Happenings around Sacramento

Outside deck collapses on Capitol Ave

2009-09-20T03:18:15Z

Sacramento Firefighters responded to a collapsed exterior deck at 2204 Capitol Ave around 6:45pm.

At the scene I witnessed one woman transported on a stretcher to an ambulance.

It appeared that the deck, approximately 12 ft above the ground, had pulled away from the structure, apparently while people were on it.

After making sure the injured were tended to, the firefighters began moving the deck

fragments to a safer place.

Photos | Kati Garner

Red lights in capital

2010-02-06T04:13:37Z

Red lights highlight the exterior of Bank of the West Tower on Capitol Mall Ave to show support for February is American Heart Month. Wells Fargo Center next door is also adorned in red, as well as Hyatt Regency, 1209 L Street; Sutter General Hospital; 2801 L Street and Sutter Memorial Hospital, 5151 F Street. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease and stroke are our nation’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Some 81.1 million people in the United States are living with cardiovascular disease and 6.4 million have had a stroke. During the month of February, the American Heart Association urges people to join the battle against these diseases.

Sac Press Photo | Kati Garner

Be Hoppy

2010-02-26T16:31:44Z

Learning How to be Hoppy
by Amber K. Stott

Who knew? Beer is educational! As part of Sacramento Beer Week, Hoppy Brewing Company held hourly brew tours Thursday. In 40 minutes, brewing operations manager Ed Kopta imparted the wisdom of the beer gods to interested listeners.

If you’ve never been on a brew tour, you might expect a quick howdy-do peek at machinery followed by gallons of libations. On the contrary, Hoppy’s tour focused solely on the learning. If you’ve ever appreciated the fine complexities of a microbrew, then you won’t be surprised that the brewing process is also multifaceted.

First, Kopta provided hands-on insight into the world of beer grains. From tiny cups, visitors sniffed—and even tasted—roasted and toasted hops, malts, and wheat. Some grains burst with coffee aroma not unlike your morning cup of Joe, while others danced with caramel. Combining various grains will later lend to the taste of that frothy glass of beer poured by their bartenders.

But before any keg is tapped, the grains endure a lengthy chemistry-like process. According to Kopta, these grains are milled on sight. Then they are sent into a “mash tun” (aka: a giant metal tub) with hot water, activating enzymes that will lead to varying levels of sugar for fermentation. These affect the mouth feel and body of your beer. The resulting “mash” then travels to a kettle where a complex recipe of hops are added to boiling water, which yet again change the flavor, bitterness, and aroma of the beer.

Next, the liquid is sent to a fermenter, paired with yeast, and left for 5-6 days. Finally, it chills for a week, is filtered to remove any remaining yeast and haze, and makes its way to both keg and beer bottle. Shwew!

Many small breweries use Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filters (above) to remove yeast and haze from beer before fermentation begins.

James Queirolo stands in front of a tall fermenting vat.

For 11 years, Hoppy has been brewing up beers based on this involved process, yet according to Kopta, Hoppy operates a “simple brewing system.” In any given year, Hoppy will produce 1,000 barrels of beer, each barrel holding 31 gallons of ale. Of their many varieties, Kopta says the Hoppy Face Amber is their most popular. In fact, when Hoppy was a start-up, it was named T Roy after its owner. As it is today, the Hoppy Face Amber was his biggest seller. Folks began to refer to the brewer as the “Hoppy Guy,” and the name stuck.

If you want to make Hoppy one of your destinations for Sacramento Beer Week, they’ll be offering “late night pints” tomorrow night: $1.75 from 10:30pm till close. For other beer week activities, check their website: www.sacramentobeerweek.com.

Hoppy Brewing is located at 6300 Folsom Blvd in East Sac.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

All aboard!

2009-07-26T18:50:34Z

Lots of train-lovers showed up at the Lionel® Collectors Club of America (LCCA) Train Show in Sacramento from Wednesday through Saturday at the Radisson Hotel. The Trading Hall was full of trains and accessories for sale, including hard-to-find items. The“Gee Whiz”, a new, large Lionel company train layout was set up in the hotel and in continuous operation Wednesday evening through Saturday afternoon of convention week.

Many enjoy the excitement, elegance, and power of real trains as well as the equally fascinating but smaller-in-scale O-gauge electric train models made by Lionel LLC and other manufacturers. Modern technology built into today’s toy trains enables a highly interactive model railroading experience on home layouts. Today’s trains spew synthetic smoke from their stacks, emit realistic onboard digital sound effects derived from recordings of actual trains, and mimic the crew talk between a train engineer and a dispatcher. Call-outs of station stops by a conductor are included on passenger trains equipped with this audio feature.

Most LCCA members had electric trains when they were young in the late 1940s and the ‘50s when trains were the Christmas toy of choice. Others discovered the hobby later in life. Members approach the hobby through different pathways. Some specialize in collecting and operating trains known as “fallen flags,” railroads that once served a region but were closed, went bankrupt, or merged with a dominant railroad. LCCA President Dick Johnson of Cincinnati, Ohio, is an exemplar of that approach. He collects and operates trains of the now-defunct B&O (Baltimore and Ohio) railroad.

Others seek to re-acquire trains they once owned as a boy but were subsequently discarded. At train

shows, auctions, and online sites, they seek trains like the ones they owned decades ago. Club

member Barry Findley of North Little Rock, Arkansas, spent five wonderful years seeking the items

in the train set he once had as a youngster. “The thrill is in the chase,” he said.

The hobby isn’t necessarily a “guy thing” any more. Wives of members are often engaged in aspects of the hobby that appeal to them; for example, scene decoration, making and painting structures from kits or from scratch, or shopping for trains and supplies.

Krysti Dewey (now 17), of Wichita, Kansas, will attend the upcoming event with her mom and extended family. She has become a regular participant in LCCA conventions over the years, and is considered a young “club mascot.” Krysti’s favorite railroad is the C&O [Chesapeake and Ohio], and she has her own trains of that railroad. She is a skilled train operator and often helps out at LCCA conventions by sharing her affinity for the hobby with visiting youngsters.

The Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) was founded in the Midwest in 1970 by a group of hobbyists to promote awareness and enjoyment of toy trains. Today, the LCCA is a not-for-profit, international hobby-based organization with more than 8,000 members who are toy train collectors and operators. Members favor Lionel trains, and the club collaborates with Lionel LLC to produce limited-edition collectible cars, train sets, and special products exclusively for members.

For more information, go to: http://www.lionelcollectors.org/

Phoos | Kati Garner

Rowing Regatta is on

2009-06-05T22:18:55Z

The 107th Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships is underway at the Sacramento State Aquatics Center on Lake Natoma through Saturday 8am - 2:15pm. (Fridays events are now closed).

This is the first time the competition has been held on the west coast.

Participants are:

Varsity Heavyweight Eight 2nd Varsity Heavyweight Eight Freshman Heavyweight EightBoston University Boston University Boston UniversityBrown University Brown University Brown UniversityCollege of the Holy Cross Columbia University Cornell UniversityColumbia University Cornell University Dartmouth CollegeCornell University Dartmouth College George Washington UniversityDartmouth College George Washington University Gonzaga UniversityGeorge Washington University Gonzaga University Harvard UniversityGonzaga University Harvard University MITHarvard University Stanford University Northeastern UniversityMIT Syracuse University Oregon State UniversityNortheastern University University of California - Berkeley Princeton UniversityOregon State University University of Pennsylvania Stanford UniversityPrinceton University University of Washington Syracuse UniversityStanford University University of Wisconsin U.S. Naval AcademySyracuse University University of California - BerkeleyU.S. Naval Academy University of California- San DiegoUniversity of California - Berkeley University of WashingtonUniversity of California- San Diego University of WisconsinUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of San DiegoUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Wisconsin

Lightweight Men's Eight Varsity Four Open FourColumbia University Brown University Brown UniversityCornell University Drexel University Cornell UniversityGeorgetown University Florida Institute of Technology George Washington UniversityHarvard University Georgetown University Harvard UniversityPrinceton University Harvard University MITU.S. Naval Academy Loyola of Maryland Oregon State UniversityYale University MIT Princeton UniversityNortheastern University Syracuse UniversityPrinceton University U.S. Naval Academy

Lightweight Women's Eight Santa Clara University University of California - BerkeleyUniversity of California - Berkeley University of WashingtonBucknell University University of California - Irvine University of WisconsinGeorgetown University University of California- San DiegoHarvard and Radcliffe University of Mary WashingtonMIT University of PennsylvaniaPrinceton University University of San DiegoStanford University University of WashingtonUniversity of Tulsa University of WisconsinUniversity of Wisconsin

Saturday's schedule may be viewed here - http://www.sacstateaquaticcenter.com/download/Saturday%20-%20IRA%20Schedule.pdf.

Complete results may be seen at - http://secure.powerhousetiming.com/powerhouse/webpages/staticRaceResults.jsp?raceId=219.

The Rowing Regatta is hosted by Sacramento Sports Commission and Sacramento State Aquatics Center.

Ticket price for Saturday's races is $12.

Preferred parking will be located in Nimbus Flat State Park. This area will be used on a first come first served bases, space is limited. The California State Parks Rangers will be handling all parking fee issues in Nimbus Flat State Park. There will be a parking fee of $8.00 per event day. If you have an Annual California State Parks Parking Permit this will get you into the park at no additional charge. If you prepurchase a parking pass at the kiosk for the any of the days of these events, and you leave the lot and return, please understand that a parking pass DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU A PARKING SPACE. Space in the NimbusFlat State Park is limited; once the lot is full it will be closed and reopened, as spaces are made available.
Food and beverages are available. Dress in layers for maximum comfort

Photos | Kati Garner

Roll out the barrel

2009-10-03T05:35:47Z

Sacramento Turn Verein celebrates its 42nd Oktoberfest tonight and Saturday, Oct 3, starting at 3pm.

Good beer, brats and dessert! And you don't have to be German to have fun!

Here's some shots from Friday's event:

Sacramento's Turn Verein is located at 3349 J Street. It's a huge double story hall.

Lots of room to have fun drinking beer, dancing and singing!

Check out http://www.sacramentoturnverein.com/history/ for information.

Photos | Kati Garner

Drag Queen Bingo

2010-01-14T06:23:36Z

Drag Queen Bingo played tonight at Hamburger Patties and the beneficiary was Sacramento Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (SIGLIFF). Produced by Outword magazine, it plays every other week as it continues into 2010. The next bingo game is Wed. Jan 27 and will benefit Breaking Barriers. Hamburger Patties is located at J and 16th. For more detailed information, please see Sonia Lucyga's article at http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/12006/Drag_Queen_Bingo_Raises_Money_for_Charity.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Bright Shriners

2009-12-21T03:06:52Z

A Christmas tree of lights brightens the front entrance to Sacramento's Shriners Hospital for Children during the holidays.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is an international health care system providing high quality pediatric specialty care to thousands of kids each year. All care is provided with no financial obligation to the patient or their family. Their mission is made possible solely through the generosity of donors.

There are many ways to give from direct gifts to planned gifts. All gifts, big or small, make a difference.

For more information, please visit: shrinershospitals.org

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

McKinley Park and the critters

2009-12-30T03:24:53Z

Seems whenever I spend time at McKinley Park in East Sacramento I leave feeling in a lighter spirit. The geese seem to catch my attention first, with their noises and posturing.

Folks love to feed them!

Squirrels are active in trees and on the ground. Dogs love to chase them.

And some hand feed the little things.

Or watch them scamper away from them.

This duck did a hard landing.

And this dude stood its ground and scared a dog away.

Sparks at the Capitol?

2009-11-12T00:52:58Z

A minor electrical problem summoned Sac City Fire to the west steps of the Capitol building on Veteran's Day

around 12:35pm. Firecrews dashed in with hoses and other equipment. Didn't stay long. Apparently further

action wasn't required.

Photo | Kati Garner

Art as Fashion as fundraiser

2010-02-28T19:00:35Z

Julia, a two-and-half year old paints while Johnny Murphy, I Dream of Johnny, looks on. Her painting was photographed and could be turned into wearable art.

ArtBeast children's studio partnered with Sacramento based online retailer Retail Therapy and Johnny Murphy I Dream of Johnny for an afternoon event, "Where Art meets Fashion", as a fundraiser for the Tubman House, a nonprofit organization serving young homeless parents and their children.

It was like a big art party full of paints, colored pens and a large canvas wall.

Murphy demonstrated how he has turned art into fashion and worked with children individually to share his vision-turned-clothing.

This young artist wears an "I Dream of Johnny" shirt with a tie.

Murphy, a photographer of actors and models, transitioned from photography into art.

"I really like photography and the manipulation used in photoshop to make real art from things," he explains.

Art turned into fashion when "I thought it may look good as wearable art, so I tried it out on t-shirts. Then, I started heat pressing onto fabric and hand stitching it onto different colored shirts. People really liked the hand made look."

His friends encouraged him to share his creativity.

A child's shirt with Murphy's wearable art.

"I would make gifts for them and they said, why not share with everyone?", he said.

Bikini art on a baby's outfit.

His ‘dream’ for I Dream of Johnny” is to implement his business with charities and non-profit events to give to deserving organizations.

He says his clothes are for kids of all ages because really, they’re for the kid in all of us.

"I like seeing the excitement in kids eyes. I think they get a lot of enjoyment out of what I do," Murphy explains. "I want to create an upbeat child-friendly vibe. It’s also a representation of myself."

Art Therapy is a great idea and is the direction he's heading.

"I want to teach and encourage kids to implement art work and fundraising at the same time. I really look forward to this," he says.

Murphy says that too many communities are losing their art programs. To have kids express themselves through art is so important.

"It helps to expand a child’s mind. Allowing them to create their own wearable art promotes their artistic side," he said.

Retail Therapy markets a unique on- and offline buying experience with a cutting edge ensemble of fine clothing and accessories.

Murphy wears a photo of a race car he turned into wearable art.

Murphy may be reached: (310)745-2925

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Veteran's History Project

2009-06-05T02:22:34Z

According to acfnewsource.org, "ninteen million war veterans, including about 2,000 who served in WWI, live in the United States, but approximately 1,500 veterans die every day."

The Library of Congress' American Folk Life Center is working with the public to collect and preserve audio and video oral histories, along with veteran's letters, diaries, maps and photographs. All Americans, including students and grandchildren, can participate in documenting the lives of veterans from World War I, WWII, the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000.

The authorizing legislation (Public Law 106-380), sponsored by Representatives Ron Kind, Amo Houghton, and Steny Hoyer in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senators Max Cleland and Chuck Hagel in the U.S. Senate, received unanimous support and was signed into law by President William Jefferson Clinton on October 27, 2000.

The Veterans History Project is made possible by the generous support of the United States Congress.

The Retired and Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) of Sacramento is co-sponsor of the Veterans History Project in the Sacramento area. RSVP is part of the Corporation for National & Community Service and is sponsored by Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance. RSVP is located at 3727 Marconi Avenue.

RSVP in Sacramento has documented over 300 veteran's stories for the project.

WWII veteran Tom Hall, 87, of Sacramento was interviewed today at RSVP by John Nesbitt, a RSVP volunteer interviewer. Hall brought his scrapbook which included letters, newspaper articles and photographs. He was enlisted from 1943-46. The interviewer recorded the images included with this article.

One photo shows two sailors with two young women. Hall is the sailor on the right, his best buddy is the other sailor, the woman on his right is Hall's cousin and the one to his left was his girlfriend. They were having dinner at the Claremont Hotel in Berkley in 1945 after the war had ended. Their ship had recently harbored in San Francisco. Hall and his friend had just been promoted to Quartermaster Second Class.

Another photo shows their battleship, Pennsylvania BB38, plowing through the water. During one battle in the war, Hall said the Pennsylvania fired more tonnage of ammo in history. The continuous firing made the ship look like it was actually on fire, he said.

At war's end, Hall went to Small Craft Training School and was then stationed on a yard minesweeper, USS YMS-109, in the photo with "109" on its bow. He and the crew took it to Pearl Harbor from San Diego. Travelling at seven knots it took 14 days. He steered the USS YMS-109,taking the crew on training tours until his discharge on January 29, 1946.

Nesbitt guided Hall through the 30 minute audio/video interview, having him share highlights from Boot Camp to Quartermaster School to the war and then back home after his honorable discharge.

When Hall returned home to Sacramento he worked at his father's Camellia Hall Nursery. He married in 1947 after one date with his future wife.

A Web page is created for each veteran who contributes an interview, memoir or historical documents. This page includes service history and other information about each veteran.

Access the database at www.loc.gov/vets. (Click on Search for Veterans Database)

A deceased war veteran's may be shared by submitting historical documents like the veteran's collection of photographs, letters and diaries and memoirs. A complete biographical data form and release form for the deceased veteran will need to be completed. Individual

Veterans in the area who wish to be interviewed should call (916) 875-4460 to request the necessary materials and schedule an interview. Stories will be permanently archived in the Library of Congress.

