Museums and Exhibits

Sutter's Fort open for museum day photos

2010-02-07T21:44:00Z

Sutter's Fort is located at 2701 L St. and was open to the public for museum day.

Photo #1: Welcome sign to Sutter's Fort on L St.

Photo #2: Perimeter wall running parallel to L St.

Photo #3: Cannons are still in place to defend the fort (looking out at L St.)

Photo #4: Free crafts for museum day guests

Photo #5: The Weaving Room

Photo #6: Courtyard inside the fort

Photo #7: Pond located outside the fort in the park

Photos courtesy of Matthew Ceccato

Don't lick these stamps

2010-01-25T05:54:49Z

Stamp collecting is an expensive hobby. With some stamps worth up to a million dollars, many collectors are worried about what will happen to their collections when they die.

The weekend's Winter Sacramento Stamp Fair provided a venue for philatelists from all over the Sacramento region to display their collections.

Hundreds of collectors converged on the Knights of Columbus Hall to buy stamps and trade with dealers and each other. Free appraisals of individual stamps and collections were also given to the public.

More than one million stamps, thousands of advertising covers and hundreds of stamp-pricing volumes lined table after table inside two rooms. The show even featured an orchid stamp collection from North Korea.

Organizing a stamp expo is no small feat. Chris Clemens, who has been involved with the expos for more than 20 years, organizes and runs stamp expos in Northern California, including this one.

"I actually got into all of this working for a guy who organized the shows," said Clemens. "I took over and started doing it myself. Now, I collect and deal advertising covers. Each show, I try to have a variety of items available through different dealers. It's difficult gathering the dealers with unique items for sale. Northern California has a big stamp-collecting following."

Stamps are printed by most countries and have been since the turn of the 20th century. Some collectors prefer items from a particular country, a certain period in history, or stamps with a set design, such as flowers.

Collectors come in all ages, but most of those at the expo were older. They have disposable income and the time it takes for proper storage and care. Attracting younger stamp enthusiasts is the goal of the American Philatelic Society.

"It's tough trying to get younger children involved," dealer Dave Cobb said. "Stamp collecting can be very good for kids. It teaches them careful handling, history and goal setting and achieving by filling their stamp books."

Cobb started as a collector and slowly made the transition to dealing. He now does it full time. Based in Southern California, Cobb travels the country to stamp expos buying and selling, offering free appraisals along the way.

"Stamps are valued for a number of reasons," said Cobb. "Age is only a factor; condition of the stamp is very important."

A stamp is considered in mint condition only if it never has been used, he said.

"The price of the stamp is also very important," he added. "I have two sheets of 1930 air mail stamps costing $2.60 each at the time. The year coincides with the Great Depression, and the high denomination of the actual stamp drives the price of the sheets over $175,000."

It's not uncommon for collections to be willed to family members or institutions for safekeeping.

"I'm lucky that my son enjoys and respects the art of stamp collecting," said R.J., an avid collector. "It worries some people I know that collections will be sold at low price or neglected by their heirs."

The American Philatelic Society is aware of the growing problem of its older members. It provides services for collectors and family members who inherit a collection. The society will arrange free appraisals of collections and offer ways to will a collection. It also gives tips on the handling and safekeeping of collections.

Some collectors take a more relaxed approach.

"I told my daughter and her husband to sell everything when I'm gone," said Howard Turner. "They don't collect and I want all the money to go to my granddaughter's college fund. That's what's important to me."

The next stamp expo at the Knights of Columbus Hall will be June 6-7. The Western Philatelic Exhibition (WESTPEX) will be held in San Francisco on April 23-25.

Photos courtesy of Matthew Ceccato

Photo #1: Rare sheet of air mail stamps valued over $175,000
Photo #2: Rare misprint
Photo #3: Dealers and collectors talk stamps
Photo #4: Folder of stamps for sale
Photo #5: Chris Clemens' booth at the expo

Feed the 'Beast' your creativity

2010-01-13T02:22:17Z

Imagine being a child in a world with endless possibilities for creativity. Welcome to Art Beast, an art studio for children located at 2226 K St.

Children of all ages are encouraged to act, paint, color, play and dream inside the sacred walls of Art Beast. Parents and adults feel like the visitors in this magical world. The Art Beast contains three floors and a basement perfect for letting your child's creativity run wild.

