Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "event"

Love means never having to say your sorry, but just in case...

2012-02-06T18:23:51Z

When it comes to the most romantic day of the year, traditional gifts of roses and heart shaped boxes of candy still dominate the market, but for those ladies and gentlemen looking for a more unique way to show their affection, consider the gift of food and fun by giving your special someone tickets to the Sacramento Chef Challenge.

Tickets are only $25 each and include:
• Chef Challenge competition
• Gourmet food sampling
• Wine and Beer tasting
• Cake War presented by Cakegrrl.com
• Live Music
• Raffle and Silent Auction Prizes

“When you’ve celebrated 30 Valentine’s Days together it can be difficult to find a really special gift,” says Rancho Cordova resident Linda Allen, “I was truly surprised when I received tickets to the Chef Challenge from my husband last year for Valentine’s Day– it was such a unique gift. It was actually like getting two gifts, because I got to attend the event and spend time with him!”

Valentine’s Day is a chance for everyone to spread the love, which includes friends and co-workers. Even business owners can show their employees and VIP customers how much they care by giving the gift of culinary excellence. Sacramento Chef Challenge tickets make it simple to express appreciation for customer loyalty or employees’ hard work, and there is the added benefit of community support, because 100% of proceeds from the event go to benefit programs for people with developmental disabilities.

For tickets and more visit www.chefevent.com or call 916-381-1300 x170.

Chocolate melts and roses wither, but memories remain. So, make some great ones at the 1oth Annual Sacramento Chef Challenge!

The Sacramento Chef Challenge is the annual benefit for INALLIANCE, a nonprofit organization that provides support to people with developmental disabilities. This event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors: AtMyTable.com, Cakegrrl.com, CC Myers Inc. Charitable Foundation, Cuisine Noir Magazine, Downtown Grid, EarthSmart, GFBB Benefits, Preferred Meats, Yelp, and 101.9 The Wolf.

Disclosure: Jessica Bean is an employee of INALLIANCE.

Using Social Media for Genealogy

2012-02-02T19:34:47Z

Social media such as Facebook and Twitter can be a wealth of information for the family historian. Oftentimes the information discovered using these new tools is not available in standard research repositories, such as archives and courthouses, or on websites. Learn more at the Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society program on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. Guest speaker Lorenzo Cuesta will provide examples of great finds others have made using social media for genealogical research and provide step-by step instructions to get you started with Facebook and Twitter. Free, visitors welcome. 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse 6921 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights. Contact Sandi Benward 916-412-3511. More about Root Cellar on our website or our blog.

Disclosure: I have been a member of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society for four years. Currently, I serve as the Publicity Chairperson and member of the Technology Committee. Want to start our family tree? Contact me at rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

CROCKER ART MUSEUM & ACCESS SACRAMENTO present - "A Place Called Sacramento" - Thursday 6:30 PM

2012-01-31T06:28:49Z

Access Sacramento is excited to kick off PCS 2012, our thirteenth year, on this Thursday February 2nd at the wonderful Crocker Art Museum. If you would like an opportunity to see all 10 films on the big screen in the museum's theatre, now's your chance. It's a one night only event and rare chance to see all the films from 2011 together again. We hope to see you there!

The Crocker Art is pleased to present an encore screening of the 2011 "Place Called Sacramento" film festival. Friends of Access Sacramento, PCS filmmakers and fans are invited to celebrate, again, the 10 short films first premiered last October at the Crest Theatre.

Crocker Art Museum

216 O Street

Thursday February 2, 2012

Show starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: $4 for Crocker Members

Advance tickets: Non-member $8.00 (online at crockerartmuseum.org or Admission Desk)

At the door: Non-members $10.00

"A Place Called Sacramento" (PCS), is the original, local scriptwriting and short film production project for local writers and producers. PCS challenges local scriptwriters, new and experienced, to write 10-minute scripts about the people, places, and events that make our community such a unique place to live (entry forms and submission guidelines are available online at www.AccessSacramento.org. The deadline for script submission is 5pm Tuesday April 10, 2012 in the Access Sacramento office. The Crocker screening serves as the official launch of the 13th annual "PCS" production process.

Want to know more about making a movie this summer? Do you have a good story but need to write a script? All scripts entered are reviewed by local professionals and 10 are selected. These 10 scriptwriter/producers are then introduced to volunteers, actors and technicians at The PCS "Cast and Crew Call" Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Production teams are formed and shooting - editing commences during the summer months. Finally, after weeks of hard work and great fun, friends gather at the World Premiere to a packed house at the CREST Theatre 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 7, 2012. All films are family friendly. The PCS production process is unique to Sacramento.

To view the films completed for the 2011 & previous PCS film festivals, go to the web site www.AccessSacramento.org. In the twelve years of PCS, over 119 short films have been created.

Access Sacramento is a nonprofit, community media organization building better communications between individuals and groups in Sacramento County for 25 years. With our TV studio, radio and television production equipment, media lab, and mobile production truck, we train and manage volunteers, programming cable radio and television channels 17 & 18.

CONTACT: Ron Cooper, Executive Director, Access Sacramento

4623 T Street, Suite A - Sacramento, CA. 95819

(916) 456-8600 ext. 112

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Sacramento Undy 5000 5k to Kick Off Colon Cancer Awareness Month

2012-01-30T22:33:45Z

The Undy 5000 5K Run/Walk to fight colon cancer is coming to Sacramento for the first time ever. It will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, at William Land Park, kicking off March, which is also Colon Cancer Awareness Month. The event is one of three Undy 5000 races in March. Participants are encouraged to run in their underwear as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the area affected by colon cancer.

“We wanted to have a great start to Colon Cancer Awareness Month,” said Todd Setter, National Undy 5000 Event Director. “We know Sacramento will be a great host for the region’s first Undy 5000 event. A portion of the funds raised from the 2012 Sacramento Undy 5000 will be given to our Community Health Partner, the California Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C4), to provide colon cancer screening and treatment programs for residents in need.”

The Sacramento Undy 5000 will feature the Colon Cancer Alliance’s (CCA) Inflatable Colon, which is a giant, walk-through colon that shows the various stages of colon cancer, including descriptions about Crohn’s disease and Colitis.

The Undy 5000 will be held in 16 cities across the country this year to educate the public about colon cancer, promote screenings and encourage people to talk about the disease. Instead of raceday T-shirts, all registered participants receive a commemorative pair of Undy 5000 boxers. It is a family-friendly event open to all ages, and in addition to the 5K, there is a 1-mile fun run. The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA), the nation’s largest and oldest patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colon cancer, hosts the event.

Created by the CCA in 2008, the Undy 5000 stresses the importance of timely colon cancer screenings, early detection, and provides valuable information for those already affected by the disease. Event proceeds help fund the CCA’s patient support and public awareness programs.

Boehringer Ingelheim, the maker of Dulcolax®*, is the proud presenting sponsor of the 2012 Undy 5000 races. As the #1 doctor-recommended stimulant for constipation relief, Dulcolax ® reminds everyone over the age of 50 or with a family history of colon cancer, that a colonoscopy can save lives.

Disclosure: Me Communications provides services to the Colon Cancer Alliance

Eateries and "Drinkeries" wanted for Sacramento Chef Challenge

2012-01-18T19:00:41Z

2012 marks the tenth anniversary of our region’s premier culinary competition the Sacramento Chef Challenge, and organizers are inviting local restaurants, wineries, breweries and specialty shops to showcase their fare at the June 23rd event.

The Sacramento Chef Challenge is a culinary extravaganza featuring two live cooking competitions, lavish food, wine and beer sampling, live music, raffle prizes and more. The event is expected to draw a crowd of over 1000 guests in celebration of INALLIANCE, a local nonprofit that has provided support to people with developmental disabilities for 60 years.

“Our vendors draw a huge crowd each year by providing a variety of samples to our guests,” says INALLIANCE Executive Director Diana DeRodeff, "It is a great way for both fledgling and established companies to connect with community members, while supporting the organization.” Most event booths are free of charge, and vendors have the opportunity to win prizes.

The Sacramento Chef Challenge will see some exciting changes for 2012, including live entertainment and a new venue. The event will be held outdoors at INALLIANCE, where both vendors and guests will have a little more room to move. “We have just outgrown our old venue,” says DeRodeff, “And, we are eager to share our beautiful campus with the community.”

INALLIANCE has been in the Sacramento area since 1952, but few people know about the nonprofit’s work, because they tend stay in the background promoting the abilities of their participants. The programs INALLIANCE provides to people in the community focus on independence, quality of life and choice. “People with developmental disabilities are very capable. When given the opportunity they flourish, and that makes for a happier and a healthier community,” says DeRodeff.

The Sacramento Chef Challenge will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2012 beginning at 4:30pm, and tickets are only $25. If you are interested in becoming a vendor or purchasing tickets, visit www.chefevent.com or call 916-381-1300 x 170.

Disclosure: Jessica Bean is an employee of INALLIANCE

Document Keepsakes for the Next Generation

2012-01-08T06:50:48Z

You have your great-grandma's thimble collection. Someone else has their great-grandpa's high chair he used as a baby. Yet another has the family bible dating back to the early 1800's. The fancy word for these items is ephemera. Put simply, they are your family's keepsakes, heirlooms and momentos. Family historians in particular place a high value on these treasures because of the story they tell about the ancestor who owned, perhaps even made, them. As moving as it is to possess such history, be sure you have a thorough inventory of your collectibles. Help teach your descendants where they came from.

On Wednesday, February 8, 2012 bring your family keepsake or collection to Show and Tell at the Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society meeting. Local genealogy instructor Glenda Lloyd will host the evening and show how to create an inventory using photography, measurement and written history. Visitors welcome. 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse, 6921 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights. Contact Sandi Benward 916-412-3511, www.rootcellar.org, or http://rootcellarramblings.blogspot.com. .

A Unique Gift that Supports the Community

2011-12-19T19:12:40Z

For anyone who is still looking for unique holiday gift ideas, the Northern California nonprofit INALLIANCE may have just the solution- tickets to the "Sacramento Chef Challenge" at 4:00 p.m. Saturday ~~Friday~~ , June 23, 2012.

The well known culinary extravaganza features two live culinary competitions, food sampling, wine and beer tasting, live music, raffle prizes and more! But, the best part is-100% of proceeds go to programs that support people with developmental disabilities!

"2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the Sacramento Chef Challenge, which means we will be pulling out all the stops and slashing ticket prices,” says INALLIANCE Executive Director Diana DeRodeff.

INALLIANCE provides work and life skills training, supported employment services and assistive communication for people with developmental disabilities. “Our mission supports the belief that people with developmental disabilities have an absolute right and responsibility to be fully participating members of the community, and the Sacramento Chef Challenge is a way for us to raise vital funds for our programs while connecting with the community in a fun and positive way,” continues DeRodeff.

Rancho Cordova resident Anthony Paradiso has attended the event for the past four years and says, “I look forward to the Chef Challenge every year. It is exciting and offers a huge variety of food, wine and beer! I love a good competition and the chefs put on a great show.” Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online at www.chefevent.com or by calling INALLIANCE at 916-381-1300 x170.

“There are many food events out there, but I support the Sacramento Chef Challenge because it is a quality event that benefits a great cause,” adds Paradiso. To learn more about the Sacramento Chef Challenge, purchase tickets and see photos from past years visit www.chefevent.com today!

Disclosure: Jessica Bean is an employee of INALLIANCE

TV for the Holidays - Access Sacramento Channel 17

2011-12-19T18:53:44Z

Show the NBA you don't need their back-to-back B-ball to enjoy the holiday spirit. During those lulls in family "How have you been?" catching up, endless high calorie snacking, and playing (breaking?) the kid's brand new toys, enjoy local holiday programming made by your neighbors right here in Sacramento County. Here's the schedule of special events - a "snapshot" of our Christmas weekend programming on Channel 17 and streamed on our web site at www.AccessSacramento.org - ENJOY - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

“Celebration Of Lights” – 9:00am

“Kid’s Corp Christmas Special” – 11:30am

“Giving – Winter Wonderland & Raley Field” – 12:00Noon

“Terry Moore Christmas Special” – 12:00Noon

“Dancing With The Stars” – 1:00pm

“Veteran’s Day Parade” – 3:00pm

“Happy Rhythm 2011 Christmas” – 4:30pm

“LiveWire! Santa Christmas Special” – 5:00pm

“Sacramento Dances – Let’s Dance Ballroom’s 2011 Holiday Gala” – 7:00pm

“Club Karo’ky Xmas Show” – 8:00pm

“Christmas With Sister Swing” – 9:00pm

“The Crib (stage play)” – 11:00pm

Sunday, December 25, 2011

“LiveWire! Santa Christmas Special” – 9:00am

“Sacramento Dances – Let’s Dance Ballroom’s 2011 Holiday Gala” – 11:00am

“Club Karo’ky Xmas Show” – 12:00Noon

“Christmas With Sister Swing” – 1:00pm

“Agape Christian Fellowship Xmas Special” – 4:00pm

“Giving – USAF Band of the Golden West” – 5:00pm

“Happy Rhythm 2011 Christmas Special” – 7:00p

“Celebration Of Lights” – 7:30pm

“Chinese Culture 25th Anniversary Celebration” – 10:00pm

All cablecasts will be on Comcast/Surewest Channel 17 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, Pacific Daylight/Standard Time. What? You don't have those services? Not to worry, you can also view the programs on our website at www.accesssacramento.org, at the times listed above. Feel free to share this schedule with your friends! Most of the above programs are also posted on Comcast "On-Demand" channel 1 under "Get Local" and "Access Sacramento". Thank you for your support of local community and public access television in Sacramento County.

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Watch "Dancing with the Capitol Stars" Sunday 5 PM on Access Sacramento Channel 17

2011-12-17T07:19:18Z

In case you missed it, or want to see it again, tune into Access Sacramento's Channel 17 - (Comcast and Surewest Cable) this Sunday, Dec 18th from 5:00-7:00pm and see the Sacramento Press Club's "Dancing with the Capitol Stars"!

Hear our MC, Dennis Mangers open with an amazing rendition of "Let's Face the Music and Dance" and enjoy his quips through the show.
Ooh and aah at our dancing stars who tango'd, foxtroted and waltzed their way across the stage in their battle for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. (Starring: Edie Lambert, Lloyd Levine, Roger Niello, Alyson Huber, Fiona Ma, Ed Fletcher, Brian Joseph, Juliet Williams, Judy Lin, Kevin Riggs, Karen Skelton & Christina Anderson)
Delight in the insightful and sometimes outlandish comments from our judges (Dan Walters, Cristina Mendonsa & Ron Cunningham.)
Laugh out loud at Senator Darrell Steinberg's comedic look back at the Sacramento Press Club's 50th Anniversary (and yes, he really did sing!!)...
And you won't want to miss the honoring of a giant in journalism, Columnist George Skelton.
Event produced by Sharon Gerber and Six Degrees Productions

For those not within TV range in Sacramento County it will also be streamed live on www.AccessSacramento.org. Spread the word - no one should miss this unique show! If you're not near a TV this Sunday the show will also run on these dates/times:Monday, December 19th @ 9:00amTuesday, December 20th @ 1:00amSaturday, December 24th @ 1:00pmSaturday, December 31st @ 10:30pmFriday, January 6, 2012 @ 8:00pmSaturday, January 7th @ 12:00pmSunday, January 8th @ 4:00am All cablecasts will be on Comcast/Surewest Channel 17 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, Pacific Daylight/Standard Time, unless otherwise specified. What? You don't have those services? The Internet stream is not video on demand. Thank you for your support of The Sacramento Press Club as well as local community and public access television in Sacramento County.

Happy Holidays!

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Holiday Party with Sister Swing & Access Sacramento Sunday 3-5 PM

2011-11-30T07:23:05Z

The "Sister Swing" trio and their seven piece band starts the holiday season off right this Sunday at the Coloma Center Auditorium. Singing holiday classics from the Andrews Sisters to Frank Sinatra, the event will be family friendly and feature lively dancing in addition to tunes popular to young and old. Tickets are available at the door or online. Join in the fun at 4623 T Streets Sunday at 3 PM. Proceeds benefit community media that "makes a difference, one voice at a time".

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Photo essay: 18th Annual Run to Feed the Hungry

2011-11-24T21:27:33Z

Thousands of Sacramento participants toughed out the rain this Thanksgiving morning as they participated in the 18th Annual Run to Feed the Hungry. The event is benefiting the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

For more information and race results visit www.runtofeedthehungry.com

Photos from this morning's event:

Sacramento State Student Fashion Association runway show benefits Autism Center for Excellence

2011-11-24T07:43:36Z

The Midnight Masquerade Charity Fashion Show flaunted a cornucopia of fashion designs and styles – from pop art-inspired dresses to “Star Wars” costumes – by Sacramento State students Tuesday at the Sacramento State University Union Ballroom.

More than 200 people attended the two-hour charity event, which helped raised funds for the Autism Center for Excellence at Sacramento State or A.C.E., a program by United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento that provides socialization training programs for children ages 8-12 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

SFA donated part of the proceeds from the event in the amount of $300 to UCP.

To welcome guests, while keeping with the midnight masquerade theme, the Student Fashion Association (SFA) members donned black clothing, and some of them wore Mardi Gras-style masks. At the ticket booth, attendees bought the Mardi Gras-style masks for $5 and had the opportunity to get their pictures taken at a designated photo booth.

"It's more or less a chance for other people in the club to get to have more fun with it," SFA member Lacey Taylor, a 22-year-old apparel and design marketing student, said about the theme of the fashion show and how everyone got to dress up and show their creative side.

Hosted by Miss Asia America Sacramento Princess Emily Tang, the club holds a charity fashion show each semester, with a new theme each time. This is the first time club members have collaborated with Miss Asia America Sacramento, a pageant that offers scholarships to women ages 16-26, said Tang, 21.

"A.C.E. is on campus, and we wanted to keep it within our community," said SFA President Cassandra Coleman, 23, an apparel and marketing design student. Coleman added that she really liked the nonprofit organization, because her sister has Asperger’s Syndrome, a similar version of autism, and can relate to the need for such program.

Made up mostly of Sacramento State students, the designers featured on the show included: co-designers Lacey Taylor and Samantha Rachele Hansen, Julia Moua, Irma Tchamourian-Zamora, Nikki Khotpanya, Joycelynn Brown and Tamika Bellamy.

For Khotpanya, 21, much of her inspiration came from Laotian culture and architecture, from the soft lines of the monk's attire to the hard lines of the temples, she said.

"The fabric is hard, but it's not chiffon; it's like a hard kind of fabric, but then it drapes easily around the body," Khotpanya said of the taffeta fabric that she used for designs.

The stylists featured at the event were Anakarina Pimentel, Elisabeth Poulos, Adrienne Deloatch, Gina Sanchez, Fiona Lau, and Jennifer Siopongco.

"A designer takes time and design the actual clothing and the stylist they put together the outfit that fits the model and the over all line,” Fiona Lau, 22, apparel design and marketing student said.

Federico Beauty Institute, a cosmetology school, provided hair and make-up for all the models. Some of the model’s make-up were done by the designers and stylists.

Bellamy, 22, SFA vice president, said her line was inspired by pop art.

"I decided to use bright colors coming from pop art pictures, and then I combined it with a little off-white," she said, adding that the five outfits were introduced at the runway.

Sanchez, 19, a stylist for the show, said the event gave her the freedom to put her own twist to Legacy Boutique's apparel, one of three Midtown businesses along with Heart Clothing Boutique and Denim Spot that were featured at the show.

"We have boutiques from Midtown who sponsor us, and we get clothes from them and outfit models," she said.

"We just feel that their styles mix with what we want to showcase this semester," SFA Public Relations Officer Jennifer Siopongco said.

Audio slideshow by John G. Hernandez

"We Will Rock You!"

2011-11-09T04:44:55Z

The Sac State Geology Club is shaking things up on November 18th by auctioning off hundreds of rocks, minerals, fossils and more at the 8th annual Rock Auction. This celebration of the natural world is free to the public, begins at 6pm at the CSUS Alumni Center and will include live and silent auctions, catered food and beverages, and children's activities.

The room will be abuzz with the chatter of rock hounds, educators, students and gem connoisseurs perusing samples of highly polished petrified wood, purple cubic fluorite, and stunning fossilized coral. “But, you don’t need to be a professional to enjoy the festivities,” says Club President Chris Hughes, “many of our guests are new to the rock world-- looking for garden pieces or a unique holiday gift. Others are there to support the next generation of scientists.”

Since its inception in 2004, the Rock Auction has raised thousands of dollars to support the study of geology by subsidizing field costs for Sac State Geology Students and through the creation of Rock Boxes for underfunded schools. According to Club Vice President Bryan Bergkamp, “Each spring, the Geology Club constructs boxes full of rock and mineral samples to donate to local schools. It is our opportunity to educate future geologists.”

Some of the unique items up for grabs in the live auction include a crystal ball of calcite, a two foot tall tower of orthoceras fossils from Morocco, and a valuable “Green and Gold” pair of quartz samples-- one a large quartz point containing fine crystals of green chlorite and the other a piece of quartz containing a significant amount of crystalline gold. “You can’t beat the thrill of a Live Auction,” say department chair and event auctioneer Dave Evans, “The atmosphere can get a little frantic as bidding escalates, and with such exceptional items up for auction, this year should be very exciting.”

Volunteers have been working for months to collect specimens from local businesses, alumni, faculty and collectors. “It is a tremendous amount of work, but it's worthwhile.” Says Hughes, “Because of the support of our donors and volunteers, we are able to share our love of geology with the entire region!”

For more information about the Rock Auction or to donate a specimen please contact the Geology Club at sacstategeologyclub@gmail.com or call Chris Hughes at (831) 595-336.

Disclosure: Jessica Bean is a member of the Sac State Geology Club.

Eight cities of the Sacramento region to compete in a celebrity basketball tournament

2011-11-08T05:43:29Z

The National Basketball Association might still be in a lockout, but the Sacramento region is set to have a celebrity basketball tournament Nov 14. where eight teams representing Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Elk Grove, Roseville, West Sacramento, Rocklin, Citrus Heights and Sacramento are participating for a fundraising event.

The Jumpstart 21 Hoops and Alley Oops Regional Celebrity Basketball Tournament is a three-on-three half-court basketball tournament fundraising event held by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (SACC).

The proceeds will benefit Jumpstart 21, a workforce development and internship placement program by the SACC for young adults recently out of the foster care system, said SACC Director of Events and Foundation Matthew Sumida.

The teams will be captained by an elected official from each of the cities and coached by a graduate of the program. Sumida said that the 12-week training program provides the young adults with basic employment skills, and once training is completed, the graduates are provided internship placement within the Sacramento region.

"This program will help raise funds for those internships," Sumida said,"and it's a great way for the former foster kids to get involved and to interact with high-level community leaders."

The captains for each of the teams are required to recruit their own players, Sumida said, where two have to be female, and one has to be a media person. During the game, a female player is required to be on the court at all times. Also, a member of the team should be a representative of the team’s official sponsor. It is not necessary for the teammates to be residents of the city their team represents, except for the team captain.

He said that some of the players have former professional basketball experience, including Danielle Viglione, a former Sacramento Monarch, who is playing for the city of Sacramento team.

Marcos Breton of The Sacramento Bee will be the master of ceremonies.

Sumida said that it would have been ideal to have Mayor Kevin Johnson included in the event, but he was not available.

The tournament will also have its own version of the Royal Court Dancers – the Jumpstart 21 Dancers – who will be trained by the Sacramento Kings Royal Court Dancers. The dancers are event sponsors and public officials, said Six Degreez President Sharon Gerber, the official event planner of the tournament.

There will be a five-minute warmup time before each of the games. Two fifteen-minute half-court matches will play simultaneously, and the teams will have one 30 second time-out.

"We are planning to have this as an annual event, and each year the trophy will be passed on to the next winner. " Sumida said. "It's a fun event that we came up with to help raise money and also to find out who the best basketball team in the region is."

Hear an explanation of how the tournament will work below:

The event runs from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Registration starts at 3:00 p.m.
The event will be held at the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation, 9040 High Tech Court in Elk Grove Tickets can be purchased here.

What the team captains have to say:

Citrus Heights Crush

Coach: Nicole Miller
Captain: Mayor Jeannie Bruins
Members:
Mel Turner
Paul Robins
Joel Archer
Nicole Garing
Diane Ebbitt

"I am looking forward to (a) faceoff with West Sacramento – a challenge I put out to Oscar Villegas," Citrus Heights Mayor Jeannie Bruins said. "We're going to crush them because we are the Citrus Heights Crush."

She said that her team has practiced once, and the players are ready. Unfortunately, Bruins said, she will not be playing and will stay on the sidelines. She said that she will be the No. 1 cheerleader for the team.

"It is just fabulous what they do," Bruins said of the Jumpstart 21 program.

Rancho Cordova Magic Makers

Coach: Angela Montes
Captain: Councilwoman Linda Budge
Members:
Nathan Dietrich
Bob Shallit
Sam Miller
Adam Lingren
Rebecca Sloan

"We have four dedicated basketball fans in our team, and we have been watching the Sacramento Kings for a long time, and hopefully it rubbed off," said Rancho Cordova City Councilwoman Linda Budge.

Budge said that in order for them to win in this competition, they will have to play like a team. She said that she will make sure that her teammates make some assists.

The team has not had the chance to practice together, but she said the players have practiced separately, with some of them practicing basketball with their kids.

"We are doing this because we are basketball fans, but most of all because it is for a good cause," Budge said."We will be playing for them."

Sacramento Donkey Fong

Coach: Roland Foley III
Captain: City Councilman Rob Fong
Members:
City Councilman Jay Schenirer
State Assemblyman Roger Dickinson
Bethany Crouch
Tim Mech
Sam Luong
Danielle Viglione

"We don't care who we meet in the finals, we just know we are going to win," Sacramento City Councilman Rob Fong said.

He said that they enjoy being the favorite team to win, even though the other teams might not like it. He has not talked with Mayor Kevin Johnson to get some basketball tips, but Fong said he will definitely do so.

"Most of us are rooted to the earth and won't be doing any jumping at all," said Fong, who also said that this should not be a problem. The team practiced Sunday.

"It is for a great cause, and we are willing to take great physical risk to support it," Fong said. "I'm just hoping that when all is said and done, none of us will be heading to the emergency room.”

West Sacramento Brick Layers

Coach: Reyan Reyes
Captain: City Councilman Oscar E. Villegas
Members:
Chris Ledesma
Kristin Marshall
Bob Johnston
Jeff Dorso
Kalyca Seabrook
Bernadette Austin-Bower

"We don't care who we face off," West Sacramento City Councilman Oscar Villegas said. "Bring it!"

