Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "arnold schwarzenegger"

Greenwise outcome expected in January

2010-12-29T01:57:16Z

A policy report on Mayor Kevin Johnson’s 2010 environmental initiative, known as “Greenwise,” is scheduled to be released on Jan. 20 at the annual State of the City address.

The Greenwise report will consist of an action plan and goals, according to a Dec. 15 e-mail from the Greenwise project coordinator Lauren Altdoerffer. Johnson will speak at the State of the City address, which will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center.

The report will be the product of months of meetings and brainstorming sessions on environmental sustainability in the Sacramento region.

Johnson has repeatedly stressed that the focus on environmental progress should be regional.

“If we look at just one policy for one city, we will not have a competitive advantage,” Johnson said in June. “It has to be a region.”

Presentations from several leading figures in the fields of politics, environmentalism and journalism have been a major part of the “Greenwise” program.

Since the program started in June, it has featured speeches from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, environmental activist Van Jones, incoming California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, New York Times journalist Thomas Friedman, attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and chef Alice Waters.

In addition to the celebrity appearances, the program has gathered community members to address areas including energy, waste and recycling, water and nature, green building and green technology.

Photo by Brandon Darnell.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

CA Hall of Fame rolls out the red carpet

2010-12-16T01:24:39Z

It was a night of star-gazing at the California Museum Tuesday as the 2010 Hall of Fame inductees were greeted by a crowd of about 180 people who came to see them walk the red carpet.

“I came to see the celebrities, specifically Betty White,” said Elk Grove resident Meredith Richards.

White was an obvious crowd favorite as people started chanting “Betty, Betty!” when she arrived.

But the event was more than just stargazing.

“I think this is important because it recognizes Californians who have made a big impact on the state, in a different way than things like Oscars and Emmys and that kind of thing,” Richards said. “It honors people who are not in the entertainment business but have still made a big impact on California.”

Guests such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Gov. Gray Davis and inductees including artist Wayne Thiebaud and filmmaker James Cameron said they really appreciate the value of this exhibit.

“We invent the future,” said Davis. “We have Google, Apple, Facebook…A lot of people have contributed, not only to the development of California, but to the world, and they should be recognized, and now that there’s a hall of fame, they are.

“I think it’s great that Arnold and Maria have established the Hall of Fame,” Davis said. “We didn’t have one before them, and I think it’s really a class act that, on his way out, Arnold is honoring Pat Brown, who I think is a real icon amongst governors.”

“I think honoring people is a good idea,” Thiebaud said. “I don’t think the people who are honored ever feel that they should be honored, because there are so many other people that also should be honored.”

When asked by The Sacramento Press what he believes to be the significance of the California Hall of Fame, Cameron emphasized its impact on California’s youth.

“One of the primary reasons for this exhibit space is to have kids come through on school tours and so on and not only understand the history of California, but the contributions that people from California have made,” Cameron said.

“So what does that teach them?” he asked. “Well, that they can do this, because almost everybody in here didn’t come from it being handed to them or it being given to them on a silver spoon. They all worked their way up from modest roots to accomplish something, and hopefully that’s the inspiration that kids can take from this.”

“A great nation is one that has great talented people, but also awards those talented people,” Schwarzenegger said. “So that’s what we’re doing. We’re recognizing this great talent in the inductees, and we’re celebrating it here tonight.”

Other 2010 inductees were either camera shy (they never appeared on the red carpet) or unavailable for comment.

After the red carpet segment, all inductees or inductee representatives were recognized with the Spirit of California medal, given by Shriver, during a private induction ceremony inside the California Museum auditorium.

Photos by David Alvarez.

Mayor Kevin Johnson proposes green initiative plan

2010-05-20T06:20:56Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson proposed his green initiative plans to the public during a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the California Museum. The long-term goal of the plan is to make Sacramento known as the national green leader in economic and environmentally friendly usages. His vision: to transform the region into "Emerald Valley."

"(California is) a state where dreams are made," Johnson said. "I strongly believe Sacramento can be the national leader in the green movement."

Around 300 attendees packed the conference room and were from all walks of life, varying from media to general public. The majority of those in attendance were supportive of the plan.

"I am a very economically cautious person," Sacramento resident Darcy Patterson, 29, said. "It's exciting to be able to be part of something that's going to make such a huge difference for generations to come."

