Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "california museum"

The California Museum Hosts Star-Studded Event

2011-12-10T01:45:46Z

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 Boys, Nobel Prize-winner Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, community activist and author Father Gregory Boyle, entrepreneurs and Gap Inc. founders Doris and Donald Fisher, basketball superstar Ervin “Magic” Johnson, disability rights advocate Ed Roberts, Grammy Award-winner Carlos Santana, novelist Amy Tan, and California Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Traynor.

Previous inductees have included James Cameron, Barbra Steisand, Levi Strauss, Harvey Milk, Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, Ansel Adams, Steve Jobs, César Chávez and Walt Disney.

Fans lined the streets to maybe catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two. Kids yelled, “Ma-gic! Ma-gic! Ma-gic!” as Johnson exited his limousine. While many of the event-goers avoided the red carpet, others posed for pictures and were whisked away for interviews.

Beach Boy fans had album covers and various memorabilia waiting to be signed. Although many were able to snap quick pictures of those in attendance, Santana was rumored to have entered through the back door, leaving many music fans disappointed.

Some of Sacramento’s dignitaries were also in attendance: Gov. Jerry Brown and first lady Anne Gust Brown, Mayor Kevin Johnson and, despite his battle with Parkinson’s disease, Wells Fargo regional vice president Chevo Ramirez, who is known for his charitable contributions to good causes in Sacramento.

During the ceremony, all inductees received the California Hall of Fame medal, named Spirit of California, created by the Los Angeles artist Robert Graham.

The California Hall of Fame exhibit opened today at the California Museum and will feature the newest inductees. The California Museum is a nonprofit organization and is funded by museum admission, facility rentals, gift shop sales and donations.

In order to attend the celebrated event, party-goers had to purchase a California Hall of Fame membership, with proceeds benefiting the California Museum.

Calif. Hall of Fame ceremony moves venues

2011-10-14T07:25:13Z

The California Museum’s biggest fundraiser – The California Hall of Fame induction ceremony – is moving from its small setting in the museum auditorium to Memorial Auditorium, increasing seating almost tenfold.

“The museum auditorium doesn’t allow for very many people to attend,” said museum spokeswoman Brenna Hamilton. “We’re now able to have a substantially larger audience so we can invite more people, including 500 museum members, which has never been done before.”

Beginning in 2006, and until last year, the ceremony was held in the museum, where it could seat roughly 260 people. Memorial Auditorium will allow 3,000 attendees.

Memorial Auditorium is especially fitting for this year, Hamilton said, because The Beach Boys are being inducted, and they played their first major concert and recorded a live album at Memorial Auditorium.

Other inductees this year are astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Elizabeth Blackburn, community activist Father Gregory Boyle, GAP founders and philanthropists Doris and Donald Fisher, basketball player Magic Johnson, disability rights advocate Ed Roberts, guitarist Carlos Santana, novelist Amy Tan, and California Supreme Court Justice Roger Traynor.

“I think we have an amazing lineup of inductees this year,” Hamilton said.

With about 60 days until the ceremony on Dec. 8, those looking to snag a seat for the ceremony have the option of purchasing one of two new museum membership levels that grant access to it.

An individual membership for $125 gives the purchaser free admission to the museum with a guest, a 10 percent discount to the museum store and invitations to events and exhibit openings, including the hall of fame ceremony.

A dual membership pass for $250 gives the same benefits to two people and all children under 18 in the household. Tickets to the hall of fame ceremony are limited to two, however.

As a private nonprofit organization that doesn’t receive state funding, Hamilton said the museum relies on the hall of fame induction ceremony to pay for virtually all of its exhibits, operating costs and educational visits to schools.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Riding Concrete: Skateboarding In California

2011-06-29T02:48:02Z

Walking through a museum there is an expectation of seeing art, ancient artifacts and other historical memorabilia. The California Museum is switching up the idea of what a typical museum holds by introducing California to an important part of its history with a story that is not often told.

Behold the colors, wheels, art, big names, shapes and sizes. Riding Concrete: Skateboarding In California, is the new exhibit showing from July 2 through March 24, giving an up-close look at the California-created sport.

Located on 1020 O St. downtown, the exhibit is curated by the legendary skateboarder and surfer Nathan Pratt, who also co-stared in the “Dogtown and Z-Boys” documentary back in 2002.

“This is the first exhibit about skateboarding here at the museum, and the first one of a California-created sport that we are paying tribute to,” said Brenna Hamilton, communications director for the museum. “We try to tell stories that are not often told by other museums or even in history books.”

The exhibit is like a living timeline dating back to the 1950s with the wood plank and metal roller skate wheel models to the modern boards used today.

Who knew back in 1971 that 14-year-old Nathan Pratt working as a clean up boy in a Santa Monica Zephyr surf shop would one day change skateboarding forever – he and the other Z-Boys who came up with their own innovative and radical style.

“It's funny because there is a whole section of people in my life that know nothing about my skateboarding past. Then one day out of the blue they'll come up to me and be like 'I know a Z-Boy. My kid saw the whole documentary and were like 'Oh my god you know Nathan Pratt? He's a god, he's a legend,'” Pratt said.

According to Pratt the name 'Z-Boys' actually came from the “Zephyr Competition Team,” when the group of Z-Boys at the time were in a contest and the announcer kept having to say the full name over and over. They finally just got fed up and shortened it and its been the same ever since.

“This is the second showing of the exhibit. I did this exhibit down in Santa Monica at the California Heritage Museum about a year and a half ago, and that was the first time anything like that had ever been put together where something really encompasses every era of skateboard from the beginning to current,” said Pratt, 53, as he unloaded some final boards out of boxes.

More than 200 items lent from The Sidewalk Shop, Skatelab, Z-Boy Archive collections and other passionate collectors are on display.

“This (display) is going to appeal to a wide audience” said Amanda Meeker, deputy director of exhibits and programming for the California Museum.

“I think anybody who grew up in California in the last 50 years can come see this and see something that they can identify with,” Hamilton said. “There's a bit of nostalgia even for myself.”

Some highlights include Tony Hawk's autographed personal board, a rare Willie Mays board, the first pro model skateboard and the first board with urethane wheels.

The first Zephyr board and a collection of the first boards made and sold in 1962 by Val Surf the California surf shop (the first known retailer of skateboards), are on display as well. There is also a 1963 Makaha Phil Edwards board (the first pro model skateboard produced), highly collectible 1980s boards made by Sims, Dogtown & Powell Peralta and, of course much, much more.

“The first board I had as a kid was this Bun Buster back here, and I can still remember that from when I was 10 years old,” Pratt said while walking the dimly lit room lined with big glass display cases.

Pratt also said that the kids are his favorite part of what he does because they are so enthusiastic and want to try out the Z-Boys style of skateboarding. This exhibit will not only be enjoyable to those who are into skateboarding, but will really bring people together, he said.

“Kids obviously know about skateboarding, but they may not know about people in the ’60s, like, 'Gosh I may be more like my dad then I realized,'” Meeker said.

“I think the people that made skateboarding into the worldwide cultural phenomenon that it has become have never really been given credibility in history as a significant culture that changed the world,” Hamilton said, “because (skateboarding) grew into a huge movement.”

