Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "family"

Ask the County Law Librarian: Serving Divorce Papers on Incarcerated Spouse

2013-05-17T16:17:38Z

Q. I filed divorce papers months ago. We don’t have kids. When I served my husband, I found out he doesn’t live at his address any more. It turns out he’s now in jail. I’m not sure what to do next and I don’t have copies of my paperwork any more. How do I finish up my divorce? Anne

A. Dear Anne,

Unfortunately it sounds like you still have a lot of work to do to get the divorce done. Before you can really get started, you will need to get your husband served. And before you can do that, you will need copies of your paperwork.

You can get copies of all the paperwork you have filed by visiting the courthouse where you filed them. In Sacramento, for family law cases, that is the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse (3341 Power Inn Road). You will need to serve him with:

A copy of ALL the papers you filed with the court (except for any fee waiver papers you may have filed — these are confidential).
A blank Response — Marriage (Form FL-120)
If you had kids, you would also need to serve a blank Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) (Form FL-105/GC-120).
Declaration of Disclosure (Form FL-140) – you must serve this within 60 days, so if you can, it will save time to serve it now.

Luckily, if he’s incarcerated in California, he should be relatively easy to find and serve. If he is in a county jail, call the county sheriff to find the phone number and address. If he is in state prison, you can find him using the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Inmate Locator. If he’s in federal prison, use the Federal Bureau of Prison's Inmate Locator database.

Once you know where he is located, call the facility and ask who on their staff is assigned to serve the documents on prisoners. Send the following to that person:

two copies of all documents
the Proof of Service form
a self-addressed stamped envelope
a cover letter asking that your husband be personally served and that the “Proof of Service” be completed and sent back to you.

If you have a hearing date (unlikely this early in the case), tell them the date, department, and time of the hearing.

Once they serve your husband, they will return the signed Proof of Service in the self-addressed stamped envelope, and you can file it in court.

After that, your next step depends on what your husband does. Once he’s served, he has 30 days to file a written response. If he does not, you can ask the court for a default judgment. If he does, the process is a bit different.

You can find out more by using the excellent California Courts Self-Help site’s divorce section. It has step-by-step instructions for each phase of the case, and links to the forms you will need. You may also be interested in the self-help book How to Do Your Own Divorce in California, which has instructions, samples, and related information about the process.

Best of luck!

Do you have a question for the County Law Librarian? Just email sacpress@saclaw.org. If your question is selected your answer will appear in next Thursday's column. Even if your question isn't selected, though, I will still respond within two weeks.

Coral Henning, Director
@coralh & @saclawlibrarian
www.saclaw.org

Kings loss to Mavs on Friday illustrates season of discontent

2013-04-06T20:29:10Z

It’s frustrating when -

1. A player that averages 11.6 points per game scores 25 and has 12 boards.

The big scorer - Shawn Marion, a guy past his prime that rarely puts up those types of numbers anymore.

2. Your team shoots horrible from beyond the arc.

The big culprit - shooting 6-for-26 from three-point land, including Isaiah Thomas' 0-for-7.

Add it up and it’s not recipe for success - you probably lose that game nine times out of ten.

That’s exactly what happened on Friday evening at Sleep Train Arena when the Dallas Mavericks came to town and beat the Sacramento Kings 117-108 in a game that the home team had under control at the end of the first quarter.

“I knew we had to get a good pace in this basketball game and I thought our guys that started the game did a great job with that,” said Coach Smart from the podium in the press room after the game. “But then we had a big drop-off in the second - gave up 41 points in the second quarter.”

Boy, I’ll say!

But that’s a pattern in this Kings/Mavs rivalry this season.

On December 10, in the first meeting between the two teams this season, The Mavs outscored the Kings 29-14 in the second quarter. On January 10, it was a 33-23 besting in the final frame to tie the game eventually win it in overtime. Then, on February 13, in the second game in as many days, the Kings got blasted again in the second quarter 29-17.

Considering all those numbers, Coach Smart wasn’t surprised at all.

“We’ve had a hard time with this team all year,” said Coach Smart. “This team has done a number on us no matter how we’ve tried to play them.”

You still have to give the players some credit. Tyreke Evans and Isaiah Thomas knew that without DeMarcus Cousins starting (coaches decision) and also realizing one of their volume scorers - Marcus Thornton, would play less than six minutes.

Cousins played nine minutes in the second but never returned to the game.

When Smart was asked about his decision, he was short and to the point in his response.

“It was my decision, a coach’s decision,” said Smart.

Cousins didn’t have an answer either.

“It was his decision,” said Cousins.

Because of Smart’s decisions, Evans and Thomas probably felt like they had to do a little more to pull this one out.

Evans, who visited his brother Doc’s house in the morning to have some green tea as he was feeling a little sick, still put up 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting and had six assists and nine boards.

“Yeah, I’ve been a little under the weather,” said Evans. “I still managed to come out and play and try to help the team win. We had them in the beginning - we wanted to get out to a fast start and we did that, but we just couldn’t hold the lead.”

Thomas understands some of the criticism on the games where his assist total is not where some think it should be but on Friday, he knew he had to be aggressive to make up for the lack of scorers used in the game.

“I felt like I should be in attack mode today just knowing and seeing that DeMarcus wasn’t playing too much and Marcus Thornton wasn’t playing too much and those are our top scoring threats besides Tyreke, so I just felt like I needed to be in attack mode and be a little more aggressive to make plays.”

The Kings closed it to 94-90 Mavericks at the 10:23 mark of the final quarter but then gave up nine straight to put the game out of reach.

Frustrating? Yes.

But what has to get worked out prior to next season?

Either making sure everyone’s happy with the rotation and their role on the team or find players that will accept their position and work as one unit on the floor.

Evans was asked about the rotations and gave an honest answer.

“It’s a little frustrating, everybody’s frustrated,” said Evans. “For us, we have to be professional . . . When he (Smart) doesn’t make the right setup tonight, you can’t get mad. Whoever’s out there - you just gotta work.”

Evans is right.

Whatever the root of this season’s discontent, playing together and having each other’s backs is truely the answer.

KINGS NOTES: Jason Thompson had another solid game with 16 points and 16 rebounds . . . Toney Douglas added 14 off the bench . . . James Johnson saw his first action since missing almost a month for the birth of his son

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

GEORGE YOUNG

Thomas still working on weaknesses, has made great strides this season

2013-04-04T22:18:13Z

When asked at the beginning of the season who I thought should start at the point for your Sacramento Kings, I said Aaron Brooks, no questions asked. For me, starting Isaiah Thomas was not even an option.

Fast forward to the present and, not only have I softened my stance against “The Pizza Guy” starting, but am finally seeing the reasons Coach Keith Smart has stuck with him since inserting him into the starting lineup in the first week of the regular season.

Let’s be honest here. After watching Tyreke Evans run the show for SacTown for nearly three years, I really struggled watching ‘Reke play the small forward late last year. I got the concept, but didn’t think it was the best way to utilize Evans.

Enter Aaron Brooks.

So now I’m thinking that Brooks is the answer and Thomas would be a solid backup. Considering that the Kings also signed James Johnson, moving Tyreke to the two made sense.

After not getting off to the start Coach Smart wanted, he benched Brooks and inserted Thomas into the starting five.

Of course, Thomas brought the flair and excitement that made him a crowd favorite right away at Sleep Train Arena.

But I was reading between the lines, so to speak.

Think about this. This team went from the fans and the players thinking that Evans was the savior and leader to DeMarcus Cousins being the next big thing to the last pick in the draft - and maybe the shortest - Isaiah Thomas being the one to lead Sacramento to the promised land.

That’s not only a tough transition for the loyalists that follow the team, but for the players themselves. And I think that some of that animosity has shown itself on the court this season.

Nonetheless, things are starting to settle down at the old barn and Thomas is finding his way.

Early on, my biggest issue with the second year player out of Washington was that he was hunting for his shot before looking to include his teammates in the action. Exactly the opposite of a point guard’s job. There were many games in which Thomas had 15-20 points and barely registered an assist.

Then there was the Philly game on March 24. One look at Thomas’ line and you would immediately notice. The super sophomore put up 25 points and hit four triples along the way. Did you see the rest of his numbers? Zero assists and zero steals. On paper, one of the most selfish games a point guard could have.

But not so fast says Coach Keith Smart.

“When I went back through the film, there were several occasions where he dropped the pass off to a couple of guys under the basket and they didn’t finish plays,’ said Coach Smart. “He made the plays to a couple of guys at the perimeter and they didn’t make their shots. As you see, the stat sheet says zero, but he did have six or seven plays he made where guys just simply didn’t make their shot.”

“He had a couple of plays where Tyreke came off on a screen right toward the elbow - all he had to do was throw up a jump shot, he was wide open - but he caught it and put it down. A couple times he dropped a pas of to “Cuz but he caught it and put it down two times and went to the basket.

“He was making plays, but that donut just stood there.”

Since then, Thomas has been much more consistent with his assists totals and Smart knows why.

“I think it (the zero assist game) it really stood out to him,” said Smart. “I keep telling him, you’ve got to have a plan for your assists. Kidd, Stockton, Nash - they get out of the gates fast. They get five assists in the first quarter or the first half. Now your on track for ten.”

The issue at hand now seems to be the same issue I’ve ever had with Tyreke Evans. Trying to do too much on his own. Forcing his way into the paint - even attempting to barrel through three guys in the middle - with little to no success.

Thomas’ weakness is very similar in that at times he dribbles and dribbles and dribbles and dribbles and dribbles - you get my point? - until there are either five seconds left on the shot clock or he has it taken away by one of the big guys clogging the lane.

Both are unacceptable and kill the teams momentum every time.

Both Smart and Thomas are aware of this and Smart had a suggestion for the player.

“He has to keep understanding space is his best friend on the floor,” said Smart. “He has a high dribble and he has to get to that point to where he can control that dribble. When guys like Nash and Steph Curry get into tight spots, they get real, real low with the basketball. He’s still at that stage where he is a very high dribbler.”

Thomas, who has corrected or is working on fixing the earlier issues I’ve brought up, understands that this may be the one that puts him over the top.

“If I can get as low as I can get, they don;t want to get as low as they can get because I’m already lower to the ground than they can get,” said Thomas.

How hard will it be for Thomas to learn a shorter, lower to the ground dribble?

“It’s not going not be that much harder,” continued Thomas. “I just have to watch film and really work on it, especially when I’m in the paint. Staying low and finding the cuts and openings to so I can make plays for myself and my teammates.”

“Once the season’s over, I’m going to watch a lot of film and really try and work on it and come back next year even better.”

So for you Pizza Guy lovers, I get it. He is exciting to watch and brings a needed intensity to the club.

If Thomas can truly stop forcing the issue at times and keep all his teammates involved (and hopefully happy - not all on him), the next growth spurt Thomas makes will be one into the national spotlight.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

RON NABITY

http://www.nabityphotos.com/index.htm

Randii MacNear's hands

2013-03-27T07:57:11Z

You can tell a lot about a person by their hands. Randii MacNear’s hands have touched a lot of California produce since first shopping at the Davis Farmers Market in 1976.

One of the most recent projects she has touched has gained national recognition — The Davis Farmers Market Cookbook: Tasting California’s Small Farms.

It is difficult to choose a favorite recipe, MacNear says. “The concept of the cookbook is really that you don’t have to change the types of things you eat…you just have to change what you put in them,” she said.

MacNear's favorite recipe in the cookbook is the heirloom tomato watermelon salad, though the barbeque short ribs and berry pie recipes are also very delicious.

As one of the three original vendors of the Davis Farmers Market, Annie Main from Good Humus Produce has also been influential in adding to the ambiance of the Saturday market. Main also offered the New York transplant her first farmers' market job, canning apricot preserves.

MacNear passed on that passion of preparing locally grown produce to her children and grandchildren. Twenty five years after first doing food demonstrations, she now partners with the Davis Joint Unified School District and Sutter Davis Hospital to implement nutrition programs.

Dan Best is one of the organizers of the Sacramento-based farmers markets. While he has a different view on how farmers' markets should be organized, he appreciates what MacNear is doing.

“I think we are both in the business of providing viable outlets for farmers," Best said. "You might say we are both farmers' markets, but in the way that apples and oranges are fruits and they both do well, we just present a different taste.”

An induction into the Hall of Fame established by the North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association is further proof of MacNear’s value to the small-scale farming community. Brent Warner recently spoke about serving with MacNear on the board of directors.

“Randii MacNear … fought for small farmers when no one was listening and she helped to create the environment that now allows farmers and farmers markets to be successful all across North America,” Warner said.

The California farmers' market scene has indeed grown, from four in 1978, when MacNear first became the Davis Farmers Market manager, to over 850 today. Find out more about the Davis Farmers Market and other farmers markets close to you here.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Rich Beckermeyer is a community contributor. You can follow him on twitter @Leland_Beck.

Numbers Never Lie: Tyreke Evans continues to make strides in his game

2013-03-22T22:41:05Z

For the second game in a row, Tyreke Evans was an integral part and the catalyst of two Kings comebacks that resulted in wins.

On Thursday evening, March 21, at Sleep Train Arena, the Sacramento Kings toppled the Minnesota Timberwolves 101-98 in front of 12,176 riled up fans.

Make no mistake about it. Ever since the Brothers Maloof’s secret sale became uncovered, the attendance at the ole barn has increased and the fans there are getting louder and louder with their collective “Sac-ra-men-to” and “Here we stay” chants at each game.

With Evans’ contract running out at the end of the season - the club does have the right to match any offer for next season - there is lots of speculation and opinion whether he should be resigned.

For anyone that has followed this team since 'Reke came onboard, the answer should be an easy one.

Yes!

Evans has made many improvements since he’s arrived in town.

From a reporter’s point of view, Evans has gone from a very quiet guy that rarely looked reporters in the eye when answering questions in the locker room after the game, to a guy that looks and speaks directly at you for every query thrown his way.

His quiet demeanor when landing in Sacramento was somewhat misunderstood as arrogance by some. Mostly those who never get a chance to have a real conversation with the guy. Once you do, you realize that he is a little reserved and not cocky at all.

Besides his I-80 speeding incident, Evans has remained out of trouble and in the good graces of the team and fans.

In Tuesday, March 19's game versus the Clippers, Evans got the team cooking early in the fourth when he became the primary ball handler with Isaiah Thomas on the pine. After hitting four free throws in a row to tie the score at 86 with 8:25 remaining in the game, Evans hit two tough driving layups in a row to really give the Kings the feel that they could win this game.

He really clamped down on Jamal Crawford late in the game, and held him scoreless the last 5:15 of the game.

Evans credited Toney Douglas’ defense as his motivator for clamping down on his man late in the game.

“He’s pressuring at full court and making the guards work,” Evans said. “When I see that, it kind of gets me going to pressure my guy and trying to make him work. We’re just all out there having fun and playing defense. It’s always good to get a win when you're having fun playing defense.”

In the fourth quarter against the Wolves on Thursday, Evans took over again. With 8:48 left this time, Evans again was the main ball handler throughout the fourth. Evans would then score 9 of the next eleven points to give the Kings a confident margin.

