Events

Children's House wins at First Annual Hooter's Wingfest

2009-09-07T05:08:58Z

Doug Kappy was sitting on a massive velvet and steel throne. Smiling, the event MC and Bay Area Hooters owner surveyed a William Land Park Golf Course driving range transformed by food vendors, eager eating-contest competitors and the Refugees, a Tom Petty tribute band.

"People look at Hooters and [often] don't realize our work at charitable events," he said, after stepping down from the glistening chair.

These words reflect the juxtaposition between Hooters' iconic style and its fundraising work on behalf of the George Mark Children's House, a unique hospice for terminally ill young children and their families.

The First Annual Hooters Wingfest Sacramento was conceived as a fundraiser for the George Mark Children's house, a San Leandro-based nonprofit.

Through private and institutional giving, George Mark provides housing and therapy for entire families before and after a child's passing. "We provide comprehensive no-cost compassionate care in a home-like setting so you don't feel like you're in an institute," Charbel Semaan, George Mark external relations manager, explained.

While Semaan was speaking, a young wheelchair-bound child was escorted into the event by his family. "Terren has known nothing but pain his own life. He's slowly dying [and] his is mother is battling breast cancer," George Mark representative Kevin Kimbrough explained.

At George Mark, Terren and his family have found long-term counseling and care.

"We've never turned anyone away at George Mark," Semaan said. "If we become so full, that's the inspiration for other organizations... We don't want to be the first and only, we want to be the first of many."

Asked about the Hooters fundraiser, Semaan replied: "I see a direct connection here... after an event like this we consider Hooters part of the George Mark family."

Several dozen yards away, young Hooters girls zig-zagged across the lawn, selling raffle tickets to raise funds for George Mark Children's House. "It's $20 for [the length of a man's] wing span, $10 for an arm," they cheerfully explained.

As the the Refugees ended their set with Tom Petty's "American Girl," the crowd of more than one hundred grew anxious. The seven competitors, who had each earned a place by winning preliminary competitions, were called to the stage.

"We had competitions in August every Thursday night," said Frank Chopski, event organizer and owner of three Sacramento-area Hooters. "The wings are regular hot, and the winner will be the first one to 30," he added.

As the seven men were escorted onstage, the crowd began to cheer. The Hooters girls topped off the excitement by placing large containers of spicy wings in front of each contestant.

Then the eating began.

Vying for a three-day, two-night trip to Honolulu, the contestants immediately entered a whirlwind state of frantic consumption. As the containers were emptied, the crowd's excitement became increasingly palpable.

In a flash, Arden Hooters regular Brian Jensen was declared the winner. Jensen triumphantly threw his arms in the air, his face stained orange with sauce.

As the wild scene died down, Jensen was crowned on the steel and velvet throne as the Hooters Wingfest champion. "I'm gonna take my fiancée Jenna [to Hawaii] on our honeymoon," Jensen said.

After the crowd began to disperse, George Mark representative Kevin Kimbrough congratulated the elated champion. On that Saturday afternoon, however, both Jensen and George Mark Children's House had been winners.

To learn more about George Mark Children's House, visit www.georgemark.org

To read about upcoming Sacramento-area Hooter's, visit www.hootersofcalifornia.com

The Scoot Shop raises scooter awareness and money for the arts

2009-09-21T04:52:07Z

The Scoot Shop at 1619 E Street hasn't been around for a year yet, but it's already developed a reputation as a Midtown magnet within the Sacramento scooter subculture.

"There's a big scooter community in Sacramento, and there hasn't been a home [for that community]," said Scoot Shop co-owner Rebekah Spurgeon.

Judging by the crowd of enthusiastic scooterists in attendance at the Scoot Store, it appears the community has found a home.

The store, a cross between a large garage and a small aircraft hangar, holds dozens of scooters and a vast array of scooter equipment. And on Saturday night, it held the first annual Scooter Jamboree, a two-day event that included a meet and greet and a charity ride through Sacramento on Sunday morning.

The meet and greet included live music, fire dancing, a charity auction and an art show featuring the work of Casey Sachen, a Chicago-based photographer.

