Newest articles on The Sacramento Press

Loyal fans stand behind Kings despite 114-108 double overtime loss to Bucks

2010-03-22T08:06:48Z

While many sports fans were glued to their television sets to watch coverage of the NCAA basketball tournament, it was March Madness in Arco Arena on Friday as well. The Sacramento Kings battled the Milwaukee Bucks in exciting fashion, but, despite great effort by the Kings, they lost 114-108 in double overtime.

The Kings and Bucks exchanged leads throughout the game, but late in the fourth quarter the score was 95-95. The atmosphere was electric during the final seconds as with fans chanting “DEFENSE, DEFENSE!!” Other fans yelled at players to make a 3-pointer for the win.

Although the Kings fell short of a victory, loyal fans were proud of their efforts.

“I’m impressed with their hustle,” said web designer Aryna Tyrreoll. “They are a lot more exciting to watch and they seem to care more about winning.”

The atmosphere of the game did not match the adrenaline from the glory days when Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby were on the Kings roster. But fans at the game exhibited the typical of a playoff game

Tyrreoll, 22, is a season ticket holder. She said that despite the low turnout for lower-profile contests such as the Bucks game, she's happy to be there.

“The atmosphere is more lively when an exciting team like the Lakers come to play, but I still come no matter what,” Tyrreoll said. “The Kings will improve and I think more people will start coming to watch them when they improve.”

Joel Cardenas, a digital media major at Sacramento State, enjoyed the game as well, but was a little more critical of Kings fans’ decreased support over the years.

“I still come to the games because I get free tickets and I am a fan of basketball in general, but I don’t understand how some people would pay top dollar for a bad product since the Kings don’t win like they used to,”Cardenas he said. “It’s sad to see how small the crowd got.”

Cardenas was optimistic that things can change.

“If the Kings continue to play like they are tonight, then more people would come and the energy will be more intense like it was years ago.”

Some fans had a different take on both the atmosphere of the game and the Kings. Ei Woodfy, 31, who plays for the Canberra Gunners of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL), was more critical but also optimistic on how the Kings are playing.

“They’re struggling,” Woodfy said with a laugh. “They’ll get better, though. They’re a young team and they have a lot of time to mature.”

When asked about the fan turnout, he said he enjoyed the support they were giving the Kings.

“The atmosphere is great, the crowd is into it, I’m definitely feeling it,” Woodfy said.

This game was hyped up among Kings fans and basketball fans in general because of the match-up between Kings guard Tyreke Evans and Bucks guard Brandon Jennings, both of whom are strong candidates for NBA Rookie of the Year.

In the end, Jennings had the better performance of the two. He scored a game-high 35 points, made a career-high eight 3-pointers, grabbed five rebounds and had eight assists. Evans scored 15 points, grabbed four rebounds and had four assists.

Evans’ performance was marred by an injury he sustained with 27.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. He suffered a concussion along with lacerated gums and a chipped tooth from an inadvertent elbow shot from Bucks guard Erson Ilraysova. It is uncertain when Evans will return.

Despite the loss, the fans stood by their Kings every second of the game. and They were on their feet during those heart-stopping moments when Kings guard Beno Udrih drove to the basket with just seconds left on the clock. If Evans recovers from his injuries and does in fact become rookie of the year, then just maybe the Kings will bring back the glory days to Sacramento.

Red Lotus to open soon

2010-03-22T05:38:41Z

Red Lotus Kitchen & Bar is expected to open as early as the first week in April — with gold Chinese calligraphy on its walls, dim sum on its tables and silk lanterns hanging from the ceiling.

Chef Buu "Billy" Ngo and partner Peter Kwong are opening the contemporary Asian-fusion restaurant at 2718 J St. following their success with Japanese restaurant Kru, a few blocks down the street. The restaurant initially was expected to open in December in the spot where G.V. Hurley's closed its doors in September. A liquor license transfer held up the opening of Red Lotus, Ngo said.

Following a restaurant trend toward small plates of food or "tapas," the restaurant will focus on small dishes, primarily dim sum, and serve no entrees. Red Lotus also will serve fried rice, noodles, and adventurous dishes such as Peking quail with crispy skin and mandarin pancakes, oxtail soup, braised beef tendon and beef tongue.

"I know that'll be a little weird, but I like the stuff," Ngo said.

But he said he draws the line at chicken feet, another Asian specialty.

"I love chicken feet, but I don't know how well that's going to go," he said. "So I'm going to keep that off the menu. For now."

Dim sum comes from Southern China, while the crepelike pancakes come from Northern China, which produces much more grain than rice. The idea is for people to order one or more plates of dim sum, as well as fried rice or noodles, and then share, Ngo added.

Bartender Erick Castro, considered by some to be the "godfather" of Sacramento's cocktail scene, will take a break from tending bar in San Francisco to develop Red Lotus' cocktail program over the next two weeks. Staff will make all syrups and juices used in the drinks.

The restaurant has undergone minor remodeling to create a contemporary urban Asian vibe, with red, yellow and black walls and paintings of Buddhas and lotuses. Booths and chairs were reupholstered in silver and black, and new furniture will fill the back patio and front terrace.

Ngo is working with a friend's father, who does Chinese calligraphy, to choose proverbs that will be painted in gold on the restaurant's walls.

Ngo and Kwong bought the business from Hurley's owners, whose operation had conflicts with neighboring residents.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control postponed transfer of the liquor license until owners of Red Lotus and Hurley's cleared up problems. The license-transfer process moved very slowly, said Ngo, adding Red Lotus will open once the transfer goes through, which is expected soon.

Ngo and Kwong consider alcohol sales important to the restaurant's success. However, their emphasis will be on food, Ngo said. Red Lotus will be open daily from 4 p.m. to 10, except on Fridays and Saturdays, when hours will extend to 2 a.m. and the restaurant will close at midnight. Ngo expects to add lunch and a weekend brunch.

Red Lotus will rotate the menu, choosing among many dishes that can be found at dim sum establishments. But there's one thing found at dim sum restaurants that Red Lotus won't have, Ngo said.

"We're not going to have ladies with the carts," Ngo said.

Photo by Suzanne Hurt, a staff reporter who covers business and development for The Sacramento Press.

Sacramento Ballet Company calls it a comeback with hit Carmina Burana.

2010-03-22T04:19:35Z

Dancer Amanda Peet stretches before her performance. Peet has spent 8 of her 9 years as a professional ballerina with the Sacramento Ballet Company. She has big dreams and is willing to sacrifice much of her social life and family time to rehearse. Her advice to young dancers: “do it because you and only you love it, take it one step at a time.”

Ensemble cast

Melissa Sandvig has been a dancer for 25 years. Her dance career sky rocketed after her appearance on Fox’s, So you think you can dance(season 5) and was the first ever classically trained ballerina to appear on the show. Melissa’s advice to young dancers: “Aim for perfection, but never expect it.”

Director/Choreographer Ron Cunningham and his wife Carrine Binda are celebrating their 22nd season with SBC. The tight knit troupe looks to Ron not only for direction, but as a mentor and nurturer of their skills. The company is coming off of a noteably rocky season last year, and has already seen an 80% renewal of season ticket holders, as well as 700 new subscribers, quite a comeback.

The cast of Carmina Burana

Carmina Burana-A celebration of life, love and compelling choreography.

Male cast members of Carmina Burana

"Focus"- Female cast members taking a brief break before the final run through. Opening night is Thursday March 25th, 2010 at the Community Center Theatre.

“On Pointe”- Ballet dancers spend 6 to 8 hours a day, 6 days per week on their toes. Many suffer through arduous practices, and are still able to look beautiful while doing it.

Veteran dancer Melissa Sandvig and her partner.

Disables athletes at Sac State

2010-03-22T03:49:33Z

They are athletes with a difference. They compete at the same level as their peers, but disabled athletes must train harder and push their limits further.

That level of dedication was exemplified on March 20, a sunny afternoon near Yosemite Hall at Sac State, by about 30 kids and adults participating in activities sponsored by Access Leisure and Paralympic Sport Sacramento.

The participants came from all over Northern California for a day of quad rugby, sled hockey, hand cycling and more. They were invited to try every activity with equipment loaned by the group. Volunteers came from different paralympic sport backgrounds, including champion hand cyclists and a quad rugby coach.

"We want to show everyone that participating in sports is part of a healthy lifestyle," said Steve Hornsey, a world and national disabled water-skier champion and Access Leisure coordinator. "I've seen individuals grow. They may not be functioning on a level they don't think they can ... this allows them to reach full potential."

Hornsey moved from group to group with ease, stopping to talk often. His sincerity is evident as he looks intently at each person to whom he's talking. Hornsey knows firsthand the power of sports and the positive effect they can have on someone's life. He got his start as a disabled athlete 30 years ago in wheelchair basketball. Since then, he has become a world-class disabled water-skier, snow ski instructor and all-around athlete.

This was a day for others to show off their athleticism and put it to the test.

Professional quad rugby players coached a game between eager participants. Quad rugby, also known as murderball, is as hardcore as it appears in the documentary "Murderball." Each team tries to move the ball down the court in wheelchairs that resemble vehicles from "Mad Max." Hitting, smashing and total demolition is required, making it a pulse pounding, can't-take-your-eyes-off-it game.

Sierra Storm team members Todd Wolfe and Frankie Tenorio were on hand to coach their game of quad rugby and recruit new players. The team is made up of members all from Sacramento, Tahoe and Reno.

"It's the most fun thing I've done since I've been injured," said Wolfe, a former motocross racer. Wolfe broke his neck in a motocross accident several years ago. "I saw the 'Murderball' group of guys at my rehab hospital and I was hooked."

Participants and family members were shocked to see a paralympic gold medalist at the event. Josiah Jamison won the gold at the 2008 Beijing Games in the 100-meter class T-12 event (vision impaired). He was on hand to motivate and inspire the players as they attempted various sports.

"This event is for awareness of the different sport options for participants and also to the general public," said Hornsey. "We want the public to know that we are athletes."

Yes, you are.

Support Steve Wampler to become the first person with cerebral palsy to climb El Capitan. The climb will take 6 six days and Steve will have to do more than 20,000 pull-ups. Rock on, Steve!

Go USA! The USA men's paralympic sled hockey team defeated Japan on Saturday for the gold medal in Vancouver.

SMUD Smart Meters: An Incomplete Story

2010-03-22T03:04:37Z

One of the first stories I was assigned as a new intern in late January was SMUD's installation of energy smart meters.

SMUD customers were told the smart meters would provide them with more information about their energy usage, which could lead to better energy management for them and SMUD. The utility had just about finished testing the technology, and was ready to install more than 600,000 meters throughout the Sacramento area.

SMUD contracted with South Carolina-based Utility Partners of America for the majority of the installation work, and my assignment was to find out why SMUD had contracted with an out-of-state company rather than a local one. Installation of the smart meters meant that dozens of SMUD meter readers would be laid off.

Erik Krause, SMUD smart meter project manager, explained that when SMUD hired its meter readers years ago, they knew their jobs were temporary because of the impending installation of smart meters. Krause said that the utility was trying to retain those employees by retraining them.

"We're going to continue aggressively finding new positions within SMUD," he said. "We won't be making new jobs in order to support them, but we hope that the vast majority of them will find something inside SMUD." Krause said that of 73 meter readers, 26 have found other positions within the company in the last year.

As for contracting with Utility Partners of America, Krause said that SMUD did not presently have the resources to do the job efficiently, which made it necessary to bring in an outside company. UPA was chosen after a bidding process, he continued.

"When we were looking at this, we realized that we pretty much had our whole meter shop, and all the people who were experienced in this work, busy. We realized that there was no way that we would be able to install all the meters we needed to on our own," said Krause. "That's when we made the decision to go out for a contractor." He said that UPA was going to return 20 percent of its $7.5 million contract to Sacramento's economy, including hiring 60 workers.

UPA, with its trained workers, would save SMUD years of work, time and money, according to Krause.

I attempted to write a balanced story with the voices of the different groups affected. I contacted UPA twice by e-mail and once by phone, but received no reply. Fellow intern Sierra Barroza also tried to contact UPA, but received the same lack of response. I contacted the Office of Labor Relations for the city of Sacramento to ask if there were companies that SMUD could have hired in the Sacramento area, but the department said they were not involved with private contract bids.

After a tip from Editor-In-Chief David Watts Barton, I contacted Sam Glero, who represents SMUD workers in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Glero told me by e-mail that he did not represent meter readers. Other attempts to contact SMUD meter readers also led to deadends.

After attempting to contact SMUD, UPA, the IBEW, the Department of Labor, a number of personal contacts and some SMUD meter readers, the only response was from SMUD. While I was appreciative of the two interviews with Erik Krause, we at The Sacramento Press value balanced journalism. Because we were dealing with a potentially sensitive story, Barton, Managing Editor Colleen Belcher and I decided to postpone the story until we could gather information from all the relevant parties rather than publish something that represented only one side.

In the interest of journalistic transparency, we are publishing this to show my attempts to write this now two-month-old story. Readers who are aware of this story and may have wondered why we haven't covered it should know it is not for lack of effort. That being said, The Sacramento Press is built on community contribution. If you are a SMUD meter reader or know one, feel free to contact me, Colleen or David.

Until then, we leave you with this record of our efforts to cover an important story.

What's Happening at the Capitol: March 22 - 23

2010-03-22T02:05:02Z

Monday, March 22

10 a.m. - Noon
The California State Students Association will hold a rally to bring the issues of higher education to the forefront of public awareness. Students will begin to gather at 7 a.m. at Raley Field. At 10, students will march down the Capitol mall to the north steps for a rally that will start at 11 a.m. The rally will include 30 speakers, mostly students. Five thousand people are expected to attend, representing California State universities and community colleges statewide.

1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
California Youth Advocacy Network is holding its Youth Quest 2010 rally event on the west steps of the Capitol. The event will follow a morning session at the Masonic Temple. The theme is "Roll Up the Red Carpet on Tobacco Use in Movies." After the morning session's overview of tobacco in movies and lunch, attendees will march to the Capitol's west steps to participate in a rally/press conference. Afterward, attendees can meet with a legislator or tour the Capitol.

Tuesday, March 23

10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture will hold its annual Agriculture Day. This year's theme is "Healthy Choices for a Healthy California." The event will feature California's agricultural products and celebrate the abundant healthy food choices the state offers. The event opens to legislators and staff at 10:30 a.m., to the public at 11:30. Agriculture Day will be held at the Capitol's west steps. One thousand people are expected.

There are no other events scheduled until Thursday.

King for a Day. . .

2010-03-22T00:44:32Z

"How do you feel about the Sacramento Kings?"

When I was first asked this question a few weeks ago, my initial response was "luke warm". I am from the Bay Area, and, besides a youthful dalliance with the Detroit Pistons (spurred on by an Adrian Dantley signed basketball I received for Christmas, 1987), a lifelong Warriors fan. Now, you might think I would hate the Kings, seeing as they and the Warriors are geographic rivals and all, but you'd be mistaken. I don't hate the Kings.

I hate the Lakers. I hate them intensely. And, as the proverb goes, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". For the last 20 years, the Warriors have been mostly impotent, unable to present any kind of threat to the Purple and Gold Menace to south. The Kings, however, have often been a worthy foe. Come playoff time, I would often hitch my wagon to the Kings horses. I loved watching the teams of the late 90's with Jason Williams at PG, and Corliss Williamson up front.

I was watching when the Kings realized they weren't gonna get any further with "White Chocolate" and "Big Nasty", they traded them for Mike Bibby and Doug Christie (and his wife) and almost brought a championship to Sacramento. That 2002 series against the Lakers is the 2nd most memorable series of my life (behind the Warriors improbable first round sweep of the Mavericks a few years back, I believe!), and I spent it rooting passionately for the boys from Nor Cal. I remember how raucous Arco would get, and thinking that it must be an amazing place to see a game. I also remember thinking that the best team lost. (Sorry to bring up old stuff but. . . 27 Laker free throws in the 4th quarter? come on!)

The point is, when offered tickets to go to the Kings/Bucks game Friday night, I jumped at the chance. I even headed down to a Sac Press Reke ROY sign making party before the game. I sat with a group of the nicest Kings fans I could ever hope to meet. In the interest of full disclosure I copped to being a Warriors fan soon after joining them. They saw past my Golden State affinity, treated me as one of their own, and for that I am grateful. I went to work on my sign, and I came to a sad realization.

My name is Lindol, I'm 31 years old, the equivalent of a 25th grader, and I make signs at a 3rd grade level. Looking back on it now, I may be giving myself too much credit. At no higher than a 3rd grade level. Mr. and Mrs. Sign Lady were at the party, when they saw my sign, they openly mocked me. By which I mean they did nothing of the sort, and were exceedingly friendly and supportive. They were just being nice, as they would be to any developmentally disabled 31 year old man.

So I took my sad little sign ('Reke Da Freak!), grabbed a 20 ounce Tecate (only 50 cents an ounce!) and headed to my seat, excited to see Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings, two of the leaders in the Rookie of the Year chase, go at it. My impressions from the game:

-NBA introductions are fantastic, by far the best of any sport. Being there in person you get to see all the players little ritualized dances and handshakes and what not. Very cool.

-Tyreke showed flashes of greatness, but struggled getting into a rhythm.

-Brandon Jennings did get into a rhythm and was pretty spectacular, 8 of 13 on 3 pointers.

-Where as beers are marked up 700%, a Round Table Pizza that costs 6 bucks in the restaurant, costs 7 at the game and is delivered to your seat. Best deal in the house.

-Lior Suchard is able to bend spoons, guess halftime scores, and turn 1 dollar bills into hundreds, but he isn't able to say please, apparently. Where'd you learn your manners, guy?

-Beno Udrih is pretty darn good.

-Spencer Hawes is also pretty darn good.

-Sean May must not be, double overtime game and he didn't sniff the court.

-Slamson, the Kings Mascot, is trying to bring back rollerblading, I don't like his chances.

-The Kings dance team > The Warriors dance team.

-Mr. Sign Lady sits directly behind Mrs. Sign Lady. Like Goose behind Maverick. Awesome.

-The crowd was raucous, but the arena seemed only about two thirds full. It was a far cry from the cowbell glory days of yore.

-That was the first Israeli flag I've seen held up at an NBA game. Omri Casspi is a pretty cool story.

-It's my fault that the Kings lost. . . . wait, what?

I mean, if you're looking for someone to blame, you could blame the officials who blew an obvious traveling call on Brandon Jennings down the stretch that led to a John Salmons 3 pointer. You could blame Ersan Ilyasova (if that's even his real name!) and his errant elbow that knocked Tyreke out of the game with lacerated gums, chipped tooth, concussion and potentially fractured jaw. Ouch. Or you could blame Ersan a second time for that ridiculous three pointer he hit to tie the game at the end of regulation. You could do all of these things, but you would be wrong.

If you want to know why the Kings blew a 9 point lead with 2 minutes remaining, it's cause that was the point I left my seat and went out to my car to beat traffic. And as I was about to leave the Arena, I actually thought to myself "If you leave, you do know that the Bucks are gonna come back and send it to overtime, if not double overtime, and the Kings are probably going to lose". I said to the voice in my head, "you're probably right, but I don't know how to get out of here, I'm kinda tired, and lets be honest, I'm a Warriors fan, it's a chance I'm willing to take". I was almost home when Ersan hit that 3 pointer, and I didn't need Lior Suchard to tell me what would happen next. Oops, my bad.

You can send your angry emails to lindol@gmail.com, best one gets a sweet "Reke Da Freak" sign, only used once.

4 Proposals for K Street

2010-03-21T19:25:18Z

On Monday, March 22, the city of Sacramento will host presentations by the four development groups interested in building a project on the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street. This meeting will be held at Old City Hall, 915 I Street, in the 2nd floor hearing room, at 5:30 PM.

The four groups who responded to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) include:

* Bridge Housing, Saca Development and Bagatelos Development

They propose 360 units of housing, a renovated Bel-Vue, 48,000 square feet of office not on Agency property, and 33,000 square feet of retail.

* David Taylor, CIM Development, Domus, and Zeiden Properties

They propose 110 housing units, including a renovated Bel-Vue, 60,000 square feet of retail and 57,000 square feet of office.

* CFY Development and D&S Development

Their project for the 700 blocks includes retaining the facades on the 700 block, building new units to the alley including 136 residential units and 37,000 feet of retail space.

* Rubicon Partners, St. Anton Partners, and Preferred Capitol Advisors (Sacramento Alliance Team)

This proposal requires the entirety of the 700 and 800 blocks, including properties not under Agency control, to create 400 residential units, a 2000 seat entertainment venue, 175,000 square feet of retail including a grocery and farmer's market, 150 high-end luxury condos, and a 375 room four-star hotel.

This presentation will allow the public to learn more about the development groups and the proposals. More information about the proposals can be found here:

www.cityofsacramento.org/econdev/news/documents/700800LK_RFQ_Update.pdf

This meeting will be followed by interviews between the developers and a city-appointed selection committee (at this time, the makeup of the selection committee is unknown to this writer, but the city created the committee on March 15) on March 25. The City Council is expected to decide on a development proposal in April or May of this year.

To learn more, come to the meeting and meet the developers and city staff, who will present the four project proposals.

Monday March 22, 5:30 PM-7:00 PM

Old City Hall (915 I Street)

2nd Floor Hearing Room

Disclosure: William Burg is a board member of the Sacramento Old City Association (SOCA)

Ask Officer Michelle - Pedestrians Rule the Sidewalks

2010-03-21T16:34:09Z

Posted by chriso

I ride my bicycle around downtown alot. I just heard from a friend of mine that while he was riding his bike downtown an officer stopped him and told him to get off of the sidewalk and ride in the street. Are bicylists not allowed to ride on the sidewalk? I am not very comfortable riding in the street without a bike lane.

Dear chriso,

The truth of the matter is that the sidewalk is meant for pedestrians. In other words, it is illegal to ride on the sidewalks. Bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as other “vehicles” and must ride as close as “practicable” to the right. Sacramento strives to be a bicycle friendly city with many bicycle routes, so people are encouraged to ride their bikes, however bicyclists are always encouraged to exercise caution.

California Vehicle Code Sections 21200-21212 cover the rules of the road and what bicyclists can and can’t do. There is also a City Code section pertaining to riding bicycles on the sidewalk. City Code 10.76.010 states: Except as authorized under subsection B of this section, no person shall ride a bicycle on a sidewalk except within a residence district or where a sidewalk is designated as part of an established bicycle route. Pedestrians shall have the right-of-way on sidewalks.

Sacramento Transportation Management Association has an excellent segment on bicycle commuting including insight on other biking tips as well. Be safe.

Officer Michelle

The March 20, 2010 Paranormal Scouting Mission

2010-03-21T10:32:32Z

The March 20, 2010 Paranormal Scouting Mission
By Paul Dale Roberts, HPI General Manager

I’m telling you, sometimes these paranormal scouting missions wear my axx out, but here I am again on another scouting mission and I am doing this for my great friend TV Psychic Bobby Marchesso. Bobby is bringing 3 high school boys to Sacramento to go on a real ghost hunt. I will be taking them to places that we have been to a hundred times before. I have written about these places a hundred times and I am thinking there is probably nothing to write about. I am wrong, on this night we did get some substantial evidence.

The theme song to this article is Paranoid - Black Sabbath, hear the music here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBWcRMonvWA

To see pictures of this investigation, stop by here:
http://s643.photobucket.com/albums/uu157/PaulDaleRoberts_2009/ABCINTRAINING/

Before I tell you about that substantial evidence, let’s take a roll call.

HPI Paranormal Investigators Roll Call: Shannon ‘Ms. Macabre’ McCabe/HPI Owner; Tim H – Senior Investigator; Rita Reyes/Sensitive; Angelita Bouch’e-Reyes/Psychic; Chantal Apodaca/Psychic; Staci Butler; Paul Dale Roberts aka The Demon Warrior/HPI General Manager.

HPI Paranormal Investigating Scouts: Cara Degregorio; Bob Fulton; Richard Reyes; Bryce H.C. Lana; Ankit Shah; Bobby Marchesso/TV Psychic; Christopher Wayne Dawson Anderson.

Special Note: Bobby Marchesso brought the Pasadena A.B.C. Investigating Team with him. They are Ankit, Bryce and Christopher which is the acronym of A.B.C.

Locations We Went to: Fanny Anns, Old Sacramento Cemetery; Sacramento Railroad Museum, Vegas, F Street Boarding House (Home of serial killer Doreathea Puente); Old Sacramento Tattoo Shop; Martinez House on 22nd and H Street; Morris Solomon Jr. Murder Site at William Land Park; Fulton Underground Restaurant; Evangelines, Delta King, Firehouse; former building that was once known as Gold Mine Shaft and The Ritz; Tower Bridge; Old Sacramento Old School House; New Orleans Saloon. Note: Many of the above mentioned places are located in Old Sacramento.

Evidence Captured: EVP that said ‘her’ at the Martinez Home, this EVP was captured by Ankit. Many anomalies were captured in our photographs of moving orbs, multicolored orbs and some mist. Note: Orbs are not solid evidence of paranormal activity, unless you can establish intelligent responses.

As I gave a walking tour of Sacramento at the establishments mentioned above, I have a new story. A paranormal group called The Paranormal Curious 5 out of Fresno, claimed that clients of the building formerly known as Gold Mine Shaft/The Ritz saw an apparition of a sinister little boy with a striped t-shirt, he was no more than 3 feet high. The Paranormal Curious 5 said that at 3am (Dead Time) they asked the entity what his name was and they received an EVP that said ‘Dobo’. The Paranormal Curious 5 said that one of their group members was scratched. The scratch mark was on the investigator’s arm. They now refer to the entity as ‘Dobo the Devil Boy’. I have not been able to validate their claim, but was able to hear their EVP when they sent it to me by WAV file via email.

Cara and Angelita felt something brushing their hair or tugging on their hair according to Angelita. This happened at the F Street Boarding House of Doreathea Puente.

Since there were so many people on the streets of Old Sacramento, it was impossible to obtain any EVP evidence, we were fortunate to obtain one EVP at the Martinez home.

All in all this was a successful night. Now I am heading to bed. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I am one tired Fortean Investigator.

Special Note: Ankit, Bryce, Christopher and Bobby Marchesso are all spending the night at my home. Thank you to Bobby after driving from Los Angeles to Sacramento, driving Ankit, Bryce, Christopher, Staci, Chantal and me all around Sacramento. Yep, Bobby Marchesso is super tired. Thank you to Starbucks at 15th and Broadway for allowing us to use their restroom facilities during a much needed break.

Paul Dale Roberts, HPI General Manager
aka The Demon Warrior
www.hpiparanormal.net
http://www.chatterbrew.com/
Chatterbrew!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orDbRcLwDX4
UFO Investigation at Seaside YouTube Video by Bryan Coleman
pauld5606@comcast.net
Cellular Paranormal Hotline: 916 203 7503

Got a Story? Learn to Write a Short Script and Make a Movie

2010-03-21T09:51:14Z

ACCESS SACRAMENTO presents
New Scriptwriting Class - PCS 2010
By popular demand, we now offer special a scriptwriting class (three Saturdays, 10am - 2pm) on writing "short form" film scripts. Polish your PCS entry or take the short course to further your film writing skills. Limited enrollment - $50 fee per session. Register in advance at Access Sacramento by calling (916) 456-8600 "0" with a credit card. Need not be an Access Sacramento member or Sacramento County resident to sign-up for this class. Sign-up early - class will fill fast. Matt is in great demand as a script writing teacher. The “Place Called Sacramento” script entry deadline is Monday, April 19th, at noon.

Saturdays - April 3, 10, & 17
10 AM-2 PM Nevada City Room

Coloma Center

The rules of conflict- Dramatic structure and beats- Proper screenplay format -

Creating interesting characters- Writing good dialogue- Mastering the short form

Writing means rewriting- Upping the dramatic stakes- "Eight pages, three acts"

Biography
Matt Perry received an MFA in filmmaking from New York University's graduate school of film and is the author of several screenplays. Formerly the A/V Manager for an Auburn, California multimedia company he now runs his own business and teaches Screenwriting and Film Studies at Cosumnes River College and the Art Institute of Sacramento. He is a devotee of kundalini yoga and running.

Matt Perry, filmmojo@earthlink.net

Sign up in the Access Sacramento Office or at (916) 456-8600

Oak Ridge girls represent in hoops

2010-03-21T07:30:11Z

Six high school basketball games Saturday at Arco Arena decided the Northern California boys and girls representatives for next week's state championships at RaboBank Arena in Bakersfield.

Four more games were played Saturday at Folsom High to determine the remaining NorCal representatives against the Southern region.

For these basketball players, it was the biggest day of their lives.

