Best of Sacramento Celebrate

2009-11-21T03:47:11Z

"Oh god, this is gonna be a long night," said radio personality Jack Armstrong as he and Joe Getty kicked off the 11th annual Best of Sacramento party on Thursday.

The party, a benefit for the March of Dimes, was full of Sacramento Magazine's notion of the best of what Sacramento has to offer, everything from food and drinks to local media and entertainment.

"It's really a huge honor, it's a reflection of the station I work for," said 'Best TV Reporter Team' winner Edie Lambert. "It's a big compliment to quality journalism."

Booths filled the Convention Center, and lines wrapped around the exhibit hall as attendees took full advantage of the free food, services and other goodies.

Express Event Imaging and Sacramento News & Review offered free photographs gracing the covers of Sacramento Magazine and SN&R, Hoshall's Salon and Spa's fashion show featured dramatic hair, makeup and clothes, and KCRA 3's news team --Walt Gray, Mark Finan, Mike TeSelle, Kelly Brothers, Del Rodgers, Eileen Javora and Adrienne Bankert -- posed for pictures with attendees. The team also swept the media category.

"I heard this was the place to be," said first-time attendee Scott Wood. "I could joke and say there should be more free booze, but I think there's plenty."

Booths hawked products and services while providing freebies that ranged from body waxing to information from the zoo on the difference between apes and monkeys.

"We're glad to be here to let people know that the zoo isn't just for kids, even though we were voted 'best place to take the kids'," said Sacramento Zoo employee Lara Kirkendall.

The event raises money for the March of Dimes, devoted to the safety and care of infants.

"We raised $400,000 for March of Dimes, we had more sponsors than ever before. We are now up to $3.4 million for the charity," said Joe Chiodo, publisher of Sacramento Magazine. "This is our best year yet."

Dozens of attendees bid on silent auction items, the main source of donations.

"We came to support the March of Dimes, we're making our way to the auction tables," said Stephanie Thompson, attending for the first time. "They also have excellent sushi from Sapporo Grill and the atmosphere is great."

For more information, and to see all of the 'Best of' winners, visit the Sacramento Magazine website. For more information on the March of Dimes or to make a donation, visit the March of Dimes website.

The best will come together

2009-11-18T04:49:03Z

The spotlight is on Sacramento at the 'Best of' party hosted by Sacramento Magazine, Thursday at the Convention Center.

The winners from the "best of" categories will show what they've got while attendees can try out the best products, services, and entertainment that Sacramento has to offer. The winner for best candy store, Sees Candy and the winner for best regional winery Bogel Vineyards will be a couple of the participating vendors at the party.

The winners from the eight categories will be showing attendees what they've got, allowing them to sample products, services and entertainment - the best Sacramento has to offer.

Some of this year's winners include , Best New Fun Spot, MIX Downtown, Best Place To Get a Tattoo, Wild Bill's Tattoo and Best Kings Player, Kevin Martin.

"We're excited for the entertainment," Megan Chiechi, marketing director for Sacramento Magazine said. "We have Ryan Hernandez (local acoustic alternative artist) performing, 60 wineries, 70 restaurants, a grand display of a fire engine that people can take pictures with, free massages, Western Feed is making free dog tags, and there will be party bags."

The party will benefit the March of Dimes, the leading non-profit organization for pregnancy and baby heath. Last year's event raised $400,000 for the charity, and they hope to match that this year, according to Chiechi.

"Other chapters of the March of Dimes (around the country) had been doing these 'Best of' parties with city regional magazines in other cities," Chiechi said. "Our local chapter of the March of Dimes originally approached us to start our own 'Best of' party in Sacramento. Thus, the Best of Sacramento Party began."

Sacramento Magazine has been hosting the 'Best of Sacramento' party for the past 10 years.

The silent auction offering goods and services from some of Sacramento's best will begin at 4:30 p.m., doors will open at 5:30, and tickets are $75 in advance and $95 on the day of the party. To purchase tickets to the event, visit the Sacramento Magazine website. To learn more about the March of Dimes or to make a donation visit the March of Dimes website.

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Best of Sacramento Celebrate

The best will come together