Evans, who scored 11 of his 21 in the final frame, talked about how he stays ready after having such a quiet first three quarters.

“I just stay ready,” Evans said. “It’s a long game - 48 minutes. Every chance I get, I just try and be patient and make the right play. When it’s time to attack, I attack.”

A further look at Evans' stats fills in more of the picture and shows why he should be a King in the coming years.

His field goal percentage is at 46.8 - the highest in any season so far. He’s shooting 35 percent from three-point land - over five points higher than his previous best. His turnovers are down from three per game in his rookie season to only two each contest this year.

When you delve deeper into some of the more complicated stats, as they say, the numbers never lie. According to Hoopdata.com, he’s at an all-time high in true shooting percentage, percentage of field goals assisted and total rebound rate.

Coach Smart sees the improvement and is trying to put Evans in more successful situations. After taking a bit to accept his new role, Smart says the kid has started to flourish.

“His whole life, he’s been a guy that had the basketball in his hands,” Smart said. “I had to share with him, that what needed from him was defense and developing his shot. He knew it was important for him to do that, but I don’t think he ever really took it serious until this past summer.”

Smart noticed and Evans agreed that early on this year, when the mid-range jumper wasn’t falling, he would resort back to his old form. But neither gave up his shot. And his shot started to come together.

“With his ability to drive the basketball and making those long-range jumpers, it only helped his overall game,” Smart said. “Now, he has the ability to shoot the long shot, drive to the basket and then make plays off the dribble. That’s what a two guard in our league needs to be able to do. He’s done some of those things this year and that’s just the steps he’s making to help solidify our team.”

Both Smart and Evans agree that the only real thing to work on is the mid-range pull-up shot. And when that comes, watch out opposing guards!

“His balance is still not there for that shot, but I think he understands where his spots on the floor are to shoot the long ball,” Smart said. “Having that mid-range pull-up jump shot to now not only with the shot, but also it puts defenses in a decision-making time by saying, do I come to help? If I help, he can drop off the pass.”

So naysayers, still wanna get rid of a truly talented guard that nearly breaks ankles each and every game?

Sure, once or twice a game he turns the ball over while making one of those plays that just takes your breath away.

For my money, no one can drive to the rack like ‘Reke.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

RON NABITY

http://www.nabityphotos.com

Patterson adds range and professionalism to new team

2013-03-11T18:05:55Z

He was supposed to be Buster the third.

I mean, everyone in the family expected it to happen once they found out Tywanna was having the baby.

That is, everyone but Tywanna.

“She refused for me to be another Buster,” Patterson said. “The whole family wanted me to be Buster, but they lost the argument.”

Patrick Patterson is the cornerstone in the trade that also brought Cole Aldrich and Toney Douglas to the Kings on February 20 of this year in exchange for Thomas Robinson, Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt.

In Patterson, the Kings get a more experienced power forward that can also spread the floor with his outside shooting ability.

For “P-Pat” - as he’s known - it was quite a benefit to be shipped to Sacramento along with Douglas as they had shared the floor on numerous occasions.

“It helps whenever you transition to a new team with a bunch of players in whom you’ve already been comfortable with in Toney (Douglas) and Cole (Aldrich),” Patterson said.

Besides that, Patterson feels close to many on the Kings roster.

“I’m definitely fortunate that I came into a team with players that I’ve already had friendships with like DeMarcus (Cousins), Marcus Thornton, Chuck Hayes, Isaiah (Thomas) and Tyreke (Evans). Just guys whom I’ve already had relationships with, guys I’ve already been around before, guys I pretty much know, so that transition made it a lot smoother and comfortable for myself.”

It’s great that Patterson already has a sense of comfort in the Sactown.

But also important is that in Patterson (and Douglas), Coach Smart sees a high basketball I.Q.

That basketball knowledge was on display immediately after their acquisition.

Smart had given both players a mini-playbook to digest quickly. But even a guy with high expectations like Coach Smart was impressed with how quickly the new guys picked up on it.

“The other night Golden State went into a zone,” Smart said, “and I instinctively called a play that we run against the zone. Both Douglas and Patterson jumped right into their spots. So obviously those guys had looked through their package a little bit, but that’s what pros do. Pros get information, they look at it, they pay attention to it and they try to apply it.”

Ah, if it’s one thing this team needs more of is pros - true professionals.

Some of the key things Patterson brings to this team are rebounding and his defense.

Jason Thompson loves the way he spreads the floor because the other team’s big men have to come out and guard him away from the basket.

“It opens the floor up for everybody and makes it tough on their defense,” Thompson said. “Any time a guy like that - a big guy - can hit some three’s like that, it’s only gonna help.”

Toney Douglas thinks the Kings have just started seeing what Patterson has to offer.

“Rebounding, his shot - he’s a pick and pop player, he’s a smart player, he can screen, knows when to screen and when to post up, great passer and he takes pride in everything he does out there on the floor,” Douglas said. “That’s all you can ask for in a guy like that.”

I guess you could have asked for him to be named Buster.

But then his mother wouldn’t have been happy. And a happy mother makes for a happy Patrick.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

GEORGE YOUNG

PHOTOS: Kings topple Suns in high-scoring affair - four players score 20+

2013-03-10T00:51:54Z

Black History Month Family Festival at the Crocker

2013-02-19T23:26:34Z

In partnership with Target, the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum, and the Sacramento Observer, the Crocker Art Museum sponsored the Black History Month Family Festival on President's Day 2013. Several thousand were in attendance to take part in activities which included Dance, Art, Music, and History. Come along with them as I photographed the performances and activities as the people enjoyed the festival.

The youngest of the Dance Group UMOJA at 5 years of age shows her stuff.

UMOJA drummers treated the audience to original African music while the dancers showed off traditional works from around the African continent.

Enjoy this audience participation number along with UMOJA .

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Vukani Mawethu are a multicultural choir that treated the audience to spirituals, traditional african music, and contemporary music expressing the emotions of black people from the days of slavery through the ending of apartheid.

Youth Hip Hop and Step dances were performed by the Phoenix Park Dancers.

Attendees mill around the main foyer where black memoribilia was available for purchase.

Asheba entertained young and old alike with a blend of music and comedy which was as infectiious as his Trinidadian accent.

Black Concert Dance was performed by the Sacramento Black Art of Dance (S/BAD). Here one of the performers dances with hand and body movements in sync with the soothing music.

A Touch of Africa encouraged attendees to experience the feel, smell, and use of traditional african artifacts. Here touch is highly encouraged and we can see young and old being offered the chance to try out these implements.

Sacramento RT's Old Blue was parked outside. Old Blue showcased volunteers educating attendees about civil rights activist Rosa Parks.

Join the Crocker Museum for the next Holiday Monday celebration, FamilyPalooza. Monday May 27, 2013 11AM - 3PM. http://www.crockerartmuseum.org/

Modern Day Inspiration And Skater Athleticism

2013-02-05T23:58:59Z

Combining the contemporary stories of two modern-day princesses, Rapunzel and Tiana, with the classic elegance of Cinderella, Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream whisks audiences away on exciting journeys where dreams really do come true. This latest production will appear at Sacramento’s Sleep Train Arena, February 13 through 18, 2013.

“There’s something within each of the stories of Tangled, The Princess and the Frog, and Cinderella that speaks to women and girls and families around the world,” says Producer Nicole Feld. “Each of these princesses is searching for what truly makes them happy. And I think that’s very reflective of what audiences are like today.”

“This show is different from anything we’ve ever done...,” says Producer Juliette Feld. “…it also marks the first time Rapunzel is featured on the ice with her tremendous amount of hair.”

In adapting Tangled to the ice for the first time, Director Patty Vincent was challenged with how to convey all of Rapunzel’s hair without interfering with the skating. During the segment, 2,000 feet of silk representing Rapunzel’s magical, golden tresses winds throughout the rafters of the arena and drapes down to the ice for use in a heart-stopping aerial act never before seen in a Disney On Ice production. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider escape the tower, flying 25 feet up in the air and performing daring acrobatics.

“The performers trained for six weeks just to build their upper body strength, because skaters use very different muscles when ice skating,” says Vincent. “It works perfectly on the ice because they don’t have to run; they just skate, and they’re lifted into the air and begin a gorgeous athletic act.”

Under the direction of Choreographer Cindy Stuart and Aerial Trainer Anna Kaminnik, the performers mastered the blend of ice and aerial choreography in which Rapunzel and Flynn fly above the arena floor and slowly descend to the ice in a fluid motion, creating a feeling of constant movement.

Another distinctive design element is the revolving set, an idea conceived by Scenic Designer Stan Meyer. When the set morphs into Rapunzel’s forest, a paneled backdrop of pastel flora and butterflies opens and a majestic tower slowly emerges, rising from the ice as golden hair falls from the window.

Lighting Designer Peter Morse incorporated these same pastels and royal colors by surrounding the audience in rich shades of purple, a prominent color in Rapunzel’s world. When Rapunzel and Flynn Rider finally reach the end of their journey, the entire arena goes dark as a single lantern slowly floats up into the air, and suddenly, lanterns illuminate the sky above the audience.

“When we create Disney On Ice, what we’re hoping to do, aside from bringing families together and telling great stories, is create memorable moments,” says Producer Kenneth Feld. “In the Tangled sequence, there is one moment that is absolutely unforgettable. At every show, one special child is picked to launch the first lantern. All you see is the one lantern that goes up, and as soon as it reaches the top, all the other lanterns light up the arena. It’s breathtaking.”

EVENT DETAILS: Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream

DATE: Wednesday, February 13 through Monday, February 18, 2013

LOCATION: Sleep Train Arena – One Sports Parkway, Sacramento, CA 95834

INFORMATION: Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, (800)-745-3000 or at the arena Box Office. Additional information: DisneyOnIce.com

Disclosure: Karen Bakula is President of Karen Bakula & Company, Inc. and provides marketing services to Disney On Ice.

Vegfest well attended

2013-01-31T07:16:57Z

Did you miss Saturday, Jan. 26’s Vegfest at the Fusion International Arts Center?

Unseen Heroes organized the 2,500-person event, which included 32 food, farm and vegan beer vendors. Attendees also enjoyed a plethora of demonstrations about health and wellness.

Maritz Davis from Unseen Heroes shared some of the challenges of offering twice as much food as last year’s event. “This year, fortunately and unfortunately a lot of people sold out. Lucky for us Plum Cafe and Mama Kim’s were able to go back to their restaurants and bring food for another round.”

Ron Russell from the Plum Cafe said they originally brought 240 portions of chili to the event. After going back twice to the restaurant for more supplies, the dish ran out. Many Vegfest attendees also sampled the restaurant fare at their Midtown location.

“We’ve definitely seen a growth in awareness of vegetarian food in recent years and also vegetarian food isn’t what it used to be … I’ve been a vegetarian for a long, long time, and it was so boring.”

Chef AJ, noted speaker and author, presented tips and tricks for cooking more healthfully.

Shannin Stein, general manager for Feeding Crane Farms, also shared the benefits of eating locally sourced food while demonstrating a basic, but versatile, braised greens recipe.

In a later interview Stein expounded, “I am not a chef, I am just a regular old person who uses vegetables in my diet more frequently as a result of … being a localvore - eating locally.”

Food is generally considered locally sourced if it is grown and consumed within a 100-mile radius, though Stein recommends looking for food sources that are even closer, namely the closest to where a person lives.

This is the fourth Vegfest. David Plag, executive director of the Del Paso Blvd Partnership, describes the changes that have happened since the festival’s inception.

“VegFest started in 2010 with a handful of vendors and a small but enthusiastic group of vegan and veterinarian supporters … (It) is now part of the cultural experience of our city and has developed a following that will continue to grow.”

Stay tuned for ongoing activities by connecting via the Facebook page.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Rich Beckermeyer is a community contributor. You can follow him on twitter @Leland_Beck.

'Sacramento Invitational' comes to Memorial auditorium

2013-01-30T05:05:37Z

The Memorial aiditorium hosts the 11th annual, Sacramento Invitational Taekwondo Championships.

Dubbed as the "Sacramento Invite," according to sacinvitational.com. This will be a unique opportunity to watch championship style taekwondo matches right next to the mat.

Then there is the best part of the show. Students of the Shinsung University will bring their "specialty high-flying" board breaking performance. This is a special treat rarely seen in the USA.

Like to watch tests of the mind and body. The "Sacramento Invite" is definitly an experience that you would not want to miss.

Saturday February 2nd, 2013, Gates open at 9:00 am.

Tickets are $15 in the dress circle and $20 for balcony seats. All children 5 and under are free.
For more details visit http://sacinvitational.com or http://robinsonstkd.com

Disney On Ice production features current and classic princesses

2013-01-23T20:39:27Z

Dreams and imagination—the greatest princess-themed Disney fairytales—take center stage in a royal celebration as Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream, February 13-18, 2013 at Sacramento’s Sleep Train Arena.

The ice sets a spectacular scene with grand set pieces and appearances by current princesses from Tangled and The Princess and the Frog, as well as a beloved classic beauty, Cinderella. A cast of world-class skaters glides across the arena illustrating stories about romance, humor and adventure—bringing memorable moments from these cherished Disney films to life in a contemporary skating production.

Throughout the show, surprises come from every corner. According to Scenic Designer Stan Meyer when asked which aspect of the set will surprise audiences, he replied, “I was super-excited the very first time I saw Rapunzel’s hair get cut off and waft down to the ice. It’s a really emotional, super dramatic moment in the show. In a very theatrical way, I think the set facilitates the same sort of feeling that the animation portrayed.” From beginning to end it is a show not to be missed.

Disney’s Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and the Frog share their tale with romance and humor while Rapunzel, her companions Flynn and Maximus, embark on an epic adventure. Rounding out the production, the story of Cinderella comes to life as she meets her Prince Charming with a glass slipper fit for a fantasy come true.

Especially suited for kids and adults of all ages, the musical journey of Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dram plunges into a world where anything is possible.

Producer Juliette Feld’s dream for families who attend the show is, “…that they will truly have an escape from their every day routine. I would love for the audience to be dancing in the aisles to all the music of The Princess and the Frog, fall in love with Cinderella all over again, and be completely enraptured with Rapunzel and Flynn’s journey. I hope that families will come into the arena, be transported to the worlds of these three amazing princesses and have memories that will last a lifetime.”

EVENT DETAILS: Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream
Wednesday, February 13 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 14 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 15 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 16 – 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 17 – 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Monday, February 18 – 12:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Sleep Train Arena – One Sports Parkway, Sacramento, CA 95834

INFORMATION: Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, (800)-745-3000 or at the arena Box Office. Additional information: DisneyOnIce.com

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Karen Bakula is President of Karen Bakula & Company, Inc. and provides marketing services to Disney On Ice.

The B Street Theatre Serves Up a Fifth of Jack

2013-01-18T06:31:29Z

Though his journey has had stopovers from the New England to Hollywood, Jack Gallagher is one special transplant that our community had readily embraced as one of our own. We’ve grown familiar with his voice and humor as a popular spokesperson, host, and standup entertainer. But it’s been his connection with the B Street Theatre that has revealed that man behind the grin.