Villegas said that a friendly game is always good for the soul. His team has practiced, and he said that it is going well.

"I would bet somebody else's paycheck that we would win," he added. "I can dunk if they lower the hoop to 7 feet,"

Folsom 49ers

Coach: April Redricks
Captain: Mayor Andy Morin
Members:
Matt Dawson
Teo Torres
Ben Porter
Lani Stowers
Shannon O'Neill

"I would like to go against Rancho Cordova in the final match, because they are our friendly neighbors, and if we can beat them, we can have some serious bragging rights," said Folsom Mayor Andy Morin.

"I want to be as competitive as possible, but I am also looking forward to meeting with old friends in a friendly, competitive setting," he added.

Morin said that his team is set to meet up this week for practice, and he hopes that his team will be in good condition for the tournament.

Rocklin Rim Rattlers

Coach: Leslie Lee Jr.
Captain: City Councilman Scott Yuill
Members:
Greg Daley
Tina Macuha
Brian Jenson
Dave Butler
Paul Ackerman

"I am looking forward most to helping supporting the Jumpstart 21 program and having fun doing it with the regional flair," said Rocklin City Councilman Scott Yuill.

He said jokingly that his team has practiced extensively through email and is well-prepared for the tournament.

"I am a much better golfer than a basketball player, and I am a horrible golfer," Yuill said."I'd like to go head-on with Rob Fong because he usually beats me in golf.”

"In Rocklin, we are very humble and polite, and I think it will be out of character to point out our sheer athletic superiority," he added.

Elk Grove Force

Coach: Naomi Mendez
Captain: Mayor Steve Detrick
Members:
Jim Cooper
Drisha Leggitt
Dan Elliott
Keri Thomas
Alex Van Dyke
Brian Detrick

"My team, of course," Elk Grove Mayor Steve Detrick said when asked who will win. "We are the team to look out for."

He said that he is a recreational basketball player, but his team has not had the chance to practice yet.

"I put my best into everything I do, and hopefully our team can come up on top," he added.

"I think it's great that we are taking the cities of Sacramento and participating in such (an) event for a common goal," Detrick said. “The Sacramento region has no boundaries when it comes to fulfilling such goals."

Roseville Annexers

Coach: Olajuwon Curtis
Captain: City Councilman Tim Herman
Members:
Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
Kelly Brothers
Steve Fleming
Daniel Hahn
Steffi Jones

"We did not snag any former Monarch or King, but we will try to be competitive and have a lot of fun," City Councilman Tim Herman said.

Herman said that his team has already practiced once and will be practicing once more before the game. His players are happy and proud to represent Roseville and Placer County, he added.

"Most of us are under-the-basket kind of players. Unless they lower the hoop, I do not think we will be doing any dunks," Herman said.

"It's for a great cause, and to raise awareness and money for the Jumpstart 21 is a victory for all of us," Herman said.

Assemblymember Dickinson Hosting a Free Citizenship Fair

2011-11-07T20:25:16Z

On November 19, Assemblymember Dickinson, along with Senate pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui, is hosting a free Citizenship Fair at Pacific McGeorge School of Law Student Center in Sacramento to assist legal permanent residents in good standing with the citizenship application process. Currently, California has over 2.4 million eligible legal permanent residents.

As immigration policies and procedures continue to change, it is increasingly important to apply for and to obtain citizenship. Benefits for legal permanent residents who obtain citizenship include the ability to vote, the opportunity to reunite with family members and the continuance of health care coverage.

At the fair, attendees will:
• Receive free legal help completing and filing their naturalization application (N-400 and N-600)
• Receive free help with the fee waiver to apply for naturalization, if they qualify
• Receive study materials for civics and English tests

When:
Saturday, November 19, 2011
9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Where:
Pacific McGeorge School of Law Student Center
3200 Fifth Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95817

For more information, click here.

Disclosure: Taryn Kinney is Communications Director for Assemblymember Roger Dickinson.

Local Movies, Improv Comedy, and Swing Music at Crest Sunday 1:00 PM

2011-10-02T02:43:48Z

"A Place Called Sacramento" premieres ten new local short movies on the big screen at the Crest tomorrow at 1:00 PM. But be sure to arrive early (1) to avoid the long line that forms every year from folks arrivng at the last minute overwhelming the single box office and (2) "Cheap Therapy" with Charlie Holliday will perform a special improv comedy skit at 12:45 for those early arrivals.

After the premiere, stay because the party is just getting started. The Crest Lobby will "jump n' jive" to the harmonizing of "Sister Swing" as the cast and crew from ten wonderful movies mingle and buzz with excitement and camraderie.

This is the 12th year for this unique Sacramento based event. In 12 years, 119 films have been completed. Bring the whloe family and enjoy our wonderful creative community. Artober begins at the Crest Sunday October 2 with "A Place Called Sacramento".

Ten Local Films - Sunday 1:00 PM Crest Theater - 12th "A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival

2011-09-27T08:52:05Z

For the twelfth year, Access Sacramento is planning the world premiere of “A Place Called Sacramento” (PCS), a scriptwriting and short film production project for local writers and producers. PCS challenges local scriptwriters to write ten-minute scripts about the people, places, and events that make our community such a unique place to live (submission guidelines on-line at www.AccessSacramento.org).

Neighbors and friends will gather at the 2011 World Premiere at the CREST Theatre on Sunday October 2, 2011 at 1:00 PM. $10 (general seating) is a fundraiser for community media. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended at Tickets.com, the Crest Box Office, or the offices of Access Sacramento during business hours.

Special highlights for the 2011 “Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival --

10 more films completed this year means in the 12 years of the event, 119 (out of 120) approved scripts have been completed and shown on the Crest big screen.
2011 featured our oldest filmmaker (78) - Burt Wilson "CSI Sacramento" and our youngest (9) Claire Elizabeth "The Chozen"
6 of the 10 films were written and produced by women and region-wide with films from West Sacramento, Cameron Park, Grass Valley, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Davis, Citrus Heights, and Sacramento.
All films are volunteer created with only out of pocket expenses for incidentals and food.
"A Place Called Sacramento" is unique – local films created by volunteers and professionals.
Opening the PCS event at 12:45 will be a performance by "Cheap Therapy" - a local improv comedy team organized by SAG actor and local acting teacher Charlie Holiday.
Immediately following the showcase of the ten films, "Sister Swing" will perform in the Crest Lobby. They sing a modern up-tempo version of "Andrews Sisters-style" harmonies.
We will be visited once again by infamous Hollywood shark, the big fish director - Quentin Sacramento – the mascot of the festival.

To view the films completed for previous PCS film festivals, go to the web site www.AccessSacramento.org. Access Sacramento is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using community media to build better communications between individuals and groups in Sacramento County on cable radio and television channels 17 & 18.

CONTACT: Ron Cooper, Executive Director
Access Sacramento
4623 T Street, Suite A
Sacramento, CA. 95819
(916) 456-8600 #112
www.AccessSacramento.org

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Celebrate Sacramento Community Festival This Saturday

2011-09-26T22:35:15Z

On Saturday, October 1, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson is hosting a free community festival, Celebrate Sacramento, at the Florin Light Rail Station. The diverse festival will feature performances from local children’s groups and cultural and musical talent from the southern region of Sacramento, kids’ activities including bounce houses, and carnival games.

Visitors will learn about all that Sacramento has to offer from over 100 informational booths. The arts, entertainment and cuisine available at the festival will showcase the diversity that makes the southern region of Sacramento special for the whole family.

Attendees can mingle with their neighbors while enjoying delicious local food, great atmosphere, games for the kids and live music.

For more information, visit the event’s website at celebratesacramentofestivals.org

Who:
Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento)
Sacramento Vice Mayor Bonnie Pannell
Local bands, community and cultural performers, local food vendors, retailers, community organizations, etc.

When:
Saturday, October 1
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where:
Florin Light Rail Station (west of Franklin Blvd.)
Sacramento, CA

Disclosure: Taryn Kinney is Communications Director for Assemblymember Roger Dickinson.

Drink Wine, Marvel at Art, Dance to Live Music all to Support Orphans in Mexico

2011-09-20T16:45:59Z

On September 30, 2011, at Beatnik Studios, aspects of Sacramento’s finest culture will come together to support a truly inspiring cause. From 5pm to 9pm entrance is free and guests can stroll the studio looking at P.R. Brown’s photography show “The Known and Travel” while noshing on appetizers. Wine lovers can purchase a souvenir glass for wine tasting and entrance into a gourmet gift basket raffle. 100% of the proceeds are directed towards transforming the lives of orphaned and poverty-stricken children. Guests can further show their support by bidding at the silent auction. After 9pm a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated as the stage opens up to live performances from Katie Jane, Alyssa Cox, Step Jane, and Exquisite Corps.

Beatnik studios, located on 17th Street and Broadway, is known for supporting charitable causes. The nonprofit organization 2Build 4Ward International (2x4 International) is no exception. A group of California State Employees initiated the organization to bring attention and solutions to issues in developing countries. Their mission is to partner with community-based projects and disadvantaged groups to support education, health, infrastructure and small business development.

While the organization has already sent and shipped barrels of goods to a hospital in Ghana, this event will further their project to build an orphanage in Tuxpan, Jalisco Mexico. The organization has received a donation of land, a commitment from a Canadian architectural firm to the project, and the partnership of a local Mexican organization. Over half of Mexico’s population lives in poverty and the UN estimates that there are 10 million orphans living in Mexico.

The featured artist, P.R. Brown, is best known as a Grammy nominated music video director. Brown has worked with musicians such as John Mayer, Three Days Grace, The Smashing Pumpkins, Seal, Prince, Alicia Keys, Slipknot, Matisyahu, Goo Goo Dolls, and Death Cab for Cutie. His collection of travel photos and high fashion will be featured at Beatnik for the entire month of October.

For those interested in supporting 2x4 International’s cause, but cannot attend, online bidding for the silent auction photos can be accessed through their website. If you enjoy art, wine, music, and helping others, then come celebrate at 2x4 International’s first annual Wine and Art Event.

2x4 International is a registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to development projects abroad. For further information please visit http://2x4international.blogspot.com

Disclosure: Chelsea Berg is the Fundraising/Volunteer Administrator with 2build 4ward international.

Komen Sacramento to Honor Breast Cancer Advocates at Community Gala

2011-09-08T21:16:23Z

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® will be recognizing the contributions of outstanding community partners on Sunday, October 9 at Arden Hills Resort & Spa, announced retiring Executive Director Donna Sanderson.

“We are fortunate to have the support of outstanding community partners during my tenure as Executive Director of Komen Sacramento” said Sanderson. “The time has come to give them the public recognition they so richly deserve.”

Among the award recipients will be:

Joyce Raley Teel, co-chair of the Raley’s Board of Directors, who brought the full strength of the Raley’s Family of Fine Stores resources to help in the fight against breast cancer. Raley’s has supported the affiliate since its inception and has been the local presenting sponsor of the Sacramento Komen Race for the Cure for 15 years.
Edie Lambert, evening co-anchor at KCRA Channel 3 TV, has a long history of supporting the Affiliate and the cause. She is passionate about finding a cure and has championed the work of Komen through many speaking engagements and promotion of Komen initiatives on air.
Dr. Ralph deVere White and the UC Davis Cancer Center represent the depth of a health care partnership for the health of the community. UCD Cancer Center has provided unique programs such as the multi-cultural student-run clinics, the Native American Women’s Wisdom project and educational conferences with local Komen grants. They collaborate with Komen Sacramento in the WeCARE! Peer Navigator program to provide services for newly diagnosed cancer patients. UCD has been a long-time sponsor of the Komen race.
Kristin Beard King and Political Solutions, LLC provide consultation to Komen Sacramento and the statewide collaborative of Komen affiliates to ensure that uninsured women in California have access to the same life-saving screening and treatment as insured women. When the economy was at its worse and all consultants were struggling, Political Solutions worked for 18 months pro bono because it was the right thing to do. The work today at a lower than usual fee and a higher than usual level of passion because of their commitment to Komen and the cause. Over the years, they have gone “above and beyond” in supporting Komen’s fundraising activities.
Jim and Robin Masten, owners of SuiteAmerica, embody the ideal of how a company can creatively support a good cause. SuiteAmerica provides turn-key office space for the Affiliate and also allows employees to take time off with pay to volunteer for Komen. They support their employee’s participation by paying race registration fees and allowing additional fundraising activities. They promote breast health awareness during the month of October by providing brochures and Komen gifts to their clients.

The Gala for the Cure event will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2011 starting at 5:30 PM. This very special evening will include auctions, dinner, live music and a special performance by the Sacramento Ballet. Ticket information is available at 916-941-7981 or by visiting www.komensacramento.org.

Disclosure: Me Communications provides pro-bono services for Komen for the Cure Sacramento

"Golden Harvest" Event to benefit Golden Retriever Rescue

2011-09-06T17:15:04Z

Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue Group & Sanctuary is hosting its 11th annual Kibble & Bids™ event, one of the Sacramento area's premier fundraisers. This year's theme is "Golden Harvest". It will be held at the Antique Truck Museum, a part of the fascinating Heidrick Ag History Center at 1962 Hays Lane, Woodland, California. The date is Saturday, October 8, 2011. The event will go from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

Be greeted by friendly Golden Retrievers as you enter this exciting museum of antique trucks. Sip premium wines, craft beers, and non-alcoholic beverages. Taste samples from some of the area's outstanding restaurants and caterers, while strolling through the exhibits. Live bands will perform inside the museum and on the spacious patio while you peruse silent auction offerings, take chances on terrific raffle items, see what surprises our amazing vendors have to offer, and have your photo taken with our Golden Greeters.

General admission is $50 in advance and $60 at the door. There are also some exciting sponsorship opportunities available. To purchase general admission tickets or a sponsorship, visit http://www.hbgrr.org.

Every dollar from this event goes directly to support Homeward Bound's veterinary expenses. In the past ten years, Homeward Bound has rescued and found homes for over 6,500 Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes. Although most dogs come to Homeward Bound ready to find their forever-home, some come to the sanctuary desperately needing medical care. This event helps fund not only the basic veterinary services Homeward Bound provides such as vaccinations, neutering, heartworm testing, and micro chipping, but also life-saving surgeries to remove cancerous tumors, restore vision, replace or reconstruct hips, reconstruct shoulders, fix broken bones, and treat cases of heartworm disease. Because of this level of commitment to the dogs, Homeward Bound's veterinary expenses average over $350,000 a year.

Disclosure: Dick Brothers is Vice-President of Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary

County Records at the State Archives

2011-08-06T16:12:14Z

On Wednesday, September 14, 2011, Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society will host Linda Johnson, Senior Archivist at the California State Archives. Linda will describe county records held there and answer audience questions. A brief membership meeting will precede the program.

We welcome your questions in advance! Email them to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com. Questions will also be taken at the meeting.

All Root Cellar membership meetings are free so bring someone with you.

7pm-8:30pm
Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse
6921 Sylvan Way
Citrus Heights

Contact Sandi Benward 916-412-3511
Website: http://www.rootcellar.org
Blog: http://rootcellarramblings.blogspot.com

October Datebook:

Saturday, October 1: Archives Crawl
Blog: http://sacarchivescrawl.blogspot.com/

Saturday, October 15: Family History Day at the California State Archives
Blog: http://fhdnews.blogspot.com/

Sacramento participates in National Night Out

2011-07-29T00:54:21Z

More than 50 neighborhood parties will be held Tuesday as Sacramento participates in the 28th annual National Night Out.

It’s about crime prevention, said Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong. “The idea is you get out, get to know your neighbors and show you’re visible to prevent crime.”

Leong said the block parties allow neighbors to get to know each other in a fun way, and that helps with building a stronger community.

There is no specific criteria that needs to be followed for a National Night Out event, since it is about getting neighbors together and having a good time.

“It can be as simple as an ice cream social or a bunch of neighbors hanging out together,” he said.

Police, Fire Department and elected officials make the rounds of events registered with the city, and Leong said it’s a good way to build relationships with local officials as well as help connect with officers in a relaxed manner.

To register an event, click here. Events registered by Friday will have the best chance of getting an official visit, Leong said.

LaTisha Lawson, a board member for the Oak Park Neighborhood Association, said National Night Out is a great way for residents to meet each other and start working toward bettering their communities.

“It’s an opportunity for residents to get out of their houses and take back the streets in a positive way,” she said. “They can meet each other, and then they can get together and take it to the next level and make a positive change.”

She added that many National Night Out events are formed by neighborhood watch groups, and having police and public officials come by is helpful.

“Residents and public officials can really talk about the issues in their neighborhood and really get that kind of face time with elected officials,” she said.

She added that she has written grants through the California Endowment to bring more activities – such as face-painting and music – to make the events even more fun.

City Councilman Kevin McCarty said this will be his eighth year participating in National Night Out as an elected official, and it’s one of the highlights of the year for him.

“We get out in a casual setting, and we get to talk about the neighborhood,” he said. “That certainly gives you a leg up as far as being able to address any challenges you might be facing.”

He said the events are usually small in size, with between 20 and 25 people attending, and it allows for more-intimate conversations.

“(On National Night Out), it’s not about them coming up to the council dais and talking in a formal setting,” he said. “It’s nice to just have a conversation about their street and their neighborhood.”

McCarty said he usually makes it to abut five parties in his district per year, spending about 45 minutes at each one.

Mayor Kevin Johnson mentioned National Night Out at the City Council meeting Tuesday, saying he is looking forward to having a good time visiting the different events, as he did last year.

Leong said the events are easy to start and don’t require any complex organization.

“If you haven’t heard of anything in your neighborhood, really that’s your chance to knock on a couple of doors and say, ‘Hey, it’s National Night Out and we’re getting together to barbecue some hot dogs out front. Come on over,’ ” he said.

In his North Natomas neighborhood, where a neighborhood watch group is forming, Leong said he sent an email out to the list he had for neighborhood watch.

“We’re just going to have it out where a lot of people pass by so the ones who aren’t involved can stop by and say hi,” he said.

Since National Night Out events are not organized by the city or any official group, the times vary according to whatever each event organizer thinks is best, Leong said, though most tend to start around 5 - 6 p.m.

To read about two Sacramento Neighborhoods that participated in National Night Out last year, click here and here.

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

A Busy Day in the Life of Access Sacramento

2011-07-17T05:05:41Z

Each day Access Sacramento's studio and office are filled with activity but this week has been particularly busy. Yes, T.D. Trice and Shane Carpenter continued to schedule television and radio programming 24/7. Yes, volunteers came and went with new programming and were busy with their focused production efforts. The phones continued to ring as Amy Lawrence signed up new members. Whew! Here's a snap-shot of a very busy day in the life of Access Sacramento - let the "name dropping" commence.

Studio production was busy with Richard Langley renovating the small room and working with community producer Bob Crimmins on using the "green studio" for a new program in partnership with Senior Magazine. He and Liz Harrison then welcomed public radio's "Insight " host, Jefferey Callison to read a chapter from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer for the Sacramento Bee "One Book Project". Simultaneously in the large studio, volunteers from the local Republican party interviewed citizen tax advocate Ted Costa. Evening production in the big studio continued with two local musical artists, Parie Wood and also Zach MacLachlan, recording individual episodes of "Listen Up, Sacramento!" under the watchful eye of co-producers Michelle Barbaria and Erika Kjelstrom.

Production knowledge also kept us busy as training sessions and staff recordings were conducted in a variety of locations throughout the County. Monday night found T.D. helping record Roseville's park and recreation department public meeting in their City Council chambers. Carlos Hernandez and Liz Harrison worked Tuesday morning with Sacramento County Public Health personnel training on the use of Skype. Liz finished the afternoon training staff and youth at Asian Resources on the fundamentals of Neighborhood News video production. Steve Bourasa welcomed 7 students to the latest Digital Camera class to finish a long "training day".

Video editing sessions were productive as well. The Media Lab was busy with multiple volunteer projects. Bhim Kumar-Reyes recreated the opening for the Little Capital Miss Pageant recorded on-location last Saturday night and commenced editing on the two-day "Disability Summit" Conference recorded in partnership with the California State Department of Rehabilitation. Carlos H. finished the editing on five one-hour programs capturing the day-long entertainment provided at the recent Pacific Rim Festival.

Your truly was busy making recommendations on a national e-mail thread on how to improve the national "Hometown Video Awards" judging procedures while simultaneously completing the minutes for last week's successful Neighborhood News and Youth Media Task Force meeting. I finished the day in a meeting with other local film festival leaders, celebrating the publication of a new "rack card" promoting the year-round film festivals - including Access Sacramento's Twelfth Annual "A Place Called Sacramento" in October.

And the fun continues this morning as the "green studio" welcomed Carlos Alcala, Bee reporter, to the Tom Sawyer project. Richard and I are leaving shortly for a production site survey at Fairytale Town for an upcoming Hometown-TV shoot. Later today, we will have a new member orientation session with more than 30 participants immediately followed by a quarterly radio producers meeting to discuss future LPFM applications for community radio, "The Voice". Livewire will have special guests from the "Restitution Project" and celebrate another weekly episode in this long-running series (since 1992).

But as busy as we currently are, there is always room for you - join us and you too can "make a difference, one voice at a time."

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is Executive Director of Access Sacramento

BOBBY JACKSON FOUNDATION TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT AT CATTA VERDERA COUNTRY CLUB SEPTEMBER 26

2011-07-11T20:03:06Z

Former NBA star Bobby Jackson and the Bobby Jackson Foundation will host the Third Annual Golf Tournament at Catta Verdera Country Club golf course in Lincoln, Calif. on Monday, Sept. 26. Jackson is committed to assisting children in California who have a parent who has had or currently has cancer.

The Bobby Jackson Foundation Golf Tournament will advance his cause by raising funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Sacramento Valley Affiliate and Camp Kesem.

“I have long-admired the work that Susan G. Komen for the Cure has done right here in our community and am proud to support their efforts,” said Jackson. “It is also important to me to continue our partnership with Camp Kesem, an organization that brings smiles to the faces of so many youth struggling to enjoy their childhood.”

The shotgun start event will begin at noon and will feature a pink ball challenge, hole-in-one prizes, putting competitions, a longest drive contest and raffle prizes. The tournament will close with a dinner and auction at the country club with team prizes and awards.

Entry fees for the tournament are $1,200 for a foursome or $300 for individual contenders. Fees include a cart, greens fees, dinner and more. For more information, or to reserve a spot now, please visit www.BobbyJacksonFoundation.org or call 310-649-5222. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Disclosure: Me Communications provides pro-bono services for Komen for the Cure Sacramento

Access Sacramento Annual Meeting - "LIVE" on Channel 17 Thursday at 7:00 PM

2011-06-15T05:07:07Z

Celebrating our 25th year of incorporation, the nonprofit community media center Access Sacramento hosts the annual membership meeting Thursday June 16 7-8 PM . You are invited to attend the event in the television studio at the Coloma Community Center or just watch the event on cable TV channel 17 or streamed on the web site www.AccessSacramento.org to any computer in the world.

The 15 member Board of Directors will offer highlights of the year past and look forward to another year of Hometown-TV events, Game of Week football and basketball, "Listen Up, Sacramento" local music, and arts and entertainment reporting weekly on "Livewire". Ten new films are in production in the 12th Annual "Place Called Sacramento" film project.

Learn more about the latest project - South Sacramento's five Neighborhood News Bureaus (NNB). To check out new online stories from underserved communities, go to www.AccessLocal.tv and join in the year-round training workshops.

Want to learn more? Tune-in and watch or call (916) 456-8600 ext.0

Registrations now open for BIke Kitchen's third annual scavenger hunt

2011-05-28T01:01:13Z

The Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen is pleased to announce that registrations are (finally) open for the third annual "Hunt the Grid" bicycle scavenger hunt. This year's hunt promises to be the best yet, with more prizes, more teams, and more clues to suss out and items and places to hunt for! Test your knowledge of midtown and downtown and your eagle-eyes against the Bike Kitchen's volunteer huntmasters!

That's not all; Hunt the Grid III will segue into a special fifth anniversary Second Saturday party at the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen! After five years of operation across two Sacramento locations, a tremendous group has come together to wish the Kitchen well on its next five years. The Alkali Flats and Cooper McBean will be coming back to play at the nonprofit shop, and Duder Manor will be showing off some wonderful art. And New Belgium Brewing, superhero brewery of the first Hunt the Grid afterparty, is back with plenty of beer to quench after-hunt thirsts and one-of-a-kind promotional materials like their mobile silk screener!

To register a team for the scavenger hunt, e-mail register@sacbikekitchen.org with the name of your team and team members.

All prospective hunters must be 18 years or older to play, limit four per team.

In a nod to the sluggish economy, the registration fee this year is $10 per team, due at sign-in.

Each team will need a way to carry small items around on bike and a digital camera or phone and are encouraged to bring sunscreen and water.

Registration and sign-in start at 1:00 PM at the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen (1915 I Street); the hunt begins at 2:00 PM and ends at 5:30 PM.

The SBK Fifth Anniversary Second Saturday party starts at 6:00 PM.

All proceeds from the Hunt the Grid scavenger hunt and Fifth Anniversary party will benefit the 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen, an organization dedicated to providing low-cost do-it-yourself bicycle maintenance to all bicyclists and prospective bicyclists in the Sacramento area.

Volunteers Needed at the Kaiser Women’s Fitness Festival

2011-05-25T00:41:05Z

4,500 women will race in the Kaiser Women’s Fitness Festival benefiting WEAVE on Sunday, June 5th to raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault. Now in its seventh year, the event is the largest women’s-only run in the region and runners travel from the Bay Area and the central valley to compete. WEAVE needs volunteers! Sign up now!

All volunteers are required to attend a Mandatory Volunteer Training on Wednesday, June 1st from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at WEAVE.

Volunteer shifts run in 3 – 5 hour blocks from Thursday, June 2nd to Sunday, June 5th. Questions? Contact Ashley.

In full disclosure, this article was written by a WEAVE employee in the hopes of spreading the word far and wide. We are grateful to Sacramento Press for this forum to get the word out!

Volunteers Needed at the Kaiser Women’s Fitness Festival

2011-05-19T00:10:34Z

All volunteers are required to attend a Mandatory Volunteer Training on Wednesday, June 1st from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at WEAVE.

Volunteer shifts run in 3 – 5 hour blocks from Thursday, June 2nd to Sunday, June 5th. Questions? Contact Ashley.

