Fairytale Town's second annual Goes Green! event is back this weekend. The family event will feature educational displays, activities and crafts aimed at promoting conservation and environmental awareness. "When the director of Fairytale Town approached me with ideas about hosting an agricultural event, I wanted to tie in a green theme," said Education and Program Manager Sharlene Lal. "But as we developed the event, we realized that going green is a big idea and a movement that needs its own outlet." Several local organizations have partnered with Fairytale Town to provide learning tools. Representatives from Solar Cookers International, the Department of Utilities, the Air Resources B

Springtime will soon be in the air and you and your family are invited to get take a break from the 9 to 5 and city life to experience the awakening of life. The Center For Land-Based Learning at the Farm on Putah Creek is hosting Welcome Back Springtime at the Farm on Putah Creek Sunday March 28, 2010 from 10:00am – 4:00pm. The Center For Land-Based Learning is a non-profit whose stated mission is to “engage youth in learning experiences on the land that foster respect for the critical interplay of agriculture, nature and society.” Under the leadership of Mary Kimball, Executive Director, the Center uses a network of farms, ranches, and natural ecosystems as educational laboratories for

Mark your calendar and don't miss the California Automobile Museum's Annual Spring Swap Meet on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 6am - 2pm.Vendors will offer unique and hard to find automobile collectibles and accessories, including antique auto parts, tools, books, magazines, models and much more! The Meet is located next to the Museum at 2400 Front Street - parking in Museum parking lot, on the street, and behind the Museum. New this year, vendors can pre-register by visiting www.CalAutoMuseum.org/SwapMeet. There will also be set-up and merchant and car sales registration on Saturday, March 6 from 2pm - 5pm and registration and set up will open at 5am on March 7. General admission and parking

 Every Sunday this year the Shadechasers have been singing folk songs for the pleasure of their friends and neighbors in East Sacramento. We meet at the Clunie Clubhouse, next to the McKinley Library, in the auditorium. We will continue into the New Year. We had been meeting at 3 PM. But the new time is 4 PM to 5:30. All ages are welcome. We were initially funded by the First Five Commission of Sacramento for the first 12 months. We got a wonderful singing audience which just keeps coming. We have added children over the age of five. We have added folk and step dancing along with rhythm. Our songs tend to be from Pete Seeger, Malvina Reynolds, Woody Guthrie and other singers like Raffi.

New Year's Eve isn't all about adults. Besides the New Year's Eve dancing and live music options, there are some family-friendly events to choose from. Sacramento Press community contributor Julia Beckner created a guide to family activities, which is a great resource, but here are a few more opportunities to share quality time with your family. Noon Year's Eve at the Y What: Carnival games, swimming, family relays, food, music and dancing for kids ages 2-12 and their adult chaperones. Where: Sacramento Area YMCA, 2021 W St. When: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $5 for YMCA members, $7 for non-members. Pre-registration is required by visiting sacymca.org or calling 916-452-9622. Blue Mo

As you go about your life on Dec. 21, take a moment to stop, reflect and consider the fact that due to the earth's tilt on its axis, you are experiencing the shortest day, and hence, the longest night of the year. Termed the "Winter Solstice," societies throughout history have ritually welcomed this astronomical phenomenon in celebration.  In modern cultures, these gatherings are still valued for emotional and spiritual comfort — giving people something to look forward to at the darkest time of the year, while also serving as a reminder to connect back to the earth’s rhythms. This is the goal of Jennifer Riley, a CMT, reiki master and certified yoga instructor who teaches eco-yoga for kid

The Sacramento Theatre Company's most popular show ever, Cinderella, is back and better than ever! Artistic director Peggy Shannon describes the show: "This version of the story draws on the traditions of British Pantomime, vaudeville and musical comedy. In England every year at Christmas, you can usually find a British production of a fairy tale that is produced for kids and adults. Usually men play many of the women’s roles and often women play the male leads. The production operates on many levels, just as our production of Cinderella does. There is the fairy tale for the children – often played with lots of physical humor and sometimes accompanied by an orchestra – and there is th

As a former victim of domestic violence I have experienced a bias within the juvenile court system. The victims are often penalized and have there families destroyed and children removed from their loving homes. To worsen the matter victims are then placed on the Central Index , which is national, making it impossible to work with children. Children ripped away from their homes are in my opinion, subjected to Radical Attachment Disorder as the bonds between siblings and other immediate family members are broken over the course of months or years making it much easier for them to be adopted out. Victims of domestic violence are ordered to go to classes and counseling that I feel are in con

After months of careful planning, countless focus groups and likely many sleepless nights, the big day is finally upon Terry Harvego. Today Harvego opens his new restaurant, Ten 22. So with every obstacle overcome but today’s first day of business, one wonders how Harvego feels. “I’m not nervous — I’m very confident and I just want to do this now,” Harvego said at Thursday evening's soft opening. “Sure, there will probably be some mistakes the first day, but it is what it is. I know it will be great." Ten 22’s soft opening the night before its grand opening the next day was a laid-back affair, with the 100 or so attendees inside the restaurant’s simple, refined interior fully living the