Mr. Gallagher’s new play, Complete and Unfinished, is the fifth in a series of very personal one-man plays, each allowing the audiences to discover the common threads that connect us all.

In 1998, the first play, “Letters to Declan”, opened in San Francisco. This story tells of a young father, and all the joys and anguish that come with parenthood. Using the series of letters that he’d written to his older son since birth, Gallagher opens us to how he overcame the fears of being a parent, learned the responsibilities of caring for a young children, and used humor and wisdom to grow with his sons. It was a touching and intimate performance.

His second production, “Just The Guy”, took us in 2003 along his ambitious journey through the fickle world of entertainment. Gallagher starts us off with all the jobs he’d held in his youth, from nail factory worker to substitute teacher. From there, we shared his adventures in comedy clubs, TV talk shows, and the jungles of Hollywood. From Carson and Leno to Eastwood, the young rising comedian had shared the stage and screen with some of Tinseltown’s most famous. There, we find humor and heartbreak, success and disappointment. We discover that even the world of glitter and lights cannot conceal the politics that is often hidden behind the scenes. This was the first of the one-man plays to open at the B Street Theater in Sacramento.

Gallagher’s third play, “What He Left”, told the many strands that he shared with his father. This 2006 play told us how he was raised in a traditional Irish Catholic blue collar New England home. His stories used his unique experiences to weave familiar memories for the audiences. Again, his folksy humor brighten his memories, while the touching stories brought emotional reactions at each performance. He also found ways to take his experiences as son, and used those to define himself as a father and a husband.

The 2010 production, “a different kind of COOL”, may have been one of the most personal. In this play, Gallagher answered the question every parent has, “What if?” When he and his wife Jean discover that their second son, Liam was on the Autism Spectrum, we are taking on a tightly written, and emotional journey. All their fears were revealed to us, as were the new realities that defined their parenting styles. Still, the Gallaghers demonstrated the incredible power of family, and how each challenge lead them to unfamiliar roads. Every parent in the audience was compelled to go home and hug their children.

This season, for a six week run, Jack Gallagher rewards us with the fifth chapter of his story. “Complete and Unfinished” is a very different production from the previous four. This show can be seen as an overview of his life, growing up and through the 60’s. He shared a few minutes before his last Preview performance and gave Sacramento Press the backstory of this latest revelation.

Buck Busfield, co-founder and producing director of the B Street Theatre had contacted Jack Gallagher, wanting to know if he’s had any new ideas. Gallagher felt he’d exhausted the “family stuff” with his previous four shows and began thinking about the things in his life and how they all connected.

It then fell to Gallagher to think of a new way to present his story and he feels he’s come up with something very unique. The two common themes, the two “consistent things” he discovered were family and music.

“I’ve always fallen back on listening to music during times of happiness, sadness, stress, anxiety, or joy. And I’ve always found in my career, I’m trying to go home – I’m always trying to find home, where that is at the time.” For Gallagher, home ranged from the security of his New England neighborhood, to a Jeep during an extended roadtrip, and finally to his current family nest in the Land Park area of Sacramento.

As observed during the Opening Night performance of the play, Gallagher takes us through his creative process, consulting the audience for input and reactions. He started with an empty bulletin board, a desk covered with assorted index cards, some markers, and pushpins to pull it all together. The only other decorations that graced the stage were some family photos and framed personal artwork on the back wall, and a single easychair at one near corner. We were not there to see a finished product, but to be involved in it’s creation.

As Gallagher, in the warm, comfortable way that his audiences have become accustom to, wove his tale, the bare board changed. Ideas were quickly written down, with larger concepts on larger cards used to head columns. Individual incidents became the subjects of smaller cards, and found their places (often changed) from heading to heading. His plan was to use the board to outline his life’s journey, leading the audience to recognize that they were part of the creative process.

As his charming narrative took the audience along his journeys, the columns of index cards began to weave an intricate web. Elements from one story became stepping stones to another adventure, or would tie us to elements of one from the past.

Gallagher took us from his traditional upbringing in New England through the eyes of an impressionable young Irish Catholic boy and brought us on quite an odyssey. There were sidetrips, missteps, triumphs, and moments of discovery. Periodically, he’s step back and take an overview of the board. There, he’d turn and pull an audience member into the discussion, showing the common threads that bound many.

When asked if he saw the play changing or evolving through each performance, Gallagher replied, “Yeah, because I involve the audience. I ask the audience questions. I ask if there’s something on the board they don’t like, should I take something off? Is there too much about one thing or not enough about another? Who remembers this and how many people have trouble with this? So, in that sense, what I’ve tried to do is combine the play aspect of it with the stand-up stuff that I used to do, because that’s how I started out”.

After a pause, he continued, “You know, I never wanted to be a playwright – I was a stand-up comedian. So I have tried, with the help of Buck Busfield and Jerry Montoya, who codirected it, to integrate the two things. And I think it’s a different experience for the audience because they’re not used to an actor talking to them while they’re watching the play.” During the first Preview performance, there were some audience members who seemed uncomfortable, but others who joined right in.

Overall, Gallagher felt he had exhausted the standard subjects, and was looking for something personal. He wanted the audience to experience all the disparate sort of events that happened in his life. He was looking for consistency and found unique way (by using the board and the cards) to bring the audience through his process.

When asked about audience reaction, Jack reflected, “A couple of people came up afterwards, and (said) they’d recognized certain things. I’d play some music during the show and people recognize and like some of the music - felt it’s from our – you know, it’s mostly rock and roll music from our generation.” He smiled, picturing the faces of the audience members who’s spoken to him afterwards, “The name of the play is Complete and Unfinished, and my feeling is everyone’s life is complete to a certain extent, but until it’s done, it’s unfinished. So there are things that are complete and that you can rely on, that you can look back and say, ‘OK, I’m good with that.’ But then there’s stuff you don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

For Jack Gallagher, that was the theory and the theme. He hopes the people can relate to it. As he modestly put it, “My life isn’t any more special than anyone else’s – I just talk about it.”

It was obvious that music was driving force in his life. He revealed how many songs triggered memories for him. Gallagher clearly enjoyed finding music that connected him with events in his life during the play. But, what was more telling was how he found audience members who found similar bonds as the music evoked the moments that define each of us.

“All the music in the show means something, and not just the songs I play during the show. When people are waiting in the lobby, when they’re walking into the theater, the music that introduces me, (it) is all picked for a reason.” Gallagher turned, unveiling his familiar grin and concluded with, “Music means a lot to me, and so those are the two elements that I came up with, home and music.” The reaction of the crowd in attendance confirmed that that sentiment was shared by many.

WHAT: Complete and Unfinished by Jack Gallagher

RUN DATES: January 13 – February 24, 2013

SHOW TIMES: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, Wednesdays at 2 pm and 6:30 pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 5 pm and 9 pm, Sundays at 2 pm.

WHERE: B Street Theatre Mainstage, 2711 B St., Sacramento

COST $23-$35 (price includes $5 Facility Fee), $5 Student Rush

INFORMATION: (916) 443-5300, www.bstreettheatre.org

CO-DIRECTORS: Buck Busfield and Jerry R. Montoya

In Kings victory, the issue of playing time starts to simmer

2013-01-18T04:04:34Z

When you’re the Sacramento Kings (15-24) and a team like the Washington Wizards (7-29) come to town, you really should be feeling like a win is in the near future.

Like now.

But if you look at the Kings’ wins this season, they have compiled up just as many wins against good teams - Lakers, Warriors, Blazers, Jazz and Knicks than they have against the bottom of the league - the Torontos, Orlandos, Clevelands and the Washingtons of the world. So gauging the meaning of a single victory is hard these days.

All Kings head honcho Keith Smart knows is that now is the time for W’s - wins to be chalked up onto the big board.

On Wednesday evening at Sleep Train Arena the home town put out the fire of another mediocre team’s attempt at a last-minute comeback win over them with a 95-94 win over the Wizards.

Tyreke Evans hit one-of-two free throws to give the Kings a one point lead with 11.4 seconds left on the clock and that was enough for the victory and to give Sacramento their fifteenth win of the nearly halfway gone season.

Sure, you had the usual suspects having a solid game as DeMarcus Cousins scored 21 points, had 16 boards, five assists and three steals. Also, a somewhat surprising John Salmons kept his high level of play by also scoring 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting.

But it’s the two guards that brought their “A” game to the floor on Wednesday that had me asking some important questions after the contest.

Evans scored 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, had eight assists and eight boards to go along with three steals.

Jimmer Fredette also played well scoring 12 points, hit a couple of three’s and had two assists.

Face it. The facts are the facts. And its finally starting to rear its ugly head.

With Evans, Salmons, Thomas, Brooks, Thornton, Fredette and even throw Garcia in the mix, there are too many guards that can score on this team to (a) keep everyone happy and (b) form a solid rotation so Smart doesn’t have to answer the same question after every game.

“Why didn’t so-and-so start, or why didn’t so-and-so play more minutes" are inevitably the words that come out of some reporters mouth after each contest and rightly so!

After the win on Wednesday, upon seeing that Aaron Brooks and Marcus Thornton, two guys signed to bring the team more scoring and consistency, played only a total of 15:39, the question laid itself at Smart’s feet again.

“I was trying to maybe get certain guys in the game, but every possession was critical,” Smart said in the postgame presser. “I didn’t want a guy to be cold or not really into the game and I thought our bench did a decent job when they came in and played.”

On this night, Smart said he didn’t see enough energy from Isaiah Thomas and admitted that maybe he didn’t see enough off Brooks to judge him as well but was trying to get the floor spaced out wider and bringing in a solid long-range shooter like Jimmer Fredette does that exactly.

In doing so, Smart broke one of his own rules by letting a player play in the second half when he saw zero minutes in the first half.

This brings up probably the hardest thing for the players involved to swallow - limited playing time.

When Sean Cunningham of CBS 1140 Radio asked if Thornton was hurt or something, Smart let us behind the curtain, if ever so briefly.

“I was just focused on the game and I’ll deal with the issues I have to deal with tomorrow,” Smart said. “But, tonight, we won the game. We can get out of the building and get on the road and then I’ll face the issues that I have tomorrow. Tonight we won the game and we’ll work on that.”

That was clear enough for even Helen Keller to understand.

Guys that were brought into town to score are not going to be happy for too long if they don’t get whatever time they think they are due.

Evans looks better than ever after returning from his injury. His shooting percentage has improved, he’s not driving into a jungle of three or four players at the rim nearly as often and you can actually feel that he wants to be a part of running this team.

In Thornton, you got a guy that can score in bunches but when not hitting his shots, may be a liability on this team.

Salmons bring consistency - night in and night out.

Garcia will be fine in coming off the pine at this stage of his career.

Brooks brings instant energy and excitement. And he’s mastered those tough shots that Thomas is still working on.

Thomas is the gun-slinger of the bunch. Whenver he feels froggy, he’s gonna jump at a chance to shoot the ball. A little to loose with the ball if you ask me, but he’s making strides in his overall game.

And then there’s fan-favorite Jimmer Fredette. A guy that every time he comes into the game scores and then scores some more.

Too many players for the allotted time.

Who will be left without a chair in this sometimes painful and always confusing game of Kings Musical Chairs?

For fans, and I’m sure the players involved, let’s hope it’s not Game 82 until a logical, consistent rotation is finally formed when the music finally stops.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

RON NABITY

http://www.nabityphotos.com/index.htm

Ella Features Only Vegetarian Dishes For Dine Downtown This Year

2013-01-10T05:42:52Z

For the first time since Dine Downtown began eight years ago in Sacramento, Calif., Ella Dining Room and Bar will offer an all-vegetarian menu for hungry foodies.

What about the protein, omnivores may ask?

Mike Thiemann, Ella’s executive chef, shared some of the challenges of preparing a vegetable-centric menu. “It’s not about going against the grain or trying to be vegetarian or vegan; it’s taking the challenge in front of us and doing the best you can, and it just so happens that it ends up being all vegetarian.”

There has been a lot of talk recently about how Sacramento is the Farm-to-Fork Capital of the nation.

For the next 10 days, hungry patrons can sample a variety of fresh products.

With so much local produce and agriculture, Thiemann thinks, “At the end of the day, Sacramento chefs moving forward should all be really amazing vegetarian cooks. It’s really not that hard. The products out there basically speak themselves.”

Featuring soup or salad for the first course, Moroccan or Italian options for the main course and cheesecake or a meringue-based third course, Thiemann is cooking dishes that he would want to eat.

Megan Emmerling states that it’s the hope of the Sacramento Downtown Partnership to bring awareness to people outside of the grid about quality products, talented chefs and downtown dining options.

Other establishments offering vegetarian or vegan options this year are Capitol Garage, Firehouse, The Melting Pot, River City Brewing Co. and Mayahuel.

Jerry Mitchell, is a co-owner of Capitol Garage.

Last year he mentioned, “It used to be just feed people good food. Now it’s more complicated, people are more aware about sustainability, so it makes it more difficult.”

Mitchell continues, “We try and use as much local product as possible.”

Whether you are looking for a pleasant night out with your significant other, or want to sample delicious food from top-shelf talent, the next 10 days offer nearly 30 options to choose from.

You’ll find this author at Ella’s.

Disclosure: Rich Beckermeyer is a community contributor. You can follow him on twitter @Leland_Beck.

Johnson hits game-winner versus Knicks in crazy game home game

2012-12-30T00:08:31Z

Amazing!

Incredible!

Unlikely?

Yeah, that’s it. Unlikely.

Of all the words you could use to describe the way Friday night’s Sacramento Kings game ended, unlikely probably suits it best.

In a game that saw the Kings get a 27-point lead, lose that lead and then have a guy hit his first three-pointer of the season just as time ran out for the win - yeah, very unlikely.

The Kings beat the visiting Knicks 106-105 on a buzzer-beating shot by James Johnson at Sleep Train Arena on Friday evening in a game that kept every fan on edge of their seats until the finals clicks on the clock ran dry.

“That’s all I’m rolling on right now is confidence,” Johnson said. “As long as I can continue working on my game and dropping shots, I think my confidence is going to keep getting bigger for this team.”

With the 21-8 New York Knicks in town, the home team was hitting on all cylinders in the first half and had forged their way to a huge lead at one time.

With all that said, this is the 2012-13 Kings we’re talking about and no lead is safe this season.

Everything they had built up in the first half came crumbling down like a house of cards in the second half as the Knicks shot 60 percent in the third and 50 in the fourth while the Kings shot 35 and 29.2 percent respectively.

Even though no one was quite fleeing towards the exits like a cattle stampede, you could feel the air start to leak out of the arena. Kings fans have seen this game way too many times in this and recent seasons.

With all that said, the man who has had the most controversy surrounding him this campaign, DeMarcus Cousins, made the defensive play of the day.

On the final offensive play by the Knicks, Jason Kidd held the ball far above the three-point line as Isaiah Thomas guarded him. Kidd waited until their was eight seconds left on the shot clock and made his move towards the key.

When Cousins came out to double - as Kidd had hoped - Kidd tried to dump a lob pass into Tyson Chandler who had peeled off of Cousins and was heading to the hoop.