Veterans who participate will get a free copy of their interview. Note: It will probably take several weeks to access Tom Hall's interview on the Veterans History Project website.

Photos of Tom Hall | Kati Garner

Christmas Lights | Land Park

2009-12-23T06:47:34Z

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

First 3rd Saturday Downtown Sac

2009-07-19T17:17:01Z

Sacramento's first 3rd Saturday took off July 18 along the K Street Mall and Casear Chavez Plaza. Over 40 local arts, crafts and fashion vendors and musicians descended upon K Street. The Guac and Roll festival featured Sacramento’s very own Method Echo with opener Tainted Love.

15 Restaurants offered sampling & selling of Sacramento’s best foods featuring guacamole and avocados. There was a Xochimilco Beer & Margarita Garden, rock wall and a free kids area with inflatable games, slides, jump houses, Basketball Shoot Out and water games.

MethodEcho band member Josh Guerrero sings

to the crowd at Casear Chavez Plaza just a few

blocks away from the first 3rd Saturday event

along K Street.

Angelo Chacon climbs the rock wall at Casear Chavez

Plaza.

Michael Cross, Education Manager at the Kitchen Academy,

did cooking demonstrations featuring the avocado.

Musical Chairs performed on the main stage near the intersection of K St. and 10th.

Ashleah Millers paints a glitter tattoo on Everett Bass's left forearm at the Transformations Make up vendor

booth along K St.

Photos | Kati Garner

Hello NEW mural

2009-10-30T03:48:35Z

One month ago it looked like bye bye mural.

Today, it was hello new one.

Stephanie Taylor, the artist who created the mural, said at the time the old mural came down:

"It is finally being replaced by the vendor, Metromedia Technologies. They printed the original

mural in 1996. It lasted many more years than we expected, but finally started to fail in 2007.

The Downtown Partnership and the City paid to have it reprinted- it's digital."

Today the mural was reinstalled.

Mike and Karen Winn, Winn Associates, have their office in the Elks Building, 7th floor. Their

view of the mural is perfect and they watched the day-long reinstallation.

And they also watched the preparation.

It took the workers one week to wash and completely remove the old mural with steam.

And they spent a day whitewashing the stucco, creating a surface it to which it would

adhere.

Today was like watching someone install wallpaper, they said.

The mural was installed in sections, top to bottom, just like wallpapering.

Using a squeegee, the sections were smoothed out painstakingly.

A gold plaque under the mural reads:

Sunday Morning in the Mines, 1872

see original painting at the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento

Photos | Kati Garner

Photos were shot from Suite 700 in the Elks Building

Good strokes for the Crocker

2009-09-16T00:41:04Z

Sections of the historic structure receive a fresh coat of paint (top photo). Colors were inspired from the original Victorian

palette and complement the materials of the new construction.

Two artistis stand on the sidewalk in front of the existing Crocker and paint the scenery around them (middle).

A crane delivers a heavy load of drywall to workers above the entryway of the New Crocker (bottom photo).

Windows will be installed in the new expansion soon.

Photos | Kati Garner

Unruly crowds? NOT

2009-12-24T02:54:50Z

Arden Fair Mall sported well-behaved crowds today. Last night a midnight sale for the new Air Jordan athletic was cancelled when potential shoe buyers rushed mall doors and started pushing others.

That sale was cancelled.

This afternoon the scene seemed like a normal, bustling shopping day right before Christmas: Parents and kids endured lines waiting for Santa pictures to be taken, shoppers traversed escalators and stores,lovers sneaked kisses, clerks and delivery persons carried on.

Here are some scenes:

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Mother Nature's Light Show Photos

2009-06-04T06:28:39Z

I was driving west on Baseline Rd, almost to Hwy 99, when I noticed lighting brightening the sky around 8:45pm.

I pulled off the road at the intersection of Elverta and 99, as did other travelers and captured the show for about an hour.

Photos | Kati Garner

Local Red Cross volunteers recognized

2009-07-14T02:05:01Z

Six volunteers with the Sacramento-Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross received awards recently:

John (not pictured) and Agnes Mae Drew received the Joyce Raley Teel Humanitarian

Philanthropist Award. It is given to a donor or donors who has demonstrated exceptional

philanthropy to the Sacramento Sierra Chapter.

Jim McColm received the Linda Brandenburger Legacy Leadership Award. It celebrates

an individual who has provided significant leadership to the chapter's estate and gift planning efforts.

DST Output accepted the Frank Corti Fund Development Award by Board Member Bill Kohrummel

who is the Director of Operations for DST Output. The Award is presented to an individual or

organization that has demonstrated exceptional leadership in coordination, motivation

and successfully completing fund-raising efforts for the chapter

Diane Thomas accepted the Linda Brandenburger Legacy Leadership Award which celebrates

an individual who has provided significant leadership to the chapter's estate and gift

planning efforts.

Sandy Stultz received the Clara Barton Award. It honors an individual who has served in leadership

positions over a number of years enabling the Red Cross to contribute valuable services to the

community through personal expertise, leadership, cooperation and constructive guidance.

John McGinness, Sacramento County Sheriff and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Turner present the Henri Durant Award to Steve Turner (second from

right). The Henri Dunant Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional performance and extensive personal commitment

to a specific service or project. The individual must show leadership in identifying and assessing needs in the community and organizational

barriers to reaching the community.

Photos | Kati Garner, American Red Cross

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; 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 humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.

Old fashioned Christmas

2009-12-05T05:33:18Z

Old fashioned Christmas

The Elk Grove Historical Museum's fourth annual Old fashioned Christmas features rooms lavishly decorated with period displays by local designers.

Museum Hours:
through December 20th on
Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00 – 8:00pm
Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00pm

Santa will be at the Museum:
Fridays,Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00 – 5:00pm.
Take-home photographs with Santa • $10.00

The museum's address is 9941 East Stockton Blvd., adjacent to the west entrance of Elk Grove Regional Park.

From Highway 99 south, take the Elk Grove Blvd. exit and go east to East Stockton Blvd.

Continue south along East Stockton Blvd. until you reach the main west entrance to the park. Our parking lot is immediately on the left.

For more information call: 916-685-8115 or email: stagestophotel@aol.com

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Kids week

2009-07-18T02:01:50Z

Matteo Amato makes his own pizza at Il Fornaio restaurant in downtown Sac.

The Italian Restaurant and Bakery participated in the first annual Downtown Kid's Week. Sponsored by the Downtown Sac Partnership, families from around the region are invited to join in the fun by exploring the cultural treasures in their own backyard and taking advantage of special and activities at participating Downtown Kid's Week businesses.

This year's event ran from July 11 through 18.

Photo | Kati Garner

Fab fog in forty's

2009-12-28T18:36:55Z

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Holiday Lights | East Sac

2009-12-15T07:12:26Z

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Snow in Sac

2010-03-03T22:06:47Z

Two youngsters enjoy the thrill of a tobaggan ride during Snow Day.

Council Member Lauren Hammond and 2010 Complete Count Committee delighted folks of all ages with a Snow Day in Southside Park today.

There was a snow cave, toboggan rides, face painting, games, food, hot chocolate, community resources and child safety finger printing.

Helen Hewitt explained the purpose of Snow Day was to publicize the importance of everyone being counted in the current Census.

The census is a count taken every 10 years of people across our nation. This count determines how much federal money our community will receive over the next 10 years.

If we want more money for education in our schools, increased services and benefits for children and seniors and more jobs in our community, it's vital that each and everyone of us is counted.

Here are some scenes from today in Southside Park:

Rain didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm.

Census worker Dustin Hoekstra helped check folks in and gave them information about the importance of the Census count.

A young girl is fingerprinted to help ensure her future safety.

Not sure what this fellow was doing.

Kids came dressed and ready to hit the slope!

A good ride!

Josh Robichaud, a die-hard snowboarder, said he wanted to be the first to ever ride a snowboard in Southside Park.

Lots of snowball fights.

Kids loved being inside the ice cave (above) and climbing on the outside (below).

Census 2010 Snow Day was sponsored by Council Member Lauren Hammond * 2010 Complete Count Committee *Council Member Rob Fong *City of Sacramento * Angelo Utilities * American River College Women in Construction * Blaine Stumpf Trucking Co. *California Conservation Corp * Carpenters Local 46 * Drywall/ Lathers Union 109 * Electrical Workers Local 340* Green Technology Pre-Apprenticeship * Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522 * Sacramento Sierra Building & Construction Trades Council * Teichert Construction

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Along the Sacramento River

2009-08-24T22:11:48Z

Just a photo montage of scenic views I spotted.

Roaming around Sactown

2009-06-11T17:25:36Z

Recently, I "hit the streets", roaming along J and K in Sactown

Photos | Kati Garner

Santa rides parade wind into Sactown

2009-11-28T23:37:03Z

Santa literally blew into town for today's Santa Parade. Though the winds were brisk and the air chilly, parade viewers stuck it out.

Parade participants and viewers were all struggling with the wind and cold.

Here's some scenes from this morning:

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Race for the $25,000 diamond

2009-06-06T20:51:57Z

Spencer Relles and Melissa Meade, far left in both photos and Devon Edwards and Sarah Krum, in foreground, are two couples who were searching for answers to clues at Sutter's Fort this morning. "Race for the Rock" their blue t-shirts exclaimed.

They were part of a city-wide high-tech treasure hunt to find (and win) a hidden $25,000 diamond ring, sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company.

All clues and riddles were being delivered to and from their cell phone via text messages! As for transport, they could play by foot, by bike, or even by zeppelin.

They rules said "You’ll want to move fast, but smarts will beat speed in this high-tech adventure!"

Both couples were biking it.

To participate in the treasure hunt, Rogers Jewelry asked all teams to make a $25 donation to the Sacramento Food Bank to support their efforts.

Photos | Kati Garner

it's looking like July 4th!

2009-07-03T19:16:52Z

Tom Ford and his daughter Kennedy prepare their front yard anticipating the July 4th parade that goes down their East Sac street. The block party along 41st St. starts at 10am. Ford built a 400 sq. ft stage in front of his front porch which will host the band Q-Balls. Behind the red, white and blue post is a cantina which will serve drinks. Parade begins at 11am.

Ford's neighbor Joe Riehl delivers the signs for Tom's cantina. In the bed of the pickup is a ping-pong table for tournaments after the parade.

A taco eating contest will take place nearby. Riehl says he and Ford are the "unofficial" co-chairs of the parade.

East Sac's 4th of July parade begins on 41st St., under this banner which is halfway between J and M Streets.

Neighbors across the street from Ford and Riehl prepare also by putting up canopies for food and drinks.

Photos | Kati Garner

For more July 4th events, please see Sonia Lucyga article:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/10142/Red_White_and_Blue_Agenda_What_to_do_this_4th_of_July

Sutter Capitol Pavilion

2009-12-02T17:43:09Z

Sutter Capitol Pavilion
The Sutter Capitol Pavilion includes more than 200,000 square feet of new space for physician offices, procedure rooms and ancillary services.

The artistically designed and inviting new four-story medical building will be home to 40 specialists’ offices and 128 exam and procedure rooms. In keeping with the goal of delivering excellent care and improved patient convenience and satisfaction, the building also features cardiac rehabilitation and a new all-digital imaging center. Other highlights of this project are a vascular laboratory, and leading outpatient services, including an ambulatory surgery center that offers endoscopy and interventional radiology.

“The campus concept is an ideal model for patient care,” said Tom Blinn, CEO of ambulatory care services in the Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region. “Patients who come here will have the convenience of easily accessible doctor’s office visits, onsite digital imaging and ambulatory surgery suites for high-quality, lower-cost surgical care when their surgery doesn’t require hospitalization. They also have the peace of mind of knowing they are on a multidimensional health care campus of primary and specialty medicine, contemporary technology and a top-rated hospital.”

Sutter Capitol Pavilion is scheduled to open in 2010.

Article | Press release from Sutter Medical Center

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Sac Sunrise

2009-11-24T18:04:36Z

From the quiet streets of Old Sac, the sun begins its arrival on a chilly morning two days before Thanksgiving.

Watch SacPress for upcoming holiday events happening in Downtown and Old Sacramento. SacPress photo | Kati Garner

Big turnout for Free Museum Day

2010-02-07T01:24:01Z

Sacramento's 12th annual Free Museum Day, from the Aerospace Museum of California at McClellan Park to the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum was heavily attended. Twenty-six (26) greater Sacramento area museums offered free admission all day long. The event was presented by the Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM), and supported by Umpqua Bank.

The Aerospace Museum of California (above and below) features 39 military and civilian aircraft, aerospace exhibits, an Aviation Learning Center, tours, and simulator ride.

The Crocker had long lines throughout the day, as did Old Sacramento's California State Railroad Museum.

A boy tests the old water pump at the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum (above and below) The museum celebrates California's early days of education in a living replica of an 1800's one-room schoolhouse.

Panning for gold was popular at the Sacramento History Museum. California's golden past and Sacramento's diverse cultural legacy are featured.

A mom and daughter read about Sacramento's history in The Wells Fargo History Museum (above). California's Gold Rush is highlighted.

A soldier helps a boy try on the military bulletproof vest. California State Military Museum displayed modern day and historical military items and personal memorabilia (above and below).

Children pretend they are in combat on a modern-day cannon.

A young girl looks down the muzzle of a military weapon.

A military reenactor holds a dummy grenade on an old cannon.

Joe Wolfenden kept the long lines moving and the humor flowing at the Governor's Mansion, a regal Victorian mansion with Persian carpets, Italian marble, French mirrors and chandeliers. Since 1967 the historic building has welcomed visitors inside the home of 13 governors and two private families. Governor Ronald and Nancy Reagan had the shortest tenure, moving out after residing there for three months. They moved out due to fire concerns.

Anything purchased for the mansion had to remain. Today it holds an eclectic but agreeable mix of objects and decor.

All of Sacramento's museums are open year-round.

Please visit http://www.sacmuseums.org/ for more information.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Still soggy

2010-03-04T00:53:30Z

A forecast of 100% chance of precipitation proved correct about an hour after this was shot at 1:30 pm. A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 10 pm pst this evening, Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph gusts up to 30 mph this evening. Impacts: Travelers through the Sierra will encounter slick roads, including Interstate 80 and Highway 50. Expect travel delays and chain restrictions.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Volunteers Celebrate the Life of Dr. King

2010-01-17T06:24:44Z

Volunteers Celebrate the Life of Dr. King with
Lifesaving Fire Safety Information

American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide volunteers canvass Sacramento neighborhoods to distribute fire prevention and safety tips.

“Life’s most persistent question,” Dr. King once asked, “is what are you doing for others?" This Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide volunteers distributed vital fire safety information to help Sacramento residents prevent home fires, protect their loved ones and strengthen their community.

Joe Fenton, Hope Worldwide and Christy Woods, Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross explain the door-to-door canvassing to all the volunteers.

Dawn Lindblom (center), the new CEO of the Sac-Sierra Chapter was part of this morning's outreach in the south Sacramento area, as was Robbie Waters, City Councilmember Robbie Waters, District 7 (below).

Volunteers from the American Red Cross and HOPE worldwide as well as volunteer Sea Cadets, AmeriCorps NCCC and Community Emergency Response Team members went door-to-door throughout South Sacramento neighborhoods speaking with residents about fire safety and leaving behind fire safety door hangers with information about smoke alarms, creating an escape plan and how to cook and heat a home safely this winter.

The Firefighters of Sacramento Fire Department Station 11 hosted this morning's activities. The station is located at the intersection of Florin and Havenside in the Pocket Area.

“President Obama has called on each of us to volunteer in our communities on Monday, January 18 to usher in a new spirit of service,” says American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern. “Join the American Red Cross and USAService.org to learn how to save a life by participating in a CPR training, protect a life by distributing prevention and safety materials in your community or give the gift of life by donating blood.”

Home fires are Sacramento’s most prevalent disaster threat, and unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented. The Red Cross is committed to helping people understand how they can prevent home fires and protect themselves should they experience a fire. In the last year alone, the Sacramento Sierra Chapter responded to more than 240 fires, providing emergency shelter, food, comfort items, mental health counseling and emotional support.

This little fellow was part of his mom's group.

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 www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner, American Red Cross volunteer

Scenes from Sac Pride Festival

2009-06-21T02:59:55Z

Here are some moments captured during Pride Festival.

To see photos of the parade, please visit: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/9675/Scenes_from_Sac_Pride_parade

Photos | Kati Garner

Ya gotta go to the Fair!

2009-08-27T23:32:55Z

Photos | Kati Garner

Finally --- a Sunset

2010-01-23T03:03:01Z

The sun finally won over the clouds for a bit, creating a nice visual from Old Sacramento this evening.

Looking east from Richards Blvd shows sunlight hitting downtown's skyscrapers.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Sacramento's Comic, Toy and Anime Show lured characters

2010-03-08T15:45:32Z

Yesterday's SACCON show at Sacramento's Scottish Rite Center was full of dressed up characters and lots of fun stuff.

