Oscar Shorts 2012 This week, the Crest Theatre continues its tradition of bringing the Academy Award nominated short films to Sacramento in time for eager Oscar-watchers to fill out their ballots. And watching them in these special screenings puts you on an even footing with Academy members who are required to watch them in the same manner in order to be qualified to vote in these categories. In order to qualify for Oscar contention, short films (under 40 minutes) have to have had a run in theaters or to have won a top award in at least one Academy sanctioned film festival. The nominated films are packaged together by Magnolia Pictures and Shorts International to form theatrical packages

On Wednesday, a Sacramento company received the last bit of funding needed to launch production of a unique bicycle storage rack called The Bike Valet. The powder-coated steel bicycle hanger was designed by local carpenter and owner of Reclamation Art + Furniture Steve Tiller. “We (in the urban core) live in small apartments, and we need places to store our bikes,” he said Thursday. “This keeps the tires off the floor and keeps the kickstands from scratching hardwood.” Financing for the first production run of the product came from the website Kickstarter.com. On the site, consumers bought the product at a reduced wholesale rate of $75 plus shipping, which is a discount from the final r

The nonprofit Sacramento Area Animal Coalition (SAAC) is offering a deal too good for pet owners to pass up. For just $15, male cats can be neutered and receive core vaccinations, a dose of flea preventive, and permanent microchip identification -- services that typically cost as much as $250. SAAC has more than 150 appointments available for male cats as part of Spay Day Sacramento, which takes place at 18 area veterinary clinics and animal shelters on Sunday, February 26, 2012. Residents of Sacramento and Yolo Counties who receive public assistance and/or have an annual household income of $35,000 or less can have up to two cats neutered at participating veterinary clinics and animal

  Back in the 1950’s, Folsom Lake was created to provide water sequestration and flood control for the greater Sacramento Valley. Below the lake that now provides a venue for water skiing, fishing, and swimming, lies the confluence of the North and South forks of the American River. Also under the lake are the former mining settlements of Salmon Falls and Mormon Island.  When the lake was flooded, their history was flooded also; except during low water years like this one, when bits of their history re-appear.  After the discovery of gold on the south fork of the American River at Coloma, small settlements formed along the lower stretches of both forks of the American River by settlers i

New for 2012!!  Soul of the City is an engaging dialogue series between the public and the design profession on issues of importance to the community and the region with focus on improving communication, understanding and collaboration (formerly known as the 4th Wednesday Design Dialogue series).  Organized by the AIA Central Valley Chapter and the ASLA California Sierra Chapter, the dialogues are listed below for the year and the topics have come directly from the public and the profession from one of our dialogues last year.  We look forward to seeing everyone again this year for some engaging conversation!  See you at the first dialogue on February 29th, where we will kick-off the serie

"We've got quite a set here," announced MUTEMATH vocalist and keyboardist Paul Meany. "We've been around for eight years. That's a lot of songs to choose from!" Quite a set it was. Making an unconventional entrance from the back of the venue with instruments and Christmas lights in tow, the New Orleans electro-alt rock band went on to do a little face-melting for the packed house at Ace of Spades Wednesday night. The Grammy-nominated four-piece put on a sonic and visual spectacle, covering a massive setlist over more than two hours and sampling a bit from all their studio albums and EPs, including all 13 songs from their latest release, 2011's "Odd Soul." Aided by tons of frantic, colo

Mayor Kevin Johnson toured the downtown railyards with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Thursday, showing off the site of the future intermodal facility and – if all goes well for Johnson and the Think Big Committee – the site of a new entertainment and sports complex. LaHood stopped in Sacramento on a tour of California to discuss investments being made in job-creating infrastructure projects in Sacramento and around the country, according to a press release Tuesday. LaHood spoke to a crowd of more than 50, discussing the importance of high-speed rail in California, as well as job potential from the future intermodal facility. “This facility is what I believe is a national mode

Second Annual Authors Day Event Hosted by Assistance League® of Sacramento "Can You Dig It: Unearthing California's Legends and Lore."   Sacramento, CA - Charlotte Stott, President, Assistance League® of Sacramento announced that it will hold the second annual Authors' Day Event on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at the Sacramento Marriott Hotel, 11211 Point East Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA, from 9 am to 4 pm. The theme is “Can You Dig It: Unearthing California's Legends and Lore." President Stott said that six authors will present interesting facts and information about their books and experiences above and beneath California. Included in the full fee of $75 are morning refreshments, luncheon, a

Q. What are some affirmative defenses to fraud? Ayana A. For those readers who aren’t familiar with the phrase, an affirmative defense “sets forth facts from which it results that, notwithstanding the truth of the allegations of the complaint, no cause of action existed in the plaintiff at the time the action was brought.” Goddard v. Fulton, 21 Cal. 430, 436 (1863). In plain English, the defendant in a case can present information or evidence that reduces or eliminates his liability, even if the allegations in the complaint are true. Affirmative defenses are the legal reason why, even if everything happened just as described by the plaintiff, the defendant should not be held liable. Th

Looking for a special way to turn your Valentine’s Day into a memorable holiday? There are myriad options out there, but here are a few highlights for the upcoming weekend: For the foodie (Fri & Sat 6pm): Let GrubCrawlUSA's Pre-Valentine's Sexy Singles Mingle & Consensual Couples Crawl take you on a taste-tastic tour of Sacramento's finest dining spots. Whether you’re single or paired up, there’s a spot for you—Friday is aimed toward singles & Saturday to couples (so, presumably, if you find someone on Friday you can make a return tour on Saturday!). For the single lady (Fri 9pm): Stroll Now 100.5’s Mile of Men at The Park Ultra Lounge and take your pick from the area's most eligible bac

