Well, that’s a wrap – congrats to all of the winners and entrants who submitted to our Journalism Open 2013. We had 76 written submissions this year and 114 photo submissions, and it wasn’t an easy job to narrow either of those categories down. But somehow we all managed. Myself and editor Jared Goyette narrowed down the top 12 articles which were then tallied by our panel of guest judges. Photos were judged by myself and Goyette. You can find a complete list of judging criteria here. Our $400 People’s Choice Award was a close race between Stephania Erkenbrecher’s article on Verge Center for the Arts and Ron Mullins’ piece on medical cannabis. I spent much time calling around to verify v

Are you ready to party with The Sacramento Press? The Journalism Open 2013 closed on Jan. 31, so don’t forget to check out the written and photography submissions that our contributors worked so hard on. The top finalists have been selected, and now our panel of guest judges are working hard to select this year’s winners. We also need your help in selecting who will win $400 for our People’s Choice Award. Soon all the work will be over though, and it will be time to kick back with good snacks and even better friends to announce the winners and honor this year’s writers. Please join The Sac Press staff, Journalism Open guest judges and contributors at Chops Steakhouse downtown on Tuesday

On September 22, INALLIANCE will change the way we think about people with developmental disabilities. Later this month, hundreds of Californians will gather on the El Dorado Trail for the 4th Annual Gold Rush Fun Run to raise awareness of people with disabilities, and increase understanding of the vital programs INALLIANCE provides to the greater Sacramento area. INALLIANCE is a nonprofit organization that supports the independence, health and safety of people with developmental disabilities through community based programs. “We chose to host a fun run, because it brings together people from all walks of life in an inclusive activity,” says Executive Director of INALLIANCE Diana DeRodeff

Runners, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages are invited to run wild on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the 4th Annual Gold Rush Fun Run on the El Dorado Trail in beautiful El Dorado County. Area nonprofit INALLIANCE is once again hosting the event that sends participants on a tour through the Sierra Nevada Foothills in 10 mile, 10K, 5K and 1 mile races along what used to be the Michigan California Lumber Company railway corridor, but now boasts lush vegetation and scenic vistas. Following the races, guests will enjoy a Finish Line Celebration featuring snacks, wine and hard cider sampling, music, raffle prizes, and awards ceremony. Races will be chip timed, and medals will be awa

Registration is now open for the Gold Rush Fun Run in El Dorado County on Saturday, September 22, 2012. The event features a series of races through the Sierra Nevada Foothills along the El Dorado Trail, which was once the historic Southern Pacific Railway line, and now features picturesque scenery and an abundance of wildlife for trail goers. The Gold Rush Fun Run hosts runners and walkers from across Northern California for a 10 mile run, 10K run, 5K run/walk and a 1 mile stroll. All races culminate in a finish line celebration where participants enjoy refreshments, music, raffle prizes and awards ceremony. Synergy Race Timing will chip time the 10K, 10 mile and 5K races, and medals w

If you’re going to remove the sound from a film, you’d better do it right. Not being able to hear what people are saying is very odd and kind of disconcerting, especially for a modern audience. Luckily for The Artist, there is a way to make it work, and work fantastically at that. The Artist opens during the late 1920’s, at the height of our star, silent film actor George Valentin’s (Jean Dujardin) career. He’s a loveable guy, instantly showing his charisma at a premier (evoking some shenanigans from Singin’ in the Rain) for one of his movies. After the premier he bumps into Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) a beautiful young dancer who soon falls in love with him. Unfortunately for George, hi

Sacramento|Yolo Mutual Housing Association recently was chosen as a finalist for the Inspire Giving award, a program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce that encourages civic-minded leadership, volunteerism and philanthropic giving. The other finalists are Raft, Roseville Home Start, Seniors First and Soil Born Farms. Mutual Housing develops and operates permanently affordable housing in Sacramento and Yolo county that builds strong and stable communities through resident participation and leadership development. With more than 900 homes, it serves some 2,700 low- to moderate-income residents, half of whom are children. Raft helps educators transform the learning experience thro

Limos filled with celebrities lined J Street for the 2011 California Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony at the Memorial Auditorium Thursday. The first ceremony in Sacramento was in 2006. The prestigious event was established by former California first lady Maria Shriver. The event was created to honor legendary people in California who encapsulate California’s “innovative” spirit. Many of the inductees were no stranger to the limelight. Rob Lowe, Lucy Liu and previous inductee Clint Eastwood, among others, graced the red carpet this year. The crowd cheered for the diverse group of inductees as they made their way down the red carpet. The 2011 inductees were astronaut Buzz Aldrin, The Beach Bo