Here are some scenes:

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Those Dashing Dogs (and their owners) in Land Park | Photos

2009-05-31T23:31:09Z

2009 Doggy Dash in Land Park

Photos | Kati Garner

Outside the NEW Crocker

2009-06-18T04:02:50Z

The property on the west side of the existing Crocker is prepped for constructing the new wing in July 2008.

A block structure will house equipment that will service the entire art museum.

The steel beams are above the basement which is the front part of the new wing along the street.

The concrete wall in lower portion of photo is along the western side of the new wing.

A worker on the south side of the basement which is the front area of the new wing. The holes in the concrete will carry the heating/cooling ducts. The area below and above the duct openings are now filled in and are part of the floor.

The auditorium and seating is put in place.

Concrete flooring on the east side of the new wing is smoothed before it hardens.

The old and the new will meet at the rear of the existing Crocker Art Museum.

A steel worker climbs a beam to place safety cables for use as the crews are bolt them together.

Crews work on all levels of the new wing.

East Sac Fourth of July celebration | Photos

2009-07-05T01:18:08Z

This old Dodge truck is like the one used in 1922 when Rex Moore Electrical Contractors did business out of their basement at 616 San Antonio Way in East Sac. The business is now owned/operated by David Moore (grandson) and Brock Littlejohn.

Kadea Metara and Merlin Ghostwoof, an 11-1/2 year old Siberian Husky made a grand appearance (left) as did Diane Tempest and Hudson on wheels.

Twins Talullah and Matilda McKinzie waved their flags as the parade breezed by.

The Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner called for moments of respect before the parade. Brigadier General Emory Hagen and Dr. Sharon Hagen were acknowledged for their sons serving in the Marine Corps; 1st LT Marshall Pagaling in Afghanistan and Capt. Michael Pagaling a 46 Pilot on the US Boxer.

Some enjoyed the water slides. Some didn't!

Photos | Kati Garner

Downtown Sac welcomes the holidays

2009-11-20T21:06:53Z

A worker uses a plumb line to make sure Westfield Downtown Plaza's Christmas tree stands straight. It was delivered by crane early this morning.

The tall tree was lowered into a hole in the concrete in front of the plaza.

Huge planks of wood are used as shims to straighten the trunk.

This worker walked the circumference of the tree, using his plumb line from all angles, to ensure the tree stands upright.

This year will be a brighter holiday for Sacramento. The first-ever Carnival of Lights will delight visitors with a dazzling display of lights throughout the Central City from the waterfront through Midtown starting the week of Thanksgiving through January 3.

The Carnival of Lights will kick off in Old Sacramento the night before Thanksgiving with the annual Old Sacramento Tree Lighting and the Theatre of Lights, produced by the Old Sacramento Business Association.

The Theatre of Lights will bring history to life through a narrated show of lights, sounds and visual effects. The light show will take visitors back to a time when the beloved poem The Night Before Christmas was first introduced in Sacramento in 1857.

The first Tree Lighting of the season and Theatre of Lights inaugural night will take place on November 25 at 6 pm in Old Sacramento at Front and K streets. Two 10-minute light shows will run every Thursday through Sunday at 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm through January 3.

For more information, visit www.oldsactheatreoflights.com.

The Carnival at St. Rose is a 5-week holiday event that will transform 7th and K streets into a festive winter carnival. The event will take place in lieu of the ice rink this holiday season due to conflicts in construction schedules with the K Street Streetscape project and renovation of St. Rose of Lima Park.

Open daily November 27 through January 3 from noon until 8:00 pm, the Carnival at St. Rose will feature a ferris wheel, classic carnival and arcade games, and food vendors.

First 100 in line get in free November 27th.

In the spirit of the season, the carnival will also incorporate live entertainment, a gingerbread house chef challenge, a craft fair, and charity events. Admission to the event for a two-hour session is $6 for children and seniors and $7 for adults. Private parties and group discounts are available with advance reservations.

The Carnival at St. Rose is produced by the DSP and is expected to draw visitors from all over the region. The event is presented by the Westfield Downtown Plaza and sponsored by the University of San Francisco – Sacramento Campus, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, KCRA 3, My58, Johnny Rockets and the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza.

For more information, visit www.downtownsac.org/carnival.

SacPress photos | Kati Garner

Pony Express rides again

2009-12-13T17:23:09Z

The Pony Express rode on Saturday from Folsom to Old Sacramento, a prelude to its 150th anniversary.

12 relay horseback riders carried collected holiday cards from Folsom to Old Sacramento.

The Christmas greeting cards were carried in a mochila, a four-pocketed leather square, fitted over the saddle.

Each envelope receives a special ink-stamp showing they were carried by Pony Express. The US Postal Service will deliver them world-wide.

Rain was pouring down as they rode. The motto "Neither snow, nor rain...." held true.

The 12 riders rode along the American River Parkway trail from the Folsom Historical Museum to Old Sacramento's Historical Museum, completing the journey in about five hours.

The riders - Janet Kampf, Cindy Honn, Laura Beeman, Lisa Mahon, Pam Dixon, Kathy Colt, Marton Bross, Jessie Davison, Cary Morre, Pat Fanelli, Jessica Sloat and Susan LaFrance - are from different California towns.

The Pony Express will celebrate its 150th year delivering mail by a 10-day horseback trek from Old Sacramento, CA to St. Joseph, MO.

The 150th Anniversary rerun ends with a river crossing, a parade through downtown St. Joseph, swinging past the pony express monument, and ending at the Patee House Museum.

(From the americanhistory.suite101.com):
"Evidence points to Johnny Fry as the first Pony Express rider to head west from St. Joseph, Missouri, on April 3, 1860. Founded by Alexander Majors, William Russell, and William Waddell, the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Company ran the Pony Express for 18 months. The route was approximately 2,000 miles and took anywhere from 10 to 16 days for riders to travel from St. Joseph to Sacramento, California.

Accounts state that 49 letters, 5 telegrams, and some special edition newspapers were carried on the first westbound run.

The Express’ Days were Numbered Before it began.

On June 16, 1860, Congress authorized the building of a transcontinental telegraph line.

'The passage of the bill resulted in the incorporation of the Overland Telegraph Company of California and the Pacific Telegraph Company of Nebraska. On July 4, 1861, Edward Creighton began building Pacific Telegraph’s line westward from Julesburg, Colorado, toward Salt Lake City. Twelve hundred miles to the west on the same day at Fort Churchill in Nevada, James Gamble set the first pole in the Overland Telegraph Company's line,' states the History and Culture Pony Express article at nps.gov/poex.

On October 20, 1861, Creighton won the race to Salt Lake City. Four days later Gamble's crew arrived. On October 26 the wires were joined, and San Francisco was in direct contact with New York City.

On that day the Pony Express was officially terminated, but it was not until November that the last letters completed their journey over the route.”

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

At the Capitol: Lights On

2009-10-22T23:44:08Z

There was lots of fun and action during the second annual Lights On Afterschool celebration on the south steps

of the Captiol building today as participating schools "strutted" their stuff, showing the many ways students have

benefitted from the program.

The program offers an alternative to children that would be returning home from school at a time when their parents

are not there becaue of their work schedule.

The event highlighted the creativity and energy of the kids using the program.

On October 22, 2009 the Nation will celebrate Lights on Afterschool. In New York, the Empire State Building

will be lit up for the third consecutive year in honor of Lights on Afterschool. This year, for the first time, city

officials in Los Angeles will light the historic Lindbergh Beacon atop City Hall, so that national landmarks on

both coasts will be lit up in celebration of after school programs. California leads the nation with over 1,000

celebrations.

DeVon Bryant, Boys and Girls Club of Sacramento, helped the Twin Rivers

Unified School District raise the banner at their display booth. The Boys

and Girls Club has four after-school sites in that school district.

Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, holds the "After School Champion" award presented

to him by Gordon Jackson, Director of Learning Supports Division, CA Dept. of Education.

Eigth grade student Melanie Sanders and high school student, Jaled Love received "After School Excellence" awards.

Trao Thao and Kelly Stowers received "After School Committment" awards.

Members of the Youth Guitar Performance, associated with the Boys and Girls Club of Sacramento and the Teichert

Branch, strummed the the strings for the audience.

Members of the Cedar Lane Elementary performed hip hop.

Students from Johnson Park and Arvboga Elementary Schools in Marysville

demonstrated what they've learned in martial arts.

California leads the Nation with registered Lights on Afterschool Celebrations!

California has over 1050 registered celebrations, over 400 more celebrations

than any other state.

Photos | Kati Garner

(My sister, Leslie Garner, is on staff with Sacramento START, a participant in

today's event.)

They Fly | Honoring Women of Color

2010-03-09T16:57:54Z

Mother Ruby Muhammad (born 1897)and Suzanne Brooks/The Jazz Generation, entertained and delighted the audience at the annual Sacramento Community Women of Color Day/Diversity Awards Event on Sunday's event "I Believe I Can Fly: Memories of Music And Stories."

The 2010 Sacramento event, "Symbols in Silver," honored 8 outstanding individuals: Deloris Ashley, Karen Bass, Speaker, California Assembly; Roxana Borrego, Director, Sacramento Cultural Center; Aurora Grajeda, San Francisco Bay Area Journalist; Britta Guererro, Director, Sacramento Native American Health Center; Teresa Pulido, Grandmother, West Sacramento; Oprah Winfrey, actress/talk show host; and Rev. Ashiya Odeye, Director, Sacramento Justice Reform Coalition.

Ruby Muhammad, 113, was born in Sandersville, Georgia, but grew up in Americus, Georgia. She was raised by a woman she used to think was her aunt, because her mother died when Muhammad was young, and her father was unknown to her until she was a teenager.

Muhammad joined the Nation in 1946 and was named Mother of the Nation of Islam in 1986 by Minister Louis Farrakhan, and has an international following of admiration by those in the Nation of Islam.

In March 2007, she ostensibly turned 110, though this has not been documented. Despite her age, she is still in excellent health, still exercising and taking care of herself. She credits joining the Nation of Islam for her longevity. From community records in Sandersville, she also believes her father lived to 107 and her great grandfather lived to 110.

Muhammad is not the widow of Elijah Muhammad, founder of the Nation of Islam. She has had two husbands, neither being Elijah Muhammad.

Iola Imogene Scott was born May 31, 1905 in Madisonville Kentucky. After losing her mother at age 12 she moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and was raised by her Aunt and Uncle. At a very young age, Iola fell in love with “doing hair” and studied with Madam C.J. Walker, afterward opening her own beauty salon and school.

She mentored many young women of color the cosmetology trade. She developed a line of beauty products uniquely for black women and was instrumental in the development of the curling iron. As a young woman, she was very active in her church as the organist for the Youth Choir. Decades before “Black became Beautiful,” she sponsored beauty shows, pageants and cultural events. In 1955, she relocated to California where she owned and operated her own beauty salon, Kosmetique, until she retired at the age of 93.

Today, at 104, and an award winning artist, Iola Scott is most proud of being a mother to girls who were motherless and a mentor to many young women of color. her. Her grandfather, a water boy in the Civil War, lived to be a lively 116 years of age, telling her to “keep your head up and walk tall”. She has taken his advice.

Roxana Reyes Borrego, shown with her son, began studying Folklorico at the age of five and began teaching at 19. She has dedicated herself to enriching the Sacramento community with the art for the past 20 years. Ms. Borrego has worked with several groups: Danzantes del Alma de UC Davis, Ballet Folklorico de CSU Chico, Nube de Oro and Sol De Mexico.

In 1997, she founded the group Flor del Corazon at Sacramento High School,serving as its instructor for 6 years and establishing it as the first college preparatory Folklorico class recognized by the Regents of the University of California. She is one of the founders of Grupo Folklorico Raices de Mi Tierra (raicesdemitierra.com) and is Artistic Director (15 years) . She is also Artistic Director of Danzantes del Alma at UC Davis and adjunct faculty at CSU Sacramento in Theatre & Dance.

Ms. Borrego is the owner and director of the Sacramento Cultural Arts Center—Non-Profit of the year by the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber.

Delores Wall Ashley, born in Wilson, NC, attended Darden High School. She and her four sisters and brothers grew up in a loving home with parents who were fine role models for their lives. Ms. Ashley became a great mother and wife, as well as a career woman, entrepreneur, foster mom and community activist.

Her pursuit of further education and better jobs led her to Newark, NJ and New York City where she met and married her husband, Thurman Wall. With her husband and children, Malcolm, Samantha, Charles and Torledo, she became active in Ambysian Baptist Church and began volunteer work in the community, including Boys and Girls Clubs, 4-H Programs, The Center for Children, The New Ark Program. Later, she re-married James Ashley and moved to California where they operated several businesses., including a day care, credit repair, pre-paid legal and retail fashions.

They also adopted and raised 4 foster children: William, Caroline, Kenny & Tavon. Her other contributions are too numerous to list. Her admirers span the continent.

Britta Guerrero is Executive Director of the Sacramento Native American Health Center, Inc. (SNAHC), a community-owned and operated non-profit urban Indian health center providing programs, groups and services from a Native perspective. The health center plays a major role as part of the heath care “safety net” in the Sacramento area.

For significant portions of the population with little or no access to mainstream health care, SNAHC has emerged as a leader in the provision of quality health care delivered through a culturally competent, family-centered and wrap around delivery system. A humble as well as caring administrator, Ms. Guerrero is respected for her dedication to the task of providing health care for the Native American community. She works hard to keep abreast of cultural concerns and current health issues. For example, she has noted that Type 2 diabetes has skyrocketed among Indian children in the last decade.

She is active in many Indian organizations such as the National Council of Urban Indian Health and the National Institutes of Alcohol and Alcoholism. Ms. Guerrero takes the responsibility of representing an Indian organization very seriously, and has made it her personal/professional mission to insure that Native Americans have access to healthcare in urban areas such as Sacramento.

This population is often over looked, is tremendously underserved and is still suffering from disproportionate health disparities. Ms. Guerrero is an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and a member of Kayhatin (Willow) Clan.

Aurora Grajeda, an almost 63 year old Mexican-born transgender woman, migrated to the US 41 years ago to San Francisco's Mission District, where she has resided ever since .

A community activist, she addresses issues of LGBT rights and concerns, Immigration Reform, Universal Health Care, and Democratic Representation in all branches of government, from Local to State and Federal Levels. She is especially concerned with violence against women, girls and minorities.

Ms. Grajeda responds to the public’s need for accurate information by writing, especially facts from research. An outstanding journalist, she writes editorials, reports and commentary via email, blog posts, websites and discussion groups on the Internet. Also a theater artist, she is proud of her participation in the all-transgender cast in the 2003 production of "Living it up and Holding it Down", and her 2009 performance in the first San Francisco Production in Spanish of 'The Vagina Monologues. She has been cast in the May 8, 2010 V-Day production in San Jose.Dr. Shelly Goldsby, PhD, M.S.W., was
born in Oak Ridge, Louisiana, Dr. Goldsby is a long time CA resident who works for children and families. She has a BA, CSU San Bernardino; MS, School of Social Work,-CSU, Sacramento, and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, UCLA.

She agrees that family foster care provides safety for children, but also sees that children experience emotional/psychological distress when separated from families, thus advocates“family preservation.” She works to reunite abused or neglected children with parents. As a foster/adoptive parent, she supports open adoptions. She advocates legislation to extend foster youth benefits to the age of 21, has provided expert testimony on foster youth concerns and services.

She currently works with high-risk placements, open adoptions and pregnant foster youth. She has trained psychologists, teachers, social workers, students, birth/foster parents.. She has developed programs for alternative foster youth housing, published articles on an array of topics. and served as a speaker in the US and Bermuda.

Karen Bass (no photo), is a former Speaker, California State Assembly. She has represented the 47th district since first elected in 2004. She is the second woman and third African American to serve as Speaker.

Raised in the Venice/Fairfax neighborhood, she went to Hamilton High School; graduated from CSU, Dominguez Hills (1990, B.S. Health Sciences) USC Medical School – Physician Assistant Certificate. She has been a faculty member for more than a decade and worked as a Physician Assistant in the nation’s largest trauma center, Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center. She founded the Community Coalition, an organization in South Los Angeles.

She has also served as Majority Floor Leader for the California State Assembly. She has served in other legislative leadership roles. She serves as chair of the Select Committee on Foster Care and as vice chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. She is a member of Barack Obama's national African American Leadership Council and served as a California Co-chair of Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

Teresa Pulido, (no photo) is a great example of the truly special love that only a grandmother can give. She has lived a quiet life, caring for all in her family and in the communities where she has lived. Like many remarkable women, especially women of color, she is more intelligent, more educated than is generally given recognition. She is insightful and deeply spiritual in the ways that have been passed down from ancestors to beloved women who carry and teach our cultures. "It is important that we honor Teresa Pulido because without her and others like her, many would be homeless and lost, not knowing our histories and roots, not seeing our own worth, and not understanding our own capacity to stand up in the face of injustice for ourselves and for others."