There will also be photography featured by Craig Stecyk, the photojournalist who launched the Z-Boys and created the "Pig and Crossbones" graffiti and Dogtown cross. Not to mention there will be several different multimedia presentations that will feature some ground-breaking manufacturers, riders and artists.

“I want people to appreciate it, and I think that they do. It's just great to get to see an entire timeline of history and skateboards in one place and hopefully somewhere within that 50-year timeline they can find something that really resonates for them,” Pratt said.

For more information about the California Museum visit their site.

Is Social Media Making the World a Better Place?

2011-05-16T16:37:02Z

UC Davis law professor Anupam Chander spoke to a large crowd at the California Museum on Tuesday, April 19th about the role social media has played in the recent uprisings around the globe, and how it could be a key player in making the world better.

Just prior to the professor taking the stage, a wonderful meet-and-greet was held in the lobby of the museum. Politicos, business leaders, media experts, teachers and others chatted over mouth-watering hors’doeuvres provided by Blue Prynt and wine provided by Grace Patriot Wines. Professor Chander was there to discuss a new paper that he had recently published called Googling Freedom. His presentation came in three parts: (1) is social media even related to the uprisings or is it just hype; (2) the two possible futures of the internet; and (3) the responsibilities of internet-based companies moving as they expand.

A writer at Mother Jones once said, “Twitter bears about as much responsibility for the Egyptian uprising as George Soros, Mrs. O’leary’s cow, and the flying spaghetti monster.” However, Martin Luther was able to fully vet his concerns on a singular piece of parchment, subsequently creating an entire religion with the use of the printing press (an early communications technology). And when there have been rumors of rebellion, dictators have commonly flipped the internet “kill switch” in the hopes of quelling their peoples. Now there are a multitude of options undermining the efficacy of “kill switches,” and social media platforms can still reach the rest of the world despite these efforts. Just the idea that the internet is one of the first things targeted at the beginning of a rebellion should be indication enough that it plays a key role in removing a dictator from power.

As Professor Chander sees it, there are two potential ways this internet expansion can go: the perfection of a “surveillance state” or the perfection of a “global sphere of rational discourse.” The first option, while possible, is looking more and more unlikely. Social media is pushing the world toward option two, where everyone everywhere has access to real-time on-the-ground information from around the world. This has been the case in several instances in the recent past, and hopefully will continue and expand as we move forward.

As the companies who run these websites move forward, what should be the guiding principle of their business strategies? In the past, it has been the maximization of shareholder wealth. Companies are increasingly worried about their public image in an age of increased transparency, and so the at-all-costs method of increasing wealth may not work for much longer. Now companies are more likely to be moralistic in their decision-making, and make efforts to be seen as improving the communities in which they operate. Not to worry, shareholders – you’re still number one, but society will now come in at a much closer second place.

Professor Chander closed with some Q&A, and then, as is the tradition of the Sacramento Social Media Club, a door prize raffle was held. Door prizes are donated by local businesses and organizations and the prizes included free California Museum annual memberships and Jiffylube gift certificates.

The Social Media Club will be hosting their next event this Tuesday, May 17th at The Urban Hive beginning at 6:30 pm. "Social Media ROI: Is it Measurable?" will feature a panel of social media experts who will weigh in on best practices and new methods of measurement. For more information or to register for this event, click here.

About Sacramento Social Media Club
The Sacramento chapter of the Social Media Club is part of an international organization of more than 100 active chapters around the globe hosting conversations that explore key issues facing our society as technologies transform the way we connect, communicate, collaborate and relate to each other. Founded in April of 2009, Sacramento Social Media Club (SMCSac) has become the centerpiece for regional gatherings surrounding the subject of social media. SMCSac is devoted to expanding media literacy, sharing lessons among social media practitioners, encouraging adoption of industry standards and promoting ethical practices though discussion and actions. Additional information about the Sacramento Chapter and upcoming events is available at http://www.facebook.com/SMCSAC.

UC Davis Professor to give 'Social Media & Social Uprising' lecture at The California Museum

2011-04-15T05:17:03Z

In the past several years, social media has played an ever growing role in calling for, organizing, and executing social uprisings and upheaval around the globe. Increasingly, these uprisings are bringing about significant social change in not only their country of origin but amongst those involved via social media channels. In contrast, some countries are dealing with unrest and the threat of uprisings by locking down Internet access and jailing citizens for sharing certain information online.

The Social Media Club of Sacramento (SMCSac) makes a monthly habit of examining the various ways social media is impacting our everyday interactions, culture, and society at large. The club has partnered with the California Museum to explore the fascinating topic of the role of Twitter, Facebook, Google, and other social media channels in bringing about global social change. Their upcoming event, Social Media and Social Uprising, will be held Tuesday, April 19th at the California Museum on 10th & O streets. Featuring keynote speaker Professor Anupam Chander, a leading scholar in the law of globalization and digitization at the UC Davis School of Law, SMCSac will explore how social media paves the way for citizens to shift from 'friends' to revolutionaries.

In his keynote address, Professor Chander plans to touch on topics that range from the role social media plays in unfree societies, to the corporate social responsibility of companies like Google and Facebook. After the talk, the discussion will be opened to the audience for a Q&A with Professor Chander. Audience members can discuss these topics further, or explore how these insights can be applied to their lives, community, and understanding of global social issues.

The museum gallery will open at 5:30pm, and the evening will commence at 6pm with a wine and appetizer reception hosted by Grace Patriot Wines and the new downtown restaurant Blue Prynt. Professor Chander will begin his keynote address around 7pm, with discussion and networking to follow.

Advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased online. If available, tickets may also be purchased at the door on Tuesday. For more information on the Social Media and Social Uprising event, Professor Anupam Chander, the California Museum, or SMCSac, visit the event website or call (916) 653-7524.

Disclosure: Megan Emmerling is a member of the Social Media Club, Sacramento

Museum spotlights California's first people

2011-03-31T03:08:58Z

The California Museum in Sacramento is unveiling an exhibit titled "California Indians: Making A Difference" to the public Thursday.

The exhibit will use more than 400 artifacts, photos, art, documents and multimedia presentations to document the culture and contributions of California's first people. Some artifacts from private collections have never been seen by the public before.

Curator P. Christiaan Klieger, an accomplished anthropologist affiliated with the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California Museum Deputy Director of Exhibitions and Programs Amanda Meeker and other members of the museum's curatorial staff spent two years doing research for the exhibit.

They also put together a California native advisory panel with 12 elders, artists and other leaders from separate tribes to guide them in their work on the exhibit. The collaboration enables descendants of the state's first inhabitants to tell stories of the peoples' early life, survival, adaptation and resilience with their own voices.

"This is the most ambitious project we've ever done," said Brenna Hamilton, the museum's communications director. "The main idea is to show that Native Americans are not part of the past. They are alive and thriving."

The museum, 1020 O St., is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday and noon - 5 p.m. Sundays. The cost is $8.50 for adults, $7 for seniors and students over 13, $6 for children aged 6 - 13 and free for children 5 and under. To learn more about the exhibit and watch oral histories by Native Americans, click here.