Sachen's show is a montage of images taken at scooter rallies throughout the United States. "I've been a scooterist for years, and I felt it was really important to document the rallies. ... It's a subculture that we should know about," Sachen said. The photographs, which include images taken at Sacramento-area rallies, will be on display at the Scoot Shop until mid-October.

The scooter community represents every demographic. "It's across the board, from college-aged to retirement," Spurgeon said. "Some want to be in the scene, some want an economical mode of transportation."

A woman nicknamed "Bodacious" by her friends at the Sacramento chapter of the Royal Bastards Scooter Club explained that within a few years of beginning to ride scooters, she had abandoned large vehicles. "Honestly, I've gone camping with just my scooter," she said.

When she first purchased her scooter, what surprised Bodacious, she said, was the community. "I did not realize there was a whole scooter culture," she said. Like many of those at Scooter Jamboree, she now attends regional events, such as Amerivespa, and community rides with organizations such as the Royal Bastards.

Proceeds from the Scooter Jamboree were donated to the Sacramento-based T&M Organization for the Arts. T&M representative Shiree Cano said her group provides art and music at afterschool programs for children and young adults.

To learn more about the Scoot Shop visit: www.thescootshop.com.

To view photographs from Casey Sachen's project visit: www.bluesmokephotography.com.

To read more about the Royal Bastards Scooter Club visit: www.royalbastardsscooterclub.com.

Capitol Update Oct. 12, 13

2009-10-12T02:12:05Z

Monday Oct. 12:

Noon - 1:30 p.m. Kevin S. Carter will read poetry on the north steps of the Capitol.

Tuesday Oct. 13:

10 - 10:30 a.m. Californians Against Higher Taxes will host a press conference at the north steps of the Capitol.

Photo credit: Anthony Bento

Despite wild weather, Capitol Plein Air Festival is a success

2009-10-18T04:31:37Z

The artists participating in Sacramento's first plein air festival survived a week of chaotic weather to produce a vivid collection of locally inspired paintings.

A "plein air festival" celebrates the physical beauty of a place by requiring participants to create artwork depicting aspects of a location within a specific time frame.

Participants in the Capitol Plein Air Festival selected locations such as the Crest Theatre and Cezar Chavez Park for inspiration. Others chose lesser known places, such as the Meadowview Light Rail station or simply a wet sidewalk.

"All of the work was created since Sunday," explained event organizer Patris Miller at the event's gala, held Friday at the Capitol Art Center and Patris Studio at S and 12th streets.

To ensure that the paintings were created during that time frame, the canvases were stamped at the beginning and end of the festival.

On Friday the participants were also invited to create a work from scratch between 1 and 4 p.m.

During the "quick draw," artists scrambled to complete their paintings. "You have a paintbrush in one hand, a stopwatch in another," said participant Gerald deDios.

Holding two colorful 3 inch paintings, deDios explained that "because of the limitations, I decided to keep it small."

Rollie Barrero, a friend of deDios, also participated in the quick draw. Composing a much larger work, he found the three-hour limitation to be cathartic. "For that moment it's an escape, that's how an artist feels," he said.

"You just don't have a lot of time," said artist Alfredo Tofanelli, speaking about the event's quick draw.

Like deDios and Barrero, Tofanelli has participated in other plein air festivals. "I've done quite a few, from the Carmel Art Festival to the Estes Park Plein Air in Colorado," he said. "I've done [a quick draw] in as little as 45 minutes with a sunset."

Many of the over one hundred gala attendees expressed astonishment. "I can't believe that anyone could do this in 3 hours," said quick draw admirer Barbra Harsch.

Some of the artists in the Capitol Plein Air Festival were Sacramentans who had considerably less experience than the traveling professionals.

"I've never entered in a plein air contest," said Patris Studio student Sam Liberman. "The rain and the wind was really bad, (but) I managed to get out every day but one," said Liberman.

Lieberman is a regular student at the Patris Studio. The studio offers educational events nearly every day, many of which are led by distinguished local artists. Fees typically range between $20 and $25 per class.

The paintings created during the festival will be on display at the studio until Nov. 21.