More personal details are not needed here. We know her in our hearts. In pain from a serious medical condition, Teresa Pulido could not be here today in person, but she is here in spirit. She is precisely the type of woman whose greatness deserves honor today and every day. Her award will be delivered to her with our expression of admiration.

A special honoree, The Reverend Ashiya Odeye, was born in Philadelphia, PA into a family with a long history in the civil rights struggle in America. From the underground railroad, suffragette movement, Marcus Garvey and the back to Africa movement, through the black power movement to today, his family was there making and a part of history.

The family has an equally long history with African American arts and artists, educators and education, politicians and politics, religious leaders, and standing connections to Africa, which led his proud inquisitive mind , as a young man to become the dedicated adult activist of today. In his family tradition of community service and spiritual awareness, he founded the first Rastafarian organization west of the Mississippi—the Order of Olufunmi.

He works to push forward the mantle of freedom and justice. As Director of the Justice Reform Coalition he works with other advocates and organizations bring about the community control over and accountability of our legal, justice, political, educational and corporate systems.

For further information about Mother Ruby and Suzanne Brook s/Women of Color, please see Jonathan Mendick's article:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/19768/The_Mother_of_Sacramento

The biographical information of the honorees is from the "I Believe I can Fly" program.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

World Music & Dance Festival high energy and upbeat!

2009-09-27T05:30:13Z

Saturday's performances of the Sacramento World Music and Dance Festival were big hits with the large crowds in the Benvenuti Performing Arts Center this afternoon and evening, Sept. 26.

It is a celebration of world cultures, ethnic dance and musical performances in one location.

It's an experience in high energy, fancy footwork and flying leaps as performers showcased the native dances of India, Spain, Zimbabwe and six other countries.

Here are some scenes:

The Festival continues in Old Sacramento tomorrow, Sunday Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..Featuring 2 stages of live music and dance, storytelling and workshops. Admission is free.

Photos | Kati Garner

Around&About | Del Paso Blvd

2009-11-06T05:03:50Z

Three years ago, when I moved to Sacramento, I wouldn't have considered, or had the

desire to photograph Del Paso Blvd. Today, with camera in tow, I walked and shot the

Blvd between Rio Linda Ave and El Camino Ave.

Here's what I saw:

Photos | Kati Garner

Old City Cemetery Lantern Tours

2009-10-25T22:37:42Z

The tales told during the Old City Cemetery's annual Lantern Tours sound like they were pulled from today's headlines: dead prostitutes, drunks, suicides, gunfights, couples killed for their money, an estranged husband ordering a contract hit on his wife. Many folks murdered because of greed, love, and jealousy.

This past Friday and Saturday nights, costumed volunteers dressed authenticly as they told the tales of the cemetery's notable residents who roamed our area over one hundred years ago.

Their ghosts roamed among us as we headed deep into the cemetery under the moonlight.

Reserve your tickets now for 2010 Lantern Tours. This year's tours sold out quickly.

Visit: http://www.oldcitycemetery.com/

Photos | Kati Garner

A bit of fog

2009-11-21T21:46:09Z

This view from the Sacramento Marina says it all - the weekend before Thanksgiving started

off in foggy mode. Clearing began around 11am. Weatherbug forecasts mostly sunny skies

for Thanksgiving week with a slight chance of showers tomorrow.

SacPress photo | Kati Garner

Discovery Park busy in Winter

2010-01-28T01:33:53Z

This was my first venture into Discovery Park and I was pleasantly surprised!

Lots of wildlife, people jogging and biking and just parked, enjoying the quiet and scenery. After living here three years, it was about time!

Here's some of the highlights:

A sea lion thrashes his catch above the water to break it up for easy eating. He split the fish in half for easier dining.

A majestic tree, even in winter.

A Snowy Egret departs from a dead branch in the river.

The Sacramento River looks healthy after all the rain we've experienced.

Nice reflection from the sky.

A Great Egret lands after escaping from me for getting too close.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

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

Art for the beasts

2009-07-29T01:10:23Z

Hey parents, wondering how to keep your little beasts - er, I mean children - busy for the rest of the summer?

Let your free-range kids explore Artbeast, a newly opened art studio for the little ones in midtown Sac.

It's full of art exploration rooms and loads of classes.

Kids can really dig into the arts. An ArtBeast monthly

membership offers unlimited time in the open studio and

arts exploration rooms, and one or two weekly arts classes.

Let 'em get their feet muddy.

And their hands, too!

They'll love it. Really!

They can sing and mess around playing somebody else. Dramatic play spaces

change monthly so children can explore the creation of story lines with ever

changing scenery, props, costumes, and puppets.

The can even make believe as puppeteers.

Or play hide and seek from their playmates.

Work out their frustrations on the heavy duty clay.

Lots of beads for necklaces.

Artbeast is a great way for parents to interact with the young ones - the

paint is unlimited!

Mini-sized easels for the little Picasso wanna-bes.

Some like to wash away the paint that others put on.

Did we say there'is unlimited paint?

Bring your little beasts to Artbeast for dance, yoga, storytelling, singing, Spanish, visual arts, music, movement, and dramatic arts.

The paint never runs out, the clay is always ready to be molded or pounded, the drums played and mud walked in!

Every dime given to Art Beast directly supports and sustains Tubman House, a nonprofit that serves young, homeless parents and their children.
Tubman House is a free, 18 month transitional living program for Sacramento's homeless, parenting youth. At Tubman House, youth experience dynamic coursework, community support, counseling and healthy living so that they leave prepared to be leaders in their own lives and the lives of their communities.

Artbeast is located at 2226 K St., midtown Sacramento.

Photos | Kati Garner

East Sac Logging

2009-09-29T01:41:09Z

Driving to the Post Office along J Street this morning, I noticed a "detour"sign posted at 43rd St due to road work. Glancing down the road I saw deep piles of greenery and limbs blocking the middle of the street.

And there was a huge crane in the midst of it.

So I drove down another street to M St, approached 43rd, and then drove about a quarter of the way down it and parked, all the while keeping one eye on the crane.

I couldn't quite figure out what was going on at first when I saw this:

Is it a really really really long chainsaw blade thinning out the trees near the road?.

Then I looked at it from this angle:

Then it all came together once this happened:

There's one guy up in the tree with ropes, directing the segments of the tree being

cut to be hauled out.

Each segment weighs around 8,000 pounds and is carefully laid onto the street

and placed into a truck bed to be hauled away. The limbs were put through a

woodchipper onsite.

Being taken out is a redwood tree which has three HUGE branches. When the current owners of the white house

bought it 50 years ago they were told by the seller that their son had a small redwood in dirt, growing on the fireplace

mantel. He planted it to the side of the house as it got bigger.

As the picture shows it is extremely close to both homes.

The lumberjack adjusts the cables for the removal of the segment on the right side.

It took a lot of chainsaw power on both sides.

Up up and away it goes.

Crews from Maxim Crane Works and Arborwell worked together. A stump

grinder finished the job once the tall parts of the tree were gone.

Photos | Kati Garner

Carnival of Lights | Westfield Christmas Tree lights up

2009-11-28T08:20:03Z

Sacramento's Carnival of Lights began with the lighting of the 50ft tall Westfield Plaza Christmas tree.

This holiday season, the Carnival of Lights will delight visitors with a dazzling display of lights throughout the Central City from the waterfront through Midtown starting the week of Thanksgiving through January 3.

The collaborative effort will feature architectural lighting, holiday décor, and holiday events including the Theatre of Lights in Old Sacramento and the Carnival at St. Rose at 7th & K streets.

Below, are scenes of the Carnival at St. Rose and the Carnival of Lights festivities:

The Carnival at St. Rose is 5-week holiday event that has transformed 7th and K streets into a festive winter carnival featuring a 30-foot Ferris wheel, classic carnival and arcade games, food vendors and more.

Even though it rained, folks enjoyed the Carnival at St.Rose while waiting for the tree to light up.

The view from the ferris wheel.

Umbrellas saved the day.

Lights adorn the front of buildings on one side of K Street, accross from Westfield Plaza.

This young girl gets excited waiting for the tree to be lit.

The crowd is entertained.

Santa arrives!

The holiday season has officially begun.

For more information, (916) 442-8575.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Maria Shriver | Honoring Women's History Month

2010-03-05T15:59:59Z

California's First Lady, Maria Shriver and The Women’s Conference partnered with The California Museum to celebrate National Women’s History Month with an extraordinary all-day free event – Day at The Museum yesterday in Sacramento.

Over 10,000 people came through the doors after it kicked off with A Breakfast Meet-and- Greet with Women Elected Officials, the day was packed with information and activity;

A tour of the State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Minerva Award Exhibit and Minerva Quilt Project Recognition, “If I Can Do It, So Can You,” panel on the rewards of being a compassionate citizen hero, Chef demonstrations and book signings, “Only in California: A Celebration of California Creativity”, Honoring Our Women in the Military and “I Did It My Way,” a Once in a Lifetime Conversation with Astronaut and educator Dr. Sally K. Ride, Environmental activist Erin Brockovich, award-winning journalist Lisa Ling and award-winning actress, singer and entertainer Rita Moreno.

Maria Shriver moderated a conversation with Astronaut Dr. Sally Ride (right), Lisa Ling (center) Rita Moreno and Erin Brockovish (shown below).

Sally Ride is the first American woman to fly in space.

Erin Brockovich was an unknown legal researcher and the impelling force behind the largest medical settlement lawsuit in history in 1996. It was because of Brockovich's unwavering tenacity that PG & E was exposed for leaking toxic Chromium 6 into the ground water, poisoning the small California town of Hinkley’s Water for over 30 years.

Lisa Ling, has covered a spectrum of issues and interviewed people ranging from global heads of state to Hollywood’s A-list. She is currently Oprah’s field correspondent and contributor to National Geographic’s award-winning series Explorer, CNN‘s Planet in Peril, and ABC‘s Nightline, and is a contributing editor for USA Today’s Weekend magazine.

Rita Moreno has managed to have a thriving career for the better part of six decades despite the institutional racism that has plagued the entertainment industry, particularly the anti-Hispanic bias that stereotyped Hispanic women as "spitfires" and sexpots. Moreno is one of the very few (and very first) performers to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, and a Grammy.

Maria and husband Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger introduced Brigadier General Mary J. Kight and other women in the military.

Kight is the first female adjutant general of the California National Guard and first African-American female National Guard Adjutant General in the nation.

Shriver flanks returning from active duty overseas veterans Monique Clifton, Senior Airman and Jessical Oliff, Sergeant, recipients of assistance fromTalbots clothing stores in obtaining civilian apparel to aid in finding a job.

An All Women’s Color Guard.

Dozens of children participated in the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.

Chefs Cat Cora (above) and   Biba Caggiano below gave cooking demos and signed books.Maria Shriver officially recognized the Minerva Award Exhibit at The California Museum. Among the women warriors working on the frontlines of humanity throughout California present at the event were:
·    Betty Chinn, ’08 Minerva Award recipient, who works with the homeless in Eureka.
·    Ramona Delgado, ’06 Minerva Award recipient, co-founder of Sacramento’s WEAVE, the first domestic violence shelter in California.
·    Jennie Hernandez Gin, ’06 Minerva Award recipient, co-founder of WEAVE.
·    “Sweet” Alice Harris, ’07 Minerva Award recipient, founder of Parents of Watts.
·    Dr. Kathy Hull, ’09 Minerva Award recipient, Executive Director of George Mark House in San Leandro, the first free standing children’s hospice in the country.
·    Sister Jennie Lechtenberg, ’05 Minerva Award recipient, founder of PUENTE Learning Center in Los Angeles.
·    Janice Mirikitani, ’05 Minerva Award recipient, poet and founder of Glide Foundation in San Francisco.
·    Ivelise Markovits, ’08 Minerva Award recipient, founder of Penny Lane in Los Angeles, which works with foster children and families.
·    Captain Maureen Pennington, ’07 Minerva Award recipient, United States Naval nurse and health advocate.
·    Christy Porter, ’07 Minerva Award recipient, Executive Director of Hidden Harvest, innovative poverty/food program outside Palm Springs.
·    Helen Devore Waukazoo, ’09 Minerva Award recipient, co-founder of American Indian Friendship House in San Francisco. Services for recovering substance abusers.

Dr. Kathy Hull (left), founded the George Mark Children’s House in San Leandro, CA, the first freestanding residential pediatric palliative care center in the United States, and Captain Maureen Pennington, a United States Navy nurse, managed a string of trauma centers located 10 minutes by helicopter from the front lines in Fallujah, Iraq.

Azure Antoinette, of Get Lit, read a poem at the end of the Minerva introductions of the Minerva Award recipients and the Quilt Project recognition.

For more information and program updates, keep checking back at CaliforniaMuseum.org.

The California Museum, 1020 O Street • Sacramento, CA 95814 • (916) 653-7524

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Great pumpkins and festivals

2009-10-17T23:42:11Z

Today, 25 tons of pumpkins were there for the taking by Sacramento kids. The Antelope Pumpkin Farm, operated by Antelope Christian Center since 2002, aims to put smiles on kids faces. They provided free hayrides, carnival games, face painting, bounce houses, arts & crafts and, of course, a free pumpkin to every child.

In East Sac the Shepard Garden and Arts Center in McKinley Park celebrated its 50th anniversary by holding their fall festival and annual sale, together, this weekend.

There's hundreds of arts and crafts, interesting plants, holiday decorations, lights, tons of books, and lots more miscellaneous stuff. The sale continues through tomorrow.

Where: Shepard Garden and Arts Center, 3330 McKinley Park Blvd., Sacramento

Open: Sunday 10am-5pm

Admission: Free

Further info: (916) 264-8800

Photos | Kati Garner

Sac-Sierra Red Cross responds to Auburn '49er' fire

2009-09-03T04:16:07Z

The American Red Cross will continue to offer emergency assistance to victims of the Auburn ‘49er Fire through a Local Assistance Center opened Tuesday at the Placer County Government Center in Auburn.

Evacuation Centers and Sheltering

The Red Cross Shelter closed at the Auburn Recreational District at 3770 Richardson off Dry Creek. Several clients registered with the center, but none stayed overnight.

Since the fire broke out Sunday afternoon, the Red Cross has registered about 220 clients (through 8 p.m. Monday) and served hundreds of others. On Sunday, about 130 clients registered with the two evacuation centers at Rock Creek Middle and Auburn Elementary schools. On Sunday night, 90 registered and eight people stayed at the shelter at Calvary Chapel Church. Dozens more gathered at the shelter in the morning. On Monday afternoon, the shelter moved to 3770 Richardson.

The Sacramento Sierra Red Cross will continue to offer services through its Placer District Office at 457 Grass Valley Highway, Suite 8, Auburn, CA95603.

Locating Loved Ones

Individuals trying to locate loved ones can register with the Red Cross’ Safe and Well Web site.

Canteening

The Red Cross’ canteen service provided ice, food and beverages to residents and firefighters and utility workers in the affected areas. The emergency response vehicles has been out in the neighborhoods.

Volunteers

About 90 volunteers from the Sacramento Sierra Chapter and its local Placer District Office have been providing services.

Help people affected by disasters like the California Wildfires by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and service victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-RED –CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

Photos | Kati Garner

Sacramento storm scene shots

2009-10-14T03:46:09Z

Being the news photographer that I am I hit the road this morning around 9am to see how the storm was lashing our area. Thankfully it wasn't causing major damage from what I saw.

What I mainly found today in my travels around East Sac, American River Drive, Land Park, Greenhaven/Pocket area, downtown and midtown was leaves and limbs in yards and streets, standing water from plugged storm drains, bark stripped from trees and the wonderful smell of trees (kind of like that Christmas-smell).

At 10am, I saw this at L & 26th:

In the Land Park area, around 10:30am, I came upon these two scenes just off Riverside in Land Park:

This was a typical scene along some areas of Freeport along Land Park:

After lunch, I caught this in the Commons area close to CSUS. The guilty tree was being shredded:

I was ready to call it quits photo-wise until I a telephone call. I'm on call this week with the Sac-Sierra Chapter of the Red Cross to respond to incidents of people needing assistance with shelter, food and clothing after a disaster. I responded to a duplex that had a huge tree that split in the front yard. The structure was deemed unsafe in case gravity caused the tree to create more chaos.

And this was going along Land Park Drive - people begin to clean up:

And folks heading home probably feeling they should be piloting a boat along Land Park Dr:

Clearing storm drains and raking in East Sac around 5:40pm:

A major plug along Stockton Blvd in front of UC Davis Medical Center around 6pm:

And around 6:15pm, this welcome site:

Photos | Kati Garner

State Capitol Tree Lighted for the 78th time

2009-12-11T06:53:38Z

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver kicked-off the holiday season at the 78th Annual State Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony, themed A Season of Giving.

Due to an earlier forecast of bad weather, the outdoor event was been cancelled and the ceremony was held in the State Capitol Rotunda, standing room only.