There are four main focal points to the plan and five policy areas that will lead the initiative over the next eight months.

The focal points are fostering a regional green economy, creating green collar jobs, attracting and supporting green business through developing policies and practices, and increasing public awareness.

The number of green collar jobs has been on the rise, and Sacramento received $225 million for energy-efficient technical green job training. Over the past year, the region has also witnessed an additional 100 clean tech jobs. Sacramento has an advantage in this industry as companies such as Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Pacific Gas & Electric are located here.

Bringing in more green business to Sacramento can happen by attracting those outside the city and region in the area. Johnson said too many people are discouraged and leaving the state, and that shouldn't be happening. Instead, Sacramento should become a place of encouragement, and having the Capitol nearby will help make that happen. One example is the edible State Capitol Garden, located at Capitol Park, that First Lady Maria Shriver started this time last year.

The garden serves as an important "resource for teaching important life lessons around healthy living and improving communities," Shriver said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he backs the green initiative plan 100 percent.

"All great movements started very little," Schwarzenegger said. "Then they expanded like a mushroom....Other cities will be inspired by what Johnson is doing."

According to Schwarzenegger, California has been a leader when it comes reducing the dependency on oil and instead growing a greener economy. However, nothing can happen if nobody takes action.

"Wake up California. Wake up America. Wake up world," he said.

Johnson said the way to make the vision into a reality for everyone to work together through public outreach. The five policy areas that make up the green initiative task force will serve as a way to get people to "walk the walk." These five policy areas include energy, waste and recycling, water and nature, urban design and building, and green and clean technology.

People at Tuesday's conference had the opportunity of joining one or multiple policy area focus groups. The members of each area will gather at the California Museum every third Tuesday of the month starting in June to create and organize action plans. Anyone is welcome to become a volunteer of a policy area group at any point by attending the meetings. Selected plans will then be put into action, making Sacramento closer to becoming the hub of "Emerald Valley" one day at a time.

Leading the policy area focus group of energy is City of Sacramento Community Development Department employee, Jamie Cutlip. Cutlip said she is hoping to make solar power the main goal of the energy policy area.

"Solar (power) is easy," Cutlip said. "Wind isn't as easy to adopt."

According to Cutlip, U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Cities has granted $200 thousand toward the green initiative's energy policy area.

"The goal is to make Sacramento a solar city," she said.

Johnson said he will be announcing the action plan during his state of the city address in January.

"I believe history (is being made) at this defining moment," Johnson said. "Someday we'll look back and see ourselves making history together."

All photographs courtesy of gov.ca.gov

1) Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson

2) California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

3) California First Lady Maria Shriver

Democratic Party of Sacramento County Responds to Governor’s State of the State and Budget

2010-01-11T06:33:32Z

The six years of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration have not treated California well. We have lost our jobs, lost our houses and lost the services that were supposed to protect us and build a stronger state. While Governor Schwarzenegger has read a well-written script about post partisanship and teamwork, he has consistently failed to deliver on these promises – siding time and again with conservative interest groups that do not represent California’s values and proposing quick fix paper solutions instead of doing the hard work and showing the real leadership that is necessary to achieve real progress.

While it is laudable that after years of cutting education budgets and increasing prison populations, the Governor has come to realize this is not a sustainable, wise or just course of action, we need to see actual leadership to reverse the course the Governor has set and to overcome the numerous shortcomings of years one through six of his administration. There are hard decisions that need to be made and important values that need to be protected. To date, Schwarzenegger has not shown the ability or desire to fight for Californians.

We are particularly concerned with the Governor’s proposals for closing the budget gap. Funding he has predicted from the federal government is unlikely to materialize. Further cuts to our social safety net are unethical and irresponsible and will prove a further drag on our state’s fragile economy. His call for prison privatization shows a profound lack of understanding for the complexities of the issues affecting our state, “kicking the can down the road” to leave the problem for another Governor, while failing to address the real policy problems that are causing the crisis. The DPSC will consider a resolution to address this issue at its February meeting.

Our top priorities need to be jobs and education. The Governor claims these are his priorities, but his actions speak differently. While the Governor gives speeches about jobs, his furlough program deprives Californians of thousands of jobs, leaves hundreds of thousands more under employed and stops the government from effectively using stimulus funds and other available tools to help build the economy and create new jobs. While the Governor hosts elaborate press conferences on “Education Reform”, he has repeatedly cut education budgets, ignoring the state’s need to build a stronger workforce and shifting the burden to the poorest among us.