The 14-month old studio has high hopes for future festivals. "We would like to establish [the Capitol Plein Air Festival] as one of the major plein air events in the West Coast," said Miller.

To learn more about the Capitol Art Center and the Patris Studio visit their website.

Photographs of pre-gala painting by Rollie Barrero

Gala photographs by Anthony Bento

Christopher Walken impersonators delight audience at Guild Theater

2009-09-29T05:07:12Z

Last Saturday at the Guild Theater, a traveling acting troupe performed All About Walken, a 90-minute experiment that blended short-scripted sequences with audience participation and improvisation.

The performance, inspired by society's fascination with Christopher Walken, included everything from Walken's childhood to imagined performances of Walken in films such as The Lord of the Rings and The Wizard of Oz.

The seven-person cast included two female cast members, which tremendously enhanced the show. One of the most hilarious moments occurred when a woman, in Walken's famous deadpan voice, promoted a feminine hygiene product.

Another highlight was when an actor impersonated Walken playing the shark in Jaws. The iconic theme of the film was sung with Walken's unique pitch and intonation, as the Walken-shark moved rhythmically toward his prey.

The show fluidly moved between sequences and was held together by recurring scenes of Walken in a New York taxicab driven by Robert DiNero.

At several points, multiple Walkens occupied the stage. Resembling the most hilariously surreal scenes of Being John Malkovich, they all watched themselves and, at times, interacted. It was a treat to watch something so fun and bizarre unfold in live theater.

Although the show was delightful, the limits of its premise became apparent as the novelty faded. Video sequences such as 'Gay Walken Marriage' fell flat and the Walken Thriller dance, though fun, seemed oddly out of place.

The talented actors, however, kept the audience captivated and the beautiful Guild Theater provided a perfect venue for the creative performance.

Unfortunately, All About Walken does not have any future performances scheduled for the Sacramento area. A similar show, All About Jack: The Impersonators of Jack Nicholson is playing in Los Angeles from Oct. 1-15 and in San Francisco on Oct. 10 and 11.

To read more about All About Walken, visit its website at www.myspace.com/allaboutwalken

Team Maria benefit at The Park

2009-08-25T04:18:22Z

A fundraising benefit will be held at The Park (1116 15th St.) on Aug. 26 for Team Maria, a newly formed group of cyclists dedicated to raising money for the Best Buddies program for people with intellectual disabilities.

The Team Maria cyclists will ride alongside California First Lady Maria Shriver and Actor Rob Lowe at the annual Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, a charity event that will be held on Sept. 12. The event includes a 100-, 62-, 35- or 15-mile bike ride down the Pacific Coast Highway, or a 3K walk or 5k run led by Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis. Those interested in participating can register at the Best Buddies Challenge Website, and cyclists interested in joining the 30-person (and growing) Team Maria may sign up on the team's website. Participants commit to various fundraising requirements.

Beginning at 5:30p.m., the benefit will include complimentary Asian-inspired appetizers, a raffle and an auction. Prizes will include tickets to the California Governor & First Lady's Conference on Women, beach cruisers, a one-night stay with breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, a California Museum for History, Women and the Arts gift basket and more. The event aims to help Team Maria reach its $30,000 fundraising goal by Sept. 12. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit Best Buddies.

Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is an international organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. In addition to operating four offices in California, the Best Buddies program functions through an extensive network of middle school, high school, college and community chapters.

In June 2007, Audi of America announced a partnership with Best Buddies. For the next three years, Audi will continue to be the exclusive automotive sponsor of Best Buddies International. In addition to Audi's support for Best Buddies' numerous projects, the company's vehicles have traditionally led the way for participants in the Hearst Castle challenge.

The Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle arrives at a time of particular significance for Shriver. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Maria Shriver's mother and longtime champion of the Special Olympics, passed away on Aug. 11. Team Maria and Best Buddies continue Eunice Shriver's mission of improving the lives of the intellectually disabled.

Tickets for Wednesday's event at The Park are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Please contact abianchi@deweysquare.com for more information.

To learn more about Best Buddies California call (888) 68 BUDDY or visit bestbuddiescalifornia.org.