The Sacramento-area representatives struggled throughout the day until the Oak Ridge High Trojan girls team advanced to the Division I championships with a hard-fought 52-42 victory over the longtime NorCal power Berkeley Yellowjackets.

It's amazing to watch what high-school basketball has become.

Then again, the same can be said of life.

However, on some high-school basketball teams, there are nearly double-digit figure coaching staffs.

For a sport in which five players perform on a court, there are teams with nine or 10 coaches. One question: When a player has all these guys screaming at him, to whom does he listen? If they are screaming about different topics, isn't this player more confused than before the screaming began?

C'mon, now.

Fortunately, for the girls and boys, it does not appear to diminish the enjoyment of competition, win or lose.

Whether the games were close or decided by large margins, for the most part, sportsmanship and leaving all the effort on the court were the orders of the day.

The Sacramento High School girls opened the action at Arco and were no match for the nation's No. 1 ranked team, St. Mary's (Stockton). The Lady Dragons were not able to handle the relentless full-court defensive pressure for which St. Mary's is known and committed 38 turnovers on the way to a 70-45 defeat for the Girls Division III title.

The Sac High boys engaged in an up-and-down battle with Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) and held a 50-49 lead with two minutes remaining, but never again scored before falling 57-50 in a battle of Dragons. Josiah Turner led the Sac High Dragons with 20 points, while 6-8 sophomore Brandon Ashley had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the O'Dowd Dragons, who were led in rebounding by Jordan Barton's 14.

O'Dowd won the Boys Division III game by dominating the boards, 57-to-28.

The next two games of the day at Arco were the most exciting. Carondelet (Concord) won the Girls Division II title in a 40-38 thriller against Archbishop Mitty (San Jose). Meanwhile, St. Francis (Mountain View) scored on a put-back at the buzzer by Patrick Crowley to defeat Woodcreek (Roseville), 48-47.

Oak Ridge's Sara James scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and was joined by solid play from teammates as the Trojans overcame a slow start to defeat Berkeley with consistent play down the stretch. Oak Ridge held the Yellowjackets to one of 17 field-goal shooting in the fourth quarter to move away from a two-point game at the start of the fourth quarter.

Caitlin Welsch scored a game-high 19 points and had eight rebounds for Oak Ridge.

In the final game at Arco for the hotly contested Boys Division I title, Newark Memorial defeated De La Salle (Concord),58-49. The teams displayed a physical brand of ball that overwhelmed an officiating crew that never again should be allowed to work a playoff game.

It's incredible no injuries were suffered since the officials never established a line of what was and wasn't a foul.

Newark Memorial used full-court defensive pressure to force 18 first-half turnovers by De La Salle and take a 43-22 lead into the fourth quarter. Then De La Salle became the physical aggressor, showing on multiple occasions how it once fashioned a 100-plus-victory football streak. The Spartans cut the lead to five, but never could get closer.

For more information on next week's state championship games, go to cifstate.org.

No fracture for Kings' Evans

2010-03-20T23:21:47Z

Kings rookie guard Tyreke Evans underwent x-rays and a CAT scan Saturday morning to re-examine his jaw, injured during the latter portion of Friday night's 114-108 double overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

No fractures were found during Saturday's examination and Evans will be re-evaluated Monday. The Kings left today for Los Angeles to meet the Clippers Sunday afternoon and will return in the evening in preparation for Monday's night's game at Arco Arena against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Kings announced in a release that Evans also suffered a slight concussion in the collision with Milwaukee's Ersa Ilyasova.

Bucks come back to win 2 OTs

2010-03-20T07:56:21Z

The Kings lost a game Friday night at Arco Arena.

However, that was secondary to the loss of their rookie of the year candidate Tyreke Evans.

Evans suffered a concussion and some facial lacerations during the fourth quarter of Sacramento's 114-108 double-overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks before a stunned crowd of 12,098.

Evans went down during a wild scramble for a loose ball underneath the Kings basket with 27.3 remaining in regulation following a shot attempt by Kings forward Carl Landry. Evans remained on the floor after Landry was called for a foul.

Evans eventually was helped back to the Kings bench for a brief period before being helped to the Kings locker room. Landry said Evans told him he'd been hit by an elbow from Bucks 6-foot-10, 235-pound reserve forward Ersan Ilyasova.

Evans did not return to action. He was X-rayed at the arena. There was no sign of a fractured jaw initially, but the rookie is scheduled to undergo further examination today. He will not join the team on its trip to Los Angeles for Sunday afternoon's game at Staples Center against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Evans is an unlikely participant in Monday night's home game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Kings coach Paul Westphal said it was unknown when he would be able to play again.

"Tyreke has a concussion," Westphal said of his rookie, who finished with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and eight turnovers against a Bucks defense geared to slow him.

"He has some damage to his teeth and his jaw. There will be more tests. ... We have no idea how long he'll be out or how serious the injury is until the doctors are able to really examine him with all the equipment they have."

Meanwhile, it appeared the Kings would be able to hold off the Bucks, who have been one of the NBA's winningest teams since the All-Star break.Milwaukee has won 13 of its past 15 games.

By the time Evans walked off the floor, it appeared the only victory Milwaukee would have this night would be their own rookie of the year candidate, Brandon Jennings, winning his individual battle with the Kings rookie. Jennings put on a sterling performance with a game-high 35 points. That included a season-high, eight made three-point field-goals in 13 attempts.

Yet, the Bucks followed Jennings, former Kings swingman John Salmons and center Andrew Bogut back against the odds.

The feeling of security for the Kings, though, turned into a mirage.

Sacramento (23-46) had led 91-82 following a put-back by swingman Ime Udoka with 2:28 left in the fourth quarter. The teams exchanged missed possessions until Ilyasova pulled the Bucks within 91-84 with 1:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Kings missed their final four field-goal attempts of regulation, but Francisco Garcia and Beno Udrih each made a pair of free throws during the final 24 seconds.

Salmons, though, converted a three-pointer off an inbounds play and then Ilyasova stuck a three-pointer six-feet beyond the three-point line at the Kings logo with 6.4 seconds remaining, to tie the game at 95-95.

"I thought we made our free throws down the stretch, and we made them take the shots we wanted them to take for the most part and they hit some shots that defied description," said Westphal. "All you can really say is it had to be their night."

It certainly wasn't the Kings' night.

Notes: Tom Abatemarco, who has worked with the Maloof organization for seven years, has accepted an offer to join the men's basketball coaching staff at the University of Colorado.

What's Happening at the Capitol: March 20

2010-03-20T06:13:18Z

Saturday, March 20

10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

California Complete Count is hosting a rally/march to raise awareness of the U.S. Census. Entertainment starts at 10:00 a.m. and a 1/2 mile march around the Capitol starts at 10:45. At 11:45, there will be brief speeches from Mayor Kevin Johnson and Lt. Gov. Mona Pasquil. Entertainment from community groups will continue until 2:30 p.m.

The rally/march is intended to raise awareness and support for the census. Workers from the Census Bureau will man questionnaire assistance centers to answer questions and help fill out census forms.

The event is part of the March 20 "Be Californian, Be Counted" day. Five hundred people are expected.

No other events are planned until Monday.

Meet Pioneers at Sutter's Fort

2010-03-20T04:43:34Z

Sutter's Fort Living History and Pioneer Demonstration Days return to the year 1846, the year California became a U.S. territory. Park docents and volunteers re-create the everyday life and times at "Fort New Helvetia," Sutter’s original name for the Fort.

Men dressed in heavy buckskin loading their flintlock rifles. Soldiers from the 1840s perform drills, while the blacksmith makes horseshoes at a hot forge. Women scrub clothes on a washboard and prepare stews over cooking fires.

Docent Mark DeLong holds a cannonball as he explains Sutter had the cannon in the Southeast bastion of the original fort until 1846, when the guns were removed and it was used for storage. Then the bastion was used as a hospital for Cholera and other patients in 1849-50, with a Dr. Deal in charge. The cannon does get 'fired'.

The characters and costumes seen have been extensively researched for presenting an exciting period in our state's past. Costumes are authentic, from fur hats to ivory buttons and buckled shoes. Sutter’s Fort Living History Days and Pioneer Demonstration Days are filled with California History.

DeLong gives school children a history lesson.

Two visitors overlook the an oven and cooking pot from the original building inside the fort. Of the original fort, the two-story central building, made of adobe and oak, remains, the fort's outer walls and rooms, which had disappeared by the 1860s, were reconstructed after the State acquired the property in 1890.

Firewood around a cooking area in the interior of the fort.

The fort was built by Swiss immigrant John Sutter more than 150 years ago is considered a pivotal point in history. The walls were 2 1/2 feet thick and 15 to 18 feet high -- and developed what he considered to be the real wealth of California -- crops such as grapes and wheat, along with vast herds of cattle.

The Native Sons of the Golden West were influential in the restoration of the Fort which began in 1891 and was completed in 1893. Donated to the State of California, Sutter's Fort became a part of the California State Park System in 1947. Sutter's Fort stands as the oldest restored Fort in the United States.

The fort is located in midtown Sacramento between K and L Streets and 26th and 28th Streets • 2701 L St.

Information accompanying photos is from parks.ca.gov/, militarymuseum.org, hmdb.org

Living History Days at Sutter's Fort are10am-5pm Wednesdays and Friday-Sundays until June 30 then Tuesdays-Sundays in July.

Information: (916) 445-4422.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Improv comedy performs at Sac State

2010-03-20T03:45:13Z

If finishing my last midterm was the cake, then watching Upright Citizens Brigade was the icing. And I had my fill when UCB performed its classic improv sketch comedy for an hour and a half Thursday before a crowd of 200.

Walking into the University Ballroom at Sacramento State, I could feel the energy as everyone waited for the show to begin. With UCB's television show long canceled, the only chance for viewing the show is at its Los Angeles or New York City theaters.

While I waited, I remembered a phone call earlier in the week:

"We take 15-22 of the best performers from both theater casts for the touring production," said director and coordinating producer Carter Edwards. "What people see are the best of the best from our talent pools."

Though there are only four cast members at each touring show, they change characters and run around the stage so much that it creates the illusion of 20 more people on stage.

The show was in three acts, with an intermission after the first.

In the first act, an audience member was chosen and given the microphone. Using his statements as fodder, the cast constructed short -- 45 seconds to 4 minute --improv skits that all related to one another.

I laughed uncontrollably as the cast pretended to look for American River College and pick up a hitchhiker along the way. "All sorts of crazy stuff goes on in this town," they said.

Skits centered around pop culture events to which everyone could relate. Topics included video games, snuggies and, my personal favorite, a French robot.

I wandered during intermission to the lobby, which was unusually busy for 8 p.m. A booth in the corner offered energy drink samples, and 10 or so shots later, I was more than ready for intermission to end.

I ran back into the ballroom and searched for my seat just as cast members retook the stage. They don't use many props, except four chairs. I never knew four regular office chairs could resemble a car, phone booth or couch.

The second act began with the audience shouting out movie titles. "Fight Club," a movie everyone had seen, was chosen and cast members began to act out "deleted scenes" lost from a DVD.

As the energy drink pumped in my veins, I laughed out loud at the parody. My favorite bit was about the real beginnings of "Fight Club" and its quest for more members. "It's hard to get members when the first rule states I can't talk about the club."

The last act was my favorite. Audience members were encouraged to share text messages from their cell phones.

Skits involved interrogating a man who just wants to party and a women's quest to label a man a liar for life.

The show was extremely funny, with cast members manipulating characters and plots into a common theme. Cast members cycled in and out of scenes, waiting to be called into the comedy arena.

Cast members were Joel Spence, Colton Dunn, Heather Anne Campbell and Suzi Barrett.

Photo credits: Matthew Ceccato

Marine Corps Veteran Enters District 9 Assembly Race

2010-03-20T01:00:18Z

Rick D. Redding, born and raised in Sacramento, a Marine Corps veteran of Operation Desert Storm/Shield and a Public School Educator/Football coach, declared his candidacy for nomination as a Republican candidate for State Assembly (9th District). This district includes most of the city of Sacramento. The primary election is on June 8 and the general election in November.

Rick stated that, as a public school educator serving in the Assembly, he will work to ensure that every child has equal access to educational opportunities and that each student graduates from high school.

As our Assemblyman, Rick said one of his goals is to expand job training opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed as well as end all furlough days for state employees and restore the 14% reduction in state workers pay: "I do not believe the state budget should be balanced on the backs of state employees." Moreover, Rick said that he will "introduce employer friendly deregulation of the current legislative entanglements that hamper businesses from prospering and creating jobs."

"I'm a firm believer that irresponsible taxing and spending on behalf of the government should not dictate repeated tax increases for Sacramento citizens." For that reason, Rick supports the efforts of the Sacramento County Taxpayers League to roll back the Sacramento city utility rate increase from the projected 19.2% to 9.0% that will appear on the November ballot.

As your Assemblyman from the 9th District, Redding said "I will work with Mayor Kevin Johnson, the Sacramento City Council and the Board of Supervisors to help bring businesses to Sacramento that are not influenced by the ups and downs of the national and state economy thereby helping small business to prosper and provide good jobs.

Rick Redding is married to the former Jill Tammi (daughter of former Placerville mayor, Bonnie Tammi) and has four children Ryan (18), William (14), Benjamin (8), and Lauren (5).

For more information about Rick's candidacy, you can visit the campaign website at www.VoteForRick.org. Rick can also be contacted at 916-289-9018 or rick_redding1@yahoo.com.

Another one bites the dust: Hard Rock Café and its memorabilia

2010-03-19T23:57:31Z

There are very few known details about the closing of the Hard Rock Café downtown. Manager Kim Templeton deferred answering questions to a public relations firm. That firm would not answer phone calls.

According to a Sacramento Bee article, it will close March 27, but is that before or after the private event listed the same day on the Hard Rock website as "Morgan's Bat Mitzvah?"

One thing is for sure. With the Hard Rock closing, Sacramento is losing several important things: a restaurant, a music venue, a 36-foot guitar with neon highlights and a small museum chock full of Rock 'n' Roll memorabilia. Not to mention an employer.

The following is a photo essay depicting some of Hard Rock's historical artifacts.

The first four photos are part of a small collection from local band Tesla. Pictured: Troy Luccketta's kick drum.

Caption: BRIAN WHEAT, TESLA. At a time when Rock & Roll consisted of makeup, strange hairdos, and elaborate costumes, Tesla were always about being comfortable. Simple blue-jeans, t-shirts and pure rock. With over 14 million albums sold, Tesla is Sacramento's finest. This bass was custom built for Tesla bass player Brian Wheat. It's known as the Shredded Wheat Bass. That was Brian's nickname in the early '90s. This bass was used on the Tesla 1991/1992 tour.

Caption: FRANK HANNON, TESLA. "This guitar has been used throughout my career in Tesla and specifically to record the hit single 'What You Give.' This guitar is featured in the video for 'What You Give' and has been in many live performances including 'Hanging with MTV' and the 'Psychotic Supper' tour of 1992. This guitar is also featured in the video solo of 'Love Song' from the 'Times Makin' Changes' DVD." - Frank Hannon.

Caption: TOMMY SKEOCH, TESLA. "Hey, what's up? Tommy Skeoch from Tesla Here. I put this guitar together when I was about 20 years old. It's a Kramer Voyager body with a Kramer Berreta neck. I used it a lot on our first record and many other recordings! I've also used this guitar at countless rock shows! I did the artwork on it too. ...Hard Rock forever!" - Tommy Skeoch.

Caption: BILL HALEY. 1959 swamp brown Guild guitar was used and signed by Bill Haley. Given to a former employee of Haley's "Essex" record company in Chester, Pa., Bill Haley signed the guitar just seven months prior to Bill Haley's death.

Caption: ELVIS PRESLEY. Orange "TCB" bodyguard's jacket with "TCB" patch on lapel worn by bodyguard Sonny West. West became a member of the Memphis Mafia (Elvis' bodyguards) when he was introduced to the King by his cousin Robert "Red" West - also a Presley bodyguard.

Caption: JANIS JOPLIN. Janis had a major part in defining the role of women in rock. Her wailing voice and amazing stage presence was truly a blessing in the late '60s. This is her silk shaw that she owned and loved in the '60s.

Caption: TONY IOMMI, BLACK SABBATH. Tony Iommi and Jimmy Page are debatably the only two guitarists that can take full credit for pioneering the sound of heavy metal. This guitar was used by Tony in performances and recordings.

Caption: PETE TOWNSHEND, THE WHO. Heavily influenced by the Beach Boys and Motown, The Who was one of the key groups in the British Invasion. Pete was known to be a very active guitarist from his wild windmills to his demolishing of guitars. This guitar is one of the famous numbered series of guitars used by Pete.

Caption: NIKKI SIXX, MOTLEY CRUE. 1986 custom Harley Davidson Softail. This motorcycle appeared on the cover of their 1987 album "Girls Girls Girls," but has since been repainted.

Caption: FREDDY MERCURY, QUEEN. Never really taken seriously by critics, Queen was taken seriously by fans being one of the most popular groups, especially in England. These red vinyl pants with black tie belt were worn by Freddie during Queen's 1980 European tour. They were featured on the cover of the program for that tour and signed on the back of the left leg by Freddie.

This vintage Fender Jaguar was owned by Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys.

City of Sacramento Warns Residents and Businesses about People Impersonating Utilities Employees

2010-03-19T22:26:09Z

The Sacramento Police Department and the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities are warning residents and businesses about a man, claiming to be a City employee approaching homes in a recent water meter retrofit area and trying gain access.

Residents and businesses are warned that the City does not need to get into a home to test the water or conduct further plumbing work inside the home after a meter retrofit. Typically, City utilities employees do not need to enter into homes and if they do, they will schedule an appointment in advance.

City employees wear City of Sacramento uniforms, ID badges and drive City vehicles. Residents or businesses with questions regarding whether someone is a City employee can call the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities at 3-1-1 or 264-5011.

Residents or businesses who see anything suspicious or who are approached by someone impersonating a City employee should call the City of Sacramento Police Department at 264-5471.

Do Your Part To Prevent Bike Thefts

2010-03-19T20:34:02Z

This Saturday, the Sacramento Police Department is holding “Operation ID” which will provide engravers to put identifying numbers on your bicycle. This operation is in response to a rise in garage burglaries in which bicycles are being stolen.

The Police Department is attempting to curb a string of thirty-five garage burglaries in the downtown and east Sacramento area that have occurred since January 2010. The burglar(s) have been forcing their way into detached garages in the late evening to early morning hours. It is unknown at this time if the burglaries are connected or are individual acts.

On March 20, 2010, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., officers will be at Mckinley Park providing engravers to the community to place identifying numbers on their bicycles. Police will also write down your serial number for you to keep. The purpose of the program is to enhance the chances of locating stolen property (such as bicycles), by providing police an identifying number to run when we come across suspected stolen items.

We would like to remind the community to lock your doors, have proper lighting around your residence, purchase an alarm if you can, write down the serial number from your valuables (tv, iPods, bicycles etc…), or engrave identifying numbers on your property.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime or this person to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Hartford Colonials Head Coach Chris Palmer selects his coaching staff for 2010 United Football League season

2010-03-19T20:15:20Z

Hartford Colonials head coach Chris Palmer has assembled the majority of his coaching staff for the 2010 United Football League season.

A staff of NFL-seasoned and emerging coaches will lead the Colonials when they kick off the second UFL campaign this fall. The coaches are meeting as offensive and defensive groups in the Connecticut state capital this week to formulate the team’s game plan and prepare for a 10-game season that includes five home games at the Colonials’ Rentschler Field home stadium in East Hartford.

“We are excited to announce our staff and begin developing our football program,” said Coach Palmer. “We have coaches that have a passion for football and enjoy helping young players develop. It was good to get together and discuss football.”

Hartford Colonials Coaching Staff:

Chris Palmer- Head Coach and General Manager
Ted Daisher- Defensive Line
Oji Fagan- Running Backs
Frank Hauser- Linebackers
Jerry Holmes- Secondary
Osia Lewis- Defensive Coordinator
Dave Ragone- Wide Receivers/ Quarterback
Tony Sparano- Assistant Defensive Line
Shane Waldron- Tight Ends
Todd Washington- Offensive Line

Chris Palmer, Head Coach and General Manager: Played football at Immaculate High School in Danbury, CT, and was a quarterback at Southern Connecticut State University before a successful spell coaching at the University of New Haven from 1986-87, posting consecutive 8-2 records. Most recently, Palmer tutored Eli Manning with the New York Giants from 2007 to 2009 and ultimately won a Super Bowl XLII ring.

Ted Daisher, Defensive Line: Was the Special Teams coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 and before that from 2004 to 2005. He has also coached with the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders.

Oji Fagan, Running Backs: Spent the last five seasons coaching the Hudson Valley Vikings. He was a four-year letter winner at the University of Albany and since has coached with Stonehill College in Massachusetts and worked with the New York Giants as a coaching intern.

Frank Hauser, Linebackers: A well-known local figure who coached in Connecticut with Wesleyan University for 24 years and was the head coach of the Cardinals for the last 18 seasons. He is also a physical education professor at Wesleyan.

Jerry Holmes, Secondary: Was the head coach at Hampton University in 2008 having spent five years coaching in the NFL with San Diego, Washington and Cleveland and played ten seasons in the NFL, mainly with the New York Jets.

Osia Lewis, Defensive Coordinator: Was the defensive coordinator at UTEP having coached previously at New Mexico and the University of Illinois. Following a standout college career at Oregon State, he played in the CFL and AFL.

Dave Ragone, Wide Receivers / Quarterbacks: Finished his college career as the second-leading passer in Louisville school history and was selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Won NFL Europe MVP honors in 2005.

Tony Sparano, Assistant Defensive Line coach: Was a three-year letterman at the University of Albany. His father is the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Shane Waldron, Tight Ends: Was the tight ends coach of the New England Patriots in 2009 having previously served as an offensive assistant with the Patriots and as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame. He played football at Tufts University.

Todd Washington, Offensive Line: Was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the University of San Diego. During an eight-year NFL career played with the Houston Texans and won a Super Bowl XXXVII ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Group and season tickets to Hartford Colonials games will go on sale in April and the team’s new logo and uniforms will also be unveiled in the coming months. Sports fans can call 860-718-0141 for more information about the Colonials.

Social networking Colonials fans eager to interact with fellow fans can do so at:
http://www.facebook.com/UnitedFootballLeague
http://www.facebook.com/HartfordColonials
http://www.twitter.com/theUFL
http://www.twitter.com/theColonials

Citizen journalism at work

2010-03-19T19:52:43Z

The Sacramento Press is a hybrid site of professional and community-contributed journalism. One recent event that we could not cover in-house is a perfect example of how citizen journalism works best:

One of our reporters, Kathleen Haley, was unable to attend a debate scheduled for Thursday night.

Our editorial department e-mailed a resident Haley had met at another event who had shown interest in the debate. This resident suggested that a friend of hers, Chris Shannon, who had already planned to go to the debate, write about it for The Sacramento Press.

We asked our interns to see who was available, but none of them were to attend either.

Chris Shannon e-mailed us and called to confirm that he could cover the District 7 debate.

He took pictures and wrote a great story.

We are very lucky to have community members who are willing to write about events and issues that affect all of us. Our staff is very small and it's impossible to cover everything in our area.

Thank you, Chris Shannon, for the great coverage and we hope this example will encourage more writers to share stories on The Sacramento Press.

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2010-03-19T19:04:37Z

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 many more go to the www.eMusiConnect.com homepage. Get out and enjoy!!

Concerts, Music Events, and The Sacramento Music Scene This Week:

Broadway Sacramento presents Chicago through Sunday, March 21st at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $20.00 -$57.00.

Saturday, March 20th - Sunday, March 21st: The Sacramento Master Singers will perform "The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington" at The Crest Theatre on 1013 K Street in Sacramento. SAT show at 8:00 PM. SUN Show at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Third Saturday at The Downtwon Plaza on 4th and K Street in Sacramento. Includes local arts & crafts vendors, live music with One Eyed Rhyno, and a fashion show from local retailers. Events take place from Noon - 5PM.

Saturday, March 20th: Pablo Cruise at Power House Pub on Historic Sutter Street in Folsom. Show starts at 9PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Wednesday, March 24th: Snatam Kaur Live in concert at The Crest Theatre on 1013 K Street in Sacramento. Concerts begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $$30.00 - $45.00.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, March 19th:

Jerry Perry presents The Phantom Jets - Ron Silva & The Monarchs - The Schruggs at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

Kill The Precedent - Knife Thru head - Black Maceral at Blue Lamp 9PM

Izabella and Andrew Heringer at Marilyns 9PM/$10

Shane Dwight at Torch Club 9PM/$10

F*ck Fridays Alphabet City & Ape Machine with Shaun Slaughter – Jon Droll – Roger Carpio at Townhouse 9PM/$3-$5

Tainted Love at Harlows 10PM/$15

Bottom Dwellers - Pleasant Valley Boys at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$7

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Jackson Griffith - Trista Stanley - Richie Lawrence at Lunas 8PM/$6

107.9 The End with DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM

Black & Pink Party with DJ Katz at Social Nightclub 10PM

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef & Selektor KDK at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Saturday, March 20th:

French Hertiage Festival during the day and Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole at Beatnik Studios 7PM/$15-$25

No Bozoz and Planet Zero at Marilyn’s 9PM/$8

Life in 24 Frames - Build Us Airplanes - Loaded for Beer at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

BLVD Park - Trainwrek Revival at Fox & Goose 9PM/$3

Tainted Love at Harlows 10PM/$15

Poor of Tribe of Levi CD Release at Capitol Garage 9:30PM/$10

Sting Blue Silver Duran Duran Tribute & Japanese Baby Cure Tribute at Blue Lamp 9PM

Mofo Party Band at The Torch Club 9PM/$7

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Mix Saturdays with DJ Michael Moss at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Jus James at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM

Sunday, March 21st:

Brunch Beats with DJ Katz at Aura 11AM

Thin Air Quartet at Naked Coffee Lounge 8PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM & F.L.O. at Torch Club 8PM/$6

Salsa Sunday at MoMo Lounge 7PM

Prevail - Vanchessa - Fifth Month - Raymond Schau - Oxford Cranium at Marilyns 7PM/$12

Alex Jenkins Trio at The Shady Lady Saloon 9PM/No Cover

District 7 Candidates discuss SMI, council cooperation, and the arena

2010-03-19T18:39:20Z

They walked out onto the stage at the gym at Genevieve Didion Elementary, each wearing suits and ties. They weren’t clammed up, having talked to various people in the crowd prior to taking the stage. Each of them was familiar with the neighborhood, and had a desire to represent it.

Current City Councilmember Robbie Watters, retired Sacramento Police Captain Darrell Fong, and Sacramento State professor Ryan Chin all participated in Thursday night’s Sacramento City Council 7th District Candidate Forum, organized by the Didion-Lewis Park Recreation Center Committee. And once they took their seats, none of them could escape responding to questions about the Strong Mayor Initiative, acrimony amongst city leaders, and the arena project.

“I did not endorse or support a strong mayor in the city” said Waters, who voted in favor of placing the Strong Mayor Initiative on the June 2010 ballot. “I did vote to put it on 2010, but I did not endorse it.”

Chin opposed the initiative, saying a strong mayor doesn’t need a “strong mayor’s initiative”, but an ability to bring people together to get issues done. Fong also opposed the initiative, calling it Chicago style politics.

Responding to how he could foster cooperation as potentially one of eight members on the city council, Chin emphasized his experience in business and community service.

“You don’t focus on the person, you focus on the problem,” said Chin. “It’s about the issue and solving it.

Fong answered by saying he understands the dynamics of City Hall, and has developed relationships at the city, county, and state levels.

Waters elaborated on the loss of Ray Kerridge, but then discussed his feelings regarding relationships on the City Council.

“This is the worst City Council I’ve ever worked with,” said Waters, pointing out that he and former Mayor Heather Fargo, who was in attendance, may not have always agreed but would usually talk and settle their issues.

“Now when the Mayor says something, two or three people disagree with him no matter what it is,” said Waters, “I’ve learned over 15 years how to get along with other councilmembers.”

When asked if he felt it was the right time to build an arena given the current economic times of the City, Waters felt this plan is the closest we’ve been and that it would create needed jobs.

Chin felt this is not the time to spend public funds, but did feel it was likely that city land would be used.

Fong said the arena should be an entertainment center and more than just an arena, but was concerned about the involvement of public subsidies.

“Public subsidy is the land,” said Fong, “We have land that’s swapped between Natomas or Downtown that’s worth money. So I think the people should have a choice whether they want to use that land for the arena or entertainment center.”

At the end of the arena discussion, Waters took a moment to emphasize that the City’s loan to the Sacramento Kings is set in stone and must be paid back. He estimated the loan currently stands at $69 million.