Popular Sacramento area triathlon, Eppie’s Great Race, announces the recent overhaul of its website, a new logo and an expanded social media presence. The website (www.eppiesgreatrace.org) takes a one-stop-shopping approach with registration and race information all in one place. The integrated registration system featured on the new site is powered by the NGIN website platform that turns the process into a positive, efficient and secure online experience for all participants.  Multimedia and printable detailed maps educate participants about the racecourse and how best to prepare for competing in the run-bike-paddle triathlon. The website also highlights the unique specialized programs o

Beating human hearts and artistically painted hearts in all forms filled the Alex Bult Gallery to raise funds to help kick off the Any Given Child program. Sacramento was chosen by the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC as the very first site in the country to pilot the Any Given Child program which seeks to ensure that every child in every K-8 school has access to quality arts experiences.  17 pieces were auctioned off by David Soborn Auctions. A silent auction followed. According to their FaceBook page this morning "Hearts for the Arts was a smashing success last night! Amazing art, music, food and a live art auction with lots of creative friends all partying together - and supporting

There are many places in Sacramento city and county where a long roadway travels through numerous neighborhoods: Fair Oaks Boulevard, Watt Avenue and Sunrise Boulevard, for starters. When the street name is very close to the neighborhood name – such as Del Paso Boulevard and Del Paso Heights – people unfamiliar with the area often confuse the road and the neighborhood. Sacramentans take pride in their neighborhoods and, since the reputation of one neighborhood is not always carried on the roadway to the next, that confusion can get on a resident’s nerves pretty fast. For example, a commenter on a recent Sacramento Press article about road improvements along Del Paso Boulevard had this t

The Old City Cemetery Committee, in conjunction with the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum in Sacramento, will offer a free tour of the Historic City Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Feb. 18 to honor Sacramento’s black pioneers. “We’ll be featuring a dozen or so fascinating people from Sacramento’s history who were African-American or who affected their experience,” said Dr. Bob LaPerriere, founding member of the Old City Cemetery Committee. Several guest docents from the Sojourner Truth Museum will be positioned along the tour to speak about Sacramento’s black pioneers. Eric Bradner, volunteer docent with the Old City Cemetery Committee, will lead the tour. Among the stories he will featu

Valentine’s Day cards for veterans sounds like a simple enough request, but the reality is that the general population is too busy to recognize these unsung heroes. In response, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has issued a request, and the Colfax VFW Ladies Auxiliary 2003 was eager to comply by spreading emails to everyone in the area asking for homemade valentines. In an unprecedented move, Carlo and Emma Lujan of C & E Auburn V-Twin, Inc. have adopted the request and taken it to the next level by incorporating the concept into the 32nd annual Sweetheart Run. All motorcycle enthusiasts and community members are encouraged to rally around the idea, producing a record number of cards by

Art pays homage to art in a new gallery exhibit called “Musicians of Midtown” at Gallery 2110 as artist Brooke Walker-Knoblich exhibits 10 paintings of local musicians playing in Midtown venues. “I’ve always been intrigued by musicians in particular – not just music, but the performance of music,” Walker-Knoblich said. The paintings – all done in oil – evoke the emotions she felt in hearing the music, she said, adding that she watched the musicians perform, drawing sketches of them in as little as 30 seconds, then painting the larger works using the sketches as foundations. Some of the works have shorter brush strokes to fit with the quicker pace of the music, while others are longer, a

Before the Sacramento River Cats begin the 2012 season in defense of their 10th division title in 12 years, one of the most successful American professional sports franchises will host one of Major League Baseball's most storied champions. For the first time in half a decade Major League Baseball will be played in Sacramento as the River Cats host their parent affiliate Oakland Athletics on March 31, 2012. Following a successful 2011 season, in which Sacramento won its 10th Pacific Coast League South Division title, the River Cats kick off the 2012 season against some familiar faces who have found success at the Major League level. The River Cats will host the four-time World Series cham

Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, spent his lifetime dreaming about different creatures and silly ways to name them. The Sacramento Public Library will honor Dr. Seuss’ 108th birthday by hosting numerous family-friendly programs at selected library locations in early March that include: • Thursday, March 1 at 4 p.m., Arcade Library, 2443 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento: Listen to Dr. Seuss’ books, take the challenging Seuss quiz, play games related to your favorite Seuss characters, and, as at any birthday party, enjoy yummy treats and exciting prizes! • Thursday, March 1 at 4 p.m., North Highlands-Antelope Library, 4235 Antelope Road, Antelope: Read and listen to favorite Seuss' stor

The Sacramento Public Library will present award-winning children’s book author David Schwartz at a free family program on Wednesday, February 22 at 6 p.m. in the Isleton Elementary School gymnasium, 412 Union Street, Isleton. With stories, poems and visuals, Schwartz will talk about the mathematics of the world around us and the many ways families can make math an enjoyable part of their everyday life. Schwartz has authored nearly 50 books, including How Much is a Million?, If You Made a Million, G is for Googol, Q Is for Quark, If You Hopped Like a Frog, and the Look Once, Look Again science series. His latest book is Where In the Wild? A popular speaker for children and educators, Sch

The push to put a city parking lease to a vote fell flat Tuesday as the City Council rejected a motion to put the question on the June ballot. It was City Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy who first suggested in November that the voters should have a say in whether the city leases its parking inventory to an outside company. She conducted a city-wide poll on her website in October, which indicated that 70 percent of respondents favored a public vote on a potential 50-year lease, according to Sheedy. “The (arena) plan hinges on leasing the city’s parking for 50 years,” Sheedy said Tuesday. “I think such a massive public investment warrants a public vote.” Still, after almost an hour of public d