Cousins saw this, backed up and jumped in time to intercept the ball and save the day.

With 15 clicks left on the clock, the Kings scrambled to the other end of the floor. Thomas missed the first attempt with nine seconds left, then grabbed a long rebound and found John Salmons in the corner for what looked like an open three attempt. Kidd covered the spot in time and Salmons was forced to toss it to Johnson who just did what he’s supposed to do - catch and shoot.

He did and the rest, as they say, is history.

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

We here at the SacPress, in our third year covering the Kings, have tried to give you more than game stories this season.

I mean, you can read those on numerous sights these days, and besides, we think you want to know more about the players than the game itself.

You see, I decide who I’m going to write about way before the game even gets started.

On Friday, I got very lucky.

As I scurried through the Kings locker room before the game looking for an angle for my piece like a rat looking for cheese, I decided to highlight James Johnson because of all the hard work he’s put in lately in improving his shot.

And wouldn’t you know, all that hard work paid off as he hit the game-winner on his first three-ball of the season.

But let’s go back to when Johnson, who had come here trying to steady his career, was removed from the starting lineup and relegated to the bench only a handful of games into the season because of his lack of scoring.

“Just like you were saying, I wasn’t hitting my shot,” Johnson said. “This is a game of making shots. We were having a slow start in the first quarters, not getting past 25 points and Coach Smart thought I was one of the reasons why so I came out.”

Johnson never stopped working on his shot and grinding away at making himself more valuable to this team.

But it was when he took some extra time with Alex English and Bobby Jackson, two of the Kings assistant coaches, that he found what he was looking for - consistency.

“My shot has been looking good for me,” Johnson said. “When I get open, I’m gonna take the shots because I know that I have a great opportunity of making them. I’ve been working after practice every time with Bobby Jackson and (Alex) English with his expertise in scoring the ball. I’ve tried to take a little bit of that from him, but all-in-all, I’ve just been working on my game.”

English said that he didn’t have to do much to help Johnson, but he did bring up one key word - consistency.

“James has got a lot of skill,” English started out. “With his jump shot, it’s just a matter of being consistent with it and doing it one way all the time.”

English has worked with many guys on their shot and, it seems, everybody has a different idea of what the perfect jumper should look like. English denies this and says you can shoot it any way you want as long as you are, you guessed it, consistent.

“If you ever watched my shot, it’s not orthodox,” English said. “I kept working on it and working on it and that’s what I’ve tried to instill in him. You listen to all of these different things that people tell you what to do and you change your shot every two or three weeks. You can’t do that. Just do it! Shoot the shot. The only thing you have to do with your shot and doing it the same way every time is your follow through. Making sure you hold it up long enough for the ball to go through.”

If you watch Johnson lately, that’s exactly what he’s been trying to do. Shoot the shot without thinking about it and keep the same follow through each time.

Lately, Johnson has been seeing some quality time at the power forward position. Most times, coaches see the mismatches only one way. That is to say the coach is more worried about matching up to the opposing team instead of making the opposing team matchup to his lineup.

When you put Johnson out there at the four, it creates a great mismatch in which the Kings are starting to take advantage.

“I know that there are a lot of fours out there that have great footwork in the post, but at the same time, they have to come down and guard me on defense,” Johnson said.

Here’s to the hard work James Johnson has put in this season and to me getting lucky again during this Kings campaign!

AWESOME PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF:

DARREN HALL

http://www.darrenhallphotography.net/

https://www.facebook.com/DarrenHallPhotographynet

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Volunteers roll up their sleeves to plant 25 new trees in Roseville

2012-12-27T20:12:56Z

Dozens of neighbors will be digging holes and planting new trees that will beautify and enhance Roseville’s Los Cerritos neighborhood. The community tree planting event will take place on Saturday, January 12, 9am-noon. A selection of Hedge, Flame, Trident and Red Sunset maples will be planted in the median spaces along Elefa, Pleasant and Grove Streets.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate. Volunteers will be provided tools and training in proper tree-planting techniques. Trees are provided through the generous support of PG&E. Volunteers are encourages for dress for the weather. Sturdy boots are encouraged.

The tree planting is coordinated by the Sacramento Tree Foundation, with the support of Roseville Urban Forest Foundation and the City of Roseville Parks and Recreation Department.

Tree planting events occur almost every weekend throughout the region between October and April, for dates and locations visit www.sactree.com/events.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Anne Fenkner is a Certified Arborist and works for the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

Final Santa's workshop this Saturday

2012-12-20T01:02:13Z

Skip the crowded malls and bring your wish lists and cameras down to the MARRS Building to visit Santa’s Workshop in Midtown, Sacramento.

This Saturday, Santa's elves will be welcoming the whole family down to capture their holiday portraits with Santa during his final day in Midtown. Attending the workshop is FREE and open to the public. Families will have the opportunity to take their own photos or they can purchase instant photos from the on-site photographer.

Children are also encouraged to bring their letters to Santa and place them in Santa’s Mailbox for express journey to the North Pole. This Saturday we will also be having FREE Milk & Cookies available for all the kiddos to enjoy with Santa! Special Thanks to the elves at Mr. Pickles Midtown.

Parking will also be FREE during all hours of Santa’s Workshop thanks to the City of Sacramento, who is providing Midtown with FREE Street metered parking on the weekends. (Posted time limits on meters still apply)

Santa’s Workshop Days & Hours
December 1st – 11am-4pm (12 Days of Midtown Kick Off)
December 8th – 11am-4pm (Holiday Toy Drive for WEAVE)
December 15th – 11am-4pm (Grateful Dog Daycare’s Pet Day)
December 22nd – 11am-4pm (Mr. Pickles Milk & Cookies)

Santa’s Workshop Location
The MARRS Building – 1050 20th Street, Suite 100

Visit www.exploremidtown.org for more information.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Lauren Machi currently works with the sponsoring organization, the Midtown Business Association.

Pets Invited to Santa’s Workshop this Saturday!

2012-12-14T03:47:50Z

Skip the crowded malls this Holiday Season and bring your wish lists and cameras down to the MARRS Building to visit Santa’s Workshop in Midtown, Sacramento.

Santa's Workshop is open every Saturday in December, leading up to Christmas Weekend. This Saturday Santa's elves welcome the whole family, even the pets, to capture their holiday portraits with Santa. Grateful Dog Daycare will be on hand to give the photogenic pooches a special treat.

Families will have the opportunity to take their own photos or they can purchase instant photos from the on-site photographer. Children are also encouraged to bring their letters to Santa and place them in Santa’s Mailbox for express journey to the North Pole.

Santa’s Workshop Location
The MARRS Building – 1050 20th Street, Suite 100

Visit www.exploremidtown.org for more information.

Disclosure: Heather Philpott is the Communication & Events Manager at the Midtown Business Association and is the producer of Santa's Workshop

In his fifth year, Jason Thompson proves to be a model of consistency

2012-12-08T23:24:17Z

In a finally nearly filled Sleep Train Arena on Friday evening, the Sacramento Kings beat the visiting Orlando Magic 91-82 to win two games in a row for only the second time this frustrating season.

DeMarcus Cousins had a big night scoring 17 points, grabbing 14 boards and had three steals, two blocks and four assists. Not a bad night for the Kings’ big man. Four other players scored in double figures including Isaiah Thomas (17), Jimmer Fredette (15), Jason Thompson (12) and Aaron Brooks (11).

So far in the early going of the 2012-13 campaign, the Kings have not got the engine humming smoothly down the tracks.

The early culprits were trying to find the right combo at guard, the suspensions to both Cousins and Thomas Robinson and now the M.I.A. Tyreke Evans.

Evans has missed three of the last four games with a sore right knee, which he thinks he picked up when he banged knees against Andrei Kirilenko of the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 27. Evans had an MRI prior to the game on Friday with results coming back negative - no damage.

With all that is seemingly wrong with the Kings, the one constant bright spot is Jason Thompson.

Thompson has been a model of consistency early this season. Considering the team rarely runs plays his way, his numbers are very satisfying.

In 18 games, Thompson is averaging 11.1 points per game, 1.1 blocks, 7.2 rebounds and is shooting at a .506 clip. In 11 of the 18 games, he has scored in double figures. In three of the six wins he has nine or more rebounds also.

J.T., as he’s affectionately known, is all hustle. He’s the first one down the floor on a fast break. He often takes the ball out to start a possession and still not the last one down the floor and setting up for offense.

For those watching closely, and I have since I’ve been a big fan of him since he joined the team five years ago, even though he has been asked to do and has been used in so many different ways by his many different coaches, he still finds a way to improve each and every year.

The numbers may not show it just yet this season, but Thompson is really starting to reach his true potential.

“I think that it (his game) is coming along,” Thompson said. “I think that I can even be better. I think that I am my toughest critic. So I’m never satisfied at what is going on. The thing is to be consistent and stay healthy. I think I can still do more on the team like stay out of foul trouble and even take some more shots when I have them.”

Fouling out is a facet of the game in which Thompson has certainly improved. He has only gotten tagged with four fouls or more four times this season and only once has he fouled out.

“I’m just trying to improve and making sure that as much as I’m improving, that we can get some wins out of it as well.”

In the search for a vocal team leader, the names Evans and Cousins come up all the time. Sure, it’d be great if either of those guys would step to the plate and become the leader we as fans think they could become. But Evans may be too quiet of a guy and Cousins may not yet be consistent enough.

On the other hand, you’ve got guys like Aaron Brooks, Francisco Garcia, Chuck Hayes and John Salmons that either have the experience or have been on a playoff contender.

In Brooks and Salmons, both guys are more the quiet guys; the ones that show it on the court and not speak it in the locker room. In Garcia and Hayes, neither guy gets enough playing time to be considered a force to reckon with in the locker room.

Enter a guy like Thompson. Thompson is kind of in the middle stages now of becoming a true team leader. His experience level is almost what it needs to be and Thompson’s game is nearly there also.

Does Thompson think he can blossom into one of the voices the team tunes into?

“I think so,” Thompson said. “It’s one thing I can expand in my game. Like you said, with Chuck (Hayes) and ‘Cisco (Garcia) what makes or breaks them is obviously their longevity in the league and also that they’ve experienced the playoffs. For guys to be a voice in here, they really have to have experienced the playoffs and winning consistently.”

For Coach Smart, it’s a blessing to have such a receptive guy on his roster.

“I loved coaching him last year,” Smart said. “I saw him transition into a guy that goes out and plays - you don’t have to run plays for him, although he wants more. He does his job hard every single night. He practices at the same rate every single night, the same pace. And then just watching him stabilize his game.”

The stabilizer, this season, has been Kings big man coach Clifford Ray.

“Clifford Ray has done a great job with slowing his game down at little bit,” Smart continued. “We talked to him about not getting involved with officials or players from other teams that is going to pull his off of his game.”

“They see the guy works extremely hard,” Smart said. “He doesn’t complain. And that’s great for your team. That’s great for any team at whatever stage your team is in. If your in a developmental stage of trying to become a winner, in a team that is in the middle of the pack or a team that is eventually winning consistently.”

“He’s one of those guys fits every stage of a team as they try and become winners . . . He can stabilize all of those things.”

For DeMarcus Cousins, it mean almost more than he can put into word having a guy like J.T. on his team.

“I definitely lucky to have him on my team,” Cousins said. “J.T. Is probably one of the most unselfish players that I have eve played with. He accepts his role. He doesn’t mind playing that role. He goes out and does his job to the best of his ability every night. That’s definitely a player that you want on your team.”

“He’s always willing to play his role and be that catalyst on the team. That’s what every team needs!”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

DAVID ALVAREZ

Who starts at point is settled for now, but backup still not set in stone

2012-12-02T00:45:12Z

Although not on display Friday evening at Sleep Train Arena during the Kings/Pacers matchup (Tyreke Evans sat with a bruised left knee), the recent on-court pairing of Evans and Aaron Brooks seems to have helped Sacramento get it’s offense back on track.

The win totals may not be piling up but it sure is promising to see the team score more points lately.

The decision by Coach Keith Smart to insert Brooks into the starting point guard role to replace Isaiah Thomas coincided with the fact that Evans jumper was finding it’s mark.

Since the change, Evans is averaging 21 points, 4.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds. Brooks’ average has also increased to 10.8 per game.

I caught up with Coach Smart before the game and he explained why Brooks didn’t get the job out of training camp.

“I saw things in training camp where I didn’t think he was himself from when he played in the league before,” Smart said. “I knew it was going to take some time for him and even he said and suggested that he’d been out of it for a while. Sometimes you go and play overseas and you will do things that are necessary for that team at that moment not knowing that you are going to have to do things to get yourself ready to play back in the NBA game.”

Brooks knew how to excel in the NBA game which is one reason why Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie had a soft spot in his heart for Brooks for many years and acquiring him was something Petrie had tried to do a number of times.

With all that in mind, it was just a matter of time.

“Slowly and slowly, he started to get a little bit better, a little bit better and you can see his game is now caught up with him,” Smart said.

Brooks is happy the team is playing a little bit better and thinks that he and Tyreke just click.

“I think we feed off of each other,” Brooks said. “When he shoots a shot, he always has a rhythm and I’m a guy that doesn’t really need the ball as much.”

For Brooks, it’s being in the starting role and knowing he is going to get a chance to establish himself at the point that matters.

“As far as starting or coming off of the bench, you’re playing the same amount of minutes, you just know when you’re playing. That consistency kind of helps you, kind of delegates your game a little bit.”

Both Evans and Brooks credit John Salmons, the crafty veteran, for knowing where to be on the floor and how to help both Evans and Brooks get the ball where they like it.

“We’ve opened up the floor a lot,” Brooks said. “Not just me. A lot of it is John (Salmons) as well. You have to respect his (Evans) outside shot a little bit more so I think that has helped him out and given him some driving lanes as just let him be the athlete that he is.”

“I don’t want to say it was just me or anything like that, but I think we’ve done a collective job of sharing the ball and spreading it out and getting easy shots.”

-----

So that leaves only enough minutes for one more point guard type of player. And the Kings have two.

Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette now seem to be locked in a battle for the remaining minutes.

You may have noticed lately that both players have at least once received the dreaded DNP-CD - the did not play, coaches decision tag. This is something Smart says he’s going to have to figure out going forward.

“What I’m desperately trying to find is that guy,” Smart said. “I’ve got to give those guys some consistent minutes to find out for sure and that means probably eliminating one guy for a period or time. That’s always going to be difficult because both guys (Thomas and Fredette) can play. Both guys bring something completely different.”

The hard part, Smart says, is making sure both guys are always ready to play.

“Let’s say a guy is out of the rotation,” Smart said. “Here comes a night where you need that guy but mentally he may not be there. So I kind of sprinkled one in here and one on there because on any given night I may need something from one of those two guys and I keep their minds clear, but at the same time how to give them the consistent minutes to see if this is the guy or that is the guy.”

-----

For my money, I think Jimmer should get the call to backup Brooks.

And I’m a guy that at the end of last season, Fredette would be a non-factor entering the 2012-12 campaign.

