There's no use in sugar-coating. Reality hurts. This is the message of a commencement address given by Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye of the Supreme Court of California on Saturday as she painted a dismal outlook of the future, grim with lack of decent paying options for recent graduates of University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. It was the kind of speech where even the most optimistic of parents cringe upon hearing of the lack of jobs available to those armed with newly minted law degrees.  Still, the bleak expectation failed to deter the graduates from pursuing their calling.  Within this class is the mark of resiliency.  Each held their heads high holding on to their

WayFresh, one of five programs in City Councilman Jay Schenirer's WayUp Sacramento initiative, is accepting applications through March 30 for free community and backyard gardens in the Oak Park area. Created last year, the WayUp Sacramento initiative strives to create healthier and happier neighborhoods with the use of five programs: WaySmart, WayFit, WayHome, WaytoWork and WayFresh. The focus of WayFresh is to build gardens throughout disadvantaged neighborhoods in the Sacramento area with the help of garden experts. These experts provide technical guidance and lead the garden development. Last May, the WayFresh program built 10 backyard gardens as a test run to see how sustainable and

The Heart Gallery of Sacramento, a partnership of photographers, artists, businesses and volunteers from private and public organizations, is holding their annual event to increase awareness about children living in foster care that are looking for permanent, loving families. The event features stunning photographs of children that show their spirit and unique personalities. The free family-friendly event will be held on Saturday, November 5 from 5-8 p.m., in Curtis Hall at Sierra 2 Center for the Arts. The address is 2791 24th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. The Heart Gallery was founded in 2001 in New Mexico, by an adoption recruiter, who had the idea of linking art and adoption. By coll

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

The Salvation Army officially opened its new E. Claire Raley Transitional Living Complex on September 20. The 35-unit center, located near I-80 and Watt Ave., will house families who were homeless. Each family had qualified for this housing program through The Salvation Army’s Family Service Department. All participating families may live in the units from six months to two years. Case workers will work constantly with each program participant to find permanent housing and employment. The living complex is also a clean and sober program. For those who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, recovery and prevention meetings will be available to them. The new program is a blessing for 32

The best food in world does not come from five-star restaurants that take months to get a reservation and a month's salary when you finally get one. No, the best food comes from treasured family recipes lovingly handed down from one generation to the next. That beautiful tradition will be celebrated at the upcoming Jewish Food Faire sponsored by Carmichael's Congregation Beth Shalom on Sunday, October 16th, from 9 am to 3 pm. Savor stuffed cabbage, corned beef on rye, chopped liver and a dizzying array of Jewish style baked goods, among other iconic Jewish foods. "The best food comes from the heart," said Sheila Wolfe, Jewish Food Faire Chair. "That's what we want to convey with this year

Foodies and those who just love good food in a festive atmosphere will gather at Carmichael's Congregation Beth Shalom on Sunday, October 16th, for the 35th Annual Jewish Food Faire, featuring iconic Jewish deli items such as authentic corned beef on rye, bagels and lox and noodle kugel, plus a dizzying array of Jewish style baked goods. The Faire, located at 4746 El Camino Avenue (Mission), will be held from 9 am to 3 pm, but come early because the food does tend to go fast. This year's Food Faire theme is "Generation to Generation," recognizing the rich tradition practiced by many cultures in the Sacramento area of passing down family recipes from one generation to the next. Join us f

The Salvation Army of Sacramento County is looking for volunteers on Friday, July 29 and Thursday, August 4 to help with the set-up of its new transitional housing facility.  The 35-unit complex, located near I-80 and Watt Ave., will provide reduced-cost transitional housing for working families with children. Volunteers are needed to help unload boxes of furniture, move them into the units, assemble beds and tables, and collect packaging for recycling. The weather will be warm, but there is a lot of shade outside and air conditioning inside!  Lunch will be provided along with plenty of cold water. Dress: Volunteers must wear closed toed rubber soled shoes. No flip flops or sandals, pl

Participating in a family-centered activity group in Natomas helped Katie Rozental feel less isolated when she was a new mom. Rozental said she benefits from the Natomas Mothers’ Group, which offers a wide range of activities for mothers and young children up to age 5 for a membership fee of $40 per year. “I’ve been in the group for almost five and a half years now, and I really don’t know what I would have done without (Natomas Mothers’ Group),” Rozental wrote in an email Thursday. “There were times when I was a first-time mom where I felt trapped in my own house and just felt lost, and if I didn’t have the play groups to go to, I think I would have gone crazy! NMG has been an invaluab

One of the options for outdoor ice skating in Sacramento is the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink on Seventh and K streets next to Westfield Downtown Plaza. There are weekly events (like Family Skate Night on Tuesdays and Ice Skating Lessons on Saturdays), and I stopped by on Thursday (Theme Night) to check out the “Ugly Sweater Party.” People started coming in after 6 p.m., and it was fairly busy, with a good mix of families with young children, middle-aged couples and groups of teenagers. I saw a couple of tacky sweaters out there, but I have no idea if they knew about the theme beforehand or not. Several skill levels were represented on the ice, with the large majority of patrons getting