Nominate your favorite mom for a smile makeover of a lifetime

2010-03-19T15:05:10Z

WELL KNOWN ROCKLIN COSMETIC DENTIST GIVES BACK A SMILE FOR MOTHER'S DAY

PURE Dentistry, the family cosmetic dental practice of Darce Slate DDS, is the hub of great activity as it accepts nominations for a smile makeover that will change the life of one Sacramento area mother forever.

“Project Smile Again Sacramento-Mother’s Day is another piece of the pro bono work I have been doing quietly for years,” said Dr. Slate. “A healthy smile radiates openness, confidence and joy. Without that ability, people tend to feel shame and have lower self esteem. At PURE Dentistry, we have chosen to celebrate Mother’s Day in our way by allowing the community to be involved in selecting one great mom for the makeover of a lifetime.”

“A smile is the shortest distance between two people,” as the proverb goes and Dr. Slate has seen how a healthy smile can transform relationships that can transforms lives. Once smile restorations are complete, folks who lives were broken due to drugs, poverty and other circumstances are more able to live normal lives. There is actual psychological research that supports the benefits of a healthy smile.

Frontier Dental Laboratories of El Dorado Hills, a recognized leader in cosmetic dentistry, has joined Dr. Slate in this project by offering to donate veneers. The laboratory contribution will run into the thousands of dollars. “We are committed as a company to supporting the second chances of people in our community,” said Brent West, Frontier’s Vice President and General Manager.

The makeover will be completed on May 7th andl conclude on Mother’s Day May 9th at a celebratory brunch for the lucky recipient and her family at a local restaurant.

Everyone is welcome to nominate themselves or their deserving mom by submitting an essay of 200 words or less. The entry form and complete rules and regulations are on the nomination page of the PURE Dentistry website. Go to http://www.puredentistry.net/dental-promotions/mothers-day-dental-contest.asp

PURE Dentistry stands for professional, uncompromising, restorative excellence-the hallmark values of Dr. Slate's practice which servies the communities of Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln, Loomis and Granite Bay.

These are before and after pictures of a mom who is being restored by Dr. Slate. This beautiful woman and her son can smile with confidence and joy now. Doesn't that mom you know deserve such a transformation?

New electric bike shop in Old Town

2010-03-19T04:57:55Z

Tim Castleman had a big response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

He felt so sad, disappointed and angry that he changed his life.

He started developing a hemp-based biofuel system and fought for legalization of hemp in Arizona to help end U.S. dependence on fossil fuels. He began a national "Drive 55" campaign to lower Americans' gas consumption and reduce carbon emissions — an effort turned into a documentary. And he organized two "Peace Trains" to Washington, D.C., to promote rail travel.

"My interest in biofuels led me to understand the real problem isn't that we need another source of fuel. We need another source of energy," said Castleman, 51. "The real problem is we don't use what we have appropriately. This led to this whole conservation-minded approach to living."

That approach led him to get into bicycles in a really big way. Two years later, he bought a derelict old Worksman trike for $5 from a neighbor. The trike had been through a fire. Two wheels were missing. Castleman saw only a really useful tool that could get him around. Something he could use to bring home groceries, garden supplies and other cargo.

He found Worksman Cycles still in business, ordered a mess of parts and fixed the trike. He painted it black and slapped on a sticker reading, "One less SUV." He was even happier to discover that Worksman has been making bikes and trikes in this country since 1898.

The former HVAC contractor and his 23-year-old son, Cassidy, are now turning a longtime dream into a reality. They're opening a bike shop that's destined to fill a niche by renting and selling Worksman and electric bikes. They'll also offer repair service and retrofitting to make any bike electric.

Tim Castleman wanted to offer bikes for people who can't or simply don't want to pedal all the time. Once he found Irvine-based Pedego electric bikes, the quality and design were the catalyst that pushed him to open the store.

The bruised and bleeding economy allowed them to take over the well-trafficked Old Sacramento storefront vacated by Discover California, a gift shop open for 17 years.

With a little help from his son, Tim Castleman has brought new life to 114 J St., which is close to the bike trail. The 3,400-square-foot space contains exposed brick walls, 9-foot French windows, 14-foot ceilings, back rooms and a basement on the original city level. They cleaned, painted and repaired light fixtures. They prepared wall space for local art that will debut on Second Saturday Art Walks.

He spent more than five days refinishing the showroom's beat-up, old wooden floor measuring about 2,500 square feet.

The tall black, tan and purple front doors are now open, although the targeted opening isn't until April 1. People wandered into the shop Thursday to ask about the Pedego electric bikes. A shipment of 10 bikes painted apricot, maroon or midnight blue had just arrived that day.

Father and son worked together to pull Pedego cruisers out of shipping boxes and stack them out on the floor. They expect 37 Worksman bikes next week.

Cassidy Castleman is a business student at California State University, Sacramento. He also sells solar electricity for a Rocklin company full-time. His dad got him into solar and other environmentally friendly lifestyle habits, including riding bikes.

"I've gotten a lot of grief for wanting to drive a car instead of ride a bike if it was less than 20 miles," Cassidy said. "It's part of who we are as a family."

Tim Castleman likes his old trike so much that he wanted to sell Worksman products. He loves the sturdy, heavy-duty bikes — which are often used for pizza and ice cream deliveries and other business or "industrial" uses — because they're useful, comfortable and strong, and it doesn't take an athlete to ride them. He also likes the price: Base-model cruisers sell for $299.

"For a made-in-the-U.S.A. bike, that's a bargain," he said. "There ain't nothin' out there that can touch that."

Their store will differ from other bike shops in town because their bikes are geared toward regular folks.

"If you go to a traditional bike store, it tends to be geared toward the racers. Most people aren't racers," Cassidy Castleman said, adding many bike stores have cruisers sitting out in front because that's what's selling.

"There's a definite bike culture here in Sacramento," he said. "Most of the people I see riding around have cool old bikes."

Both will staff the shop. Tim Castleman will service bikes and Cassidy will handle marketing, including building a website. The shop will rent and sell Pedego cruisers, heavy-duty Worksman cruisers called Newsboys and Newsgirls, and Worksman side-by-side trikes, both standard and electric. Single-speed cruisers rent for $5 per hour or $28 per day, and Pedegos for $15 per hour or $80 per day.

"People who come down here — they're looking for fun. They're looking for entertainment. And in this economy, people are hurting," Tim Castleman said. "They can rent a bike for an hour or two for five or 10 bucks — that's affordable."

The shop will also sell Pedego's electric folding bikes and from Worksman, sturdy, industrial-grade standard tandems and trikes, recumbants, folding trikes, hand cycles and two-wheel cargo bikes. Dutch-style Worksman Roadsters will sell for $249, and foldable trikes for $429. An electric foldable trike will sell for $969.

Pedego cruisers will start at $1,595, or $1,775 for an upgrade featuring balloon tires. Those bikes have eight-pound lithium ion batteries and 500-watt motors and weigh about 60 pounds. They can be ridden at speeds up to 20 miles per hour and can go for 15 to 30 miles on a single charge. A 16-inch foldable will go for $1,395. The Castlemans plan to hold an event showing people how to use solar power to charge the batteries.

The store even carries one high-wheeler antique replica that will sell for $1,295 because Castleman is also a dealer for Rideable Bicycle Replicas in Alameda.

"This is the original fixie," he said.

Cassidy Castleman happily admits his dad is the driving passion behind the store. The pair has searched for a store location for four years. But Tim Castleman took the leap to open the shop after surviving radiation therapy for prostate cancer in January.

Ironically, it was a bicycle accident that helped make the store possible. A few years ago, he was riding a bicycle downtown on 15th Street when a restaurant valet suddenly opened a car door in front of him. Castleman flew over the bike and suffered a broken arm. He's using money from the settlement to open the bike shop.

The shop may seem like a small thing to some. But the Castlemans think it can really make a difference. Tim Castleman believes Worksman and Pedego's electric bikes can be "game changers."

"I don't own a car anymore," he said.

Practical Cycle will be open seven days per week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours in the summer. For more information, call 706-0077 or check out PracticalCycle.com.

Photos by Suzanne Hurt, a staff reporter covering business and development for The Sacramento Press.

RekeROY Party with Sacramento Press

2010-03-19T02:34:49Z

Sacramento Press, in support of the RekeRoy campaign, has organized an exciting pre-game party at Arco Arena tomorrow, March 19th with a special appearance from Tyreke Evans!

Join us to cheer on Tyreke Evans and your Sacramento Kings as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks and their Rookie of the Year candidate Brandon Jennings. The party will include making signs supporting Tyreke Evans for Rookie of the Year AND a visit from Tyreke prior to the game to thank his RekeROY supporters.

Come meet your Rookie of the Year candidate Tyreke Evans! The party starts at 5:30 p.m.

If interested in joining us, visit http://www.groupshavemorefun.com/SacramentoPress to purchase your tickets.

Purchase includes a special lower level ticket for $39.50 (normally $79.50) and entrance to the pre-game sign party. Come meet Tyreke, support the RekeROY campaign and see the Kings take on the Bucks! There are a limited amount of tickets so act fast- We would love for you to join us.

Downtown loses its senior center

2010-03-19T02:02:46Z

Sacramento seniors facing economic hardship will have one less place to relax and meet friends.

Catholic Charities of Sacramento, Inc., has closed down its Cathedral Neighborhood Senior Center downtown because of a funding shortage, said Beth White, associate director of the nonprofit organization.

The center, which is located at 711 J St., had provided a social atmosphere for seniors since 1975, according to White. It shut down March 1.

Elderly residents of single-resident-occupancy motels as well as homeless seniors would gather at the center, White said. They would watch television or enjoy a coffee, she said.

For example, a group of seniors would come to the center in the morning because “that’s where they got their morning coffee,” White noted.

The closure means that seniors downtown no longer have a meeting place, White said. “We were the last downtown provider.”

For years, the center’s operations were paid for by Sacramento’s county government, the city of Sacramento and Catholic Charities, according to White.

Then, in 2004, the county halted its share of the funding for the center, White said, adding that the center is no longer receiving funding from the city government either.

Without the help from the city and county, Catholic Charities could not pay for the rent on the building, personnel or operational costs, White noted.

“If you live in a SRO, it really is your meet-and-greet place and your social place,” Sacramento City Councilman Ray Tretheway told residents at a Neighborhood Advisory Group meeting Monday in Midtown. “It just breaks my heart to see that go under.”

While the center has closed its doors, Catholic Charities continues to run an outreach program to help downtown seniors gain access to medical, dental and mental health services, among other services, White said. The outreach program is covered by federal funds, monies from foundations and private donations, she said. Catholic Charities operates the outreach program together with the Transitional Living and Community Support organization.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

SCUSD to create ‘Superintendent’s Priority Schools’ for six most academically troubled schools

2010-03-18T23:29:29Z

SCUSD to create ‘Superintendent’s Priority Schools’ for six most academically troubled schools

Bold leadership, effective teachers, additional resources for more than 4,600 students

By Gabe Ross

March 16, 2010 – Sacramento’s six most academically troubled schools will be put into a special grouping of schools—the Superintendent’s Priority Schools—with innovative principals, additional assistance and resources Superintendent Jonathan P. Raymond announced today.

In a first-of-its-kind effort in Sacramento to intensely focus on improving underperforming schools, the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) will create the Priority Schools to help more than 4,600 students in six schools—Oak Ridge Elementary, Father Keith B. Kenny Elementary, Jedediah Smith Elementary, Fern Bacon Basic Middle, Will C. Wood Middle and Hiram W. Johnson High. Oak Ridge was identified by the California Department of Education last Monday as among the state’s “persistently low-achieving” schools, but Superintendent Raymond said the five other SCUSD schools also have not served children adequately.

“We must take strong, decisive action and include our school communities to help these schools vastly improve how they educate our children,” Raymond said. “Tinkering around the edges of the problems at these schools won’t work. We need bold leadership, more effective teaching and a plan to provide the support our teachers and principals desperately need. We also need more resources to help students learn. We cannot afford to wait another few years and let another generation of students be lost because we didn’t do something to improve their educational opportunity.”

Raymond said the first steps will include meeting with staff, parents and partners involved with each of the six campuses. “We want to move with deliberate speed in this process. That means taking time to meet with staff, parents, students and partners. It means making sure we avoid unintended consequences. It means moving quickly but also taking the necessary steps to learn what is working at each school and what needs to be improved for the students,” Raymond said.

“We have already met with staff at each school and will begin scheduling meetings with parents, students and partners immediately.”

The school district will recruit principals and teachers for the Priority Schools who have a proven record of successful leadership and teaching. Raymond said the six schools will go to “the front of the line” for new computers and other resources, and squads of new volunteers, tutors and mentors will be recruited to help bring additional support to the schools.

Raymond said the six schools will report to one director who will report directly to the superintendent. “That director’s main job will be to support those six schools,” Raymond said. “The days of business as usual are gone. We’re going to take big, bold, dramatic steps to help these schools.”

Academic performance data for these six schools show they have consistently failed to adequately educate children for as long as seven years. Four of the six schools have failed to meet federal proficiency standards in English Language Arts and math for seven years, two have failed to meet the standards for four years. Any gains have been minimal and, in some cases, performance has declined.

All six schools serve primarily economically disadvantaged, minority populations. At all but Johnson, more than 90 percent of the students live at or near poverty.

“We are failing the students we most need to help – those who live in poverty and don’t have the same advantages at home that other students have to help them be prepared to succeed in school,” Raymond said. “We have let failure be acceptable at these schools for too long. But next school year, that culture of failure stops, and a new culture of success and achievement must begin.”

The Oak Ridge school will receive up to $2 million in additional support as a result of the state’s designation of it as a persistently underachieving school. SCUSD will use federal Title 1 money and leverage other private and public resources to pump up the funding for the other five schools, Raymond said.

At Johnson, which has nearly 2,100 students, the district will provide additional resources to support the existing 9th Grade Academy Program to give extra, focused attention to freshmen as part of the Priority Schools initiative. Johnson also will have a special arts school within the main high school.

“The waiting is over,” Raymond said. “Urgent action to improve these six schools begins now. We don’t have a child or a moment to lose.”

Go to the Sacramento City Unified District Web Site

Board of Education Meeting Tonight March 18, 2010

4:30 p.m. Closed Session
6:30 p.m. Open Session

Serna Center
5735 47th Avenue
Sacramento, Ca 95824
Community Room

Photo Essay: St. Patrick's Day in Sacramento

2010-03-18T23:05:15Z

Sacramento usually sees large crowds on Second Saturday. But Wednesday, it looked more like Dublin as thousands of green-clad Sacramentans attended block parties, drank green beer and celebrated everything even remotely Irish.

The following is a photo essay, depicting some of the Wednesday evening festivities. The first seven photos are from the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party.

Outside the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party on L Street, this dog dressed for the occasion in a green sweater. The party drew thousands of people to the 1500s block of L Street.

Kings mascot Slamson showed up to the block party on stilts and showed off his shamrock-covered blazer. He was a crowd pleaser, and he even sat down for an interview with Sacramento Press' own Sonny Mayugba. Slamson mimed and nodded while answering mostly yes or no questions.

Kings player Jon Brockman (left) speaks with Mayugba (right) during an interview. Mayugba interviewed a number of people throughout the day for a live stream of the event, which can be watched here.

Green beads, hats and Guinness were everywhere inside the de Vere's St. Patrick's Day Block Party. A headband, sticker and glittery hat made this pair of party-goers stand out.

A sea of green fills the 1500 block of L Street.

San Diego band The Silent Comedy played a set of folk-influenced rock, with a fiddle providing an Irish pub-style twist to the set.

Guinness was the preferred drink for many.

Streets of London Pub threw its own party, turning its parking lot into a beer garden.

Though not an Irish Pub, hundreds visited Streets of London to eat Irish food like shepherd's pie and corn beef and cabbage while celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the makeshift beer garden.

Hangar 17 was so full of people, its crowd spilled onto the patio area.

A crowd gathered on the 1400 block of R Street as R15, Venue, Shady Lady and Burgers and Brew all participated in the R Street Block Party.

Searchlights outside Venue illuminated the sky and the large crowd outside the R Street Block Party.

Local band Blvd Park played a mini-set outside the Shady Lady.

Ride the Train to Lodi's 17th Annual School Street Wine Stroll

2010-03-18T22:32:52Z

Guests from Sacramento are able to board Amtrak to the School Street Wine Stroll in downtown Lodi on Friday, April 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Ride the train and save the air! The Lodi Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 17th annual Wine Stroll with over 26 Lodi wineries pouring in unique shops and boutiques throughout the historic downtown area. Enjoy an evening of live music, chef demonstrations, entertainment and wine.

The Southbound San Joaquin Amtrak train departs Sacramento on Friday, April 16, at 4:55 pm and arrives in Lodi at 5:33 pm; which is walking distance (one half block) to downtown Lodi and the Wine Stroll. Guests pick-up their wine glasses and enjoy the charm and hospitality of Lodi . The Amtrak train departs the Lodi train station at 10:39 pm and arrives in Sacramento at 11:30 pm. Many wine tasting bars and restaurants remain open following the event. Overnight guests can also take the train back to Sacramento on Saturday, April 17, at 11:34 am. For Amtrak tickets and details call 800-872-7245.

New this year will be live chef demonstrations by local celebrity chefs. Among a few will be Michael Warren with Crush Kitchen & Bar, Julio Camberos with Califas Café & Bistro, and Gary DeGrande from DeGrande’s Café & Restaurant.

Vintners will also be on hand to pour a myriad of varietals and vintages from the Lodi Appellation. The Lodi wine region boasts 75 wineries, 60 varietals and grows 100,000 acres of wine grapes. Wineries will be showcasing not only the well known varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, but also many unique varietals such as Verdelho, Carignan and Nebbiolo.
“The Wine Stroll is an enjoyable event because of the combined ingredients to showcase Lodi – fine wines, unique shops, wonderful cuisine, the historic charm of downtown Lodi and great people,” says Pat Patrick, President and CEO of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce.

Assisting in the ‘economic recovery,’ Lodi hotels are offering special discounts for overnight visits. The hotel packages begin at $130 which includes: two Wine Stroll tickets, hotel for one night (double occupancy), transportation to and from hotels, and breakfast. Tickets for the Wine Stroll are $30 in advance or $35 at the event. Designated driver tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the event. To purchase tickets or for additional information call the Lodi Chamber at (209) 367-7840 x 100 or visit www.lodichamber.com.

The Lodi Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, 501 (c) (6) organization dedicated to serving its members, influencing public policy and fostering a climate in which business and industry can operate profitably. The chamber works to encourage and promote positive well-balanced economic growth through business development. Profits from the event are shared between the Chamber and Lodi-Adopt-A-Child, a 501(c)( 3) organization that provides back-to-school clothes and Christmas presents for children who otherwise might not be receiving these gifts and necessities.

United Football League invites Sacramento sports fans to suggest their favorite name for the city's UFL team

2010-03-18T19:18:26Z

The United Football League is inviting sports fans in Sacramento to suggest their favorite name for the new professional football team that will play in the state capital when the 2010 UFL season kicks off.

Suggestions for team names began pouring into the mailbox of UFL-Football.com following the announcement on March 3 that the Sacramento UFL team will play five home games at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State this fall.

Fans will also have the opportunity to potentially win some great ‘Ultimate Fan Experience’ prizes of four suite passes, and four on-field pre-game passes for a home game, an opportunity to meet head coach Dennis Green on the field during pre-game and PA recognition during the game.

Three entrants will be selected at random from among all eligible entries received to win the ultimate fan experience and be designated ‘UFL Foundation Fans’. Entries must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on March 17, 2010. Full details and competition rules can be found at UFL-Football.com.

“We want to empower the fans of this new Sacramento United Football League team to give us their thoughts on the name that they feel has a strong local connection and that they will be proud to chant from the stands at Hornet Stadium,” said UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue.

The UFL-Football.com website is now hosting ‘Your Town, Your Team, Your Name – You Make The Call’, inviting football fans to start voting for their preferred choice of team names from a shortlist of six options or to suggest a different team name:

• Sacramento Condors
• Sacramento Miners
• Sacramento Pioneers
• Sacramento Redwoods
• Sacramento Senators
• Sacramento Sting

The Sacramento team will be led by head coach Dennis Green, who in his first United Football League season led the California Redwoods to a 2-4 record and his running back Cory Ross led the league in rushing with 462 yards. As a head coach in the NFL, Green compiled a regular season record of 113–94 with the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.

About The UFL: The UFL was developed to fulfill the needs of football fans in major markets currently under served by professional football by providing a high quality traditional football league comprised of world class professional football players. The UFL will serve the communities with pride, dedication and passion, and uphold a leadership role in the development of football worldwide. The UFL will provide every fan with an affordable, accessible, exciting and entertaining game experience. The United Football League debuted in October 2009 with four teams in Las Vegas, New York, Orlando and San Francisco for its “Premiere” season. The UFL offices are in New York, N.Y. and Jacksonville, Fla. The UFL is led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue and is being funded by a consortium of private investors. For more information on the UFL and how to purchase tickets for the 2010 UFL season, please visit www.ufl-football.com.

United Football League brings professional football to Sacramento

2010-03-18T18:36:57Z

The City of Sacramento will become home to the United Football League and its California franchise when the league’s second season kicks off in the fall of 2010.

The team, which played two home games in San Francisco and one in San Jose as the California Redwoods during the 2009 UFL Premiere season, will relocate to Sacramento for all five 2010 UFL home games, giving local football fans a team they can call their own.
Led by Head Coach and General Manager Dennis Green, the team will play at Hornet Stadium at Sacramento State when the new season kicks off in September.

The UFL is inviting football fans to suggest their favorite name for the Sacramento team and announced a ‘Your Town, Your Team, Your Name – You Make The Call’ promotion being run in association with Northern California’s Sports Station KHTK 1140 AM. Fans can visit the official league website www.UFL-Football.com to take part in the naming contest.

United Football League Commissioner Michael Huyghue, team owner Paul Pelosi and Head Coach and General Manager Dennis Green were formally welcomed to the California state capital by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson at a press conference at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento on Wednesday.

“Sacramento is a natural home for the UFL in that it is a major market that we believe will support a professional football team and we are excited to be here,” said UFL Commissioner Huyghue. “We are bringing sports fans in the area an exciting and high-quality product on the field at an affordable price and hope they will embrace the team who will become a part of the local community.”

Team owner Paul Pelosi, said: “I was born and raised in Northern California and for the last quarter century have built strong personal and business relationships in Sacramento. I am excited for the opportunity to bring professional football to Sacramento and we look forward to being part of the community and appealing to sports fans in the area.”

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson added: “Welcoming a professional sports team to the city also means welcoming a positive focus for the local community. Whether it comes in the form of economic impact, the creation of jobs or simply the buzz from your city’s team winning football games, the opportunity to have a Sacramento franchise in the United Football League is an exciting proposition. I personally look forward to seeing the team in action at Hornet Stadium.”

As the California Redwoods, the relocated team posted a 2-4 record during the inaugural 2009 UFL season and running back Cory Ross led the league in rushing with 462 yards.

“I am excited that the team will be able to call the city of Sacramento home,” said Head Coach Dennis Green. “When I coached in Northern California I won a Super Bowl ring during my time with the San Francisco 49ers and I hope to bring championship success to the people of Sacramento and the fans of the team.”

Sacramento State President Alex Gonzalez said: “We are pleased to welcome the United Football League to our campus, and we are already seeing the benefits of our partnership. Thanks to the UFL, we are installing a new playing surface at Hornet Stadium without using state General Fund money. The field will allow Sacramento State to use the stadium for additional academic and student activities, as well as give us the opportunity to use it for other regional sporting events.”

Football fans eager to learn about ticket information for UFL games in Sacramento can call an information hotline: 916-233-4870. Messages can also be left regarding partner and sponsorship opportunities, player personnel, future staffing, media relations and general inquiries.

About The UFL: The UFL was developed to fulfill the needs of football fans in major markets currently under-served by professional football by providing a high quality traditional football league comprised of world class professional football players. The UFL will serve its communities with pride, dedication and passion, and uphold a leadership role in the development of football worldwide. The UFL will provide every fan with an affordable, accessible, exciting and entertaining game experience. UFL offices are located in New York, N.Y. and Jacksonville, Fla. The UFL is led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue and is funded by a consortium of private investors. For more information on the UFL and how to purchase tickets for the 2010 UFL season, please visit www.ufl-football.com.

Photo essay: A look at the St. Patrick's Day Block Party

2010-03-18T18:18:17Z

Sacramento Press witnessed the block party at de Vere's firsthand. We had a booth set up in the middle of the festivities. Here are some pictures of the festivities.

Beer Brats

Sonny Mayugba interviews the Kennelly Dance Company.

Sonny sits down with Henry de Vere White.

Sonny interviews Rob Kerth for the Sacramento Press livestream.

The Sacramento Kings dancers at the Sacramento Press booth.

Sonny interviews Simon de Vere White.

News 10's Jennifer Smith and camera man check out The Sacramento Press.

Red Cross Day at the Capitol

2010-03-18T16:43:32Z

RED CROSS DAY AT THE CAPITOL

In honor of March being Red Cross Month, representatives from the American Red Cross offered free workshops to Capitol workers on how to "Be Red Cross Ready".

Disasters strike at any time and without warning - so it's important to learn how you can prepare your workplace or home for any disaster.

Displays of various Red Cross services, including Pet First Aid, Wilderness Training and CPR and AED training were located on the
west steps of the Capitol.
Abigail Capano, a Red Cross volunteer, demonstrated how to perform CPR on a dog, using a stuffed toy animal.

In addition, several disaster response vehicles were parked along 10th Street and available to tour, allowing people to learn how these vehicles and the volunteers and staff who operate them provide crucial services to victims of disaster in every community - from home fires and floods, to wildfires and earthquakes.

Vehicles on display included an Incident Command Vehicle, Emergency Response Vehicle and an Emergency Communications Response Vehicle.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.redcross.org" www.redcross.org or join our blog at HYPERLINK "http://blog.redcross.org/" \o "http://blog.redcross.org/" http://blog.redcross.org.

Photos | Kati Garner, American Red Cross volunteer

Vigil light for Marque Johnson

2010-03-18T06:28:27Z

Hundreds of Sacramento teens filled the streets mourning the death of 17yr-old Marque Johnson. Often in the silent night a loud cry could be heard by someone crying out "Not Marque, Please not Marque."

Most of the teens cried silently with tears flowing heavily and strongly down their young faces.

Marque is loved and will be missed by many. It was apparent the teen touched many lives. At one point I counted 287 people but then I lost count as many would come and some could no longer stand and were escorted off by friends or family members.

Teens held on to one another carrying teddy bears, candles, pictures and posters each wanting Marque to know they love him.

Someone rode to the vigil in a minivan and written in chalk on the windows were the words: 'Rest In Peace Marque. Sunrise May 6, 1992 - Sunset March 16, 2010."

A man made his way through the crowd and said, 'I am Marque's uncle. I love my nephew. Thank you all for coming" and he began telling the teens of all the violence and how much he cares for them and wants them to live.

Marquis grandmother addressed the crowd singing spiritual songs. As she sang the teens begin to sing with her and many who hadn't cried began to cry. His grandmother's pain was evident and her soft voice trembled of God's love. His grandmother said, "They killed his body but you were NOT able to kill his soul. Marque gave his life to Christ."

Marque's mother appeared to walk on air. Her movements were slow. In her face all I could see was pain and sorrow. After Marque's grandmother spoke his mother said, "I want to also say, thank you. Yes, Marque's gave his life to Christ last week." His mother's love was powerful yet she was so weak. A mother shouldn't have bury her child. Her child is suppose to one day bury her.

Another family member stated, 'It's okay, he's alright. He's with God. He's in a better place. Vengeance is mine said the Lord. I want everyone to be safe and stay safe." A family in deep pain, who needs comforting, was there in the spirit of love to comfort the hundreds of teens filling the sidewalk of Summerdale and Mack Road.

Many teens, who could get through the crowd, lined up to sign the many posters. Youth stood reading the many Bible verses and scriptures placed on the fence near where Marque's breathless body laid.

The candles would burn low as the teens stood for hours, holding one another and sharing their fondest memory of Marque.

A woman standing near the crowd said, "this shouldn't of happened to him. He was a good boy. He came to my kids birthday parties and was always so polite" She cried and walked away.

Officers from the Sacramento Police Department were present. The officers stood in the background not disturbing the crowd. Sgt D.T. Martin stated, "We're here to make sure it is a safe environment for everybody. We know it is ongoing problems in the area. We don't want it to be interrupted by folks who may be responsible or associated with the death."

The family and the teens attending the vigil were treated with the dignity and respect they truly deserve as they mourn the passing of Marque Johnson.