Fredette has done everything that has been asked of him and more. He is one of the few guys on the team that you can tell how much work he put into improving his game in the offseason. He no longer forces his dribble into the land of the giants. He keeps his dribble alive more often than not. And I really like the way he directs traffic when leading the team.

As much of a fan favorite he may be, Thomas is not yet at the level Fredette has attained.

Jimmer has shown remarkable patience this season in his limited time of the floor. And when he gets consistent time on the floor, the spark Fredette brings will only shine brighter and brighter in the future.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

DARREN HALL

https://www.facebook.com/DarrenHallPhotographynet

http://darrenhallphotographynet.zenfolio.com/

3rd Annual 12 Days of Midtown

2012-11-29T18:54:34Z

Your favorite neighborhood just got a little merrier.

Midtown is all dressed up for the upcoming holiday season with events and specials that are sure to fill visitors and residents with holiday cheer.

The 12 Days of Midtown festivities run from Saturday, Dec. 1 through Wednesday, Dec. 12 with festivities for all ages. The event, which is in its third year, features local businesses and showcases hundreds more throughout the district.

The annual holiday promotion is designed to engage the public and make Midtown a part of their annual holiday tradition. Throughout the 12 days, attendees can experience a variety of events and activities. Whether it's supporting our local retailers, giving to those in need, watching a performing arts production, or just going out for some good old fashioned holiday fun, Midtown offers many ways to participate in the winter celebration.

12 DAYS OF MIDTOWN SCHEDULE

DEC 1 l SANTA'S WORKSHOP l THE MARRS BUILDING
DEC 2 l SGMC LIGHT YOUR WORLD CONCERT l 1ST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
DEC 3 l GIRLS ON THE GRID WEAVE TOY DRIVE l 58 DEGREES & HOLDING
DEC 4 l HOLIDAY ART WORKSHOP l ARTBEAST
DEC 5 l MBA HOLIDAY PARTY l KUPROS BISTRO
DEC 6 l DRAG QUEEN BINGO l HAMBURGER PATTY’S
DEC 7 l HOLIDAY COCKTAILS & CHARITY TOY DRIVE l THE SUTTER DISTRICT
DEC 8 l A SIMPLE EMIGRANT CHRISTMAS l SUTTER'S FORT STATE HISTORIC PARK
DEC 9 l HOLIDAY MAKERS MART l BOWS & ARROWS
DEC 10 l SANTA'S TAVERN & HOT TODDY COMPETITION l THE GOLDEN BEAR
DEC 11 l SEASON OF GIVING BLOOD DRIVE l BLOOD SOURCE MIDTOWN
DEC 12 l THE NUTCRACKER DANCERS MEET & GREET l THE HANDLE DISTRICT – 1801 L

Please check out exploremidtown.org for more information specific to each event.

Disclosure: Heather Philpott is the Communication & Events Manager at the Midtown Business Association and is a producer of the 12 Days of Midtown.

Sac State University Union collecting gifts for kids & families affected by HIV/ AIDS

2012-11-27T19:19:22Z

The Sacramento State University Union is working toward making children’s wishes come true this Holiday season through the “Wish Upon A Star” gift drive. Economic hardships have affected us all and the spirit of giving is more important than ever to help those less fortunate than us. To help make a wish come true, come to the “Wish Upon a Star” display in the University Union main lobby during building hours, choose a star, purchase the wish listed on the star, and then share the very special holiday gift with a child. The donated gifts benefit the Sunburst Projects, who provide ongoing family support services for HIV/ AIDS impacted families with children.

The gift drive runs now through December 7. Unwrapped gifts should be delivered with the star wish to the University Union Services Office on the 1st floor of the Union between 9 am- 5 pm.

For more information, please call (916) 278-6997.

Disclosure: Zenia LaPorte is the Assistant Director for Programs & Marketing for the Sac State University Union

Tyreke Evans on the missing ingredient so far - the jump shot

2012-11-19T14:03:28Z

THE SHOT

By now, unless you’ve been living in a cave somewhere in the Maldives, you know that Tyreke Evans has spent countless hours during the offseason and into the season working on his jump shot. A shot, unless explained to you, you’d think Evans would or should have in his bag of tricks. Now here’s the explanation.

Let’s, for a moment, compare Evans to another primary ball-handler from his college days, Jimmer Fredette.

Fredette was in an offense that had him not only as the primary ball-handler, but as its main scorer too. His money shot was from the outside - a silky, smooth jumper - from anywhere on the court!

Evans didn’t have to hone his jumper, as in college no one could keep him from charging the hoop for a rim-rattling power dunk or a whirling dervish magical lay-in.

Fredette sees the improvement in Evans’ jumper, but at the same time, understands that it’s a work in progress.

“The biggest thing is that sometimes he still hesitates, but he’s not hesitating as much,” Fredette said. “He just has to trust in his jump shot. You got to come off a screen and if you’re open, shoot the ball. Don’t even hesitate. That mindset will get you to where you’re not thinking about it and you’re just shooting the basketball. I think you’ll get better results that way.”

Fredette went on to explain the mental aspects of shooting.

“It’s got to be more of a natural thing. Shooting is a lot mental. A lot of people shoot the ball really well in practice and they can make a hundred in a row. But once you get out in the game, you start thinking about it. That’s why you can’t shoot the ball as well. You really have to just relax, let your mind go and just shoot the basketball and not worry about the miss or make you just had.

“You gotta have short-term memory loss and not worry about that next shot. Just go to the next one and once you see one go in, things can completely change. You just have to be confident in yourself.”

This seems to be where Evans’ head is at now - gaining confidence.

“My shot is looking good right now,” Evans said. “It’s falling a little bit so I’m shooting with confidence, that’s all I can keep doing.”

I tossed Evans a couple of possible reasons his shot had been hard to find, but one stood out as the main culprit: Falling backwards when rising for his jumper.

This is not as easy to adjust as one might think.

Evans had his way in college and even in his rookie year with the Kings. No one knew how to stop “‘Reke.” But now into his fourth year, most every opponent knows his modus operandi and has an answer to stop his incessant driving in the lane.

Now it’s up to him and his ability to fashion a reliable jumper to make his driving capabilities effective once again.

Evans has run into a wall of guys in the key so many times over the last three years that he had to start falling backwards to give his shot a chance to go in. The problem is that it started to become normal procedure for Evans. He started falling back on every shot he took which resulted in most of his jumpers ending up short.

Prior to the game, Evans was hard at work with Clifford Ray on coming off screens and keeping his form straight up and down when shooting his jumper.

“I have a habit of kicking my leg out,” Evans said. “I’m doing a better job at it. I think I did a good job tonight of going straight up and down and hopefully I can keep it that way.”

It paid off on Friday as Evans was 5-of-11, with the last shot being a “what the hell” three attempt. In essence, he shot 50 percent from the field. Not bad considering half of his attempts were from the outside.

Besides the tireless hours Evans has put in during the offseason honing his jumper, he often finds himself in the gym during the off-hours also.

“I just came in today shooting with confidence,” Evans continued. “I came here last night getting some shots up before the game. I just want to keep working on it because I know I can shoot. I also want to be aggressive and keep driving.”

Coach Keith Smart has noticed Evans’ shot getting better. At the same time, he reminds us that changing a guy’s habits takes longer than just a few games.

“He’s worked so hard and you can obviously see there is a change in his shot, his mechanics and delivery,” Smart said. “Now the biggest focus for him is, how do I harness my instinct - which is to drive and at the last minute take a shot while off-balanced - that’s what he’s wrestling with now.”

“We are taking a young man who is trying to do something completely different than he’s done his entire career and having him harness that instinct to not attempt to drive and just take the shot. He’s caught in between those two worlds right now.”

“Teams are going to still play him the same way right now,” Smart continued. “He may not have that complete part of his game for a month, maybe two months, maybe not until next year.”

What would Evans like to have accomplished in furthering his game by the end of the year?

“Be an improved shooter,” Evans said. “That’s the knock on me, so every day and every night I come back and work on my shot. The hard work you put in is what you get out. So that’s what I keep doing.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

DARREN HALL

https://www.facebook.com/DarrenHallPhotographynet

http://darrenhallphotographynet.zenfolio.com/

Tyreke Evans on staying focused during tough times and finding his shot

2012-11-18T01:09:22Z

When the Sacramento Kings met up with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at newly crowned Sleep Train Arena (sounds good to have Arena back in the name), a couple of goals must have been in mind.

First, play better than they did the week before and second, hope Tyreke’s jumper was coming into form.

I guess you could say they went one-for-two as they lost to the Hawks 112-96 in a game that had the loyal fans on their feet booing in the closing moments, but on the bright side, Tyreke Evans' shot is looking better one game at a time.

THE PLAY

Booing at the obvious lack of effort and an insufficient amount of offensive movement at times shows the fans in attendance (only 11,814 on a Friday) still care.

The question they must have been asking was, does the team care?

In short, they do.

After the game, Coach Keith Smart was in the media room earlier than usual and addressed the masses. It should have been a sign of what was to come. Once Smart was finished, the media throng headed towards the locker room as usual but was met by one of the media relations guys and told that the players weren’t done talking amongst themselves just yet.

Great! This team finally isn’t going to wait until the season is halfway over to focus on the issues at hand.

“We’re just tired of losing,” Evans said. “They just came in here and did whatever they wanted and got easy baskets. We just have to be better as a team. We work hard on defense in Colorado and then we come out here at home and lose by 20 or 15 every night. That’s not gonna get it for us. So we have to be better.”

A players only meeting. Frustration was the word on everyone’s mind after the loss.

Veterans like Chuck Hayes are “very frustrated” right now.

Evans said the fans aren’t the only disheartened folks in the building.

“It’s a little frustrating right now, but we just have to keep playing together as a team and try to figure it out,” Evans said. “We can’t keep coming in here at home and losing by 20. That’s not gonna get it! We have to be aggressive for 48 minutes.”

Evans is not the only one feeling the sense of urgency.

“Everybody is frustrated I think,” Evans said. “I don’t think it’s just me, it’s everybody. We know we’re a better team than that. This is my fourth year. A couple of others guys have been on the team for a long time and we are just tired of losing.”

Evans knows this could be a tipping point. It would be a shame to see the hard work they’ve put in during training camp and the teamwork focus that Coach Smart has tried to instill during that time amount to nothing.

“We have to keep focused,” Evans said. “That’s the main part (of it). Once we hang our heads and point fingers, that’s where we go bad. We have to just play. Other teams go out there and play. They don’t argue. They don’t fight with each other. We just have to be like that. Be a family. We say we’re a family, we gotta play as a family.”

Family. It was Coach Smart’s secret ingredient to success.

The time away from everybody and everything in Colorado prior to preseason starting was meant to be a fresh start, a new beginning.

In that time, the players swore to have each other’s backs and play like a team for an entire season and then judge their performance.

And it started with defense.

When Coach Smart was emphasizing defense during the entire training camp, he thought eventually the offense would catch up, so to speak.

So far this season, the offense has been missing in action.

“We are all having problems with it (offense) right now,” Evans continued. “Last year, we scored the ball so easy. Now this year, it’s a struggle for us. It’s still early, but we have to get it better in practice.”

Evans threw the gauntlet down during the closed door session.

“It starts with practice,” Evans finished. “(No more) joking around. We got to be serious every day from here on out. That’s what we talked about really. Just be serious in practice and it starts tomorrow!”

Part Two on Sunday as Evans and others discuss his effort in finding the perfect jump shot.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

DARREN HALL

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DarrenHallPhotographynet
SITE: www.darrenhallphotography.net

Robyn Slakey's most memorable Run to Feed the Hungry

2012-11-08T21:09:25Z

Robyn Slakey, a retired high school art teacher, has been walking and running in Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services’ (SFBFS) annual Run to Feed the Hungry for the past 15 years. Every year, Robyn and her family plan their Thanksgiving Day around Run to Feed the Hungry.

“It is a fun, family event that supports Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and the community,” Robyn said, “I really think it’s amazing how well SFBFS is the custodian of their money. They’re very good about what they do. Like what Blake Young [SFBFS President] says, ‘Give me $1 and I’ll turn it into $10.”

Robyn remembers when she and her family first participated in Run to Feed the Hungry and there were just 3,000 people ready for a Thanksgiving morning run. This year will mark the 19th annual Run to Feed the Hungry and it is anticipated that more than 28,000 individuals, from all over the Northern California area, will participate.

Throughout the years, Robyn and her family and friends have walked and ran both the 5K and 10K courses. Each year she marvels at how much her former students have grown, running with their friends and then bringing their own families. Many good memories abound for Robyn. One year Robyn walked with fellow SFBFS volunteers and another year Robyn’s husband assembled a team of Key Club members.

Every year, Robyn looks forward to watching the Run to Feed the Hungry bands and greeting Elvis on Elvas (an Elvis impersonator who sings along the race course on Elvas & H St.). This year Robyn will be walking with two of her three grandchildren (the youngest is 11 months and will be pushed in a stroller), and four to six other family members.

Below Robyn reflects on one of her most memorable Run to Feed the Hungry memories.

“One year I had dental surgery around Thanksgiving time. I had the Bart Simpson look going but I knew Run to Feed the Hungry was coming up. The day before the race I was feeling better but I kept hearing this little voice saying you shouldn’t go. I told my husband I wasn’t up to it and he said that he would walk with me. I kept thinking back and forth to myself, ‘Should I do this.’ I finally decided against it.”

“My husband took my chip and number to turn them in on race day. As he was turning them in a young woman, in her 30s, came up and was trying to register but they were already closing. My husband gave her my number. The woman asked, ‘Who am I?’ and my husband said, ‘You’re Robyn!’

The following Monday, my husband comes home with a plaque that said that I had won for the fastest time and set the fastest record for my age group! It’s become a pretty good family joke now. Who says sitting home on the couch doesn’t break records!’

If you are interested in joining Robyn and other record setters on Thanksgiving morning, register for Run to Reed the Hungry at www.runtofeedthehungry.com

Disclosure: Jessy Wei is an Americorps VISTA at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

Run to Feed the Hungry T-Shirt Contest!

2012-11-07T20:10:46Z

Robyn Slakey had no plans to win any kind of contest when she posed in her favorite Run to Feed the Hungry (RTFTH) shirt after a long hike. But Robyn’s fun photo and awesome location shot created a buzz and won her entry into last year’s Run to Feed the Hungry.

The t-shirt contest is back again this year and you have a chance to win your way into the 19th annual Run to Feed the Hungry. Visit Run to Feed the Hungry’s Facebook page to submit a photo for this year’s contest.

In 2011, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) made a call out to all past Run to Feed the Hungry participants to submit a picture of themselves posing in their favorite RTFTH shirt. The grand prize would be free entrance into the Run to Feed the Hungry! Entries came flowing in and participants sent in many goofy, fun, unique portraits of themselves in their favorite RTFTH shirts.

Kelly Siefkin, SFBFS Communications Director, explained that the t-shirt contest is a great way to engage RTFTH participants and grow excitement for this years’ 19th annual Run to Feed the Hungry.