If you're interested in joining Team Maria, Shriver and Lowe at Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, visit: http://www.bestbuddieschallenge.org/.

Behind hazmat workshop lies a storied past

2009-09-11T04:44:33Z

The 20th annual "Continuing Challenge" Hazmat Workshop is being held at the Sacramento Radisson through Friday, Sept. 11.

Hosted by the Sacramento Fire Department, the workshop provides a forum for emergency response teams and other interested individuals to become familiar with the hazmat industry's cutting-edge equipment and services. More than 70 industry groups are in attendance.

Walking around the Radisson courtyard, surrounded by advanced computer equipment, detection devices and polymer-lined chemical suits, one wouldn't expect that nearly thirty years ago the industry was practically nonexistent.

Jan Dunbar, event coordinator and retired chief of special operations at the Sacramento Fire Department, explained that until the late 1970s, the current hazmat response did not exist. "For many years, the Fire Department would respond to hazmat situations by just washing (the contamination) down with water."

This all changed when fire officials throughout the country were forced to rethink their 'wash-down' policies. Safety concerns dramatically rose after responses to major contaminations resulted in the deaths of firefighters. According to Dunbar, in one hazmat response in Kingman, Ariz., "12 firefighters died instantly."

And in the 1970s, he said, the federal Environmental Protection Agency began citing fire departments for their 'wash-down' policies. "This was an era when the fire service of America took a look at itself and decided it could do better," Dunbar said. That's when a whole new response service -- the hazmat team -- was born.

In 1980, several major East Coast fire departments launched their first hazmat teams. In 1981, Dunbar was selected to start Sacramento's first such team.

Although fire departments responded to safety and environmental concerns by creating hazmat teams, the industry at that time was unable to provide departments with adequate protection and detection devices, Dunbar said. It "was disorganized, (with) no standards, no self-imposed direction. Everything had been stagnant. When I looked at chemical suits in 1980, they were totally unacceptable," he said.

Dunbar explained that much of that era's equipment was developed during World War II. Nearly 40 years had passed and there was little technological development.

"Professional organizations in the fire departments demanded that the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) create committees for the purposes of writing standards (for the hazmat industry)," Dunbar said. "Within a very short period of time, 1989 to 1990, standards were published and manufacturers had to follow those standards."

The standards were very strict, Dunbar said, but the industry met and exceeded those goals within several years. As a result, the standards became even more rigorous.

Looking over the Radisson courtyard filled with vendors from an industry he helped to create, Dunbar said, "The technology was always there, (industry) just needed a kick in the pants to do it."

To learn more about the "Continuing Challenge" Hazmat Workshop, please visit: www.hazmat.org

Hundreds queue for free Swine Flu vaccine

2009-11-19T05:22:50Z

Waiting to receive the county's free H1N1 flu vaccine, hundreds of Sacramentans queued outside of Loaves and Fishes on Wednesday.

“I'm thankful that they have this,” said Beverly Hoeven, a resident at the Salvation Army's nearby shelter. “I just want to be protected, my daughter is pregnant.”

Organizers expected roughly 1,000 people, but they were prepared to service any in need. “There is no shortage,” said Sacramento County Public Health employee Lorence Kuhlman.

Residents from throughout the area began waiting more than an hour before the 10-a.m. opening of the clinic.

“I've seen what this illness can do, and I can get the shot for free,” said community resident Jennifer Rose.

As the vaccinations commenced, the swelled line began to shorten. The county vaccinated six individuals at a time and dozens of officials from both the county and Loaves and Fishes expedited the process by helping those in line complete medical forms. Officials also periodically reassured everyone that they would receive the vaccine.

"This is really a good thing," Rose said. "The more people that get vaccinated the less chance there will be a pandemic."

As of Nov. 18, Sacramento county has scheduled more than three dozen free H1N1 community clinics. Individuals interested in the vaccine can visit the Sacramento County Public Health website at www.scph.com or call the county's health line at (916) 875-5881 for more information.

Kuhlman recommends individuals check the website or call before they visit a clinic.