This morning a mother sent her son off to school never thinking he would die before reaching school. She had no idea the son she loves so much would never walk back through her door.

Tonight, a child of God, Marque Johnson is mourned by hundreds who stood with tears flowing down their young faces on a dark Sacramento street. They can't believe their friend is gone. In the darkness their was no silent night as the cries echo for Marque Johnson.

My prayers, love and support is extended to all who knew and loved Marque Johnson.

Rhonda Erwin

(I received a contact number for Marque's family but I didn't want to interrupt the family tonight as they grieve so I did not call and get the names of the family members who spoke.)

St. Paddy's Day block party

2010-03-18T06:05:16Z

Everyone looked Irish at the block party on L Street celebrating St. Patrick's Day:

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Store to offer books and wine

2010-03-18T05:28:28Z

A new bookstore concept is coming to Midtown.

Entrepreneur Kevin Standfield and a partner are turning a former office space into a used bookstore and wine bar at 1330 21st St. The establishment will also sell cheese, beer, dessert and coffee.

"My two favorite things in the world are to sip port and read a book," Standfield said. "I like the idea of our customers being able to sit down and hang out and read a book."

To come up with a name, Standfield stuck with a theme he likes. He's calling it Book Monkey, like the Yogurt Monkey shop he and a partner opened on Fair Oaks Boulevard.

"I'm in a monkey thing right now. I don't know why," he said.

Boxes of books sat under plastic Wednesday as the store was being painted. A back wall has already been added. Theatrical lights, a large-screen plasma TV and shelves will be installed in time for the store to open by March 25. The wine bar will be built and outdoor seating added in May or June once a license to sell beer and wine is awarded.

The store has already had a soft opening. The boxed books are being sold for $3. After the official opening, books will sell for up to $10.

"We're open-ish while we're under construction," said Tracy Hernandez, the store's sole employee. "It's dusty and chaotic, but we've still got books out here and lots of finds."

Standfield is opening the store as an offshoot of Holt Concannon, his year-old Sacramento company that sells consigned books for individuals and charities, including churches, through Amazon.com. Those books are sold under the online bookseller Book Quest in Sacramento.

Those books sell for $10 to $30. If they don't sell within 90 to 120 days, they will now be moved to the bookstore and offered at reduced rates. Some books may never make it to the online bookstore because they're priced low from the start. Sale prices are kept competitive or low because high-priced books take longer to sell or may never be sold, he added.

Standfield is poised to become 21st Street's patron saint of books after vowing not to discard any unsold books. He'll return the books or donate them to Loaves and Fishes' Mustard Seed School, Sacramento County Jail or another charity first.

"We give them a shot at the big time. Then we try the brick-and-mortar approach. If that doesn't work, they go to donation," he said. "The landfill and recycling is not an option."

Standfield and his partner aren't particular about the subject matter of donated books. They are primarily interested in hardcovers, but paperbacks are accepted, too. They prefer old books to new because old books sell better online. That way, they don't compete with stores or online businesses selling millions of new books, he said.

Under the consignment deal, Book Quest or Book Monkey takes 30 percent of the profit from each book sale, then splits the rest with the consigner. That can turn into substantial cash for individuals with large book collections or charities whose large memberships donate books, Standfield said.

The majority of titles sold at Book Monkey will go for $5 or less. Those books — about 80 percent of the stock — will bring $1 to $1.50 each to consigners. The remaining 20 percent of the stock brings in $5 to $6 per book to consigners.

Standfield is currently searching for the right person to operate and co-own the wine bar. That end of the business pulls in customers but takes a lot of work, he said. He also expects to open a second store, most likely in East Sacramento, before long. If they can sell 50 books a day, he and partner Tamara Gordon expect to make $250,00 a year from the entire venture. They're selling 20 books a day now, which brings in $120,000.

Book Monkey will be open daily. Hours will initially be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but will be extended to 9 p.m. once the wine bar opens.

The 50-year-old Berkeley grad has worked as a project manager at corporations including IBM and partnered with people to open several businesses, including Sutter Brewing Company in 1993. The microbrewery later changed hands and became Hoppy Brewing Co.

Standfield said he's devoted to books because they're a critical path to learning and study — and they're in danger of disappearing if society as a whole replaces them with online reading via computers and e-books. His love of books has turned into a nostalgic bid to save as many as he can.

"If we had a mission statement, it would be: 'A home for every book,' " he said.

Photos by Jonathan Mendick and Suzanne Hurt.

We want your questions for new interim city manager

2010-03-18T04:23:20Z

The Sacramento Press wants your neighborhood-related questions for Interim City Manager Gus Vina, the city’s highest-ranking official.

What issues or concerns do you have about your neighborhood? What do you think the city government should do to improve your neighborhood?

Write your questions in the comments section at the bottom of this article. Questions for Vina can also be e-mailed to kathleen@sacramentopress.com.

The Sacramento Press will choose several questions from community members for Vina to answer.

Vina was chosen as interim city manager by Mayor Kevin Johnson and the eight City Council members and will serve for nine to 12 months. He replaced Ray Kerridge, who resigned from the city manager position Friday. Vina told The Sacramento Press last week that he plans to apply for the permanent city manager position.

Vina leads a city government with about 4,300 employees. He will draft the city’s budget, which faces a gap of $35 million-$40 million for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. The City Council is in charge of reviewing and approving Vina’s draft budget.

Johnson spokesman Joaquin McPeek said Vina was asked to serve for a nine- to 12-month period so he could work continuously on the city's budget. In addition, the nine- to 12-month timeline allows any new City Council members to have a voice on the selection of a new city manager, McPeek said. Depending on the results of the June 8 City Council election, new members could replace current members.

One incumbent is not running for re-election. Councilwoman Lauren Hammond is not returning to the City Council — her District 5 seat will be filled by a new member.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Green Summit Shows New Green Tech

2010-03-18T04:18:00Z

The fourth annual Green California Summit and Exhibition wrapped up today at the Sacramento Convention Center, giving attendees a look at new green technology that provided a glimpse into what the world could look like in the near future.

The summit featured keynote presentations from four speakers: 15-year-old Alec Loorz, founder of Kids vs. Global Warming; Noel Perry, Next 10 founder; David Roland-Holst, director of the University of California at Berkeley's Center for Energy, Resources and Economic Sustainability; and Fran Pavley, the state senator who authored Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The summit also offered classes on green building codes, new media and green legislation.

Between classes, people could walk through the expansive and busy exhibition hall, which was filled with about 300 booths and showed everything from commercial toiletry management to fuel-cell-powered vehicles.

Japanese company Noritz showed off a gas-powered, tank-less water heater that promised endless hot water and used less energy than current water heaters, while BionX had a device that provided electronic assistance to bicycles, resulting in a faster and more efficient bike ride.

Groasis featured its Waterboxx invention, a little box that allows for planting trees in places that they would not normally grow. The device, which will be fairly cheap when it is released, gives enough water to a young tree to live until its roots can begin to sustain its life. Ellie Hoff, project director at Groasis, said that a test in the Sahara desert showed that more than 80 percent of trees planted with the Waterboxx technology survived, while more than 90 percent of those planted without the device died. Hoff said this can lead to more planting of trees.

"At this moment, when you plant something, you have to irrigate it," she said. "But if there is a drought or scarce water resources, this product reduces the amount of water needed to plant trees."

Mount Professional Services showcased its Dewpointe water filter, which uses a complex system to make water out of the moisture in the air, producing up to 3,000 gallons per day of clean water without the need for a pure water source. Scott Mount of Mount Professional Services said that this technology could be used to provide water to people who do not normally have access to it.

"In America, we take for granted the water resources we have," he said. "We're looking at going to places that need water. This device could be used in places like Haiti or Chile."

Not all of the booths promoting a green lifestyle needed high-tech products. 7th Generation Recycling showed its textile recycling bins, which would help eliminate landfill waste and provide a use for used clothing that places like the Salvation Army can not take.

"We're trying to put these bins in convenient public places," said owner Kennedy Nijmeh. "It provides an outlet for people to get rid of their unwanted textiles." Nijmeh said that the unusable textiles are processed and made into things like mop heads and insulation, while some clothing that can still be used is sent to other countries.

The exhibit hall featured other products including solar-powered trash compactors, a machine that makes biodiesel fuel out of vegetable oil for less than $1 per gallon, electric motorcycles and a specialized fan that decreases the amount of grease a restaurant oven produces. Many different industries, from clothing to computers and lighting, were represented, each with its own take on how to make the planet greener and more efficient.

The fourth annual Green California Summit and Exhibition turned the Sacramento Convention Center exhibition hall into a window to tomorrow's world.

Democratic Volunteers Register New Citizens

2010-03-18T04:08:39Z

One Wednesday every month, if you drive down J Street, you will see hundreds of people lined up outside of Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. New Americans born all around the world are waiting to celebrate one of the proudest days of their lives. Once inside, these patriots will take their oaths and be sworn in as new citizens of our great country.

If you look closely, you will also see a number of folks going through the line, carrying clipboards. These hardworking volunteers are helping the new citizens register to vote, so that they can fulfill one of their core civic responsibilities. Engaged citizens taking part in the process, helping to elect our leaders and making decisions on important issues that face our city, county, state and nation is the beating heart of every vibrant democracy.

The Women Democrats of Sacramento County bring out a dozen or more volunteers each month to help register these new citizens. The crew led by Ralph Sifers and Women Democrats President Kate Lenox registered 130 voters yesterday with a smile and heartfelt congratulations.

This month the team was joined by City Council candidate Ryan Chin, who spent his lunch break with the team. As the son of immigrant parents, he has seen first-hand how important it is to ensure that there is a fair path to citizenship for hard working, law abiding residents of our country.

The next New Citizens Swearing In and Voter Registration Drive will be on Wednesday, April 21. New volunteers are always welcome.

Tapping into the $80 billion federal information technology marketplace

2010-03-18T02:15:47Z

Sacramento companies have significant opportunities to grow their revenues by landing federal contracts. There are over 27 different vertical markets in the United States Federal Government. For 2010 alone, the budget for information technology is over $80 billion. Although rumors abound about purchases of $1000 hammers and toilet seats, the U.S Federal Government is one of the smartest buyers of goods and services. If your company is engaged in commercial and/or state business, there is a way to leverage what your company already does now, here in California, into a federal contract.

SARTA, the Sacramento region's high tech business accelerator, knows that dealing with government contracts can be overwhelming. To help local businesses understand the federal marketplace and win business, SARTA is offering “Tools and Tactics for Navigating the Federal Information Technology Marketplace” on March 24th at Drexel University in Sacramento. If your company is engaged in the information technology marketplace and interested in securing government contracts, this seminar will teach you to successfully pursue federal government business.

James J. Baker, noted speaker, author, consultant and strategist on the public sector technology marketplace, is the instructor for this seminar. He will address many of the topics covered in his book, "How to Win Business from the Government-A Tactical Guide to Understanding the US Federal Government Information Technology Marketplace." Participants will learn tactics from inside the Washington, DC Beltway including:

Where to look for funding
Building your sales pipeline and presenting
Marketing, Social Media and true return on investment
Capture and proposal

Seminar Details
Wednesday, March 24th from 8:30 am to 11:30 pm at Drexel University, One Capitol Mall, Suite 260, Sacramento, CA 95814.
General Admission $50, SARTA Member $25 (includes 4 hours of parking at One Capitol Mall Valet garage & a continental breakfast)
For more information or to register, visit www.sarta.org

About SARTA
SARTA (Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance) is a tech-focused 501(c)(3) corporation that supports entrepreneurial programs, companies and technology investment throughout Butte, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.
SARTA’s mission is to accelerate the growth and development of technology companies and the technology sector in the Sacramento region. SARTA connects and provides resources for the region’s high-tech entrepreneurs, investors, business, non-profit, economic development and community leaders, supporting its goal to attract $1 billion in investment capital to the region. SARTA also provides high-tech entrepreneurs, executives, and other business and community leaders with connectivity and resources for growth, networking, and educational opportunities.

About the Author
Laura Good is program and operations director at SARTA.

Green Summit Opens Tuesday

2010-03-17T23:29:43Z

The 2010 Green California Summit and Exposition opened on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 for two days at the Sacramento Community Center. Pre-Summit workshops were held on Monday. This year's theme is Committed to Sustainability and features education programs, awards and over 175 exhibitors. Admission to the exhibits and keynote presentations is free.

Tuesday's expo opened with comments from Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and expo co-chair, Linda Adams, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. Senator Fran Pavley, author of AB 32, was the first keynote speaker. Pavley spoke about the current campaign to set aside AB 32 and defended the provisions of the Act with a Top Ten List of reasons to support AB 32.

Senator Fran Pavley, Tuesday keynote speaker

The second keynote speaker was 15-year-old Alec Loorz, founder of the non-profit organization, Kids-vs-Global Warming. Loorz spoke passionately about his generation's interest in fighting global warming. He developed an interest in climate change when he was 12 years old after viewing Al Gore's movie, An Inconvenient Truth. Loorz described his attempts to register as a trainer for Al Gore's organization, only to be turned down because of his age. He eventually met Al Gore and was invited to become an official trainer. Loorz has spoken to over 25,000 people and received a standing ovation from the audience when he finished his presentation.

Alec Loorz, Tuesday keynote speaker

Wednesday's scheduled keynote speakers will be Karen Douglas, Chairperson of the California Energy Commission, and F. Noel Perry, founder of Next 10.

The exhibit hall featured booths and demonstrations of a variety of environmental products and services. Some of the technologies on display included electric motorcycles and scooters, fuel cell automobiles, recycling services, electrical and water conservation products and landscaping alternatives.

The Green Expo exhibit hall

Chris White from the California Fuel Cell Partnership shows off a fuel cell vehicle

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger toured the exhibit floor on Tuesday morning, stopping at several booths as he walked around the expo. After his tour, Schwarzenegger defended AB 32 and said green technologies were one of the few areas producing new jobs.

Governor Schwarzenegger greets students from Paradise Intermediate School

A multimedia presentation of the Green California Summit and Expo can be viewed here.

Photos by Ron Nabity

Is the Quickest Way to the Mayor's Office through the Strong Mayor Campaign?

2010-03-17T21:34:15Z

Consider the case of Republican mover-and-shaker Jon Bagatelos of Sacramento, who until recently was relatively unknown at City Hall. Bagatelos, along with his relatives and his family’s commercial glass businesses, has been particularly kind to Kevin Johnson – including sponsoring fundraisers and doling out $15,150 in contributions to his mayoral race. When Johnson launched his strong mayor power grab, the Bagatelos clan once again was generous, handing out $10,550 to the effort in December 2009.

In January 2010 – a month after those strong mayor contributions -- Johnson smiled on Jon Bagatelos and made him a city planning commissioner.

And now Bagatelos is back, part of a development team vying to redevelop K Street. Will Johnson smile on Bagatelos again?

On March 4, the city revealed four teams competing to revamp the blighted 700 and 800 blocks of K Street. Heading Bagatelos’ group is Bridge Housing, an affordable housing firm from San Francisco. (Bridge spokesman Randy Schaber is also a strong mayor donor). Also on the team is Saca Development, unfortunately best known for its failed twin condo tower project on Capitol Mall.

While Bridge and Saca have established development records, Bagatelos’ experience is unclear. Little can be found about his company in public records – he hasn’t even registered the development firm with the Secretary of State’s office.

What is part of the record is Bagatelos’ long-standing activism in Republican politics – starting as an intern for Gov. Pete Wilson. In 2000, Bagatelos was co-chairman of the Sacramento County Bush for President campaign, according to The Sacramento Bee.

In 2002, Bagatelos made a stab at the political limelight, running to represent District 10 for the state Assembly – a sprawling area that includes parts of Lodi, Rancho Cordova, El Dorado and Amador counties. The Bee reported Sacramentan Bagatelos didn’t even live in the district, but rented a friend’s Carmichael apartment to establish residence. He raised lots of money – donors included the likes of tobacco company Phillip Morris -- but he was shellacked by other Republican primary contenders. It’s believed he still has political aspirations.

Even back then, Saca and Bagatelos were linked. Saca contributed to Bagatelos’ campaign, and Bagagelos threw a fundraiser for Gubernatorial-hopeful Bill Simon at Saca’s home.

Somehow, this staunch Republican in 2008 found his way to Kevin Johnson.

During the mayoral campaign Bagatelos and NBA star Charles Barkley threw a swanky fundraiser for Johnson at then-Mason’s restaurant. Bagatelos also was part of a group of local heavyweights who sponsored a Johnson fundraiser at the home of mega-developer Angelo Tsakopoulos.

Bagatelos and developer Mark Friedman are now at the heart of the strong mayor campaign, sources said. Look for the pair to become co-finance chairs for the power grab campaign and step up the pressure on the City Council to place the initiative on the November ballot.

Editor's Note: This story was written on behalf of the Democratic Party of Sacramento County.

Lakers show Kings how it's done

2010-03-17T19:50:52Z

There were undeniable truths when watching the Kings lose 106-99 Tuesday night to the Los Angeles Lakers at Arco Arena before a sellout crowd of 17,361.

In many ways, the defending champions were everything the Kings could hope to become. As a unit, the long, athletic Lakers knew where to go on the court, when and how to get there and what to do when presented opportunities.

Following a win the night before in Oakland against the Golden State Warriors, Kobe Bryant opened the game against the Kings super-aggressively with 12 first-quarter field-goal attempts. He helped set the tone, scoring a team-high 30 points, and the rest of his team followed.
The natural matchup of Bryant vs. Kings rookie Tyreke Evans loomed over the contest. Evans, who led the Kings with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, encountered one problem which Bryant did not.

The size of the Lakers front line with seven-footers Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, often supported by 6-foot-10 Lamar Odom coming off the bench, made it difficult for Evans to get all the way to the basket. It was to blame for the rookie's 7 of 19 field-goal shooting.

Los Angeles (50-18) was able to clog the middle defensively and forced the Kings to take a number of challenged jump shots they were not consistently capable of making.

With half of Arco Arena sporting Lakers gold, that was all the Lakers fans needed to dominate the Kings fans as their team dominated on the court.

Sacramento's Carl Landry played his first game as a King against the Lakers and wondered what was going on as early as the pre-game workout.

"What's with all the Lakers jerseys in here?" said Landry, who had a solid 15-point, 10-rebound effort.

Kings coach Paul Westphal said he could not complain about Sacramento's effort.

"I can't ... be super down about our effort against the NBA champions," he said. "It's really fantastic to have this building full, even though there were too many Lakers fans for my taste, it's a great thing to have that support. I thought we played a good basketball game in a lot of ways - solid.

"We need to get a few more rebounds against a team that has great size. (We) need to knock down a few more shots and need to make a few more experienced plays the Lakers are great at because of how long they have been together, their cohesiveness and how good they are."

Sacramento fell behind 30-17 one possession into the second quarter, but rallied behind the combination of reserves Andres Nocioni,

Jason Thompson, Omri Casspi, Francisco Garcia and Evans to get its first lead at 35-34. The Lakers led 49-48 at the half, but seized control early in the third quarter by limiting the Kings to a 38 percent field-goal shooting.

It was easy to see how hard the Kings were working to get a rare good shot, while the Lakers were able to go inside to Bynum (21 points on 9 of 14 shooting) and Gasol (28 on 12 of 14 shooting).

Thompson said he noticed how poised the Lakers performed.

"You're talking about a team that has all but one guy (former Kings swingman Ron Artest) that won the NBA title last year and played in the Finals the year before," Thompson said. "Sure, they have Kobe, but they have a number of guys who know how to step up and will step up in given situations. That's not just scoring, but being where they are supposed to be when they should be there.
"That's just experience and there is only one way to get that. We haven't been together long enough."

17yr-old shot dead

2010-03-17T18:54:52Z

This morning my 17yr-old son walked in my bedroom. With a low voice he said, 'Mom, I need you to look up something." I knew something was wrong by the sad tone in his voice.

My son stood by me and I heard his words, "They are saying Marque is dead!" He walked in circles and with one breath he said, "Mom, I don't even know what I am doing right now. I'm lost. How is this possible? Wow, Mom look for me and tell me they are wrong"

I wanted to tell him it's not Marque. But even if not, someone else will bury their 17yr-old son. I sat today hearing the same words I would hear over and over from my older son, when he was 17, and neighborhood youth he went to school with and played with were killed.

My son awoke this morning to be in a psychological frozen state for the remainder of the day. How long will this go on? How long will our children loose the sparkle in their eyes with the reminisce of death?

I found in the SacBee a 17yr old was shot and killed near our old home, off Mack Road and Summerdale. I told my son, "there is no name in the story" He stood over me as I read it to him. He said, " It's Marque. Mom, I can't believe he's gone." Tears begin to fill his eyes. I tried so hard to comfort him.

In comforting him, tears begin to fill my eyes. How do I comfort him when he knows death is final? Am I going from taking my older son to funerals of his murdered friends to now taking my younger son to funerals? Am I walking on a treadmill?

The day before yesterday a man is shot around the corner, gunshots, lights, helicopters, sirens - man in body bag.

Yesterday, helicopters continuously flying overhead. We held our breath and hoped it would not be a crime scene like the day before.

This morning, 17yr old Marque, shot and killed in our old neighborhood. Our cries echo from one Sacramento area to another.

I tried to keep my son home from school. But he said, "I need to go. I need to leave. I have to keep my mind on something else. Mom, I don't want him to be dead"

Friday Metro Chamber event looks at regional transit; recognizes awardees

2010-03-17T18:51:13Z

The expert on the state's transit industry and financing, Joshua Shaw of Shaw/Yoder, Inc. will be the featured speaker at the State of RT Breakfast, Friday, March 19. Shaw is executive director of the California Transit Association.

Mike Wiley, RT General Manager/CEO, will also address the transit service priorities of the Sacramento region. This breakfast event will focus on TransitAction, RT’s new transit vision that will shape the future of transportation over the next 25 years.

The event, hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber and the Sacramento Regional Transit District, also includes the annual TransitAction awards, given to organizations and individuals promoting public transit.

2010 TransitAction Award Recipients

Business of the Year
The Alliance for Business and Community
The Alliance, representing the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce and Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, was selected for promoting transit as a beneficial business and economic opportunity for their collective memberships.

Organization/Agency of the Year
City of Sacramento
The City of Sacramento was selected for adopting its 2030 General Plan that endorses sustainable, mixed-use development, which encourages walking, biking and the use of public transit to create a "Healthy City" by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Transit Oriented Development of the Year
Historic Folsom Station
The Historic Folsom Station project was selected for its creative pedestrian and transit-friendly design, which blends the rich history of the Sacramento Valley Railroad from the Gold Rush era with a more contemporary mixed-use development served by light rail.

Individual/Transit Advocate of the Year
Mary Brill
Mary Brill is being recognized posthumously for her adamant, unyielding and admirable efforts to promote and enhance public transit, smart growth and mobility in the Sacramento region. Her dedication and commitment to advocate on behalf of many Sacramentans is an inspiration.

Elected Official of the Year
Sen. Darrell Steinberg
Sen. Darrell Steinberg was selected for his efforts to address the current public transit funding issues in the Legislature including landmark legislation to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions integrating smart land use, housing and transportation (SB 375) and a pilot transit passenger safety and exclusion act (SB 1561).

The event is set for 7:30-9:30 a.m., Friday, March 19, at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento, 1230 J St. Sacramento. For event information, contact Chantal LeFevre at 916-319-4260 or clefevre@metrochamber.org. Register online here.

QUICK QUACK LOCATIONS TO HOLD FREE CAR WASH DAY ON MARCH 23RD TO BENEFIT CHARITABLE EFFORTS IN HAITI

2010-03-17T16:08:09Z

SACRAMENTO, CA – March 16, 2010 – Quick Quack Car Wash, a local chain of exterior-only, express car washes, has announced that it will be offering free car washes at all five Sacramento area locations on Tuesday, March 23rd from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm to thank customers and to encourage donations to support Haitian Roots, a non-profit organization focused on assisting and educating children in Haiti. In addition to donations from customers, Quick Quack also will donate to Haitian Roots an additional $1.00 for every customer who upgrades from the free basic wash package to the Best Wash package. All wash packages take only three minutes and self serve vacuums are available and always free for customers.

Quick Quack Car Wash has five Sacramento area locations including Folsom, Rancho Cordova, North Highlands, Foothill Farms and South Natomas. In addition, Splash & Dash Car Wash, a full service car wash in Carmichael will also be accepting donations. Locations, address information, maps and directions can be found on the company website at www.DontDriveDirty.com.

“We are pleased to be involved with this wonderful effort at this time,” said Jason Johnson, President of Quick Quack Car Wash. “We believe that we have the best customers in the world and we wanted to thank them and give them a chance to share in an opportunity to help the children in Haiti, especially given the recent tragedies experienced by the people of Haiti.”

“We are thrilled that Quick Quack Car Wash has joined with Haitian Roots to help relieve suffering in Haiti,” said Shannon Cox, Co-Founder of Haitian Roots. “Even before the earthquake, the situation was extremely difficult. Things have become even more desperate in Haiti. We are so grateful for this offer to help raise the funds necessary to provide relief to the families in our program. One hundred percent of donated funds go to the needs of educating the children of Haiti.”

About Haitian Roots:
Haitian Roots is a licensed non-profit, 501(c)3 organization designed to provide educational opportunities for impoverished Haitian children. Haitian Roots offers a continual path of academic education through the Haitian education system as well as additional instruction such as ESL and computer basics. Haitian Roots believes that education is the key to changing Haitian society. The Board of Haitian Roots is committed to fighting against the atrocities that are happening to the youth of Haiti. The organization gives the children of this nation an alternative to the path of poverty they are currently embarked upon. Its financial security relies upon donations from generous supporters. For more information, please visit www.haitianroots.com.

About Quick Quack:
The Quick Quack Car Wash concept grew out of a desire to provide a very clean car wash, but to do it much faster. Customers stay in their vehicles while being automatically guided through the glass enclosed tunnel where the vehicle is soaked, soaped, washed, polished, rinsed with spot-free water and blown dry all in a matter of minutes. For more information, please visit www.DontDriveDirty.com.

More than 100 performers to pay homage to 'The Duke'

2010-03-17T05:45:06Z

This weekend, the Sacramento Master Singers will perform excerpts from Duke Ellington's "Sacred Concerts." It marks several important homecomings.

It will be a homecoming for the Grammy-winning piece, which was played by Ellington and his legendary orchestra in 1965 at Sacramento's Westminster Presbyterian Church. Friday through Sunday, it will be played at the Crest Theater, less than half a mile from the church.

It will also be a homecoming for Ardie Bryant, the "Ambassador of Tap," who spent his early years in Sacramento and graduated from Sacramento High School. Saturday, the legendary bebop jazz tap dancer, who has danced with everyone from Ellington to Count Basie, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, will turn 81.

He will join the Master Singers during a section of the "Sacred Concerts" called "David Dance," originally performed by Tap Dance Hall of Fame inductee Bunny Briggs.

Bryant said he will do two things upon returning to Sacramento. The first is to visit his parents' grave site, and the second is to participate in the Duke Ellington concert, which he said he considers an honor.

It's more than just a couple of homecomings, though. It's going to be a mammoth performance, probably the largest and most complex the SMS have ever performed, said Conductor Ralph Hughes.

All told, the stage will feature more than 100 performers, including the Master Singers, two American River College jazz bands, the Harley White Jr. Orchestra, several dancers and readers from Celebration Arts, the Capital Jazz Project, a handful of vocal soloists and Bryant.

According to Kathy Ossman, Sacramento Master Singers president and lead alto, to fit on the Crest's stage, the performers will need extra platforms to extend beyond where the current stage ends. Hughes said the score is so complex, ARC Jazz Director Dyne Eifertsen, CJP Pianist Joe Gilman and Hughes are all required to share cues and conducting duties.

Then, on top of that, there will be audience interaction. The Sacramento Regional Community Foundation, which helped SMS fund the show, wanted the group to include community participation.

"Some (audience participation sections are) with the whole audience, and some are with volunteers," Ossmann said. "There's a prayer section about what we need (to be) forgiven (for), and we have a chance for audience members to write what that may be in a booth in the lobby, and they can read that."

No one is more qualified to comment on Ellington's music than Bryant, Ellington's friend and musical partner. He also performed the "Sacred Concerts" for the first time in 2004 at the Disney Concert Hall with the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

"He composed all kinds of music, but (the Sacred Concerts) were the religious perspective of the man," Bryant said. "It's very moving, well-written and exciting to know that the man was that kind of person."

Ellington was also one of the most prolific jazz composers of all time, best known for penning some of the genre's most enduring classics, including "It Don't Mean a Thing," "Take the 'A' Train" and "Caravan."

"You really had to be on the ball to be in his company, because everyone working with him was saying something, and he gave you freedom to express yourself," Bryant said. "He used to play (piano) with me (tapping), and we would exchange rhythms," he said, adding, "bop-a-dee-bap-a-dee-bop!"

