When Lily Colby turned 18, she had nowhere else to go. Her foster parents gave her fair warning that she will be on her own. If she did not find a way to survive, she would be homeless. The same fate would have faced her brother, David Colby at 18, but his saving grace was new state legislation AB12, California’s Fostering connections to Success Act, a promise to extend support services to foster youth until the age of 19 in 2012, then to age 20 in 2013. But, a last minute amendment to the original proposal changed the logistics. In an effort to save money when AB12 was passed, legislators phased in the extension of care. With realignment shifting the power from state to counties, 2,16

City Council members voiced support of a possible sales tax increase that could bring as much as $13.5 million to city coffers, but won’t act on it until after this year’s city budget is finalized. They mayor said he opposes the proposal, and his campaign manager called it "regressive." The tax increase was recommended by Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman and mayoral candidate Jonathan Rewers in response to the results of a poll commissioned by the city that showed 71 percent of city voters would favor a sales tax increase to support city services, especially if the money is used to offset cuts to city police, fire and youth services. “Despite what I think, a sales taxes seems to

Jason Daunter clearly recalls the first time he saw "Wicked," the magical, and soul-touching musical by composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and author Winnie Holzman. It was in 2005 during the first of a record-setting four visits one of the show's touring companies has paid to the Mile High City. But ask him how many productions he's witnessed since first falling under the spell of what is sometimes called "the untold story of the witches of Oz," and he has to make an educated guess that has lots of zeros. The St. Louis native, who originally studied directing for the stage, first joined the "Wicked" family on Broadway more than four years ago before taking on the job of national tour p

Does your teddy bear need fixing? Maybe your animal friend isn't feeling so well. A stuffed animal veterinarian will be available to help at the Sacramento Zoo's Second Annual Stuffed Animal Veterinary Clinic on May 26. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., children and their families may bring in their stuffed animals for an exam by zoo veterinarians or zookeepers to the Veterinary Hospital Lawn inside. Exams are $3 per stuffed animal. There will be six different stations and a reception area, according to Zoo Education Specialist Brooke Coe. Four of the stations are vet stations, where the stuffed animal will have its physical and check-up. A surgery center will be available for repairing injure

The Crocker Art Museum will kick off the summer with an art auction from 6 - 9 p.m. Thursday, May 24. Touting “big names, small art,” the Crocker is selling pieces of art that are 12 inches x 12 inches or smaller and are done by some of the big-name artists in the region. The party will include music, artist demonstrations and docent-led gallery tours. Bidding in the silent auction starts at $25 per piece, and the event is free to members. Non-members can get in for $15, and students get in for $8. For more information, visit the Crocker Art Museum website. The museum is located at 216 O St.

Bacon and Butter, Midtown’s newest breakfast, lunch and brunch restaurant, opened on Sunday, and Chef Billy Zoellin said Tuesday that the first day was a learning experience, but the restaurant is now running smoothly. “Our most popular dish has been the biscuits and gravy,” he said, adding that all of the food options are his own creations and the focus is on freshness. “We take the classics and give them a whimsical twist,” he added. One of the dishes he is most proud of, he said, is his grablox, which features house-cured salmon with chive mascarpone, shaved celery and crimson lentil salad and is served with house-made soda bread.   Zoellin previously worked at The Golden Bear in

The chairman of the city Parks and Recreation Commission is calling for a quarter-percent increase in sales tax to help fill the gap in the Department of Parks and Recreation budget – a move he says is supported by voters and would increase the city’s annual revenue by $13.5 million. The money would go into the general fund, which currently faces a $15.7 million shortfall, and is the primary funding source for police, fire and parks services. “We are at the point with parks where there is no more money, no more efficiencies to be had, and no crews left,” Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman and mayoral candidate Jonathan Rewers said Tuesday. “We are left to look at raising revenue.”

The Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA) has been awarded $795,000 in funding from the Strategic Growth Council Urban Greening Grant Program (Prop 84) for the 16th Street Greenscape Project. CADA was one of the few agencies to receive funding over $75,000 and was one of 50 projects selected out of 260 applicant proposals. The purpose of the 16th Street Greenscape Project is to: • Reduce storm water runoff from 16th Street and its sidewalks and reduce water pollution flowing to the Sacramento River • Significantly increase the amount of permeable landscaped space in the public right-of-way • Reduce air pollution and increase shade • Educate the public about the environmental benefits

As a leader you have to stand for something.  There are times when ambiguousness, inaction and a soft voice are unacceptable – times when you can’t keep your head down hoping to emerge with no blood stains, scrapes or cuts. Our city is telling employees to start paying all of the employee portions of retirement or face deep staffing cuts.  According to one news report, “62 firefighters and 34 police officers face losing their jobs.”  Now, Mayor Johnson and council members need to tell us what they stand for.  Each council member should make some detailed comments on the current proposed cuts to the fire and police departments.  As of Sunday, May 20th, none of our elected had a position pa

Joe Mazzaferro, Sacramento native and jazz educator, started the idea for an open-jam session in 2007. Originally, the night was held at Capitol Garage Grill where a solid group of about fifteen students attended the session. Many of the original group graduated and the Capitol Garage venue did not extend support when numbers decreased. Instead, the jam moved to a more inviting atmosphere at the Naked Lounge downtown. ‘”The Naked Lounge has a more intimate, club vibe. They want to support what we are trying to do,” Mazzaferro said. The new location better supports the original purpose for the session. “It is a steady place to go play. People look forward to hanging out with the other mus