Below are photos that show a sample of items in the 3,000-square-foot exhibit, which is a long-term addition to the museum. Other items are expected to be rotated in next year.

Kintpuash, a Modoc chief also known as Captain Jack, led his people from the Klamath Reservation in Oregon back to their homeland near the California-Oregon border in 1865. The U.S. Army was called in to return them to the reservation. The United States declared war on his band after they killed a U.S. Army general during the Modoc Wars.

This Indian war bond was issued to raise money to fight Indians in 1857.

Curator P. Christiaan Klieger, an anthropologist affiliated with the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, stands before a painting by the late Harry Fonseca, a Sacramento native with Nisenan Maidu ancestors.

This chipped stone bear was made of volcanic glass by someone in the San Dieguito - La Jollan culture. It's believed to be 7,700 years old. The piece was found in San Diego County in 1985 and is now part of the California State Archives. California named it the state prehistoric artifact in 1991. "This is a rare opportunity to come look at it," Hamilton said.

Lucy Telles, a Mono Lake Paiute, made this coiled basket featuring birds and butterflies. She was known for innovations such as the use of color in her baskets. Telles lived in the Yosemite Valley and near Mono Lake. She is considered one of the finest 20th century basketweavers, Hamilton said.

This bear claw motif basket was made by a Washoe weaver named Datsolalee. She was known for her precision work and is also one of the most famous native basketweavers of the 20th century.

This trap was made to capture woodpeckers. Their red feathers were used to decorate baskets and headdresses.

Glass beads and sedge root were used to make this Ohlone basket found under a bridge 20 - 30 years ago. Few of their baskets are left in the world because the Ohlones were decimated during the mission period, Klieger said.

This stuffed condor is on loan from the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Indian relics, native voices shine at California Museum

2011-03-16T04:18:48Z

Rare artifacts will be unveiled this month in a new exhibit documenting the culture and contributions of California's first people at the California Museum in Sacramento.

A huge stuffed condor from the Smithsonian, Modoc chief Captain Jack's buckskin jacket and a cape and arrowhead that belonged to Ishi, reputedly the last Native American to live a primitive life in California, will be showcased in "California Indians: Making A Difference," which opens March 31.

"We have some objects that have never been on exhibit before," said curator P. Christiaan Klieger, an anthropologist affiliated with the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. "It's not your typical sort of basket exhibit at all."

However, old and new baskets will be among the items on exhibit because California Indian basketweavers are recognized as some of the best weavers in the world. The exhibit includes what anthropologists have described as one of the finest baskets ever made – a 101-year-old basket made by a Washoe weaver named Dat So La Lee (also spelled Datso Lalee), who died in 1929, he said.

The exhibit will use more than 400 artifacts, photos, art, documents and multimedia presentations to tell stories of the peoples' early life, survival, adaptation and resilience. The displays include contemporary paintings by artists such as Frank La Pena, a local Wintu, and botanical specimens of foods still eaten by Indians.

Klieger and the museum put together a California native advisory panel with 12 elders, artists and other leaders from separate tribes to guide creation of the exhibit. The result is a collaboration that enables descendants of the state's first inhabitants to tell the stories of their people with their own voices.

At one time, more than 150 tribes or bands lived in the region that later became California. The exhibit being installed this week by the museum's crew represents more than 60 tribes from the coast, the Central Valley, the deserts and the lake and mountain region.

The displays include an interactive kiosk where visitors can hear eight native languages spoken and six video stations for an oral history project about life as a native person.

"We're directed by what native people themselves want to see in the exhibit," he said. "That's the only way we can be authentic about it these days."

The California Museum is one of only three museums in California whose collections and exhibits represent the entire state. The others are the Oakland Museum of California and the Autry National Center in Los Angeles.

The small State Indian Museum operates nearby at Sutter’s Fort, but the California Museum was established in the Capitol as the official state museum. This exhibit is being installed to add to the museum's diversity by documenting native peoples in a permanent exhibit, Klieger said.

More artifacts will be rotated into the 3,000-square-foot long-term exhibit next year. The museum provides a showcase for items from the California State Archives and borrows from other museums’ collections and individuals to create its exhibits.

"The exhibit was built to be expanded upon," said Brenna Hamilton, the museum's communications director. "There are so many tribes and so many stories, we can't tell all of them at the same time."

Museum visitors will soon have a chance to see the entire exhibit, including artifacts that are very hard to get.

Stuffed condors – which are important to many California tribes – are even more rare than the living creatures, with only a few museums in the world possessing condor specimens. A specimen with an approximately 13-foot wingspan is on loan from the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

"It's like a small airplane," Klieger said. "It's huge."

The collection also features a buckskin jacket once worn by Captain Jack, a famous chief who in 1873 lost the Modoc War, the last of the Indian wars in California or Oregon. The jacket has never been exhibited before.

A private collector has loaned the museum a cape that was worn by Ishi, the last Yahi clan member who followed the ways of his ancestors and lived in the wilds apart from European-American culture until 1911. He had survived in his tribe's homeland in the foothills near Lassen Peak until making contact with the outside world near Oroville.

Ishi, who was about 49, spent the last five years of his life at the University of California, San Francisco. The exhibit also contains an arrowhead Ishi made from a glass bottle and gave to a boy who was in a nearby hospital after breaking his leg. The boy grew up and died in World War II, but his widow kept the arrowhead. She gave it to the California Academy of Sciences in 1976.

A reception introducing the exhibit will be held for museum members from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on March 30. The museum, 1020 O St., is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday and noon - 5 p.m. Sundays. The cost is $8.50 for adults, $6 for youths and free for children 5 and under.

The curator and museum staff refer to the exhibit as "the native voice." As such, the exhibit's official name reflects the word native peoples use for themselves, rather than the term "Native Americans." The latter was used widely, starting in the 1970s and 1980s, by the majority culture, Klieger said.

"That was rejected soundly by the Native Americans," Klieger added. "They said, 'Call us Indians.' "

Editorial Note: The captions for the photos of corn and acorns have been corrected with information from the California Museum.

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Sacramento Community Dreams Big with Lilliput Children's Services

2010-09-29T19:21:56Z

As Harriet Tubman once said, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

On September 11th, as over 200 Sacramento community members gathered at the California Museum to celebrate the 30 years that Lilliput Children's Services has been serving the state's most vulnerable children and their families, Lilliput was humbled to remember exactly who they are helping and why. Founded in 1980, Lilliput is committed to building families and making dreams come true, and has completed over 4,500 adoptions for California foster children.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed food, wine and beer tastings that were donated by local restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed as they perused the beautiful artwork that was gifted by local artists for display and auction. The program was the highlight of the evening as Lilliput honored two special families, as well as a local business and nonprofit agency, for the difference they have made to our community.

The adoptive family that was honored has four children, all under the age of six, in their home. Their oldest three, now six, four and two, were all adopted from foster care with Lilliput's help. Their youngest, in their home for only 3 weeks now, is their middle child's sibling and is only 3 months old. Lilliput presented them with an "Adoptive Family Champions" recognition.