Arnold Schwarzenegger promised to bring change to Sacramento – to “blow up boxes” and embolden “girly men” in the name of fiscal responsibility and more accountable government. After six years, the truth is clear. Arnold Schwarzenegger is not a real leader; he merely played one on the silver screen. Instead of leading the state through this fiscal crisis, he has consistently resorted to “kicking the can down the road.” California’s best days remain ahead of us – but we will not get there without leadership and a willingness to go beyond ideological dogma to build consensus and a stronger future. After six years, there is no doubt; the state of the state will be much stronger when Arnold Schwarzenegger returns to Hollywood.

Pablo Francisco performing at the Punchline

2010-01-08T02:48:37Z

Though he's not onstage at the moment, comedian Pablo Francisco is already warming up. A little after 8 a.m. Thursday, Francisco is on the phone telling dirty jokes, making fun of himself and impersonating celebrity actors Michael J. Fox and Shia LaBeouf.

Francisco brings a fresh and diverse persona to comedy, with sound effects, slapstick impressions and fast-paced non-sequiturs peppering his routine. Thursday through Sunday evening, the Chilean-American comedian will perform at the Punchine with Matt Claybrooks, Sean Savoy and Ashley Fils-Aime opening.

Originally from Tuscon, Ariz., Francisco's career choices didn't always go over well with his parents. He recalled delivering pizzas in the afternoon and doing comedy at night. Occasionally after a show, he would come home at 1 a.m. and his parents would be pissed off.

"This guy who lived a few blocks away, the cook at the comedy club, used to always let me stay at his house so my parents wouldn't give me s**t," he said. "And he let me drink all the beer I wanted, so we became good friends."

Francisco eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career. He worked on television commercials and wrote for NFL Films before landing a job as writer and featured player in the second season of "Mad TV". He became the first Latino cast member of the show in 1996.

Since leaving "Mad TV," he appeared in several Comedy Central specials, toured with Carlos Mencia and Frank Soto as part of the "Three Amigos," and collaborated with fellow "Mad TV" alumnus Frank Caliendo.

He's now perhaps most famous for celebrity impersonations, which began with him impersonating his friends as well as radio personality and voice actor Casey Kasem. Since then, he's become best known for impersonating voice-over artist Don LaFontaine, but his impersonations of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Keanu Reeves are also spot on.

"I met Aaron Neville when I was doing his voice," he said. "He gave me a 'what the f**k?' look. I wouldn't do that in front of him now, because he has a tattoo on his face."

Despite success in television, Francisco credits the Internet for boosting him into the limelight.

"I'm happy YouTube exploded and worked for me and my comedy tremendously," he said. "You can advertise and be on the Internet. Everyone's moving to the Internet sooner or later. I started realizing that and relaxed a little more."

He credits this for his successful tour in Europe last year.

"We sold like 10,000 tickets in seven minutes," he said. "They all knew who I was. That was a good moment — you don't even know you're popular somewhere and you still sell tickets. They love the YouTube."

How do you do an impression of someone from Sacramento?

"I'd put (on) a mean heavy Latino accent," Francisco said, "and when you want someone's ass kicked, you call the Hells Angels."

Pablo Francisco, 8 p.m., Thursday through Sunday at Punchline Comedy, 2100 Arden Way, with an additional 10 p.m. show Friday and Saturday. $25, advance tickets can be purchased here. Two-drink minimum. 18+

Another group of California's finest honored at the Hall of Fame

2009-12-03T05:14:51Z

It must have been a surreal experience for those on the RT at 10th and O streets to spot the likes of John Madden, Carol Burnett and George Lucas walking down the red carpet in their awards-show best at the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts.

Anyone who actually got off at the stop may have caught Burnett's signature Tarzan call or had a chance for Lucas to sign any surface capable to be written on. Dozens of others, however, thought ahead and brought glossy “Star Wars,” “Terminator” and sports stills for Lucas, Gov. Schwarzenegger and Madden to sign, respectively.

The occasion for this "who’s who" of California’s best, 13 in all, was their induction into the state’s Hall of Fame (Schwarzenegger and first lady Maria Shriver were hosting, not being inducted). Before the evening’s ceremony, the honorees received a justified red carpet treatment for their accomplishments.