"Everything is here in this building," grandma Rose Orlandi said as she watched her two grandchildren ages 4 and 2. "Clay. Sand. Paint. They have it all and I don't have to worry about getting it on my carpet. Where else can I play too?"

Different floors are dedicated to different activities. The basement contains the play room. Inside is a magical world of space capsules, forts and a stage. Children are encouraged to interact with the different props. The second floor is where most art takes place. Easels and sandboxes are scattered throughout, tables with crafts highlight the center of the room. Each day a new craft is designed to entertain and educate children. The third floor is the studio. Highlighted by a wall of windows, children and their adults can dance or stretch in class settings.

"This is a unique place in Sacramento to uncover my child's creative side," dad Jacob Helmar said. "I also get to do it with him. As an artist, that important for me to spend quality, creative time with my son Otto."

That's how everyone feels once they cross the doorway. A bad work week, bad weather or just a bad day all ends once you enter the Art Beast. Parents are encouraged to participate in all activities and classes. The Art Beast is not just an opportunity to allow your child's imagination to grow, but an environment that helps build the foundation for a healthy, loving family.

A few classes include:

Yoga and Creative Movement is a class offered from 10-10:30 am on Mondays. This class encourages the movement of children through dance and yoga.

Beastie Song Circle is offered at 11am on Thursdays. This class is a chance for all ages to sing and dance as their heart wishes.

Storybook Art and Fingerplay is offered from 10:30- 11:15 am on Fridays. Children and adults use songs to convey classic children stories.

For a complete class list, visit the Art Beast website.

Spelling C-O-M-E-D-Y with local theatre company

2010-01-10T04:47:29Z

F-U-N-N-Y pretty much spells out the tone for the play currently running at 24th Street Theatre.

The "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is a musical that centers around a county's spelling bee involving elementary students. It's full of toe-tapping musical numbers, pop culture references and hilarious dialogue.

"The Spelling Bee" has been performed on Broadway and across the country. The original production earned three Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical.

This version is produced by Runaway Stage Productions and directed by Bob Baxter. They cleverly weave modern pop culture references throughout the performance, and though there are few props, the entire theater acts as the stage during the performance. Actors use the aisles around the audience drawing them into the performance as they interact around with different audience members.

Four members of the audience are chosen at random before hand to participate as fellow spellers in the Bee. 107.9 The End's The Wake Up Call were the guest spellers on opening night. Jason, Gavin, Kelly and Tall-Skinny Matt were invited to join in on the action. They were directed during dance numbers by other members of the company and even had their turn to spell before the judges.

"We were on our own up there when it came to spelling," Jason said. "That was half the fun, though."

The nine-member cast draws the most laughs. Six spellers, representing every different child personality trait, are given the chance to win the trophy and compete in Washington D.C.

"I'm not the best speller," actor Tristan Rumery said. "But this is my favorite role. I love to relax and just have fun with it."

Audience members laughed throughout the performance and cheered at the end.

"So funny," audience member Allison Johansen said. "I have seen the play in San Francisco before, but tonight was funnier. Awesome."

Runaway Stage Productions prides itself on being funny.

"Louder. Faster. Funnier," director and RSP co-founder Bob Baxter said. "That's our unofficial motto. We want to give the audience everything we have and then some."

Baxter has plenty of experience directing shows. He has been performing for the last 27 years, counting over 150 productions under his belt.

"We do this because we love theater. Everyone here has a passion, from the actors to stage hands. We are all volunteers. Everyone has a day job," Baxter said.

By the end of the performance, the audience clears out and more work begins. Baxter and his crew must clean the room and prepare the stage for the next performance. At the end of the night, after congratulating each other, the actors and crew head home. Tomorrow, they have work. Tomorrow night is another performance.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs through Jan. 31. Tickets are available on the Runaway Stage Productions website or at the box office, 2291 24th Street

Runaway Stage Productions is a non-profit community theater program in Sacramento. They are dedicated to educating and enriching the public through theater. Workshops are offered for children and adults.