In full disclosure, this article was written by a WEAVE employee in the hopes of spreading the word far and wide. We are grateful to Sacramento Press for this forum to get the word out!

Genealogy Meeting

2011-05-12T04:52:46Z

A nifty mobile scanning service will be discussed at the next meeting of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society. If you have boxes and boxes full of treasured family history photos and documents that you want to preserve in one fell swoop, this service may be for you.

Everyone is welcome on June 8th at the Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse, 6921 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights, 7:00pm - 8:30pm.

Blog: http://rootcellarramblings.blogspot.com

Website: www.rootcellar.org

Email: rootcellarsgs@gmail.com

4th Annual Food & Wine Tasting

2011-05-10T21:29:31Z

John Kerr was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the age of eighteen months he was diagnosed with the neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy. This is a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy that attacks the motor neurons in the spinal cord and directly affects the functionality of his muscles. Never able to sit up independently or crawl, John received his first electric wheelchair on his fifth birthday. This newfound independence buoyed John into a life that was no different than that of his peers.

With a diagnosis like Muscular Dystrophy, you may think that John has not lived a normal life, but he has lived a very normal life. Growing up he was fully involved with his friends and in school. He was involved with the sports within his high school as the PA announcer for the boys basketball, baseball and track teams, and he was awarded a lettermen’s jacket. When he was younger John met Michael Jordan through the Make-A- Wish Foundation. This would later go on to inspire him in life when he saw in a Sports Illustrated Magazine that Michael Jordan created his own foundation, and at that time decided that he would create his own foundation. One that would benefit those that have Muscular Dystrophy.

The John Kerr Foundation was created to help individuals with Muscular Dystrophy. Already having given out two scholarships, totaling nearly $2,000; he has also taken a young lady to see the Kings Basketball Team in Portland and bought driving equipment so that a young man could drive. John Kerr wants to keep raising enough money to continue doing this.

For the future John would like to expand what he is currently doing, not only giving scholarships and helping individuals, but also to create a summer camp for children and young adults with Muscular Dystrophy. He already has the location set in Yosemite, CA at a campground which features trails accessible to individuals in wheelchairs. As part of the summer camp, John wants to have both physical and mental activities, a pool with wheelchair access and adaptive soccer and other sports. He envisions arts and crafts for the artistically inclined, and a campfire where the children can exchange stories. This summer camp will also have seminars on how the youth can lead a fulfilled life, such as his own. He will teach and show them that they can be independent, have goals and aspirations as well as hold a job within society.

In order to offer a camp with such wonderful opportunities for the children, John Kerr will have to raise between $40-$50,000. This is a very reachable goal. John would like to launch the new summer camp in 2012.

The John Kerr Foundation has been doing fundraisers since 2006, and is currently planning this year's largest fundraiser, a Food and Wine Tasting. This year he will be holding his 4th Annual Food & Wine Tasting on Saturday May 21st at The Clunie Hall inside McKinley Park. The event will start at 5:30pm. For more information on the event or on John Kerr, please visit www.johnkerrfoundation.org.

Disclosure: Ray Bacon is Event Designer for Royal Events, responsible for planning and marketing this event.

"Make a Movie" This Summer - Attend the "Cast & Crew Call" May 18 6-9 PM

2011-05-03T22:12:36Z

“Cast & Crew Call” from ACCESS SACRAMENTO
2011 “A Place Called Sacramento” Film Project
Wednesday May 18 from 6 – 9 PM
“Make a Movie This Summer” -- All Are Invited

For the Twelfth year, Access Sacramento launches “A Place Called Sacramento” (PCS), a scriptwriting and short film production project for local writers and producers. PCS challenges local scriptwriters to write ten-minute scripts about the people, places, and events that make our community such a unique place to live (details and past films on-line at www.AccessSacramento.org).

Script evaluation and judging have been completed. Dozens of scripts have been reviewed by local professionals and ten have been selected for production. Meet the ten scriptwriter/producers May 18 (Wednesday) at the “Cast & Crew Call”.

2011 “A Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival
Cast & Crew Call
May 18, 2011 - Wednesday
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Coloma Community Center Courtyard
4623 T Street
Sacramento, CA. 95819

All potential actors and production teams experienced and inexperienced are invited to attend. Ten production teams shall be formed and production continues on the films during the summer months. Finally, after weeks of hard work and great fun, friends gather at the CREST Theatre on Sunday October 2, 2011 for the World Premier of all ten films. The PCS production format is unique to Sacramento. In the previous eleven years, 109 films have been successfully created.

To view the films completed for the 2010 & previous PCS film festivals, go to the web site www.AccessSacramento.org. Access Sacramento is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using community media to build better communications between individuals and groups in Sacramento County.

CONTACT: Ron Cooper, Executive Director
4623 T Street, Suite A Sacramento, CA. 95819
(916) 456-8600 #112
Postmaster@AccessSacramento.org

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is the Executive Director for Access Sacramento.

Viewpoint Photographic Art Center fundraiser auction and exhibit

2011-04-28T17:20:15Z

Walk down busy J Street, pull open a heavy door of an appealing brick building and enter a showcase of photographic art – digital media, black and white, and historic processes, each image matted in the traditional austere fashion and hanging side by side on spot-lighted walls.

Viewpoint Photographic Art Center, a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization, provides a community for photographers and photography events, exhibits and education for the community. The center is holding its annual fine print auction and fundraiser until May 7.

“We currently have 160-plus items that have been donated by photographers from around the world,” said Michael Corlew, chairman for the auction committee.

Displayed works include photographs created by internationally known photographers such as Ruth Bernhard, Michael Kenna and Jock Sturges, as well as local photographers Lewis Kemper and Jennifer Wu. Kemper and Wu are members of Canon’s Explorer of Light Photography program.

“Viewpoint is a photography-only gallery,” Corlew said. “We provide an opportunity for photographers to meet with other photographers to discuss photography in all aspects. We have people who are avid digital photographers. We have people who are just as avid in the alternate processes.”

“Alternate process is another way of saying historical process,” said Judy Yemma, Viewpoint instructor and membership coordinator. “As silver gelatin (black and white) came into use, these processes fell by the wayside, similar to what is happening as people move more to digital imagery.”

Yemma offers workshops for those interested in alternate processes. Other members offer classes in digital photography and software and workshops at scenic and visually stimulating locations. Workshop attendees do not have to be members, but members do get a nice discount on the class enrollment fee. Membership fees help with Viewpoint’s operating expenses.

Viewpoint offers the community a unique experience in being able to view a new photography exhibit every month. Reception openings are held on Sacramento’s Second Saturday evenings.

“We do everything we can to put on a high-quality exhibit every month,” Corlew said. “We put up 22 different shows every year. It is just a great community of photographers who get together to embrace photography.”

Support the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center and attend the live auction on May 7. Enjoy fantastic photographic works, food, drink and a good time.

View the online auction catalog or visit the Viewpoint gallery at 2015 J St., Suite 101, to see the auction photographs. Prints may be bid on through May 6 in the silent online auction.

Disclaimer: Laura Mah is a member of the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center.

Will Durst Comedy Night Helps Access Sacramento - Friday 7:00 PM

2011-04-18T01:56:15Z

The Humor Times (20 Years) and Access Sacramento (25 Years) Celebrate Anniversaries Together with a Comedy and Variety Show Featuring Comedian Will Durst and many other performers including the 40’s vocal harmonies of “Sister Swing”, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, a magician and local improvisational comedy troupe The Anti-Cooperation League.

Joint Anniversary Celebrations -- As print publications nationwide continue to fall by the wayside, the Humor Times is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary. And as corporate media continues to consolidate, Access Sacramento celebrates its 25th anniversary as the area’s local, community-operated TV, radio, and Internet production resource.

The public is invited to a combined bash featuring the celebrated, world-touring comedian, Will Durst, on Friday, April 22nd at 7:00 PM in the Coloma Community Center Auditorium, 4623 T Street Sacramento, CA. 95819. Food, beer and wine will be available. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Advance tickets may be had online at www.HumorTimes.com or purchased by phone with a credit card and mailed out prior to the event by calling (916) 456-8600 ext. 0 during normal business hours.

Entertainment -- Mr. Durst is perhaps the most prolific and well-known political comedian in the U.S. The Humor Times has featured his column for years, and “people who have never seen him live will be blown away,” said James Israel, publisher/editor/founder of the Humor Times. “He was a stand-up comedian before he ever wrote for publications, and as good as his column is, he’s even funnier in person,” he added. The New York Times says the Emmy-nominated comedian and writer “is quite possibly the best political satirist working in the country today,” and the Chicago Tribune calls him a “hysterical hybrid of Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Osgood.”

Also performing will be Sister Swing, an “Andrews Sisters-style” vocal jazz trio who will perform a few humorous songs featuring fine harmonies. The “variety show” theme continues with Absurd Entertainment’s top-notch Marilyn Monroe impersonator, Marion Le Clerc and magician Joseph Bossenmaier, (named “best magician” in Sacramento by the Sacramento News & Review). The laughs continue with Sacramento’s longest-running, long-form, improv comedy troupe The Anti-Cooperation League. A “carnival atmosphere” is planned, with all manner of roving performers including the Sac City Rollers (women’s roller derby team) jugglers and other acts.

The Humor Times -- Founded in early 1991, the Humor Times (formerly the Comic Press News) released its first free issue in Sacramento, fittingly, on April Fools Day of that year. That issue, now a collector’s item, featured four pages of an editorial cartoon re-hash of the Gulf War, which was just winding down at that time. Local readers were immediately hooked. Of course, that was back in the day when printed periodicals were still profitable. Those remaining have something unique to offer, as does the Humor Times. The publication transitioned from a free give-away to a paid circulation magazine in 2008, and is now available by subscription, or in stores, such as Newsbeat (Sacramento and Davis).

Humor Times features political and non-political cartoon panels and strips. The Humor Times uses humor to review the news on a monthly basis, helping readers, as publisher/editor James Israel says, to “laugh at the news, rather than cry about it.” Specifically, the publication features the cream of the crop of editorial cartoons, humor columns and “fake news” – similar to the satire made famous by The Onion newspaper and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In the works: more cartoon and video galleries, humor blogs, columns, and interactive fun such as cartoon and video submissions, contests and more. Subscriptions to Humor Times are $19.95 a year (12 issues) in the U.S., and may be purchased at the website. A digital edition is available at less than half the price.

Access Sacramento – Provides an “amplified voice” for the thoughts, dreams, opinions and community events locally since 1985. Access Sacramento is a nonprofit community media organization dedicated to binging the tools and training for television, radio, and use of the Internet to all Sacramento County residents. We reach an audience of up to 265,000 Sacramento County homes on Comcast and SureWest cable channels 17 and 18 and more than 1,200 daily views watching channel 17 “streamed” at www.accesssacramento.org. Visit our website for program and training information. To become a “community reporter”, go to www.accesslocaltv.org for neighborhood news organization “blogs”, on-demand videos and Twitter posts. “A Place Called Sacramento” celebrates its 12th year as the premiere local film script writing event and film festival. At Access Sacramento, you can:

* Learn the steps needed to create your own TV show
* Be your own anchor using a computerized “virtual” television studio
* Become a community “Neighborhood News” reporter or blogger
* Host your own cable radio program and “stream” to the world on the Internet
* Record a music performance or video in the four-camera television studio
* Use Web 2.0 techniques on the new community reporting web site AccessLocal.tv
* Write, produce, and distribute your own “Place Called Sacramento” movie

Viewers of Access Sacramento channels 17 and 18 experience unique entertainment, challenging points of view, varied religious beliefs, diverse political opinions, and cultures and languages different from what you see and hear on the other, commercial channels. The public is invited to meet their neighbors at Access Sacramento by taking a class, creating a program, volunteering to help a group production effort, develop a community web blog using AccessLocal.tv, or by simply watching the community channels 17 and 18, as well as listening to community cable radio “The Voice of Sacramento”.

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is the Executive Director for Access Sacramento.

What's In Your Genealogical Research Suitcase?

2011-04-15T17:55:29Z

Are you starting to plan your summer vacation? Despite spring weather trying to take hold in the Sacramento area, it's not too early to think about summer-time travel. For many family history researchers, travel will involve going to their ancestor's place of origin, visiting with newly discovered relatives and delving into courthouses, libraries and other record repositories.

What research documents and equipment should you take with you? What should you leave home? What should you wear?

Get answers to these questions and more at Glenda Lloyd's presentation "Planning a Research Trip" at the next meeting of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society. All meetings are free and open to the public.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
7pm-8:30pm
Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse
6921 Sylvan Way, Citrus Heights
Contact Sandi Benward 916-412-3511

Website: www.rootcellar.org
email: rootcellarsgs@gmail.com

About the Presenter: Glenda has over 30 years of genealogical research experience involving visits to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and multiple record repositories in the U.S. and Europe. She has taught beginning and intermediate genealogy classes through local adult education for 28 years. She is a founding member of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.

KVIE Community Video Project to Showcase Local People & Places

2011-04-01T20:59:05Z

KVIE Public Television is seeking video submissions for You on the Road, a community video companion project to its Rob on the Road series hosted by Rob Stewart. This project is an opportunity for anyone to use public television to share their stories about the people and places that inspire them, and capture what makes our region an exciting place to live and work. Through Rob on the Road and You on the Road stories, you can help others experience our region in a new and inspiring way!

From the submissions received, KVIE will select stories to be featured in a 30-minute special edition of Rob on the Road. The producers of the selected videos may also have the opportunity to be interviewed by Rob Stewart as part of a program series airing on KVIE beginning this summer. “This is a great way to celebrate the things people love about our region. I’m looking forward to seeing the wealth of talent this new KVIE citizen team has to offer,” says KVIE producer and Rob on the Road host Rob Stewart.

This is an open and on-going call. To be considered for the first broadcast, submissions must be received by June 1, 2011.

KVIE Public Television strives to be our region’s storyteller, and is one of the most prolific creators of local content within the public television family. Through on-air initiatives like the Rob on the Road series hosted by Rob Stewart, KVIE brings a fresh, new look at the people and places that make our community our home. Every week, Rob Stewart travels throughout KVIE’s 28-county viewing area, visiting the people and places that capture the spirit of what makes California great. These are the stories that matter and move you—the good news stories you always hope for in local news but rarely see.

For more information about the submission process and video submission specifications, along with Rob on the Road examples, visit www.kvie.org/robontheroad.

Sheryl Brown is the marketing communications manager at KVIE Public Television.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 15th ANNUAL KOMEN SACRAMENTO RACE FOR THE CURE

2011-03-31T18:56:56Z

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is seeking volunteers for the 15th Annual Komen Sacramento Race for the Cure. More than 1,000 volunteers are needed to make this year’s race a huge success.

“Volunteers are needed before, during, and after the race starting April 30, 2011 through May 7, 2011,” said Donna Sanderson, executive director for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Sacramento Valley. “There are a variety of positions and shifts available from pre-race registration at Arden Fair Mall to distributing refreshments and water on race day at Cal Expo.”

This year, more than 20,000 people are expected to make an impact against breast cancer in one of the region’s largest 5K run/walk events. Since its inception, the Sacramento Valley Affiliate has brought in millions of dollars for breast cancer services in the greater Sacramento region.

Visit www.komensacramento.org/ and click on the Get Involved Tab to join a dedicated group of volunteers. All helpers will receive a volunteer t-shirt while supplies last.

Disclosure: ME Communications is handling pro bono public relations for Sacramento Komen Race for the Cure

Men in Heels: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes comes to Sacramento

2011-03-24T02:06:18Z

Local men will be strutting their stuff in heels April 30 for the first Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in Midtown, which will benefit the Sacramento County Women Escaping a Violent Environment, Inc. The event will raise awareness about sexual assault.

Amber Stott, WEAVE’s director of Development and Community Relations, has been recruiting volunteers and is in charge of making sure that every man has a pair of pumps to wear.

“It’s a touchy issue, and we know what a big problem it is. It’s just nice to be able to have an opportunity to come together and raise awareness, but do it in a way that’s fun,” Stott said.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is an international organization, and this year marks it’s 10th anniversary.

The walk starts at 10 a.m. on Capitol Avenue near Zócalo, and participants can choose between walking a mile or walking around the block, both in heels. The routes end back at the restaurant.

A visual display of women’s silhouettes will be set up along the race route to represent the 1 in 6 women who will experience sexual assault in her lifetime, Stott said.

Ashley West, chair of WEAVE’s Board of Directors, said she is expecting 200 men to participate. West has asked close to 100 of her closest friends and family to donate to the event and recruited all of the men she knows to walk in heels.

“We don’t really talk about how to include men in a conversation, and this is a nice conscious way of saying we need to include men in this conversation because it’s men holding other men accountable. It’s really going to end sexual assault,” West said.

The event will host several fun activities for men to do in heels. The Sacramento State women’s soccer team will challenge participants to score goals on them.

Other festivities include live music and live radio coverage by NOW 100.5 FM.

There will be prizes for participants, including the hairiest legs, the most team spirit and the man who raised the most money for WEAVE.

Zócalo will also be hosting an after party following the walk from 10:30 a.m. to noon with food and drinks and a special breakfast cocktail with champagne called “The Bloody Heel,” Stott said.

According to Stott, WEAVE has been collecting red heels from thrift stores, local stores and the international Walk a Mile in Her Shoes organization.

“We have a great team of community volunteers who believe in this cause,” Stott said.

Local celebrities will be participating in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, including Sacramento Bee columnist Bob Shallit.

For Shallit, wearing high heels is a first. He found out about the event through West.

“I think it’ll be fun, and I think it’s going to be a little strange to see how far we can make it on heels,” Shallit said. “It’s going to be very painful.”

Other locally known people, include Patrick Mulvaney, owner of Mulvaney’s B&L; Sammy Cemo, CEO of Cemo Commercial, inc. and local firefighters will partake as well, Stott said. But you don’t have to be a local celebrity to join the cause.

Jairo Moncada, 29, heard about the event from Stott and is involved in the public relations committee. Moncada has also never worn heels.

“The part I’m looking forward to the most is actually putting on those heels,” Moncada said. “It’s like game day and you’re getting ready. Once you actually strap on those heels or slip on, slide on into the heels, however you say, that’s going to be the moment where it’s like, ‘I’m doing this, this is going to be fun, this is going to be a great cause.’ ”

Moncada said he hopes to “shatter” the expected number of 200 men who are coming out.

“I’d like to relay a message to all the men in Sacramento to man up and do this,” Moncada said.

Stott said WEAVE hopes to raise $40,000. She added that all the money will go toward combating sexual assault and teen violence and will help fund WEAVE services such as the 24-hour response team and support line, counseling, legal assistance, prevention and more.

“WEAVE supports the community when the community needs it, and the community supports WEAVE when WEAVE needs it. As the economy gets tighter and tighter and family relationships are more strained and stressful, the community needs it more,” West said. “With fewer dollars, WEAVE does everything they can to serve those people, but we really need the community to come out and to support WEAVE right now.”

Click here for more information about the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.

The $35 online registration includes shoes to keep, a T-shirt, an after party pass and goodie bag. You can register here. Online registration closes on April 29, and registration will be available at the event as well.

After April 8, WEAVE will not provide shoes, but can assist participants with finding a pair.

Guest passes for the event, which include entrance to the after party, are $5 before the event and $10 the day of the event. Click here to purchase a guest pass or to make a donation.

Old Town Gallery Hosts Open House

2011-03-21T22:14:31Z

The Auburn Old Town Gallery at 218 Washington Street will be hosting a VIP event this Wednesday from 4pm-6pm. This event is open and free to the public. They will be serving wine, hors d’oeuvres and providing music.

Chris Foster, a Granite Bay resident, will be one of the Artists there, helping to host the event. Her work is a unique blend of acrylic painting and often include uplifting messages. Chris is both a member of the Auburn Old Town Gallery and the Art Studio Trek group of Artists. In addition to the gallery open house, you may view Chris’ work during the 5th Annual Art Studio Trek Art & Chocolate in the South Placer County communities of Roseville, Rocklin and Granite Bay. Visit Saturday & Sunday, April 30 & May 1, 10am-5pm. Attendance for that event is also free & open to the public. The Passport Map is available throughout the community, or can be downloaded from the Art Studio Trek website: www.ArtStudioTrek.com

Disclosure: Jenny Stepp is an artist with the Art Studio Art Trek Group group. She is also a media volunteer for the group.

Art Studio Trek Artists in Sun City

2011-03-19T00:22:10Z

A few of the Art Studio Trek Artists will be showing and selling their work this weekend in Sun City Roseville, Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-2. This show is a "Must See, Must Do" show with amazing talented artist. Two of the Art Studio Trek Artists, Pat Abraham and Elma Jelle' have shown in Sun City for the last few years. Visit Sun City this weekend and meet the talented artists!

You may also wish to view their work along with the Art Studio Trek artists as they Celebrate the 5th Annual ‘Art Studio Trek’ in the South Placer County communities of Roseville, Rocklin and Granite Bay. Visit Saturday & Sunday, April 30 & May 1, 10am-5pm. Attendance is FREE & open to the public.

Enjoy the combined efforts of 19 artists at 13 studio locations. Celebrate this free weekend event and share in the artists’ personal creative endeavors. There will be a vast array of talent, art and inviting studio locations. Guests even have an opportunity to become eligible to win door prizes and original art. To be eligible for the drawing, attendees must sign-in and collect individual artist stamps on their "Passport Map" from a minimum of 10 artists, and submit their drawing entry to the final studio they visit.

The Passport Map is free and is available throughout the community, or can be downloaded from the Art Studio Trek website: www.artstudiotrek.com where samples & information about the participating Artists artwork can also be viewed. A preview of the artists’ works may also be seen at the Blue Line Gallery, 405 Vernon St., Roseville, Apr. 14 through May 14, 2011.

Disclosure: Jenny Stepp is an artist with the Art Studio Art Trek Group group. She is also a media volunteer for the group.

Phantom Gallery

2011-03-17T13:29:47Z

The Art Studio Trek Art Group will host a Phantom Gallery at 238 Vernon Street this Saturday, March 19th from 6pm-9pm for the Third Saturday event in Roseville. This is the same art group that is celebrating their 5th Anniversary Celebration of the Art & Chocolate Studio Tour April 30th and May 1st.

The Phantom Gallery is a unique opportunity for guests and art collectors to preview some of the art that will be on display next month. There will be over 12 artists displaying their work; and many of them will be on hand to answer questions and discuss their artwork. Come enjoy this event in the informal setting of the "Old Penney's" Building.

You can learn more about the Art & Chocolate Tour or download A Passport Map from the Art Studio Trek website: www.ArtStudioTrek.com.

Artist's works may also be seen in person at the Blue Line Gallery, from Apr. 14 - May 14, with a special Artists Reception held on the 3rd Saturday April 16, 2011, 7-9pm, 405 Vernon St, Downtown Roseville, Ca 95678 www.RosevilleArts.org

Disclosure: Jenny Stepp is an artist participating in The Art Studio Trek

St. Patrick's Day fundraiser inspires Sacramento to go bald

2011-03-16T04:48:13Z

Hair clippings were scattered along the sidewalk in front of de Vere’s Irish Pub Monday, which hosted the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser benefiting childhood cancer research organizations Keaton Raphael Memorial and St. Baldrick’s.

An estimated more than 200 participants showed up to shave their heads, and it wasn’t just men going under the clippers. Women and children were also a part of the mix.

St. Baldrick's is an international foundation dedicated to raising funds to find cures for childhood cancers. Located in Monrovia, Calif., it stands as a larger umbrella organization that partners with smaller groups. Keaton Raphael Memorial is one of these groups.

Keaton Raphael Memorial is a nonprofit organization from Roseville that was started by Robyn Raphael in memory of her son, who died after a nine-month battle with Neuroblastoma, a cancer that affects the nervous system.

Julie Fry, events coordinator for the Keaton Raphael Memorial, said they wanted an event focused around St. Patrick's Day in March. Before last year, she said, the event had always been held at the UC Davis Cancer Center in Sacramento.

“We are an organization that helps families with financial, educational and emotional support,” she said.

The entire event began inside de Vere's and spilled over L Street, which was blocked off for hair-shaving stations. The hair-clipping stations were donated by one of the sponsor's, Jodi McCray who owns 20 Supercuts franchises in the greater Sacramento area.

“When there were offers for us to participate,” McCray said, “it was huge because we are local, and it is an honor to be part of St. Baldricks.”

“This is the first one,” McCray said, “but now that we've started, we'll be carrying on with more fundraisers throughout the year.”

Those who had their hair clipped, called shavees, did so as an act of solidarity with the those suffering from childhood cancer.

Beforehand, 185 people had registered on the de Vere's website and had donated $73,812. The grand total count of shavees and funds raised won't be available until later in the week.

Justin Laffoday, who was in line to get his head shaved, said he came out because he is good friends with the de Vere White family, which owns the pub.

“It's a good cause, and it’s a good time,” he added.

Co-owner and manager of de Vere's Irish Pub, Henry de Vere White, said his father, Ralph, originally held the event at the UC Davis Cancer Center for which he serves as director.

“I asked if I could steal it from him,” Henry de Vere White said, “and he said that it was fine, anything that brings in research money.”

Last year, they raised more than $90,000, de Vere White said, adding that his hopes were to beat that this year.

“So far, its going good,” he said partway through the evening, “It can only grow from here.”

Donations were organized through different outlets, like the memorial website and the de Vere's Irish Pub, but also from the beer truck parked outside, where all the proceeds from outdoor purchases went straight into the pool of donations raised.

“Cancer affects everyone in their life,” McCray said. “But here, still it’s very festive, it's a big celebration.”

Yo-yo championship comes to Downtown Plaza

2011-03-07T04:51:43Z

Yo-yo competitors from all around the world came together for the California State Yo-yo Championship Saturday. Returning champion, Jensen Kimmitt took the Westfield Downtown Plaza stage to win yet another trophy and this year’s $1,000 grand prize.

Booking his ticket almost last minute, Kimmitt, 22, a 13-year veteran of yo-yoing, took a flight out of his native Canada around 1 a.m. Friday in order to be in Sacramento for the championship.

“It feels like a relief,” Kimmitt said after his win, as kids came up to him for autographs, handshakes and high-fives.

It's been stressful in his hometown of Edmonton, he said, where he's been indoors for days because the temperature has been around -30 degrees Celsius, and at times four feet of snow has fallen.

“I probably got cabin fever,” Kimmitt admitted.

Despite his anxiety from the indoors, it has given him the opportunity to practice enough to be reigning world champion and now two-time California State champion.