Wyatt Iles (pronounced Isles), of Pomona, California, was selected from the more than 245,000 children and adults served by the Department of Developmental Services to help the Governor light the tree. Wyatt is an eight year old boy who at the age of three was diagnosed with Autism and began receiving services from the San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center. This was the 27th year that a child with a developmental disability participated in the ceremony.

Grammy winners Brian McKnight and Thelma Houston performed.

Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk joined Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and first lady Maria Shriver tonight.

The Christmas tree is decorated with 7,400 ultra-low-wattage LED lights, and 1,940 ornaments. They were created by DDS’ residents of developmental centers and state-operated community facilities, and consumer artists from the state’s 21 regional centers. Some centers began making ornaments as early as June for this traditional event and use a variety of mediums to create the festive designs.

Thelma Houston sings inside while the tree is being lighted up outside.

The First Lady and the Governor mingled with the crowd on the west steps after the ceremony.

The State Capitol Christmas Tree is on the west side of the building.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Gone fishin'

2009-08-04T21:10:45Z

A recent fishing derby pulled in a truckload of clothes and cash for St. John's Shelter for Women and Children in Sacramento.

The sixth annual Gone Fishin' Derby held recently at Granite Regional Park had folks of all ages showing up with their fishing gear in hand.

"Approximately 250 kids and 100 adults attended the event," says Tammy T. Nguyen, Community Relations Coordinator for The Hoyt Company. "We gave away almost $2,000 worth of fishing equipment, not including the gift baskets we received from SunSweet, a trip to Donner Lake, and the gift certificates from Squeeze Inn."

Derby co-sponsors were HDR|The Hoyt Company, BLT Enterprises,Power Inn Alliance, Granite Park Partners, Jackson Properties, Inc.,Teichert / Stonebridge Properties, LLC and Walmart.

Seven-year-old Joshua Hang caught the first, and largest, catfish weighing in at a little over six pounds.

Photos | Kati Garner and Tammy Nguyen (Joshua Hang holding fish)

Fall in Land and Curtis Parks

2009-10-21T02:35:15Z

Photos | Kati Garner

Smokey sky, super sunset

2009-08-12T05:04:29Z

Wildfires burning throughout California make for hazy days and beautiful sunsets this evening over the Sacramento River along Riverside Blvd in the Pocket area south of downtown Sac.

Photo | Kati Garner

Two homes on fire in Pocket area

2009-06-12T00:23:22Z

Two homes on fire in the Pocket area, south of downtown Sacramento, created a three-alarm response around 3pm Thursday.

The fire originated in the largest and tallest of the two and spread to a neighboring house. Apparently no one was home when the fire started.

Fire crews from Sac City, Sac Metro and Cosumnes Fire Departments responded.

Photos | Kati Garner

Crocker oasis

2009-09-05T01:22:44Z

Construction is underway for the Crocker's first water feature. This rounded rectangular wall will have water gently cascading over the side. Patrons can enjoy both the sight and sound while relaxing in the new courtyard.

Photos | Kati Garner

Our holiday season starts tomorrow!

2009-11-25T04:29:32Z

Tomorrow, November 25, the Sacramento's Tree Lighting festivities in Old Sacramento begins at 6:00 p.m.

•The festivities include live performances, a visit from Father Christmas and much more.

Visitors can join the fun and watch as Mayor Kevin Johnson flips the switch to light the

tree at 6:30 p.m.

• New this year, event-goers will be introduced to the Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights.

At 6:30 p.m., a symphony of lights, sounds and visual effects will take the audience

back to a time when the beloved poem The Night Before Christmas was first introduced

in Sacramento in 1857.

• The Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights will run two 10-minute light shows throughout

the holiday season Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

• The day after Thanksgiving celebrate the holidays in Downtown

Sacramento at the Carnival at St. Rose. The 5-week holiday event

will transform 7th and K streets into a festive winter carnival featuring

a 30-foot Ferris wheel, classic carnival and arcade games, food

vendors and more.

• The carnival remain open daily from Noon until 8 p.m. through January 3.

Westfield's 50 ft. Christmas tree and mall have been decorated for the past 28 years by Designs Unlimited, owned and

operated by Sandy Echart and husband John.

• Nov. 27 | 4:30 p.m.
The Westfield Downtown Plaza Tree Lighting festivities will begin at 4:30 p.m. with live entertainment, speeches by

elected officials and local celebrity guest appearances. Westfield’s 50-foot tree with thousands of dazzling lights

will be illuminated at 6 p.m. followed by a magical fireworks display.

• 7th and K streets will be lit up in holiday style throughout the season.

The lighting was designed and installed by Monkey Glue, owned and managed

by Ron Dumonchelle. Over 23,000 LED energy efficient lights adorn the upper

part of the buildings on one side of K street. Dumonchelle has provided

lighting displays for President Bush, Governor Schwarzenegger, NBC TV,

B Street Theatre and other corporate/commercial events.

• Santa parade on November 28, 2009, 10:00AM, featuring colorful holiday

floats, marching bands, and a special visit from Santa Claus. Enjoy live

children’s entertainment before the parade and lots of fun for the whole

family! Bring some chairs and find a spot for you and your family anywhere

along the parade route.

• The parade will start at Ninth and I streets and travel through downtown.

The 27th annual parade will travel east on I Street from its start at Ninth and to

13th streets, south on 13th Street near the Convention Center, west on L Street,

and north on Seventh Street. It will disband at Seventh and K streets. Announcers

will be located on I Street between Ninth and 10th and at 11th and L streets.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Gay and Lesbian Film Festival premiers

2009-10-09T14:36:18Z

Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival board members, Stuart Eldridge, Sharon Sampsel - Vice President,

Dawn Deason - President, Sandy Phillips - Volunteer Coordinator, Michael Dennis - Film Selection, Emily Bender - Secretary,

Lou Camera - Treasurer/Business Manager, and David van der Griff, kicked off this year's event with an opening night reception for film pass holders at the Cosmos Cafe, just across from The Crest. Friday night's feature program, which includes "Girl Talk", U-Haul: The Music Video" and "I can't think straight", starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at The Beat Music Store, tickets.com and The Crest Theatre. The Festival runs through Saturday.

Photo | Kati Garner

T'was a fine fayre

2009-06-28T19:16:46Z

Fowl Tales at Fair Oaks 23rd Renaissance Tudor Fayre

Swing that Parrot

Bob Bartley and Gypsy,above, have been working together for 35 years. Gypsy and two other parrots and a dog were a humorous act.The fayre was like stepping back in time to the days of yore. There were games, battles, feasts, playgrounds, the Royal Court, food and ale.

The volunteer reenactors spoke in embellished English accents, roamed around the festival, got into sword fights, tugs of war, competed in archery contests, played music, put in the guillotine, tied to a stake and chained to a water-torture board.

Photos | Kati Garner

Storm snippet

2010-01-20T23:05:15Z

"That's the thanks I get?" could be going through this Sacramento City worker's mind when a car sprays him as he tries to unclog a drain at Freeport and 10th in front of The Crepe Escape. In my journeys around Downtown, East Sac and Land Park, it looks like we emerged relatilvely unscathed. A worker prepares to cut a big limb (below) at the corner of N and 23rd this morning, perhaps as preventive maintenance. I caught news blurbs of a tree that fell on a house in Fair Oaks and of a Southwest flight from Sacramento being struck by lightning in southern California.There are scattered power outages in the area, (good for restaurants), and a potential for blizzard conditions in the Sierra.

As this publishes, it's looking like Wednesday's Round 2 is coming our way.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Mexico's First Lady visits Sac's Shriners Hospital

2009-07-14T20:22:58Z

Margarita Zavala de Calderon, first lady of Mexico, arrived at Shriners Hospital in East Sacramento around 10am today.

She came to visit nine children who were burned in a day care fire in Hermosillo, Mexico that killed 48 people and injured dozens on June 5. The children are being treated for burns.

Upon arriving she was greeted in the lobby by the injured children's parents and Shriners Hospital staff and volunteers.

She immediately went to see the children.

Photos | Kati Garner

Bright cheesy moon

2009-12-04T05:58:06Z

Bright cheesy moon

A full moon shines brightly above the Cheesecake Factory at Arden Fair Mall tonight. Condensation in the air diffuses the light, creating

a halo around the moon. A change in the forecast shows rain is heading this way Sunday.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Car Jacker caught

2010-01-15T05:45:14Z

Sacramento Fire EMTs apply first aid to injured fingers of the driver of the van that was almost car-jacked.

A suspect was apprehended not too long after an attempted car-jacking/robbery of the driver and passenger of a van along Jibboom St in north Sacramento this evening around 8pm.

According to an eyewitness, the suspect was hiding in the interior rear of the van. When the driver and his wife got into the van, he apparently got hold of their cash and then fled down the street. He dropped a gun.

The police helicopter and patrol units were searching the area, including Natomas Park, for the suspect after he fled the scene.

A finger(s) of the male victim was injured during the attempted heist. It was given treatment on the scene.

Sacramento Police K9 unit was called in to assist with the search.

A Sacramento police officer peers into the back window of the almost car-jacked van.

A K9 unit arrives at the scene of the attempted car-jacking.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Outdoor movies pop up in Sactown

2009-08-09T16:12:54Z

Sacramento's first Outdoor Film Festival opened Saturday night, showing "Rebal without a Cause", starring James Dean.

According to Robert Hayes, president of Creative Projection Services, " The SOFF (Sacramento Outdoor Film Festival( will feature state-of-the-art projection and sound to create the most mind-blowing outdoor cinema experience you have ever experienced. This will include an outdoor 5.1 surround sound system for our last screening August 29th. As far as we know this will be a Sacramento first."

Every night, Chavez Park opens at 5pm. Hoppy Brewing Co. supplies all the beer, wine, soft drinks, hotdogs and popcorn that you can stuff in your mouth.

The movie begins at 9pm.

For complete info, please visit: http://sacoutdoorfilmfestival.com/schedule.html

Photos | Kati Garner

Scenes from Gold Rush Days 2009

2009-09-08T23:13:25Z

Photos | Kati Garner

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

Red Cross responds

2009-07-22T04:55:31Z

Four volunteers from the Sacramento-Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to three families displaced from three homes due to fire this afternoon around 2pm in a North Sacramento neighborhood near Grant High School.

The fire was originally dispatched as a grass fire and, enroute, it was dispatched as a full structure assignment.

This is the view from behind the 3 homes that caught fire.The home in the middle appears to be the origin. One Sacramento Firefighter suffered a minor injury to his ankle after he had to run after a woman who ran back inside one of the homes looking for her mother. Her mother was already out of the home, but not before she suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation. She was transported to a nearby hospital and is expected to be OK.

When the Red Cross arrived, assistance in food, lodging and clothing for one family was provided for the six adults and four children displaced by the fire.

The roof and interior of the middle, two-story home were destroyed.Sacramento Fire Department arrived at the scene within 4-1/2 minutes after being dispatched. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire also responded.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.Firefighters had to evacuate the inside and the roof of the two-story home, as conditions were not safe. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from completely destroying the two next door homes, but they did have serious fire damage.One dog died in one of the adjacent homes.

Photos | Kati Garner

Ettore's celebrates 25 years

2010-03-02T03:01:55Z

Ettore's European Bakery and Restaurant celebrated its 25th year in Sacramento with a celebrity cake decorating contest this morning.

Donna Burke, AT & T, is enthusiastic after finishing her cake (photo above).

The tension was extreme as Blake,(foreground), Elyssa Lee, Sactown Magazine; Barbara O'Connor, CSUS and Jan Scully, Sac County District Attorney tried to outdo the men's team with Ettore Ravazzolo's help.

Scully shows good icing form as she starts.

Icing clung to Lee's cake as she proudly displayed it.

Mark Allen, Good Day Sacramento, is definitely in the right job.

John Finegan, Finegan Family Foundation; Eric Stanion, Bank of America and Sotiris Koloktronis, SKK Development displayed finely-tuned decorating skills.

The enjoyable event benefitted the Youth Development Network. For over nine years, the Youth Development Network has been dedicated to creating life-changing experiences for youth success by supporting community organizations through training, networking, and policy change. (ydnetwork.org/)

Kerry Callahan, Principal, Pioneer High School in Woodland presented a Youth Development Network Client testimonial to the crowd of supporters.

Dennis Mangers sang Oh, What a beautiful morning".

Kitty O'Neal, radio personality, KFBK, was Mistress of Ceremonies.

Lee Greenwood, songwriter (“God Bless the USA.”) arrived with Sharon Gerber, Six Degreez, Inc. . Their next stop was the State of the City address.

The Rotary Rooters Band, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sacramento, provided tunes.

Ettore Ravazzolo opened his European Bakery in Sac in 1985. He made many desserts, sweets and cakes that people had never seen or tasted before.

Now, his bakery walls are fully decorated with many awards for "Best Bakery" and "Best Dessert". Ettore continues to be one of the most popular TV chefs in Sacramento.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, ETTORE'S

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Crocker pushes forward to opening new wing

2010-02-12T00:21:46Z

Matt Isble, Exhibition Designer and Lead Prepartor
Justin Marsh, Museum Experience Facilitator work on the interior design in the New Crocker. The Interior of the existing Crocker will also have a makeover.

"The new Anne and Malcolm McHenry Works on Paper Study Center (above) will enable the Museum to share the Crocker Art Museum's fine early collection of European drawings in the United States", says Kathleen Richards,Crocker Marketing Communications Coordinator.

In addition to two dedicated galleries for special exhibitions, the state-of-the-art facility comprises a 926-square-foot storage room and an 810-square-foot study room for scholars, artists, and the public by appointment.

The Study Center will open in October 2010 with A Pioneering Collection: Master Drawings from the Crocker Art Museum, an exhibition of more than 50 rarely seen works by artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Fra Bartolommeo, Anthonie van Dyck, François Boucher and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. A Pioneering Collection marks the launch of a series of regular special exhibitions and programs for works on paper for the first time in the history of the Crocker.

For every day that master drawings are out of storage, they need to spend three days in storage, away from light and the elements.

This large storage area will store and protect large paintings.

An office space on the northwest corner of the New Crocker.

Hardwood floors are protected during the finishing of the large third-floor gallery spaces. Skylights allows natural lighting.

Comfortable stadium style theatre seating has recently been installed in the new auditorium. This new space will accomodate 260 people for films, concerts and lectures.

High-tech equipment will be used for the films, concerts and lectures in the auditorium. This room is located at the rear of the auditorium behind the last row of seats in the auditorium photo.

Looking down from the second floor into the atrium which will be used for eating, reading, visiting and relaxing.On the left are floor-to-ceiling windows looking into the courtyard.

Hardwood flooring is installed in a reception area above the new entrance.

The balcony on the second floor above the new entrance.

Entrance to the auditorium on the northwest side of the new wing.

A water fountain is protect under the blue tarp in the courtyard.The new courtyard entrance gates will soon be installed as the massive frame bridging the courtyard entrance is finished. These gates will remain closed most of the time providing tranquility from the outside world. They will be opened for special events and other occasions; highlighting the flexibility this new building will provide to the community.

The Museum is expanding the campaign to build the New Crocker. The community is invited to show their support by purchasing and wearing an "I am the New Crocker" button. Buttons can be purchased at the Admission Desk and Museum Store for $5. Proceeds help fund the New Crocker.

The New Crocker opens October 10, 2010. It will be the culmination of a monumental endeavor in its 125-year history.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Moonrise over Florin

2009-08-06T05:22:26Z

Smoke-filled skies from afternoon grassfires along Florin Rd, south of downtown Sacramento, cleared for evening moonrise and sunset.

Photos | Kati Garner

Dinner for the Arts takes off

2009-07-01T17:57:53Z

The first weekly Dinner for the Arts had a great start Tuesday evening at Headhunters. It is becoming a weekly event that will give local arts organizations the opportunity to promote their productions or events and reach out to new audiences. The event strives to put the spotlight on local arts organizations and artists and to promote the arts in Sacramento.

Sacramento entertainer Courtney Parks was the hostess for the evening, Performing were Courtney, ICUP Comedy Troupe, Hot Pot Street Team Belly Dancers and LaFras LeRoux.

Dinner for the Arts will feature local theatre companies, dance troupes, singers and other artists each week. In addition to live entertainment, each performance will also feature local artists giving live demonstrations in various mediums such as painting, jewelry-making, metal-work and many others.

The Kennedy Gallery Art Center offered wine bottles with a handmade touch to the labels .

For more information about this activity, contact
Friends of Dorothy Productions at
Phone: (916) 534-7496
E-mail: friendsofdorothyproductions@gmail.com
Web site: http://www.fodproductions.com

Photos | Kati Garner

Mardi Gras Old Sac style

2010-02-21T06:43:55Z

The first annual Mardi Gras Grub & Pub Crawl in Old Sacramento pulled folks in for some eats, drink and street entertainment tonight. Participating restaurants and bars offered food and drink specials to celebrate Mardi Gras in Sacramento's historic business district.