“Even today, things will change,” Kuhlman said. “It's very fluid, we adapt according to community health needs.”

Sacramento Harvest Festival celebrates its 35th year

2009-11-19T05:33:24Z

This weekend, more than 250 artisans from throughout the country will display more than 24,000 arts and crafts at Cal Expo.

From Nov. 20 - 22, the Sacramento Harvest Festival will offer the community shopping and entertainment.

"We have people that come specifically for a vendor," said Liz Stigge, festival communications officer. "It's great to have that community interaction."

The Sacramento Harvest Festival began 37 years ago in San Francisco. According to Stigge, individual artists, who were part of a national crafting movement in the 1970s, created the festival as forum to collectively display their work and interact with the community.

Since then, the festival has expanded to eight locations in California and one in Las Vegas, Nev. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Sacramento festival. Organizers have attempted to remain true to the festival's roots, however.

"We only allow American arts and crafts [in the current festival] to honor that tradition," Stigge said.

The festival has also evolved to include an eclectic group of musicians and performers.

"We have a stilt-walker, strolling performers and many bands," Stigge said.

This year the festival is partnering with the Elk Grove Food Bank. Anyone who brings canned food to the event will receive $2 off admission.

Additionally, the event benefits Big Brothers and Sisters of Greater Sacramento, a non-profit organization that mentors children. Attendees may support Big Brothers and Sisters by purchasing a $1 festival shopping bag or through donations.

Tickets cost $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and $4 for teens. Children 12 and under are free and groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets for $5.

For more information, visit: www.harvestfestival.com.

Photographs courtesy of Liz Stigge.

Capitol Update Oct. 10,11

2009-10-10T01:28:18Z

Saturday Oct. 10:

8 a.m. - 2 p.m. The American Diabetes Association will hold its annual "Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes". Seven-hundred participants are expected and will meet at the west steps of the Capitol and walk along the Capitol Mall and then through Historic Old Town, finishing back at the Capitol. There will be live entertainment, music and a health and education fair. To learn more, visit http://stepout.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/StepOut554048010?pg=entry&fr_id=6468.

9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Grant High School will hold an African American Cultural Rally at the north steps of the Capitol. Three-hundred participants are expected.

8 a.m. - 4 p.m. The California State Archives will hold its 10th annual Family History Day workshop at 1020 O Street. Short classes on a variety of subjects will be available: beginning genealogy, what's available at local institutions, computer software and demonstrations, preservation techniques and much more. To learn more, visit http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/events/family-history-day.htm.

Sunday Oct. 11:

1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. The Church World Service will hold the 25th annual five and ten kilometer Sacramento CROP Hunger Walk at the west steps of the Capitol. A portion of the proceeds will go to support local groups that aid the hungry and disadvantaged. To learn more, visit http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer.

Photo Credit: anthonybento.com

Dedicated collectors attend political items fair

2009-12-14T06:01:04Z

The Northern California Chapter of American Political Items Collectors held a small fair at Sierra 2 Center in Curtis Park. The event on Sunday attracted an enthusiastic group willing to brave the stormy weather.

"I started the Obama Political Items Collectors about a year ago," said Cary Jung. "The Obama campaign was so grass roots, people were making items out of their garage and bedrooms."

Jung said his interest in political collectibles began more than 40 years ago. "I've been collecting since '64 during the Lyndon Johnson campaign."

Like Jung, many of those at the event are lifelong collectors. Fred Jorgensen said he began collecting Kellogg's pep pins when he was a youngster. The small pins came inside cereal boxes during the 1940s, he said.

"I transitioned to political pins when I was older," Jorgensen said.

He explained that social and economic shifts have changed the appearance of pins. Before the 1930s, many pins were very colorful. Higher labor costs forced manufacturers to drop some of the color, Jorgensen said.

"Originally, each color required a separate pass through a printing press," he said. But innovations have allowed multiple colors to be printed simultaneously, bringing the return of the more colorful button.

According to collector David Hyman, technological changes also have led to far greater variety in political items. "There are many more buttons in contemporary campaigns," he said.