Prelude to the Season 2011 - Arts & Minds Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers and guests! On October 14, 2011, Prelude to the Season debuted the theme “Arts and Minds” to recognize the unity of creative pARTerships. The event began with a video greeting from Congresswoman Doris Matsui and a welcome speech by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. The lineup featured entertainment by jazz duo Clemon Charles & Mike Wilson; the cast of Cosmo Cabaret’s current show, “Bingo!”; dancers from I Can Do That!, an arts and education group that works with young people of all abilities; a short film by BVA Volunteer Jayson Carpenter on the work of Heart to Heart

On Monday June 6, 2011, 80 legislators will come together to honor a small business owner from each of their legislative districts. This year California President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg named Sacramento website and graphic design firm, Uptown Studios “Best Small Business of the Year” for 2011. It is widely understood that small businesses are known as the “economic engine of California” and Uptown Studios certainly is no exception. Since 1992, owner Tina Reynolds and her top-notch team of employees create websites, brochures, logo/brand designs and identities and use state of the art videography and social media marketing techniques. Uptown Studios is more than just a small business.

El Dorado Hills, CA | Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Today at the El Dorado Hills Town Center, the Fallen Warriors Memorial held their 6th annual Motorcycle Poker Run and Car Show. The mission of the Fallen Warriors Memorial Organization is, “Through a scholarship program and school participation, is to honor and remember former area high school students who gave their lives while serving our country.” Currently, their website lists 29 Fallen Warriors from 22 different area schools. In memory of those Fallen Warriors, veterans and participating high schools have established a scholarship fund to recognize the sacrifice of that school

Fifty-eight local Girl Scouts will receive their Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts, during the annual Recognitions of Excellence Ceremony this Sunday. Girl Scouts who earn this award have demonstrated leadership skills, career planning and community involvement. To earn the Gold Award, girls are challenged with the task of choosing a community issue and addressing the root cause with a sustainable solution. Girls choose issues they are passionate about and spend a year or more planning and executing their projects. Nationally, only 5.4 percent of girls eligible to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award actually receive it, so this is a huge accomplishment for these local gir

Me Communications, in its first year of business, won 4 public relations awards including a Gold award at the Sacramento Public Relations Association’s (SPRA) Annual CAPPIE Awards ceremony. “When we started Me Communications a little over a year ago, our goal was to provide topnotch service to our clients,” said Bill Bradley, Co-owner of Me Communications. “To be honored by the SPRA for the work we’ve done on behalf of our clients caps off an incredibly successful year.” “We really enjoy the work we are doing on behalf of our clients. To have our efforts recognized by our peers in the industry is icing on the cake,” said Janet Soule, Co-owner of Me Communications. “We look forward to fin

Wednesday, Aug. 18 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The California Physical Therapy Association will have a wellness screening near the fish pond. Around 25 people are expected to be participate. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The California Department of Public Health will have an awards ceremony south of the fish pond. Around 100 people are expected to attend. Friday, Aug. 20 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Warner Brothers Television will be shooting a press conference for film production, traveling across the West and South Steps of the Capitol. Around 75 people will be involved with the shoot.

Equality Action Now, a Sacramento based, award-winning civil rights organization will have a super-busy few weeks ahead. The grassroots, all-volunteer activist group will be participating in several events slated for Pride Month. CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE LGBT CAUCUS Awards Ceremony On Monday June 14, 2010 at 10:30 AM, the California Legislative LGBT Caucus will host a special awards ceremony. The California Legislature will proclaim June 2010 as LGBT Pride Month and celebrate the LGBT Community’s past accomplishments and contributions. The Assembly will also honor LGBT individuals selected from across the state for their lifetime contributions and accomplishments in creating a better futur

April 13, 2010 Contact: Constance Crawford Capital Public Radio (916) 278-8955 constance.crawford@csus.edu Capital Public Radio Reporters Win Distinguished Journalism Awards Capital Public Radio’s Marianne Russ has won the well-respected California Journalism Award. The annual award recognizes excellence in state government reporting in print, radio and television. It’s sponsored by the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State and the Sacramento Press Club. Russ, who is CPR’s Capitol Bureau Chief, won for a compilation of stories. They included an in-depth piece on legislation to stabilize the state’s water supply, as well as three stories about California’s ongoing budget woes

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 individu

Every year for 36 years, ECOS has presented the “Environmentalists of the Year Awards.” This year is the first year that they have turned the awards ceremony into a full-blown celebration with the introduction of their 1st Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 25. By creating a celebratory atmosphere, ECOS was hoping to bring more people out to the event as well as encourage people to bring their kids. Family-oriented activities included a crafts table and endangered species face painting. The festival featured two local bands: Schwamigos and Hard Clumpin’ Litter. The music set the tone for a relaxed and joyous occasion. I would characterize both bands as being a bit rock and roll, wi