“The shirts are so popular and there are so many choices, people wear them all the time, including on vacation, so that’s how you see the Run to Feed the Hungry shirts in unusual places,” Kelly said. “Robyn’s photo from last year was spectacular! Great scenery and a fun place to spot a Run shirt!”

The RTFTH t-shirt contest winner was chosen by three criteria: fun location, fun pose and a RTFTH shirt visible in the photo.

Robyn’s photo was taken after a long hiking excursion up the side of the Swiss Alps. Robyn describes her photo winning pose, with her arms and walking poles raised, as her ‘Voila’ pose.

“The Swiss Alps was my husband’s bucket list trip. I decided to take my Run to Feed the Hungry shirt with me because it was long sleeved, keeps you warm and cool and was made for exercising,” Robyn said.

As a 15-year veteran participant of Run to Feed the Hungry, Robyn has collected a drawer full of RTFTH shirts over the years that have come to symbolize a tradition that brings her family and friends together every Thanksgiving morning.

If you have a photo of you or a family member wearing a Run to Feed the Hungry shirt in a fun setting, click http://on.fb.me/SJgERe to submit it for this year’s contest. The contest runs November 7 - 14. The winner will be announced on Run to Feed the Hungry’s Facebook page. See you on Thanksgiving morning at Run to Feed the Hungry!

Disclosure: Jessy Wei is an Americorps VISTA at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink to open with free skating Friday

2012-10-29T23:44:44Z

A downtown holiday tradition kicks off Friday as the Sacramento Downtown Plaza Ice Rink opens for its 21st year with free skating and skate rentals from 2 - 10 p.m.

“Our crew has been really hustling all month over at Seventh and K streets to set up our outdoor rink,” said Annie Stuckert, senior events manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “Last week’s winter storm really put us all in the mood for these fun holiday activities, and we’re excited to kick off the season.”

Last year, the ice rink set a record with more than 30,000 visitors – a 20 percent increase over the previous year.

Tuesdays this year will be devoted to family skate nights, and there will be theme nights every Thursday, with “Big Bang Theory” Friday nights and other social media-driven events throughout the season.

The rink will be open from Friday through Jan. 31, and admission is $8. Skate rentals cost $2.

City officials formed the rink in 1991, and it was shortly taken over by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, which continues to run it today.

This Weekend! Midtown Trick-Or-Treat & Pooch Parade

2012-10-25T21:41:43Z

Midtown Merchants are brewing up a bewitching good time for kiddos and pooches of all ages and sizes. The neighborhood’s Annual Trick-or-Treat and Pooch Parade are just a few days away on Saturday, October ~~29th~~ 27th from 10am to 2pm.

Enjoy an afternoon of Trick-or-Treating from over 50 participating Midtown businesses from 11am to 2pm. In addition to satisfying your childrens’ sweet tooth, you can bring the whole family down to Marshall Park for a variety of free family friendly activities presented by The Sutter District.

Festivities and their presenters include: Chilled Apple Cider by Blue Cue, Face Painting by Barwest, Caramel Apple Decorating by Centro, Yappy Hour by Cafe Bernardo & Monkey Bar, Fall Crafts by Harlow's, Pumpkin Decorating by INK, Balloon Animals by Paragary’s Bar & Oven, Bounce House by Red Rabbit, Fall Photo Booth by the Midtown Business Association and The Sutter District, and a a special treat for those .

For the four legged lovers, make sure to catch the 3rd Annual Pooch Parade and “Yappy Hour”. Registration for the pooch parade will be from 9:45am-10:15am at Marshall Park. Pooches will parade around Midtown and then return to Marshall Park for “Yappy Hour” and Judging. Canines of all shapes and sizes are invited to come out in their Halloween best, to try to capture one of the eight coveted Pooch Parade Awards. Awards included: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Overall, Midtown Spirit, Cutest Costume, Spookiest Costume, Best Duo and Funniest Costume Award. Afterwards while your precious pets are chomping on treats, check out the vendor booths dedicated to promoting a happy and healthy life for your pet.

A complete map of Midtown Trick-or-Treat locations and the Pooch Parade route are available at ExploreMidtown.org, as well as on-site during the event. You can also find information on Facebook and Twitter.

Families seeking a spooktacular experience are also encouraged to stop by Casa de Espanol's haunted house on J Street, or for evening fun check out the Haunted Fort at Sutter's Fort from 6:30 to 9:00pm.

Editor's note: A correction has been made to reflect the accurate date of the event, which is Saturday October 29.

Disclosure: Disclosure: Lauren Machi currently works with the sponsoring organization, the Midtown Business Association.

Beyond the Castle Walls - Thomas or Brooks, who's the Smart choice?

2012-10-19T02:18:09Z

It was one of the ugliest starts I’ve ever seen in a Kings’ game—regular or preseason.

Less than five minutes into the game, the Kings’ starting center and point guard, DeMarcus Cousins and Aaron Brooks, had picked up two early fouls each that took the team completely out of their up-tempo game.

The Sacramento Kings never could recover from—at one point—a 15-point deficit, and lost to its rivals the Golden State Warriors 98-88 at Sleep Train Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 17, in front of 10,708 fans.

After closely watching the position battle at the small forward spot during the Monday, Oct. 15, contest against the Trailblazers, I thought I’d focus my attention toward what is quickly becoming the most talked-about and healthy battle of them all.

Who will open the season at starting point guard? Will it be Brooks or the super rookie Isaiah Thomas?

Surprisingly to some, Brooks got the start for the second game in a row for the Kings.

What was the reason?

“I just need a little more data on them,” Smart said. “I know (the way) Marcus, Tyreke and Isaiah (play) —I had 66 games with those guys last year. I need to see how Travis (Outlaw) responds, how he plays. You see how he responded in the third quarter after having a so-so first half, and I thought he did a good job. I wanted to get a better understanding of who Aaron Brooks is. I knew who he was a couple of years ago, but I want to get a feel for him, and you see some flashes there.”

Brooks put himself in a hole when he picked up his second foul less than five minutes into the game and had to be replaced by Thomas.

After the game, Brooks knew exactly what happened.

“I didn’t react to the way the game was being called,” Brooks said. “They were calling it pretty tight in the first half, and I was still playing ‘China’ basketball out there. They made some good calls, and it was just my fault for not adjusting well to it. We just got off to a bad start, period.”

He’s right. No one in the starting lineup seemed to be particularly fired-up to start the contest. It’s the main reason they found themselves down 10-1, 15-3 and finally 29-20 at the end of the first quarter.

When Thomas checked in less than halfway through the first, he immediately hit a three-pointer, then shortly into the second, he hit another. Besides that, Thomas was very quiet, even on defense.

Although Stephen Curry was held scoreless in the first, he and Jarrett Jack seemed to get to where they wanted to be on the floor very easily.

Jimmer Fredette replaced Thomas with seven minutes left in the first half. Fredette will probably only see point guard action in cases like this, which should be rare.

Even though he hit a runner at the rim and had another solid drive through the lane, which picked up a foul, the hard truth of the matter is that Fredette can’t guard anyone.

Several times Fredette’s man easily shook him and found himself open. Fredette’s other major issue is too often trying to take the ball into the forest of big men that are awaiting his arrival at the rim. What’s the outcome? Fredette is either on the floor or has his shot blocked. It’s a problem that doesn’t seem to bother Brooks or even Thomas that much, although Thomas does enter the lane too often when it’s all clogged with defenders.

Brooks seemed to be his old self once the second half began. The Kings opened the half behind by 14, but the energy of Brooks and the rest of the starters brought the team back to within six points. The Kings only found themselves down by seven entering the final quarter.

One reason is that Brooks stopped playing what he called “China” basketball. What is that?

“It’s not as physical in the NBA,” Brooks said. “It’s like playing football in China. A lot of stuff you get away with, such as grabbing and all that, and it doesn’t fly here. The guys are a lot quicker. I’m just making that adjustment. It’s like riding a bike once you get out there.”

Thomas was back in to start the fourth, but didn’t make some of the plays he should have. He made a bad pass almost right after checking in that almost resulted in a turnover, and then shot an ill-advised three when he had plenty of time on the 24-second shot clock.

Shortly after that, he was called for a travel that stopped what little momentum the Kings had rallied.

The offensive flow; that elusive fast-paced flow was missing on this day. Thomas talked about how hard it is to find your rhythm and get into the up-tempo game that Smart is looking at running.

“It is, especially when you’re not getting stops, it’s hard to get out on transition and be aggressive like that,” Thomas said. “It’s more of a half-court game when you’re not getting defensive stops. We just have to watch film and learn from it and move on.”

This is the position battle that, I believe, will come down to the last minute. It is the toughest decision he will make to open the season.

Do you start the guy that opened so many eyes last year while garnering several Rookie of the Month honors? Or do you let the more experienced guy, the guy who Geoff Petrie has wanted for several years, get the opening day nod?

LeBron James thought he had issues a couple of years ago with his "Decision."

It seems that this season, it’s Coach Smart that has a big decision to make. And he only has two weeks to figure it out.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

DAVID ALVAREZ

Arts, Music & Craft Beer Collide in Midtown

2012-10-17T04:54:53Z

Families, art enthusiasts, music lovers, beer aficionados and everyone in between are invited to the second annual Midtown Arts Festival (MAF) Saturday, Oct. 20th, from noon - 6 p.m. in the heart of Midtown on 20th Street between J and K streets. This free event is part of ARTober – Fall for the Arts, a Sacramento regional arts campaign running the entire month of October. This vibrant, artistically diverse outdoor festival will cover a broad spectrum of creativity, from the exquisite to the experimental, the visual to the performing, and every medium in between.

The festival will feature performance programs on two stages: The SMUD Performance Stage and the SUBMERGE Band Stage as well as artist and craft vendor booths, a kid’s Arts Area and interactive arts activities.

“The Midtown Arts Festival is a special experience. Families can enjoy live performance art as well as hands-on arts projects all in one place in one afternoon," said event organizer Heather Philpott of the MIdtown Business Association. "Celebrating and supporting the arts in Sacramento is easy with so many talented individuals and organizations … and you’ll find them right here in Midtown for the Midtown Arts Festival."

New to the event this year is a craft beer area, Untapped, which will feature at least 10 local breweries.

“MBA is excited to highlight the region’s most talented local brewers at the Midtown Arts Festival,” said Elizabeth Studebaker, executive director of the MBA. “Brewing is, after all, an artform that has been celebrated for generations. The growing Sacramento craft beer industry, as evidenced by the success of companies like Rubicon Brewing, Ruhstaller and Track 7, to name a few, contribute to the character of Midtown, and bring quality local products for our restaurants and bars to serve. Featuring brewers alongside painters, sculptors, dancers, and singers just makes sense.”

Patrons will have the option to purchase a beer sampling package or purchase pints of beer to enjoy.

Music lovers will enjoy an afternoon filled with local bands including the Live Manikins, The Royal Jelly, Sicfus, and Project for Trees.

In its first year, the Midtown Arts Festival received rave reviews and exceeded attendance predictions, bringing in more than 1,000 residents and regional visitors. With the expanded scope in 2012, including Untapped and increased live performances, the Midtown Business Association projects attendance of 3,000 throughout the day.

Full event details, including performing arts, band stage lineups, vendors, and arts activities can be found here.

Disclosure: Lauren Machi currently works with the sponsoring organization, the Midtown Business Association.

Beyond the Castle Walls - The battle at the small forward position

2012-10-17T04:08:45Z

In the second preseason game of the 2012-13 year, the Sacramento Kings beat the visiting Portland Trailblazers 117-100.

Behind 23 points from Marcus Thornton, DeMarcus Cousins putting up 20 along with seven boards and three assists and 16 from Aaron Brooks, the Kings beat up on the Blazers for most of three and a half quarters and won a game that means nothing in the standings.

What really matters in these next six or seven games for the men in purple and black?

As the Kings get a few preseason games under their collective belt, the battle for a couple of starting spots seems open for the first time in quite a while.

There is a great competition going on for the starting point guard spot between the incumbent Isaiah Thomas and newcomer Aaron Brooks, but the one that’s really piqued my interest is the campaign to see who will start at the small forward position.

Assuming that Tyreke Evans will hold down the shooting guard position and not play much of the three like he did at the end of last year’s season, the dogfight for playing time comes down to three guys.

Let’s look at all three and how they did in the second exhibition game on Monday at the newly named Sleep Train Arena.

Travis Outlaw started the game at small forward and played almost 17 minutes, scored four points on 2-of-5 shooting and had one rebound.

Not a truckload of numbers for Outlaw, but that’s not what Outlaw gives you on a night-to-night basis. He’s going to get you the occasional triple and some boards, but what Coach Keith Smart likes is his defensive intensity.

“I thought Travis and Tyreke did a great job of setting the defensive tone early on two guys - in Batum and then Aldridge,” Smart said. “Those guys have the ability to score and have big games.”

Outlaw played most of the first quarter and started the second half as well, possibly the most consistent minutes he’s received since arriving in town.

“It felt good to go out there and get back in the rhythm of the game,” Outlaw said. “Tonight, I just really tried to concentrate on my defense and being there at the help position.”

Overall grade for Outlaw: B. He did what the coaches asked of him and played great defense against Nicolas Batum.

Next up was newly signed James Johnson.

Johnson played just over 17 minutes and scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, had four boards, an assist and two turnovers.

Johnson came in at the 2:20 mark of the first and immediately made an impact. Just moments after replacing Outlaw in the lineup, he grabbed an Aaron Brooks miss and jammed it home for the power dunk and his first two points of the night.

Included in his run were some nice buckets, some key boards and more solid defense on the Blazers’ big men. Watching Johnson go almost coast-to-coast for a dunk makes you very cognizant of his ability to handle the ball on the run.

Johnson would play only a little more in the second half, with Smart making it a priority this preseason to give every possible combination a chance to be seen.

Johnson is very aware that this game meant nothing as far as wins and losses go, but means a lot in the focusing and building of this team.

“This is preseason,” Johnson said. “We haven’t won nothing yet and we haven’t gone anywhere yet. All we can do is build and keep building and hope these wins don’t get to our heads, being young and all.”

What will Johnson do to show Kings fans, coaches and fellow players that he can be a mainstay in the rotation?

“I’m just playing basketball, man,” Johnson said. “I don’t have any handicap in my game. I like defense, I play offense and I’ll take the challenge… I feel that there is no man whose heart is going to be pounding more than mine, more aggressive than mine for the win.”

Smart warned not to sleep on Johnson’s defense just because he can find a way to score.

“James has been providing defense all throughout training camp,” Smart said. “He has great principles defensively and he’s a skill player. When he comes into the game, the game changes, right away. He changes a basketball game.”

Overall grade for Johnson: B+. Johnson’s athletic ability is off the charts. He will be able to find many ways to score, but could pick up his defense near the baseline.

The final candidate is longtime fan-favorite Francisco Garcia.

Garcia played 20 minutes and scored four points on 2-of-4 shooting, had two rebounds and two assists.

At first glance, Garcia seems to be the odd man out, but not so fast.

All Garcia did was hit his first two three-point attempts less than a minute after entering the game.

Garcia plays such an intense defense that he can’t keep it up over an entire 48 minutes.