The organizer of the event, Chris Allen, who also runs the website yoyoskills.com, said he has been yo-yoing for 20 years, 12 of them professionally.

“I picked up a yo-yo at 14 and I got pretty good,” he said.

Before he became the organizer of the event, he was originally looking to organize a competition in Sacramento. Before that idea got off the ground, he was asked to organize and run the Cal
State yo-yo Championship in 2010.

Previously it had been held in San Francisco, but Allen wanted to bring a yo-yo event to the capital, so he moved the championship to Downtown Plaza last year.

“It's a very nice outdoor mall,” he said. “It brought a lot people, so we're doing it at the same place.”

Before the competition had begun, there were small huddles of people whipping their florescent yo-yos around and sharing their latest tricks.

The contest began with the first of six divisions, the Ladder division. The Ladder division is designed for kids and amateurs. In this category, the contestants are given a sheet of paper with specific tricks and they must try to complete as many of them as possible.

After this first round, the more serious contenders took the stage for the five remaining divisions.

Each division had its preliminaries, which were then whittled down to its top contestants. Each contestant in each division was judged by the same panel of five judges, three of whom are yo-yo masters. There are only 13 yo-yo masters in the entire world. The judges used a scoring rubric of national yo-yo standards set by the National Yo-Yo League.

The first division, offered the largest cash prize of $1,000 dollars and the title of California State Champion. The challenge consisted of using one yo-yo and being as technically proficient as possible with only one minute in the prelims and two minutes if a contestant advanced to the finals.

The second division, which offered a prize of $250, was to see how many “looping tricks” one could do inside the allotted time.

In the third division, which also offered a $250 prize, contestants used two yo-yos, one in each hand, to perform.

The fourth division, offering a $250 prize, is a “really interesting” style, Allen said. Contestants use an oversized yo-yo that isn't connected to the string and juggle it.

The final division, which comes with a $500 prize, was what Allen called a “freehand” style. One ties the string to a counterweight, he said, like a piece of die or something small and plastic, and juggles both ends of the yo-yo while doing tricks from the middle of the string.

The interesting part of the competition, is that The winner of the first division does not always end up to be a California resident, Allen said.

“Even if you don't win but are the highest-ranking from California, you get that title, which automatically qualifies you for the regionals,” he said.

Last year's highest-ranking contestant in California was Paul Han from San Francisco, who also co-runs a small yo-yo company called Bombsquad. Han has been competing about as long as he has been yo-yoing for about 15 years.

Some of the contestants were part of sponsored teams, including Yolex, a team from Roseville. Created by Mike and Colleen Hendon, part owners and managers of the Learning Express toy stores.

“Kids working for us showed interest,” Mike Hendon said. “So, we started the club about one year ago.”

Yolex had five kids competing, ranging in age from 10 to 17.

One contestant, Alex Hattori, 13, competed in both the first and third divisions, placing second in the latter. Though he has only been yo-yoing for about a year and a half, he is last year's champion from the national junior competition, which took place in Chico.

In his hometown of Torrance, Hattori is a local figure for his yo-yoing. He regularly performs at nursing homes and fundraisers and even teaches kids with attention deficit disorder to yo-yo. He even started a club for yo-yoing at his middle school he attends.

“He shows them tricks, breaks it down, and it’s a lot of fun for everyone,” said Linda Hattori, Alex's mother. “It's just amazing,” she said. “to watch him up there. I'm very proud of him.”

Hattori said she really likes the yo-yo culture and community because of the camaraderie.

“It's an individual thing,” she said. “You’re not letting anyone down when you try and work at it alone. It's just amazing. Everyone's out here having fun.”

The full results can be found on the California Yo-Yo Contest website.

Guild Theater to host Found Footage Fest

2011-03-02T06:45:23Z

Found Footage Fest, a screening featuring odd and obscure videos compiled by curators Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, will be presenting its latest collection on Sunday at the Guild Theater in Oak Park.

The showing is a guided tour through a collection of 75 funny clips and segments with Prueher and Pickett explaining when and where they found each piece of footage, along with other commentary to put each set into context.

“Sometimes it’s a standalone clip, and sometimes it's a montage,” Prueher said. “Home videos, training videos, exercise videos, this is the stuff that wasn't mean to be shown to the public.”

Now in its seventh year, they are taking the show back on the road and presenting their new screening, called “Volume 5.”

“We started by showing them to friends,” Prueher said. That was back as early as 1991. By 2004, when a more elaborate collection was built, Prueher and Pickett thought they could do something more with it.

“We thought we could take this thing we do with our friends and put it in a movie theater,” Prueher said.

After curating an initial set of videos, they held the first showing in 2004, and in 2005 made a national tour using it. Since then, they have still been collecting off-the-wall videos and compiling new footage packages for each year of the tour.

This marks the fifth year Found Footage Fest has come to Sacramento and the third year it is being sponsored by Movies On A Big Screen.

Movies On A Big Screen is the brainchild of Sacramento Locals Robert McKeown and Deann Little, who became tired of independent features or films, such as Found Footage Fest, skipping Sacramento.

“We started it in 2006,” McKewon said. “We wanted to play movies that hit other metropolitan areas but didn't get to Sacramento.”

This led to the start of a weekly film series with “Cocaine Cowboys,” a documentary about the Miami drug trade.

When Prueher and Pickett approached McKeown through e-mail in 2008 about hosting Found Footage Fest, it seemed a perfect fit.

“They approached us, and we wanted to fill that gap,” McKeown said.

Preceding the headlining Found Footage Fest, there will be a 25-year anniversary showing of the cult-classic “Heavy Metal Parking Lot.”

“Heavy Metal Parking Lot” is a short documentary directed by Jeff Krulik and John Heyn that was filmed in a concert arena parking lot in Maryland before a 1986 Judas Priest concert. It was originally a video bootleg that acquired a cult following until finally, in 2006, it gained an official release.

This year’s fest will feature clips from self-hypnosis videos on how to be a better lover, how-to videos on ventriloquism, and a compilation of exercise clips, some of which feature Cher and the American Gladiators.

The videos shown are “cream of the crop,” Prueher said. “We save the best stuff for the live shows.”

Found Footage Fest begins at 8 p.m., and tickets are $10. The Guild theater is located at 2828 35th St.

"We Turned it Up to 11" party as final Lipstick night

2011-02-28T05:48:19Z

The bright lights of Lipstick night will come to an end Tuesday as the Midtown bar Old Ironsides hosts their “We Turned It Up to 11” anniversary party in hopes of going out with a bang.

Since 2000, Lipstick has been a staple event for Sacramento, especially in Midtown. The event was started by DJ Shaun Slaughter who has now decided to end it.

“I think they want to end it on a high note,” said the Old Ironsides manager and bartender who only goes by Gonzo.

Lipstick started when Slaughter approached Old Ironsides with the idea, according to Gonzo, and he was joined later by Roger Carpio and other guests over the years, Gonzo said.

Though Gonzo didn't notice anything really evolve or change with the event, those eleven years with Old Ironsides changed for him. When Lipstick began, he was just a bouncer. Over time, he worked his way up to his current management position.

“I was there the whole time,” he said. The whole experience has been “phenomenal”.

“We love Shaun and Roger,” he said. “We appreciate everything they have done. We appreciate all the customers and all the business. I wish it could keep going, but all good things come an end.”

Though Lipstick is calling it quits, that doesn't mean it's the end for Old Ironsides, Slaughter, or Carpio. The first Saturday of every month, they will be holding an event, similar to Lipstick.

“There are other things in the works (for Tuesdays), so keep watch,” Gonzo said.

Ericka Violett, a senior at Sacramento State University, said she remembers the first time she went to Lipstick, over two years ago.

“It was a few days after my 21st birthday,” she said. “It was sometime during the summer, and I had a blast. It's a place where all kinds of people come out, and dance however they want. You get all kinds at Lipstick.”

Midtown resident Merry Vang noted the first time she went, nearly six years ago. She really enjoyed the music and the dark dance floor with its small florescent lights.

“It was a really good time,” Vang said. “We were impressed by the crowd.”

But, Vang added, it wasn't something you could do every Tuesday. Over the years, she felt it had its ups and downs.

Vang remembered a time, not long after her initial visit, when she felt the crowd was really “down.” Despite this, Vang said she will miss Lipstick night because you didn't have to be a great dancer, and there was no pressure.

“It was a really nice local thing, a very Midtowner thing to do,” she said. “Really, it was fun. It was just fun.”

Lipstick begins at 9 p.m. and the cover charge is 5 dollars.

Ettore's Bakery hosts third annual "Ettore's coffee break"

2011-02-24T06:45:10Z

The aroma of freshly made pastries filled the second floor of the Elks Tower Wednesday morning as locals gathered to enjoy a coffee break and watch a pizza-making contest.

More than 150 people turned out for the third annual Ettore’s Coffee Break, which is put on by Ettore’s Bakery and Restaurant, and benefits the Youth Development Network.

Before the pizza-making competition, Ettore Ravazzolo, owner of Ettore’s, gave his own pizza-making demonstration.

The celebrity pizza-making contest was divided into two teams, one male and one female. All four contestants in each group were called onto the stage to see who could make a pizza the fastest by kneading the dough, spreading the sauce, topping with cheese and pepperoni.

The female contestants were City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby, need title Michelle Odell, need title Alisa Okelo-Odongo and this year’s winner, Lucy Eidam Crocker, who owns and operates the Midtown public relations firm LucyCo Communications.

The male contestants were title Philip Arndt, title Garry Maisel, title Rick Nelson and winner of the male team Leroy Tripette, who works external affairs for Intel Corporation in Folsom.

The contest judges were Chevo Ramirez, regional vice president of the Wells Fargo Foundation, and Elyssa Lee, co-owner of Sactown Magazine and the celebrity pizza-making winner for 2010.

“I've had this idea to do a fundraiser through the company,” said Ravazzolo of beginning this yearly event. Ettore's Coffee Break was created in 2009 with the help of organizer Sharon Gerber.

“Last year, we had some celebrities, and this year we had some more celebrities. But it’s just locals,” he said. “It was a lot of fun.... Every year it grows more and more.”

Tripette said he was asked by Gerber to be part of the pizza-making contest.

“She gave me a call and told me I was doing it,” he said. “It was a lot of fun, a little scary, and I wasn't sure I knew what I was doing.”

Crocker, who was also approached by Gerber, said it was “awesome.”

“I trained at Hot Italian,” she said. “I was throwing it, and it was all in the technique.”

Youth Development Network (YDN) is a “mediator for groups working with young people,” said YDN trainer Andy Paul YDN is a resource to help support groups and organizations provide services for the youth, Paul added.

YDN has been around since 2000 and is centrally located in Sacramento. But, Paul said, the group isn’t limited to Sacramento and provides services to other counties in the region.

“We do a lot of training as well as networking, bringing some of these people together so they can learn from each other,” he said.

Adrian Ruiz, executive director of YDN, said during a closing speech that “this is the most successful YDN fundraiser to date.”
“Events like this brings more allies to our cause,” he added.

“We want to get more people involved,” Ravazzolo said at the end of the event, “but at the same time we want to have fun.”

Author to Discuss New Book on Water Fluoridation Dangers

2011-02-21T19:09:52Z

Paul Connett PhD will be in Sacramento Febuary 23~24th to discuss his new book The Case Against Fluoride: How Hazardous Waste Ended Up in Our Drinking Water and the Bad Science and Powerful Politics That Keep It There. Learn how this relates to Sacramento, as new found dangers of water fluoridation continue coming to light.

There will be two events in Sacramento:

ARCADE LIBRARY - Wednesday Feb 23rd 7:00-9:00pm 2443 Marconi Ave Sacramento. It is a free event. For more info go to FluorideFreeSsacramento.org
WHOLE FOODS - Thurs. Feb. 24th 7:00-9:00pm 4315 Arden Way (Eastern and Arden Way) Seating is limited at this event. For reservations at Whole Food call (916) 483-1155 For more info go to FluorideFreeSsacramento.org

Over the past 23 years Dr. Paul Connett's research on waste management has taken him to 49 US states and 50 other countries, where he has given approximately 2000 pro bono public presentations. He has co-authored 6 peer reviewed articles on dioxin and numerous other articles on waste management. He is the main author of the new book The Case Against Fluoride: How Hazardous Waste Ended Up in Our Drinking Water and the Bad Science and Powerful Politics That Keep It There

Ralph Nader said "He is the only person I know who can make waste interesting."

Dr. Connett has researched the literature on fluoride¹s toxicity for 12 years. He helped found the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) http://www.fluoridealert.org for which he is the Executive Director. He has given presentations at the International Society for Fluoride Research conferences in New Zealand, Germany and China; the Japanese Society for Fluoride Research; the American College of Toxicology; the US EPA; the US National Research Council; the CDC in Nanjing, China; the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Health and Children in Ireland, a parliamentary committee in the Knesset, Israel as well as to many citizens¹ groups in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, the UK and the US.

Of particular concern is a growing body of research indicating fluoride's ability to damage the developing brain, including 24 studies associating fluoride exposure with reduced IQ in children, 6 studies linking fluoride to other neurotoxic effects in children, and over 100 animal studies reporting that fluoride directly damages the brain.

Meet Sacramento's most eligible bachelors

2011-02-18T16:03:48Z

The Sacramento website Girls on the Grid announced the winner of its Sacramento's most eligible bachelor competition Wednesday night at Midtown’s Lounge on 20 as a fundraiser for the local chapter of Women Escaping A Violent Environment.

The night seemed to start slowly, with a few people filtering into the bar and lounge at the corner of 20th and K. But by the time last year’s winner, Patrick Harbison, announced that they would be showcasing the bachelors soon, Lounge on 20 was a packed house.

The winner of the competition, Eric Dietz, 29, legislative director for California Assemblyman Allan Mansoor, was announced as Sacramento's Most Eligible Bachelor. The announcement was followed by a rush of cheers as a member from the audience held a sign reading, “Dietz does it 4 the ladies.”

Girls on the Grid is a “lifestyle blog,” said contributing writer and blogger Jamie Romas. “It's for those who work, play and live on the grid.”

Though it's not exclusively for Midtown, she said, that is where the idea for Sacramento's Most Eligible Bachelor contest came to mind.

“We wanted to show that there were eligible bachelors in Sacramento,” added Amelia Neufeld, also a contributing blogger and writer for Girls on the Grid. There is a myth, she said, “that there aren't any guys in Sacramento, so we wanted to show the community, and girls (who live) on the grid, that there were great guys.”

Sacramento's Most Eligible Bachelor begins with its initial nominees submitted anonymously through the Girls on the Grid blog. Like an inverted pyramid, the competition began with these initial contestants, and this year, there were 30 submissions. From there, a survey was created to break it down to the 11 bachelors who appeared at the contest, and then a final survey was held to choose a winner.

The audience was an eclectic mix of Sacramento locals, who came partly in support of the fundraiser for WEAVE, which has served Sacramento County since 1978 as the main provider of support for sexual assault and domestic abuse victims.

Attendees’ support came by way of clothing donations and the contribution of $1 from every Pomdrop cocktail ordered (Ketel One citron vodka, pomegranate juice and a twist of lemon).

Local business owners Amar Dhariwal and Sabrina Berhane had just heard about it that morning. But they came out, Dhariwal said, because “we're big supporters of any midtown event.”

Sarah Tassone and Jennifer Pancheri came out together to support one of the most eligible bachelors, Brad Cecchi, whom they both had voted for.

“I've known him since I was 11,” Tassone said. “He's a well-deserved candidate.”

Another attendee, Jamie Chatman, said she voted for Eric Dietz because he is “successful and cute.”

“He is a really nice guy,” Chatman said, “and not too hard on the eyes.”

Many of the bachelors had not just friends, but family and co-workers in the audience. Scott Dietz, who came out to support his brother, Eric Dietz, said before his brothers win that he's not sure why Eric is the most eligible bachelor.

By the end of night, some of the bachelors still had no idea who had nominated them, but they appreciated the nomination nonetheless. Bachelor Alex Sigua said, “It's a great honor, and it's great to be part of a worthy cause.”

As for being chosen as Sacramento's most eligible bachelor, Dietz said, “It's out of control.”

“I hope that it will make me more known in Sacramento,” he added.

Valentine's Day on a budget

2011-02-08T04:21:49Z

Whether you’re short on cash or you’d rather spend your money on something else, Valentine's Day can seem like another unnecessary financial burden. With the typical gift of chocolates, roses and romantic dinners generally geared toward couples, it may feel hard to keep up on a budget.

This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Monday, leaving a whole weekend’s worth of events leading up to the holiday.

The Sacramento Press had the cash-strapped in mind, when we put together a list of things to do around Sacramento, Valentine’s-themed or otherwise, for $20 or less a person.

Friday, Saturday, and Monday
Selland's Specials
Selland's Market-Cafe
5340 H St
Served daily (Monday - Saturday) after 3 p.m.
Blue plate specials: $10 per person
Weekly dinner special (dinner and a bottle of wine): $25 for two.
sellands.com

Looking for classy dining without the steep price tag? Selland’s is offering $10 blue plate specials for the month of February. A different entrée and side is featured each day. If you come on Tuesday, you’ll be treated to panko crusted salmon with an Asian noodle salad. Friday’s special is wood-oven roast pork with mashed potatoes and broccoli. Your heart may be aching but your stomach will be happy.

Saturday
Danny Daze
The Park Ultra Lounge
1116 15th St.
Starts at 9 p.m.
$15 at the door. Ages 21 and older.
theparkdowntown.com

Danny Daze, a nationally recognized DJ, will be performing at The Park Ultra Lounge downtown. Though it costs $15 (and the drinks aren't free), the Park Ultra Lounge is good place to dance the night away and maybe meet someone new.

Second Saturday Art Walk
Sacramento Midtown/downtown grid
Free. 5 – 9:30 p.m.
More information: 2nd-sat.com

Second Saturday isn't anything new in Sacramento. But, since this year it falls on the weekend before Valentine's Day, there are a host of themes to discover along the art walk. Many artists and venues will be hosting events, such as the Artist Foundry gallery, who will have a demonstration on the art of bronze pouring and sculpting.

Tango by the River Milonga
Tango by the River
128 J St.
8 - 9 p.m.
$15 - $20 per person. Ages 18 and older.
rivertango.com

The Tango by the River studio sits directly over the Sacramento River in Old Sacramento. Instructors Donna and Steve Williams offer Milongas, or Argentine Tango dance parties, as an introduction to the Tango. Go with your partner, or go alone, this is one party you shouldn’t miss

Teen Un-Valentine’s Day
Central Library- Teen Underground
828 I St.
1 - 2 p.m.
Free.
More information: saclibrary.org or call 264-2770.

For the bitter teenager, we’ve got just the place for you. Come to the Central Library for games, snacks and crafts with a very Un-Valentine's Day theme. Don't show up wearing red or pink, only black or other dark, gloomy colors are allowed. Get your emo on.

Sunday
Blues Jam
Torch Club
904 15th St.
4 - 7 p.m.
Free. Ages 21 and older.
More information: torchclub.net or call 443-2797.

Established the same year prohibition ended, in 1934, the Torch Club has been a longtime Blues Club in Sacramento. For those feeling blue, from being alone or being broke, Torch Club offers a blues jam and happy hour for those who want to play away their sorrows.

Make Chocolate Roses
Central Library – Teen Underground
828 I St.
2 - 4 p.m.
Free
More information: saclibrary.org or call 264-2770.

Need a Valentine's Day gift for your teenage love? The Central Library has you covered. Nothing says “I love you” like a bouquet of chocolate roses made out of Hershey's Kisses. All materials will be supplied, you just have to bring yourself.

Rosemont High School to host Poetry out Loud contest

2011-01-31T04:26:04Z

18 students from Sacramento County will begin competing this Thursday for a college scholarship in the Sixth annual Poetry Out Loud contest at Rosemont High School.

Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation contest founded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. These groups generally collaborate with state arts agencies to promote Poetry Out Loud. For Sacramento County, the California Arts Council has collaborated with the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and Sacramento County Office of Education.

Poetry Out Loud began as two pilot programs in Washington, D.C. and Chicago in 2005. After a successful turnout, community support and large student participation, it was then promoted to high schools on a national level in 2006.

The contest begins at each individual school. An identified Poetry Out Loud coordinator creates a sign-up list for the interested students.

At every stage in the contest, contestants choose two pieces of poetry from a strict list of 650 poems already designated by Poetry Out Loud. One piece must be 25 lines or fewer and the other must be pre-20th century.

After the school-wide contest, the winner progress along a pyramid structure from the county, to the state, and then to nationals, with the finals in Washington, D.C. The national winner is awarded a $20,000 college scholarship.

Starting at the County level, A panel of five judges evaluate contestants by physical presence ], voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, level of difficulty, evidence of understanding, overall performance and accuracy.

“At its peak last year, we had 25 schools participate,” said Maureen Gemma from the Sacramento County Office of Education.

Because of state standards and the economic times, some schools have had to take a different approach when beginning Poetry Out Loud at the school-wide level.

“The process should begin at the classroom level, but with state standards and other things, we work it the best we can,” said Russ Young, English teacher and Poetry Out Loud coordinator for Pleasant Grove High School” .

This year, Young said, they had over 40 students sign up at Pleasant Grove High School.

“I've always been into poetry,” Young said. He has been the coordinator for five years and was “totally interested” after the initial e-mail five years ago. Before Pleasant Grove, he taught English at Elk Grove High School and organized poetry readings there.

“The school does come together to help each other out,” Young said. Last year’s school champion, Marsallis Cannady, was runner-up at the county contest.

“I really enjoy doing it,” said Allyessa Shaffer, a senior at Pleasant Grove and a third-year participant.
“Everyone thinks it’s boring, but it’s more interesting when you perform the poems. It becomes more real to them.”

Like Shaffer, Young feels Poetry Out Loud offers a lot to the students.

It gives them an appreciation of poetry and what it does for people, he said. He wants them not
just saying the words “but feeling the words.”

That's why, Gemma said, there is no reading allowed. All participants must memorize their poems.

“We want them to gain a wide variety of experience, especially in poetry,” Gemma said.

Poetry Out loud will be held at the Rosemont High School Theater, 9594 Kiefer Blvd., from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday. It is a free event and open to the public.

More than Just Wine Barrel Tasting: Meet the people behind the wine in El Dorado

2011-01-22T22:44:24Z

Looking at the two men, one wouldn’t notice much in common; except maybe the worn out pair of jeans each wore and the purple stains under their finger nails. But these two men share the same passion – wine.

“Some kids went to preschool,” said D.J. Latcham, a 24-year-old third generation winery owner and operator at Latcham Vineyards. “I went to the tasting room. There is wine in my veins. Some zin is in there somewhere.”

For Mount Aukum winemaker Michel Prod’hon, a native of a tiny French village who moved to the U.S. 31 years ago, wine was a part of growing up. “When I grew up, we didn’t wait to drink. I have been drinking wine since I was little.” His childhood memories involved picking grapes during the harvest and helping relatives crush by hand.

But what makes both of these men’s stories so unique is the opportunities to actually hear it from them directly. For most wine enthusiasts, a trip to a Napa Valley winery may involve a tasting fee, the exchange of half dozen words with a salesperson, and a few pours in a tasting room.

“Napa isn’t personal. You just don’t see the winemaker,” said Mount Aukum Winery assistant winemaker Bill Dishman.

The El Dorado Winery Association changes that with Bring Out the Barrel, taking place January 29- 30. This annual event featuring 26 wineries in El Dorado wine country is a rare experience to not only sample vintages yet to be released, but to meet the people behind the wine.

Tips from Experts on Making the Most of Your Wine Tasting Experience

Napa Valley is home to legendary wineries - Robert Mondavi Wineries, Grgich Hills Estate, Stags’ Leap Winery - to name a few. But how often does one get to ask the winemakers of these icons their philosophy on making wine? How do they decide when is the right time to pick the grape from the vine? What wines do they enjoy making the most? Is the port better with brownies or ice cream?

Both Latcham and Prod’hon will tell you that for their wines, elevation matters. E l Dorado wine country provides one vineyard with fog and clay based soil and another granite. Pleasant Valley wineries enjoy nearly identical conditions to France’s Rhône river valley. The climatology, geology and history of the region, or the terroir, provide a great variety and opportunity for these winemakers and owners.

“We have access to the best grapes in the world,” says Latcham. “ El Dorado County offers so many microclimates. We have wines with an altitude.”

At Mount Aukum Winery, they produce wine the old fashioned way by hand-pressing during fermentation, but the vines themselves are only about four to five years old. This 7-year-old vineyard offers quality over quantity: about 14 red wines, four white wines and a port. While barrel wine tasting the 2008 Malbec, one enjoys the simplicity of this very smooth red wine to be released in summer 2011. This vintage is no blend; 100% Malbec grapes. And knowing 2008 only produced 55 tons of grapes for Mount Aukum Winery compared to the 120 tons in 2007, one also realizes now is the time to grab these bottles.

In addition to the extraordinary experience of sampling from the wine barrel and talking to the winemakers, one also has a chance to purchase futures, or vintages not yet released, during Bring Out the Barrel.

“Wine futures are like the stock market, but with better odds,” said Latcham.

At Latcham Vineyards, there are two things a visitor notices in their tasting room; all the medals and ribbons along the walls and the crowd of people hovering over the homemade brownies. The brownies contain a secret ingredient that has people returning to the tasting room on a regular basis – their port.

Port appears to be a favorite of both wineries. Prod’hon enjoys making blends such as ports because it truly shows off the talents of the winemaker. “It’s a challenge,” he says. Latcham agrees.

D.J. Latcham’s grandfather, Frank Latcham, bought the land in 1980 after realizing his dream of quitting his tax attorney practice and the fact that owning a vineyard in Napa was out of his reach. During a visit to his sister in Placerville, Calif., a few local winery owners talked him into planting some vines in El Dorado County. After about ten years, the Latchams went from growing grapes to crushing them.

When talking about what he likes most about Bring Out the Barrel, Latcham replies, “This is something all winemakers wish they could do all the time. This is our product. This is what wine tasting is all about.”

Latcham Vineyard’s will be featuring a 2009 Gold Rush White for barrel tasting. Considered their table wine with a blend of chardonnay and pinot grigio, it is just a little sweet and produced with no filter. Past vintages sold out fast. But it is the people as much as the winemaking experience that Latcham enjoys the most.

“We hug 75 percent of the people that walk out of here.”