The 8 p.m. Friday show will be a free performance to high school and youth groups. Those who wish to attend should contact the Sacramento Master Singers business manager at 916-788-7464 or smsbusiness@surewest.net.

Public performances will be held Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at mastersingers.org, by contacting the business manager, or at the door at 1013 K Street.

Photographs: Sacramento Master Singers, credit Bruce Patt Photograpy.

Council unanimously agrees to begin arena talks with Kamilos

2010-03-17T05:18:54Z

In a win for Mayor Kevin Johnson and his arena task force, the City Council agreed to start talks with Sacramento developer Gerry Kamilos on a plan to build a new sports and entertainment center in the downtown railyards and develop two other sites.

The City Council’s approval to begin talks with the Kamilos Group was unanimous. While an agreement between the city and Kamilos was not completed Tuesday, the council moved closer to a decision to work with Kamilos.

In Kamilos’ multi-layered plan, the downtown railyards would be the location of a new sports and entertainment center. The plan also calls for the creation of a new state fairgrounds at Arco Arena and nearby property.

Kamilos’ team, which includes developer David Taylor, further plans to purchase the state-owned Cal Expo State Fairgrounds. The development team will would then build a mixed-use development at that location.

The NBA and the Maloofs family, which owns the Sacramento Kings, support Kamilos’ proposal.

Johnson said he would like to see the project to focus on environmentally sound elements so that it could be a “world-class showcase” for a green development.

Meanwhile, Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy said that consultants who work with the city on this project should be paid by the developers, not the city. The city needs to be “very, very careful” if it puts any public funds or public land toward the project, she said.

While Councilman Ray Tretheway voted in favor of starting work with Kamilos, he raised concerns about Natomas. He said he wanted to know how the arena’s move to downtown from Natomas would affect Natomas’ businesses.

The City Council tasked staffers with several assignments Tuesday night. Council members decided that city staffers should start working with the Kamilos group and create benchmarks for the negotiations. The City Council also asked staff to study the financial aspects of linking the Kamilos downtown arena project to a downtown intermodal center.

Council members agreed that Johnson could appoint members of a City Council ad hoc committee to work on the effort.

Staff was also asked to inform the council of progress on creating a six-month agreement with Kamilos, as well as the project’s scope, benchmarks and funding sources. The council asked for that information to be presented within 30 days.

Further, staffers will work on a plan to gain feedback from stakeholders and community groups, Johnson said.

The Kamilos plan will need state legislation to advance. Staff will work on that issue with the development team, the council’s ad hoc committee and additional involved parties, according to the council’s decision.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Crocker for Kids in Local Libraries

2010-03-17T04:45:10Z

The Crocker Art Museum is hosting a new children's program combining books and art projects will be hosted by the Crocker Art Museum at local libraries.

The series of free events will kick off at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Colonial Heights Library on Stockton Blvd. The idea of a series event stemmed from Wee Wednesdays, a free event inside the museum for kids ages 3-5. Emma Moore, manager of Experiential Learning for The Crocker Art Museum, has teamed up with local librarians to create "Stories and Art." Each library features a different storybook that will be read aloud by a librarian and serves as the inspiration for a different on-site, hands-on art project for the children that will follow each story. Moore said she believes "books are an art form too" and wants to introduce that concept to children early.

The Colonial Heights Library event will feature the books "Mouse Paint," by Ellen Stoll and "Hello, Red Fox," by Eric Carle. Author and Illustrator Carle is best known for his children's books, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" His style utilizes watercolors and paper mache techniques. Thursday's event will use similar techniques as a foundation. On April 14, Courtland Library on Primasing Ave. will host a Spanish and English bilingual event with a cartoonist in charge of the hands-on art portion. The program will expand to North Highlands in May and finish at the Elk Grove Library on Elk Grove Blvd. The final Elk Grove series will include a performing arts display with a choreographed puppet show.

The exhibits are meant for ages 3-5, but that is just a suggestion. Discretion is up to the parents. The Crocker Art Museum does have specialized events geared towards toddlers which focus on more physical activities. Older children. Moore said she expects coverage of color theory; the understanding that "red, blue and yellow cannot be made they just are." This might be too simple of a concept for an older child, who might lose interest.

Wee Wednesdays are free for children, but not for adults. The Crocker's "Stories and Art" is free for all. The difference is that actual art from the museum's collection will not be put on display. However, vouchers for free admission to The Crocker Art Museum will be granted to patrons of the "Stories and Art" events.

Check out www.crockerartmuseum.org/about/releases/2010/012610_stories_and_art.htm for locations and details.

Railyards arbitration begins

2010-03-17T02:48:15Z

A dispute over the value of a key parcel of railyards land is getting closer to a resolution. An arbitration hearing began Monday over land likely to become the home of a future arena and a regional transit center.

On Monday, two weeks of witness testimony began to help determine how much the city of Sacramento should pay developer Thomas Enterprises for nearly 33 acres of prime land adjacent to downtown. The land also holds historic value as the western start of the first transcontinental railroad.

The city already paid $55 million for the parcel in 2006 after Thomas Enterprises bought the 244-acre former railyards site.

But the city and the developer have never agreed on the parcel's value. A city appraiser later valued the land at $8 million, while an appraiser hired by Thomas Enterprises set the value at more than $87 million.

The land stretches from the Sacramento Valley Station train depot downtown to the historic Southern Pacific railroad shops currently undergoing redevelopment by Thomas Enterprises.

The 32.68-acre parcel includes more than 17 acres of railroad easement. After factoring out the depot and land being used for public transit, about eight acres of vacant land remain, said Senior Deputy City Attorney Sheryl Patterson.

Thomas Enterprises representatives won't disclose what the company paid Union Pacific for the land or any other information relevant to the arbitration, according to company spokeswoman Leslie Valpey.

Last week, a sports and entertainment arena task force formed by Mayor Kevin Johnson recommended that the Sacramento City Council support a proposal to build a new arena on the city's railyards parcel in connection with a new regional transit center the city already plans to build there.

Court arbitrator William Bettinelli, a retired Sonoma judge, is presiding over the hearing after the city won a coin toss held by Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Robert Hight. Hight helped the two sides winnow their lists of arbitrators down until Bettinelli was chosen. Bettinelli has experience trying, arbitrating and mediating complex, multi-party construction and real estate cases, among others.

Bettinelli must determine the land's value after weighing all the information presented in the hearing. A decision is expected by April 26.

Photo by Eric Whalen.

Books, and art, and blow torches. . . Oh My!

2010-03-17T02:28:18Z

"A university town is only as strong as its independent bookstores. They assist in the exchange of intellectual thoughts." - Kim Tanzer

"The independent bookstore - you know we're almost dinosaurs." - Carl Kroch

It was a beautiful morning. My girlfriend Jess and I decided to take a bike ride around the neighborhood. We didn't have any particular place to go, so we went down to Butch and Nellie's, our local coffee shop, to grab a cup of joe and discuss the nature of our ride. My first thought was the California Railroad Museum, but the little woman wasn't feeling that. Thus ended the charade that our ultimate destination would be anything besides lunch.

"Roxys Deli?" I offered. Mike W., SacPress reader and frequent commenter, had recommended Roxys house hot sandwich on Dutch crunch, describing it as "incredible." Having previously recommended Tres Hermanas, which we tried and loved (the chips and salsa may be the best I've ever had), Mike W.'s credibility couldn't be higher. We headed up 18th with visions of turkey, pastrami and melted cheddar dancing in my head. I made it three blocks before being thrown from my waking reverie.

On my left, I saw a corner storefront with two-foot-high letters atop the picture windows in front spelling out B-O-O-K-S. Now, once the subject of lunch has been broached, there are precious few things that can distract me from the mission at hand. And most of those things (amusement parks, sporting events, a trip to the hospital) usually end up with me eating lunch anyway (cotton candy, hot dogs, hot dogs and cotton candy). One exception is an independent bookstore - like the one I found on the corner of 18th and F: Richard L. Press, Fine and Scholarly Books.

I love independent bookstores. The good ones are so much more than just what the name would suggest. The best are part art gallery, part history museum, part cafe, part think tank, part animal sanctuary, and part resistance headquarters (vive la resistance!). I knew when I was greeted at the door by a meowing, short-haired tabby that in Richard L. Press, Fine and Scholarly books, I had found one of the good ones.

There are several things that any independent bookstore worth its salt should have. At, or near, the top of this list is a cat, roaming free among the bookshelves. Check.

A well-worn sofa where one can peruse the titles at his or her own pace, strike up a scholarly debate, or maybe, just maybe, start a revolution. Check.

Pieces of local art or kitsch on the walls and shelves that are unique to said bookstore. Richard's has a collection of antique clothes irons (you used to have to put pieces of hot charcoal in them) and blow torches. You read that correctly, antique blow torches. Check plus.

A friendly, fatherly owner who always seems to be in the shop and is happy to show you around. If it is a man, he should have a beard. Check and check.

Someone who knows the owner, smells of coffee and tobacco, and probably spends an inordinate amount of time at the shop, sitting on the floor reading. Check. In this case, he was in the annex, looking at the Frank Lloyd Wright books.

Which brings us to an annex - "We have a lot more books in the back, around the corner, in the basement," et cetera. Check. Richard was happy to show us around back.

Lastly, and also firstly, one needs to have books: wonderful, beautiful books in all shapes and sizes. Richard L. Press has them in spades. "Occasionally rare, frequently scarce, always fine" is the bookshop’s apt slogan. The books are primarily art related, but it is art in the broadest sense of the word. You need not be an art history major to appreciate William L. Press (If you are, however, be forewarned. Your cup may very well runneth over).

I spent a few minutes perusing a collection titled “The Best of Don Martin” – a cartoonist for Mad Magazine. I also spent time reading about the man who designed the tail fin on the '58 Chevy. Both of these men are clearly artists, but I doubt you would have studied them on your way to a B.A.

Eventually, my hunger got the best of me, and we continued on to Roxys. The hot house on Dutch crunch is a damn fine sandwich. Kudos to Mike W. once again for the recommendation. As good as the sandwich was, however, the highlight of the ride was most definitely the discovery of Richard L. Press, Fine and Scholarly Books. It is a perfect place for the exchange of intellectual thoughts. If independent bookstores are dinosaurs, we've got a T-Rex on the corner of 18th and F.

DeVere's is Balding

2010-03-17T02:22:07Z

De Vere's Irish Pub held its inaugural St. Baldrick's event Monday, raising more than $81,000 for cancer research, $10,000 of which came from De Vere's.

The pub's roped-off sidewalk was packed with spectators trying to get a glimpse of local participants shaving their locks to conquer kids' cancer. De Vere's had 221 shavees lined up for their turn to get snipped.

Publicly displayed on the patio, shavees winced when they felt the cold steel clippers reach deep down to the scalp. The participants' reactions caused perpetual laughter, since there was a four-barber-rotation, and each head took only a minute to shave.

The crowd stirred when Shawn Eldredge, a City Council candidate for District 3, stepped up and removed his two-foot-long surfer-style hair. After the shocking transformation, many audience members turned to each other and commented, "I think he looks pretty good."

Other well-known Sacramentans included Chief Executive Steve Hammond of the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau, restaurant owner Patrick Mulvaney and The Sacramento Press' own Sonny Mayugba. The shavees all seemed to have a sense of humor, and possibly a couple pints, to manage the onlooking crowd and media.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation has 621 events scheduled this year. Robyn Raphael, CEO and founder of the Keaton Raphael Memorial, was responsible for the events downtown and in the Roseville Galleria Mall, which produced almost 400 Shavees in only four hours and raised $96,000.

In memory of her son, Robyn Raphael created the Keaton Raphael Memorial and has so far raised more than $1 million to finding a cure for cancer. Raphael first met the three founders of the St. Balrdrick's Foundation in Washington, D.C., where they were being honored for their accomplishments. After the event, she spoke with the St. Baldrick's founders and discovered that the foundation was born out of a bet during a round of golf. In 2000, three Irish insurance executives wagered they could raise $17,000 for charity by the 17th of March, or else they would shave their heads.

More than $100,000 was raised, but the three shaved their heads anyways and started the St. Baldrick's Foundation that has thus far raised more than $74 million. Raphael was challenged to raise $30,000 or shave her head. A contract was even created on a nearby cocktail napkin, which Raphael signed and still has today.

2010 marked Raphael's first year hosting the St. Baldrick's Event in Sacramento and the eighth year in Roseville. In 2003, she shaved her head, and for two years straight had to explain why her hair was so short -- ; what Raphael called a "kind of awareness you can't buy."

For more information on upcoming events and foundations, check out Keaton Raphael Memorial at www.childcancer.org and The St. Baldrick's Foundation at www.stbaldricks.org

Photos by Tia Gemmell

Riverview Media Photography

phototia.com

Local API Coalition Works for a Complete Count

2010-03-17T02:02:53Z

On Saturday a broad coalition of local Sacramento, state and federal elected officials, community leaders and government entities held a press conference to make a call for Asian & Pacific Islander Americans to complete and submit their Census form. Speakers discussed the importance of a complete count of Asian & Pacific Islander community members in the 2010 Census.

Although this coalition’s efforts are targeted at Asian & Pacific Islander Americans, it is critical that all residents of our City and our region complete the Census. Being counted ensures our region receives its fair share of Federal funds. In addition, promptly returning the form, so that the Census does not have to follow up with us can save our Country hundreds of millions of dollars.

The coalition’s efforts are led by Asian Resources. The community organization has been at the forefront of Census outreach since the 2000 Census. They serve as the fiscal manager of 5 funded census partners and other community based organizations to outreach to the very diverse Asian & Pacific Islander community. ARI has partnered with various other organizations on coordinating press conferences, community forums and the 2010 Census Community Rally at the State Capitol. Asian Resources with Census Bureau officials will also be providing questionnaire services with Asian dialect translations throughout the months of March and April.

According to the 2000 Census, the Asian American population represents 6.6% of Sacramento’s total population and Pacific Islanders represent another 0.9%. These communities have one of the highest growth rates in the county and state. Sacramento’s Asian American communities have shown a 28% total population increase from Census 1990 to 2000 and Pacific Islanders grew by 57%. Due to their significant growth and the community’s history of being foreign born, linguistically isolated and limited in English proficiency; they have been undercounted in past censuses. Because of this, the U.S. Census Bureau and Asian Resources, Inc. to provide Census questions and answers and translation services for residents throughout March and April.

ROY

2010-03-17T00:40:13Z

All the talk of who should win the award, has made no sense to me. The 2010 Rookie of the Year conversation comes down to at most three possible players. Those involved in the race being: Brandon Jennings of Milwaukee, Tyreke Evans of Sacramento and Stephen Curry of Golden State.

Let's first take a look at Brandon Jennings, the high school phenom who was regarded as the top high school guard two years ago and played last year in Italy. While his team has been playing the best out of the three players named, his game has faltered the last few weeks.

Since February 1st, Jennings has shot 31% from the field, compared to 38% on the year, which still is not that great. And for an award that is given based on his performance during the YEAR, he should not be awarded for his efforts. Jennings' 55 point performance early on gave him a quick advantage in the rookie of the year race, that has recently been shortened by both Curry and Evans.

Apparently, Jennings no longer cares about the award.

"My offense is just terrible right now," Jennings was quoted in the Journal-Sentinel. "Right now, I'm playing for something bigger. I don't even care about the Rookie of the Year," Jennings said. "Forget it. Whoever gets it, who cares? Both of their teams suck, so whoever gets it, it doesn't matter."

Brandon, you do realize that if Curry or Evans were taken with the 10th pick instead of you, they would be in the playoffs and still win the award. Andrew Bogut and John Salmons has led them to the playoffs, not you.

This leaves us with Tyreke Evans and Stephen Curry. While Curry has had an amazing second half of the season, his first half was similar to that of Jennings' second half. Evans has played consistently all year, recording his first triple-double on Wednesday.

On 'Reke Roy Night, a night that I would have thought to be some of a distraction it was the exact opposite. Evans played to what the night represented, recording a triple double and scoring on a behind the backboard continuation. If you missed that, here it is:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNTEJYvJiq0]

PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT% 3P% MPG Team Record

Tyreke Evans: 20.3 5.1 5.6 1.5 0.4 .46 .75 .25 37.2 23-44

Stephen Curry: 16.4 4.2 5.5 1.8 0.2 .45 .88 .42 35.9 18-48

If 'Reke continues to rack up the stats that he is currently attaining, he will be one of three other players to get 20(ppg), 5(apg), and 5(rpg), in his rookie season. The other three players are Oscar Robertson, Lebron James and Michael Jordan.

If you compare their numbers as well as their records, you can honestly say you know who deserves the award. If this were the best first half rookie award it would go to Brandon Jennings. If this were the best second half rookie award it would go to Curry. But if you combined the two, and that is what the award represents, it without a doubt, goes to Tyreke Evans.

Tyreke Evans and the Sacramento Kings take on the Los Angeles Lakers tonight. Evans will have the oppurtunity to prove himself tonight on a bigger and brighter stage.

St. Patrick's Day Block Party to be livestreamed all day Wednesday

2010-03-17T00:16:28Z

Free Videos by Ustream.TV

Live Streaming by Ustream.TV

Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday to help make St. Baldrick's Day a success! Especially to those who shaved their locks off for the cause. 100% of the money raised will go to fund research to help end childhood cancer.

Wednesday the pub will be open at 8am, and we're offering free admission until 10am. L St. will be blocked off all day long between 15th and 16th streets. There will be live music, Irish dancers, corned beef, brats, 26 beer taps, an incredible whiskey selection, and the list goes on. We'll also be interviewing local business and community leaders all day.

If you can't make it to the block party, check us out right here where we will be livestreaming the event. The livestream will feature the crowds, the music, and special interviews.

Help design 2010 Run to Feed the Hungry t-shirt!

2010-03-16T20:30:20Z

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) is gearing up for the 17th annual Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day, but needs your help starting this March. It is time to begin planning this huge event which involves 30,000 runners and walkers, two beautiful courses throughout Sacramento and raises over $800,000 to benefit programs at SFBFS.

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is looking for artwork to grace the front of 30,000 Run to Feed the Hungry participant t-shirts. Think you have what it takes? Design a piece of art for the front/center of a standard t-shirt. The idea can incorporate anything that you believe captures the spirit of the Run to Feed the Hungry, programs at SFBFS or the Sacramento community during the fall. The winning design/artwork will be modified to include the official Run to Feed the Hungry and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services logos. Colors and layout of the winning submission may be modified to best compliment the color of the event shirt (not yet determined).

Please submit artwork electronically to artcontest@runtofeedthehungry.com by 5:00pm on Friday, April 30, 2010. Entries will only be accepted via e-mail in the following formats: Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop: PDF, TIFF, EPS (High resolution, 300+ dpi). The following formats will NOT be accepted: Jpeg, Gif, Microsoft Word, or any non-standard drawing or painting software.

The winning artwork will be featured on the front of 30,000 Run to Feed the Hungry participant t-shirts and may also be used to promote the event in other formats. All artwork submitted will become the sole property of SFBFS. Artists will relinquish all claims to future ownership. No compensation will be provided for any submitted artwork. The winning artwork will be modified by SFBFS designers to meet event and shirt specifications (addition of event sponsor logos, SFBFS official logo, etc).

Gather ideas for your artwork submission from the official Run to Feed the Hungry Web site at www.runtofeedthehungry.com or find inspiration from SFBFS’ programs at www.sacramentofoodbank.org. The art contest winner will be announced summer 2010.

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, a local non-profit organization, serving families and individuals in need, was founded in 1976. Over time, SFBFS expanded to meet growing needs and now offers nine diverse programs at two facilities in Sacramento. A staff of 35 employees and several thousand volunteers accomplish SFBFS’ mission of assisting those in need by alleviating their immediate pain and problems and by moving them toward self-sufficiency and financial independence. Additional SFBFS information is available online at www.sacramentofoodbank.org

Home Invasion Suspect Killed

2010-03-16T17:12:18Z

The Sacramento Police Department is investigating a home invasion which resulted in an armed suspect being shot and killed by officers.

On March 15, 2010, at 8:35 p.m., the Police Department responded to the 2000 block of O’Neil Way on a home invasion in progress. The victim was able to call 9-1-1 advising of the ongoing crime and also left the phone line open as the armed suspect tied up the victims and began to search through the residence. The victims were later identified as a 17-year- old female and a 5-year-old male Asian.

Upon arrival, officers detained a 23-year-old male Asian as he was walking away from the area. The subject was later found to be associated with the home invasion.

A sergeant and four officers took position in front of the house. To prevent the suspect from fleeing, an officer and his K9 partner “Bandit” covered the back of the house. The officer and the K9 in the back of the house observed the suspect come out into the backyard. The suspect and the officer exchanged gun fire which resulted in K9 “Bandit” being shot in the chest. The suspect retreated back into the house and then ran out through the front door still armed with a handgun. The suspect failed to follow the officer’s commands to drop the weapon and was shot by fours officers positioned at the front of the house.

The victims were found tied up but uninjured inside the residence. The officer transported his K9 partner to an area hospital where he was last diagnosed as being in stable condition.

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene. Based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed the suspect, a male Asian in his 30’s, came to the door and using a ruse gained entry to the house. The suspect produced a gun and tied up the victims. During the crime, it appeared the suspect was communicating with a second accomplice by cell phone. Detectives believe the second accomplice was the male who was detained by officers in the area. It is believed that the suspects are from out of town. It is unknown at this time why the suspects were in Sacramento and why they chose the victim’s residence as their target.
The investigation is on going and at this time no further details are being provided.

Per department policy, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave. The officers involved in the shooting have the following tenure with the Sacramento Police Department: 1, 4, 4, 5 and 11 years of service. The Sacramento Police Department is working on this investigation in conjunction with the City’s Office of Public Safety Accountability and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Local Non-Profit Helps Seniors Move with Ease

2010-03-16T17:04:34Z

Carmichael, Ca. – There’s no doubt that moving can be a difficult event for anyone, but for a senior those difficulties escalate. A move for seniors usually involves downsizing which means deciding what to do with possessions that have accumulated over many years. Physically, most seniors are unable to do the actual lifting and moving. Many feel emotionally traumatized by having to leave the place they’ve called home for decades and that is often compounded by the fear of letting strangers handle their treasured household goods.

The good news for seniors in the greater Sacramento region is found in a moving company designed just for them – The Eskaton Moving Connection. More than just a moving company, the Moving Connection deals with every aspect of a senior’s last move. Fred Freeman, program manager for the service, said their aim is to make a move for seniors as painless as possible.

“This transition in life is more difficult than almost any other,” said Freeman. “When confronted with a move, many seniors will walk around their home and ask themselves, ‘where do I begin?’ The first thing we do is have one of our coordinators sit down with them and get to know who they are and what they need. After gathering information we then make a very methodical plan. After that first free estimate meeting, they have a much better idea of what they’re up against.”

According to Freeman, the coordinator finds out just how much help the senior is going to need. The senior can then decide on the many services offered. Some have family members nearby who have time to help while others need more services from Eskaton. Freeman explains just how much help the service can offer. Every move has a coordinator on site when any work is being done from the beginning of the process until the end.

“We had one woman call us from Boston,” said Freeman. “Her mother needed to move from Utah to Sacramento. We flew a team to Utah and put her mother on a plane. We packed up, loaded the moving truck, returned to Sacramento and then unpacked. She was completely set up and her daughter was able to come out and spend time with her. They didn’t have to worry about a thing.”

Clients may choose from just a few services to a complete move in. Joyce Purvis, 80, chose to have everything done for her when she moved into Eskaton Village Roseville. “They were just wonderful,” said Purvis. “They packed everything, moved it here and unpacked. They hung my art on the walls, put away all my dishes and even made the beds. I’ve never been treated so nice in all my life.”

The Moving Connection has partnered with many experts, according to Freeman. “We have piano moving experts, people who set up computers and stereo equipment, appliance people and even an expert to move grandfather clocks. Some people want us to handle everything while others want us to handle just the basics. It’s about having people you can trust. Eskaton has been in business for 40 years now. We are not going to damage our reputation by doing a bad job.”

Relieving clients of unwanted or unneeded items is also an area where The Moving Connection can be invaluable. Freeman said they help the client decide what needs to go to family members, what can be donated to charity and what needs to just be hauled away. Boxed items are color coded to indicate what goes where and then the service facilitates how they are to be sent. “We help the client decide what relatives are getting and then ship it out to them,” said Freeman. “We know what charities accept which items and can make those deliveries.” Freeman said having the client decide what goes to which family member with the coordinator can relieve the family of arguments that can arise while sorting through possessions.

Some clients have a home to sell and need help finding services from handymen and landscapers to real estate agents and home staging professionals. Freeman said they know the reputable businesses and make suggestions for seniors that are unsure of where to look.

The Eskaton Moving Connection is a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), a nationwide organization. This enables them to facilitate moves anywhere. “Having partners in many metropolitan cities means we can handle a move to almost anywhere and know our clients will receive great service,” said Freeman. “The client will get just one bill – from us.”

The Eskaton Moving Connection is available to anyone who needs to be moved regardless of age. Services fees are determined by the amount of hours spent. For more information on the Moving Connection you may call (916) 334-1072 or by e-mail at MovingConnection@ Eskaton.org

Everyone is Irish for a day

2010-03-16T08:11:35Z

Dye the rivers green and dance in the streets, Saint Patrick's Day is here. A day when everyone is Irish and people takes to the streets for music, food and green beer. Below is a collection of restaurants and bars in Midtown and downtown offering specials on food and drinks and even hosting a block party or two.

de Vere's Irish Pub, 1521 L Street, is hosting their second annual St. Patrick's Day Block Party, closing off L Street between 15th and 16th. The street party will feature music by '80s cover band Tainted Love and the California Fire Department Pipes and Drums. Sandwiches, brats and other food will be sold to soak up the alcohol from the two outdoor bars and whiskey tent. Advance tickets are $20, $25 at the door. 21 and up. The party starts at 8 a.m.

St. Patricks R District Pub Crawl, 1400s of R Street, is hosting a pub crawl along the bars and restaurants of R street. Participating places include Shady Lady, Venue, R15 and Burgers & Brews. $4 Jameson and Guinness specials are available at every place, with pints of Guinness costing $3. Irish food is also available. The fun begins at 11 a.m. and there is no cover.

The Flame Club, 2130 16th Street, is offering their famous corned beef and cabbage to customers again this year. Prepared in-house by a trio of lovely ladies, the meal is delicious. A full bar is also available. Food starts at 12:30 pm and runs until the food is gone. Food is free, tips always appreciated.

Check out this event at Brew It Up!

Bistro33 also has specials for St. Patrick's Day.

Tyreke Tuesdays: Evans' best week yet

2010-03-16T06:24:31Z

Without a doubt, this has been the best basketball Tyreke Evans has played in his rookie season for the Sacramento Kings

The Kings’ 20-year-old guard has averaged 19 points, 8.75 rebounds, 7.75 assists and 0.75 steals per game since March 9. Since then, the Kings have played the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland and home games against the Toronto Raptors, the Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. In that span the team has a 2-2 record.

Evans posted 18 points, six rebounds, six assists and a steal in the 88-81 loss in Portland. The Kings were within three points of the Blazers late in the game, but the experience of the Blazers overtook the Kings – the least-experienced team in the NBA.

The team has an average of 2.2 years of experience, with Beno Udrih, Andres Nocioni and Ime Udoka having been in the league for five years. It also features four rookies in Evans, Omri Casspi, Jon Brockman and newly signed Garrett Temple.

In the next game, Evans went off for his first career triple-double on a night dubbed "RekeROY Night," where fans rallied to support Evans for rookie of the year on a night dedicated to him. He had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 113-90 win over the Raptors. He became the third rookie this season to register a triple-double, behind the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry and the New Orleans Hornets' Darren Collison.

"I came out in attack mode," Evans said after the game. "The crowd was in it. I was going to come out there and try to bring it."

After the performance he put on that night, Evans has locked up the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Two days later, the Blazers came to visit and gave the Kings another loss, 110-94. Evans scored eight of his 10 points and seven of his 10 rebounds in the first 14 minutes of the game. After that, he only scored two points and grabbed three rebounds in the second half. The Blazers’ defense limited Evans' scoring. He missed eight of only 12 shots on the night.

"I thought the Blazers' defense was very aggressive," Kings Head Coach Paul Westphal said. "They took away a lot of our first options."
On Sunday, the Timberwolves came into ARCO Arena to play the Kings coming off a tough loss. Evans was one rebound shy of another triple-double with 29 points, nine rebounds, 11 assists and two steals in the 114-100 win over Minnesota.