There was an official speakeasy tour through Sacramento’s below-ground watering holes. Sacramento was "one of the wettest cities in the nation" during the Prohibition era.

Here's some scenes from Mardi Gras:

Selma Borjes and her SambaLon percussionists livened things up with a mini-parade, winding through some eateries.

Folks were enjoying themselves.

These gals were headed into Laughs Unlimited.

Some good ole tap dancing.

Vaudeville singer and his band.

Fencing! En garde.

Various forms of Poi and fire twirling. 'Poi' is the Maori word for 'ball' on a cord. Poi is a form of juggling where the balls are swung around the body. Poi can take many shapes and forms from LED lighted, Glow, Fabric, Sock and Fire.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Car-Jacking (correction)

2010-01-15T21:52:02Z

Here is the information on last night's car jacking that ended on Jibboom St in North Sacramento (straight from the Sacramento Police Dept!):

Husband and wife went to the check cashing store near Arden/Del Paso. They parked their mini-van out front while they withdrew cash.

When they returned to their vehicle and started to drive away, a male Black adult was in their backseat holding a gun.

He demanded their cash and ordered them to drive him to West Sac. Suspect remained in the back seat counting victim's money and waving a gun around.

When victims reached Jibboom Street, the male victim decided to fight back. He grabbed the handgun and began fighting with the suspect as he drove.

The female jumped out of the vehicle. The male hit the brakes and physically fought with suspect over the gun.

Suspect fled, but fight continued into the street, suspect fled on foot leaving behind the handgun and much of the victim's cash. The handgun turned out to be a BB Pistol facsimile. SPD, along with CHP and air unit set up a perimeter.

Officer, while stationed at his perimeter position in front of the Rusty Duck, observed suspect and took him into custody. Suspect was charged with two counts of kidnapping and two counts of armed robbery.

Suspect arrested was Jeffrey Elder 26yrs old.

SacPhotos | Kati Garner

Gone again

2009-11-30T20:11:59Z

As I was driving home last night on J Street at dusk, I noticed a beloved mural is once again not there.

I had a hunch why it is missing.

I checked with Stephanie Taylor, the artist, and sure enough, the wind on Saturday ravaged the recently re-applied mural. Apparently it wasn't stuck to the wall securely.

The wall is blank again (worse than this accompanying photo from earlier.)

And, so we shall keep our peepers focused on that blank wall once again!

Photo | Kati Garner

Old Sac welcomes New Year

2010-01-01T08:25:22Z

Spectacular fireworks, entertainment and large crowd (as well as the blue moon), bring the New Year in during Old Sacramento's festivities.

Here's some moments:

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Coast to Coast

2010-01-11T19:06:57Z

A woman looks at a Z scale railroad model.

There is something that draws us to trains no matter our age.

As a kid, I remember my parents taking my two sisters and I on a train from Casa Grande, Arizona to St. Elmo, Illinois to visit my grandparents.

One of dad's funniest memories from our train trips was when my youngest sister woke him up one night on the trip with the question, "Who's driving this thing?".

I love the sound of trains.

My grandparents lived two blocks from the tracks in their small town. When I laid in bed at night right next to the wide-open window I felt comfort from the sound of the train whistle and the rhythmic clunkety-clunk of the wheels on the tracks as it flew by.

I visited the Great Train Expo yesterday. It's touted as "America's Coast to Coast Train Show".

It featured operating model railroads, train dealers, collectors, hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, and workshops.

The Great Train Expo show had 200-500 tables of train dealers, who offer everything from...
HO Scale, N Scale, Lionel (O Gauge), G Gauge, Z Scale, American Flyer (S Gauge), hobby tools, die-cast vehicles, train whistles, scenery items, Railroadiania Slides, t-shirts, videos, railroad gift items, books, and photos.

The two model exhibits I became most fascinated with were the N Scale and the Z Scale.Z Scale is model railroading at the ratio of 1:220. A man's hand looks gigantic in proportion to the Z scale model.

The Z Scale had the tiniest railroad cars and the thinnest tracks. And of course the scenery was smaller than that of the others.

ON30 basically means “big”, but not too big.

ON30 models have a certain bulk and allows details to be seen. The trains can round tight radius curves, allowing creative tracks plans to be located in confined spaces.

Models will be 1/4"=1 foot scale.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Ahoy down there!

2009-12-13T03:27:13Z

A youngster climbs high aboard the Hawaiian Chieftain in Old Sacramento. Even with cloudy skies, the Chieftain is ready to sail.

According to Grays Harbor Historical Seaport:

"The topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain is a replica of a typical European merchant trader of the turn of the nineteenth century. Her hull shape and rigging are similar to those of Spanish explorer's ships used in the expeditions of the late 18th century along the Washington, Oregon, and California coasts. Built of steel in Hawaii in 1988 and originally designed for cargo trade among the Hawaiian Islands, her design was influenced by the early colonial passenger and coastal packets that carried on coastal trade along the Atlantic coastal cities and towns."

The Chieftain is docked in Old Sacramento. Tomorrow is the last day to enjoy a three-hour sailing adventure.

For more info, http://www.sacramento365.com/event/detail/41969

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

A thorny subject

2010-01-03T02:37:00Z

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Local Red Cross Accepts Their Largest Donation for Haiti Relief

2010-03-10T21:59:45Z

In photo left to right: David Fluitt, Raley's Pharmacy Supervisor and Haitian Aid Mission volunteer; Dawn Lindblom, American Red Cross Sacramento Sierra Chapter CEO; Michael Teel, Raley's President and CEO; Steve Turner, American Red Cross Sacramento Sierra Chapter Board Chair and Jennifer Teel-Wolter, Raley's Communitarian.

Local Red Cross Accepts Their Largest Donation for Haiti Relief

The Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross accepted their largest check for the Haiti Relief and Development Fund on Tuesday, March 9 from Raley’s President & CEO, Michael Teel.

From January 16 through February 13, all 134 Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods and Food Source stores featured donation boxes for Haitian earthquake relief at their check stands, which brought in more than $149,000.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of so many Raley’s customers and employees,” said Teel. “It’s a true testament to our community’s giving spirit – we knew many people wanted to aid relief efforts in Haiti, and by converting our Food For Families collection boxes so 100% of donations benefit the American Red Cross, we received a tremendous response.”

“I applaud the initiative that Raley’s has taken in responding to the devastation and destruction in Haiti by spearheading a month-long collection to support the Red Cross relief efforts,” shared CEO of the Sacramento Sierra Chapter, Dawn Lindblom. The supplies that these funds will provide for the people of Haiti include relief items still being distributed in Haiti including blankets, tarps, kitchen sets and hygiene items.

Photo | Kati Garner, American Red Cross volunteer

On the fly

2010-01-11T19:36:35Z

Sutter Natural Wildlife Refuge, just north of Sacramento, is full of migratory birds now, such as Snow Geese (top and bottom), Hawks, and the Great
Egreat any many others.

This hawk is one of the many seasonal travellers along the Pacific Flyway.

According to Wikipedia, “The Pacific Flyway is a major north-south route of travel for migratory birds in the Americas, extending from Alaska to Patagonia.

Every year, migratory birds, like this Great Egret, (above) travel some or all of this distance both in spring and in fall, following food sources, heading to breeding grounds, or travelling to over -
wintering sites.

Any given bird species travels roughly the same route every year, at almost the same time. Ornithologists and bird lovers can often predict to the day when a particular species will show up in their area.

In the northern California region, the Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area in the Yolo Bypass is a protected area along the flyway.

The Suisun Marsh, next to the exit of the inverted Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, hosts many birds and has protected portions.”

One way to check out the birds is this upcoming event:
11th Annual Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway

January 28-31, 2010.

Contact information:
Phone: (530) 345-1865
Fax: (530) 899-5105
P.O. Box 1063
Chico, CA 95927-1063
Email: info@snowgoosefestival.org

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

map of Pacific Flyway | http://migration.pwnet.org

Mama Mia, what a Festa!

2009-08-02T04:56:01Z

Festa Italiana continues through Sunday, Aug. 2nd

Northern California’s Italian community gathers together for two days of Italian style food, music, dancing, fun and friendship at its 24th

annual Festa Italiana.The entertainment lineup features the popular singer Moreno Fruzzetti, and the great Italian and popular music of

Italica and Don Garibaldi bands and dancers. There are Bocce games, Italian cars and a bicycle and motorscooter show.Try the Italian

regional food specialties, Italian wines and beer, by some of Sacramento’s best Italian restaurants.

Shop the market place and purchase

traditional Italian products, free food

tastings, Italian jewelry, ceramics,

gourmet food, art, leather and crafts.

Win a trip to Italy at the raffle.

For the kids there's the "Screamer"

and other inflatables and face painting.

Several Maseratis are on display near the front gate.

Miss the first day? There's always tomorrow,

Sunday Aug. 2 from 11am - 6pm. Parking is free.

Admission is $10. Located at the Croatian Park,

3730 Auburn Blvd (two blocks east of Watt Ave and I-80).

PRESENTED BY THE ITALIAN CULTURAL
SOCIETY OF SACRAMENTO

visit:www.italiancenter.net

Photos | Kati Garner

Photos | Homeless Connection

2009-05-31T20:42:16Z

Please see story at:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/8602/Connecting_with_the_homeless

Benefit concert for Women Escaping A Violent Environment (WEAVE)

2009-10-16T17:41:41Z

SACRAMENTO WOMEN’S CHORUS PERFORMS BENEFIT CONCERT FOR WEAVE OCTOBER 24.

One Nonprofit Helping Another

The Sacramento Women’s Chorus (SWC) will perform Oct. 24, 2009, with a peace concert “Singing for Our Lives”, benefiting Women Escaping A Violent Environment (WEAVE).

Special guests include Irina Rivkin and the New Freedom Choir.

WEAVE is the primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.

WEAVE provides services for women, men, teens and children who are survivors of domestic and sexual assault.

Free services include:

24-hour Crisis Line

Counseling

Emergency Response

Legal Advocacy

Prevention and Education

Professional Training

Safehouse Program

The SWC is a group of diverse women who are building friendships and community through their love of music, dedication to musical excellence, and commitment to performing music that reflects the lives of all women. "We perform on behalf of all women, the environment, peace, social justice, tolerance, LGBTI equality, and the celebration of diversity."

The chorus has been singing for more than 20 years. Find them at www.sacramentowomenschorus.org or http://www.meetup.com/Sacramento-Women-s-Chorus/.

"Singing for our Lives" concert helps support WEAVE's mission of bringing an end to domestic violence and sexual assault in partnership with our community. Find out more about WEAVE at www.weaveinc.org.

The concert will be at the Sanctuary of Central United Methodist Church, 5265 H St, Sacramento, CA 95819, at 7pm.

Free parking on and off-site as well as handicap accessible.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, and $5 children. To order tickets, call (877) 758-7827.

Photo | Kati Garner (Chorus member)

New CEO for Sacramento's Red Cross Chapter

2009-12-01T18:27:37Z

Dawn Lindblom is the new CEO of the Sacramento-Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross.

According to Steve Turner, Sac-Sierra Chapter Board Chair, "Dawn is a perfect fit for this position, given her collaborative leadership style and track record. She came directly from her highly successful role as Regional Executive Director for the Inland Northwest Chapter in Spokane, WA".

"Spokane is a regional chapter like Sacramento", Lindblom explains. She oversaw six district chapters spread out over 38,611 square miles, almost two-thirds of the state of WA. Much of the area is rural.

The Sac-Sierra Chapter is the headquarters of eight district chapters in heavily populated areas.

Lindblom says the commonality between Eastern Washington and northern
California is the dryness factor for wildfires, as well as the potential for floods.

"We will be providing more Red Cross services to help people prevent, prepare and respond to emergencies in our chapter's jurisdiction," she says.

This will be achieved by volunteers.

"The American Red Cross is heavily dependent on its volunteers," Lindblom explains.
This region has around 3,000 volunteers throughout its eight chapters.

Nationally, the American Red Cross workforce is 97% volunteers; only 3% are paid staff.

"When a disaster happens, it's the volunteers who respond to fulfill our mission," Lindblom explains. "We wouldn't exist without our volunteers."

Her role, she says, is to facilitate the chapter in carrying out the Red Cross mission.

The Red Cross' humanitarian mission is preventing and alleviating human suffering.

That is accomplished through these core services—disaster relief, support for military families, international aid, health and safety training and community services like meals and transportation—to people in need.

On a daily basis, 24/7, chapters across the U.S. respond to local house fires.
The Sac-Sierra Chapter has five Disaster Action Teams that rotate weeks of being on call to respond to victims of fire calls in Sacramento County.

While serving as Executive Director in the Spokane Chapter, Lindblom responded, periodically, with the Disaster Action Team volunteers to these calls.

She recalls one response vividly.

"It was 10am on a Sunday morning and I was drinking my coffee and reading the paper when I got a call from the Team Captain," she says with a smile. "He asked tentatively if I really wanted to go on a fire call."

She says her husband watched as she sprung up, raced around getting dressed.

She says the team drove 45 minutes to get to the fire scene in a rural area.

"When we got there we saw all of their belongings had been tossed out windows by the firefighters in an effort to save them," Lindblom says. The Red Cross team provided emergency relief assistance to a single mom and her three children for food, lodging and clothing.

It was compelling for her to watch the volunteers react with compassion as they fulfilled the Red Cross mission.

The Red Cross responds to another type of disaster on a daily basis.

Red Cross emergency communications services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, the birth of a service member's child or grandchild or when a family faces other emergencies.

"We are also, literally, by the side of local families as they bury a loved one killed in the line of duty," Lindblom says.

Armed conflict and natural disasters leave millions of people around the globe in urgent need of humanitarian assistance every year.

The confusion and chaos surrounding war and natural disasters often separates families. Through the strength of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network and the assistance of local tracing volunteers around the world families reconnect.

Lindblom says the Red Cross has been able to help find loved ones families have lost track of since WWII.

The American Red Cross has been training people from all walks of life for years in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) programs designed to give the confidence needed to respond in an emergency situation with skills that can save a life. The Sac-Sierra Chapter trains over 2,000 people a month in its Health and Safety classes.

In the midst of being the "new person on the block", Lindblom is overseeing the chapter's move to a new building the middle of December.

She is excited about the relocation. Thanks to Homeland Security funds, the new headquarters will be equipped with a disaster operation system. It will be equipped with the right tools and resources to handle a large-scale event. In case of power outages, a generator will keep it running.

"We will be located in a more centralized location - right across the street from Cal Expo," she says. "I get to facilitate creating an even greater chapter."

Article | Kati Garner, American Red Cross Volunteer

Photo | Courtesy, Dawn Lindblom

Funk, food and folk music at Buddhist bazaar

2009-08-09T06:24:19Z

More than 750 church members volunteer to bring the 63rd annual Buddhist cultural bazaar to Sacramento. It started today and continues tomorrow.

Folk dance and music is performed in the Main Chapel.

Estimated attendance for the two-day event is 40,000 to 50,000 people.

The statistics for the event are staggering.

10,000 + pounds of chicken seasoned and barbecued for chicken teriyaki are

prepared and served.

Follow the smoke trail!

One and a half tons of rice are cleaned cooked and consumed in traditional Japanese

cuisine.

400 pounds of shrimp are cleaned and cooked for tempura and sushi delicacies.

1,500 pounds of beef are prepared for teriyaki meat sticks and sandwiches.

500 pounds of noodles are prepared for hot and cold dishes.

2,000 pounds of charcoal are used to cook teriyaki chicken and teriyaki beef sticks.

150 gallons of soy sauce used to create authentic marinades and other seasonings.

500 pounds of sugar and 100 pounds of salt are used in preparation of various seasonings.

6 tons of ice is used to cool drinks, keep fish sushi fresh and make refreshing snow cones.

One of the volunteers in the beer booth takes a rest.

A volunteer works the Plush Wheel booth.

Bazaar attendees place their bets, and sometimes win, at the Super Wheel.

The schedule for tomorrow is;

Noon - Sacramento Taiko Dan

Sacramento’s premiere Japanese drumming

ensemble founded in 1989 comprised of renowned drummers and quality drums.

Outdoor Stage

1:00pm - Japanese Classical Dance (Buyo)

Students of Senkinoh Nishikawa will

perform Japanese classical dance.

Main Chapel

2:00pm - Sakura Minyo Do Ko Kai

(Japanese Folk Song & Dance Society) A team

of dancers and singers perform both traditional and modern Japanese folk music

and dances.

Outdoor Stage

2:30pm - Fujimoto Ryu Shamisen Concert

Mrs. Hide Shizume Shachu (students) will

entertain using shamisen instrument.

Main Chapel

3:30 pm - Koto Solo
Daishihan Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto and son Brian Wong, of Oakland will perform on
Koto.

Main Chapel

5:00 pm - Introduction to Chapel

Buddhist Altar and Introduction of Buddhist philosophy by Rinban Bob Oshita.