The kinship family that was honored is a family of six with five children in the home. The children were adopted by their great-aunt in 2006 and ranged in age from one year old twins to six when they first came into her home in 2002. Lilliput presented them with a "Kinship Family Champions" recognition.

The Metro Chamber's Leadership Sacramento Program was founded in 1985 and develops community-minded business and civic leaders. Lilliput makes it a priority for their executive leadership team to participate in the class and is sending their third through the program now. Lilliput was selected as the class project by the Class of 2008 and is ever so grateful for all that was done on the agency's behalf. Lilliput presented Leadership Sacramento with a "Local Business Hero" recognition, which was accepted by Shirley Smith, the Metro Chamber's Community Development Director.

KVIE Public Television continues to serve their mission of educating ,enriching, enlightening and inspiring diverse audiences and individuals with high quality television programming and related services that enhance the qualify of life for people throughout Northern California. KVIE and Lilliput began collaborating in 2008 thanks to the Leadership Sacramento Class Project. KVIE has been instrumental in helping to increase awareness about Lilliput's foster, adoption and kinship services by creating public service announcement and videos. KVIE in partnership with the Documentary Foundation facilitated the creation of the Dream Big video that was shown throughout the evening. Lilliput presented KVIE with a "Local Nonprofit Hero" recognition, which was accepted by Mike Sanford, KVIE's Vice President for Content Creation.

Dream Big was led by an event committee, Lilliput staff and the board of directors. Thanks to the time that these individuals volunteered as well as the numerous food, beverage, artwork and other in-kind donations, Lilliput was able to net over $22,000. All ticket sales, silent auction proceeds and the majority of event sponsorship dollars will go directly to Lilliput's services and did not host the event.

The support that was offered by the following, as well as those who attended, helps Lilliput to fulfill their mission - that every child deserves the opportunity for permanence in a safe and nurturing family - and to sustain services during these challenging economic times. By working together with those in the community, Lilliput can give children the chance to reach for the stars and make their own dreams come true. For more information about Lilliput, please visit www.Lilliput.org.

Dream Big Event Donors

SPONSORS - Visionary: Wells Fargo Bank Hero: Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, Union Bank Friend: Teichert / Stonebridge Properties, Kaiser Permanente, SMUD, Bank of the West, Laurellen Mattos of Vitek Mortgage

Food - California Pizza Kitchen, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Crawdad’s River Cantina, Giovanni’s Old World New York Pizzeria, Hoppy Brewing Company, Jack’s Urban Eats, Paesano’s Pronto, Raley’s Bel-Air—AFC Sushi, River City Cake Company, Sugar & Spice Specialty Desserts, Taylor’s Kitchen

Wine - Bogle Winery, Crew Wines, Middleton Family Wines, Scribner Bend Vineyards, Sean Minor Winery

Beer - Hoppy Brewing Company, Sudwerk Restaurant & Brewery

Beverage - La Bou, Norcal Beverages

Monetary ($500 & up) - C.C. Myers, Kasey & Sean Cotulla, Greg & Erin Levi, Muller & Associates

In-Kind Services - Crisp Catering (Joe Thompson), Documentary Foundation (Mimi Wilcox & Oscar Boido), DS Pictures (Diego Salazar), Jack Nadel International (Bruce Pettinari), Kathryn Scott, Leslie Colby, Linda Johnson, KVIE Public Television (Mike Sanford), Tom’s Printing (Robert Tom)

Artists - Leslie Colby, Linda Johnson, Marla Kolb, Gregory Kondos, Alan Post, Mary Sorrels

Auction Items - Bidwell Street Bistro, A Dash of Panache Tea Parlor, Discovery Museum, Esquire IMAX, Fairytale Town, Freshberry Frozen Yogurt Café, Granite Arch Climbing Center, Maloof Sports & Entertainment, Middleton Family Wines, The Moak Family, Perry Creek Winery, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Piatti Ristorante & Bar, Relish Burger, Roller King, The Sacramento Zoo, Sienna, Solomon Dubnick Gallery, Standing Room Only, Vintner’s Cellar Custom Winery

California Museum Hosts Kids Activities Weekly

2010-07-02T05:02:13Z

The California Museum launched its third annual Poppies, Butterflies and Bears Oh My! weekly summer program Wednesday.

The museum hosts an event offering hands-on art activities for children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday. The program will run through Aug. 18 and is free with admission to the museum.

“Each week we do a different craft or activity related to the state symbols,” said Erin Crump, museum education and programs associate. “This week we're panning for gold, relating to the Gold Rush and history but gold is also our state mineral.”

Visiting children use pans to search for gold flakes from a container filled with water and sediment.

“It offers parents and children an educational experience here at the museum,” Crump said. “They get to come see firsthand how miners panned for gold. They didn't have money back then, so they used gold flakes to barter for different things.”

Thirty children along with parents and guardians attended the event. Crump said an average of 25 to 50 children attend each week.

“(My children and I) came to the museum a couple months ago, and they really liked it,” Jenny Di Paolo of Elk Grove said. “We’re looking for activities to do this summer.”

Jenny Di Paolo brought her children Audrey, 7, and Albert, 9, to try panning for gold.

“Boy, I love this stuff,” Audrey said. “I found 10 grams!”

After the activity, children can go on a scavenger hunt through the museum led by an activity sheet on state symbols.

“Most people know about some of (the state symbols) like the grizzly bear,” Crump said. “But we talk about the lesser-known ones.”

Future events for Poppies, Butterflies and Bears Oh My!:

July 7: Create a Dragon
Related to the museum’s exhibit, “Under the Dragon.” A crafts project to create dragons in celebration of California’s diversity and history.
July 14: Find Fossils
Related to the state prehistoric artifact, the chipped stone bear. Children can bring in items they would like to have “fossilized.”
July 21: Design a State Seal
Children can design a state seal based on their perception of California today.
July 28: Quail Cuties
Children can learn more about the state bird and design quail puppets.
Aug. 4: Make a Bear Flag
The state flag and its evolution will be discussed. Children can design their own flags.
Aug. 11: Build a Log Cabin
An activity related to California history. “While it's not a state symbol, it kind of relates to California's pioneer heritage,” Crump said, “and all the miners who came over here for the Gold Rush and everything that kind of helped settle California back in the 1800s.”
Aug. 18: Plant a Redwood
Children may create their own redwood tree with stencil designs.

The California Museum is located at 1020 O St. Adult tickets cost $8.50. Seniors (65 and over) and college students with identification get in for $7. Children (6 to 13) get in for $6. Children 5 and under visit for free.
The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is open from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. (916) 653-7524.

Photos:

1) California Museum exterior.

2) Audrey and Albert Di Paolo pan for gold.

3) Audrey and Albert Di Paolo pan for gold.

Agnus-Dei Farrant is an intern for The Sacramento Press.

"The Purse and the Person" comes to Sacramento

2010-07-01T05:32:24Z

The California Museum will present "The Purse and the Person: A Century of Women's Purses," an exhibit dedicated to revealing the change of women's roles throughout history by the use and contents of purses.

Beginning Saturday and running through Sept. 26, "The Person and the Person" will be giving another look into the history of women.