Heck, no one could! Watching him get up in a guy’s face for a couple of hotly contested possessions in a row is priceless. No one gets under a guy’s skin like ‘Cisco.

“I shared with the team about ‘Cisco being ready to play,” Smart said. “He had an incredible practice on Saturday. He shot the ball extremely well. He didn’t play in the first quarter. He got in the game and hit two threes right away. He brought energy right off the bench.”

The battle for the majority of the minutes at the three may come down to Coach Smart using a three-headed monster of sorts. With Outlaw playing solid defense, Johnson running the floor and scoring at will, and Garcia playing that tight, in-your-face defense and hitting some key triples, the team seems to have the spot covered.

Later in the week, come back to find out more about the point guard dilemma that faces the second-year coach.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

DARREN HALL

http://darrenhallphotographynet.zenfolio.com/

Youth XPlosion (YXP) Gaining Momentum

2012-10-02T06:13:18Z

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Sacramento Kings' Media Day 2012 - Coach Smart's life system at work

2012-10-02T02:27:46Z

Buckle up, ladies and gents, as it’s that time of the year again!

The time to cheer like madmen and madwomen for your purple-and-black court warriors is just around the corner.

The Kings kicked off their 27th season in Sacramento with their annual Media Day on Monday afternoon. The event saw many new faces in the royal purple, black and white, along with the returning core from last year, as they get ready for their second season under the leadership of head coach Keith Smart.

With the influx of several new players — Thomas Robinson (first-round draft pick), along with Aaron Brooks and James Johnson (free-agent signees) — comes the chance to change up the starting rotation, or find a puzzle piece that fits better into what the team is trying to do in their style of play.

Combine that with the fact that Coach Smart understands that the Kings are still building, and nothing is locked down as far as the position battles are concerned.

It’s a problem that Smart welcomes with open arms.

“Having good players at multiple positions is only going to push the next player to grow and get better,” said Smart. “I look forward to a camp that can possibly be real productive, because it’s going to be competitive. I’m going to share that with them. That I want them to compete against each other. At the same time, when we finish training camp, however the chips fall, I want them to know that we are all in this together. That’s our goal for this team.”

The most telling thing, Smart said, related to how determined he is to not trying, but actually turning this team.

“Until we get that five or eight guys every night for the next five years, that I can say every year they are coming back and I know who the one is, know who the two is, the three and so forth, that’s the approach I’m going to take during training camp.”

For a new guy like James Johnson (6 feet 9 inches tall and 248 lbs.), Media Day signals a fresh beginning for a guy that got off to a nice start in Toronto, but after a couple of years of admittedly realizing that you have to work harder to be someone in the NBA than you do in getting here, it seems like the light has finally kicked on the high beams for Johnson.

“I’m not going into camp trying to show them anything different than what they already have seen,” said Johnson. “They know I’m a hard worker. I know they know my play from last season. That’s all it is. It’s competition. We’ve been doing that our whole lives. We’ve been playing basketball and competing for a spot and I feel like it’s no different now.”

Keep checking in over the next couple of weeks, as I’ll have more interviews with the players and coaches of your Sacramento Kings as they open the 2012-13 season and try to make a push for the playoffs.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

RON NABITY
http://nabityphotos.com/

The invasion of Zombies in Old Sacramento

2012-09-30T19:44:52Z

The Invasion of zombies in Old Sacramento was a huge success last night. Hundreds of people showed up buying wrist bands at Shenanigan’s on J Street. Proceeds went to support our local troops, veterans and those affiliated with the American Legion. The local kid band "Alive and Burning" played rocken tunes about Zombies at Shenanigan's .The zombie run started from Shenanigan’s and went to the K Street mall tunnel. In the tunnel, Photographers and videographers lined up taking pictures before the hoard of zombie came running past them to spill out onto the Old Sacramento Streets. All ages from young children, to older adults where dressed up and joined in the preparation of Halloween fun. The hundreds of people went to the River City Saloon, which also supported the cause by helping sell wrist bands, thencontinued to the Delta King. At the Delta King there was a party for all ages where Raffle tickets were sold and announcements were made to the lucky winners. There were several prices which included cash prices and a $200 shopping spree to Evangelines. As the evening went on and the children went home the adults had a 21 and older after party at Shenanigan’s. The night was a blast and a memorable event for Old Sacramento!

For more information on the event visit

http://www.invasionoldsac.com/Invasion_Old_Sacramento.html

Disclosure: Event Coordinator,Tom Presler is a good friend of mine. He is a huge supporter and member of the American Legion.

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day

2012-09-27T23:36:51Z

On Saturday, October 6, 2012, Friends of El Dorado Trail and the El Dorado Western Railroad are partnering to support the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s (IMBA) eighth- annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day!

Each year, IMBA encourages communities around the world to share their passion for pedaling with kids on the first Saturday of October. This year, El Dorado County is getting on board and invites you to join in the festivities along the El Dorado Trail and at the El Dorado Train Park from 9am to 4pm.

Friends of El Dorado Trail suggests several rides:

• An easy out and back ride beginning and ending at the El Dorado Train Park at the end of Oriental St. (across from the Post Office) off Pleasant Valley Rd.

• A mild 4.4 mile ride along the El Dorado Trail from behind the Wal-mart on Missouri Flat Road to the El Dorado Train Park and back.

• A challenging ride beginning in Shingle Springs, across from the train station restaurant, and ending 6 miles away at the El Dorado Train station. For an even greater challenge, make it a roundtrip ride and complete the full 12 miles.

For more information email eldoradotrail@gmail.com.

The El Dorado Western Railroad volunteers will be handing out refreshments & snacks and giving $5 train rides from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the El Dorado Train Park, so make your way to the El Dorado Depot!

According to IMBA, “last year more than 13,000 people participated in hundreds of [Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day] events across the globe, including: Italy, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Malaysia, and Mexico.” Outdoor enthusiasts from El Dorado, Sacramento and surrounding counties are encouraged to help make this year’s numbers event bigger by sharing a love of mountain biking with a new generation.

“Besides being good, healthy fun,” says IMBA, “the goal is to develop a connection between kids and the natural world around them. Today's children are tomorrow's land managers and politicians — future decision-makers for important matters like recreation and access to public lands. How different might our current access landscape look today if previous generations of policy makers had grown up riding bikes on natural-surface trails?”

Disclosure: Jessica Bean is a member of Friends of El Dorado Trail.

Quick Quack Car Wash Helps Raise Money For Sutter Children's Center

2012-09-20T17:31:40Z

Quick Quack Car Wash is giving back to the community in a special way by offering free car washes to help raise money for pediatric patients at Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento. On Wednesday, Sept, 26 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Quick Quack Car Wash will give away a free Basic Car Wash ($5.99 value) for any donation made to the Donut Dash – a nonprofit which raises money for the Child Life Program at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. This one-day special event is available at all seven of Quick Quack’s Sacramento area locations. Donations made will be used to support children and their families cope with their medical experience by providing normal childhood activities, promoting development, teaching children about their illness and treatments and supporting the family emotionally. For a list of Quick Quack locations go to: http://www.dontdrivedirty.com or go to www.DonutDash.org for more information about the Donut Dash.

Sutter Children’s Center is a comprehensive children’s hospital inside Sutter Memorial Hospital in east Sacramento. It serves 7,000 children a year from 26 California counties and beyond, including Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Solano, San Joaquin and Amador counties. Among its specialized pediatric services are an 80-bed, Level III neonatal intensive care unit, heart surgery, oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and clinics for epilepsy, childhood diabetes, cleft palates, obesity and many other diseases that affect children from birth to 18 years old.

Disclosure: Stephanie Breitbart works in the communications department at Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region.

Midtown Fall Clean Up

2012-09-14T18:20:35Z

This Saturday Midtown Neighbors, Business Owners & Community Members will come together to beautify the Midtown Community. Join them in celebrating the end of summer by cleaning up Midtown!

The Midtown Business Association is partnering with the Midtown Neighborhood Association, the Boulevard Park Neighborhood Association, and the Marshall School/New Era Park Neighborhood Association to host a fall clean up with the support of The Volunteer Center of Sacramento.

Volunteers will remove trash and help beautify the Midtown Community from 16th Street to 29th Street, from G to O Streets, or beyond if there is more litter to be found!

Coffee and snacks will be provided in the morning when you arrive at 2020 J Street, and lunch will be provided for volunteers after the cleanup at 11:30am.

Let’s work together to make Midtown clean and litter free!

CLICK HERE to RSVP

Disclosure: Heather Philpott is the Communication & Events Manager at the Midtown Business Association and is a producer of the Midtown Fall Clean Up.

Cancer survivor and others advocate for cleaner air standards

2012-08-29T00:28:11Z

Robert Linkul’s lungs collapsed six times in the hospital in July 2009. Doctors broke two of his ribs, removed the lobe of his left lung and one-third of his upper lung; they slit through his lateral, oblique and intercostal muscles in a race to beat lung cancer. The aftermath of his life-saving surgery encouraged him to advocate for cleaner air.

Linkul, 31, never smoked a cigarette in his life.

Though doctors are unsure of what caused the cancer, he said they believe he inhaled or ingested a cancerous substance. He was diagnosed in March of 2009, two weeks after coughing and sneezing blood at work.

He devotes his life to health and fitness as the strength and fitness director at Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa, holding a master’s degree in personal training. He said he can physically feel the difference in Sacramento’s air quality as a result of his lobectomy.

“If you were standing in your house and standing on a table or a desk, you get that bit of dust in the air,” he said. “You could package that in a bag and breathe that. That’s the kind of condensed chambered air I breathe on bad days. It’s really, really noticeable. It burns my throat; it burns my lungs; it burns my eyes.”

The “bit of dust in the air” Linkul described is a mixture of solid and liquid particles called particulate matter. They can be coarse particles such as dust, smoke and soot or fine particles invisible to the naked eye. Particle pollution sticks to a person’s lungs and can pass through the bloodstream, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

He testified last month in front of the EPA to support strengthening the national air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). The effort is a requirement under the Clean Air Act, the law that defines the EPA’s oversight over air quality control.

The July hearing in Sacramento was one of two in the nation for the public to testify in-person on whether the standard should be revised or remain the same. The other hearing took place on the East Coast. However, it is not too late for people to submit comments. The EPA will take public comments until August 31.

Linkul has volunteered with the American Lung Association in California (ALAC) since recuperating from his lobectomy in 2009. He chaired the Sacramento Fight for Air Walk and continues to chair the annual Fight for Air Climb hosted by the American Lung Association.

He said not everyone understands the difference between his problem with air quality and asthma patients whose lungs do not expand fully to take in air.

“My lungs are sensitive to the point that if the quality of the air is not good I get sick from it,” he said. “That’s been a big reason I’ve been outspoken about it and have been involved with the American Lung Association and wanted to make a difference.”

The current fine particulare matter standard is 15 μg per cubic meter annually and 35 μg per cubic meter daily. The EPA wants to change the long-term annual standard to 12-13 μg per cubic meter and retain 35 μg per cubic meter daily standard.

The Clean Air Act stipulates that the EPA should develop standards solely on the basis of the effect on public health and not business. The 2012 proposed standard change was the result of a 2009 U.S. Court judgment claiming that the current standard does not protect the public health.

The American Petroleum Institute (API), which represents more than 500 natural and oil gas companies, opposes changing the fine particulate matter standard, stating that the science is questionable.

Howard J. Feldman, director of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Petroleum Institute, said in his July testimony to the EPA that he is not convinced that the standard needs to be changed based on the progress states are already making.

“EPA has not proven a cause and effect between PM 2.5 below the current standards and health effects,” he said. “It has failed to adequately address confounding factors.”

Moreover, he said in his statement that API is concerned about the effect it will have on businesses and progress made thus far.

“Of course, tightening these standards would lead to additional non-attainment areas during the coming decade, even though air quality progress will continue without changing these standards,” he said. “These additional non-attainment areas will stymie job and business growth when the economy is still struggling to recover.”

The concern of the EPA overstepping its boundaries was also expressed on Aug. 21 by a Federal Appeals court that overturned the EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule meant to update the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule under the Clean Air Act. Judges ruled that the EPA’s decision to use a cap-and-trade system to mitigate cross-state pollution exceeded its role by forcing states to reduce more than their fair share.

ALAC air quality and health executive director Bonnie Holmes said that the American Lung Association does not believe that tighter standards will negatively affect the economy.

“Over the past 40 years, our economy has grown by over 60 percent nationally over the last 40 years, but we’ve also cut air pollution by about that same amount so clearly as we developed tighter standards over the years it has not negatively affected our economy,” she said. “I think it’s helping our economy to develop into a more sustainable greener economy.”

The American Lung Association is advocating for stricter standards than the EPA. It wants to see a fine particulate matter annual standard of 11 μg per cubic meter and short-term standard of 25 μg per cubic meter. Holmes said these numbers would prevent 35,700 deaths every year nationally.

She said the particulate matter can travel to the brain, cause heart attacks and strokes, worsen existing lung conditions and reduce lung growth in children.

Sacramento is ranked the sixth smoggiest city in the nation. In the Sacramento-Arden Arcade-Yuba City region, more than 40,000 kids have asthma, 143,000 adults have asthma, 603,000 have cardiovascular disease and nearly 80,000 have chronic bronchitis.

Linkul said he is cancer free. He said he understands that his case is unique and that changing the standards may be challenging for some businesses, but ultimately, public health is more important.

“I think the health of the individuals in this city and this state and this country are more important than a lot of the financial issues that we have,” he said. “If we’re not here, then that’s not really the point.”

What do you think the new fine particulate matter standard should be?

Learn how to submit comments to the EPA here. If you would like to change air standards according to the American Lung Association click here.

Disclosure: Baryo Dee is an intern at the American Lung Association in California.

Where were you in 1968?

2012-08-28T22:00:00Z

Where were you in 1968? And what we’re you driving?

The California Automobile

Museum will take a detailed look at the tumultuous year – and the cars that were part of it – in its “1968” centerpiece exhibit, kicking off Sept. 22 and running through May 12, 2013.

The exhibit is sponsored by Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln.

The showcase will include sweeping, colorful walls with information and photos of cars of the era, automotive magazines, popular culture of the times and a timeline of key 1968 events, many of which occurred in the Golden State. Special events and displays will celebrate the music of the late 1960s, clothing styles, auto racing, automotive advertisements and car toys.

Interactive features also are planned.

And of course, a revolving display of 1968 cars will be the center of attention. Museum staff plans a lineup that will include such memorable models as the Pontiac GTO, Dodge Charger, Chevy Nova, Ford Mustang, Plymouth Road Runner, Ford Torino and various foreign makes.

In line with the museum’s mission to teach the story of the automobile and its influence on our lives, exhibit storyboards will include detailed information of the cars and significant occurrences of 1968, a year that saw Richard Nixon elected president, activism on college campuses and ongoing debate about the war in Vietnam. A special museum program will reach out to area educators and middle- to high school-age students.

Overall, the exhibit hopes to rekindle memories of those who remember 1968, and educate those who might not have yet been born but want to learn more about the turbulent year.