Evans, so far, has had a great month that rivals LeBron James' March his rookie season in 2004. James averaged 22.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. Evans is averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game through eight games.

After hovering under an average five rebounds per game for part of the season, Evans is now averaging 20.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Critics who have stated that Evans can't be a point guard are being proven wrong. He is No. 16 in the NBA in assists and assists per game.

Evans has proven that he is a spectacular player and will become even better in the future. Only 20 years old, Evans still has plenty of room to improve, but there's no doubt that he will be a great player for a very long time

Photo Credit: Jonathan Mendick

Cohn tells neighbors: Parks could face new round of budget cuts

2010-03-16T05:33:38Z

Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohn is predicting deep budget cuts to local parks this year in light of the city’s $35 million-$40 million budget gap for the 2010/2011 fiscal year.

Cohn’s worries about new cuts come after the city cut the Parks and Recreation Department by $8.3 million last year.

“I fear that the cutbacks in parks will actually be more severe this year,” Cohn told a handful of neighborhood leaders gathered at Hart Senior Center Monday night.

Cohn, who presented information about his district at the Neighborhood Advisory Group meeting, said the city may look for ways to work with neighborhoods and the business community to maintain the parks.

“As we all know, most of our neighborhoods in Midtown and East Sacramento are really designed around parks,” Cohn said.

Cohn represents District 3, which includes the neighborhoods of Mansion Flats, Marshall School Midtown and Boulevard Park.

Councilman Ray Tretheway, from District 1, also made remarks to the neighborhood group. His district includes the neighborhoods of Alkali Flat, Old Sacramento and China Town Mall.

Among other things, Tretheway said that a new community garden will open at Zapata Park in Alkali Flat this summer.

Councilman Rob Fong, whose district includes Newton Booth and Poverty Ridge, among other neighborhoods, could not attend the NAG meeting due to illness, said Gerald Celestine, the facilitator of Monday night’s meeting. Fong represents District 4.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

RONI DEUTCH TAX CENTER TO OFFER FREE STATE TAX RETURNS AT KINGS-LAKERS GAME MARCH 16

2010-03-16T05:32:48Z

Roni Deutch Tax Center, one of the nation’s fastest growing tax preparation franchise companies, will provide everyone 18 years and older who attends the Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers game on Tuesday, March 16 with a coupon for preparation of a free state tax return. A limited number of attendees will also receive a certificate for preparation of a free federal tax return. The Sacramento Kings will also be hosting another Tax Night on April 3. During each of the Kings Tax Nights, representatives from Roni Deutch Tax Center will be on-site to answer tax-related questions before and during the game.

The Kings are also hosting a ticket promotion, Kings Slam Dunk Your Taxes, in which Kings fans will receive up to a $50 savings on their tax preparation services at a Roni Deutch Tax Center in Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Folsom, Sacramento, Carmichael, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks and Lincoln. Upon completion of the tax returns, fans will receive a voucher good for a pair of tickets to a Kings game. One thousand vouchers, good for a pair of Kings tickets to select games, will be handed out to patrons of participating Roni Deutch Tax Centers, redeemable at the ARCO Arena Box Office.

“My life’s mission is to empower every American to take charge of their tax lives,” said Roni Deutch, president and founder of Roni Deutch Tax Center. “Partnering with the Sacramento Kings is our opportunity to get involved in the community, ensuring that local taxpayers and basketball fans have the information they need to be prepared this tax season and save big bucks on their taxes.”

“The Roni Deutch name is synonymous with trust in the tax world and within our community, and we are proud to welcome the organization into the Kings family,” said John Rinehart, Senior Vice President of Business Operations at Maloof Sports & Entertainment. “We are excited about the added value this partnership will bring to our loyal fans and look forward to a long-standing strategic alliance with Roni Deutch Tax Center in the years to come.”

For more information about Roni Deutch Tax Center, please visit rdtc.com. To redeem your tax preparation coupon good for up to $50 savings, please visit rdtckings.com. For more information about the Sacramento Kings, please visit kings.com.

Natomas public safety activist runs for City Council

2010-03-16T05:26:04Z

Angelique Ashby is a Natomas neighborhood activist who views public safety as the city's top priority. Ashby, who is running for Sacramento City Council, has the support of two major local public safety unions: the Sacramento Police Officers Association and Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522.

The Sacramento Press is interviewing City Council candidates in advance of the June election.

Ashby is running for City Council in District 1, which is now represented by Councilman Ray Tretheway. The district includes the neighborhoods of North and South Natomas and Alkali Flat.

The 20-year Sacramento resident is a partner in a consulting firm that contracts with businesses and government agencies. She said she has worked on programs involving at-risk youth and parolees.

Ashby, 34, is also president of the Creekside Neighborhood Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, and a law degree from McGeorge School of Law.

If elected to the City Council, her key focus would be on public safety, which she described as an obligation. In her view, public safety encompasses flood and fire protection and police work.

Among other goals, she said she wants to help the City Council members communicate with each other.

Quality-of-life issues are important to Ashby. “The way I think that you address quality-of-life issues is that you listen,” she said. “You listen to what it is that people want.”

Another priority of Ashby’s would be the local economy. “We have got to bring jobs to Sacramento,” she said.

Ashby said she successfully directed the push for a Natomas community policing center — the Natomas Police and Community Resource Center was created in 2008. Ashby notes that she worked on plans to start the center without a budget. Land was donated for the center, which is operated by a group of more than 60 volunteers, she said.

The items in the center are also donated, she said, with the exception of phone and Internet.

“Those types of outside-of-the-box thinking, they ... release some pressure on having to come up with dollars in a budget that doesn’t have room, or having to create a new tax for something,” Ashby said. “Sometimes, you can just work a little harder, build a few more relationships and come up with some solid solutions.”

She also ran a drive to apply fees from developers toward a new fire station in Natomas, she said. Construction for he station, which will be located west of Interstate 5, will kick off in April, according to Ashby’s website.

In response to a question from The Sacramento Press, Ashby said she is receiving advice from political communications consultant Steve Maviglio on a volunteer basis.

Maviglio volunteers for Mayor Kevin Johnson on political issues, such as Johnson’s campaign for a strong mayor form of government. The Sacramento Press asked Ashby if she would be an ally of Johnson’s if she were elected to the City Council. “First of all, and very importantly, I consider myself to be an ally of every member of the council, including the mayor,” she said. “What they think of me is up to them. But why would anyone want to elect a person who doesn’t want to work with the city mayor? If it was Heather Fargo, my answer would be the same.”

Of the three candidates for the District 1 seat, Ashby is second to Tretheway in campaign fundraising. Tretheway took in $79,278 for his campaign last year, according to campaign statements.

Campaign statements show that Ashby raised $26,452 last year. Candidate Efren Guttierrez said earlier this month that he has raised about $2,000 for his campaign.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Shots fired on O'neil and 21street

2010-03-16T05:09:48Z

I was sitting in my garage with the garage door open. My friend was at my home using my dryer. It was such a nice evening. I felt so relaxed.

My son asked, 'Mom can I go around the corner to Tony's house." It was approximately 7:30pm. I know Tony and his family and knew he would be okay going to Tony's house. Unfortunately I didn't know what would occur next.

As I talked to my friend I watched my son walk to the corner. I smiled as she said, "He sure is getting big and handsome." I looked at him walking with the cute skip he had as a child and said, "Yes, and he's still my baby." My son turned the corner.

As soon as he turned the corner I heard a "POW" It sounded familiar. It sounded like a gunshot. I took off running to the corner, screaming, 'DJ, DJ" And I heard, 'POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP.' I begin to cry, 'DJ, DJ, God, please don't let my son be hurt.". My friend was yelling "call his phone, call his phone."

I nervously called the number, "Please answer, please answer, Please DJ, answer." I screamed running down 21st street, 'DJ" All I could see was patrol cars, lights and officers." My son answered the phone, Mom, Mom, I hear the gunshots. I'm trying to come home. I'm okay, I'm by the bushes. I'm afraid to move." I told him, " stay put, I will come get you to bring you home. Don't move til I get to you" I went to my son and grabbed him so tight and headed back home.

A neighbor outside said, "the police sent the K9 in that house ( a block from Tony's) and I think the young man in the house shot the K9, that was the one shot and then they open fire. I know he's dead."

An officer ran to a patrol car carrying the canine yelling, "Open the door, Open the door." The canine was rushed off by the patrol car appearing to need emergency medical care. Another person standing on the street said, "I guess they don't need to call an ambulance right away for the guy because I know that person is dead."

More officers arrived at the scene. Yellow tape was placed near the bushes where my son was and tape roped off the entire area. I held my son so tight. And I prayed, 'God bless the city of Sacrament and God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

AMEN

Preliminary work starts on green line

2010-03-16T04:31:18Z

Preliminary work is paving the way for the first mile of the Sacramento Regional Transit District's newest light rail line, which will one day run to Sacramento International Airport.

A contractor's crew has begun identifying the location of utilities — water, sewer, electric and phone lines — that must be relocated before the tracks for the new "green line"are laid. The line will initially span a little more than a mile, starting downtown at the Sacramento County courthouse at Eighth and H streets and running north to a terminus at Seventh Street and Richards Boulevard.

The new line is now expected to open in January 2011, rather than November as initially reported, said RT spokeswoman Alane Masui. She said she did not know the specifics behind the delay, except that the project's notice to proceed wasn't issued as soon as expected.

Two weeks ago, 80-foot pieces of straight rail were delivered downtown via railroad flat cars and flatbed truck.

"It's quite a ballet to unload that track," said green line construction project manager John Gaines of the engineering firm 4LEAF Inc.

Last week, a company that specializes in welding rail began welding those into 400-foot segments at Seventh Street and Richards Boulevard. The company is expected to finish welding pieces of track together Tuesday. The segments will be stored in parking lanes on Seventh Street between B Street, just north of the levee, and Richards Boulevard.

Crews have been digging potholes downtown and at Seventh Street and Richards Boulevard to search for utilities to relocate for six weeks. Utilities will start being moved in the next week or so. Track installation is expected to start in June and continue through October.

Demolition also has begun on an old building at Seventh Street and Richards Boulevard, where one of the stations will be built.

The line's expansion to the airport — another 11.7 miles of track — isn't expected to be constructed for eight to 10 years. The first mile is being paid for with local funding. Measure A sales tax funds will finance most of the $44 million project to build 1.1 miles of single track and two stations.

State and federal funds will be sought to build the rest of the line, according to RT General Manager Mike Wiley.

Sacramento Hosts 2010 California Academic Decathlon

2010-03-16T02:38:20Z

Sunday marked the third and final day of competition for this year's state academic decathlon. The "Super Quiz" was held at the Memorial Auditorium on J Street.

Sixty-two teams from school districts all over California competed for the honor of state champion, as well as a spot in the National Academic Decathlon held in Omaha, Nebraska next month.

California remains a powerhouse in the national competition, winning seven of the last nine events, and Sacramento in particular, between rivals Bella Vista High School and Folsom High School winning the majority of events for the last 20 years at the state level.

Teams of nine, composed of three groups of three students, each with A , B and C grade point averages, spent the weekend taking tests in 10 academic disciplines, culminating in the "Super Quiz" with "The French Revolution" as its theme.

The teams were asked sets of questions covering obscure facts of the French Revolution. The cumulative score is added to the scores of the other tests and bronze, silver and gold medals will be awarded at the recognition ceremony Monday.

George Warren and Sharon Ito of News10 hosted the event and provided the required questions.

"In one of the toughest economic times we have faced, the academic decathlon is a prime example of why we must protect state educational funding," said California State Assembly Speaker, John Perez.

While the decathlon is nothing short of grueling, a little fun comes along with all the decathletes' hard work. Days were spent testing, but nights were spent on the town as teams visited the Esquire IMAX Theater, Old Sacramento and other downtown hot-spot restaurants.

Elliott Marx, Bella Vista decathlete and president of the student body, has spent the last three months with his team, meeting for several hours up to six days a week in preparation. While he recognized the hard work and dedication he and his teammates have put in, he was adamant that decathletes "aren't a bunch of nerds."

"There is a big social aspect to the decathlon," Marx said. "[The team] is like a family. It's become a really good relationship."

For more information about the California Academic Decathlon, visit academicdecathlon.org

Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves - March 14, 2010

2010-03-15T22:00:05Z

Images By: JayCanter.com

114 Sacramento Kings – 100 Minnesota Timberwolves

Pregame high up above the Sacramento Kings court there was a meet and greet with over 250 of Sacramento’s local Jewish and Israeli community. They all came out to support Omri Caspi who is the first Israeli born player to play in the NBA. Capsi spent some time doing a Q&A session with the large group before having to head down to play the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Research and Fact-Checking workshop March 23

2010-03-15T19:54:45Z

We have a free journalism workshop scheduled later this month.

Dianne Heimer will lead our first Research and Fact-Checking workshop on Tuesday, March 23, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Heimer is a journalism professor at Sac City College and advises the college's newspaper, The Express.

Doing research for articles seems daunting, but we'll show you that it isn't difficult and that the added credibility and depth are worth the time and effort.

Heimer will discuss appropriate sources and will go over how to confirm the accuracy of the facts in your story. She'll also discuss the trustworthiness of the Internet as a source.

Food and drinks will be served at 6:30 p.m., with the workshop at 6:45. Our office is at 431 I Street, Suite 107, in the Amtrak station.
If you are facing Starbucks, go around the building to the left and you'll see our Sac Press sign.

We recommend you park on the street, bike, or take light rail, as parking in the Amtrak lot costs $1.50 per 20 minutes. We do not cover the cost of parking, but if you take light rail, we will provide two passes when you get here, good for the round trip.

RSVP by e-mailing workshops@sacramentopress.com.

For more information, call 916-443-5403.

Thanks, and we hope to see you there!

Part of J street to convert from one-way to two-way this week

2010-03-15T17:35:39Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Transportation is converting J Street from 30th Street to Alhambra Boulevard from one-way to two-way traffic on Tuesday, March 16, weather permitting. The segment wraps up a multi-year plan to enhance neighborhood livability, promote a pedestrian friendly and safe environment, help revitalize the city and support a balanced transportation system. Generally, traffic travels slower on two-way streets than on two lane, one-way streets and also improves pedestrian safety and access for bicyclists and motorists.

Most parking spaces on both sides of the street will be maintained. Temporary striping will be applied on March 16. Permanent striping will be applied when the street is resurfaced along with many other roadways this summer.

The conversions were approved by the Mayor and City Council in July 2007, as part of the Central City Two-Way Conversion Study. For details, go to http://www.cityofsacramento.org/transportation/dot_media/engineer_media/pdf/cctwc_complete.pdf.

The following is the complete list of first priority streets that have been converted from one-way to two-way or from three lanes to two lanes since 2007:

• J Street (30th Street to Alhambra Boulevard, to two-way, to be completed March 16)
• 19th Street (H Street to Broadway, from three lanes to two lanes with bike lanes, completed)
• 21st Street (I Street to W Street, from three lanes to two lanes with bike lanes, completed)
• N Street (21st Street to 28th Street, to two-way, completed)
• 3rd Street (I Street to J Street, to two-way, completed)
• 9th Street (E Street to I Street, to two-way, completed)
• 10th Street (E Street to I Street, to two-way, completed)

Linda Tucker is the public information officer for the City of Sacramento Department of Transportation.

Drop A House Fashion Show March 13, 2010

2010-03-15T10:16:55Z

By: JayCanter.com

Influenced by legendary fashion houses, Drop a House introduced some up and coming talent to Sacramento’s runway Saturday night. Drop a House presented designers: Benzo Couture, Richard Hallmarq, the Vittore Brothers, and Lauren Oto. Bobby Trendy, who is best known as the late Anna Nicole Smith’s stylist, will be making a special appearance and showcasing his new line.

There was two shows as there were so many people who wanted to come to see these fantastic designers show their latest works there was not enough room in the Guild Theatre in Oak Park to allow it to all be done in one show. Each show was about 35 minutes long and had some known fashion celebrities involved. The MC of the evening was Perry Ullmann from "Make Me A Supermodel", and Ambreal Williams from America's Next Top Model walked in the show.

Richard Hallmarq not only being one of the designers he was one of the people who wanted to put a show like this together so he got some of his fellow local designers together and ended up having a real intimate show with not a bad seat in the house.

Why I Ride!

2010-03-15T03:48:02Z

My name is Doug Bearden. In 1986, I was diagnosed with HIV – that makes me almost a 25 year survivor! On May 20-23rd, 2010 I will be participating in my third NorCal AIDS Challenge. I feel very fortunate to still be here and have the physical and mental prowess to be a part of this adventure. I became involved with the event when a fellow NCAC cyclist friend recruited me as a crew member in 2008.

The NorCal AIDS Challenge in May, 2008 coincided with the first heat wave of the year. It was my first NCAC and I volunteered as a crew member. Record breaking temperatures of over 100 degrees the first 3 days were intensified by the heat rising from the asphalt, and 20 mile an hour (not so cooling) head winds the entire 91 miles of Day One. I was captivated by these cyclists' enduring efforts to continue on. With the close relationships they had forged, the camaraderie they shared, and the common goal that kept them going, the focus of the journey shifted from the elements to the fun journey they were on. I never felt such gratitude as I did when I pulled up to a cyclist with a cooler full of ice!

The NCAC brings us all together for the same unifying reason; to raise much needed funds for HIV/AIDS services in Sacramento. As a bonus, we get to do what we love – for some of us that’s cycling and for some, it’s the opportunity to spend 4 days with our closest friends. It impressed me considerably that everyone involved in the ride, from the caterers to the crew, donated their time and resources to support this cause.

I had no idea what I was in for that last day we all arrived on the West steps of the Capitol building. The crew gathered first and we watched as the great group of cyclists , crew first then the riders rode toward us. I was happy but quite sad that it was over and had lots of tears rolling down my face knowing what these riders had just accomplished. They were all heroes to me.

In 2009 I made the decision to ride, not only to see if I could achieve the 330 miles in 4 days but to once again give back to the HIV/AIDS services that have been given to me so freely here in Sacramento. I also wanted to remember the many friends I have lost over the years and to hopefully further advance the efforts for a cure for this disease. Throughout my experience as a cyclist, I began to recognize everyone out of their riding gear and in their street clothes (don't you notice that all cyclists look the same?). Despite the great challenge, my own doubt, and that not-so-comfortable saddle, I completed every mile of the ride, forged more friendships, and felt a part of a bigger picture.
This May I ride again and have formed Team CARES (one of our three larger beneficiaries; AIDS Housing Alliance and Breaking Barriers are the other two recipients). Out of eleven teams we are currently third in fund raising (just behind Team Space 07 Salon and Broken Bikers) and continue to raise more funds. I personally continue my fund- raising efforts and if you would like to make a tax deductible contribution you can do so on my personal donation page at: http://norcalaidschallenge.kintera.org/ncac2010/saffy Nothing is too big or too small.

The NCAC’s importance increases every year. Between budget cuts and other funding losses, we work hard to try to fill in some gaps. If you want to ride with us or support the Ride, please visit http://www.norcalaidschallenge.net/. I’m excited this year to meet all the new participants, whether they are crewing, cycling for 4 days, or cycling for 2 days in the new “Weekender” option.
If I can do it, ANYone can do it! See you out there!

Harvesting the 'City of (fruit) Trees'

2010-03-15T02:42:49Z

Sacramento is nicknamed the "City of Trees" for a reason. Even in its most urban core, the city is filled with fruit trees.

So what happens when those trees produce more fruit than the owners can harvest, let alone eat? One option is to let Harvest Sacramento take care of it. This year alone, the group has collected more than 13,000 pounds of fruit from the Sacramento area, all of which goes to the Sacramento Food Bank.

Harvest Sacramento organized a Midtown Fruit Harvest on Saturday in which 25 community volunteers helped pick more than 1,300 pounds of citrus for the food bank. In just three hours, the group collected grapefruit, oranges, lemons and kumquats from nine houses in the grid.

The group was inspired by an East Sacramento couple, Mary McGrath and Robin Aurelius, who organized a grass-roots effort to harvest unwanted oranges from trees in the McKinley Park area. After that group delivered more than 3,000 pounds of citrus to the Sacramento Food Bank in early 2009, Soil Born Farms joined in and took a lead role in increasing community involvement.

"We have big white bins to put the fruit in, and the food bank picks them up and weighs them," said Randy Stannard, a food access coordinator at Soil Born Farms. "The giver gets a receipt and a tax write-off for about $1 per pound."

He mentioned that the group canvasses the grid and asks homeowners if they would be willing to let Harvest Sacramento harvest their fruit. He also said the group is trying to create an urban food forest map to keep track of the number and type of fruit trees in Sacramento.

"It's a service for homeowners, taking unused and unwanted fruit," said Courtney Cagle, an Americorps Vista member working at the Sacramento Food Bank. "It's taking a resource that's already available, that would go to waste, and instead we turn it into healthy, nutritious food for people who can't afford it."

She said that the 1,300-plus pounds of fruit will begin to be distributed at the food bank Monday.

South Land Park resident Juliet Rice found out about the harvest from her son, Miles Tsue, a junior at McClatchy High School. The event was one of the community service options that McClatchy requires as part of its Humanities and International Studies program, and a number of high school volunteers showed up.

"It's a wonderful hands-on, real-world service that can go directly to the people who need it," said Rice. "I'm happy (the fruit) will go directly to the food bank, otherwise it would just go to waste."

Added Waimen Yip, another parent of a McClatchy High student: "You're helping the homeowner and the people getting food."

Homeowners seem to agree. While harvesting a grapefruit tree at one house, a neighbor asked Harvest Sacramento volunteers if they could harvest her lemon tree. The group accepted the offer.

Another homeowner explained how Harvest Sacramento helped her.

"My husband planted the (orange) tree 20 years ago and it gives good fruit, but he recently passed away and it's been really hard to do yard work," said 60-year-old Rosemary Sanchez. "When these people came, I thought, "This is a godsend. This is all good: It's a way of sharing with others and they're always welcome back next year."

For more information, visit harvestsacramento.wordpress.com.

Suzanne Westenhoefer - Funny AND Lesbian

2010-03-15T01:56:37Z

"Does sexuality matter in the comedy business?" I asked Suzanne Westenhoefer, who has been credited as the first lesbian comic to come "out" in mainstream comedy.

"I started my career as a lesbian before I was a comic," she said, "and started as an activist before I was a lesbian. I was one of those people in high school who would get into arguments with the sociology teacher and stand up for the 'misfits,' of which I was one of." Making a stand was what seemed to drive her forward.

Westenhoefer did not always identify as a lesbian, however. Early on she felt that she was out of the mainstream but it didn't occur to her that she was gay until she was 19. "It was such a shock when it occurred to me, and then I thought, 'Oh! Totally awesome!' and that led to 'Oh, my God, I'm gay and we're not equal to other people! Where's the protest marches?'"

After college, Westenhoefer went to New York to pursue an acting career. "Did you always want to be an actress?" we wanted to know.

"I never wanted to be anything else. Ask my mother or my sisters and they will tell you that. I went from walking and talking to wanting to be an entertainer. I was that kid that would sing a song or do something funny at family gatherings. I remember early on performing and getting really positive responses." She added, "I have always wanted to sing and act and tell jokes and be the center of attention for as long as I can remember."

As strong as the "entertainer" urge was, it wasn't clear to her that comedy would be how it would manifest. "My mom knew, however. She just recently pointed out that as a child I would memorize bits and pieces of comedy albums like George Carlin, Lily Tomlin or Robert Klein and then I would add lines to their bits to make it 'more.' "

In 1990, Westenhoefer was in New York, tending bar, performing at some small comedy clubs and talking about being a lesbian in her act.

"The first time I ever got up on the comedy stage was July of 1990. I had entered a comedy contest and I was doing it openly queer and there was nobody doing it in any of the straight clubs at the time. I really thought I was bad ass."

Six months later, in January 1991, Westenhoefer was approached by the producers of the "Sally Jessie Raphael Show" to appear in a segment called "Lesbians Who Don't Look Like Lesbians," which in the early 90's was still a pretty shocking subject. Though she didn't do an act on the program, she was introduced as the first openly lesbian comic.

When it was pointed out that a title like that would never fly today, Westenhoefer responded, "We were breaking the stereotype back then so we weren't offended. Today, nobody would ever do it, but back then, we were saying, 'This is how we grow, this is how we change minds, this is OK." Westenhoefer continued, "It was historical. Look at us 19 years later, still talking about it."

After being introduced as the "openly lesbian comic," Westenhoefer was inundated with mail and requests from comedy clubs and talk shows. She appeared on shows such as "Geraldo" and "Ricki Lake."

"Today, it wouldn't be much of a story, but again, 19 years ago it was insanity that someone would say that they're gay, joke about it, laugh about it and say, 'Too bad for you that you're not. That's why I am so special.' "

"Is your act directed toward the gay and lesbian community," we asked.

"Not at all," Westenhoefer she answered. "If a Caucasian watches a black comedian like Chris Rock, we can still laugh our asses off even though his jokes talk about life as a black man. A black person may identify with the joke premise, but it is still universally funny."

We asked her if she thought society was coming closer to a sexuality-neutral world.

"Equality is going at a snail's pace. It is for the blacks, Asians and other minorities but being a 'straight white male' is still the accepted norm in this country and still the ruler. Nowhere in the world is there a perfect gender or color equality. We still are fallible human beings that are scared of things that are not like us." But Westenhoefer said she does see signs of change especially in the realm of religion. "Even though the church tends to propagate an 'us and them' stance, I do shows all over the country attended by hundreds of gays, where after the show, they hug and tell each other, 'See you at church tomorrow.' So there are some changes being made."

Westenhoefer was asked how she felt when Ellen Degeneres "came out" and why everyone thought it was such a controversial move when Westenhoefer had done it so many years before.

"The path we took was very different. Ellen's coming out was much more of a risk as she already had a very successful career that was at stake when she announced that she was gay. Comics like Kate Clinton and I did the 'scary, brave thing' by telling everyone in the beginning of our career, but we didn't risk an established career and power base. We didn't put anyone's job on the line. What Kate and I did allowed Ellen to do what she did, which allowed Rosie [O'Donnell] and so many others, which ultimately led to Wanda Sykes getting her own show without much fanfare."

Westenhoefer married her longtime partner, Jennifer Houston, in California in 2008 and includes her in much of her act onstage. We wondered if that bothered Houston.

"Anyone who knows me as intimately as she does absolutely has to know that there is no assumption of privacy," she said with a laugh.

"I think if you are going to be involved in my life, especially at that level, it doesn't take much to know that you have no privacy. So, those that are close to me, including my family and friends, aren't afraid that I would say something totally inappropriate. The only ones close to me that would have a right to protest would be my family and my first partner during the first year because they didn't know that this was a possibility early on."

Westenhoefer will appear March 19 at 8 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Awareness, 1275 Starboard Road, West Sacramento. For more information, call 916-374-9177.

The Comedy Guy

Steven Bloom is the founder of SacramentoComedy.Com, the Official Guide to Sacramento Comedy. This website is dedicated to interviews, comedian bios, videos and consolidating all of the Sacramento comedy events to a single site. You can send your questions directly to The Comedy Guy at Steven@SacramentoComedy.Com

Ask Officer Michelle - Buying a Police Vehicle at Auction

2010-03-15T01:53:27Z

Posted by livin.life

My oldest daughter is looking to buy her first car. A couple of weeks ago someone told me there is an upcoming police auto auction. Is this true? If so, when and where are the police auto auctions held? How much is the minimum amount of money a person should have to purchase a vehicle?

I just ran across this site - wow! - this is interesting! Thanks for your help.

Dear livin.life,

I spoke to our fleet manager who handles our police vehicles, both marked and unmarked. The Sacramento Police Department has a contract with the city who leases these vehicles. When the police department is finished with the cars, they are usually too beat up to sell. We drive them an average of 2 to 3 shifts per day, they were involved in rugged driving conditions, and they usually have a lot of miles travesed. The remainder goes back to the city. We don’t have any involvement in the selling of these vehicles. I have heard of these auctions and they are usually in the Bay area. One of the companies who sell these types of vehicles is called “National.” Hope this helps.