Bring Out the Barrel: Tips from experts on making the most out of your wine tasting experience

2011-01-22T22:13:19Z

The El Dorado Winery Association’s Bring Out the Barrel will take place January 29-30, 2011. It features barrel tasting from 26 wineries in the El Dorado wine country. In addition, many wineries feature entertainment, live bands and food pairings. Ticket prices are $20 in advance if purchased before January 23. Discounts are also available for designated drivers and groups.

To purchase tickets and learn more, visit www.eldoradowines.org.

Before visiting an El Dorado winery, a few tips from veteran wine drinkers and winemakers on how to make the most of your experience:

Find a designated driver. Convince a friend or hire a car service to be your driver for the day. These wineries offer generous pours and encourage you to try as much as possible. Some of the wineries are also located off curvy mountain roads. With 26 wineries to choose from, you want the ability to enjoy as many wineries (and wine) as possible.

Eat a big breakfast. People focus too much on where to eat at the end of the day instead of how to start it. Stop at Zachary Jacques and enjoy a stack of buttermilk pancakes or their French toast. You will want a full stomach with all the wine tasting ahead of you. For a complete listing of restaurants in El Dorado, visit www.eldoradowines.org/visit-hospitality.html.

Bring a picnic lunch. Nearly all of the wineries feature picnic areas, outside seating and amazing views. The weather should be ideal to enjoy this opportunity. Stop at Trader Joe’s, Corti Brothers or Whole Foods and grab a simple lunch of fresh bread, double crème cheese, marinated olives and thinly sliced meats. Or make sandwiches at home and put your dollars towards buying a bottle of wine to enjoy with your lunch.

Relax. There is no pressure. No one is judging you to see if you hold your glass the wrong way or stick your nose in far enough to smell the wine. “There is no right way to drink wine,” says Latcham Vineyards owner and operator D.J. Latcham. He does encourage you to “take it all in.” Don’t be afraid to smell the wine first. A wine’s smell will many times give you an inkling of its taste. Be sure to let the wine “open up” or breathe by swirling it in your glass, especially reds. Sip at first. Enjoy the wine at the back of your mouth where most of your taste sensors are located.

There are no stupid questions. El Dorado winemakers and wine owners love to talk to customers about their wines. So don’t be afraid to ask questions such as what grapes are in the wine, where are they from, what type of barrels are used or what food should be paired with it. Be sure to tell these experts what wines you enjoy. They may offer similar selections. And if you find a wine you like, ask for seconds. “An empty glass is like a heartache around here,” said Latcham.

Marchers to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

2011-01-08T01:06:55Z

The first organized group in Sacramento to march in Martin Luther King Jr.’s honor did so in January, 1981. At 9 a.m. Jan. 17, 30 years later, more than 10,000 are expected to gather at Grant High School, Sacramento City College and Oak Park Community Center to march for civil rights and social justice in the MLK365 March.

“This march in a real sense is a way of dramatizing the needs of our generation, coming up with a whole set of values that meet the needs of people today,” said event spokesman Sam Starks. “We will march until we bring into existence those things.”

The march is a celebration of King’s work and the work of all who participated in the civil rights movement, but it is also a call to action for the current generation – those too young to have lived through the turbulent decades from the 1950s through the 1970s.

“We’ve come a long way, but we’ve still got a long way to go,” Starks said.

“It’s not just an issue of whether people of color can buy houses or sit at lunch counters,” he said. “Have we reached a place where we can say America is truly a country of equity, justice and fairness? No. This is about making America a greater place than it already is.”

The marches will conclude at the Sacramento Convention Center around 10 a.m. for the celebration.

That celebration will include educational displays, music, food, speeches by local politicians and a multicultural talent show.

Starks said the goal of the MLK365 organization is to keep working on social justice issues all year long, focusing on the differences in various races’ experiences.

One of the group’s focuses is neighborhoods

“We need to look at the communities where predominantly people of color live,” he said. “Those communities don’t have true integration. They have check-cashing and liquor stores instead of parks and banks.”

One of the organization’s major focuses is on youth, and Amy Perdigone, a counselor at Highlands High School in North Highlands, has been volunteering with the organization for about five years, when she was a counselor at Encina High School.

“I try to be promoting things like peace, justice and social justice,” she said. “A lot of King’s legacy is very applicable even today. We try to make it more modern.”

Perdigone said today’s youths are more in tune to entertainment, so music and video are incorporated into the educational parts of the celebration following the march.

“It appeals to them because of the entertainment and education (section of the convention center celebration) playing videos that show marches from ’65, when teens and youths started (the civil rights movement),” Perdigone said. “They have a strong reaction to that. They connect the past with the present, and they see that people their age were doing these things.”

Participation in the march is free of charge, but Starks said there is a cost.

“You have to get up early, and you have to march, and you have to go back and tell all your friends and share King’s message,” he said. The two marches come from the north and south areas of Sacramento, and each is expected to take about an hour.

For more information on the march, exact meeting times and routes, visit the MLK365 website.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Photos of last year’s event courtesy MLK365.

Sacramento library inspires Bad Artists

2010-12-17T19:24:08Z

Artists beware: Somebody wants you to dream up the worst art you could possibly make. That is what Wednesday nights’ Bad Art Night event at the Central library was all about. Taking that dream and turning it into a reality.

Bad Art Night was put on by the ALT Library, a program organized by the Sacramento Public Library system.

Bad Art Night was meant to be the creation of art by the creation-less. They wanted nothing good, just the makers to make whatever they could. And at the end, every piece was to be judged, with the winner taking home a prize.

ALT Library was designed for Sacramento readers in their 20s and 30s. They feature events ranging from punk rock pilates to a book club and, coming soon, speed dating for book lovers.

“Typically, There’s a lack of programming or events for that age group,” Said Jessica Zaker, one of the program designers. “We’ve had some events work, and some just flop.”

But they’re trying. Alt Library program is on a trial-and-error basis. Seeing what works and what doesn’t. Bad Art seemed to work, but the turnout was not necessarily what was expected.

Interestingly, the upwards of 15 participants weren’t necessarily in the 20s and 30s age bracket that was expected. It was an all-ages event starting with the youngest artist (with an excess of yarn and a full bottle of glue) being his worst at just 9 years old.

Art materials ranged from ink stamps, acrylics, old wallpaper, glue sticks, markers and anything else that could be cut or glued. There were even canvases available, which were meant to be unique for those who have never before used such materials.

“We like multimedia use here. Those are especially bad,” said Lori Easterwood, another designer of the ALT Library program.

Easterwood, who has been working with the Sacramento Library District for three years, also jokingly noted that “so many people are scarred by bad art teachers in life. This is a way to come to terms with that.”

Though it was only a small event, it was light and transparent for those participating. An hour into its start, just before the final “judgment,” one participant was hesitating at his finished project. There were scissors and art supplies spread around him, and a comment from nowhere came his way, “Yours is too good.”

Someone replied back, “Well, he’s trying to make it worse.”

For information on upcoming ALT Library events, ask your local library branch for a flier or check it out HERE.

The GrubCrawl gets going with Groupon

2010-12-13T09:23:50Z

AS THE HOLIDAYS DRAW EVER CLOSER, I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE TRYING TO STRETCH A BUCK AS FAR AS IT WILL GO,...

That's why GrubCrawlUSA.com is Ho, Ho, Happy to announce their partnership with Groupon.com and over 15 area restaurants for four (4) upcoming events in the Sacramento region. With today's deal you get 1 ticket to a social dining event with GrubCrawl Sacramento for half off. As crawlers hop from restaurant to restaurant over the course of a night, either on foot or by pedicab (for a small extra fee), their tummies fill with free food and discount drinks from eateries and bars like Tamaya Sushi, TexMex, Aura, Morgans Bistro @ the Sheraton Grand, Vive, Shenanigans, Table 260, Pyramid, The Limelight, and Blue Cue, inflating to a greater and greater size until the crawl becomes more like a waddle. Luckily, the new friends they've made during the crawl, which brings together epicureans from around the Sacramento area, can help them roll home in time for sunup. With today's deal, choose from four belly-busting events:

•The Third Annual Christmas Crawl beginning at 5 pm on Saturday, December 18th, 2010
•Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday GrubMarch beginning at 1 pm on Monday, January 17th, 2011
•Pre-Valentines Sexy Saturday Singles Mingle beginning at 5 pm on Saturday, February 12th, 2011
•Sensual Sunday's Couples Crawl beginning at 4 pm on Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Save a bundle & spread some cheer while you support local businesses this Holiday Season,...and remember,..you know you got enough to eat and drink if you're "Crawling"!

Written by Cline Moore

GrubCrawl Founder

'Hinterland' plays with sound and soul

2010-12-04T00:59:31Z

Tucked away in the University of California, Davis, campus Wednesday night was the first of four days showing the play, “Hinterland.”

“Hinterland” is a two-part, two-hour play written, directed and adapted for the stage by artist-in-residence Lucy Gough.

A British playwright, Gough writes for the BBC drama “Doctors” as well as many other projects. Her artist-in-residence project, “Hinterland,” opened with the seats partly filled, largely with students.

“Hinterland” is a radio-theater drama melded from two separate pieces to explore one concept – the soul. Opening with the piece, “Mapping the Soul,” it ran for 50 minutes until intermission. “Mapping the soul” is a strange blend of surrealism and realism.

In the performance, Gough noted, “There are so many edges being blurred, and I love edges, hence the title ‘Hinterland.’ ”

In “Mapping the soul,” an atypical one-act, you see those lines blurred. She matches radio soundscapes and flamboyant dialogue with the simple stage sets of theater, as well as the song and dance of the soul.

“I thought it would be interesting to find a way to pull this radio play and stage play together and to create a new drama out of them,” Gough said.

“Mapping the soul” follows a 19th-century anatomist in search of the physicality of the soul by dissection of the brain and heart. He finds nothing.

It bounces back and forth with another plotline, juxtaposed, yet strangely perpendicular: The dialogue of a genome scientist lost in time and space, between life and death, declaring there is no soul, but eventually finding that the soul, element-less, exists as a sort of blind faith.

What is unique is not just the conception, but also the soundscape creation. The sound is live, as if on the air, to match the dialogue, creating the imagery that only storytelling radio can deliver.

“When the live audience witnesses the sound of the brain dissection being created by something like a cabbage being sawn up,” Gough said, “what does this do to their imaginations?”

Yes, sawn-up cabbages, water splashing in a bowl, ripped-apart pumpkins and more, the soundtrack is not automated or pre-recorded. It is as much a discourse, a script; as much vulnerable and alive as the actors. It’s very Beckett-esque, a tale exploring the soul and unknown, lacking in the absurd factor but fully delving into the sublime of the individual.

The second half continued with the namesake play, “Hinterland.” Its sound becomes more modern with dialogue sung hip-hop style backed by vocal break beats and an electric guitar. It’s a little more confusing, a little more lost as it plays with a scriptural and magic realism setting with poets, wolves and Adam and Eve.

After the performance, there was a brief discussion of the soul. There were varying perspectives between the cast and spectators speaking of its existence or its shape. In all, the play presented what was attempting to be clarified or understood afterward: The soul may be matter-less, existing in the dark on the edge of the unknown.

Grant's 4th Annual Hmong Club New Year Celebration

2010-11-23T05:45:27Z

It’s afterschool at Grant Union High School and the crowd goes wild!
No it is not Grant’s Friday night football game and no the crowd is not at Grant’s football field either.

Just before the thanksgiving break Grant’s auditorium is packed with not just any students of Grant but the Hmong students of Grant and their family, friends and other Hmong within the community.

In celebrations to Hmong New Year, Grant’s Hmong Club hosted their 4th annual Hmong New Year event which was opened to the community at Grant’s soccer field and in the auditorium Nov. 17.

Grant Union High School is well-known for their football team, but what you may not realize is that Grant is a really diverse public school and one of its major diversities is Hmong students and Hmong club is based on anybody and everybody who wants to enjoy the culture, support the culture and take part in the culture. Although mainly Hmong students, everyone volunteered to help out and support the club and the culture.

Grant’s Hmong Club is a minority club that has been around for quite some time. There are about 40 members this year and five available officers: the president, the vice president, the secretary, the treasurer and the public relations. Every year the officers change. Hmong Club advisors help supervise and advise; this year the three advisors are English teachers Mr. Xavier Young and Ms. Julie Lee and Mr. Thai Yang who works in the special education department.

According to Yang, Hmong club can be a place for Hmong students to meet and greet either because they are new to the school, returning or just wanting to make more Hmong friends. It is also to familiarize themselves with their culture and to express themselves.

The first half of the event took place on Grant’s soccer field. The club invited two people in the community with their family or friends to be venders at the event. Rio Linda High School Hmong Club had a booth and Grant’s Student Council joined in as well. Members of Hmong Club provided tables for the venders and booths and helped set up.

School ended at 2:30p.m and the outside event was schedule to open at 2:45p.m. Other Grant students came by the soccer field to check out what’s going on. Some bought food and drinks and stayed to watch performances by Foothill High School’s dance team, Grant’s cheerleading squad, Grant’s Drum Line and the Aztec dancers. Even a few teachers stopped by.

“They kind of help bring in more attention to the event,” said Diane Lee, treasurer of Hmong Club, who was happy that a lot of other students that weren’t Hmong came.

A volleyball net was provided and set up in the middle of the soccer field. Couples and friends toss tennis balls back and forth, a traditional custom during Hmong New Years. Venders sold food and drinks such as eggrolls, papaya salad, and meat balls with sauce and orange chicken. There was even speakers and music provided by a volunteer.

The majority of Grant’s Hmong club and Hmong students all wore their best traditional Hmong clothes. Most of them even wore the outfits the whole day! Grant teachers and other students did not mind at all. In fact, they enjoyed it.

“We reached out into the community a little bit more,” said Panhoia Lee, vice president of Hmong Club, who thought that this year’s event was better than last year’s because more people attended.

The event inside the auditorium started around 5:30p.m. with introductions from the advisors, the officers and then given to the hosts. The first show was a fashion show, where members and students in their Hmong outfits walk down the aisles and up to the stage. The crowd cheered and clapped excitedly throughout the whole event.

There were a lot of volunteered performers. The performances included Hmong traditional dancers, Hmong singers and bands from all over Sacramento. Some Hmong students and Hmong Club members even participated in performing. Every performance received rounds of applauses until the very end.

This whole event was based on doing culture activities such as meeting and greeting new friends, old friends, the community, and being able to toss ball, eat and perform traditional dances, sing, and dress up in the most beautiful traditional outfits and showing it off by wearing it proudly.

“I feel that we did a wonderful job, everyone came out together and threw out there a wonderful event; we never thought how good it all worked out,” said Mr. Yang who is very proud of his Hmong Club students because the show was scheduled to end at the latest 10p.m. but because of the student’s good work, it all ended before 9p.m.

Nancy Lo, Hmong Club’s PR thought the event was a great idea and said, “The Hmong community isn’t really big and the event was to kind of let others know about our culture and that we exist here at Grant.”

Celebration of the Revolution

2010-11-23T00:54:34Z

Celebrating their move this weekend, Revolution Wines was a scene of bright lights, bright eyes and bold wines.

Starting Friday and marching on through the weekend was their gala affair, a grand
opening celebration lasting three days. A self-declared “urban winery,” Revolution Wines was originally a centerpiece of the midtown bustle and has now relocated to its outskirts at the corner of 29th and S streets.

Though the festivities were limited, the availability of wines for tasting was not. Beginning with a Pinot grigio (a sharp, crisp white) and finishing with a ruby port (thick and sweet), the hue from light to dark summed to a total of 10 tastes.

Unsure of what to expect, early Friday evening I left the curtain of rain outside to find a spot at the clustered wine bar. At 5:30, the place was already filling to its brim with the hustle of waiters and conversation.

Some had been there for hours, trying the full tasting, pausing partway through to have some appetizers and a full glass of wine, only then to continue on through the taste rotation. Their only break was to give me what they thought were quotable adjectives or phrases (“It's essence is free,” one said. Sure.)

But their conversation was what made the bar its own scene. With only a few bartenders and a few dozen people lingering near the bar alone (most midway through the list like myself), adjectives and suggestions filled the glass full until the next small sample with no explanation came.

The busy factor wasn’t so bad. If anything, it shows the appeal to the urban society. A simple yet refined design resonates throughout the lunch, dinner and wine bar space. It speaks to a varied crowd, which may be representative of the menu: everything from Thai chicken sliders with a Hawaiian roll to a baked polenta plate. And one could even top it from the dessert menu, chocolate almond tartlet or their in-house “Revolutionary Pop-tart.”

If looking past the food and straight to the wine, there are two notables to watch: the chardonnay and the zinfandel. Two others of interest were the verdelho and the grenache. But what stood out the most was not the clever and personalized names for each wine but the lack of it.Yet again, simple with a modest touch.

Managing partner Gina Genshlea was there in person working right along as pourer, server and host. She noted Revolutionary Wines first opened with its 2005 vintage released in 2007. Their idea was an urban winery that handcrafted its own wine and chose its grapes from their knowledge of the soil, texture and growers, all while staying as close to Sacramento County as possible. So, they began by purchasing that first local vintage in 2005.

This handcrafting is performed by the winemaker, Craig Haarmeyer. Haarmeyer began his experience with his own home-brewing of beers and wine. When signed on to oversee the Revolution Wines creations, he was first supervised by a veteran winemaker. After only two months, Haarmeyer was spot on and needed no more guidance but his own intuition.

After finishing the tasting rotation, I went to experience the barrel tasting in the cellar. Introducing myself to Haarmeyer he abruptly walked away, and his absence for a few minutes left the pouring to his nameless apprentice.

As I tasted their latest port from the barrel, the small crowd made sure to note that Revolution Wines isn’t new to Sacramento by any means. The potent and sweet taste is one to watch for in the next year, and this small crowd tasting and talking were a symbol not to mark the opening per se, but see the renewal and continuance of this local winery.

Convergence at the Verge

2010-11-15T04:51:37Z

“Sponsor a paint can” were the first words that stood out as one entered the unsuspecting warehouse for the annual holiday open house of Sacramento’s Verge Center of the Arts.

From the outside, the center isn’t donned with bright windows or flashy displays like most galleries, but rather stands as a drab but robust two-story warehouse.

The one-night event was free to all attendees. Entering through the back, one walked into the very open and fluorescent expanse of space. Pacing about were a small sea of bodies, congregating and conversing during the show and fundraiser.

There wasn’t much to direct attendees through the various studio spaces besides the hand-drawn map at the entrance table. In all, there were 27 studios with artists of all different media. Housed within were unknown amateurs, trained artists and teachers, as well as a few artists-in-residence invited in. But who was what, no one knew.

Each artist held their own space, small but quintessential to the idea of the night. Within most studio spaces, one found very few actual pieces. It became more a matter of peeking into the intimate space of the artist to see sketches, cluttered tables and floors, than to actually see the artists work. In sum, each space wore tables and scraps, ideas and notes by becoming as bare and drab as the building originally spoke.

“Why aren’t those hung up?” many found themselves whispering quietly. Eyeing the stack of canvases in the corner, it was the hope for a glimpse of color to taste the reason for this creation.

Out of the studio spaces and into the center of the warehouse, there was a DJ and thrift store, a fundraiser of clothes and worn electronic goods.

In its entirety, it was a diverse event: organized but structureless. Artwork ranging from unique woodcuts and mixed media to abstract nonsense, to uni-owls (an owl with a unicorn horn, of course). But after two walk-throughs and a half-hour awkward meandering, I started to miss the hidden color of the night.

After pacing by the same piece a few times, one unknown came up and said, “I can’t figure out why I’m still here.” I thought for a moment and had nothing to reply. Maybe time was supposed to make it all worthwhile.

Halloween Costume Crawl

2010-10-19T22:20:06Z

Costume Crawl III
The Costume Crawl is Back!!! Get your All-Hallows-Eve Pre-Party on Tuesday, October 26th, 2010.

Come enjoy a FREE menu of Monster Munchies and Ghoulish Grubs, as well as discounted Spooky Spirits. Wear or bring your costume to work/school or change in our private dressing room at our first GrubCrawl venue...this is the (not so dry run) chance for you to see how good you look as a sexy (or scary) firefighter/pirate/character from GLEE (or Dispicable Me!?)

You'll have a spook-tacular time with the freakiest fun crowd on the planet, as we haunt for the hottest place to party…all for great price per person!
We'll start our Monster March at VIVE Cocina Mexicana & Ultra Lounge, Downtown Sac near 7th & "K" Street, as close to 6:00 p.m. as you dare! Then, after an hour of revelry*, we'll scream our way to Table 260 for more bites & brews! Next, the Ghouls and boys will slink and stumble to 4th Street Grille, where wicked wait-staff will help us quench your thirst for bloody good food and drinks.

Finally, get ready for the ultimate Thriller....FREE ADMISSION to the new Shenanigans Restaurant and Club (the old Image VIP Nightclub) to dance till the full moon rises.

Shenangins will host a massive Costume Contest with prizes for the SCARIEST, SILLIEST, AND SEXIEST Costumes as well as one Grand prize for Overall Best Costume, .....so anyone can win. REGISTER NOW! GrubCrawlUSA.com

*rev·el·ry/ˈrevəlrē/

Noun: Lively and noisy festivities, esp. when these involve drinking a large amount of alcohol.

Disclosure: Cline Moore is the founder of Grub Crawl USA

Fine Dining and the Arts Join Together During October in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

2010-10-19T02:32:20Z

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure launched a month long breast cancer awareness campaign this month called In the Pink. Throughout October, many Sacramento region restaurants, artists and galleries joined together to lend their support to this exciting campaign. In the Pink concludes on Thursday, October 21, as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Sacramento’s art community converge at the Viscaya in downtown Sacramento to raise funds supporting breast cancer awareness programs in the region.

“Bid for the Cure” will showcase a live auction featuring one of a kind, unique items to choose from. Prior to the auction, guests will have the opportunity to watch famed artist Shane Grammer create one of his signature paintings, and then have a chance to bid on the item to take home with them that night.

A sampling of additional auction items available include:
• A charming 18 karat rose and white gold butterfly pendant featuring 0.21 carats of natural
• pink diamonds. (see attached)
• One week in a 4BR/3 BA Villa on a 12th century castle near St. Andrews, Scotland (check in
• June 4, 2011)
• A session with award winning photographer Juan Ayora, including hair, make up and
• $50,000 of loaned jewels, plus placement in "Traveler's Life" magazine
• A private photography session with McKay Photography and 16x20 framed portrait
• Four tickets to 49ers‐Cardinals game January 2, with parking and hotel
• A Raphael Delgado signature water color and dinner for 8 with the artist at Evolve Gallery
• Pasta making lessons for four, including dinner and wine at Michelangelo's restaurant
• And more!

Local area artists helped make this event unique by creating and donating their art work to this 1st Annual Bid for the Cure event.

The doors open at 6 p.m. and the auction begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this event are $75.00 each. A limited number o f VIP tickets are also available for $150. VIP tickets include a private reception starting at 5 p.m. with the artists and the event’s honorary chairs including the Honorable Sandra Smoley, Maggie Cox, Muriel Johnson, Diana Borroel, and Supervisor Roberta McGlashan.

To purchase tickets online, visit
www.komensacramento.org and click on the “In the Pink” icon

GrubCrawl Midtown

2010-10-01T22:11:29Z

Ahhh! The heat of summer is losing its bite....But the GrubCrawl still heats up the night on Saturday October 2nd...Starting at Chicago Fire Pizza in Midtown Sac @ 4:00 pm for some of the best comfort food a deep-dish pizza pan can offer. Next, we'll enjoy the exquisite fare at the Golden Bear...Yes! The Bear now features fine dining under the direction of their master chef, seamlessly complementing the liquid libations the Bear is renown for. Then, we "roll" to Tamaya Sushi to sample the tightly wrapped flavor firecrackers, freshly formulated to delight our palate as these epic exotic eats explode on our tongues. Duck and cover...cuz’ it's raining....Sake Bombs! And, as if on cue, up next is Blue Cue, Sac's cool pool venue. Sure, you've been to Taco Tuesdays, but now sample several selections from the full menu, paired with your choice of spirits from the full bar. Go to GrubCrawlUSA.com to sign up!

BREAKING NEWS ALERT!!! Who likes Thai food? Who likes FREE Thai food??? GrubCrawlUSA.com just added LEVEL UP LOUNGE featuring tasty appetizers from the fabulous THAI BASIL @ 24th & J St. to the menu this Sat. Oct 2nd. That's five of your faves for the most flavorful fun you can find! Go to Grubcrawlusa.com to register now or email info@GrubCrawlUSA.com for tix purchase/pickup. Invite a friend and receive a BONUS DISCOUNT before Friday! (limit 60 ppl.)
See ya Saturday!

Cline Moore

Sacramento GrubCrawl Founder

Sacramento Artists Win Top Awards in KVIE Art Auction

2010-09-17T19:09:27Z

KVIE Public Television is pleased to announce the Sacramento artists who won first place in various categories of the KVIE Art Auction 2010 juried competition. Chosen by juror and sculptor Al Farrow, Keith Bachmann wins honors with the Best of Show award for his oil on canvas painting Night Palms (up-for-bid 9/25 7:30pm).

In the contemporary classics category, John Berger wins 1st Place for his Untitled (up-for-bid 9/26 8pm) acrylic on canvas painting. In the watercolor category, David Peterson wins 1st Place for his painting American River Gold (up-for-bid 9/25 6:30pm). In the sculpture category, Melissa Tregilgas wins 1st place for her clay sculpture Cylinder with Squid (9/25 4:30pm) Ralph Sisler and Robert Nolde tie for 1st Place in the figurative/still life category: Sisler’s piece titled Oklahoma Sweethearts (up-for-bid 9/24 9:30pm) and Nolde’s work titled Space Alien (9/26 4pm).

The Art Auction Preview Party, where the above artists’ pieces will be shown, is a chance to browse and appreciate over 280 pieces of art in the Art Auction collection.

An image of every work of art, including the date and time each is up-for-bid, is posted at kvie.org/artauction.

The preview event, a partnership between KVIE and the Amador Vintners Association, will take place at KVIE Studios, 2030 W. El Camino Avenue, Sacramento on Monday, September 20 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm and includes a presentation for the juried award winners, hors d'oeuvres and desserts provided by local restaurants, and wine provided by participating Amador Vintners Association wineries.

Tickets for the preview party are available to the general public in advance on KVIE's website, by calling (916) 641-3651, or at the door. Tickets are $40 per person.