“Purses provide a peek into history. This exhibit tells the story of what we took with us and why,” said Amanda Meeker, deputy director of The California Museum, located at 1020 O St.

This exhibit looks at purses from the contents inside to the outside design of the purses, connecting day-to-day life to the hidden artifacts women keep in their purses, according to the press release.

During the exhibit, the California Museum will also host a purse drive, the proceeds of which will be donated to St. John’s Shelter for Women & Children. Those who purchase a ticket and donate a new or slightly used purse will receive one free admission ticket. The "Bring a Purse, Bring a Friend" campaign runs through the month of July, according to the press release.

This exhibit is a part of a nine-city national tour over a three-year period, containing about 100 purses and hundreds of other artifacts and photographs, developed by Smith Kramer Fine Arts Services.

"The Purse and the Person" has been a part of many different museum's across the country for many years, including Texas' Women's Museum and South Carolina's State Museum.

The California Museum
1020 O St. in Sacramento
Open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.
Tickets: $8.50 for adults, $7.00 for seniors and students with I.D., $6.00 for kids ages 6-13 and free for kids under 6.

Photo courtsey of "The Purse and the Person."

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

Sacramento Celebrates Inaugural Harvey Milk Day Early

2010-05-14T03:47:05Z

The California Museum and the Harvey B. Milk Foundation came together to host "Harvey Milk - A Celebration!" Wednesday night. The event was an early celebration for California's inaugural Harvey Milk Day, May 22.

More than 500 people gathered at the museum at 7 p.m. for hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, music and special speakers including Milk's nephew and foundation founder, Stuart Milk. Two hundred of the guests attended a VIP reception and a private tribute in the museum's auditorium prior to the public celebration.

"We have, in California, amazing elected officials who clearly stand on the shoulders of Harvey, who follow his legacy and his dream for a new tomorrow," Milk said. "Many of them are with us here tonight."

Celebrity guests included Bruce Cohen, Daniela Sea, Chad Allen, Jeremy Glazer and Christine O'Leary. Political guests included Speaker of the Assembly John Perez; Assemblyman Tom Ammiano; Senator Christine Kehoe; Senator Mark Leno; City Commissioner of San Diego Nicole Murray-Ramirez; Milk's campaign manager Anne Kronenberg and former Assemblyman and Chair of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Legislative Caucus John Laird.

The VIP reception was held from 5:30-7 p.m. A "Tribute to Harvey" was held in the museum's auditorium for VIP guests from 6:30-8 p.m. Milk, Kronenberg and Perez spoke during the tribute. A portion of Patricia Loughrey's play, "Dear Harvey," was featured. It was originally presented at the end of last year by the San Diego State University's (SDSU) School of Theatre. The play is composed of first-person stories about Harvey from people he knew.

Proceeds from ticket sales went to the foundation.

The nonprofit foundation was established this year by Stuart Milk. According to the foundation's website, it "envisions governments that celebrate the rich and universally empowering diversity of humanity, where all individuals - gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, the young, the disabled - all who had been excluded can fully participate in all societal rights without exception."

Harvey Milk was an LGBT activist and the first openly gay person elected to public office in a major U.S. city. He won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Harvey and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by Dan White the morning of Nov. 27, 1978.

During the VIP "Tribute to Harvey," Stuart Milk explained that the idea of the foundation came to him last year. Harvey was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom award posthumously, and Stuart Milk was one of three people accepting the award on behalf of someone. Those three and the 13 award recipients were gathered in the Map Room of The White House, alone with the President and First Lady for 90 minutes.

"Some of the inductees were talking with me about Harvey and his message," Stuart Milk said. "Desmond Tutu looked me dead in the eye and said, 'Stuart, what are you doing to continue your uncle's legacy?' And I said that for 10 years I've been traveling and speaking at no charge to support LGBT organizations and speak at memorials.

"I've been working hard to represent the family. And he and Dr. Joseph Lowery, they all almost in unison said, 'You must do more.' Every civil rights movement has unfortunately had a martyr or someone who has deceased who moved the movement forward, a person whose shoulders people can stand on based on their story and continue their legacy. And they challenged me to move it forward."

Harvey Milk was inducted into the California Museum's Hall of Fame in 2009. His image is among other inductees in the museum's entryway, and there is an exhibit of him further inside the museum.

"What I would like to see is the Harvey B. Milk Foundation get off the ground to raise a lot of money to spread the work and message of Harvey," Kronenberg said. "He was such a visionary. (The message is) not just to us who already know, but across the country and across the world that being gay is OK. Equality is what it's all about. And pushing the message that we are all the same."

"People can go on the foundation's website and explore some of the links. There's a lot of international links, and you can see how Harvey's story has resonated," Stuart Milk said. "Look at the exhibit and see the continuation of Harvey's legacy. A lot of the exhibit is about Harvey's message carrying on and not just about his message of that time, which took incredible strength in the 1960s. It took tremendous strength to not only be out, but to be so openly out. We really don't have that many people like that today."

Stuart Milk said it was difficult to come out as a gay person himself, even with Harvey in his life.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 572 into law on Oct. 11, recognizing every May 22 as Harvey Milk Day. Public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to conduct commemorative exercises on that day.

The second annual San Diego Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast will be held on May 21. Organizers in San Francisco will be holding the first San Francisco Harvey Milk Diversity Brunch on May 22.

"We're expecting a couple hundred people, and Stuart is our keynote speaker," said T.J. Istvan, a San Francisco Diversity Brunch organizer. "Kronenberg will be there, Dan Nicoletta and Nicole Murray-Ramirez will be there. It's going to be a pretty historic day, and I'm very excited."

"I travel the world talking about Harvey in places like Istanbul, Mumbai and Damascus, where (the LGBT) community is being murdered," Stuart Milk said, "and where our very existence is illegal. Harvey's message not only reaches those individuals being persecuted, but it reaches lawmakers and legislatures. When 75 percent of the LGBT population lives in a community run by a governmental structure that basically says they have no rights, we must continue to do something. President Obama said it best: 'He only spoke for a short time before he was silenced with hate.' But his message resonates three decades longer with an authenticity and a truth far beyond the shores of the U.S."

The California Museum is located at 1020 O St. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Adult tickets cost $8.50. Seniors 65 and over get in for $7. Youths ages 6 to 13 get in for $6. Children 5 and younger visit for free.

Photos:

1) Harvey Milk represented in the California Museum's entryway Hall of Fame.

2) Stuart Milk speaking during the VIP "Tribute to Harvey."

3) Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus performed during the reception.

4) Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus performing during the reception among guests.

5) The Harvey Milk exhibit in the California Museum's Hall of Fame.

Agnus-Dei Farrant is an intern for The Sacramento Press.

Sacramento to Host: Harvey Milk-A Celebration!

2010-04-21T17:17:19Z

The Harvey B. Milk Foundation and Founder, Stuart Milk, invites you to the Harvey Milk-A Celebration! on May 12th, 2010 at The California Museum.

Sacramento will host an event to launch the new Harvey B. Milk Foundation and to celebrate the first ever “Harvey Milk Day” – thanks to the California State Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s enactment of SB 572 last year, which declares every May 22nd Harvey Milk Day.

