A great idea emanating from a dream is a familiar theme. Erik Jorgensen, 32, can trace his current project, and what he describes as "the best experience of his life" to just this. Although the idea was his, the dream was his mom's. In early 2000, Jorgensen was visiting home from college. During that visit, his mom, Gale, woke up one morning unusually happy. Jorgensen inquired about her mood and she said that she had just had the best dream about him. Jorgensen's mom said that in her dream he was helping a lot of people. When he asked what he was doing, she told him that she wasn't going to tell him, but wanted him to know that this is what she wanted from him, that this is what makes her

On Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., approximately 2,000 members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) gathered on the west steps of the Capitol in a powerful end to Tuesday's outcry rally over the state’s budget decisions, which would cut the salaries of state workers by 15 percent. A giant screen was set up to project the image of the speakers. Tents were scattered providing first aid, food and information on how to contact the governor. Participants sat on the grass and milled around, but once Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker took the stage, most remained standing to listen intently to her words. Walker addressed SEIU's grievances with the state legislature's handling of the bu

It’s 9:43 a.m. Saturday, June 20, and the participants of the 2009 Sacramento Pride Parade are still stationary; onlookers begin to gather on L Street alongside Capitol Park. Winding her way through the various spectators, Sacramento native Rose Brun passes out flowers. “I’ve been doing this since 1974,” she says, doling out a cala lily, “When I was younger, friends lost their jobs by being gay, but every year it gets better. Stuff like this brings us together. We need to break down barriers. ” Breaking down barriers—a lot of balloons, music, dancing and good vibrations—seemed to be one of the parade’s objectives as it made its way from L Street through the downtown district to Sacrament