Officer Michelle

The Sacramento Sustainability Forum: "The Media and Sustainability"

2010-03-15T00:52:54Z

As the influential “Fourth Branch of Government” the Press impacts our understanding of all topics. So how is the media here in Sacramento addressing the topic of sustainability? Attendees of the next Sacramento Sustainability Forum (SSF) will have the opportunity to ask that question, find out what key members of our local media are doing themselves to be more sustainable, and learn about how these news leaders view the sustainability of their industry.
The Sacramento Sustainability Forum has assembled a panel of local media leaders that includes: Joe Barr, News Director – Capital Public Radio, Ben Ilfeld, Co-Founder and Operations Manager – The Sacramento Press, Michael Sanford, VP of Content Creation – KVIE Public Television, Ron Trujillo, Editor – The Sacramento Business Journal, Mary Lynne Vellinga, Business Editor – The Sacramento Bee, and Jeff von Kaenel, CEO – The Sacramento News & Review. The panel will be hosted at a special SSF venue this Wednesday, March 17th, at the Green California Summit and Exposition from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM in Theatre 103. Entry into the Green California Summit and the Sacramento Sustainability Forum is free to the public.
The topic of sustainability is immensely broad, often misunderstood, and frequently controversial. First officially defined in 1987 in the Brundtland Report to the United Nations, sustainability has within only the past few years become a hot topic in business, government, and the general citizenry. Today, more and more organizations report on “triple bottom line” principles, and the position of Chief Sustainability Officer or Director of Sustainability have become almost commonplace in corporate America.
The Sacramento Sustainability Forum is a monthly venue for connecting businesses, non-profits, government and interested citizens in the Sacramento region in order to promote sustainability, share insights and resources, and support movement towards a more sustainable future. SSF is a volunteer endeavor formed by Jacob Griscom, Regional Manager for BetterWorld Telecom, and Richard Noss, CEO of GreenVision for Business, Inc. Supporting volunteers include Ben Phillips-Lesenana, of e-GreenItems, Jon Haas of Healthy Gardens, and Sarah Piper, biologist at ERM.
Please register for the Green California Summit & Exposition at: www.green-technology.org/gcsummit/
Please also register for the Sacramento Sustainability Forum at: www.sacramentosustainabilityforum.com

Post-Kerridge: Will development department change?

2010-03-14T22:11:39Z

Sacramento’s business community has said repeatedly that former City Manager Ray Kerridge established a customer-service culture in the city’s development department. At the same time, the department is wracked with investigations into possible breaches of laws. Now that Kerridge has left the city — March 11 12 was his last day of work — how will the culture of the Community Development Department change?

New leadership and the findings from an audit are two upcoming developments that may change the department. The recent resignations of Kerridge and department director Bill Thomas have created job openings.

At this point, both positions are being held by interim officials. Gus Vina is interim city manager; David Kwong is acting director of the Community Development Department.

A third-party audit of the department is on the horizon. An outside auditor will follow up on issues from an earlier joint investigation by City Attorney Eileen Teichert’s office and the law firm Renee Sloan Holtzman Sakai.

The auditor will analyze several issues identified by the Teichert/Renee investigation. They include possible violations of the city’s planning rules and possible decisions to bypass, delay or lower fees.

A Jan. 21 report from the offices of the city attorney and the city manager on the Teichert/Renee investigation also listed “potential quid quo” in the department as an issue that should be studied in more depth.

The Teichert/Renee investigation centered on another highly controversial issue: the 35 permits that the department approved last year for construction in a Natomas flood zone. The Jan. 21 report said a department employee broke federal rules by distributing the permits.

The city placed former department director Thomas on paid leave in October. He resigned March 1.

A Customer-Friendly Culture

The department had a poor reputation among developers before Kerridge’s arrival in 2005, according to a March 28, 2008 Sacramento Business Journal article. In 2003, members of the local building industry said in a Business Journal survey Sacramento's building department was the most problematic of all similar city and county departments in the area. Five years later, the industry said in the survey that Sacramento's building department was the area's best.

Kerridge served as assistant city manager for development before being promoted in 2006 to city manager.

Despite the department’s crises, Sacramento developers have praised Kerridge for his work to establish a customer-focused culture.

Developer Mark Friedman was one of the members of the business community who invited Kerridge to leave his job with the city of Portland and come to work for Sacramento.

“I think (Kerridge) did a great job,” said Friedman, whose company, Fulcrum Property, owns Arden Fair Mall. “He streamlined the building department processes and made the organization more customer-friendly than it had been.”

Richard Rich, development director for Thomas Enterprises, Inc., expressed a similar sentiment in a Jan. 25 comment on The Sacramento Press. Thomas Enterprises is developing the downtown Railyards.

“This department isn’t perfect but its people, including Bill Thomas, deserve credit for creating a culture of public service,” Rich said.

Elected Leaders Praise Customer-Service Attitude Toward Development

Mayor Kevin Johnson and several City Council members also applauded Kerridge for his customer-service framework at a March 9 council meeting. Their comments indicate that there is political support to maintain the customer-service environment at the Community Development Department.

“And this whole notion of ‘getting the customer to success’ is something I think we’re all proud of,” Johnson told Kerridge at the March 9 meeting. “And that’s going to be with us, Ray, for many years to come.”

Some council members, though, are running for re-election. Depending on the results of their races, they may not have much time to make decisions affecting the department. The City Council incumbents running for re-election are Ray Tretheway, Steve Cohn and Robbie Waters.

Councilwoman Lauren Hammond is running for Assemblyman Dave Jones’ seat against fellow council member Kevin McCarty. Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson also is running for the seat. Hammond will leave the City Council.

McCarty’s seat is not up for re-election.

Hammond and Waters praised Kerridge for his work revamping the culture of the department. Waters said Kerridge “turned (the department) around” in a short period of time.

Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell commented that developers were Kerridge fans. “It’s obvious by the developers — who really want to keep you here — that you changed the way Sacramento does business.”

Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy spoke of Kerridge’s view of city growth. “You taught us how to look at this city as something that could grow and be something bigger,” she said. “And it can be, and it will be.”

Cohn said Kerridge led the customer-service culture change in city government, which is a forward-looking approach.

The errors that people may point out in Sacramento’s government “have been errors of trying to be proactive,” he added.

In his speech to the City Council, Kerridge said the business community has been “a great source of strength” for him.

Like Johnson, Kerridge thinks greatness is in store for Sacramento.

“Sacramento has a destiny,” Kerridge said. “Its destiny is to become a great American city.”

How Do Top City Staffers View the Department?

Interim City Manager Gus Vina will run the department for nine months to a year, at which time a city manager will be named.

Vina told The Sacramento Press last week that he is interested in the permanent city manager position.

He said his priority will be on “best practices and a culture that gets the job done.”

Assistant City Manager John Dangberg said in a March 12 interview that the department can simultaneously help builders and abide by laws.

“Our level of customer service for people who want to invest in our city is of paramount importance,” Dangberg said.

The city wants to ensure that it’s adhering to laws and that buildings are safe, he said.

Meanwhile, Vina said in a March 9 interview that the upcoming audit of the department will be key to the next steps for the department. “We definitely need to regroup,” he said. “We don’t want to go to a bureaucracy that ... doesn’t deliver for the customer. But if the audit says, by the way, you got a little too loose on policy ... we’ve got to bring that back to the middle.”

He said the city needs to examine the audit’s findings, then ask: “Do we need to change rules? Are they too loose? Are they too tight?"

Photo of Mayor Kevin Johnson and city council members by Anthony Bento.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

What matters is what parents do.

2010-03-14T18:42:41Z

On Friday, March 12, 2010 Bill Maher did one of his signature New Rules bits in the Huffington Post as well as on his weekly show Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO. The title of the piece was New Rule: Let's Not Fire the Teachers When Students Don't Learn -- Let's Fire the Parents which in my mind really nails the essence of the Public School Debate. Mr. Maher said, “According to all the studies, it doesn't matter what teachers do. …. What matters is what parents do. The number one predictor of a child's academic success is parental involvement. It doesn't even matter if your kid goes to private or public school. So save the twenty grand a year and treat yourself to a nice vacation away from the little bastards.”

So my question why isn’t anyone pushing Parent/Family/Community involvement or engagement in public education? Politicians, left and right are all about “charter Schools, failing schools and blaming teachers”. They say that charter schools are part of the solution, yet according to most studies of charter schools they are on average no more effective overall than traditional public schools. You would not know it by what is being said by the education reform advocates. Why would we want to set up a separate charter system that is no better than what we have when there is something else that has proven conclusively to work…parent engagement? Failing schools is the other big lie, yes we have had failing schools both charter and public and we have successful schools both charter and public but once again what works in all schools, failing or successful, charter, public or private…it is parent engagement. Why aren’t the reformers telling us this?. Why do we only hear about the failing public schools?
And then there is “blame the teachers’. Could this be “a little union busting”? If you have a child in our public schools you know that your child’s classroom teacher is your partner and that partnership is the key to your child’s success. Yet the reformers are saying your child’s teacher is bad. I say as a parent if you are engaged in your child’s education there are no bad teachers, your child will learn more from some than others. If you get involved your child will do better no matter the skill of the teacher.

So what does it mean to engage parents, families and the community?

Recognize that all parents, regardless of income, education or cultural background, are involved in their children's learning and want their children to do well.
Design programs that will support families to guide their children's learning, from preschool through high school.
Develop the capacity of school staff and families to work together.
Link activities and programs for families to improving student learning.
Focus on developing trusting and respectful relationships among staff and families.
Build families' social and political connections.
Embrace a philosophy of partnership and be willing to share power.
Make sure that parents, school staff, and community members understand that the responsibility for children's educational development is a collaborative enterprise.
Build strong connections between schools and community organizations.
Include families in all strategies to reduce the achievement gap between white, middle-class students and low-income students and students of color.

So why aren’t more parents involved? In one survey parents over 1/3 of the parents said no one asked them. So consider yourself asked. Get involved. It is time to quit all the posturing about charter school, failed schools and blaming teachers. Once more “What matters is what parents do. The number one predictor of a child's academic success is parental involvement. It doesn't even matter if your kid goes to private or public school. So save the twenty grand a year and treat yourself to a nice vacation away from the little bastards.”

Blazers pummel Kings 110-94

2010-03-13T23:00:08Z

For a team that was on the second game of a back-to-back, the Portland Trail Blazers played like a fresh team.

After beating the Toronto Raptors and a day of rest, it was the Sacramento Kings that were shut down.

The Blazers defeated the Kings 110-94 in a game where turnovers made the difference.

After achieving a triple-double the game before, Kings rookie guard Tyreke Evans had a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists.

Kings power forward Carl Landry had 18 points and 6 rebounds, while Francisco Garcia had 17 points off the bench.

Portland led by as many as 26 points and scored 21 points off of the Kings' 20 turnovers. Kings power forward Carl Landry said it was obvious to see how his team lost the game.

"You can look at the box score and see that," Landry said about turnovers costing the game. "That's what killed us."

Blazers guard Brandon Roy, who scored 41 points the night before, had 28 points while shooting 76.9 percent from the floor.

Portland's big man LaMarcus Aldridge scored 12 of his 18 points in the third quarter missing only one shot that quarter.

Not only that, the Blazers made 29 out of 32 free throws and its defense was consistent throughout the night.

"The Blazers' defense was very aggressive," Kings Head Coach Westphal said. "They took away a lot of our first options. We responded like a team that's been together for 11 games."

Since acquiring four new players in the past three weeks the Kings have a 4-8 record. Since the NBA All-Star Weekend, the Blazers, a team that is eighth place in the Western Conference, have a record of 9-4.

The Blazers were a more experienced team playing the least experienced team in the league.

"They ran their plays and we just fell apart," Evans said. "Brandon Roy got hot and Aldridge started hitting (shots). They never looked back."

Although the Kings fell to Portland, the team has shown that it can compete against playoff-bound teams in the past. Too many mistakes that led to turnovers cost the Kings the game.

"I think we can compete with anybody," Landry said. "They're a playoff team, but tonight it had nothing to do with them playing a back-to-back (game). It was us."

The Kings will try to regroup Sunday when the Minnesota Timberwolves come to Sacramento.

Fourth Annual Green Summit Next Week

2010-03-13T06:24:34Z

The fourth annual Green California Summit and Exposition is coming to the Sacramento Convention Center next week.

The expo is one of the biggest green forums with a public-sector focus in the nation. It's also where government and businesses interested in green technology can get educated, according to Racquel Palmese, managing editor of Green Magazine. The expo's theme is "Committed to Sustainability."

"In this time of economic hardship, it's important for everyone to keep their eye on the ball, as well as be good for the environment," she said.

In addition to an exhibit hall that will feature new developments in green technology, there will be four keynote speakers: 15-year-old Alec Loorz, founder of Kids vs. Global Warming; Noel Perry, Next 10 founder; David Roland-Holst, director of the University of California at Berkeley's Center for Energy, Resources and Economic Sustainability; and Fran Pavley, state senator who authored Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

"AB 32 is being challenged now," Palmese said. "This summit will be a good reality check on what AB 32 is and the importance of keeping it moving forward."

The summit also will offer classes and seminars on various topics such as water management, green building codes, and legislative mandates. Palmese said that the first-time class on building codes reflects the fact that California is the first state to have green building codes.

More than 300 companies will be represented in the three-day event.

"This is unlike any other green summit," said Palmese.

The Green California Summit and Exposition will be at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J St., March 16-17. Monday will haveall-day workshops, but no exhibit events. Registration is available online and is free only for exhibits and to hear keynote speakers.

Mural proposals sought

2010-03-13T04:59:53Z

The wall of a Midtown restaurant soon will soon become a fresh canvas for a Sacramento muralist.

Hot Italian and the Arts & Business Council of Sacramento have put out a call for artists to submit mural proposals with modern Italian themes. The winning artist will be paid $1,000, plus $500 in restaurant certificates, to design and install an 8-foot by 3-foot mural for the eatery's main dining room.

The space was intended to hold a bicycle. But the restaurant's owners, Andrea Lepore and Fabrizio Cercatore, want to open it up to local artists instead and decided to hold a contest to choose the design, Lepore said.

"It's really open to anyone," she said. "It could be any medium: photography, mixed media, painting. It's up to them and the space."

Local muralists involved with the nonprofit Midtown Murals Project see the contest as a great opportunity for a student, apprentice or other amateur. After factoring in the cost of supplies and other expenses, the artist would likely make about $100 a day for about a week's worth of work, said James Cooper, executive director of SEEART, the umbrella organization that oversees the murals project.

"We're happy to see that people are thinking in this realm," he said. "We'd just like them to think a little more about equitable benefits and not be so one-sided about who benefits."

Artists going through a rough time in this economy might consider the work, too, as long as they retain rights to reproduce their artwork — a major money-maker for artists, Cooper added.

The arts council applauded Hot Italian for hiring an artist, rather than just offering the opportunity to promote their artwork in a busy setting.

"A lot of businesses believe the promotion is enough. Some don't understand the value of design or how much work goes into creating an art piece," said Michelle Alexander, executive director of the Arts & Business Council. "It's really admirable that Hot Italian is treating the artist like a professional and paying them for their work — and also opening it up to the community to maximize what could be considered."

A detailed agreement, including reproduction rights, will be worked out with the artist. The restaurant is likely to be open to an agreement in which both sides could reproduce the artwork as needed, Alexander said.

The deadline for submissions is March 28. Finalists' work will be displayed April 10 at a Second Saturday event at Hot Italian, where visitors can vote on the designs. The mural is expected to be installed in June. For more information, go to www.hotitalian.net/mural or e-mail arts@hotitalian.net.

Photos provided by the Midtown Murals Project.

Uncertain Times for Beloved Effie Yeaw Nature Center

2010-03-13T03:56:24Z

The Effie Yeaw Nature Center, a 77-acre natural habitat preserve and learning center in Carmichael, faces possible closure.

The preserve is making the transition from being run by Sacramento County to being run by nonprofit organization, the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA), which currently is the center's second largest contributor, behind the county. However, the state budget may not cover expenses for the transition period, which could take years, park employees say. If the center does not get the funding it needs while the ARNHA prepares to take total responsibility, it may have to close its doors indefinitely.

Effie Yeaw was a kindergarten teacher who led exploratory trips for students in the early 1960's. The nature center named for her is well loved by patrons all over Northern California.

It is one of the largest natural habitats along the American River Parkway and offers hundreds of programs year-round to people of all ages.

Effie Yeaw offers schoolchildren in a five-county area field trips, hikes, wild animal encounters and education on environmental sciences and Native American culture. The center has programs dedicated to the subject matter of each grade.

Its main building houses dozens of live animals unable to survive in the wild and a 2004 addition provides a community meeting place and indoor classroom.

Effie Yeaw prides itself on being the most accessible natural habitat preserve in the Sacramento area, with guaranteed wildlife sightings, easy trails and a paved area that extends into the preserve for disabled people.

Director Marilee Flannery has been at Effie Yeaw for 16 years.

She called it "a huge economic draw to the Carmichael area. It also naturally filters the American River and the air in our area."

Local support has kept the nature center afloat. Community volunteers provide daily maintenance, program support and fund-raising activities. This help has been crucial; 10 employees have been laid off, either entirely or partially until the spring due to funding and the center has been forced to reduce its hours of operation.

Staffers have received help and advice from workers at county and city facilities who have faced the same difficult times.

"We recently received a call from Kathy Fleming, director of Fairytale Town, saying she loves the center and wants to help," said Flannery," and the Sacramento Zoo has offered to take our housed animals in case of closing."

Both of these facilities are privately owned, and receive limited funds from the state and county. This is the status Effie Yeaw wants.

The nature center seeks supporters, donations and volunteers, in hopes of keeping the doors open long enough for the ARNHA to make the nature center and preserve a permanent feature of the Sacramento area.

For more information and a schedule of programs for the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, visit effieyeaw.org.

Do You Think Someone Can Read Your Mind?

2010-03-12T21:15:42Z

Back by popular demand! All the way from Haifa, Israel, world-renowned performer LIOR SUCHARD.

Lior Suchard was born and grew up in Haifa, Israel. At the age of six he began to reveal unexplained phenomena, like moving teaspoons and other lightweight objects without touching them, the ability to stop watches, and reading thoughts of his family members and friends. He developed a distinct sensitive and special intuition. At 14 years old, Lior began making use of his special talents for entertainment purposes and realized his second love: the stage.

At age 18 Lior enlisted in the Israeli army as a combat soldier and during his three years of service contributed his capabilities to the army – in special shows before troops and in matters not yet allowed for publication! Upon his discharge from the army in 2002, Lior began to appear immediately all over Israel and abroad with much success and became a sought-after and liked artist. He created his original show "Supernatural Entertainment" in which he shows the audience that reading someone's mind can be easy as reading a newspaper. Combining psychology, sensitive intuition, and supernatural skills he allows members of the audience to participate in a demonstration of the human mind’s great capabilities. He combines his skills with clever humor and favorable ambiance.

At the beginning of 2007 Lior ascended to new heights and became known in Israel and all over the world when Uri Geller pronounced him his official successor, after his big triumph in" The Next Uri Geller" television show. Overnight, Lior became a much sought-after artist and his appearances stretched over myriad countries in Europe, the United States, Asia and Africa. He recently opened for Joan Rivers in Las Vegas, and will perform at Arco Arena during an upcoming Kings game.

On Sunday, March 21, Mosaic Law Congregation will be hosting Lior at a “fun”raising event. First on the program which starts at 7pm is comedian Laura Rosenberg, who has performed all over the country and recently performed overseas to entertain the U.S. troops. Then Lior will come out and amaze you as he challenges your understanding of the mind’s possibilities. Rumor has it that he will perform a never-been-seen-before feat that evening. Don’t miss it!

Facts/sidebar:

To see video clips of Lior’s prior performances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB5Q9UofnrM

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lior+suchard&search_type=&aq=f

To see video clips of Laura’s prior performances:
http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/comics/LauraRosenberg

Open seating tickets are $36/person, $60/couple.
VIP Sponsorship is $100, which includes reserved seats and an opportunity to meet with Lior after the show to ask questions and to witness his performance up-close and personal.

To purchase tickets, go to: www.mosaiclaw.org

The Curse Has Been Lifted!

2010-03-12T20:25:16Z

Last night something happened that no one thought possible. Ok, maybe a couple of people thought there was a chance.

While not as long lasting as the Curse of the Billy Goat or the Curse of the Bambino, the Curse of Giovanni Crotti was starting to cause nightmares.

Giovanni Crotti has been playing adult league dodgeball longer than most in Sacramento, having participated in leagues in Portland, Oregon prior to XOSO's beginning in Sacramento. As XOSO has grown from 50 dodgeballers to hundreds, Giovanni has maintained his hold as one of the top players in the league, yet a championship title remained illusive.

Giovanni was rivaling Jim Kelly with a streak of playing in five championship games, and losing them all, the most recent of which was two days ago in the Wednesday night league. After creating an all-star roster in the Wednesday dodgeball league, many thought it was Gio's team's title for the taking, and the team did it's best to bring Gio his first title, to no avail. Many thought the curse was just too powerful to be overcome.

Little did they know, the curse was to be lifted the very next evening, at the site of many of his previous failures. Last night, Kwiturbichen triumphed multiple times to squeeze into the title game, and WON IT ALL!

This story is not all about Giovanni. There were plenty of amazing matches last night, by every team in the playoffs.

In the first round, The Spread Eagles, who had stormed through the regular season, regularly triumphing by more than a ten game spread, had their hands full with Axis of Awesome. In fact, they beat Axis of Awesome by more than ten games just a few weeks ago. But last night magic was in the air. Axis of Awesome took an early 3-0 lead, only to see The Spread Eagles battle back to tie it as time expired, forcing a final overtime game to decide which team would move on. Even the final game came down to the end, with The Spread Eagles winning.

The other first round matchup between Hot Dogs and Tacos vs. The Ball Gobblers was just as intense, featuring momentum changing swings and a tight finish, with the Hot Dogs and Tacos prevailing.

The semi-finals featured The Spread Eagles vs. OMG Steve Has a Brother. OMG Steve Has a Brother had earned a first round bye, and was well rested. The Spread Eagles were coming off an emotional first round comeback. Who would move on to the title game? The Spread Eagles, by a score of 6-4.

Kwiturbichen, the #1 seed in the tournament, had been waiting for the chance to end Gio's curse, and to send off Josh and Kellee. Josh and Kellee have also been on fantastic teams over the past year, and are moving to Sweden in a week for two long dodgeball free years. The team wanted nothing more than to send them off with a championship in their final game, showing their support with face and body point symbolizing the Swedish flag.

Kwiturbichen took the early lead and went up 3-1, then 4-2. The final game was won by the Hot Dogs and Tacos but it wasn't enough to tie the match and force overtime. Final score: 4-3

The title match featured some great rivalries. Josh and Kellee have played on a team with two of The Spread Eagles in the Wednesday night league for the past year. Which portion of the Out Like a Fat Kid team would win? In the end, there was no doubt. Kwiturbichen won the title 4-1 with dominating catches and performances by the entire team. In the Spread Eagles furious quest to come back, they got Kwiturbichen down to one player, Giovanni, only to see him sink a clutch Ollie Shot, bringing his team back into the game. Not to be phased, the Spread Eagles proceeded to knock 7 of the 8 Kwiturbichen right back off the court, in under 30 seconds, leaving Chris Dalangin to help seal the title for his team. In his first shot, he sank the Ollie, bringing his team back in and in the end, clinching the match.

Congratulations on a great season to Kwiturbichen, the entire Thursday night dodgeball league, all the fantastic playoff teams, Giovanni for breaking the curse, and Josh and Kellee for winning your last dodgeball match before your adventure.

Thanks to everyone playing last night for keeping tempers in check and being great teams to ref. It makes the league a great place to meet other people and have fun!

www.xososports.com

Change your clocks, Change your Sprinkler Timer!

2010-03-12T19:28:26Z

When clocks are turned forward on Saturday night, the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities reminds residents and businesses to change their irrigation schedules as well.

The City’s current irrigation rules, found in the Water Conservation ordinance state that at the beginning of daylight savings time, residents and businesses may water up to three days a week, based on their address. Addresses ending in odd numbers may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday only and even-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. There is no watering allowed on Mondays. Watering of landscapes must be completed before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

“While the ordinance allows customers to water their yards up to three days a week, we remind customers to continue to water with the weather. Do not water when it is raining and remember not to over-water and limit run-off from your property,” Utilities Director Marty Hanneman reminded Sacramento water customers.

Customers can call 3-1-1 or (916) 264-5011 to request a free Water Wise House call to help find ways to conserve water around their home and yard or to anonymously report water waste in their neighborhood.

"Under The Radar" - 4th Wednesday Design Dialogue

2010-03-12T18:21:25Z

Urban Design, and more specifically infill design, has become one of the most desired types of development in the central city and surrounding residential neighborhoods. With continued concerns about the city's design review process, lack of neighborhood support and a host of other issues, architects often find it challenging to fully expressing themselves through their architecture.

After living and practicing architecture in Sacramento for several years, David Sarti of Flex Architecture will reframe this discussion, focusing on his "Little Red House" and discussing the opportunities created by building small, asking the question: "Why is Sacramento so slow to embrace modern Architecture?"

David's affordable-modern approach to design has landed his "Little Red House" in countless blogs including Apartment Therapy, Future House Now and Small House Style in addition to the pages of Dwell magazine and Metropolis. By designing small, urban and affordable David sees this as an "Under the Radar" path to a more interesting Sacramento.

What: "Under the Radar" - Building Small in Sacramento

Who: David Sarti, Architect, Flex Architecture

When: Wednesday, March 24th @ 5:45-7:30pm

Where: AIACV Chapter Office, 1400 S Street (enter on 14th Street; accessible)

Info: See attached flyer for additional info, questions: contact Dustin Littrell, dustinlittrell@hotmail.com

Sacramento Concerts, Music Events, and The Local Music Scene This Week

2010-03-12T15:11:24Z

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 many more go to the

www.eMusiConnect.com

homepage. Get out and enjoy!!

Concerts, Music Events, and The Sacramento Music Scene This Week:

Broadway Sacramento presents Chicago from Wednesday, March 10th - Sunday, March 21st at Sacramento Community Center Theatre. Tickets are $20.00 -$57.00.

Saturday, March 13: Pink Floyd Lazer Extravaganza at The Crest Theatre. Tickets are $36.00 - $38.00. Show starts at 8:00PM.

Sunday, March 14th: Trombone Shorty at Harlows. Tickets are $17.50 ADV. Show Starts at 8:00 PM.

Monday, March 15th: Sick Puppies at The Boardwalk. Tickets are $18.00 ADV/$20.00 Door. Show Stars at 7:30 PM.

Thursday, March 18th: JR Reid at Harlows. Tickets are $25.00. Show Starts at 8:00 PM.

Saint Patricks Day Events on Wednesday, March 17th:

Saint Patricks Day Block Party Hosted by Deveres Irish Pub on Wednesday, March 17th. Event is held on L Street between 15th & 16th in Sacramento from 8AM (ya it's early..but it's an Irish Party!) - 2AM. Two Stages of live music featuring traditional Irish entertainment during the day and Tainted Love at night. Tickets are $20.00 ADV/$25 Day of Event

Saint Patty's Day 20th Annual Tour of Pub's are listed in this week's issue of Sacramento News & Review.

Saint Patty's R District Pub Crawl will take place at locations along the R Street Restaurant Row (between 14th & 15th streets) in Sacramento.

New Concerts & Tickets On Sale:

Y&T at The Crest Theatre on Saturday, August 21st. Tickets On Sale FRI 3/12 at 10 AM.

Maxwell and Jill Scott at Oracle Arena in Oakland (No Sacramento Show). Friday, June 4th. Tickets are $58.00 - $144.25 Tickets On Sale FRI 3/12 at 10 AM.

Sting at The Concord Pavilion on Sunday, June 20th. (No Sacramento Show) Ticket Prices TBA when they go On Sale MON 3/15.

The Local Music Scene:

Friday, March 12th:

Jerry Perry presents Nevada Backwards - Shayna & The Bulldogs - Universal Steve at Old Ironsides 9PM/$7

Cypher 2010 - Floe Mnontana - Reflective Intelligence at Blue Lamp 9PM

Comedy & Music with Doug Stanhope - Keith Lowell Jesen - Crazy Harris Band at Marilyns 7PM/$25.00

Kevin Russell at Torch Club 9PM/$8

F*ck Fridays Prom Shaun Slaughter – Jon Droll – Roger Carpio at Townhouse 9PM/$3-$5

The Hits at Harlows 10PM/$10

The Polymers at Fox & Goose 9PM/$3

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

The Varones - Tom & Sophie - Earl Brooks at Lunas 8PM/$6

DJ Tina T with DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM

Ladies Night with DJ Gabe Xavier at Social Nightclub 10PM

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef & Selektor KDK at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Grand Opening Party at Venue Night Club (Formerly Empire) with Pop Fiction 8:30PM

Saturday, March 13th:

2nd Saturday Nu Jazz Architects - Chikading at Marco Fuoco Gallery 7PM

2nd Saturday Spring Fever Music Festival by Concerts 4 Charity with Two Sheds - James Finch Jr. at Clubhouse 24 at 5PM/No Cover

Natasha Kmeto - Slugwoth Chocolate at Marilyn’s 8PM/$10

Fascination at Old Ironsides 9PM/$3

Sex Type Thing at 10PM/$10 at Harlows

Dick Larson - Musical Chairs at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

This Charming Band Tribute to The Smiths - The Snobs at Blue Lamp 9PM/$10

Harper at The Torch Club 9PM/$7

Manoline Avene - Ricky Berger at Fox & Goose 9PM/$3

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Mix Saturdays with DJ Michael Moss at Mix Downtown 9PM

DJ Jus James at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM

Sunday, March 14th:

Brunch Beats with DJ Katz at Aura 11AM

The Ross Hammond Trio at Naked Coffee Lounge 8PM/$5

Blues Jam at 4PM & Mind X at Torch Club 8PM/$5

Salsa Sunday at MoMo Lounge 7PM

Alex Jenkins Trio at The Shady Lady Saloon 9PM/No Cover

Sacramento’s Jewish Heritage Festival— Celebrating kibbutzim, schwarmas, and Jewish American Heritage Month

2010-03-12T14:03:57Z

Looking for Israeli dancing? A piece of Judaica? A falafel, perhaps?

