Participants in Thursday’s Community Conversations discussion expressed that a community’s success rests on the shoulders of its citizens. About nine people gathered around a table at Old Soul at 40 Acres to engage in a civic discussion centered around the question; “What should government do for you?” Facilitator Brian Fischer prefaced the meeting’s purpose by saying, “the most important thing is to listen and learn from each other.” Community Conversations organizers are hoping to create an open forum where citizens of all stripes can engage one another in a thoughtful discussion that would help improve the quality of life in Sacramento communities. Thursday’s meeting was Community C

Sacramento residents meeting at the second session of Community Conversations Tuesday night gave their suggestions for dealing with the current Sacramento budget crisis, with ideas ranging from eliminating parks and recreation programs to more spending on prisons and education. “Budget Cuts: What are we willing to do without and what are we willing to do about the rest?” was the question posed for the second of eight Community Conversations - one in each City Council district - sponsored by The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Region Community Foundation and Capital Public Radio. It was a striking question that produced several different thoughts from members of the Sacramento community. Ten S

"Community Conversations" will return July 13 to coffee houses all over Sacramento. The conversations are put on by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, Capital Public Radio and The Sacramento Bee with the goal of bringing neighborhood residents together for civil discussion, learning each other's different perspectives on local issues. Community Conversations began last month offering residents the chance to speak with fellow neighbors in coffee houses in areas such as Natomas, North Sacramento, Midtown, Land Park, Oak Park, College/Glen, Pocket Area and South Sacramento. Each location has one facilitator who keeps the dialogue flowing all while ensuring the house rules are follow