Francis House of Sacramento is announcing its 40th Anniversary Party to be held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Friday October 29, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. This event celebrating 40 years of serving the homeless and poor of Sacramento County will include a four-course dinner and fine wines served by the best restaurants and caterers in the city. The dinner will be followed by a dance featuring the popular band, Mumbo Gumbo. Forty years is a long time for a faith-based non-profit to survive, however Francis House of Sacramento is not just any non-profit. The organization sees that over 30,000 men, women, and children each year receives personal attention for their problems. The most

 Whimsical ceramic characters that wink as you walk by, domestic and exotic animals who allow you to pet them, a fairy who paints a glittering swan on your face, and musicians whose songs are brand new each time they perform. These are only some of the imaginative artists and activities that await kids and adults at the 4th Annual CurtisFest on Saturday, September 11th. Presented by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA), Curtis Fest will be held from 10am until 4pm in Curtis Park, an eighteen-acre parcel of ground surrounded by quaint bungalows and shaded by heritage trees. CurtisFest was established in 2007 to give local artists a venue at which to exhibit and sell their work

As children are about to return to school and the temperature is about to drop, the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association invites everyone to Curtis Park for its last Music in the Park of the summer of 2010. On Sunday, August 29th from 6 - 8:30pm the eighteen-acre parcel at the heart of the Curtis Park community will play host to rock, rhythm and blues for adults, songs and games for kids, and an assortment of innovative health and wellness ideas. This free concert is part of the season of events of one of the busiest neighborhood associations in the state of California. Making his debut performance at Music in the Park will be singer-songwriter G-Whiz, who will present his unique line-u

On Sunday, July 25th, revolutionary artist Kevin Sandbloom will headline an event that integrates great music, easy relaxation and family fun as the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association presents this year’s second Music in the Park. This free summertime concert is part of the 2010 season of events from one of the most active neighborhood associations in the state. Each performer, activity and sponsor will reflect the event’s theme of “Health and Wellness.” This midsummer event will feature elements that are both familiar and new to the many residents and visitors who flock to the annual Curtis Park concert series. Children will race to the stage at the start of the evening to hear l

If you are interested in adopting a child, the first step is to educate yourself about adoption and become familiar with the various types of adoption available to you. The most common types of adoptions are: Foster adoptions – The children were placed into child protective custody for their safety and cannot be returned to their birth parents or cared for by extended family. Domestic private adoptions – The children are not in foster care and the adoption is typically handled by a lawyer and the two parties; birth parents and adoptive family. International adoptions – The children are from a foreign country and, again, the adoption is typically handled by a lawyer or international adop

On Sunday, June 27th, from 6-9 pm, Sacramento’s Curtis Park will be filled with the sounds of frolicking children, laughing adults and fantastic music, as the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association opens its annual Music in the Park. This free concert is part of the 2010 season of events of one of the busiest neighborhood associations in the state of California. The event is the first in a series of three summertime concerts that provide Sacramento residents with a fun, relaxing evening of community and entertainment. This year’s season opener of Music in the Park will “go green,” as economically-conscious sponsors partner with Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA) to help make th

  WELL KNOWN ROCKLIN COSMETIC DENTIST GIVES BACK A SMILE FOR MOTHER'S DAY PURE Dentistry, the family cosmetic dental practice of Darce Slate DDS, is the hub of great activity as it accepts nominations for a smile makeover that will change the life of one Sacramento area mother forever. “Project Smile Again Sacramento-Mother’s Day is another piece of the pro bono work I have been doing quietly for years,” said Dr. Slate. “A healthy smile radiates openness, confidence and joy. Without that ability, people tend to feel shame and have lower self esteem. At PURE Dentistry, we have chosen to celebrate Mother’s Day in our way by allowing the community to be involved in selecting one great mom

You’re a mom or a dad, maybe new to the deal. Where do you go for support and information? Do you wander Midtown with your children, longing for a connection? I notice that babies are everywhere during my many walks around Midtown Sacramento with my baby boy. Perhaps I now notice babies all around me since I am a new mom (or maybe there is a baby boom in the area!). Occasionally, the mommies and I exchange knowing smiles and nods and end up talking about our children — how old they are, how they are sleeping (or not!). Some notice my son sporting one of his colorful cloth diaper covers and ask where I got it. There is a need for Sacramento parents to get support and supplies but do not kno

Trying to find just the right "summer camp" can be a frustrating journey. The internet will return hundreds of pages, sorted for their terms, not yours. Undoubtedly at or near the top of the search results will be camp focused directories. While no directory can pick a camp for you, they can help you form a good idea of what you're looking for in a summer camp. Then, you can do some additional research to help insure your summer camp experience is the best it can be. In the search results there will be web links that relate to one specific camp. You may chose to look at some of these as well as the directories but going camp page to camp page will take too long, limiting your exposure to