The live, three-day television broadcast auction will air on Friday, September 24 from 8pm to midnight and Saturday and Sunday, September 25-26 from 2pm to midnight on KVIE channel 6 (check your local listings).The Niello Company and Mansour’s Oriental Rug Gallery are proud sponsors of KVIE Art Auction.

Curtis Park gala offers food, fun and the chance to give back

2010-09-16T22:14:44Z

On Saturday, October 2nd the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association will present its 20th Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction. From 4-7 pm the doors and patios of the historic Sierra 2 Center will open to welcome hundreds of guests.

Over twenty restaurants, fifty wineries, eight breweries, three musicians, and two dozen volunteers will be greeting patrons, who will spend a delectable three hours sampling food and drink, vying for high-end auction items, listening to music, and socializing with attendees. Even better, the event benefits Brett Hart Elementary and McClatchy High School, two neighborhood organizations that are at the heart of the Curtis Park community.

To purchase tickets or receive more information on the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association’s 20th Annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction, please call the Sierra 2 Center at (916) 452-3005. Tickets may also be purchased at Taylor’s Market and online at www.sierra2.org.

Sunday Funday GrubCrawl

2010-07-29T07:25:34Z

Rollin' on the BikeCrawl
The latest "bicycle-themed" Grubcrawl is Sunday. Aug. 1st, promptly at 4:30 starting @ Bikes and Bites, 12th & J st, Downtown Sac..... Grubcrawlusa.com in partnership with Bikes & Bites presents one of many Bikecrawls, rollin' spot to spot enjoying free appetizers and drink specials all night long! Soooo,....Bring your cycles, trikes, and appetites! Join us @ Pyramid, Brew It Up, Table 260,...and other Sacramento Hot Spots. See ya there!

Rent-A-Bike or bring your own!
Bring your tour cycle, beach cruizer, road or mountain bike, or tandem to the starting venue at 4:30 pm, your reservation and your appetite!

Or for a small additional sum, rent a ride from the fleet of rental bikes: which includes both men’s and women’s classic single speed beach cruiser style bikes, a combination lock, front and rear light set, an optional helmet, and a front-mounted basket. Call to reserve: (916) 705-0452 or visit 1013 12th st. @ Bikes & Bites.

Jump in our Pedicab!
Don't wanna ride onder your own power? Why use your OWN legs when there are plenty of young, energetic pairs of other peoples pedal pumpers to propel you and your friends around the Grubcrawl route. Dial-a-Bike Pedicab provides free, door-to-door transpo between restaurants and back to your car at the end of the night! Ride in style with Jake (pedicab guru) a fit, fun, upbeat, & young driver,...just be sure to tip him for his prompt and professional service!

Join the Leisurely Cyclist and the Avid Biker alike as we embark on this "Riders Romp" to the best eats & drinks Sac has to offer! We pedal "en-masse" to 5 of your favorites; for FREE APPETIZERS, DRINK SPECIALS, PRIZES, and other GIVEAWAYS,... spending about an hour at each location. REGISTER NOW!

See what Sac Media Moguls have to say about the previous BikeCrawl:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/11162/Tour_de_Sac_ends_with_Pub_Crawl

Wheeeew! Thank Gawd! It will cool off for the Bikecrawl this Sunday. Not only are we starting in the shade of the city after the heat breaks, the Delta breeze off the river makes this Crawl the coolest place to be in Sac! As we slide from one air-conditioned venue to another, cooling the engines with refreshing drinks and recharging the system with tasty appetizers,... The outside temp. will steadily drop... while the fun and excitement inside grows and builds, with prizes and givaways, meeting and eating with the popular party crowd. Have to work Monday??? Don't worry!!! We pull up to our last destination, 9:00 or so, for scrumptious snacks and a nightcap. If you gotto go then, in order to get to work in the morning,..say goodnite and be home before 10:00pm!! For those who can stay out past curfew, Grubcrawl is taking it till last call and you can party with us all night! Reg. now @ Grubcrawlusa.com or call (916) 730-0977.

Written & Posted by

Cline Moore, GrubCrawl Founder

Margaret and Aimee Crocker come alive!

2010-07-24T00:26:42Z

If you happened to be at the Central Library last Thursday, you might have noticed two women walking through in Victorian-era dresses.

Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with the space-time continuum. The Central Library has been hosting a series of historical presentations for its 2010 events.

“I always enjoy these type of things,” Joy Farrow, 66, said. “I hope they have others!”

Historian Judy Eitzen and local actress Connie Clark presented their impersonations of Margaret and Aimee Crocker in front of an audience of about 30. The reenactment was put on to commemorate the October opening of the Crocker Art Museum’s new educational wing.

At the very start, Eitzen composed herself as a proper Victorian woman. She also underlined that she had been raised on very little and worked hard to get everything she had. She gave factual accounts, more figures than feelings of the time, and kept the people interested with her wild tales of living in the mid-19th century.

“One has responsibility to give back to the community,” Eitzen said as Margaret. “Consequently, we had determined that we would provide ourselves and our community with a place where art and culture could be appreciated.”

After she talked about both her and husband Edwin Crocker’s lives, she introduced her daughter, Aimee Crocker. The young woman slowly descended the stairs and glided into the room with a huge smile and a smirk that suggested she wasn’t anything like her mama.

Clark presented Aimee’s story, telling thrilling tales of harems, Spanish lovers and her infamous pet snake, Kaa.

“My life has been very long and varied,” Clark said as Aimee. “I look back at it and I think, I would do it again. I would crowd in still more things, still more places, still more women. More men.”

With a trusty grin throughout the performance and a sly wink, she continually denounced her mother’s affinity for proper ladies.

The Central Library will have more events like this throughout the year. For more information, visit here.

Join “Zachary’s Story” Author and Sierra Forever Families for Book Signing and Charity Benefit July 29

2010-07-22T16:41:08Z

Who: Author Marci Bridgeford and Sierra Forever Families
What: Launch Party and opportunity to meet Sierra Forever Families
Where: Antiquite Maison Privee located at 2114 P Street, Sacramento, California
When: July 29, 2010 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.
Why: Celebrate “Zachary’s Story” to show new ways of looking at old stereotypes that can accompany adoption and blended families and replace them with feelings of self worth, power, love of self and family. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Sierra Forever Families.

Background
“Zachary’s Story” is a conversation between a mother and child that celebrates the joy of being an adoptive family. The book was released by AuthorHouse publishing and is available through www.ZacharysAdoption.com. The book is also available online at Target, Walmart, Borders, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

“Children arrive in families in different ways,” said Marci Bridgeford, author. “It’s important for adopted children and their extended families to understand that they are born of both a birth mother’s love and the love of the mother who so gratefully welcomes the child into her world. In this book, I wanted to explain that there are many different ways to become a family whether it is through adoption, marriage, crisis or love – all are chosen and should be celebrated.”

Statistics on Youth in Foster Care
In the Greater Sacramento Region, there are nearly 4,000 children and youth living in the foster care system. Nearly half of these children will not return to their birth family and are in need of a permanent family or lifetime connection today. There is virtually no cost to adopt a child from the foster care system. If a child does not find a permanence before the age of 18, they have a greater chance to become a part of the dire statistics: youth who age out of the foster care system at age 18 and do not have a permanent family or life-time connection, within 2-4 years, over 50 percent will be homeless addicted to drugs, in prison or dead. Of this group, over 60 percent of the females will have a child within 2-4 years. These statistics highlight the importance in remembering the message of “Zachary’s Story” – that loving families are created in many ways.

For more information about “Zachary’s Story,” or Marci Bridgeford, please visit http://www.zacharysadoption.com. For additional information on Sierra Forever Families, please visit http://www.sierraff.org.

About Author
Marci Bridgeford lives in California and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is currently working on a series of spiritual children’s books.

About Sierra Forever Families
Sierra Forever Families (Sierra) is a 501(c), non-profit organization whose mission is to transform the lives of children in foster care by building and nurturing permanent families. Founded in 1983, Sierra has helped over 2,300 children and youth find permanence through adoption, kinship, guardianship and reunification. Sierra strives to find families for children who are harder to place: siblings, older youth, children with emotional and physical challenges, and multi-ethnic with diverse backgrounds. With the addition of its mentoring program, Wonder, Sierra has increased its opportunities to aid youth in care by providing a caring consistent adult to guide them through fun experiences in nature, art, music, sports, and dining out.

Contact Information:
Lori Bertelli
Bertelli Group Public Relations
916.216.2968
lbertelli@bertelligroup.com

A mother needs your help!

2010-07-10T05:36:56Z

On July 24, 2010, I Tamika Tillis from Three Hands Together will be having a Community Baby Shower for a mother with terminal Cancer. This devastating disease prevents her from working to take care of her unborn child. By donating cash and in kind items to this cause, you are helping to create a beautiful, joyous memorable event to a woman affected with this unpredictable disease. The color schemes for this event are brown and pink.
I have a personal stake in this particular event. My grandmother died from cancer. Not only do I want to help her, but also the many others diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is a disease that can affect the entire body. Some symptoms of cancer may include loss of appetite, weight loss, hair loss, and loss of cartilage, loss of limbs and organs, fatigue, and weakness. Even simple everyday living skills become increasingly difficult. Everyone is affected differently by these symptoms.

My goal is to raise at least $ 800.00 for this project. This will help with the cost of putting on a successful event for the expectant mother and community guest, which sends a message to the community that we care. Please help me reach that goal with your kind donation. Your donation is tax deductible.
My deadline to get my donations is July 17, 2010. Following the event, I will send out a brief recap of the Three Hands Together Community Baby Shower to all my sponsors.

Thank you in advance for your support. Please call me if you have any questions or comments about the Three Hands Together Community Baby Shower. I can be reached at 916 236-9909.
Tamika Tillis, CEO
Three Hands Together

McClatchy Parks offers up FREE Community Gospel Concert

2010-06-25T16:40:28Z

The Summer Gospel Fest Concerts are a collaboration of talented gospel music artists, poets, comedians, and dancers who will perform their talents on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at McClatchy Park, 3500 5th Ave., Sacramento.

Families, youth groups and entire congregations will be attending from the Bay Area, Stockton, and throughout the Greater Sacramento area. The public is invited to come and fellowship at the event – one of three scheduled over the next three months.

The Concert is FREE and begins at 11:30 am and ends at 7 pm. and is hosted by People of the Way Ministries, a non profit organization,

Summer Gospel Fest Concerts help support BloodSource - which was founded in 1948 and since then has been collecting blood donations and providing life-saving blood products to local communities.

For more information, to perform, to a be vendor, or to inquire about remaining available sponsorships email the organizers at peopleoftheway500@yahoo.com. or, call (916) 772-0482.

Art in the stacks: ‘Creative Merger II’ set to open at the law library

2010-06-07T21:24:23Z

Art shouts from the walls, peeks out between bookshelves, and nestles in the window sills of the restored Hall of Justice building. The beautiful, provocative, quirky, challenging art is part of the “Creative Merger: Justice & Peace” exhibit, on display at the Sacramento County Public Law Library through September.

A Grand Opening celebration, complete with live music by the Sacramento Philharmonic Jazz Trio, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction, runs from 5:30 – 8:00 pm this Wednesday, June 9 ($15 advance/$20 at the door). More than 400 people attended the opening of the first “Creative Merger: Artists and Lawyers,” hosted by the law library in 2005. Some of the art from that successful show continues to adorn the law library’s walls.

This year’s juried art exhibit features 63 contemporary paintings, sculptures and photographs by lawyers, therapists, mediators, musicians and visual artists. The works depict themes related to peace and social justice. The exhibit is a creative collaboration by California Lawyers for the Arts, Therapists for Social Responsibility, The Sacramento County Public Law Library and The Sacramento Philharmonic. The organizers write, “As people struggle in our communities and around the world we have created an art show that gives voice to and supports us as we navigate towards justice and peace on a local and global scale."

Proceeds from the event and silent auction benefit California Lawyers for the Arts as well as local charities. Most of the art is for sale as well.

The free exhibit will remain at the Law Library through September. It is open during the library’s hours (8am-8pm Monday-Thursday, 8am-5pm Friday, and 9am-4pm Saturday). Visit the law library at 813 Sixth St. in downtown Sacramento.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the opening event, visit brownpapertickets.com.

Saxophone legend Sonny Rollins to play Mondavi

2010-05-17T04:11:33Z

It's been said that saxophone legend Sonny Rollins is just as good as jazz greats John Coltrane and Charlie Parker were. It's a reputation he pretty much holds alone because at age 79, Rollins has outlived nearly all the jazz musicians of his era.

The "saxophone colossus" will return Wednesday to the Mondavi Center in Davis, which he said has "very good acoustics we (musicians) salivate at." He'll bring to Jackson Hall some of his classics as well as new material from an album expected to debut next year.

Born in New York City, Rollins picked up a saxophone as a teenager. By the time he was 20, he had played with jazz legends Thelonious Monk, J.J. Johnson and Bud Powell.

In the decade that followed, he composed some of his best-known songs, including jazz standards "Doxy," "Oleo" and "St. Thomas." His bebop bandmates in those days included Miles Davis, Max Roach, Coltrane, Parker and Clifford Brown.

Like many jazz musicians, Rollins is self-critical.

"There's never absolute perfection, but I have something in focus and I want to get as close to it as I can get," he said. "My own performance has been progressing as the years have gone by and I'm very optimistic about the future at this point."

He was part of the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet when Brown died in an auto accident. His good friend's death had a profound effect on Rollins and he began the practice of channeling fallen musicians.

"I used to channel (Brown) sometimes, and I got his spirit, (but) after a while I let his spirit go on because I didn't want to be greedy and keep him back here on Earth," he said. "So I let him go on. Same with the other guys."

As much as he respects his contemporaries, these days Rollins doesn't want to be known only for his associations with them.

"I don't feel any responsibility anymore for standing up for them or upholding their legacy," he said. "Now it's all me and I have to stand on my own, and I'm perfectly willing to do that. I've had years and years of associations. And I'll rise and fall now on my own accomplishments."

Rollins credits his diet and regular exercise, as well as staying away from smoking, for his longevity. He's also known as a private and solitary man who enjoys meditation and solo practice.

Rollins has been called reclusive and is famous for taking sabbaticals. For several years, he would practice alone on the Williamsburg Bridge. "I love playing outdoors because you can communicate with the sky," he said.

He's not content doing the same thing and likes to explore new musical ideas every day, Rollins said.

"I'm trying to make my own music as relevant and contemporary as hip-hop is," he said. "I can say it has a certain validity and, for its time, it's sort of what bebop was for our time."

Though he agreed that hip-hop is a genre that falls under the umbrella of jazz, Rollins said he isn't quite ready to perform a hip-hop song.

"You really have thrown me into a conundrum on that one," he said with a laugh. "(Other musicians) can use hip-hop in a way I can't and I don't know if I could make the transition."

A free pre-performance lecture will be given at 7 p.m. by Jeremy Ganter, associate director for programming at the Mondavi Center. The Alumni Center, AGR Room 8. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at Mondavi Center's Jackson Hall, 9399 Old Davis Road. Tickets are $17.50 to $55 and are available at the University of California at Davis ticket office and online here .

Photographs:
1. Credit: Jamie-James Medina.

2. Credit: Michael Jackson.

B&B Wine Country Getaway to Benefit KVIE

2010-05-13T00:09:44Z

On May 21 through 23, KVIE Public Television and a group of Amador Wine Country businesses will host a bed and breakfast-wine country getaway fundraiser to support KVIE Public Television. The all inclusive getaway was created to showcase some of the best locations in the Amador region to visit. The fundraiser includes a two night stay at the 1862 National Historic Landmark St. George Hotel, a tour of Black Chasm Cavern, lunch at Cooper Vineyards, wine tasting at Montevina Winery, an exclusive dinner prepared by chef Randall Selland of The Kitchen and Ella Dining Room and Bar, a raucous murder mystery dinner featuring the Volcano Theatre Company, and more. Your host will be KVIE’s Rob Stewart of Rob on the Road, who will be taping a special segment of his series during the excursion.

Proceeds from the event provide critical funding to help KVIE’s efforts to offer outreach and literacy services to the community and the creation of local programs that let everyone in our community explore our region, meet its people, journey through history, and share the stories that make Northern California a great place to live.

For more information and to view rooms in the St. George Hotel, visit kvie.org/getaway.

The 2010 Jewish Heritage Festival

2010-05-02T19:14:39Z

The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region is proud to present the 2010 Jewish Heritage Festival today, May 2nd starting at 1 p.m. Watch the event live on the below live-stream.

Free live streaming by Ustream Free video chat by Ustream

The festival celebrates the centennial founding of the kibbutzim movement in Israel and provides an opportunity to learn and act on Tikkun Olam (social action) initiatives and activities. This free event features live music, traditional food, entertainment, dancing troupes, cultural exhibits and displays, family and children's activities, a special teen zone, raffle and more. The event is taking place at the Capitol west steps from 1:00-4:30 p.m.

Highlights include:

1:50 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. - an Eco-Friendly fashion show, showcasing the hippest trends in Eco-Friendly fashion.

2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.- a performance by The Los Angeles Israeli Dance Team

3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.- a performance from hip-hop artist Matisyahu

California Celebration at the Sacramento Zoo

2010-05-01T15:42:16Z

From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., watch the Sacramento Zoo’s California Celebration event on the below livestream feed. Sacramento Press will be onsite during this unique event and will be showing live performances and conducting interviews with participants and visitors.

Free live streaming by Ustream Free video chat by Ustream

Experience California’s rich cultural diversity with live entertainment, music and dance. Local museums, historical societies and genealogy groups are also participating. Participants include: Sojouner Truth Multi-Cultural Art Museum, Jodama, African Drum and Dance, Education First, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Kovar’s Satori Academy of Martial Arts, Friends of San Juan d Oriente, Jinan Sister City Council, Caledonian Club of Sacramento, Florin Historical Society, Hmong Women’s Heritage Association, Discovery Museum, California State Indian Museum, Friends of the Public Library and SacramentoPress.com.

To attend the event, admission is $11.00 for adults; children ages 3-12 are $7.00 and two and under are admitted free.

Trombone Shorty bringing New Orleans soul to Harlow's

2010-03-11T04:55:42Z

Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews is a musician's musician. The prodigy started playing music at age 3 and got his big break at age 4 sharing the stage with Bo Diddley.

"It was so long ago I can't remember," said Andrews, now 24. "I remember my mom saying I was playing (trombone) and some people crowd-surfed me to the stage, and they put me on the stage, and that was it."

He earned his name because he could play a trombone before even being as tall as the horn.

Sunday night, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will play their high-energy set at Harlow's. Opening will be The Nibblers, a seven-piece rock band led by local singer Hans Eberbach and Mumbo Gumbo members Lynn Michael Palmer, Jon Wood and Reggie Marks.

Andrews grew up listening to jazz and other sounds in the musical Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, the same neighborhood that jazz forefather Louis Armstrong called home. Both his mother and his brother, trumpeter and bandleader James Andrews, inspired him to embrace music.

He attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, a high school that produced other talented artists like Harry Connick Jr., Nicholas Payton and Wynton and Branford Marsalis. After graduating, Andrews quickly received an invitation to tour in Lenny Kravitz's band at the age of 18, which allowed him to see the world and grow as a musician.

Around the same time, he began releasing albums with his brother, a quintet, and his current band, Orleans Avenue, a project that mixes funk, hip-hop and pop. In 2006, Andrews had the opportunity to perform with U2 and Green Day for the reopening of the New Orleans Superdome.

He also shared the stage at the New Orleans House of Blues with Wynton Marsalis, who said of Andrews, "Shorty possesses the rarest combination of talent, technical capability and down-home soul," adding, "I'm his biggest fan."

Though Andrews is known first and foremost as a virtuoso trumpet and trombone player, he recently started singing.

"My brother James is a singer, and my grandfather was an R&B singer," Andrews said. "I was listening to some of (my grandfather's) music, and it inspired me, and (so did) Lenny Kravitz. Everyone in New Orleans sings, (including, for example,) Louis Armstrong."

Voice, trumpet and trombone all represent part of his character, but Andrews said the two horns best convey who he is. As for his band's sound, he described it as "supafunkrock."

"Supafunkrock to me is just rock, hip-hop and funk from New Orleans," he said. "We just put it in a gumbo bowl, and that's what it is: high-energy funk-rock dance with elements of different things."

Andrews is not just steeped in the culture of New Orleans - it's his passion. His new album Backatown, which will be released April 20, is a personal record about growing up in New Orleans and reaching where he is today.

He explained that Backatown is New Orleans slang for "the next neighborhood over." So "backatown" for the Tremé would mean the Seventh Ward, the French Quarter or even Bayou St. John, he explained.

The album has a number of modern, gritty elements including hip-hop rhythms, according to Andrews. Guests on the album include Kravitz, Marc Broussard and Allen Toussaint, who plays piano on a cover of his own song, "On Your Way Down," the album's only non-original song.

"People in Sactown know how to get down," added Andrews, who played at Sacramento's now-closed Hard Rock Café in May. "The energy I get from the audience and fans, it makes my energy go higher than normal. It's a wonderful feeling to get that energy, and I give it back."

Tickets cost $17.50 in advance and $20 on day of the show. Tickets can be purchased online (here) and at R5 Records, located at 2500 16th St. Harlow's is located at 2708 J Street. The show begins at 8 p.m.

Photographs 1 and 2 credit Jane Richey.

Photograph 3 credit Kirk Edwards.

Master Barber & Beauty Shop celebrates 35 years in new location

2010-03-04T08:57:25Z

Master Barber Shop was established in 1958 and was acquired by Earlie D. and Mary Brown in December of 1974. During that time, the shop was located on Stockton Blvd. and 7th Ave. Since those early days, Master Barber & Beauty Shop, has had several locations. Each location being better than the last. In 1989, sons Rodney and Marichal, joined the family business.

The late owner and master barber, Earlie D. Brown, established business in the hair industry in the mid 1940's with Brown's Barber Shop (two locations, San Francisco and Marin City). What started out as nothing more than a dream and a dime and a nail in his pocket has turned into a family business. He died in February 1998. Mary Brown and sons, Rodney and Marichal, now handles daily operations.

In 2007, The Brown Family, added community activities at the salon. Art on Stockton Blvd. became one of Sacramento's largest celebration of African American Art, Poetry, Literature and History. The shop has featured such fine artists as Milton Bowens, Malik Seneferu and Shonna McDaniels, poets; Terry Moore, NSAA, Steven 'HurriKane' Clark and Heather Christian and authors; Grace Carter (Rivercity Griot), Joslyn Gains Vanderpool and Anita Royston (Our Black Fathers).

Celebrating 35 years in business, The Brown Family has decided to re-locate to a more comfortable and fitting site, continue striving for excellence in the Hair and Beauty industry and to accompany such events as Art on Stockton Blvd., Jazz @ the Shop, Master Renaissance Poetry, Comedy, Plays and more.

Starting Tuesday, March 9, 2010, Master Barber & Beauty Shop doors will open at 4340 Stockton Blvd., Suite 2 (the former Brown's Paradise building), on the corner of Stockton Blvd. and Parker. The phone number will remain the same, 916.457.8708. Until then, you can find us at 3504 Stockton Blvd. (between 10th and 11th Ave, next to the Colonial Theater). We will keep you updated on upcoming events.

There will not be an event on this date, but everyone is welcomed to stop by and say, Hi, view the new facility and/or have your hair styled or cut.

The Brown Family would like to thank all who have patronized and supported Master Barber & Beauty Shop throughout the years.

Disclosure Note: Marichal Brown is part-owner of Master Barber Beauty Shop.

A Venue for all occasions

2010-02-13T03:31:31Z

Randy Paragary, Bob Simpson, and Rick and Earl Lobley opened Empire Event Center in 2004. It was almost alone on the R Street Corridor for four years, before being joined by, among others, Shady Lady Saloon, Magpie Catering, Burgers and Brew, Space 07 Salon and Top This Yogurt.

With all of these businesses opening in the past year, it was time for the space to undergo a facelift - to the tune of $2 million.

Well, not just a facelift - a complete change.

Today, all that remains of Empire are memories of past performers, including The Roots, Muse and David Garibaldi, Sacramento's own performance painter. According to its managers, from now on there will be no more 18-and-over club nights, meaning no more college Wednesdays and no more student discounts.

Over the last several weeks, Empire's former address, 1417 R Street, has undergone a quiet and speedy renovation. It reopened Thursday night as Sacramento's newest entertainment destination - Venue.

"R Street, this whole section (of Sacramento) is ready to explode," said Venue general manager Elvis Lindsey. "We wanted a little more classy of a nightclub."

He and assistant general manager Ben Benoit, Lobley's cousin, said they've been remodeling the place around the clock, for ten days. Workers were putting finishing touches on the interior of the 1,000-capacity club Thursday evening.

Among other new features are 1,000-plus feet of crown molding, freshly painted red walls, four colorful bars, chandeliers, a state-of-the-art light and sound system, three VIP areas with bottle service, a DJ booth and stage, and art that former Sacramento-based painter Jacob Patterson described as "punk rock meets Victoria's Secret."

Most of the staff is new, managers said, and Mosaic Salon has added a twist of glamor by styling female employees' hair.

Benoit drove 3,000 miles, from Miami, for Venue's opening.

"The green room is more conducive for a band to come and enjoy; (it's) just a nicer environment," he said, adding, "(Venue will) bring high quality bands to Sacramento that usually bypass the area."

Venue looks to hold 120 shows per year, said Benoit, starting Friday with Lake Tahoe-based, '90's cover band The Alternates. Though Venue's nights are all 21-and-over, during some musical performances, the venue will be open to all ages.

"Personally, as a music fan, I'm excited," said Barry Prickett, former SN&R music critic and Venue's publicist. "Why wait for a good thing?"

Benoit called Venue's speaker system, a Meyers Pro, one of the best in the industry.

Managers said the club usually will be open Thursdays through Sundays, with a different theme every night. Thursday will be a mash-up night featuring a DJ paired with a live drummer. Friday nights will feature a live band with a DJ, while Saturday nights will be a top-40 night with a "stylish, provocative" dress code enforced.

Sunday nights might be "hospitality night," said Prickett, adding that many facets of Venue are to be determined.

Aside from concerts and dance club nights, Venue's management hopes to open the space to "other performances," and special and corporate events.

Cover charge will start at $10, and bottle-service packages for 10 people will cost $300.

Sac Show winner Autumn Sky's annual Valentine's Day Show

2010-02-06T03:15:55Z



    Valentine's Day can be challenging for everyone out there, whether you've got a special someone to impress or not. The choices are limitless, and it can be hard to set something up that everyone will enjoy. This year, why not please the whole crowd with a just-before-Valentine's Day show starring local indie pop songstress Autumn Sky and up-and-comer Tre Burt?