Enthusiastic campaign supporters and entrepreneurs often use their garages to produce custom buttons, Hyman said

Increasingly, presidential campaigns charge for political items in states where a race isn't close, state, such as California in the last presidential election. "They sell the buttons in California, but in battleground states like Nevada, it's like they've turned back the clock," Hyman said.

Despite the cost, collectors are driven by their passion.

"I love history," said Jung. "It's great to hold history in your hands."

Solar cookers' Shine On at Sierra 2

2009-08-28T04:24:25Z

Solar Cookers International (SCI) held its annual Shine On event Aug. 21 at the Sierra 2 community center in Curtis Park. The event included demonstrations of solar cooking, complimentary solar-cooked food and two informative presentations hosted by notable Sacramentans. About 250 people of all ages were in attendance.

SCI volunteer Del Tura demonstrated the potential of the solar box cooker. Overlooking a large lamp positioned near a cooker, Tura enthusiastically described the history and effectiveness of the device, which has been been used since the 1970s by U.S. hobbyists. "Earlier today we had the cooker in the parking lot; it reached 250 degrees. Under the lamp, it only gets to about 200."

Inside the cooker were 15 chocolate chip cookies, baking under the simulated sunlight. "It takes about 30 to 45 minutes for the cookies to bake, but there's very high moisture."

The first presentation of the evening, hosted by former Sacramento Bee food editor, author and Capitol Public Radio reporter Eline Corn, contextualized the solar cooking movement within America's broader need to claim ownership of the cooking process. "Somehow, in our society, putting the food in your mouth has jumped over the preparation." Food preparation is ancient and precious, she said. "We have given that power [of preparation] to someone we don't even know."

With the solar cooker, it is possible to cook many different foods - chicken, fish, vegetables, pastries - easily and sustainably.

Although the solar box cooker is used by many enthusiasts in the United States, the device represents only the first generation of solar-baking technology. Thanks to the work of SCI, newer, more portable and less expensive solar cookers are being distributed and used in many sun-rich developing nations, such as Kenya and the Philippines.

In his presentation, microbiologist and humanitarian Dr. Bob Metcalf described the vast potential of solar cooking in the developing world, where water contamination and fuel shortages are major obstacles to healthy living. Traditionally in these communities, contaminated water was boiled; however, boiling water requires resources that are often unavailable in the world's most impoverished areas.

Solar cookers and the WAPI (water pasteurization indicator) provide these distraught communities with a potential solution to their purification and dietary needs. The reusable WAPI, a small partially wax-filled plastic tube, is placed in the middle of a black pot, which is located in the center of a solar cooker. "When the wax in the tube moves, you've pasteurized water at 65°C or 149°F," Metcalf explained.

The WAPI is a useful visual aid, enabling villagers to see the purification of water in a solar cooker, which cannot normally reach the temperatures necessary to boil water. Through this method, it is possible to pasteurize five liters of water in two and a half hours with a solar cooker; done twice, this process provides a typical family with a multiple-day water supply.

Water purification can have significant and immediate effects. Metcalf showed a photograph of a smiling African mother helped by his aid team. The team had given her a water purification kit and $25 solar cooker. "Thank you," she said, "because my children used to get diarrhea all the time, and now they don't."

The Sacramento-based Solar Cookers International is attempting to raise $50,000 before the end of September. Donated funds will be used to support SCI's worldwide aid programs.

Solar Cookers International.

Greek Isles arrive in Sacramento at 46th annual festival

2009-09-03T06:00:38Z

This weekend the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation will hold its 46th Annual Greek Festival at the Sacramento Convention Center. The theme of this year's festival is "come experience the Greek Isles."

Home-cooked dishes unique to the Greek Isles, such as the Cyprus stifado stew, shrimp Santorini and sesame cookies, will satisfy the hearty appetites of the 10,000 expected attendees.

The festival will also include cooking demonstrations, dance instructions, live music and Mediterranean-themed products and clothes.

Attendees can enjoy the Sacramento group Omega's Greek dance music all three evenings of the festival. During the day, festival-goers will be serenaded by the Bounisi band which event co-chair Gerri Magers describes as, "music like in the villages of Greece." At 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday attendees will be treated to the award-winning folk music of the church choir.