"The mission of the Harvey B. Milk Foundation, a not-for profit charitable organization, is to provide opportunities that lift up the LGBT community along with other marginalized communities. The foundation will preserve, promote and apply the legacy and universal values of civil rights leader Harvey B. Milk."

Join Stuart Milk; Anne Kronenberg; Speaker of the California Assembly, John A. Pérez; actress from Showtime’s “The L Word,” Daniela Sea; actor Chad Allen and many more!

More event information:

VIP Reception from 5:30pm-7:30pm, featuring – Cost: $250 per ticket
- Guest celebrities to perform in a “Tribute to Harvey,” based on the award winning play “Dear Harvey.”
- Open bar and hors d'oeuvres.
- Entrance into The California Museum to view the Harvey Milk 2009 California Hall of Fame exhibit.
- Admission to Harvey Milk-A Celebration!
- Limited edition Harvey Milk-A Celebration! event poster.

Harvey Milk-A Celebration! from 7:00pm-10:00pm, featuring – Cost: $50 per ticket
- Reception will be held in The California Museum Courtyard at the Constitution Wall.
- Open beer and wine bar and hors d’oeuvres.
- Performance by the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus.
- Speeches by: Stuart Milk, Anne Kronenberg, and other celebrity guests.
- Entrance into The California Museum featuring the Harvey Milk Exhibit, and a limited edition Harvey Milk-A Celebration! event poster.

Image details: 1). Harvey Milk with fellow advocates. 2). Harvey Milk-A Celebration! event poster. 3). Harvey Milk art

Go to the website for regular updates and VIP guest additions!
To learn more about Harvey Milk – A Celebration!
Web: www.harveymilkcelebration.com
Email: info@harveymilkcelebration.com
Phone: 916.443.3896

Day at the Museum: Come Celebrate, Honor and Meet California’s Remarkable Women—All Day Long

2010-02-17T22:34:32Z

On Thursday, March 4th, California First Lady Maria Shriver and The Women’s Conference are partnering with The California Museum to celebrate National Women’s History Month with an extraordinary all-day free event – Day at The Museum. The California Museum will be open for a free day of education, inspiration and empowerment.

Plus, we'll have a number of special guests including astronaut Sally Ride, environmental activist Erin Brockovich, and Iron Chef Cat Cora. It's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

(This is a great opportunity for all those who have been unable to make it to The Women's Conference in Long Beach. Tickets sell out fast, the trip is a bit of a committment from Sacramento, etc. But, the event is here! In downtown Sacramento! A free open house version of The Women's Conference is AMAZING in my book.)

All are invited to drop in at any time during the day and to bring friends, family and colleagues. You - women, sisters, mothers, girlfriends, and men (yes, men can come too!) - will have an opportunity to meet and be inspired by the many remarkable women who have shaped – and are continuing to shape – our state through arts, sports, public service, business, literature, cuisine and philanthropy.

The event will begin early with an old fashioned Meet-and-Greet over coffee, as attendees will have the opportunity to meet California's women elected officials. Included in some of those officials are Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass and SF District Attorney Kamala Harris.

The California Museum’s Minerva Award Exhibit and Minerva Arts Project will then come to life, as the public will be able to meet and hear from a number of recipients of The Minerva Awards, which are given by Maria Shriver every October at The Women’s Conference. Many of these inspiring women are pioneers and trailblazers in various professions who are serving on the front-lines of humanity with programs created to combat poverty, addiction, homelessness and other social ills and challenges.

The Minerva Arts Project will be unveiled with an exhibit of over 20 Minerva quilts made by girls in juvenile detention centers, some of whom will be represented at the opening.

Throughout the day, The California Museum will be filled with inspiring California women speaking about their lives and work – authors signing books, chefs demonstrating their skills, filmmakers showing their works, musicians performing and artists exhibiting their pieces.

In the afternoon, the First Lady's Office will be hosting a dessert reception to announce a special partnership with Talbots to support our women in uniform by distributing gift cards for professional attire as these soldiers return from service overseas and embark on civilian life.

At around 5:30 p.m., Maria Shriver will moderate one of her hallmark “Once in a Lifetime Conversations.”

All these activities will revolve around the many exhibits on display at The California Museum, which include California’s Remarkable Women, the California Hall of Fame, Native California Baskets, Uprooted—Japanese American internment during World War II, African American Treasures and California Canines.

Program updates and exciting announcements will be posted here, so keep check back for more information! We hope to see you there!

A Day At the Museum Details:

Date: March 4th, 2010
Time: 7:30am to 7:30pm
Location: The California Museum, 1020 O Street • Sacramento, CA 95814
Parking: All-day parking is available for $5.00: 2311 6th Street, Sacramento CA 95818
(Located between 6th and 8th Streets, and W and X Streets in downtown Sacramento, ¼ mile from the Museum.) A free shuttle service will run between the lot and The Museum.

For more information and program updates, please visit http://www.californiamuseum.org/

'Under the Dragon' at the California Museum

2010-01-29T18:12:32Z

Suspended from a wall, a Chinese dragon's red eyes peer into mine. Its multicolored head sways playfully, side to side, up and down, mechanical tongue wagging while dancing with glimmering sequins.

To the left of the 5-foot dragon head, a small circular Chinese Moon Gate welcomes me into a new exhibit I've been invited to tour several days before opening. I vaguely remember viewing similar scenery my first time outside of California.

My mind wanders back to 1990, age 5, learning the lion dance in the streets of southern China. I complain to Mother how I'm the only Chinese American Jew in all of China. I miss my Californian friends of many different races.

I walk past a rope, a ladder and a tarp before passing through the Moon Gate. Beyond the gate, the dragon's bright orange, red and green tail continues, 150 feet long, weaving in and out of photographs printed on sailcloth suspended from the ceiling. It's as if all the people in the photographs are holding up the tail.

The photographs feature faces like mine, the faces of other multicultural Californians. It's here I realize it seems silly being a Californian in The California Museum, looking at a to-be-constructed exhibit about other people like me.

The exhibit is called "Under the Dragon: California's New Culture," based on a book by the same name written by Lonny Shavelson and Fred Setterberg. The book and museum serve the same purpose: Each section tells the story of a subject immersed in a stereotype-busting activity, photos capturing moments that lead to a visual anomaly.

Though the book mainly captures people and events in the Bay Area, a prominent section about Mien Americans highlights students at UC Davis. Another section focuses on a photo shoot along the banks of the Sacramento River.

Back in the exhibit, I'm surprised to see nearly 25 cultures represented. More cultures lie on the ground on 6-foot-long strips of sailcloth. I also see Californians adopting other cultures: a Mexican Muslim, a black cowboy, a Filipina Hindu. In another room are an Aztec Catholic, an American in a Balinese orchestra, and a Chinese man and a rabbi — both in sombreros.

It takes me back to the scene that first gave the authors the idea for the book: an annual Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. A sudden cloudburst hit, interrupting the parade. The only refuge for the gatherers was under the 200-foot tail of a Chinese dragon. Under the dragon, together with the Chinese, the authors walked alongside Russians, Samoans, African Americans and Latinos through the streets of San Francisco.