    Miss Sky, who recently won the Sac Show award for best Acoustic Show, holds a Valentine's Day show each year. 2009's show at Luna's Cafe drew a huge crowd, where patrons and audience members alike sat on floors and laps to fit in the tiny room. This year will prove to be no less of a good time, especially considering that the rules have changed some. This year's show is free, all ages and will be on the second saturday artwalk. It also happens to be hosted at a venue famous for it's tasty frozen treats. Feel the Valentine's Day blues coming on? Then make a stop over at this show and just try not to smile.

Autumn Sky with Tre Burt

Yogurtagogo, 17th and L Sacramento, CA

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13th

All ages, no cover!

7pm

For more information, please e-mail Autumn Sky at mermaid_sings@hotmail.com.

PAST SHOW R EVIEWS

"Then something unusual happens: as Sky begins to strum and sing, the audience chatter instantly stops. Adults, teens and toddlers are all held in rapt attention as Sky’s pitch-perfect voice fills the room. (Her) voice is on par with Joanna Newsome’s poetic warble, Chan Marshall without the baggage and Jolie Holland, minus the Vaudevillian rain clouds." - Tony King, Midtown Monthly

"Autumn Sky...has a lot of potential to be one of Northern California's break out folk artists as Joanna Newsome, Vetiver and Devendra Banhart have done in the past." - PerfSpot.com

Wine Thief

2010-02-01T07:02:18Z

Wine industry analyst Jon Fredrickson speaking at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium last week at the Sacramento Convention Center, said California wine shipments were down 1.6 percent. The largest disparity in sales included international exports in which 3.2 million fewer cases were shipped overseas.

While Fredrickson argued that the decrease in California wine exports is due to the economy, his data and theories were being disputed only 50 miles away. The El Dorado Winery Association held its annual Bring out the Barrel event Saturday and Sunday to packed cellars and enthusiastic wine lovers.

“We learned something and had great wine,” said Glenda Lumsden of Placerville, Calif. Along with most attendees, Lumsden visited several El Dorado wineries during the day including David Girad Vineyards, Narrow Gate Vineyards, Sierra Vista Winery and Holly’s Hill Vineyards.

In its third year, Bring out the Barrel featured more than 20 El Dorado Wineries including Auriga Cellars, Busby Cellars, Colibri Ridge, Crystal Basin, Fenton Herriott, Fitzpatrick, David Girard, Gold Hill, Granite Springs, Holly’s Hill, Illuminare, Jodar, Latcham, Lava Cap, Madroña, Miraflores, Mount Aukum, Narrow Gate, ParaVi, Perry Creek, Sierra Vista and Single Leaf.

The event allows wine enthusiasts to sample from the barrel and have a sneak peak at what may be expected for upcoming vintage releases. It also allows for both the aficionado and novice to learn how their wine is created from the vitners or winemakers.

“Our style is more French-like,” explained Holly’s Hill Vineyards winemaker Josh Bendick. “We don’t use new oak. We let the fruit speak for themselves.”

Bendick, who discovered his love of wine making when he first was able to grow a chardonnay cutting in a dirt pot, produces a variety of red wines with vines originating from Château de Beaucastel in the Rhone wine region of France. The Patriarche, its signature wine, includes a blend of mouvèdre, syrah, grenache and counoise grapes that are uniquely combined before crushing.

“For the Patriarche, we crush and ferment the grapes together as a group before placing in the barrels,” Bendick said. “We add a little more later to fine-tune the wine. We wish we could do more this way.”

Holly’s Hill Vineyards demonstrated a common trend amongst most El Dorado wineries; a majority of their grapes were estate grown or from the immediate region. Lava Cap demonstrated this unique attribute to its visitors by sampling three different variations of zinfandel from grapes grown on its own vineyard.

Barrel tastings for its Zinfandel Reserve, Springhouse Zinfandel and Zinfandel Rocky Draw were each different despite being picked on adjacent acres. Because of the variations in sun exposure and soil, these three wines provided their own unique taste ranging from a slight vanilla flavor to a an aroma almost resembling bubble gum.

El Dorado wineries produce consistently great wine or as ParaVi Vineyards owner Tom Brown states “We have the terroir for it.”

By terroir, Brown refers to the French concept that combines climatology, geology and history all fused together to produce a great wine.

Brown founded ParaVi Vineyards (previously known as Primus) in 1999 when he purchased the run down apple orchard in Camino known for Marilyn Thomas’s apple pies. When its first vintages were released in 2004 they sold out in three weeks, and it has nearly been that way ever since.

“We don’t skimp. We don’t cut corners,” Brown said while enjoying a glass of his own Zinfandel. “People have a palette. They want something better.”

For first time visitors like Heather King of Martinez, Calif., a majority of the El Dorado wineries she visited were not names recognized on her local restaurant’s wine list. “I’m enjoying it, it’s nice to learn and not as expensive as Napa.”

Maybe the reason King and other wine drinkers don’t find these wine labels at a local Bev Mo or restaurant is due to high demand, these wines aren’t sold past their tasting rooms or wine society. Providing evidence that directly contradicts Fredrikson’s comments at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium.

"It's not an oversupply, it’s an under-demand. We went through a financial heart attack," Fredrikson told San Francisco Chronicle writer Jon Bonné. "We pushed the reset button in demand.”

Perhaps Northern Californians are “stealing” the wines for themselves, stripping any supply to send elsewhere.

As Brown so easily summarizes it, “Everyone up here makes great wine.”

Pablo Francisco performing at the Punchline

2010-01-08T02:48:37Z

Though he's not onstage at the moment, comedian Pablo Francisco is already warming up. A little after 8 a.m. Thursday, Francisco is on the phone telling dirty jokes, making fun of himself and impersonating celebrity actors Michael J. Fox and Shia LaBeouf.

Francisco brings a fresh and diverse persona to comedy, with sound effects, slapstick impressions and fast-paced non-sequiturs peppering his routine. Thursday through Sunday evening, the Chilean-American comedian will perform at the Punchine with Matt Claybrooks, Sean Savoy and Ashley Fils-Aime opening.

Originally from Tuscon, Ariz., Francisco's career choices didn't always go over well with his parents. He recalled delivering pizzas in the afternoon and doing comedy at night. Occasionally after a show, he would come home at 1 a.m. and his parents would be pissed off.

"This guy who lived a few blocks away, the cook at the comedy club, used to always let me stay at his house so my parents wouldn't give me s**t," he said. "And he let me drink all the beer I wanted, so we became good friends."

Francisco eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career. He worked on television commercials and wrote for NFL Films before landing a job as writer and featured player in the second season of "Mad TV". He became the first Latino cast member of the show in 1996.

Since leaving "Mad TV," he appeared in several Comedy Central specials, toured with Carlos Mencia and Frank Soto as part of the "Three Amigos," and collaborated with fellow "Mad TV" alumnus Frank Caliendo.

He's now perhaps most famous for celebrity impersonations, which began with him impersonating his friends as well as radio personality and voice actor Casey Kasem. Since then, he's become best known for impersonating voice-over artist Don LaFontaine, but his impersonations of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Keanu Reeves are also spot on.

"I met Aaron Neville when I was doing his voice," he said. "He gave me a 'what the f**k?' look. I wouldn't do that in front of him now, because he has a tattoo on his face."

Despite success in television, Francisco credits the Internet for boosting him into the limelight.

"I'm happy YouTube exploded and worked for me and my comedy tremendously," he said. "You can advertise and be on the Internet. Everyone's moving to the Internet sooner or later. I started realizing that and relaxed a little more."

He credits this for his successful tour in Europe last year.

"We sold like 10,000 tickets in seven minutes," he said. "They all knew who I was. That was a good moment — you don't even know you're popular somewhere and you still sell tickets. They love the YouTube."

How do you do an impression of someone from Sacramento?

"I'd put (on) a mean heavy Latino accent," Francisco said, "and when you want someone's ass kicked, you call the Hells Angels."

Pablo Francisco, 8 p.m., Thursday through Sunday at Punchline Comedy, 2100 Arden Way, with an additional 10 p.m. show Friday and Saturday. $25, advance tickets can be purchased here. Two-drink minimum. 18+

NYE 2010 - Keepin' it local

2009-12-31T04:30:21Z

Ok. So tonight is the big night. If you still haven’t made your plans to say good bye to 2009, here’s a quick and dirty guide to the best low key local spots to check out.

Part four: Low key and local

Start out at Brew it Up, at 14th and H streets. Here you’ll find a reasonably priced prix-fixe menu at only $30 per person. Stick around after dinner for the Brewery Bash, which begins at 9 p.m. Pre-paid reservations score you a reserved table, party favors, canapé appetizers and sparkling wine at midnight. Call 441-3000 for more information.

Or, check out de Vere’s Irish Pub for a hearty, home-style meal with a glass of bubbly for only $45 per person. Menu items marry contemporary California cuisine with traditional Irish dishes; choices include Guinness braised oxtail and a rack of lamb with Jameson fruit chutney. Dinner reservations are available between 6 and 8 p.m. de Vere’s will open up all areas of the pub at 9:30 p.m. to those who wish to stop in for a drink. To sweeten the deal, de Vere’s is offering free entry for the entire evening – that means NO cover charge – making it really easy to usher in the new year with nothing more than a quiet pint of Guinness and a wee bit o’ Irish whiskey. Learn more at deverespub.com.

Marilyn’s on K, a local favorite, is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve Bash with perennial college favorites, The Mother Hips. This California band, signed to its first major label by Rick Rubin, makes a well-timed stop at Marilyn’s on K while on tour to promote their newest album, Pacific Dust. Visit marilynsonk.com for more information. Be sure to check out January 1 on the website’s events calendar – Marilyn offers to you her tried and true hangover cure. Couldn’t hurt to jot down the recipe - just in case.

For something truly local you can’t go wrong with Torch Club, a Sacramento favorite since 1934. Known for its history as state politico’s preferred watering hole, ‘The Torch’ is currently known as the best place to catch Sactown’s hottest bands. New Year’s Eve will not disappoint as local darlings, Stacie Eakes and the Superfreakes, take the stage. $20 will get you in the door, champagne at midnight, and some party favors to help ring in the holiday. Call 443-2797 for more information.

New Year’s Day: Another local favorite, Capitol Garage, is stepping up as ‘The Place to Be’ the next morning with an unbelievable brunch deal that includes 8 different versions of eggs benedict and $4.95 bottomless mimosas. Make your reservations now by calling 444-3633 as they will most likely be swarming with folks hankering for a big breakfast and a little hair of the dog…

Whatever your plans this New Year’s Eve, be safe, and have fun Downtown.

Wine and dine your way into 2010

2009-12-30T22:28:15Z

Now that we’ve covered both family-friendly options and have supplied partygoers with a variety of exciting nightclub options this New Year’s Eve, we shift our focus to those who may prefer a more sophisticated, grown-up celebration. Several exciting dining options await you this New Year’s Eve. Part three of this four part series highlights Downtown’s finest haute cuisine, with specific information on each establishment’s New Year’s Eve options.

Part Three: Wine and dine your way into the new year!

For romance, nothing can beat The Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento. This well-respected eatery is extending its dining hours and opening its heated outdoor patio to accommodate the New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular show. Dine on such lavish fare as oysters and caviar or Chilean sea bass with black truffle butter while fireworks decorate the night sky. For a truly special experience, try a glass (or bottle) of Armand de Brignac, considered the best champagne in the world, according to both FINE Champagne Magazine and Jay Z. Armand de Brignac became this famous rapper’s drink of choice following his public fall out with Cristal, bolstering Armand’s reputation among rappers worldwide and elevating sales for the company to record levels. Visit firehouseoldsac.com or call 442-4772 for more information or to make reservations.

Foodies throughout the region will want to consider Grange Restaurant at the Citizen Hotel. As those who have stayed at the Citizen Hotel know, half the fun of this place is its stylishly eclectic décor and decidedly metropolitan vibe. Known for their emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, their four course prix-fixe menu is sure to please even the most discerning palate. Their New Year’s Eve menu features Sonoma artisan fois gras tortelloni and pan roasted Novy Ranch rib eye steak - all for $69 per person. Make a weekend of it with a special holiday room rate of $99 (when using code NYECVB) that includes late checkout. Visit grangesacramento.com for more information.

Choices, choices! Located inside The Park Downtown, Mason’s Restaurant at 15th and L streets, is offering a multi-course prix-fixe menu with more options to choose from than any other downtown restaurant. Mason’s will offer a three-course menu at 5:30 p.m. for only $50 per person and a four-course menu at 7:00p.m. for $75 per person. With an amuse bouche as part of the deal, Mason’s presents a top notch dining option at a very reasonable price. Seating is limited; it’s best to call Mason’s directly at 492-1960 to make your reservations.

Indecisive? Morgan’s Central Valley Bistro and Sheraton Grand Hotel have partnered with downtown nightclubs to offer perhaps the most comprehensive New Year’s Eve package available. They have thought of everything for you, allowing you to just check in and relax. Start with a lovely three-course dinner with exciting options like 'Roasted Beets and Purple Haze' or 'Tagine Style Petaluma Chicken.' You can add tickets to Dream Ultra Lounge, Faces or Social for après-dinner drinks and dancing. Top off your packages with in-room amenities such as personalized top shelf margarita or martini bar. New Year's Day Brunch options also available through this package make for a truly luxuriously lazy weekend. Build your package at grandsacramento-epackages.com.

Tomorrow’s theme: Low key and local

NYE 2010 in the Central City - Party like a Rock Star!

2009-12-29T19:21:24Z

This four-part series features very different itineraries to celebrate 2010 downtown. Whether your idea of a perfect New Year’s Eve involves funky beats, bottles of bubbly, a caravan of kids, or haute cuisine, the Central City is the place to be!

Downtown is home to some of Sacramento’s coolest bars and clubs, with many venues offering VIP services that can take your night ‘to the next level.’ Part two showcases these hotspots and their VIP amenities like private booths, bottle service, dedicated staff and complimentary champagne.

Part Two: Party like a rock star!

Over at 10th and K, Cosmo Café, Cosmopolitan Cabaret and Social Nightclub are partnering to offer something for all ages this New Year’s Eve. Billed as the 'Largest Party of 2010,' here you can enjoy a lavish prix-fixe dinner and entry into all venues for only $99. Dance the night away with DJ Pat Allen upstairs at Social or show off your old school dancing skills with the Spazmatics at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret. Dinner and party packages for either Social or the special NYE Cabaret show are available at cosmosacramento.com.

See and be seen at The Park Ultra Lounge, where Sactown Magazine will be celebrating their third anniversary. The Park is offering a variety of VIP packages to suit your entourage that includes front-of-the-line admission, special seating, complimentary champagne and spirits as well as your own VIP host and waitress for the evening. At the stroke of midnight, a massive balloon drop will reveal swag and other goodies from local wineries, retailers and restaurants. Learn more at theparkdowntown.com.

Or, celebrate with the folks at MIX Downtown as they commemorate their one-year anniversary on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy champagne and cake while dancing the night away to DJ Jus James. MIX chefs will offer a delicious menu selection of eats and sweets, including Grilled Lamb Lollipops, Shrimp Tempura Cocktail and Fudgy Peppermint Brownies. Holiday drink specials round out a fun and festive evening. 100.5 The Zone will be broadcasting live from the event- your celebratory ‘woo-woos’ could be heard all across the greater Sacramento region. Additional details available at mixdowntown.net.

Dream Ultra Lounge is ringing in the New Year in style with DJ Elements and DJ Victorious, who will be spinning your favorite top 40 and club hits all night long. From the masterminds behind Cabana Ultra Lounge and Ink Eats and Drinks, Dream is sexy and exclusive, with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Dream has partnered with the Sheraton Grand hotel to offer a room and party package for only $199 that includes tickets to the event. Other VIP party packages are available. Visit dreamultralounge.com for details.

Tomorrow’s itinerary: Wine & Dine your way into the new year!

Celebrate New Year's Eve 2010 in the Central City

2009-12-28T20:03:10Z

So, you survived Christmas. Now the big question isn’t whether or not you’ve finished your holiday shopping, it’s all about what to do this New Year’s Eve. This four-part series aims to take the mystery and anxiety out of what to do in Sacrmento to ring in the New Year. Each day, we’ll feature very different downtown ways to celebrate 2010. Whether your idea of a perfect New Year’s Eve involves funky beats, bottles of bubbly, a caravan of kids, or haute cuisine, the Central City is the place to be!

Part One: Family style
Got kids? Start your evening early with a visit to the California Museum’s Out of this World exhibit, an exhibition of famous television and movie costumes sure to delight movie buffs from ages 8 to 80. View iconic movie garb like Darth Vader’s cape, helmet and lightsaber or Indiana Jones’ whip from Raiders of the Lost Ark. The museum is open daily until 5 p.m. Admission is $8.50 for adults, with discounted admission for children. Visit californiamuseum.org for details.

Afterward, head down to Old Sacramento to catch the 6:30 or 8:00 p.m. showing of Theatre of Lights, a symphony of lights, sounds and visual effects that accompanies a narrative reading of the beloved poem, The Night Before Christmas, first introduced in Sacramento in 1857.

Take a break from the winter chill with a visit to Old Sacramento’s newest restaurant, Ten 22. Brought to you by the owners of landmark establishment, The Firehouse, Ten 22 offers unique, family friendly fare like Corn Flake Chicken Wings, Dungeness Crab Tater Tots or hand dipped Mini Corn Dogs. Call Ten 22 at 441-2211 to make reservations.

Cap off your evening with a post-dinner stroll around this historic district and enjoy free family entertainment at Waterfront Park courtesy of Radio Disney’s Rockin’ Road Crew. If you can, be sure to stick around long enough to catch the 9:00 p.m. New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular, a free fireworks show set to children’s music. For those who want to party past bedtime, a second fireworks show starts at midnight-just in time to usher in the New Year. Visit discovergold.org/nye for complete schedule and information. Pre-paid parking available at both Old Sacramento garages beginning at 3 p.m. for a flat rate of $8.00.

Need a room? The Citizen hotel is offering a special $99 room rate (with late check-out) for the holiday; book online and use code NYECVB to receive discount.

Tomorrow’s Itinerary: Party like a rock star!

Richard March and Tyler Ragle to perform CD-release concert

2009-12-17T05:29:05Z

Local Americana musicians Richard March and Tyler Ragle are not afraid to get political.

Their new song "Gold Star Café" includes a café conversation about politics, praises for President Obama and criticism of the public for not being involved enough in politics.

"Thank God this young man got the vote/But he alone won't save this boat/Gonna take 'all hands' to get her right/So we can sleep at night," March writes.

Saturday at Javalounge, the local country-influenced folk duo will play a CD-release concert for their five-song EP Kings and Thieves, their first release as a duo. Davis-based singer-songwriter Nat Lefkoff will open the show.

March lived in the Bay Area until age 30, when he moved to Nashville to pursue a music career.

After only two months there, he came back to California and settled in Sacramento because his wife was from here, he said. Currently living in West Sacramento, March spent time recently as a substitute teacher and still commutes to the Bay Area every weekend to play music in church.

Ragle grew up in Roseville and worked Skip's Music in Sacramento for five years before becoming a school aid helping autistic children in Orangevale. He has played in several "serious" local bands over the years, which he defined as bands that have played many live shows.

March, on the other hand, has a Bachelor of Arts in Popular Styles from San Francisco State, and hasn't stopped writing songs since he was 18. In 2007, he won a SAMMIE award for best male vocalist.

About a decade ago, March and Ragle met at an open mic night at Old Ironsides, where March asked audience members to name the artist he was covering. Ragle, a self-described music trivia fan and snob, shouted "Springsteen!" and March gave him a free CD as a reward.

The two have been playing music together ever since.

March has four albums, two with Ragle playing bass, but Kings marks the first time the duo have released a collection of songs they wrote together.

With harmonica, guitar, vocals and an occasional piano, Kings has a touch of Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel and the Eagles. The duo's chemistry is apparent on the album and they complete each others' sentences over coffee like an old married couple.

Writing political songs is difficult, said Ragle, 31, in part because certainly the pair are not foreign policy or politics experts. But opinions tend to be best expressed through song, he said.

"There are a couple of songs that people walk away from (when played live)," March said.

"We've had a good reaction to 'Gold Star Café' so far, but it will be interesting how that reaction will change in a year or two," Ragle added.

They both agreed some of their favorite moments in music included opening for folk music legend Ramblin' Jack Elliot and playing Concerts in the Park with Jackie Greene.

In addition to recording another full album, March said he is ready to hit the road and start some serious touring.

"I've never been one to throw caution to the wind," he said. "I'm a square-ass suburban white boy that's fairly comfortable. But at the ripe age of 40, I'm starting to try and tour, travel and focus on (music) full time."

The show begins at 8 p.m. and will cost $5. CDs will be available for $5. Javalounge is located at 2416 16th Street.

Unique elementary school in South Sacramento to celebrate the winter season

2009-12-01T11:55:48Z

One of the best kept secrets of the South Sacramento area is a small, private school tucked away in the Lanai Shopping Center on Freeport Boulevard, neighboring the Sacramento Executive Airport, where it has existed in rented space for 21 years.

Over the years, most of the shopping center tenants have moved away. Meanwhile, countless hours of parent, teacher and student work have gone into transforming a run-down property into a school with colorful classrooms and playgrounds.

It has an understated entrance, but Camellia Waldorf School is an oasis for children.

The kindergarten yard is home to Mr. Mountain, a big pile of dirt, and Ms. Sandy, a big pile of sand. There are climbing structures in trees, hay bales, a water pump, chickens and a garden of oak and fruit trees, flowers and vegetables.

Young children run, jump, play and are close to the elements. Walking down the central corridor, a visitor may hear music, singing or poetry being recited. Watercolor paintings line office windows.

The community at Camellia Waldorf School is a diverse group, including families from Sacramento, West Sacramento, Elk Grove, Carmichael and Rancho Cordova. Parents are engineers, pastors, attorneys, health practitioners and public school teachers.

Many parents work for the government (federal, state and local), and in a variety of occupations. Families are from a wide range of social, economic, cultural and spiritual backgrounds.

With regard to racial/ethnic diversity, 8 percent of students are African American, 8 percent are Asian American, 17 percent are Hispanic American, 10 percent are from other racial/minority groups and 57 percent are Caucasian.

Families are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim. Camellia is one of the most diverse Waldorf schools in Northern California. Diversity is important, but what bring families together are deeply shared values regarding how children should be raised and educated.

The school and its values, in many ways, resist the tide of mainstream society. Public schools emphasize academics at younger ages; preschool children are being taught phonics. Camellia remains steadfast to its protection of childhood – encouraging preschool children to play outside, rain or shine.

Rooted in the tenet that a child learns through movement in his or her first seven years, the early child curriculum encourages movement through creative free play and in structured activities. Woodworking and finger knitting, learned in kindergarten, develop fine motor skills for writing in later years.

Storytelling and song stimulate creativity and nonlinear thought, vital to the development of critical thinking skills and problem-solving. Gardening teaches children about the life cycle and our environment, while keeping in tune with the seasons and harvesting healthy foods to be eaten at snack time.

In this digital age, media and technology are central to our lives. Camellia encourages keeping both from young children until they are developmentally able to handle the intense sensory input.

The interdisciplinary curriculum for the grades balances the sciences, humanities, and the arts. Subjects include math, science and history, as well as music, art and woodworking.

According to a standardized test used at Camellia, 8th graders' average scores over the past 3 years were higher than the expected Grade Equivalent for all 9 academic subjects tested. Scores for 8 of 9 such subjects were at 10th grade level and higher.

Some Camellia graduates continue their education at the Sacramento Waldorf School in Fair Oaks, while others transition to public schools or private schools such as Christian Brothers and St. Francis High School.

According to a study of Waldorf graduates in North America, 94 percent attend college and nearly 80 percent intend to attend graduate school.

The same study reported that 47 percent of undergraduates majored in arts and humanities, 43 percent in math and science, and the remaining 10 percent in a variety of other fields.

Camellia Waldorf School’s annual tuition is $8,675. Considered low for a Waldorf school, it is expensive for the average family.

What most people do not know is that, perhaps unlike other local private schools, Camellia provides more than $170,000 in tuition assistance to an unprecedented 42 percent of its student population.

Contrary to public perception, 10 percent of Camellia students would qualify for free or reduced lunch in a public school. This Waldorf School is committed to providing its integrated curriculum to a socio-economically diverse population. Parents of all backgrounds make sacrifices to send their children to this school.

The school's mission is to educate by “honoring childhood, appreciating the individuality of each student and nurturing a sense of moral and ethical responsibility while building capacities for learning and encouraging clear and creative thinking.”

Camellia Waldorf School is more than a school. It is an educational community of committed staff, faculty and parents that strives to achieve and live a shared mission.

On Dec. 12, the school will host its 21st Annual Winter Faire, open to the public. This event offers a variety of activities for children such as puppet shows, storytelling, craft activities, and a store just for children to select gifts for family and friends.

Over 40 local artisans and craft vendors will be selling handcrafted items and unique gifts for holiday shopping.

This year the Faire will offer free demonstrations on beekeeping, hand-blown glass ornaments, and blacksmithing.

Festive and culturally diverse music and dance performances will also be free and include Kalpulli Xihuacoatl - Danza Azteka, the Southern Brothers Drum Group, Val Shadowhawk, the Nada Brahma Music Ensemble, Agua de Beber Capoeira, The Benny’s and the Ntshiab Li Nag Hmong dancers.

A “Gingerbread Creations” exhibit will feature the "work" of local architects and housing developers. The public, too, will be invited to build gingerbread structures.

The “Golden Ladle Soup Competition” will serve gourmet soups from local restaurants including Ella Dining Room and Bar and Magpie Café to be judged by local celebrities, such as Mai Pham from Lemongrass Restaurant, Sonney Chong from CAPITAL, Paulette Bruce of The Dining Divas, and Councilmembers Rob Fong and Kevin McCarty.

This event is open to the public and free. Some activities require nominal fees. Celebrate the winter season at this exciting event! CWS, 5701 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, (916) 427-5022. See www.camelliawaldorf.org for more information.

This article was submitted by Marisa Cheung, Camellia Waldorf School Parent, and Meredith Johanson, Camellia Waldorf School Administrator.

Sacramento Small Business Celebrate the Holidays in a BIG Way!