Main Chapel

Exhibits on Display
•    Ikebana    (floral    art)    Display:
    by    members    of     Ikenobo    Ikebana    School    and    students    of     Molly    Kimura,    Kaikan    Hall
•   Japanese    Doll    Craft    Display    (Mataro    Kimekomi    Doll):
     Instructor    Masanori    (Isako)    Wasano    of     Campbell,    California,    and    her    students,    Main    Chapel
•    Shodo    Display:
    Japanese    calligraphy    by    Etsuko    Wakayama    and    students,    Main    Chapel,    back    room

The 63rd annual Sacramento Buddhist Church Bazaar is held at 2401 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento. It is open noon until 9pm Sunday, August 9th.

Proceeds from the Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar support the Sacramento Buddhist Church and its affiliated organizations such as youth sports programs, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, youth groups, adult and senior groups, the Japanese language school and many other church activities within the community.

FREE PARKING between 7th & 8th, under the freeway, with FREE SHUTTLE!

Photos | Kati Garner

Scenes from Sac Pride parade

2009-06-21T00:24:37Z

Here are some shots from today's Pride parade.

Please watch for another titled Scenes from Sac Pride Festival.

Photos | Kati Garner

Occupants not seriously injured after their car lands on freeway

2010-01-18T00:17:26Z

Five people in a Chevy Suburban landed on Hwy 99 after the vehicle drove off the 12th Ave overpass around 2:30pm today. According to an officer at the scene, they were transported to UC Davis Medical Center without major injuries. They did not land on or injure anyone driving in the southbound lanes of Hwy 99.

The driver of the Suburban was transporting another adult and three children. It is not known why the driver lost control of the vehicle.

Peering down from the overpass it drove off, the Suburban lays in a southbound lane on Hwy 99.

This scene, facing north to the 12th Ave overpass, shows the guardrail and fence the Suburban careened through after losing control.

Southbound traffic on Hwy 99 was backed up due to the accident. Several lanes were in operation as the accident scene was cleared.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

East Sac Home Remodeling Tour

2009-09-28T04:00:32Z

The East Sacramento Home Remodeling Tour featured six homes.

Here are glimpses into three of them.

This 1926 Colonial bungalow on 41st St. has been updated with a new studio building, kitchen, master bath and backyard landscape.

This 2,000 square foot two story brick and stucco Tudor was orginally built for the owner of a successful haberdashery. Located on 41st St. it is distinctive for the large "oriel" window with heavy wooden brackets in the front facing gable and a large-scaled front window topped by an elliptical "transom" window.

In the living room, an original Batchelder tile fireplace establishes the remodeling theme which includes a new downstairs bath and enlarged cherry wood kitchen.

A uniquely California-inspired Italian Renaissance home with massive Prairie-style inspired window boxes, this refreshed home features a new master bath, a high end kitchen, an addition of a family room and guest bedroom, a new studio/garage and totally refreshed interior and exterior.

Proceeds from the tour benefit neighborhood parks and pools.

Photos | Kati Garner

Inside the NEW Crocker

2009-06-18T03:21:37Z

The new addition to the Crocker Art Museum is huge! It is tripling the size of the museum as well as adding new features to enhance the visitor's experience at the Crocker.

For more detailed information please visit: http://www.crockerartmuseum.org/expansion/overview.html

There is a link that will take you to a live video feed of the construction in progress.

Last fall, I began a photographic essay of the expansion. I began shooting when the majority of the work was setting the footprint in place.The only new structures were the block building which is the equipment room and the basement with steel beams on four corners which is becoming the front of the new Crocker.

Seating is stadium-style.

Some of the ductwork.

Welding a stairway.

Looking down on new entry.

Dining area below.

Offices and galleries are on the second floor.

Note the double row of steel for making the walls stronger for holding heavy artwork.

Ventilation shaft.

Third floor overhang.

Up on the roof.

Sac Yacht Club Christmas Lights Parade

2009-12-06T07:36:40Z

A colorful line-up of boats decorated with multi-colored lights toured the Sacramento River, starting from Sacramento Marina, past Old Sacramento, all the way to the Virgin Sturgeon and back.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Socked in

2010-01-16T22:22:23Z

The Bank of the West building along Capitol Ave. seems to disappear into the fog around 9am this morning, as does the Wells Fargo Building (below). The forecast for the next ten days calls for rain and wind from the southeast.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Hanukkah welcomed by Governor Schwarzenegger

2009-12-11T21:07:34Z

Chabad's menorah lighting ceremony was held in the Rotunda and the east steps of the California State Capitol this morning. Today is the start of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.

Several Jewish leaders spoke, children sang and presents were handed out. The Governor, and the people of California, were presented a Menoorah plaque from Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, Chabad of California. It was inscribed: "The tallest candle on the menorah is the one that serves to kindle others."

"As we light this menorah today I encourage all Californians to reflect on its message of light, hope and freedom and to share that message with others," Schwarzenegger said.

Here are some photos from the event:

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Stand up, be counted | Census 2010

2010-02-04T23:47:35Z

Hmong Dance Performers was one of the diverse groups that were part of the Census 2010 open house in the new office, located in the U.S. Post Office at 801 I Street. The Census is preparing for its huge task of counting all residents. They are stressing everyone needs counted, legal or not.

Ballet Folklorico Nube de Oro (above and below) also entertained as well as The Peacock Girls, TOSA- Polynesian Dance Performers
and Alinicia- Rhythm & Blues Band. Other performers were Sacramento Women's Chorus, Kirby Shields, and Harrison Eldridge. CA State Army National Guard presented colors.

The Grant High School Drum Corps marched from the Census office to City Hall next door.

Sister Libby Fernandez, Executive Director, Loaves and Fishes explained how the homeless will be counting their peers for this census. She explained they want to be recognized and counted.

Other speakers included Mayor Kevin Johnson, Senator Curren Price, California State Senate, 26th District; Ditas Katague, Director, Census 2010, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research; Gustavo Arroyo,Sacramento City Unified School District Board Member; Mary Watts, U.S. Census Bureau, Partnership Specialist, 2010 Census “Portrait of America” and Tom Szabla, Assistant Regional Census Manager,U.S. Census Bureau, Seattle Regional Census Center. Will Wright, local Census office manager, was the Master of Ceremonies.

The 2010 Census questionnaire has just 10 questions and will arrive in maiboxes in March.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

KCRA and RED CROSS: HELPING HAITI SURVIVORS

2010-01-18T22:18:19Z

Anita Webb, a volunteer with the Sacramento Sierra American Red Cross, talks to a person who has called in to donate to the relief efforts for the Haiti earthquake survivors.

KCRA 3 and the American Red Cross are raising funds to help the victims in Haiti today until 7 p.m., The Call 3 volunteers will be taking your calls if you'd like to make a donation. As of 2:16pm $82,219 has been raised.

Just call 916-447-2255.You can make a difference in the lives of people who have lost everything.

If you would like to make a Red Cross donation online click here.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

New Crocker opens October 2010

2009-12-10T23:14:38Z

The new entryway of the New Crocker is worked on. A fountain (under yellow beam) will be featured in the courtyard, between the existing museum and the expansion.

The expansion of the Crocker:

Triples the size of the existing facility
Quadruples the square footage for exhibition space
Accommodates “blockbuster” exhibitions
Preserves the historic Art Gallery Building as the architectural centerpiece with its classic, contemporary design
Provides a café with indoor and outdoor seating, a 300-seat auditorium and art classrooms
Allows for secure collections care and storage space that is not susceptible to flooding
Includes a striking two-story atrium for events that can seat 400 for dinner or up to 1,200 including the Courtyard

The Crocker Art Museum recently appointed Randy Roberts as Deputy Director.

As Deputy Director, Roberts will be a part of the Crocker’s senior management team and provide strategic leadership for managers of the education, marketing and development departments. She will also work closely with the director to prepare staff and operations to move into the expanded facility, scheduled to open to the public on October 10, 2010.

Roberts brings 25 years of museum experience in management, education, visitor services and marketing. Most recently, she served as manager of the Visitor Studies Association, an international professional organization focusing on all facets of the visitor experience in museums and other cultural institutions. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in leadership and change through Antioch University.

“Randy’s many years of experience in museum leadership will be a great asset to the Museum as we prepare to open the New Crocker,” said Lial A. Jones, Director, Crocker Art Museum.

The Crocker Art Museum was established in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks.

Trim is attached along the north-west side of the expansion today.

The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento.

Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday;

1st & 3rd Thursdays until 9 p.m.

Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the

support of Bank of America.

For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000

or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Scenes from Rainbow Festival 2009

2009-09-07T22:45:55Z

Terry Sidie, founder of the Rainbow Festival (in cowboy hat), strikes a pose with volunteers

and Sterling, the civilized dog.

Joe Velez leads Sacramento Women's Chorus through several songs.

A Small Difference Choral group entertains the crowd.

Cheer SF, Cheer Sacramento and Cheer Sirens

do their acrobatic routines.

Several individuals and groups sang to the crowd and got them dancing.

Photos (Joe Velez & Sacramento Women's Chorus | Launa Cornwell

Photos | Kati Garner

September's Third Saturday Shots

2009-09-21T04:30:12Z

Some scenes from Third Saturday

The Kasbah Trio

The Storytellers

Folk and Fusion

TAIS

Members of Sacramento World Music and Dance

Fashion Show

Justin Farren

The Pre-lit Crest

Photos | Kati Garner

Sacramento Red Cross responds

2009-11-22T19:18:24Z

Kathy Hunn, a Sacramento Sierra Red Cross Chapter volunteer, assists one of the people affected by an early

morning duplex fire in Clarksburg, south of Sacramento. Hunn and another volunteer provided assistance for food

and helped find housing for the seven people unable to return to their home due to fire, water and smoke damage.

A chimney fire started the blaze in one side of the duplex around 6:20am. Hunn and the other volunteer both live in

Clarksburg and arrived at the scene quickly. Hunn, whose husband is on the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Dept, says

there hasn't been a structure fire in Clarksburg in over 10 years.

About the American Red Cross:  

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 humanitarian mission. This year we responded to over

70,000 disasters nationwide, provided 500,000 nights of safe shelter, served over 18 million meals and

snacks to disaster victims, and prepared over 90,000 disaster volunteers to respond at a moment’s notice.

For more information about the American Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org or

join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.

SacPress photo | Kati Garner, American Red Cross volunteer

They brought out the Barrels

2010-02-01T04:36:05Z

Over 20 El Dorado County wineries opened their cellars for Bring out the Barrel this weekend. For many it was probably the first chance of being able to compare bottled and barrel wine.

It was for me. My group explored six wineries today.

The most pleasing to my palatte was the Chocolate Splash Port - infused with 60% dark, bittersweet chocolate and 40% milk chocolate natural essence - at Narrow Gate Vineyards, our first stop.

Wine barrels dominated many tasting rooms, such as this scene at Narrow Gate.

Busby Cellars, winemaker/co-owner Elliot Graham, siphons wine from a barrel into a glass for a customer.

Sierra Vista Vineyard & Winery owner/winemaker, John MacCready, tests the CO2 line that prevents air from entering open wine barrels. Air ruins the wines.

MacCready pulls wine from a barrel.

Many spent time on the deck of Fitzpatrick wine cellars, taking in the views (above and below).

Plenty wine was poured from bottles. Tasters were given the opportunity to compare a wine from the barrel vs. bottle.

We all came away with a souvenir glass as shown above.

One of the peaceful scenes along the Barrel Tasting route.

For more details, see Erika Bjork's pre-event article:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/21308/Barrel_Tasting_in_the_El_Dorado_Wine_Country

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Preparing for pane

2009-09-18T20:57:48Z

Workers prepare the window frames in the New Crocker Art Museum's cafe/atrium area. Windows will be installed in the expansion wing within several weeks. Drywall has been installed in office spaces and the new art galleries and storage areas. The bathrooms are tiled. A new waterfall fountain will be part of the courtyard linking the new and existing Crocker.

Photos | Kati Garner

HOW YOU CAN HELP HAITI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

2010-01-15T16:05:10Z

You can text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross relief for Haiti.

It'll show up on your phone bill.

Photo | American Red Cross

Looking for US Citizens in Haiti?

Call:
U.S. Department of State 1 (888) 407 4747

Information Posted | Kati Garner, American Red Cross volunteer

Bringing in the New Year

2009-08-29T03:47:18Z

Congregation B'nai Israel - High Holy Days

Julie Steinberg, cantorial soloist, shares a laugh with Bernard Marks and Michael Hersher as they warm up for the service held during the Shabbat open house at Congregation B'nai Israel Friday evening. As Sacramento's oldest Jewish congregation and its largest Reform synagogue, B'nai israel honors the traditions of its heritage while creating a Jewish experience that is relevant to today's society. Friday's open house began the bringing in of the new year, Selichot, which will be observed on Saturday, Sept. 12. The evening's service of prayer and song helps prepare worshippers for the Yomim Noraim - the Days of Awe. It will begin at 7:15pn with wine and appetizers followed by dessert and Havdallah. According to Rabbi Mona Alfi, Senior Rabbi, the High Holy Days are a time for reflection and also a time for new beginnings. Congregation B'nai Israel welcomes all families and singles, young and old, gay and straight. B'nai Israel is located at 3600 Riverside Blvd in the Land Park area.

Photo | Kati Garner

Veterans' Day

2009-11-12T04:17:32Z

A Veterans' Day ceremony was held at the California Mexican-American Veterans’ Memorial, directly across the street of the west steps of the Capitol. All United States veterans were honored.

It began with the United States Marine Color Guard and the National Anthem.

Daughters of War Mothers were presented a California Legislature Assembly Resolution by Mary Salas, 79th assembly district, honoring

'Sociedad de Madres Mexicanas for its support of our Mexican American veterans'.

Brigadeer General Robert Cervantes (Ret.) spoke about "Coming together for one Cause".

A young boy's attention is directed at the USMC Color Guard standing at attention.

Some of the veterans who were there today.

Photos | Kati Garner

U.S. Navy Veteran (1973-77)

Diverted Greyhound

2010-01-21T06:16:14Z

Red Cross volunteers Mike and Joyce Evans wrap Alicha Rogers and her son Ke'von Burton of Portland, OR in a Linus Blanket. The Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to a call early tonight from Roger Muckel, manager of the Sacramento Greyhound Bus terminal. Rogers had left Las Vegas yesterday, headed for Portland, and landed in Sacramento. The California Highway Patrol near Redding were not allowing travel any further north due to the storm. Two busloads of travelers were brought to the Sacramento terminal. Many of them spent a cold night at the terminal. Muckel said they were brought to Sacramento's bus station due to safety reasons for their passengers. The Red Cross delivered over 25 blankets for the travelers. Rogers and her son will be home in Portland as soon as weather conditions permit.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner, Red Cross volunteer

Reflective pane

2009-09-26T00:23:07Z

Nearly 100 panels of reflective glass are installed in the wall of the new expansion facing the existing Crocker Art Museum today.

The older structure reflects off the panels.

The reflective material inside the panels has a dotted look, a halftone pattern, when see upclose.

The glass is triple-paned, and it has a couple layers of special coatings that have reflective qualities meant to limit the amount of heat entering the Museum.It will be comfortable temperature- and vision-wise while sitting inside the new Crocker's atrium/cafe area.

Workers will be working over the weekend and should be finished with the

glass panels installation by Tuesday.

Photos | Kati Garner

Sacramento's Camellia Show - #86

2010-03-08T21:51:31Z

The Camellia Society of Sacramento held its annual Camellia Show this past weekend.

Here are some photo memories:

Matthew Enwia won Best Youth for his Nuccio's Carousel.

Ava Urbina's Elegant Splendor also took a Best Youth award.

Julie Vierra won Best Japonica - Medium, Elsie Morrison Memorial, Red Devil Variety.

Barbara Forbes won a Tri-Color award for Magic Slippers variety.

Pennie Chwalowski won a second place for Elegance, Magic Slippers variety.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ehrhart won a Best Tray of 5 Japonica - Over 4 1/2" - Michael Stout Memorial.

Elida Garibay took an Honorable Mention in Over the Rainbow variety.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Bye bye mural?

2009-09-29T22:51:50Z

Headed towards the Elks Building along J St. to meet my sister for lunch, I walked on the sidewalk below one of my favorite murals in Sac. Some material was falling to the ground. I looked up and saw the mural is disappearing.

Does anyone know what's happening on this side of the building? This is the west wall of Tony's Deli and Catering, and the wall to the east of the Elks Building.

Photo | Kati Garner

A midtown halloween

2009-10-31T23:46:46Z

Aja Uranga prepares for milk to be poured on her head

by magician Howdy Do Dat at Relles Florist. Lots of young and old trick or treaters were

roaming through midtown Sacramento today. Also at Relles Florist there was face

painting, pumpkin art, plus dogs and owners preparing for a parade that ended on L Street.