Under the Dragon's thesis comes out in the second section: "Ethnicity, nationality, culture and religion persistently intersect, overlap, startle and confuse. The Bay Area has leapt out of the melting pot and into the fire — where the new America is being forged."

The authors further investigate the lives of a handful of people, whose actions and unlikely alliances provide "momentary annulments of hostilities, grievances, and even traditions itself." But equally important, the authors spotlight other Californians who stay at home, or in homogenous communities where they only mingle with people of their own race.

I called up Shevelson to ask if the dragon was intended as a metaphor for the Bay Area, all of California, or the whole nation.

He explained that the book was not intended as a metaphor for the United States, but as a preview of what we can look forward to as other states become more diverse.

"California was one of the first states, if you exclude Hawaii, that crossed the minority/majority threshold," he said. "What that means is that if you add up all of the cultural groups, none of them — including anglos — make up more than 50 percent of the population."

I can't help but think of how well the book characterizes California as I wait in line to spend $25 on "Under The Dragon" at the museum's gift shop. A busload of elementary school children from Elk Grove are in line in front of me. Their diversity reminds me that South Sacramento contains a number of neighborhoods with, among others, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mien, Hmong, Latinos, African Americans, all living next to each other.

Saturday, Jan. 30 through Friday, July 30. California Museum, 1020 O St. $8, $7 college students/seniors, $6 children.

Photographs 4 and 5 credit Lonny Shevelson

Costumed characters promote California Museum's 'Out of this World' exhibit

2009-10-01T03:49:15Z

Halloween came to Sacramento early Wednesday morning as a group of six local science fiction lovers marched downtown dressed in Klingon, Death Star Trooper and Sith Lord costumes. Dozens of children and sci-fi fans flocked to take photographs and speak with the costumed characters.

Others gawked, laughed and one child even cried as they meandered from the California Museum down K Street and past the Capitol to Cesar Chavez Plaza.

The march was organized to promote The California Museum's new sci-fi exhibit "Out of this World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television," which will run from Oct. 3 to Jan. 10. It will feature more than 50 props and costumes from some of Hollywood's most memorable sci-fi films.

Among some of the exhibit's main attractions are the Darth Vader robe and cape from Star Wars, the leather jacket worn by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.

Besides viewing these items, visitors will also learn how clothing designers and artists came up with ideas for the costumes and props, according to Ashley Robinson, the California Museum's communications manager.

Mark Lin, normally a business analyst in Elk Grove, was dressed as a death star trooper from Star Wars. He and another costumed storm trooper represent part of a group called the 501st Legion, a group of friends who dress up as villains from the Star Wars movies, Lin said.

Besides comic book and sci-fi conventions, the 501st Legion attends the Rose Parade and even visits children at Shriner's Hospital and the Salvation Army. Lin mentioned that he is looking forward to some of the older sci-fi costumes at the upcoming exhibit, especially the jumpsuit, proton pack and utility belt from Ghostbusters.

Three other costumed sci-fi fans were part of a Sacramento Klingon Assault Group (KAG) called "Ikvnomhegh," which means "swift death," said Chris Mumma, a KAG officer. Mumma wore a Klingon warrior costume from Star Trek complete with a plastic "bat'leth" or "sword of honor."

KAG "Ikvnomhegh" member Julio Alcala was also dressed as a Klingon, but in a plainer costume from the original Star Trek series. He mentioned that sometimes locals must travel as far as Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas to attend sci-fi or comic conventions.

After displaying an uncanny vocal impression of a Wookie from Star Wars, Alcala added that he was looking forward viewing the black leather jacket that Arnold Schwarzenneger wore in The Terminator at the exhibit.

Another KAG members, Von Bean, dressed as a female Sith Lord from Star Wars. Unlike others, she sewed the costume herself, she said.

David Mello, not affiliated with any costume group, dressed up as Fourth Who, which he explained was the fourth incarnation of Dr. Who from the BBC series "Dr. Who." Recently back from San Diego's Comic-Con, Mello blogs about movies under the pen name Impaler General.

Mello said he is excited about the variety at the Out of this World exhibit. "Even if one person is a drawn to a [specific] genre, they will look at others," he said.

"[By] putting sci-fi costumes in the same gallery space as the Lincoln exhibit, the museum will be able to reach people with different interests," Robinson added. Besides being for sci-fi fans, it's also for people who love movies or costume design in general, she said.

California Museum members will get a sneak preview of the exhibit this Thursday at 6 p.m. during a members-only preview reception. In addition to being able to party in the Star Wars cantina and eat from a table based on the monkey brains scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the gatherers will also participate in a costume competition.

Prizes include a round-trip ticket from United Airlines, a resort package from Le Rivage and Scott's Seafood Grill and Bar and four tickets to see "Star Wars: In Concert" which takes place Oct. 9 and 10 at Arco Arena. Non-members can attend the preview by signing up at the door, calling (916)-653-1752 or visiting Californiamuseum.org/membership.

The California Museum is located at 1020 O St.

Lincoln exhibit's hours extended

2009-08-12T03:04:00Z

Due to the immense popularity of The California Museum's With Malice Toward None: Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibit, visiting hours will be extended to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the original 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The extended hours apply to the last 10 days of the exhibit, from Aug. 13 to Aug. 23.

When museum staff observed the high turnout, they wanted to give potential visitors more opportunity, so the extended hours and the extra day of Aug. 23 were added.

"No one's complained about lines or overcrowding—we just noticed that crowds were gathering at 9:30 a.m. to get in, and people have stayed in the museum right up until we close the door at 5 p.m," said California Museum Communication Manager, Ashley S. Robinson.

The exhibit has seen an influx of 27,000 guests in the past six weeks, said Robinson. She said it has averaged to about 600 people per day, which is an extraordinary number for the museum. The Lincoln exhibit's popularity has been beneficial to both the museum and its visitors.

"If it's too crowded, [visitors] might have checked out the rest of the museum," Robinson said. "A lot of the people who are coming to the exhibit have never even been to the museum before. So this has been a great opportunity for them to check out what other kinds of programs and exhibits they can see here."

Pieces of the exhibit that have generated interest among those visiting have been the inaugural Bible, which President Barack Obama used during his initiation ceremony, as well as the contents of Lincoln's pockets the night he was assassinated. An artifact that has been surprisingly well-received, Robinson said, is First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln's jewelery.

"It's from Tiffany's and they are pearls," Robinson said. "I think people were expecting a lot of documents, and here is this beautiful jewelry. At one point she spent $2,000 on a gown; we converted [the monetary amount] and it's the equivalent of $46,000 today. People don't know that much about Mary Todd, so it is cool for them to see that little bit of her."

This Saturday the California Museum will hold a free admission day for Wells Fargo members. Visitors should bring their Wells Fargo ATM cards to receive a free day of exhibit-combing.

Robinson said on average the exhibit takes about two hours to view. The largest crowds are in the mornings, she said, and recommended anytime after noon as a less congested time.

For more information and for future California Museum exhibits click here.
The California Museum is located at 1020 O Street.

All images courtesy of the Library of Congress.