Bestselling author Danielle Steel’s gold jewelry glowed in contrast to her simple, black outfit. Burnett was just as warm and funny off camera as she has been since the mid-1960s, even taking time to joke with a group of young girls carrying signs reading “I love Carol."

General Chuck Yeager, being one of the bravest American men in history, was remarkably down-to-Earth considering he’s spent so much of his life thousands of feet above it. Though Andy Grove looks like any other conservatively dressed businessman downtown, he is responsible for every major advancement in computing and technology in the past half century with his invention of the silicon-based chip.

Rafer Johnson could have easily beaten his fellow inductees down the carpet in a footrace, but instead chose to saunter along with the confidence that can only come with being one of the greatest Olympic athletes in history.

Lucas brought massive amounts of cheers from both the journalists lined behind the press area to get pictures and rows of fans, including a kid on his dad’s shoulders holding a lightsaber. Madden was even bigger in person than on his numerous television gigs, with a broad smile stretched across his face amidst the camera flashes.

A few of the inductees were honored posthumously, with a relative or someone knowledgeable about their body of work accepting the award on their behalf. Joan Kroc’s daughter, Linda Ardell Wendfelt; Harvey Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk, and numerous California pro gay rights politicians; Fritz Scholder’s sister, Sondra Clark; state historian and expert on Hiram Johnson Dr. Kevin Starr; and Henry J. Kaiser’s granddaughter, Carlyn Kaiser Stark represented their corresponding person of honor.

Once inside the museum’s auditorium, the people of the evening took their seats onstage.

“When I first moved to California my parents thought I had lost my mind,” Shriver said, opening the ceremony. “They thought nothing serious happened here, but I made the Hall of Fame to show everyone that amazing things are done here. This is where people can dream big and imaginations can run wild."

Shriver’s husband was next, appropriately introducing the first inductee of the evening, bodybuilding guru, Joe Weider.

“We don’t give up and we don’t give in,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “That is what I love about Californians. This man gave me the opportunity to come over to America when I was 21 and he is the reason I am here today."

Shriver spoke about Joan Kroc, whose philanthropy helped numerous organizations.

“Joan made sure my mother’s work with the Special Olympics would continue with her generous contributions,” Shriver said.

Each inductee got a chance to speak about another person before hanging a medal around the recipient’s neck.

Madden delivered his speech on General Yeager in his trademark rambling game-calling style.

“Only in California can a guy who doesn’t fly induct the greatest pilot ever,” said Madden. “He famously popped in a piece of Beeman’s gum before he took off when he broke the sound barrier in his jet. I mean, here’s a guy who is about to be the first person to travel faster than the speed of sound, and all he needs is a stick of gum."

Yeager himself spoke of why he did his best work in California, saying, “I flew there the most because they didn’t have airfields in West Virginia, where I was raised."

George Lucas spoke about Andy Grove, giving him his respect for his effect on modern technology.

“The cell phone, video games, computers, TVs, modern automobiles and anything else that operates with a processor, he made it all possible,” Lucas said. “Of course this means that expressions such as 'lol,' 'btw' and 'ttyl' are all partially his fault. He became successful by thinking big, creating small and bringing people together."

Burnett was honored by Stuart Milk, who spoke of the legendary entertainer’s influence on his adolescence.

“My Saturday nights as a young gay man questioning himself were brightened by her,” Milk said of Burnett. “Even though many male entertainment stars played one on TV, there was now an actual woman in their realm. She was the first queen of variety television."

Burnett closed the evening by speaking about her own experiences as a struggling actress working in a movie theater in Hollywood.

“I was a good usherette,” Burnett joked in her patented comedic delivery. “It was the manager who was nuts! But when it came time to place my star on the Walk of Fame, guess which building I decided to put it in front of?"

Sacramento to be part of 2010 Amgen Tour of California

2009-10-23T05:17:30Z

At about 9 a.m. Thursday, three-time Amgen Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer announced via a "tweet" that he was going to defend his title in 2010. It was part of a high-profile Twitter conversation started by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that went something like this:

"@schwarzenegger: Great news for American cycling fans and CA. The 2010 Amgen Tour of California will be better than ever. @lancearmstrong will you join us?