2009-11-29T07:29:42Z

There is no doubt that businesses in general have suffered through our ever-changing economy. Businesses on multiple levels have had to make sacrifices; downsizing, cutting salaries, furloughing, laying off, and certainly cutting expenses.Small business, especially in Sacramento, is no exception. One expense that seems to be a commonality, is the Company Holiday Party.

Historically, no matter how large or small an office or business is, company's have celebrated the holidays and their accomplishments with their partners, employees, and sometimes, vendors and customers. It is a time when people put work aside, and come together over food, drinks, entertainment and memories that often survive the company itself.

This year, small and medium sized businesses, consultants, solopreneurs, coaches, recruiters, relators and attorney's are all invited to participate in Get Networking Now's inaugural "Sacramento Region Company Holiday Party"! On Thursday, December 17, business owners, their employees, their vendors and key clients will enjoy a "BIG" celebration on a small business budget! Part of the proceeds will also benefit a local childrens' arts organization, Chalk It Up!

Chef Simon Mandell, co-owner of Courtyard D'Oro a new restaurant and banquet faciliaty in Old Sacramento, is preparing a "feast" for these hardworking entrepreneurs consisting of four cuisines, followed by dessert, dancing, music, entertainment. and "swag bags" with special offers, samples and promotions from local businesses. The event is scheduled from 6-10 pm at Courtyard D'Oro, which is located at 1700 Front Street under G Williker's Toy Emporium.

Ticket prices are $40 at the door, $35 presale. Special Pricing is available for small businesses with profiles on www.sacgnn.com and is FREE with paid monthly membership to Get Networking Now. Tickets may be purchased at: http://sacareacompanyparty.eventbrite.com/

Get Networking Now (SacGNN) is a local networking resource assisting small and medium sized businesses to grow "small talk" into "BIG Business" through education, training and networking events. SacGNN offers a free online community for local business owners to exchange leads, information, and resources and assist one another in growing their businesses in Sacramento.

For more information on this event, or Get Networking Now, please contact Rebecca Johnson 916-868-7562 or rebecca@sacgnn.com

3 Winning Strategies for Sacramento Area Small Businesses

2009-11-21T23:54:04Z

The Wall Street Journal featured a story recently that held some tremendous promise for Sacramento Area small businesses. The article titled “Three Best Ways to Win Community Support” outlines the some opportunities that small businesses can create or take advantage of. I think these are particularly ripe for those businesses around the Sacramento community.

First off, a recent trend in small business marketing has been to develop community around your products and services. Community is where loyalty comes from. It is why we have newsletters, a social networking presence, and why we all wish there was a bar where everybody knew our name. These tips will help you further to engage your customer outside the confines of your primary place of business.

The articles first recommendation was to hold a contest or event with local flair. Being a New York paper they pointed to the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest. Sacramento has an active community. This week my wife has our family signed up to participate in the annual Run to Feed the Hungry.   The event is sponsored by numerous local and nationally franchised businesses and is a fundraiser for the Sacramento Food Bank. This is a great example of participating in events with local flair. My favorite new pizza spot in Sacramento is Hot Italian. As a fan on Facebook and recipient of their weekly emails I know that they participate in a lunch hour concerts held in the Freemont Park across the street. Another example may be a Second Saturday event. Monthly these events are hosted all over Sacramento with particular fervor in the Midtown area as well as some Suburban locations like the Fair Oaks Village. People who attend these events often are a good source of repeat business.

The second recommendation: Team up with other local businesses, especially those with complementary products. Every business is looking for that perfect partner. We often forget how teamwork works. One customer of mine is a local Max Muscle. The owner selected a site two doors down from a sports footwear store and shares the shopping center with a soccer supply store. Shortly after moving in the footwear store began to sell sports supplements. Now instead of stores working together to build a successful shopping center they are taking an isolationist approach. Why not offer complimentary products from other local businesses in your store. When local businesses win, we all win. A common mistake of marketing is also that it is done in sort of a self congratulatory manner. Working in community helps us to avoid this pitfall. It turns out that customers listen far more when we begin to talk about others. Find some complimentary businesses to partner with. Generate some conversation about each other. Begin a movement together! And that brings us to recommendation number three.

Join or start a grassroots business alliance. The Midtown Grid is a fantastic example of a business alliance in Sacramento. With a dedicated website at MidtownGrid.com these business has joined together in a variety of campaigns for mutual beneficial causes. One in particular is the Green The Grid initiative. When businesses set aside their own well being and put the community first they will experience the same in return.

I believe that most people want to shop local. Given the option of supporting a local business or not, I think there is a strong desire to participate in supporting a local economy. Show your community that your feel the same. Be a business that contributes to the community and see if the community does not give right on back. So host some parties, build some partnerships, and participate in a movement.

I am sure I have missed some well behaving local examples. What Sacramento Area business have you seen using these principles to better the community and grow their businesses? Please, include a link.

Sacramento House Music Goes Global

2009-10-29T08:14:23Z

Sacramento's First Global Online Resource Center.

VISAO - The portuguese word for vision.

Visao Media is a unique operation. We have been involved in electronic music for over 10 years and are thrilled to combine elements on a new and inspiring level and bring to Sacramento something raw in electronic music. Our electronic music department focuses on artist spotlights, house & techno, DJ mixes and video animations. From Paris to London to New York and to the beaches of Ibiza, we're bringing you cutting age entertainment. We are heavily affiliated with creative groups around the globe and promote the past, present and future of electronic music. We also include a variety of product design reviews. Visao is a net label, specializing in house music.

In other words, "What We Do Is Secret."

Legendary Spotlight Interviews:
Danny Tenaglia
Behrouz
DJ Vibe
Chus & Ceballos
Carl Cox

Also: System Audible, DJ Michelangelo, Adam Freemer, SATI, Fergie, DanceTrippin TV, Autistic, Mamson, D.O.N.S., Mr. Henry Von, Alex-T and more.

Check for our upcoming fashion, art and music shows.
:: House Music:: www.visaomedia.com

Visao Media

Neighborhood Services' Spooky Hall 2009

2009-10-26T23:38:09Z

The Neighborhood Services Department invites you and your children to join us this Friday from 10am to 3pm for a fun and safe Halloween trick or treat celebration at New City Hall (915 I Street).

Ghosts, goblins, and characters of Halloween will roam the passages of City Hall giving away sweets and treats.

We look forward to seeing you.

Calling all Crawl Captains!

2009-10-14T22:43:01Z

The Jewish Federation is celebrating their move to Midtown Sacramento by throwing a big party for a cause! The Big Nosh is a gourmet food and pub crawl benefiting 5 local charities where participants will get a chance to eat and drink their way across the grid sampling appetizers and cocktails at 30 restaurants and coffee shops. Tickets are $36/person and Crawl Captains may register at www.thebignosh.com and earn their ticket for free by recruiting 10 or more people to their team. Teams will start at different locations at the same time in a "round robin" format and experience Midtown as it's meant to be experienced: walking!

Calling all Crawl Captains...register now at www.thebignosh.com, recruit 10 people to join your team and get your event ticket for free...tickets are $36/person and include an appetizer and drink sample at more than a dozen locations in Midtown Sacramento!

Oktoberfest Bikes & Brews Crawl

2009-10-09T04:50:33Z

Oktoberfest meets BikeCrawl

Welcome to the 3rd "bicycle-themed" Grubcrawl.

When: Thursday, October 15, promptly at 5:00 for the pre-party, we're off to the first spot at 6:00.

Where: Bikes and Bites, 1013 12th street @ 12th & J, Downtown Sacramento.

Starting off with the HOPPIEST Kick off party on the planet!

HOPPY BREWING COMPANY has offered to help get thing hoppin’ before we even leave the starting line. HOPPY BREWING COMPANY will be bringing 4 of their nationally renowned brews for all the registered BikeCrawlers to sample. Not only that, HOPPY BREWING COMPANY has also offered to supply scrumptious snacks to compliment their excellent choices in brew. What a kick off! And all you have to do is show up. How great is that?

Well it doesn’t stop there: there will be door prizes, t-shirts, games and giveaways. You don’t want to miss this party. Get your ticket soon before they are all gone! Grubcrawlusa.com in partnership with Bikes & Bites presents the third of many Bikecrawls, rollin' spot to spot enjoying FREE APPETIZERS and DRINK SPECIALS all night long! Soooo, how do I get involved you might ask. Bring your cycles, trikes, and appetites! And come join us @ Rubicon, Brew It Up, and Pyramid Ale House.

Bring a Bike, Rent-A-Bike, or catch a Pedi cab!

Option 1 – Bring your tour cycle, beach cruiser, road or mountain bike, or even a tandem cycle.

Option 2 – For only $15.00 Bikes and Bites will loan you a ride from their vast fleet of bikes, with everything you will need. Call for reservation: (916) 448-1799 or Bikes & Bites @ 1013 12th street.

Option 3 – Enjoy a Pedi Cab, why use your own legs when there are plenty of young, energetic pairs of other peoples pedal pumpers to propel you and your friends around the Grubcrawl route. Dial-a-Bike Pedi cab provides free, door-to-door transport between restaurants and back to your car at the end of the night! Ride in style with Harmon (the owner and Pedi cab guru) and his crew of fit, fun, upbeat, & young drivers,… just be sure to tip them for their prompt and professional service!

Join the Leisurely Cyclists and the Avid Bikers alike as we embark on this "Riders Romp" to the best eats & drinks Sac has to offer! We pedal "en-masse" to 3 of your favorite BEER drinking stops; for FREE APPETIZERS, DRINK SPECIALS, PRIZES, and other GIVEAWAYS,... spending about an hour at each location.

REGISTER NOW!

NO EXCUSES... IT'S FURLOUGH FRIDAY THE NEXT DAY... SO NO NEED FOR SLEEP... JUST BREWS AND EATS!!!

See what Sac Media Moguls have to say about the previous BikeCrawl:

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/11162/Tour_de_Sac_ends_with_Pub_Crawl

Come join the fun: Plenty of specialty beers, tasty appetizers to recharge your system, and a whole lot of fun and excitement inside, with prizes and giveaways, while we are meeting and eating with the popular party crowd. Don’t forget this is a Furlough Friday for all you State Workers out there! For those who can stay out past curfew, Grubcrawl is taking it til last call and you can party with us all night!

Register now @ Grubcrawlusa.com, call Cline @ (916) 730-0977, or just show up Thursday night with a $20 in hand.

12th Annual Sacramento Reptile Show at the Convention Center

2009-09-27T02:55:12Z

Creepy, crawly, slithery critters abound! The reptiles at the 12th Annual Sacramento Reptile Show were the stars at the Sacramento Convention Center. The show, which began Saturday, will continue through Sunday and should average about 10,000 reptilian enthusiasts and animal fans alike over the weekend.

With strollers packing in the 15,000 square-foot Exhibit Hall, people of all ages appeared amazed at the wide selection of chameleons, bearded dragons, pythons, and poison dart frogs. Vendors with colorful signs were selling everything from reptilian food, assorted enclosures and incubators. Many of the vendors were offering promotional discounts for this special show.

Jeremy and Angel Epstein, of Upscale Reptiles and Pets to Go, began the Sacramento Reptile Show to help educate the public on how to responsibly care for their pet reptiles. Started in 1998 as a 10-vendor show at a hotel, the show has proven to be immensely popular, now averaging about 3,000 reptiles, 80 vendors and 40 professional reptile breeders with educators and suppliers.

"We really do our best to reach out to the families," Angel Epstein said. "That is our future. We are very excited about the industry. We want the hobby to continue."

Vendors and breeders play an important role speaking directly to families about buying pet reptiles so they know exactly what they are getting into, she said. This helps families plan a budget on what they will spend on their reptile, and how large the animal will grow, she said.

Dave Collings, breeder with Rainbows-R-US Reptiles, promotes two different types of snakes: the boa constrictor and rainbow boa.

The price of snakes depend on the breed, the sex and the coloration, he said.

"Exotic males tend to be worth more at first than the females, then as time goes on the females become more valuable," he said.

With corn snakes or leopard geckos in the $25 to $30 price range, families will find a reptile within their budget. However, all native species or venomous or imported animals are not for sale.

Reptile newcomer Elisa, and mom Glenda chose to purchase a baby corn snake at the show.

"Originally, it was going to stay at school with her [eighth grade] science class," said Glenda, "but at the end of summer it will come back to [our] house," Glenda said.

"My cousin got one and I wanted to get one," Elisa said. The corn snake will live for about 10 to 15 years, she said.

Fostering respect through education was an important message throughout the show. Julie Allen, naturalist and environmental educator at Nature's Critters, performed an hour-long demonstration bringing out normally "scary" creatures for children to touch and hold. Allen's educational programs and activities encourage young children to appreciate and question the world around them.

"When you are a young child and you love animals, it carries on into your adulthood," Allen said.

Allen spoke of her belief that people should not be afraid of reptiles and crawling critters.

"I teach kids to not get [certain] animals as pets," she said. "And when they do adopt a pet, I teach them to care for them."

"The children learn to value life," she said. "When they see a snake or a spider, they don't scream and want to kill it; instead, they appreciate the animal and leave them alone."

These values are exactly what Christian is hoping to teach his 3-year-old daughter Pandora.

"I am an animal enthusiast, all around," he said. "Any opportunity to get out and see cool animals is great."

Along those same lines, Laurel Peterson, a biology teacher at Salida Middle School in Salida California, began the Reptile Education Club to nurture her love of reptilian creatures, and inspire her students to be involved with wildlife wonders.

"I love snakes," she said. "A principal came to me with the idea of starting my own club. I have been doing this for 21 years now."

Peterson's club members are mostly sixth graders. All of the students, and parent volunteers, handle snakes, geckos, and lizards while answering questions and letting other children hold the animals for the very first time.

Mya, 7, appeared thrilled to hold a snake at the Reptile Education Club booth.

"It was cool!" she said. She also described the snake as heavy and is considering getting one as a pet.

"You have to be passionate," Allen said. "Every animal I have is precious. I think if you have that kind of enthusiasm for all animals, it gets to be contagious."

The 12th Annual Reptile Show will continue Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J St., Exhibit Halls C-E. Ticket prices for one-day admission are $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free.

Upscale Reptiles' website is located here.

All photos by Kassandra Perlongo.

Autumn Sky at Club Retro's Benefit Show and Food Drive

2009-09-26T07:35:57Z

If you're free this evening, grab a couple of cans and make it on down to Orangevale for this for-a-good-cause event. Autumn Sky will be opening the lineup of indie and rock bands, dedicated to getting food to needy families in the area this season.

This will be an 8:00PM, all ages show. The cover will be somewhere around $6, and you are encouraged to bring at least two cans of food with you. Come early for a good place to stand, this is expected to be one of the biggest shows of the year at this venue.

As usual, I'll be there early to chat and hang out with you guys. Don't be afraid to say hello!

Not Your Average Fun Run!!!

2009-09-06T02:44:59Z

The "Fun Run" is well known to the people of Sacramento. Each year, nearly a hundred local organizations put on a 5K event in the hopes of raising funds and awareness of their wonderful programs. Well, InAlliance has decided to take the "Fun Run" to a whole new level with the addition of poker!

On Saturday, October 10, 2009, InAlliance will host the Gold Rush Poker Run & Walk on the El Dorado Trail in Placerville. The 10K, 5K and 1 mile courses will take participants on a tour of the Sierra Nevada Foothills during the most beautiful time of year. Along the way, participants will collect playing cards to form poker hands worth raffle tickets at the finish line party. Prizes include lift tickets to North Star and two exciting overnight packages.

The goal of the Gold Rush Poker Run & Walk is to raise awareness of the vital programs InAlliance provides to people with developmental disabilities. For the past 57 years, InAlliance has successfully helped thousands of people with developmental disabilities become fully participating members of society through its supported employment, work and life skills, community training and supported living programs. 100% of proceeds will go directly back into these tremendous programs.

The best news, you don't have to be a runner to participate; all ages and levels are welcome. After the run/walk, participants will enjoy snacks, music, raffle, awards and more at the Smith Flat House finish line party. So, don't miss out! Go to www.inallianceinc.com for more information and to register.

Monarchs BasketballCrawl

2009-09-03T02:54:18Z

The GrubCrawl and the Sacramento Monarchs

- together at last-

Collaborate to Present the Monarchs Basketball Crawl

@ Arco Arena Sunday September 13th @ 3:00 pm

Register now at Grubcrawlusa.com - and for only $30 - receive admission to the Monarchs GrubCrawl at the regular ticket price + the last game of the season:The Monarchs vs. the Minnesota Lynx - included at no extra charge!

Plan to come hungry!

For 3 hours, we rotate through appetizer stations at three of Natomas area's premire restaraunts, sampling a symphony of Sac’s scrumptious snacks and tasty tidbits!

Get off of the couch or come directly from church, the mall, the golf course....whatever you do on a Sunday, and get your Grub on!!!

Simply park in the spacious lot near Logans Roadhouse, (NO NEED to PAY $10.00 at ArcoArena for PARKING!) Get there three hours prior to the 6:00 pm game time and follow along as we "Tip off" @ Logans Roadhouse, then "travel" cross the lot to Chris Webber's CenterCourt, and next "Slam Dunk" at Carino's Italian Restaurante on our "Three-point" Crawl featuring Delicious Free Appetizers, Fabulous Drink Specials, Prizes and Givaways at each spot. Then board our Luxurious DeLux LimoBus for VIP transport to/from Arco Arena to watch the Sacramento Monarchs take on the Minnesota Lynx in this exciting season finale. Come down onto the court after the game for a "Meet & Greet" and special player appearences by our hometown favorites. Finally, jump back on the limo, where you will be chauffered back to Webber's Center Court Restaurant for the "Un-Official" Afterparty .

All the Food, Fun, and Fan Appreciation for only $30 (this includes the GrubCrawl, admission and Limo transpo to & from the Game, Plus [for those who can hang] entrance to the VIP Afterspot!) Register Now!

Call for your Reserve Tickets @ (916) 730-0977 or visit GrubCrawlusa.com Now!
Editor's Note: Cline Moore is the founder of Sacramento's GrubCrawl

BikeCrawl II

2009-08-20T23:19:57Z

Rollin' on the BikeCrawl II
The 2nd "bicycle-themed" Grubcrawl is Wed. Aug. 26, promptly at 5:30 starting @ Bikes and Bites, 12th & J st, Downtown Sac..... Grubcrawlusa.com in partnership with Bikes & Bites presents the second of many Bikecrawls, rollin' spot to spot enjoying free appetizers and drink specials all night long! Soooo,....Bring your cycles, trikes, and appetites! Join us @ Brew It Up, Sofia's, Three Fires @ the downtown Marriott, Table 260,...and other Sacramento Hot Spots. See ya there!

Rent-A-Bike or bring your own!
Bring your tour cycle, beach cruizer, road or mountain bike, or tandem to the starting venue at 5:30 pm, with $25 and your appetite!

Or for an additional $15.00 borrow a ride from the fleet of rental bikes: which includes both men’s and women’s classic single speed beach cruiser style bikes, a combination lock, front and rear light set, an optional helmet, and a front-mounted basket. Call to reserve: (916) 448-1799 or visit 1013 12th st. @ Bikes & Bites.

Jump in our Pedicab!
Don't wanna ride onder your own power? Why use your OWN legs when there are plenty of young, energetic pairs of other peoples pedal pumpers to propel you and your friends around the Grubcrawl route. Dial-a-Bike Pedicab provides free, door-to-door transpo between restaurants and back to your car at the end of the night! Ride in style with Harmon (the owner and pedicab guru) and his crew of fit, fun, upbeat, & young drivers,...just be sure to tip them for their prompt and professional service!

Join the Leisurely Cyclist and the Avid Biker alike as we embark on this "Riders Romp" to the best eats & drinks Sac has to offer! We pedal "en-masse" to 5 of your favorites; for FREE APPETIZERS, DRINK SPECIALS, PRIZES, and other GIVEAWAYS,... spending about an hour at each location.

See what Sac Media Moguls have to say about the previous BikeCrawl: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/11162/Tour_de_Sac_ends_with_Pub_Crawl

Wheeeew! Thank Gawd! It will cool off for the Bikecrawl this Wed. Not only are we starting in the shady of the city after the heat breaks, the Delta breeze off the river makes this Crawl the coolest place to be in Sac! As we slide from one air-conditioned venue to another, cooling the engines with refreshing drinks and recharging the system with tasty appetizers,... The outside temp. will steadily drop... while the fun and excitement inside grows and builds, with prizes and givaways meeting and eating with the popular party crowd. Have to work Thursday??? Don't worry!!! We pull up to our last destination, 9:30 or so, for scrumptious snacks and a nightcap. If you gotto go then, in order to get to work in the morning,..say goodnite and be home by 10:00pm!! For those who can stay out past curfew, Grubcrawl is taking it till last call and you can party with us all night! Reg. now @ Grubcrawlusa.com or call (916) 730-0977.

West Sacramento Joins in National Night Out

2009-07-30T16:47:13Z

Streets and neighborhoods in West Sacramento will again be participating in the National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

The annual event, which promotes public safety and community partnerships, brings neighbors together for block parties and cookouts.

At 7:30 p.m., in support of the Bryte & Broderick Community Action Group, the Police and Fire Departments, along with other agencies, will converge at Bryte Park at 425 Todhunter Avenue.

For more about National Night Out, contact Community Service Officer Nora McDowell, (916) 617-4837 or noram@cityofwestsacramento.org .

Final Harmony on the River in West Sacramento

2009-07-30T16:32:56Z

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Harmony on the River, a free summer concert series from the City of West Sacramento, will present the final concert of the season. Enjoy an evening with Hurricane Sam & the Hotshots, featuring boogie, blues, and jazz.

Harmony on the River is a family-friendly event, so please bring the kids, a picnic, and soak up the sounds. Pets on leash are allowed, but the City asks that you refrain from any glass bottles.

Parking is free also, so just see a parking attendant on site for a pass.

For more information, contact Scott Stanley of the City of West Sacramento Parks & Recreation, scottst@cityofwestsacramento.org.

Launching Sac Style

2009-07-27T06:19:48Z

One of the true gems of Launch, a Vchle Magazine event that took place Saturday, was the innovative stylings of both the fashion designers and those in attendance.

The event, dedicated to Sacramento's fashion and design talent, explored the question: What is Sac style?

"Who knows?" Mel Eligon, store manager of Cuffs, asked. "Style has everything to do with the individual, and there are a plethora of individualities here. This sounds generic, but the D.I.Y. thing, seeking out unique pieces, is really big. In big cities like L.A. and San Francisco, certain things are put in your face for what is fashionable. But because we are a small town, it's easy for us to make an extra effort to look different."

Sacramentans turned out in full force; models, musicians and event-goers combined for spectacular people-watching at Del Paso Boulevard's Greens Hotel. The online design magazine's festival began at 6 p.m. and lasted until 2 a.m.

Vendors lined hallways and decorated corners with display tables and racks of clothing offering anything from reworked vintage pieces to original designs. The hotel's courtyard gave access to unique browsing opportunities as the vendors were set up in individual rooms. Attendees milled from one room to the next viewing creative displays like jewelry on dressers and stacked T-shirts on beds.

Elignon voiced her appreciation for Launch's successful formula of combining vending with showcasing aspects of a fashion show.

"Sometimes when there is a show, the actual products can be easily overlooked, " Elignon said, "but here it's been integrated really well."

Jennifer Slater, an Artifacts model and Midtown resident, echoed Elignon's assessment that not having a definitive fashion reputation allows for greater freedom with individual style as well as business.

"We are so diverse with our style, it can't be pinpointed by one stereotype," Slater said. "Sac Style is a blend of different styles thrown together. And everything is local still, like Artifacts is starting its own Cut and Sew line. Here, even retail is D.I.Y."

Artist and Sacramento resident Jeff Musser said that the community's size was the ultimate factor in its style reputation, or lack thereof.

"I would say Sacramento style is evolving. It's not that we don't have talented artists and designers, we don't have the support mechanism that San Francisco, Chicago, L.A. or Miami does for their artists, " Musser said. "It's not that the money isn't here either, we just don't have the numbers; we don't even have 500,000 people. There is only so much that a designer, musician or artist can accomplish in Sacramento. You hit a ceiling and then you either branch out or you stay in that ceiling."

The aesthetic climax of the evening was the 10 p.m. fashion show, which presented the work of Sacramento-based designers Altered Betty's, Artifacts, Velvet Leaf, Rejects and Van Der Neer. The clothing featured was mostly couture.

Altered Betty's show opened with a model doing belly dance-inspired movements down the runway. The models wore reworked vintage pieces and reflected the label's unique modernity in instances such as dreadlocks and cowboy boots with a patterned, asymmetrically hemmed dress or a jungle print fitted mini-dress with strong-shouldered short sleeves exposing tattooed arms.

Artifacts featured both men's and women's clothing; the males wore urban-inspired street wear while the female models worked vintage-inspired casual pieces like high-waisted floral print shorts and cotton jumpers. Reject featured spidery yarn fingerless gloves in bright red and neon fabric shoestring neck pieces to complement revamped vintage pieces.

Velvet Leaf's collection borrowed inspiration from '60 silhouettes from cape-like sheaths to fitted quarter-sleeve cocktail dresses. Details such as black or cream oversize fabric bows and a gem-encrusted neckline added surprising twists to classic forms.

The final designer, Nicole Kniss for Van Der Neer, gave attendees a theatrical presentation. With Alice in Wonderland clips playing on giant backdrop screens, the line inspired by "the creepiness of children's clothes" displayed jumpers and mini dresses in pastels, with ruffle detail and nude tights. The hair and makeup upped the drama factor; models worked teased pin-curl updos and extended eyelashes framing contoured cheeckbones.

Kniss, who began her design career doing hair for fashion shows, commented on the progression of Sacramento fashion.

"When I started doing hair four or five years ago, it seemed like people were just getting excited about something other than music," Kniss said. "Now, I think these kinds of shows are going to take over the world."

She also credited Sacramento's fashion scene with having a strong sense of unity.

"Its a huge community, and we all want to help out. I mean, what Velvet Leaf is doing [fashion-wise] is really cool," reflected Kniss. "Competition can be really done up; but here, everybody just wants to make everybody famous."

Vchle's Michael Hargis, the main coordinator of Launch, acknowledged the tight-knit nature of the Sacramento fashion community is a large part of the night's success.

"The relationship aspect is more important than anything else. When you love for somebody and care for somebody and you want to see the best for them, you want to showcase what they are," Hargis said. "After trying to network and build community and building something stronger than us as individuals, we wanted to work with people in the fashion world... You root for the girls, you root for the fashion."