California Museum hosts only West Coast stop for Lincoln exhibit

2009-06-23T23:41:29Z

What did the nation's 16th beloved president have in his pockets the night he was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in April 1865? Starting Wednesday, a visit to the California Museum will provide the public with a rare opportunity to see such artifacts with a naked eye.

After its premiere in Washington, DC beginning February 12, the Library of Congress art exhibit With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition was scheduled to show in five locations on its national tour, with the California Museum being the only stop on the West Coast.

The exhibition marks the bicentennial birth of the 16th president, its focus expanding beyond Lincoln’s presidency, capturing the years leading up to his presidency and the social unrest that occurred throughout his lifetime, covering the struggle for civil liberties and the Civil War. The exhibit also provides onlookers with a very humanizing perspective of Lincoln's character as an individual.

Sacramento media got the first glimpse of the exhibit at the California Museum Tuesday morning. The exhibition was opened a day early to the press for a guided tour with the museum's deputy director Amanda Meeker and William Jacobs, Chief of the Interpretive Programs Office at the Library of Congress.

The exhibit itself includes 200 artifacts reflecting Abraham Lincoln’s life, including the Bible used for Lincoln's 1861 inauguration -- which President Obama used for his own oath of office -- a rocking chair from Lincoln's days spent as a practicing attorney in Springfield, the Emancipation Proclamation and other documents written by his hand, as well as personal belongings, including his pocket contents from the night he was assassinated.

Two pairs of glasses, one of which he had repaired with thread, were among the items found in his pocket, along with a pocketknife.

Jacobs stopped in front of a map and chart display, showing the 13-day route between the president's burial in Springfield and Washington, DC.

"There was such an outpouring of grief following Lincoln's assassination," he explained. He pointed to a illustration of people mourning Lincoln's death and noted "the heart-rending expressions of grief expressed."

Jacobs pointed out another significant piece, the first bronze casting of plaster modeled for a life mask of Lincoln two months before his assassination. "It shows [the] drain on his physical well-being as a result of the Civil War."

Meeker told press one of the objects she finds most interesting is Lincoln's copy of Kirkham's grammar book. Meeker explained that with less than a year of formal education, the president used the book as a tool to educate himself and "became one of America's greatest orators."

On the other side of the room, Meeker and Jacobs identified Lincoln's collection of newspaper cutouts, namely from the Lincoln and Douglas debates, which he pasted onto pages of a small book. Jacobs said that the president used the collection as a quick reference guide to people's thoughts on issues, "much like a Blackberry or an iPhone." Careful viewing beneath the display glass shows Lincoln's handwriting in the margins of the clippings.

Media stations are located throughout the exhibition to provide observers more insight on the artifacts with audio-visual presentations.

An evening reception is scheduled for museum members at the museum’s Constitution Courtyard this evening with First Lady Maria Shriver, Congressman Dan Lungren and Dr. Henry Louis "Skip" Gates, Jr., Harvard University professor and Lincoln scholar, in attendance.

With Malice Toward None will remain on display at the California Museum through August 22. After August 22 the exhibition will be shown in Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska and Georgia.

For information on the Museum’s hours, location and other exhibits, visit this link.

For more information on Malice Toward None, see this link.

Photo Credit: Images 1 through 5 courtesy of California Museum, photos 6 through 11 by Jenn Walker.

California duck stamp exhibition opens Monday

2009-06-01T05:48:20Z

An exhibition of 37 California state duck stamps opens Monday at the California Museum in downtown Sacramento.

California has used original artwork for its duck stamp program since 1971—beginning with the artwork of Paul Johnson—when it developed the first state duck program in the nation, said deputy museum director Amanda Meeker.

Hunters are required to buy the stamps and put them on their licenses, and the resulting funds are used for conservation of wetlands and geese and duck habitats, explained Meeker. She said that the program has raised $22 million since its inception.

Between 1971 and 1977, and 1995 to 2008, the Department of Fish and Game commissioned artwork for the stamps, according to Meeker. However, between 1978 and 1994, she said artwork was chosen from the state duck stamp competition.

The renowned competition was held again for the first time in 15 years on Wednesday for the 2009-2010 California state duck stamp, won by Indiana artist Jeffrey Klinefelter.

The artwork from every year’s stamp—not including this year’s—will be on display at the museum.

The exhibition is in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Game; it will run through September 20.

The California Museum is located on 1020 O Street, and its hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

Admission is $8.50 for adults, $7 for students and seniors with valid I.D., $6 for children ages 6 to 13, and free for children ages 5 and under.

You can visit the California Museum website here.

To read more about this year’s California duck stamp competition, visit this link.

*Author’s Note: Accompanying image is 1997 California duck stamp by artist Robert Steiner, courtesy of the CA Department of Fish & Game.

(Free) Family Fun Day at California Museum

2009-04-23T16:09:17Z

Live snakes, bats and a desert tortoise named Shelly - these animals will slither, fly and crawl their way around the California Museum on Saturday, April 25.

Inspired by Earth Month and Earth Day, Family Fun Day will have the theme "California's Critters and Crawlers."

From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., families and individuals will be able to enter the museum for free and view any of the regular exhibits as well as build crafts, learn about animals and view some endangered and threatened species. The goal is "to learn more about California's natural diversity," said Ashley Robinson, the museum's communications manager.

Emceeing the event will be Francie Dillon, a children's entertainer who will be singing and dancing as well. Interactive booths manned by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cosumnes River Preserve and Save Our Sandhill Cranes will be displaying things to touch, smell and play with, Robinson said.

Isabella Powers, a local, ten-year-old animal enthusiast, fifth grader, and host of Isabella's Animal Show on the Access Sacramento channel, expressed her interest in the Family Fun Day. "Of course I would want to go to the museum - because there are animals," she said.

In addition to learning about these endangered and threatened animals, "hopefully [visitors] can learn ways to protect these animals. There are simple things we can do to help get them off the [threatened and endangered] list," said Shelly Atkinson, the museum's education and programs manager.

The desert tortoise, California’s official reptile, has been on the Federal Threatened and Endangered Species List since 1980, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Department of Fish and Game will be displaying Shelly, the tortoise, all day.

Live bats will also be displayed, thanks to a woman from NorCalBats, an organization "dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of bats throughout Northern California," according to their website.

"They are not endangered or threatened, but they are considered an animal of concern,” Atkinson said. “Here's an animal that some people may not think is cute and cuddly, but they play an important role in the ecosystem, and without them, bad things can happen."

To round out the lineup of animals, Sacramento Zoo will arrive at 1 p.m. with a red tail hawk, a gopher snake and another desert tortoise.

Atkinson stressed that everything is free - parking, museum admittance, arts and crafts and entertainment. "It's a great way for families to have a great time together learning about California and its animals. The rest of the museum is also open for free," she said.

"You get to learn more about animals seeing them in real life" said Powers, who has one mole, one dog, two Bombay cats, five tree frogs and 11 hamsters.

Powers added, "I also want to say about polar bears: stop global warming. Global warming is melting the ice, and polar bears don't have a place or home [to swim to] so they just keep swimming."

The museum is located at 1020 O Street, on the corner of 10th and O Streets.