@lancearmstrong: Absolutely! @schwarzenegger, I've decided to ride the #Amgen Tour of California in 2010. Can't wait. What about you @levileipheimer?

@levileipheimer: I'll definitely be racing the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, defending my title."

Then at 4:30 p.m., the defending champion spoke at a press conference for the 2010 race at The Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento.

"It was a lot of fun being in the announcement today on Twitter, so I feel like I'm really a part of the race," Leipheimer said to a crowd of about 50, which included the mayors of Sacramento, Nevada City and Davis, and local legislators.

"Right from the fall of 2005, when we first announced the Tour of California was going to happen, I felt like this was something that I needed to be involved with, and I think that's been the secret to my success the last three years," he added. Leipheimer has won the last three Tours of California.

Mayor Kevin Johnson also expressed excitement that Sacramento be will be involved in the tour again. In addition to hosting the pre-race team presentation and gala on May 14, downtown Sacramento is where the first stage of the tour will conclude May 16, after a start in Nevada City.

"That allows us to have four or five days of activities and make it a really special weekend event," Johnson said. "We're going to have about 70,000 spectators that will participate over the weekend. This event brings in $8 million dollars, and that is very significant."

He also addressed last year's "hiccup": During the race, Lance Armstrong's time trial bike was stolen in Sacramento. The mayor joked that although the chief of police had promised tighter security, riders should bring their own locks, just in case.

Davis's Mayor Dr. Ruth Uy Asmundson and Nevada City's Mayor Reinette Senum said they were honored that their cities were part of the race as well.

A big change in the 2010 tour is that it will be held in May instead of February.

"We did it to showcase the state of California in a better way," said Andrew Messick, president of Anschutz Entertainment Group and tour director. "There's a lot of terrain you can't get to on a bicycle in the wintertime."

Moving the tour dates also means that it will overlap with the peak of the European cycling season. As a result, it is unclear whether Europe's top racers will choose the Tour of California over the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy).

"There are probably some Italians who will end up going to the Giro, but I don't think that we're going to see any impact because of the two races conflicting," Leipheimer said. "(The Tour of California) is better preparation for the Tour de France in July."

Leipheimer, Armstrong, and most of last year's Astana team will ride together, but have moved to the newly-formed Team Radioshack. A 2007 Tour de France doping scandal, near financial collapse and a talent overload (three of the top four 2009 Tour de France riders) sent many former Astana riders elsewhere for 2010.

County finances still in trouble

2009-07-28T03:34:10Z

Sacramento County continues to be hammered by the failing local and state economy and now faces a $17.8 million hole in its budget because the county is receiving much less money from sales taxes, property taxes and vehicle license fees, according to a letter County Executive Terry Schutten prepared for the Board of Supervisors’ July 28 meeting.

The $17.8 million gap is only part of the county’s budget mess and does not account for funds the state may take or borrow from the county. Taking and borrowing funds from local governments is part of the state’s budget package. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may sign the state budget Tuesday.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors also wants to find a way to put $10 million toward hiring 70 deputy sheriffs.

“Instead of a piecemeal approach to making corrections for the above shortfalls and the additional funding for the 70 sheriff’s deputies, the county executive is recommending that all these issues be dealt with during the final budget hearings,” Schutten wrote.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to approve a final budget Sept. 29.

Schutten’s letter breaks down the county’s latest figures for property and sales taxes and vehicle license fees. The $17.8 million gap comes from the following sources:

*$5.3 less in estimated sales tax collections.
*$2.3 million less in estimated property tax collections.
*$4.8 million less in local public safety funds, which come from sales taxes.
*$5.4 million less in “realignment revenue,” which comes from sales taxes and vehicle license fees.

Read Schutten’s letter here.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

What's happening at the Capitol: July 9

2009-07-07T22:52:10Z

Thursday, July 9

11:45 a.m.- 4 p.m. California Association for Micro-enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) will be holding a legislative day near the north steps of the Capitol. It will include lunch with legislators under a tent and a presentation by Senator Leland Yee. About 40 people are expected.

5:30- 9 p.m. A gathering in support for Laura Ling and Euna Lee will be held on the west steps of the Capitol. About 100 participants are expected including Lisa Ling and her family, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Senate President pro Tem Darrel Steinberg and Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Governor Schwarzenegger's Continued Commitment To Fuel-Efficient And Alternative-Fuel Vehicles

2009-06-04T03:55:30Z

No one availble for story research. See info at Governors site.