Volunteers have donated over 11,000 hours preparing for this year's festival. Food preparation began in March and will end the night before the festival. Over 900 families form the congregation at the church, which is located opposite of McKinley Park.

The Sacramento Greek Festival traces its genesis to November 1964. Drawing inspiration from a similar Stockton festival, the event began as a modest fundraiser at the Annunciation church hall. Over the course of the past 46 years, the festival has been held at many venues, including Cal Expo, Jesuit High School, Country Club Plaza Mall, the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, and the Governor's Hall at the old state fairgrounds. The festival found its current home at the Sacramento Convention Center in 1984.

The three-day event will begin on Friday, Sept. 4 and conclude on Sunday, Sept. 6. Doors open at 11 a.m. on Friday, and noon on Saturday and Sunday. Regular admission is free for children 12 and under, $5 for adults and $4 for seniors; however, early attendees will be admitted without charge before 3 p.m. Friday. Funds raised are used to support the Church of the Annunciation.

For more information, visit the Sacramento Greek Festival website.

Capitol Update Oct. 15, 16

2009-10-15T03:44:33Z

Thursday Oct. 15:

Preparations begin for the California Fire Foundation's annual Firefighters Memorial Ceremony. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Capitol Park's California Firefighters Memorial. For more information, visit the CFF website.

10 - 11 a.m. CALPIRG will hold a press conference at the north steps of the Capitol.

12 - 1 p.m. Jefferson Transitional Programs will hold a anti-stigma performance on the south steps of the Capitol.

Friday Oct. 16

No public events scheduled.

Photo credit: Anthony Bento

"Overdrawn" illuminates the underbelly of predatory banking

2009-09-22T03:06:16Z

On Friday and Sunday nights, the Guild Theater at 35th and Broadway held screenings of the documentary Overdrawn. The film, directed by Karney Hatch, provides insight into the development and implementation of widespread banking practices, such as overdraft fees and high-interest loans. The director answered questions after Sunday's 7 p.m. screening.

Overdrawn begins with a brief history of banking, jokingly referred to as "one of the two oldest professions." Usury, the levying of punitively high interest, is characterized as socially harmful and potentially evil.

The film explains that for much of the United States' existence, state usury laws were enforced, limiting interest payments to 7 percent. During the 20th century, these laws were relaxed and repealed.

This wave of deregulation is shown to have culminated in the bank overdraft fee, which, when calculated at an annual rate, can charge individuals more than 1,000 percent interest.

While the film lacks Hollywood polish and its narrative structure is, at times, choppy, Overdrawn is remarkably successful at building its case against predatory banking.

Two scenes stand out. At one point, a troubled former bank employee describes the systematic mailing of $1,000 checks to low-income neighborhoods, including those devastated by Hurricane Katrina. When cashed, the checks instantly became high-interest loans.

The film also features an interview with a loan shark, who explains his rates. The rates charged for unconventional loans are much higher than for traditional loans.

Although the film's tone is somewhat grim, crusades against bank abuses in England are presented as blueprints for potential victories in the United States.

Director Hatch eliminates all of his bank fees by settling a small claims court grievance with Wells Fargo. The $47 court filing fee he paid to file the grievance was even refunded.

Through interviews with industry experts, Hatch reveals that community development banks and credit unions are often good choices for those concerned about usurious practices by commercial banks.

Although the film provides a wealth of information, many viewers may find it to be dated, as the film was produced in 2007, before the current banking crisis. When asked during Sunday's Q&A about revisiting the film with updated content, Hatch said that he "chose to leave the film as a time capsule."

Hatch also mentioned during the Q&A that some viewers of his film who were inspired by his success at eliminating fees through small claims court have failed to replicate his luck.

Hatch is optimistic that the string of legislative and judicial successes that banks have enjoyed over the past several decades may be ending. He said he hopes that his film will make a difference in Congress. "I'm trying to set up a screening on Capitol Hill," he said.

To learn more about Overdrawn, visit: www.overdrawnmovie.net.

To read more about the Guild Theater, visit: www.guildtheater.com.