Prizes were awarded at the end of the parade route.

Here are some scenes:

This dapper fellow was ready to march in the doggy parade sponsored by the City Animal Care Services.

A costumed youngster does some pumpkin art at Relles.

These little ones wait patiently in line.

Lots of folks trick or treated along J St.

This evil Jester heads into First United Methodist where candy was being given away and money collected for UNICEF 2009.

This little ballerina does a backpack adjustment on the run.

Candice Anderson's dog Demi won first place for best dressed big dog.

Dressed as a bumble bee, Coco, Elvia Leyva's pug, won the prize for best dressed small dog.

Bridget, a three-year-old pit bull mix, weighs about 40 pounds, loves people and tennis balls. She is hoping to be adopted soon.

For further information, call the City of Sacramento Animal Care Services at 916-808-7387.

Photos | Kati Garner

Sac Zoo: eye-to-eye with Giraffes

2010-02-12T00:59:58Z

Exactly one year from the February 2009 groundbreaking, Sacramento Zoo officially opened Tall Wonders Giraffe Habitat this morning with a toast and ribbon cutting, good food and raffle drawings for Sacramento Zoological Society members.

For the very first time, visitors will be eye to eye with the stately residents on the 1,100 square foot raised deck. The elevated platform also provides a magnificent view into the neighboring zebra and ostrich area.

The state-of-the-art block barn (yes, it’s heated!) provides warm nights for three giraffes, Val, Skye & Goody, while the expanded grounds allow for leisurely giraffe-size strolls during the day.

Cutting the ribbon are Robby Waters; Mary Healy, Zoo Director; Robert King Fong, Councilmember; Terry Kastanis, Sacramento Zoological Society Board Past President; Starr Walton-Hurley, Sacramento Zoological Society Board President.

Sacramento Zoological Society was presented $10,000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Sacramento Zoological members enjoyed good food during the opening of the habitat.

Former Mayors Heather Fargo (right, in picture) and Ann Rutan were there.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Gathering of honored elders

2009-06-07T01:54:57Z

California State Indian Museum presented the 32nd annual Gathering of Honored Elders. It is devoted to honoring the elders who keep the traditions, stories, languages, and cultures of Native California alive for the generations that follow them.

Honoring the Elders through dance and song were:

Aztec Dancers (Sacramento),
Pomo Dancers,
Miwok Dancers (Ione),
Maidu Dancers (Auburn),
Me-Wuk Dancers of Tuolumne,
Huatanape (Shingle Springs),
Grindstone Dancers (Elk Creek)
Coastal Pomo Dancers (Talmadge).

They were very colorful and authenticate.

Photos | Kati Garner

Ice bowling with (Harlem Globetrotters') Buckets

2010-01-08T01:43:57Z

Buckets Blakes was at the Midtown Ice Rink today, hosting a bowling tournament "on ice" where participants can enter to win tickets to the upcoming Globetrotter game at the ARCO Arena on Jan. 18.

Curly Neal had to sit it out with a bad cold and watched from the sidelines.

Buckets signed autographs before the tournament started.

The children gathered 'round to hear the rules of the game.

A little gal named Olivia was the overall winner with a strike!

The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their spectacular 2010 “Magical Memories”

World Tour to the Stockton Arena on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7:00 p.m. and to the ARCO

Arena on Monday, Jan. 18 at 2:00 p.m.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Cleanup on J Street.

2009-10-14T19:05:29Z

Crews remove a 100ft tall elm tree that fell onto two structures, one of them an unoccupied four-plex, in the 3400 block of J St in midtown. A big crane and cable haul the tree in section and shred.

Photos | Kati Garner

Polly wants a Driver!

2010-01-04T23:27:17Z

This fine-feathered-friend waited patiently in the car while its chauffeur visited the East Sac Post Office this morning. It was in the car by itself, perched on top of the headrest of the passenger's seat and kept busy cleaning itself and watching folks go by.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Sacramento Goes Heart Red

2010-02-04T22:47:49Z

A Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute worker checks blood pressure during the start of Sacramento's American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement at the capitol building this morning. Men and women were screened for heart disease and other health issues. There was a Heart disease and stroke health disparities briefing for legislative staff by Sutter cardiologist Diane Sobcowicz, M.D., Board President, American Heart Association Sacramento Division.

February is Heart Month and Sacramento will show its support for the American Heart Association’s fight against the nation’s leading killer of women – heart disease. Five buildings, including two neighboring structures in downtown Sacramento (Wells Fargo Center and Bank of the West Tower), will light their exterior windows red to help raise awareness.

This year the American Heart Association invites everyone to spend their lunch break at Arden Fair Mall for the Go Red For Women Wear Red Day celebration. It will be a fun-filled and educational day, featuring live entertainment and free health screenings courtesy of Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute.

A casting call, presented by Go Red For Women national sponsor, Macy’s, will be held to find the next group of women who will represent the Go Red For Women campaign in 2011. You could be one of these women! At the casting call, simply tell us how you are speaking up against heart disease to improve your life and those around you. Jiffy Lube will distribute savings books containing over $100 in Jiffy Lube service discounts and more, as well as share information about the Maintenance Partners For Life campaign which aims to raise $1.5 million for the America.

Friday, February 5, 2010, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Arden Fair Mall, Sacramento. Contact: Andrea Hull, (916) 431-2381.

Learn more at http://www.goredforwomen.org

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

HOLIDAY GIFTS THAT BRING HELP AND HOPE

2009-11-25T17:47:37Z

HOLIDAY GIFTS THAT BRING HELP AND HOPE

November 25, 2009 – It is the season of decorations, winter, and holiday gifts. This year, the perfect way to

honor your friends and family is by ordering gifts that save the day all year long from the very first

American Red Cross Holiday Giving Catalog. Make a difference this holiday season with gifts that bring

help and hope to those at home or help military families at home or abroad. Order holiday gifts that:

·        Prepare a family to be strong when a loved one is deployed

·        Provide Personal Comfort Kits

·        Provide a phone card to help families connect after disaster strikes

·        Send one month of emergency supplies for a family

·        Purchase a bicycle for a volunteer in remote villages

·        Provide lifesaving vaccinations for children overseas

·        Toothbrushes, soap and more to families who have lost everything.

·        Hot meals and shelter in the wake of a national or international disaster

Order your free Red Cross 2009 Holiday Giving Catalog at 1-800-RED CROSS,

or visit http://www.RedCross.org/gifts.

About the American Red Cross:
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 humanitarian

mission. This year we responded to over 70,000 disasters nationwide, provided

500,000 nights of safe shelter, served over 18 million meals and snacks to disaster

victims, and prepared over 90,000 disaster volunteers to respond at a moment’s

notice. For more information about the American Red Cross,

please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner, American Red Cross Volunteer

I do............again.

2009-06-27T03:27:58Z

I do...........again

Clarence and Madeline Rich share a laugh while they renewed their wedding vows. Residents of Aegis Living in Carmichael, they decided to tie the knot again during the Aegis-sponsored Vintage Bridal Show. Clarence, 88 and Madeline, 87 have two daughters, three granddaughters and one great granddaughter. No honeymoon is planned. They have been married 68 years. Photo | Kati Garner

Sun birds

2009-11-30T04:37:06Z

Flocks of snow geese are seen as they winter over in rice paddies south of Yuba City.

They probably flew here from Alaska. Snow geese breeding populations reside in

California’s central valleys, the lower Colorado River, south/central New Mexico’s

Rio Grande wetlands, Mexico’s northern Chihuahuan desert river basins and playa

wetlands, and Mexico’s Gulf of California shorelines. In early spring they'll head

back to their nesting areas. The 11th Annual Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific

Flyway happens January 28-31, 2010. For information, (530) 345-1865.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Fairly good finds at Sac Antique Faire

2010-02-15T00:52:48Z

The Sacramento Antique Faire was started five years ago by Marylon Rose, an avid antiquer. "I started it because I love antiques," she said. "There are many old, beautiful things and I have an appreciation for the craftsmanship used to create them. I thought this would be a good way for shops to increase their foot traffic and to be able to show to a large number of people."

Quality items for sale included fine art and jewelry, pottery, china and glassware, garden accessories, textiles and furniture. There are also several items geared toward those looking for something to spice up their interior design schemes, such as painted furniture, the perfect dining table, early-era plumbing fixtures, delicate glassware, French porcelain and wrought iron for the garden.

Only antiques and collectibles are sold at the fair. No reproduction or craft items are available. "The fair has a good reputation among seasoned collectors for quality buying opportunities," Rose said.

The Sacramento Antique Faire, an outdoor antique and collectible marketplace is held the second Sunday of every month from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Excerpts above are from Esther Hodapp's feature dated September 13, 2009

Please see Esther Hodapp's full article:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/13685/Hidden_treasures_abound_at_the_Sacramento_Antique_Faire

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Spend holiday time in Old Sac

2009-11-26T06:48:28Z

New this year, event-goers will be introduced to the Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights.

The Old Sacramento Theatre of Lights will run two 10-minute light shows throughout the holiday season Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

November 25 - January 3

6:30 and 8:00pm shows

Front and K Street, meet at the tree!

Mayor Kevin Johnson kicked off the Tree Lighting and the inaugural Theatre of Lights tonight.

Everyone gathered around the big Christmas tree at K and Front Street.

Lights and sound!

And, yes, it's Santa Claus.

Tour a railroad car

Take a ride on the steam engine train from Old Sac

For more information, call (916) 442-8575.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Juneteenth festival scenes

2009-06-21T21:49:22Z

Sacramento's Juneteenth festival joined the ranks of other American cities to celebrate, as well as educate the community on one of America's most important acts of legislation, the Emancipation Proclamation. Signed into law in 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared that all those enslaved were now free.

It's sponsore by Sacramento Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more details, visit: http://sacramento365.com/event/detail/36105

Photos | Kati Garner

A young festival goer looks at an historical display related to the Celebration of Freedom weekend.

Veronica Nailon, Jessica Gregory and the crowd respond to Joseph Jordan onstage.

Joseph Jordan sings gospel songs.

A young festival goer tries his luck with spinning a wheel to win a t-shirt at the Wells Fargo booth.

Shop with a Cop

2009-12-23T00:12:10Z

SHOP WITH A COP

Deputy Shelly Hodgins looks on as Diana Johnston holds up a new t-shirt she likes.

The Cal Sierra ATV Club of Sacramento recently held a fundraiser to benefit children ages 5-12, who needed a little extra help this Christmas season.

The 100-member club raised about $1,200 at their fundraiser, which they plan to make an annual event.

Working closely with a local charitable organization, the club worked to pair selected families with an officer from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department to “Shop with a Cop” and complete some much-needed Christmas shopping.

One of the benefiting families, the Johnstons, went shopping with Deputies Shelly Hodgkins and Tracey Jacobs, both on the Rancho Cordova Police Department, roaming the aisles of Wal Mart together.

George Johnston gets a hand from Deputy Tracey Jacobs

On another day, the Young family and Officer Holly Fancher did some serious shopping, also.

In addition to providing for families in need, the “Shop with a Cop” program helps educate the children about trusting those in uniform.

Deputy Tracey Jacobs and Miranda Shirrum, Geoge's aunt, help him pick out some shirts.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garmer

Connecting with the homeless

2009-05-31T19:09:30Z

Modeled after San Francisco’s Project Homeless Connect, Sacramento's one‐day event brought together a wide range of services for homeless people in a consumer‐centric “one stop shop” format.

The homeless guests were treated to haircuts, soothing pedicures, food, music, wheelchair and bicycle repair. Volunteers stood watch over their belongings, even their pets, while the guests explored the offerings for five hours.

Many soaked in the sun and music while visiting with others.

Some other the other services included:

Housing and employment programs
Vision and dental screenings
Free identification cards
Alcohol and drug assessments
Legal counseling
HIV and Hepatitis C tests
Veterans Benefits

According to communitycouncil.org, the benefits of Homeless Connect include:

Connects homeless individuals to important services all in one place, reducing frustration and increasing awareness about possible sources of assistance.
Inspires community members to help end homelessness.
Businesses, faith‐based groups, and colleges have the opportunity to make personal connections with people in need.
Helps debunk common myths and stereotypes about people who are homeless.

Over 400 volunteers made it possible Saturday at Sacramento City College.

Photos | Kati Garner

Girl Scout Mega Cookie Drop

2010-02-14T00:05:54Z

One of the over 600 volunteers removes two cases of Thin Mints from one of the 36 semi-trailers that were each filled with 77,000 cases.

177 boxes of assorted Girl Scout cookies fill a van that will be delivering cookies to Troop #660 Brownies. 1,000 Girl Scout Troops picked up their pre-sold cookies.

Each case holds 12 boxes, a total of 924,000 boxes filled with cookies, were distributed to over 1,500 vehicles in one day.

Helen Whitelaw, Director of Sales and manager of today's cookie distribution rides in a golf cart with Bob Carlson, owner of Carlson Logistics, supplied the 36 semi-trailers filled with the case of cookies.

Over $3 million worth of cookies were picked up.

Anne Lauzier, of Ventura, has worked for the Girl Scouts cookie baker over 25 years. She directed the many vehicles that arrived to load up with the cookies. She will be doiing the same thing in Modesta this week.

American Red Cross, Sacramento-Sierra Red Cross volunteers Kathy Quinn, Bob Maher and Donna Oien serve food and drinks to the Girl Scout volunteers. The Girl Scouts bought food and Red Cross prepared lunches using the chapter's mass feeding portable kitchen.

Two of the dozen Americorp volunteers that partnered with the Red Cross grilled hamburgers and hotdogs.

The money earned from Girl Scout Cookie sales fund the Girl Scout programs that build girls of courage, confidence and character.

For more info, check out:www.girlscoutshcc.org

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

A SPIN THROUGH YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW

2010-02-15T21:19:31Z

Mel Silva and Marliyn Greaves demonstrated the Navajo way of weaving during this past weekend's 51st Open House of the Sacramento Weavers and Spinners Guild.

The Guild displays a work in progress of a blanket for Project Linus. Jan Leininger (above) says the group has donated over 500 blankets in the past five years.

Sharon Burgland displays a sampler which shows different techniques.

Quill spinning, an old technique, is demonstrated.

Joan Jurancich spins Wolfdog-hybrid fiber which will become two-ply yarn. It will be woven into a scarf for the deceased dog's owner. Each spring when their dog shed, they saved the hair. They kept their dog clean, so their is "not alot of stuff in it", says Jurancich. Another demonstration used cat hair.

Lots of

colorful materials were for sale (above and below).

Jacqueline Ball holds a rainmaker which produces the relaxing sound of falling rain. Its exterior is like a woven basket.

Judy Semple works on a very small basket (above) as does another Guild member (below).

Conrad Tracy demonstrates Tablet weaving. Also known as Card weaving, tablet weaving, is a method of producing narrow textiles such as straps, belts and trim.

The Guild began in 1946 as the Sacramento Weaver's Guild. In the early years, the Open House was an elegant affair, complete with hat and gloves, shirt and tie. Members were served tea from a silver tea service.

The forms of address were also formal (Mr., Miss, Mrs. Husband's name).

In 1960, the public started coming dressed in shorts and jeans.

Over the years, many of the Guild members have beam famous; Lydia Van Gelder had a wall hanging in the show at the 1939 Treasure Island Exposition.

Her work as toured Europe and been displayed in many museums, including the Crocker Art Galllery in Sacramento.

Since 1980, Nancy Harvey has been teaching tapestry weaving. She has written two books and has taught all over the USA.

Bettie Roth and Chris Schulz have written A Handbook of Timesaving Tables for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.

Other notables include Mary Elizabeth Osterkamp, Lynne Greaves, Barbara Eychaner, Mollie Freeman, Sara Lamb, Helen Pope, Marion Kurtz, Frances Taylor, Edna Davidson, Mary Jane Lillard.

The Sacramento Weavers and Spinners Guild meets at the Shepard Garden and Arts Center, 10am, on the fourth Tuesday of each month September through May, except December.

Its purpose is to encourage growth in the art of weaving, spinning and dyeing, by means of interchange of ideas, by research and by contact with experts in the field.

Membership is open to anyone interested in advancing the Guild and its purposes.

The Shepard Garden and Arts Center is located at 3330 McKinley Blvd, Sacramento, CA.

For further info, please go to: http://directcon.net/weaver/

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Still hope to see fall colors

2009-10-11T18:02:17Z

See fall colors in Hope Valley!

Yesterday I went with a group of 13 photographers to Hope Valley to capture fall colors. We saw spectacular views.

Here is the route we roughly followed:

Hwy 50 to Mormon Emigrant Trail to 88, followed 88 over Carson Pass and through Hope Valley to 89, followed 89 over Monitor Pass (high and glorious views) to Hwy 395, took 395 North and looped back to 88, followed 88 back to 89 and take Luther Pass to Echo Summit and came back to Sacramento on Hwy 50. Caught a great sunset while passing Placerville.

Photos | Kati Garner