Dinner and a Movie, for the Homeless?

2009-03-18T23:37:50Z

Sacramento is now also known for the "Tent City" for the homeless. That’s okay. If Sacramento, the capitol of the seventh or eighth largest economy in the world has to be the poster child city for the homelessness problem in America, then so be it!

Probably every man, woman and child in our area is aware of the growing homeless community. It does not matter where you are in the Sacramento area, homelessness happens. In fact, some of the people interviewed for the stories about our tent city, said "we never dreamed that we would be homeless and in this condition". I have never dreamed of being homeless, have you? Maybe we are next.

I come from a very large family and I believe if my world got to the point of having no place to go home to or sleep, someone in my family would give me a place. My dear mother, Marilou Nordby, whenever she would see someone less fortunate than herself would always say, "there but for the grace of God go I". Which means, that could be me in those peoples shoes, but because of God's grace it is not me. One time she confided in me and said that her greatest fear was becoming homeless. I was shocked! My mother had nine children and at the time she told me this every one of them were still alive. I told her that as long as I was alive she would never be homeless. I hope that gave her some peace in her fears.

As compassionate people we need to be reminded that not all homeless are mentally unstable, drug addicts, alcoholics or even losers in this game of life, but rather each of them at one time had a home, a mother, a father, brothers and sisters and even children and we should treat them as if they were our mom or dad, or a sister or a brother because we don't know their circumstances.

I have been stirring the idea around with friends that I know that we should have a dinner and a movie night for our homeless. Today I want to share this idea with the readers of the Sacramento Press with hope that this will go further than this online news source.

Here is what I am envisioning for that night.

We will ask the churches and clothes closets to donate clothing for all ages and gender and we will have an opportunity for anyone who needs a new set of clothes to pick out what they want to wear for that dinner and to leave in. We will have a place to dispose of old clothes. Of course we will have some sort of changing rooms available and port-a-potties on 10th street.

This banquet honoring our less fortunate neighbors will be done on the west side of the Capitol building using this glorious building as a backdrop for this event. The Capitol also represents the state government for the people, all the people, even the homeless. The grounds will be decked with tables all decorated like a fine restaurant(except everything is disposable) a tablecloth with a candle and a flower, nice plastic ware and napkins. We will serve steak, chicken, potatoes, fresh veggies, milk, or soda, coffee or tea, and a dessert that is fit for a politician or cupcakes and cookies for the little children.

After dinner we will show a movie on a giant screen with a great sound system. The movie should be heart warming with some comedy and rated for all ages. Perhaps the newly released "Marley and Me". I have never seen it, but I think everyone would enjoy it. There will be popcorn, movie type candy and bottles of water and other drinks.

After the movie we will have blankets, sleeping bags and personal items for anyone in need of these things.

I don't know all the logistics of this yet, but if enough of us get together with our influences and connections we can totally bless our homeless and let them know that we care. Perhaps the lawmakers and city leaders will see this event as a wake up call and put some real attention towards helping ease the sting of the plight of the homeless which now include many little children.

I know everyone reading this is now thinking, 'this is going to cost some money'. Yes it is! But I believe every good cause can be very easily funded by anyone who can afford a little to help. Some who can afford more will also help. I believe if we make this event known to everyone, there will be plenty to take care of the cost. I am also sure that many who have other needed resources will also want to be involved. I am going to put my money where my heart is so I will make the first donation to this cause and I believe the rest will come. Kind of like the “Field of Dreams”, build it and they will come. I say “do it and it will come”.

I was talking to a homeless man today and asked him about this dinner and a movie idea and he was very excited about it. I asked if the homeless would come? He said "oh yes they will". He also shared with me of his hope of the "Ten Year Plan" to get the homeless problem under control. We can't wait for ten years. We need to do something now.

I realize that this is not a "fix" to a serious problem, but if we can bring some joy to people if only for a night, it will be well worth it.

If anyone who reads this article would like to get involved somehow, someway, your service and willingness to serve will be much appreciated by those who come. Leave a comment and contact me personally at jacknordby@hotmail.com

P.S. When was the last time a homeless person heard the words, "your table is ready" or, "how did you like the movie"? Lets give them something to talk about. Better yet, lets give them some love with hope that things can turn around for them.