelf talkers” – small signs identifying the healthiest option on a shelf of similar products. The Alchemist Community Development Corporation approached store owner Parminder Grewal early this year.

“All Things Wine.” That is what it says on my business card. I sort of like the phraseology. It doesn’t pigeonhole me into anything in particular in the world of wine, which is beneficial for exploratory purposes, but I don’t totally love it. Even though the following phrases describe the different things I do, I don’t do backflips over these either: Wine Writer - It’s too limiting. Wine Blogger - It can be too controversial and sometimes garners a lack of respect. Wine Consultant - Seems too slick. Wine Educator - Not particularly hip and a little snoozy. Wine Enthusiast - Not really professional enough. Wine Pairing Advisor-Party Maven - Sounds too soshy and chicklike. I guess what i

A ban on single-use plastic bans could be a step closer to becoming the law of the land in Sacramento next week. An ordinance to ban certain stores in Sacramento from distributing single bags has been drafted and will be considered by a City Council committee on Tuesday. The ordinance, which would also require a minimum $.10 fee on recycled paper bags and reusable bags, will go before the Law and Legislation Committee during their 3 p.m. meeting. Mayor Kevin Johnson supports the proposed ban. "The economic and environmental costs of single-use plastic bags simply outweigh any short term benefit," he wrote in a letter. "Phasing out single-use plastic bags will reduce pollution and the c

Hacker Lab and Code for Sacramento are teaming up to bring the National Day of Civic Hacking to Sacramento, on Friday, May 31 – Saturday, June 1 (dubbed locally as “Hack for Sac”). The National Day of Civic Hacking–started by the White House–brings together citizens, software developers, and entrepreneurs to collaboratively create, build, and invent new solutions to solve challenges relevant to our neighborhoods and our cities. This year Hack for Sac will be joined by leaders such as Sacramento City Councilmember Steve Hansen and nonprofit Greenwise Joint Venture to present civic challenges in need of creative input from the community, both techie, and non-tech savvy, alike. Hacker Lab m

A plan to make it easier for big-box stores like WalMart to open in Sacramento will be considered by a city comission Thursday. The proposal to repeal the city's "Superstore Ordinance," ending the requirement that city study the economic impact of any big-box megastores planning to locate in Sacramento, will go before the Design and Planning Commission during their 5 p.m. meeting. Several business groups have written letters of support (Metro Chamber, The Natomas Chamber, Asian-Pacific Chamber, Regional Builders), but the idea has also drawn opposition from activists concerned that it could make it easier for a Walmart to open in the city. "We feel that the city council was visionary to