Being a mother means that you have a ton of things to juggle on an everyday basis. However, being a mother does not mean that you have to suffer or feel overwhelmed about your daily activities. One activity that many moms might view as a chore is cooking. Women across the country are constantly looking for ways to provide nutritious meals for their families while making sure that they do not spend too much time in the kitchen. “Cooking All Together” is an online show designed to motivate families to get in the kitchen and cook with their children. Our hosts are a 31year old working mother (Ciara) and her 7 year old daughter (whose nick name is Nani). "Cooking All Together" provides its vie

Come join us in celebrating 22 years of the Hoes Down Harvest Celebration in the Capay Valley (Yolo County).  This celebration will promote agricultural arts and sustainable rural living through two fun-filled days of workshops and events.  Located within two hours of San Francisco and Sacramento’s busy metropolitan areas, the rural Capay Valley region is home to many small farms that supply Northern California’s families, restaurants, and neighborhood grocery stores with fresh organic produce.  The Celebration will offer the public a special chance to enjoy rural life and deepen their understanding and connection to the local food system. On Saturday, October 3rd, the Harvest Festival at

Join South Sacramento VISIONS at their annual Family Disaster-Preparedness Day, a family event sponsored in part by Kaiser Permanente and Sacramento County, feautring classes, games, entertainment and more! Kids will enjoy the kids zone with bounce house, all will enjoy entertainment by J. Rene Academy of Dance and Vocalist Sheryl Counter. Saturday, September 26, 10:00am-2:00pm at the Jose Rizal Community Center, 7320 Florin Mall Drive, Sacramento, CA. For more information contact mswhitton@aol.com or 916-391-3107

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 li

  Reborn from the defunct North Area Teen Center, the after-school youth center serving young people across the area is now known as The Wall. With a new location at 5933 Sutter Ave. just off Fair Oaks Blvd, services will be expanding to include cooking classes, financial and insurance management, music and art programs. The celebration and Grand Opening Saturday August 1, 2009 brought supporters and friends to share the excitement at the new after-school youth service center. As parent’s thoughts turn to ‘back to school’ The Wall will be there to provide a safe, supervised place for kids in the ‘latch key’ hours between school’s end and parents coming home from work. NASCAR Star of To

Babe the sheep-herding pig and his talking farm friends will revisit the big screen Saturday night at East Portal Park in East Sacramento. The '90s classic Babe is the first film to be featured at Sacramento's fifth Screen on the Green free movie series, held in different local neighborhood parks for four consecutive Saturdays in August. Founded by City Councilman Steve Cohn, Screen on the Green has grown immensely in attendance each year since it first began five years ago, said District Director Sue Brown. Although anyone is welcome to attend, the films are geared toward families. Last year's films included Charlotte's Web, Hairspray, Ratatouille and The Goonies. Screen on the Green i

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 .  

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.  

Grab your poles, bring your kids and come on out for some good ol' fun, family fishing at Granite Regional Park. I am proud to say thanks to myself, a few other volunteers, and several sponsors, the Annual Gone Fishin’ Derby – an event held at Granite Regional Park for the past five years – will continue its sixth derby this year despite the bad economy and the Director’s medical conditions. The event will take place on Saturday, August 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Granite Point area of Granite Regional Park and is open to the public. Refreshments will be provided at no cost, along with loaner fishing poles from the Department of Fish and Game for those needing it. Children’s priz

The City of West Sacramento Fire Department wants everyone to know to use life jackets during water recreation! Keep your kids safe. Free, loaner life jackets are available at the following West Sacramento Fire Stations: • Station 41, 132 15th St. • Station 42, 3585 Jefferson Blvd. • Station 43, 1561 Harbor Blvd. • Station 44, 905 Fremont Blvd. • Station 45, 2040 Lake Washington Blvd. Also, the Bridgeway Lakes Boathouse office, 3650 Southport Parkway! For more information, contact the West Sacramento Fire Department at  (916) 617-4600 . The free life jacket rental program is sponsored by both the City’s Fire and Parks & Recreation Departments.  

Caltrans and the City of West Sacramento have jointly announced that on July 29, 2009, Caltrans will begin construction on improvements to the Harbor Boulevard interchange that crosses U.S. Highway 50 in West Sacramento. The scope of the project includes new alignment and realignment of the freeway ramp access, widening of the roadways, removal of pavement, and overcrossing structure work. The project is designed to accommodate increases in traffic activity on the Harbor Boulevard interchange. An information open house will be held in room 157 of the West Sacramento City Hall, 1110 West Capitol Ave., on Monday, July 27, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and the admission is free. Caltrans sta