You can find all that and more on May 2, 2010 when the West Steps of the state’s Capitol are transformed into an Israeli shuk during the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region’s Jewish Heritage Festival.

Coinciding with Lag B’Omer and in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, this annual event kicks off with an Israel Unity Walk and the release of dozens of doves, the universal symbol of peace.

“As American Jews we get the best of both worlds,” said Festival Project Manager Caren Zorman. “We get to openly celebrate and embrace our Judaism, while also participating in a public celebration of Israel’s independence and statehood.”

In honor of this year’s theme, “The Centennial of the Kibbutz Movement,” Sacramento-area religious schools are creating displays that highlight different kibbutz industries, such as drip irrigation, flower production, and spas/retreats, and educating the public about what each industry does while offering hands-on activities.

“We want to show everything about kibbutzim,” Zorman said. “How they started, how they have grown, what they are today, and their value to the Israeli economy.”

Master of Ceremony Sen. Darrell Steinberg will address the crowd as will Congressman Dan Lungren. Invited guests include Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinberg, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, and Councilman Steve Cohn.

This year’s entertainment features Matisyahu, whose 2009 release, One Day, was a theme song of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Grammy-nominated artist has toured in the United States, South America, Europe, Canada, Israel, and Australia and recently appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, and the PBS series, The Jewish Americans.

Grammy-nominated singer, Matisyahu

Also on the entertainment program is The Los Angeles Israeli Dance Team, directed by David Dassa, son of Israeli dance choreographer Dani Dassa. The dance troupe has performed at Festival Aviv in Mexico City, the Boston Israeli Dance festival, the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, and two NBA halftime shows for the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.

“Everyone will find something to do and learn— from the Ultra Orthodox to those who are completely unaffiliated and Jewish in name only,” said Zorman. “This event will have something for everyone.”

She’s not kidding either. Slamson of Sacramento Kings fame and Dinger from the Sacramento River Cats also will make appearances, as will juggler and storyteller Izzy Tooinsky. Additional festivities include a fashion show featuring local designers and models; a food court with everything from schwarmas to falafel to hot dogs; and a variety of vendors who will showcase jewelry, Judaica, custom quilts, glass art, and more. Children’s activities include a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, and carnival games. A special tikkum olam section offers an opportunity for visitors to donate blood and to register for bone marrow transplants.

On April 20, 2006, Pres. George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month following the successful celebration of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History in May 2004.

With an anticipated attendance of 3,000 people, Zorman, who has been a project manager for Intel, Hewlett Packard, and former Gov. Pete Wilson, said, “People who are Jewish should celebrate being Jewish and learn about their culture. This event is for people who want to reconnect with Judaism in a non-threatening way.”

The ultimate goal, she added, is that “the Jewish community as a whole can feel good about themselves. This is about how we, as Jews, celebrate our heritage.”

The Jewish Heritage Festival is Sunday, May 2, 2010, 1:00-4:30 p.m. at the West Steps of the Capitol. For sponsorship opportunities or general information, contact Zorman at 916.486.0906, x. 303. To volunteer, contact Michelle Masoner at 916.486.0906. To sign up in advance to donate blood, visit www.jewishsac.org.

Reliving Evans' triple-double night

2010-03-12T07:08:28Z

Wednesday night was Tyreke Evans' night at ARCO Arena.

The Sacramento Kings rookie guard had limited-edition T-shirts and printouts of his face on sticks handed out on a night that was used to promote his rookie of the year campaign.

His choice of music was played during warm-ups before the game. There was a special introduction, which included pyrotechnics and a banner rising in honor of his night, for him. An announced crowd of 13,412 was introduced to the rookie of the year chant, "R-O-Y."

By the end of the game, RekeROY night was more than a success. It sealed the award for him.

Evans, the frontrunner for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award, notched his first career triple-double with an assist to Francisco García late in the fourth quarter. He finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 113-90 blowout win over the Toronto Raptors.

His memorable night also bumped his stats over 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game – stats only LeBron James and hall-of-famers Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan averaged as rookies. Evans is currently averaging 20.3 points, five rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.

After receiving a standing ovation from the fans, he said it was all for them.

"I had a lot of fun," Evans said. "I came out in attack mode, and the crowd was in it. I wanted to come out and have a good night with them honoring me."

Evans had a hot start to the game, grabbing four rebounds in the first quarter. Going into the game, he was averaging 4.9 rebounds per game.

On a drive to the basket, he had an unbelievable shot over the backboard after getting fouled by Toronto's superstar power forward Chris Bosh. The basket was originally waved off, but after a brief meeting they counted Evans' circus shot.

The R-O-Y chants gave him even more motivation after the Kings' slow start in the first half.

"They chanted every five seconds. I just started laughing," he said. "It gave me confidence in the second half."

Evans said he was a little embarrassed due to the fact that he was the center of attention for the entire night, on and off the court.

"They had the NBA all-stars talk about my game," he said about the videos shown on the JumboTron. "I had fun looking up at myself. (The fans) had little sticks with my face."

Another feature on the JumboTron was Mystery Karaoke, where Evans would sing a song, and teammate Beno Udrih would guess it. Both were busy watching it during the time-out.

Evans knew he was close to a triple-double near the end of the game, and he went to García to help him secure it.

"He told me to look for him off the curl," Evans said about the play that gave him the triple-double. "He did it a lot in practice, so I went for him. Hopefully he'd make the shot, and he did."

Kings Head Coach Paul Westphal said that he and the rest of the Kings players enjoyed RekeROY night.

"It was really exciting to see Tyreke have such a fitting night," Westphal said. "There are a lot of (good) rookies this year. For this year, it's not even close (for the rookie of the year award)."

Raptors forward and former Kings rookie Hedo Turkoglu also gave Evans praise after the game.

"The kid is going to be a great player in this league," Turkoglu said about Evans. "Already he's making a huge impact as a player and a leader. I wish him the best, and hopefully he becomes one of the greats."

Evans had two near-triple-double games earlier in the season. After rookie point guards Stephen Curry and Darren Collison for the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Hornets, respectively, had triple-doubles of their own, LaMont Peterson, Evans' trainer, said it best.

"It's long overdue," he said.

Grants Help Sacramento Businesses

2010-03-12T06:35:16Z

Sacramentans love their local businesses.

A handful of local businesses recently won $500 grants from Intuit Inc. as part of its "Love a Local Business" competition, in which customers nominate businesses for grants. Three businesses are awarded weekly, and nine local businesses have already won the grant from the software company known for its TurboTax and QuickBook programs.

"Sacramento overwhelmingly wants to support their local businesses," said Heather McLellan, a director at Intuit Inc. "There's a real wish for them to thrive here."

In addition to the weekly winners, Intuit is hosting a "Love a Local Business Event" Saturday and Sunday at 1801 L St., where local business owners can win one of five $1,000 grants and receive professional advice on running small businesses.

Eric Heffel, owner of Midtown frozen yogurt shop Yogurtagogo, said the grants are a great way to help out local businesses.

"The character of Midtown is based on independent businesses like these," he said. "In times like these when independents fail, corporations come in and take over, and you start to lose a lot of character in the area. I don't want to see Midtown become full of corporations."

Heffel was one of the first winners of the $500 grant, and he said he will use it to buy some materials he was holding off on until he had more money, adding that it was a local purchase.

"It's nice to have some money we can put back right into the local economy," he said.

Corey DeRoo, co-owner of French Cuff Consignment, also won a grant through the competition. DeRoo's shop, which she defined as a "chic secondhand boutique," hosts community events and helps sponsor nonprofit companies. DeRoo said this grant will help them continue that tradition.

"With this economy, a lot of businesses have had to cut out charity, but this helps us to continue to support the community," she said. "We believe in being a part of the community."

DeRoo said she thinks the grant competition is a great idea to help small businesses, adding that thousands of Sacramento businesses have closed in the past few years.

"I was really happy they are doing this event," she said. "It's such a perfect time to do such a thing."

Andy Smith, owner of The Bread Store, said winning a grant was fantastic.

Photo Captions

1. L Wine Lounge, photo by Rachel Valley

2. Yogurtagogo, photo by Jonathan Mendick

"Anytime you can be recommended by your peers and customers, it's very rewarding," he said. "It's going to help and will be nice to have."

The L Wine Lounge was another winner of the grant.

"We're excited that we won," said owner Marcus Marquez. "It's surprising, because there's so many great local small businesses in Sacramento."

While nine Sacramento businesses have won the grants so far, McLellan said that more than 500 local businesses have been nominated in a similar competition that will reward businesses across the nation, with a grand prize of a $35,000 grant. Competition for that grant will be fierce, as more than 90,000 businesses have been nominated nationwide.

Even with the chance of winning the $35,000 grand prize in the national competition, local business owners said they are very happy with their $500 rewards.

"We're excited to win anything," Marquez said. "Every little bit helps for small businesses."

'The Migrant Project" at The Sacramento Railroad Museum

2010-03-12T06:20:07Z

Rick Nahmias’ Photography exhibit, “The Migrant Project,” is currently on display at The Sacramento Railroad Museum.

“The Migrant Project” has toured from gallery to gallery for eight years and was transformed into a book two years ago. However, The Sacramento Railroad Museum might be its most unlikely stop.

Initially, Nahmias sought out the Sacramento Capitol Museum to display the photos to the public. Due to the Capitol being booked, Nahmias and his colleagues had to think outside the box. Nahmias’ colleagues are very committed to his message and his work, which is why he trusted their proposition of the Railroad Museum.

The museum’s old produce car has been converted into “The Migrant Project” gallery, and Nahmias said that he was convinced it would work at first sight. Because of numerous labor issues associated with the railroad’s history, Nahmias said he can see a common ground for the project, but acknowledges a disconnect with museum-goers’ motives.

Nahmias is an artist with an activist edge, and his exhibit presents an agricultural dilemma, what he refers to as a doom-and-gloom scenario. Most railroad enthusiast go the museum to see the mammoth remains of a golden era relics that encapsulate the grandeur of Manifest Destiny and the American Dream. Nahmias’ exhibit brings some politics and forethought to museum, one of the stable staple of Sacramento.

“The Migrant Project” traces Nahmias’ eight trips across 50 cities throughout California’s agricultural heartland spanning a full year. Initially, the project was self-funded, but received outside funding from advocacy groups when he presented his midway progress. Food is Nahmias’ issue, and he said he feels viscerally connected. His agenda is to give people the sight to see the human struggle behind food: to draw a line between the harvesting of a crop and its last stop on a dinner plate.

One of Nahmias’ most-recognized photos at the exhibit is “Tomato Tokens,” a photo of a farm laborer’s callused hands exposing the uncommon currency. One "tomato token" is given to a worker every time he or she presents two 25-pound pails of tomatoes. On the day of the taken photo, tokens were worth 95 cents. Nahmias recalled a moment on one of his last trips across the state when he discoved a migrant farmer hunched over on a beat-up truck tailgate clenching his tomato tokens and vigorously eating a taco before get back to work. Nahmias’ goal is to foster some compassion and educate viewers on the engine that drives California. “The Migrant Project” is in recognition of the 1.1 million California farm laborers.

Nahmias said his overall theme with his bodies of work is “bridging us with them.” Currently, he’s working on his new project, “The Golden States of Grace: Prayers of the Disinherited,” which covers how people find their faith through unorthodox examples from religious groups, such as Zen Buddhists in prison. The collective work of more than 100 photos and personal essays will be presented is his new book, which is due out in September.

“The Migrant Project” is currently on display at The Sacramento Railroad Museum. General admission tickets are $9, and kids' are $4. Admission is free on March 27 in honor of Caesar Chavez and will include a book signing event by Rick Nahmias and forum by the Fair Food Project Organization.

Chicago opens to a full house

2010-03-12T06:19:51Z

Greed, corruption, exploitation, murder and, of course, some good, old-fashioned razzle dazzle. Opening tonight at the Sacramento Community Theater to a sold-out audience, "Chicago" shows that all the world is a con game and the stage is the biggest scam of them all.

Set in the decadent 1920s, "Chicago" tells the story of Roxie Hart, a bored, philandering housewife, who dreams of one day seeing her name in lights and murders her lover when he decides to walk out on her. Gut-bustlingly played by veteran actress Bianca Marroquin, Roxie is sharp-tongued, crude and best of all has you rooting for her until the curtain closes.

Brenda Braxton’s interpretation of the bawdy Velma Kelly was exquisite. Her voice was big, her dancing was slinky and her Velma was dead-on (pun intended). John O’Hurley’s Billy Flynn is not to be missed. His singing was wonderfully awful, as it should have been, and from the time we meet him onstage in “All I care about,” you are already seething with desire to see more of his TMZ-esque, dare-I-say marketing schemes. O’Hurley is a truly gifted actor and performer, and he proves it in this revival tour of "Chicago."

Like the song says, ''Long as you keep 'em way off balance, how can they spot you got no talents?'' Crazy talk! This cast has talent oozing out of its writhing hips, and if there is any sense in Sacramento’s theater lovers, they will exult in this fabulous display and, quite frankly, indulge in all that jazz!

Golden Bear renovation soon complete

2010-03-12T05:18:54Z

With its remodel nearly finished, The Golden Bear is expected to host a grand unveiling as early as St. Patrick's Day on Wednesday.

Owners Jon Modrow and Kimio Bazett said they hope to have the work done by Monday. But the bar in the converted house at 2326 K St. must still undergo final inspections from the city and county, so the exact date for a reopening party has not been set.

Crews were busy Thursday completing renovation of the kitchen, bathrooms and an enclosed, covered back patio. Aqua couches, white tables and modern light fixtures with dimmers have been installed in the back room to create a clean, light ambiance, free of artwork. The idea is to showcase people "at their best," Modrow said.

"You're not going to be looking at art. You're going to be looking at people," he said. "It's all intended to be very social."

The room also serves as the smoking area. Vents were built in the back wall near the ceiling, and two powered exhaust fans will recirculate air every four minutes, he added.

The kitchen and bathrooms have doubled in size. The kitchen now has a range stove. Billy Zoellin, who worked previously at The Grange, Biba and Mulvaney's B&L, will create small-plate appetizers, an expanded weekend brunch and lunch Monday through Friday.

"We're becoming more of a gastro-pub," Modrow said.

The beer is also improving. A new draft beer system will pour Guinness with nitrogen and cool beers to about 35 degrees. It's a much higher-end system than what you'd find "in a frat boy's garage," he added.

The bathrooms now feature glass sinks, ceramic tile floors and waterfall faucets, where water pours from a fixture about a foot above the sink.

The front of the bar will be cleaned up, but no changes are expected there. The renovation, which had been slated for completion by the end of January, took longer after the county health department required a change in the water heaters, Modrow said, adding that he and Bazett then added other changes as well.

The staff is expected to grow from 20 to nearly 30. The bar has been open during the remodel. Food will start being served once the reopening party is held.

Photos by Suzanne Hurt.

Students compete for National Poetry Recitation Contest

2010-03-12T03:37:22Z

Thousands of students across the country are bringing poetry to life by competing in this year's Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest.

This is the contest's fifth year, and it is growing rapidly, influencing thousands of high school students to learn and perform poetry.

Kristin Margolis, the California state contact from the California Arts Council, said that "there is an incredible demand for the program, with 300,000 participants nationwide this year."

"California has the most competing in the nation," Margolis said. "We will have 40,000 students from 27 counties, which is a big jump from the 24 counties that competed last year and 20 counties the year before that."

The program itself was founded to inspire high school students to read poetry and learn, not just from today's poets, but from many poets before the 20th century.

"It is really important to encourage students to pick the poem and find something that has meaning for them," Margolis said.

The National Recitation Contest begins in the classroom, where students memorize poems and compete within their schools through their ability to remember, connect and perform their chosen poems.

Winners from each school continue on to compete in county contests and then state and national finals, where a single winner is chosen.

Margolis explained that it is such a great program because it can start by a parent, student or teacher hearing about it and deciding to get an entire school involved. There are no boundaries to who can participate because, as Margolis said, it is open to all students, whether home-schooled or in overcrowded classrooms.

"What is unique is that the program can run completely paperless," Margolis said.

Though she did say that supplies and poems are given to many of the schools, the Poetry Out Loud website has all 600 poems from which students can choose, making the contest accessible to every student.

This allows for a wide variety of students, some with very little resources and others who are in every available advanced class to compete on the same footing, Margolis said.

The competition is composed of a very diverse group of people, Margolis said, many of whom relate to poetry through hip hop and slam poetry.

The students gain more than just the knowledge of poetry - they gain confidence, public speaking practice and, as Margolis pointed out, "the feeling they have done something that they never thought they could do."

"All of the students really get the poems in their hearts, and we hear that they remember them years later," Margolis said.

The California finals will be held fro 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday in the Senate Chambers of the Capitol. This will be the second year of the finals being held at the Capitol.

Competitors will arrive at the Capitol the night before, allowing students to meet one another and bond through their poetry. Margolis said this "really allows them to root for each other."

The 27 winners from this year's competing counties will be reciting three poems for the California state finals. One has to be pre-20th century, one 25 lines or less, and the last is the student's choice. Students will be judged on their physical presence, voice and articulation, appropriateness of dramatization, level of difficulty, evidence of understanding, overall performance and accuracy. The overall score will determine a winner, and in the case of a tie like last year, Margolis said that the students must recite one of their poems again.

One state winner will move on to the national finals, which will be held at the George Washington University Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Semifinal rounds will begin April 26, and the finals will be held the following evening. The event is free and open to the public.

This year's competition is being sponsored by Target, which is donating gift cards and books to state finals participants to accompany their Poetry Out Loud certificates of participation.

Each state winner will receive $200 and a paid trip to compete in Washington, D.C., as well as a $500 stipend for the winner's school to purchase poetry books. The runners-up will receive $100 and a $200 stipend for their schools' library.

The winner of the national finals will take home $50,000 in awards and school stipends.

Monday's competition is open to the public, though space is limited. Since it will take place in the Senate Chamber, there are seats, but Margolis said she expects the chamber to fill up to standing room only.

The good news is that the competition will also be aired live on the Cal Channel, and a link can be found at calchannel.com.

Photo:
2009 California State Champion Spencer Klavan

I can has cheezburger? Squeeze Inn holds grand reopening

2010-03-12T03:28:28Z

Loosen your belts. Sacramento's most famous burger place, The Squeeze Inn, held its grand reopening celebration Thursday morning.

The celebration featured guest appearances by Mayor Kevin Johnson, City Councilman Kevin McCarty and County Supervisor Don Nottoli as well as music, speeches, a raffle and a burger-eating contest. Several hundred people shuffled into The Squeeze Inn throughout the lunch hour for special prices on the burger known for its famous "cheese skirt," which extends an inch beyond the bun.

The burger is constructed by cooking a one-third-pound beef patty and putting "a giant handful of cheese" on top of, and around, the burger, said Squeeze Inn employee Keith Lenhart. Then an ice cube is placed on the grill while the cheesy patties are topped with a lid, creating a steam chamber for the cheese to melt quickly.

"We go through about 200 to 300 pounds of cheese per day," said employee Charles Rogers.

"And about 270 pounds of potatoes," added Lenhart.

Lenhart, who said he has been eating at the Squeeze Inn for 15 years, only recently started working there a few months ago. Now, he and Rogers are in the process of opening a new Squeeze Inn on the corner of Sunrise Avenue and Douglas Boulevard in Roseville next month.

With locations in Sacramento, Galt and Napa, a Roseville location would be the fourth for the Squeeze Inn, which originally opened in Sacramento 34 years ago.

"This is the perfect location," Lenhart said of the burger joint's new digs on Power Inn Road in Sacramento. "I love it. It helps serve the people better, and (soon) we will get this great product out there in Roseville."

After being featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," hosted by Guy Fieri, the restaurant gained national fame. It was later mentioned on "Good Morning America" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

It also gained notoriety for not being in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. After several lawsuits, the Squeeze Inn moved to its new location.

"We (would have) had to make changes to the restaurant that would destroy the character, so we decided to move to another location," said owner Travis Hausauer. "The great people of Sacramento gave us wonderful support, and it was amazing what everybody did for us. We're really happy with the location, and we hope to have another 34 years here."

Now larger and wheelchair-accessible, the new location still retains the feel of the old restaurant. It incorporates the entire front entrance, all the bar stools and many of the decorations from the old location.

Michael Whipple, a Certified Access specialist for ADA Resource Associates and wheelchair user, said the old Squeeze Inn location had some wheelchair accessible seating. Although he doesn't eat burgers for health reasons, he helped plan the new location to make sure everything from the entrance to tables to the bathroom, were completely accessible.

He presented Hausauer with a plaque to put in the window. It certified that the restaurant is now fully accessible.

Forward. Finally.

2010-03-12T03:09:51Z

Sacramentans should be enjoying a sigh of relief today, and a swell of pride. After months, years, even a decade of back and forth, conflict and aimlessness, there is finally some movement forward on a sports and entertainment complex.

Yes, forward. Thursday morning's decision by the Sacramento First Task Force to recommend - if just recommend - the complicated but far-reaching "land swap" proposed by Gerry Kamilos' and David Taylor's organizations, and supported by the NBA and other crucial organizations, means that we are moving forward. Finally.

There will be a lot of arguing about this for some time. As an assistant to Mayor Kevin Johnson, who is to be praised for making progress on this a hallmark of his administration, put it, "This was the easy part." But the fact is, it hasn't been easy even to get to this point.

That we have gotten to this point is something to be celebrated.

Passions run particularly high about this subject, and there are a lot of very certain, very loud opinions about it. But at least now we have a well-considered opinion from a group of smart, well-meaning, experienced people, including task force co-chairs Lina Fat and Chris Lehane, about the best way forward.

Because no matter what you might think of the deal that would redevelop the Cal Expo grounds, build a new state fairgrounds in Natomas and place a new arena and intermodal transportation hub at the heart of a redeveloped downtown railyard, at least it does this:

It moves us forward.

Those who want other options, be they rival developers or Sacramento's well-established NIMBY crowd, will still have ample chance to weigh in, as members of the City Council did Thursday morning. There will be much jockeying and lobbying, and that's to be expected, even desired. That's how we do it.

There are many moving parts to this, sources of funding still to be identified, political agendas to be filled, and business and neighborhood interests to be resolved. At one point it was noted that this process could consume local government and businesses for the next two decades.

But that's good. That process, as tortuous as it will likely be, will create a lot of jobs, and at the end, we will have a much-improved city, with amenities we can only dream about right now.

And it could begin as soon as next Tuesday, when city staff brings the City Council its first report on the possibilities for financing, and in April, when some sort of timetable could be brought before the council.

The dream is legitimate. As a lifelong Sacramentan, downtown homeowner and resident, and frequent visitor to the current (and previous) ARCO arenas, I have not had a particularly strong opinion about where to put the new arena. I have, however, long been convinced that we DO need a new facility - and I say that as someone who has been to four Kings games in 15 years.

But as I've studied the issue, it has become clear to me, as it has to nearly everyone who watches these things, and as it was to the Task Force, that an arena needs to be downtown. Putting the arena in the suburbs would only continue to spread Sacramento out over more farmland and vernal pools and hillsides, put more people in more cars for more hours, and, worst of all, diffuse our vital cultural and commercial center just when it is finally, after decades of struggle, being established in downtown/Midtown.

As has been pointed out many times before, of the more than a dozen new arenas that have been built in the last decade, few have been built in suburban locations. That was what we did in the '70s, and like many of the urban choices made then, it was a mistake. As anyone who leaves our town can see, the placement of ATT Park in downtown San Francisco and of the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles has brought new life to those areas. Big, bustling, boisterous new life. Not to mention jobs and lower crime.

Now, some central city residents don't necessarily want new life in their neighborhoods. Sacramento's downtown and midtown have been quiet, nearly-suburban enclaves for so long that people have forgotten that they are, in fact, the urban core of our city. The mix of uses, particularly in Midtown, has led to some problems.

And the fact is, none of us really knows how this will affect us. I've heard dire warnings about traffic, about drunks, about noise, about air pollution, about raised taxes, and about what is essentially fear of what "those people" - sports fans, suburbanites, people with money to spend, people in cars, what-have-you - will bring to downtown.

But as Mayor Johnson has said many times, the time is now. Time is not on our side. And the future beckons: A new transportation center at the railyards will be the greenest step this city has ever taken, and increased density will stand us in good stead into the new century. A new state fair grounds in Natomas could be a showpiece for the entire state that would draw many more visitors here, and could be built in a greener, more sustainable manner than the lumbering old Cal Expo site. And having a whole new city on the old Cal Expo grounds would be greener and give more people the opportunity to live closer to downtown. To their work. To entertainment. To transportation.

To a vital new Sacramento that could finally take its rightful place as the last great undiscovered urban center of the western United States, a crossroads of north and south and east and west.

All of the details will be worked out over the next few years, as we move forward. Mistakes will be made, there will be setbacks, and arguments, and battles and wasted money. There may be a few new taxes, though that isn't going to fly in the current environment. As the mayor's assistant said, what happened today was the easy part.

But it was not easy getting even here. It took a lot of hard work, and thought, and thousands of hours of volunteer time, and negotiations. And because of that work, today, for the members of the Sacramento First Task Force, and the developers and local visionaries who pushed for this to happen, and above all to a mayor who has made progress his hallmark, was a great day.

So, this is a time to pause and take pride in our city for embracing new possibilities, even though we don't necessarily know where they will lead us. It is a proud moment, and we should savor it over the weekend.

And next week, we move. Forward.

Kamilos plan is favored by task force; Read arena task force report to Council

2010-03-11T20:10:09Z

Thursday in a special session at City Hall, task force member Chris Lehane told City Council members that the task force thinks that the project that represents the best success right now is the Kamilos project.

In Kamilos’ plan, the Downtown railyards will be the site of a 19,000-seat sports and entertainment arena. In a second part of the plan, a new fairgrounds would be built at Arco Arena and on nearby land.

John Moag, a consultant for the NBA working with Kamilos, in January explained a third part of the proposal. For that part, Kamilos' development team intends to purchase the California Exposition & State Fair from the state. A mixed-use residential development would be built at the Cal Expo site. Funds from the new development would help finance the arena Kamilos plans to build at the railyards Downtown, Moag said.

The report presented to the City Council can be found here.

Staff reporter Suzanne Hurt contributed to this report.

On Sunday, Meet Mary Pleasant

2010-03-11T19:44:20Z

Disclaimer: the contributor of this and his wife run Movies on a Big Screen, Sacramento's weekly screening series of documentaries, general independent film, classics and cult titles. The following is blatant self-promotion of a MOBS event.

On Sunday, March 14, 2010, Movies on a Big Screen is teaming up with the Sacramento Historical Society to present, Meet Mary Pleasant. The filmmaker, Susheel Bibbs, will be in attendance to speak following the film. The film begins at 7:30 PM, and the screening will take place at The Guild Theater, which is located at 2828 35th St, Sacramento. Admission is $5.00.

About Meet Mary Pleasant:
A unique, historical, performance documentary, unfolds the saga of Mary Ellen Pleasant the daring, unsung, 19th-century African-American activist and entrepreneur now called the Mother of Civil Rights in California. Narrated by the acclaimed actress Ruby Dee (SAG Best Supporting Actress, 2007), the film allows Pleasant to speak in live performance, using song, montage, re-enactment, commentary, and narration to enliven a backdrop of achievement, love, scandal, and American history. Pleasant's story is inspiring and important internationally. As entrepreneur, she amassed $30,000,000, and as activist, she changed modern-day civil rights law and affected civil rights throughout the US and in Canada.

Meet Mary Pleasant
Sunday, March 14, 2010
7:30 PM
Admission: $5.00
Movies on a Big Screen at The Guild
2828 35th St (corner of 35th & Broadway), Sacramento

http://www.moviesonabigscreen.com
http://www.sachistoricalsociety.org