Motorcycles roar into town

2010-01-04T05:13:40Z

The smell of rubber and motor oil fill the vast warehouse stuffed with cars, trucks and motorcycles. The battle between man and machine reaches its pinnacle under the I-5 freeway in downtown Sacramento. The California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front St., is featuring the Born to Ride exhibit through March 12.
The exhibit is chronological, following motorcycles from their humble beginnings at the turn of the 20th century to the current world speed record holder. This impressive machine, BUB 7, reached 367.382 mph in September at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. Bikes of all brands, spanning several countries and countless models, are on display.
There's a 1912 Harley Davidson, once owned by Steve McQueen, and a 1942 Crocker. The Crocker is considered the rarest motorcycle on display. Fewer than 100 were produced in the months leading to the United States' involvement in WWII. They are valued for their quality and rarity.
Jeff Hughes and Albert Miranda love motorcycles. They rode their BMW bikes from Modesto in the fog for the opening day of the exhibit.
"I've been riding since I was a kid," said Hughes. "I actually got my motorcycle license before I got my car drivers license. I saw a lot of bikes inside that were amazing."
"My favorite bike was the Ariel Mark II," Miranda said. "The square four design (of the engine) was revolutionary."
Special events are planned throughout the exhibit in corroboration with Elk Grove Power Sports. On January 9, Flying Motorcycles' chief executive officer, Sam Bousefield, will be on hand for a meet and greet and demonstration. Also that day, Elk Grove Power Sports will offer demo rides (weather permitting).
Machine mayhem doesn't end with motorcycles, though. Admission to the Born to Ride exhibit includes entry to the museum. Row after row boasts Fords, Chevrolets, Studebakers, Hudsons and more. Original Model A and T cars are on display, too.
"Our collection is very impressive," Museum curator Amanda Moss.
"We offer visitors an experience into the world of automobiles," she said. "We have an extensive exhibit on the 'green' aspect of automobiles from the EV1 to the 2009 Tesla."

Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for student with valid ID
For more information, visit the museum website.

Photo#1: 1912 Indian Racer
Photo#2: Motorcycles on display
Photo#3: Motorcycles on display
Photo#4: BUB 7- Fastest motorcycle in history
Photo#5: 1977 Kawasaki KZ Drag Bike
Photo#6: Cars on display

Photos courtesy of Matthew Ceccato

Eating in Sacramento on New Year's Eve

2009-12-30T08:01:07Z

New Year's Eve is fast approaching, and Sacramento is full of places to eat and celebrate the coming of 2010 in a romantic setting or among friends. Several restaurants in the area have specials to entice your palate on New Year's Eve.

Brew It Up, 801 14th St., is offering a four-course pre-fixed menu for only $30. This includes your choice of appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert. The menu includes some regular favorites as well as new items to satisfy your hunger. Mulligatawny is an excellent soup that warms you from the inside. A live band, Dane Drewis, will perform at 9 p.m. There is a $10 cover past 9 p.m., so be sure to be there early.

58 Degrees and Holding Company, 1217 18th St., is also offering a special New Year's Eve pre-fixed menu consisting of four courses for $49. Diners have the opportunity to add wine pairings to their menus for $15 extra. The first course is a sweet potato soup with pecan tuile and cinnamon creme fraiche. Tables of two or more with the added wine pairings are given a half-bottle of champagne to open at the table or to be tucked away until later in the night. From 10:30 p.m. on, wine specials will help you ring in the new year. Dinner reservations are required. There is no additional cover charge.

The Cosmopolitan and Social Nightclub, 1000 K St., are hosting "the biggest party of 2010" complete with a special pre-fixed menu that comes with complimentary all-access party passes. The $99 pre-fixed menu comes with your choice of appetizer, main entree and dessert. The entrees include Sonoma duck breast, Alaska king salmon, oven-roasted beef fillet and a butternut squash and chantrelle mushroom lasagna. Dinner includes passes for the upstairs party to help you ring in the new year with the Spazzmatics. Reservations are encouraged, and the event is only open to 18+.

Mason's Restaurant, 1116 15th St., is offering a five-course pre-fixed menu. The meal starts with an amuse bouche of your choosing and continues through a first, second, entree and dessert. Executive chef John Gurnee is guaranteed to please any palate with complex flavor profiles and meals prepared using only the freshest ingredients. There are two seatings, at 5:30 p.m. for $50 and 7 p.m. for $75. An additional $25 is required to enter the Ultra Lounge to party the night away with DJ Gabe Xavier. Reservations are required, and the event is only open to 21+.

No matter where you decide to dine on New Year's Eve, Sacramento is full of places to satisfy any taste.