The California Automobile Museum features scores of motor vehicles of all stripes – from early horseless carriages, to opulent classics, to racing machines to contemporary makes. Special exhibits and education classes are also part of the experience. The museum has one of the most extensive docent programs in the nation.

The California Automobile Museum at 2200 Front Street is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and every third Thursday until 9 p.m. For more details, call (916) 442-6802, visit www.calautomuseum.org or visit the museum on Facebook.

By Mark Glover

Mark Glover, a board member of the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento, has been a professional newspaperman for more than 35 years, the past 28 for The Sacramento Bee in California’s capital city.

Disclosure: Natalie Minas is the Marketing Specialist for the California Automobile Museum.

Cats win fourth in a row behind Straily's arm and grand slam from Hicks

2012-08-25T02:51:45Z

Dan Straily was sent down three days ago to make room for the long-awaited return of Brett Anderson.

Straily did nothing wrong. In fact, he could be called back to the big club very soon.

And after his strong start in Sacramento on Thursday, that call could be very soon indeed.

Straily went five strong innings and helped the Sacramento River Cats win their fourth in a row by beating the Salt Lake Bees 6-3 at Raley Field on Thursday evening.

“He threw the ball well,” said Cats manager Darren Bush. “He moved the ball around, changed speeds and was aggressive. He looked good!”

The first couple of innings flew by for both teams. As for Straily, he even struck out the side in the second, doing his part in keeping the Bees at bay.

It wasn’t until the bottom of the third inning that the River Cats would scratch a run on the scoreboard.

Jermaine Mitchell led off the frame with a walk and, after a couple of quick outs, Brandon Inge, who is on a rehab assignment, ripped a line drive shot into center field for a double that plated Mitchell and gave the Cats the first lead of the game.

Bush was pleased with Inge’s performance in his first rehab start.

“Good ABs (at-bats),” said Bush. “He swung the bat well, just like he did last time he was down here with us. He did a good job tonight.”

Salt Lake came back in the top of the fourth when Andrew Romine led off with a single. Romine would later score on a two-out ground out by Efren Navarro to tie the score.

Straily started to find some trouble in the fifth when he gave up a lead-off double to Bees left fielder Ryan Langerhans. Matt Long sacrificed Langerhans to third, setting up the go-ahead run with only one out. The next up to bat, Doug Deeds, hit a liner to Grant Green at shortstop, but Green was able to make a great play and throw out Langerhans at home to keep the game tied at 1-1.

The Bees still ended up with the bags full of runners with two outs. After a brief coaching visit to the mound by pitching coach Scott Emerson, Straily settled in and got Kole Calhoun to fly out to left to end the threat.

After five strong, Straily made way for reliever Rich Thompson.

Thompson induced a ground out to the first batter he faced. But that was the end of the good news for him. After a walk to Navarro, Thompson gave up a long home run to catcher John Hester, which put the Bees on top 3-1.

The Cats opened the sixth by getting the first three base runners on and threatening with no outs. Inge walked, Kila Ka’aihue and Michael Taylor singled to load them up.

The press box has its own game during every River Cats contest. The names of all the offensive starters are put in a cup, and we draw out names. Whoever picks the name of the player that hits the last home run of the game gets all the cash in the cup that week.

As Brandon Hicks strolled to the plate, I looked at Casey Pratt of CSN Bay Area and showed him my Hicks “tag” that I had pulled from the cup before the game. I told Pratt that now was the time. And it was.

On a 2-2 pitch from Brad Mills, Hicks torched one over the left field wall for a Cats grand slam, giving me a three innings from the clubhouse lead in the “money in the cup” sweepstakes for the day.

Hicks has spent some time with the big club this season and could get another call if he keeps making contact as well as he did in this game.

“I thought he had great at-bats all night long,” said Bush. “Not just that at-bat. All four of his at-bats were quality ABs. The first two ABs he just missed. Good swings, good position. He’s done a good job.”

The scoring festivities weren’t over just yet for the Cats, as Wes Timmons scored on a single from Colin Cowgill that added to the run total in the sixth.

The Cats lead after the sixth was 6-3.

Sacramento relievers Justin Souza and Jeremy Accardo did their job in closing out the balance of the game and keeping the Bees off the scoreboard.

Straily wasn’t ecstatic about his start, but he did say it was one he could build off.

“I felt like I had below average fastball command,” said Straily. “It was kind of one of those deals on the one-day-a-week plan. I’m trying to get used to that. I feel like there is a lot of stuff to work on still. My fastball command — it never goes away — you’re always working on it.”

Straily had time to reflect on his first call up and his short time with the Oakland A’s. When I mentioned to him that he looked a lot like A.J. Griffin — calm, cool and collected — he instantly agreed.

“You nailed it right there,” said Straily. “I just went out there and just pitched. It’s one of those things I think you prepare for your entire professional career. You just have to remember that between the lines, it’s the exact same game. No different. I had a lot of fun and can’t wait to get back.”

Straily is only second behind Justin Verlander in total strikeouts in professional ball this season. With the pennant race coming up for the A’s, Straily should get a chance to be a big part of it.

On a side note, longtime River Cat and personal favorite of mine Graham Godfrey, along with Anthony Recker, have been designated for assignment. They will be on the open market for 10 days. If no one claims them in that amount of time, they have a chance of coming back to the organization.

Sacramento Film and Music Festival’s Lucky 13th Year

2012-08-15T04:48:43Z

Fear and fortune are the themes for this year’s Sacramento Film & Music Festival.

The Sacramento Film & Music Festival opens at the Crest Theatre on Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 in the evening.

21 teams of local filmmakers gathered at the Crest Theatre on Aug. 2 to pick the phobia and fortune their original short film would be
based on. They had 10 days to write, shoot and edit the films for the Sacramento Film & Music Festival’s 10 x 10 film competition.

When asked how the 10 x 10 film competition provides a forum for local creativity, Nathan Schemel, co-organizer for the festival, explained
that it will “elevate the level of everyone in town.”

“If you tell people to make things, they will make something, then they will make more things beyond that and it will encourage more
filmmakers,” Schemel said.

Completed short films will be screened on Sunday, Aug. 19 at the final event of the festival. Winners will be announced during the after
party.

“Heathens & Thieves” will be shown during the Friday night lineup at 9 p.m. This is the second time this film has been shown in Sacramento
this year.

“It’s a western and we live in an environment where there are a lot of western places,” Schemel said. “Most of the time people kind of miss
the mark,” Schemel continued, but “’Heathens & Thieves’ creates a world that feels like that time period.”

Peter Scott, the producer for the film, shared some of the benefits of filming a western in the area.

“The way (the screenplay) was written was around a location the writer, who also co-directed, and his co-directing partner had in
mind… and the location was in northern California. So that was an easy decision.”

Scott went on to discuss the mentality of the people in the area.

“What wasn’t apparent to me at the start was how accommodating the people in the area would be once we got there,” said Scott.

Neighbors wanted to lend a helping hand and not try to profit from the production.

Other highlights to enjoy during the festival are the doc and student shorts on Saturday, Aug. 18, as well as the world and other ~~and student~~ shorts on Sunday,
Aug. 19. Free catering from Panda Express will be available for approximately 250 ~~the first 100~~ people that come opening night. Those who mention this article will also get discounts for festival passes.

Editor's note: Edits have been made to this article after publishing.

Disclosure: Rich Beckermeyer is a top community contributor. You can follow him on twitter @Leland_Beck.

Cats lose on Tuesday, win Wednesday to go 6-2 on latest homestand

2012-08-09T03:37:46Z

The River Cats were sailing along on this eight-game homestand. As winners of the first five, things seemed to be on cruise control.

But this is the Pacific Coast League, where anything can happen — and quite frequently does.

The Nashville Sounds came to town for a four-game stop and, after losing the first contest, found their stride and took the next game from Sacramento. On Tuesday evening the Cats would lose their second game in a row to the Sounds 5-4 on a wild pitch by Merkin Valdez in the top of the ninth inning.

On Wednesday afternoon, the River Cats were looking to end their small two-game losing streak, and did so when Daric Barton was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. The Cats won a pitcher’s duel 1-0.

Two exciting games in less than 24 hours. Both games weren’t decided until nearly the final at bat.

In Tuesday's affair, the Cats wasted no time in getting some numbers on the Raley Field scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning.

Following a walk to Jermaine Mitchell, Cats second baseman Grant Green, who had a 13-game hitting streak entering the contest, continued his torrid pace with a sharp double that plated Mitchell for the first run of the evening. Green went to third on the throw home, but Mitchell came up holding his right thigh after sliding into home on the play. However, he would be okay to return.

Josh Donaldson then hit a line drive single into right center to score Green from third to give the Cats an early 2-0 lead.

After a couple of strikeouts, Sacramento loaded the bases on a Barton single and a base on balls to Brandon Hicks. The rally ended on a Shane Peterson strikeout, but the Cats had already done some damage.

Ross really settled in over the next few frames, as he faced only one over the minimum from the second to the fifth innings. The stretch included five strikeouts and six ground outs to the infield. No one was able to get solid wood on his pitches.

The Sounds finally got something started in the sixth when Edwin Maysonet, the ninth hitter in the lineup, led with a clean double over the head of Cats third baseman Stephen Parker. After a sacrifice by Corey Patterson, Eric Farris singled in Maysonet for the first run for Nashville.

One out later, Khris Davis singled in both Farris and Brown to give the Sounds their first lead of the game. After the Cats failed to score in the bottom of the sixth, the score was 3-2 in favor of Nashville.

That was it for Tyson Ross, as he had a solid night and looked to have good control of his pitches until the sixth, when the Sounds batters started to figure him out.

“Tyson did a good job,” said Cats manager Darren Bush. “He was very aggressive. He ran into a little trouble in the sixth. There was really only one ball hit real hard, but they found some holes and pushed across three runs.”

On the defensive side of things, Green was outstanding in the field. He was diving to his left and his right all night in an effort to save balls from going into the outfield. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seem so many putouts by one player. He was involved in seven ground ball putouts to first base, caught two popups and helped turn two double plays.

In short, he was everywhere.

“Grant did a good job at second base,” said Bush. “He ranged both ways — left and right — and made all the plays. He’s been working hard over there, learning a new position, and so far so good.”

Arnold Leon came to relieve Ross, but didn’t keep the Sounds at bay. He gave up a solo shot to the first batter he faced in Jeff Bianchi, and Nashville put some more cushion between them and the Cats.

Mitchell got the Cats closer in the bottom of the seventh on a one-out triple that plated Stephen Parker.

However, every little bit helps, as the Cats would score again in the eighth to tie the game. One out after a leadoff triple by Kila Ka’aihue, Barton singled in pinch-runner Wes Timmons to lock the game at 4-4.

Valdez had his hands full in the ninth. After a one-out triple by Logan Schafer, Bianchi was intentionally walked. Following a Humberto Quintero strikeout, Valdez threw a wild pitch that allowed Schafer to score and break the tie.

The Cats would not score in the ninth as the visiting Sounds won their second straight in SacTown.

In the afternoon game on Wednesday, it was Bruce Billings on the mound for the Cats.

Billings entered the game is in the top ten in the Pacific Coast League in several pitching categories including ERA, WHIP and base runners per nine innings.

Nashville found it almost impossible to get a hit off of him. In his seven innings, Billings faced only two batters over the minimum, giving up only two hits and striking out six.

His counterpart, Sounds pitcher Hiram Burgos, did more than hold up his end of the bargain. In his six strong, he also gave up two hits and had five strikeouts.

The pitcher’s duel kept any crooked numbers from being etched on the towering Raley Field scoreboard until the game went into extra innings.

Cats manager Darren Bush was pleased with his starter’s effort.

“He was outstanding,” said Bush. “He attacked the zone. He went seven innings on 93 pitches. We could have possibly sent him back out there. If it wasn’t a hundred degrees out, we probably would have.”

Donovan Hand came in to start the 10th frame, but just couldn’t put the ball where he wanted it to be.

Brandon Hicks led with a ground rule double that was helped by a glaring sun in the eyes of Sounds center fielder Logan Schafer. Schafer never really saw the ball, which bounced several feet away from him and over the center field fence.

The next hitter was Shane Peterson, who was intentionally walked to give Nashville a force out at any base. One batter later, Donaldson walked to load the bases and bring Barton to the plate. On a 1-2 pitch, Hand hit Barton on the upper arm, which forced the winning run across the plate.

The only Cats player to get a hit in the first nine innings was Donaldson, who had all three of Sacramento’s base knocks.

Donaldson may not be ecstatic to not be playing for the A’s, but he never lets that get in the way of how he goes about his business.

“Their starter was doing a real good job of locating,” said Donaldson. “He didn’t really have anything overpowering, but was hitting his spots. My second at bat was the first time he really came over the plate with anything and I was able to hit a double.”

Bush was happy to see Donaldson get three hits, but may have been more impressed with his at bat in the 10th, when he loaded the bases for Barton.

“That last AB (at bat) was really big because he laid off a couple of tough pitches,” said Bush.

The Cats now have a six-game lead over the Las Vegas 51’s in the PCL’s Pacific Southern division.

After a day off on Thursday, the River Cats head out on an eight-game road trip to Oklahoma City and New Orleans.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

RON NABITY

http://nabityphotos.com/

Cultural Diversity Takes Center Stage at SacWorldFest 2012!

2012-08-08T21:21:50Z

Sacramento gets its musical groove on for the 5th Annual SacWorldFest in Old Sacramento coming October 6-7, 2012, with an impressive line-up of live musical performances, visually-exciting ethnic dance, engaging storytellers, a dynamic Global Village and much, much more. The annual SacWorldFest extravaganza is designed to celebrate and share the region’s rich and remarkable cultural diversity. In fact, since the inaugural festival in 2008, SacWorldFest has hosted more than 120 performances from more than 500 performers reflecting more than 40 ethnicities, cultures and nations.

SacWorldFest 2012 kicks off the first Saturday evening in October with a very special international headliner performance by Band H'sao during a high-energy “Spotlight On: AFRICA!” outdoor event. Band H’sao draws from gospel, traditional African music, as well as their Chadian roots for a unique sound that displays clear soul, pop, and R&B influences.

Then on Sunday, Old Sacramento is transformed into an elaborate and sprawling multi-cultural center complete with multiple stage areas offering free public shows by talented performers that include the following:

Z’Amico -- Brazilian and Afro-Caribbean beats, soulful songwriting and inter-community action for social change;
Halau 'o Keikiali'i of Sacramento & San Francisco -- Traditional Hawaiian hula kahiko (or ancient dance) performances with chants, songs, stories and more;
Rasa Vitalia -- a powerful multi-disciplinary artist, professional music & dance performer focused on celebrating life through art;
Charged Particles -- crosses stylistic boundaries and blends multiple traditions to create vital new sounds in the electric jazz arena;
Jodama Drum & Dance -- extensive group of drummers and dancers with an electrifying delivery of incredible energy, stage presence and exquisite costuming;
URBANFIRE -- an accomplished California Reggae band with a unique style that plays a wide range of music and has a strong fan base in Northern California.

In addition to the energizing music and dance, there is a lot more to do at this family-friendly multi-cultural celebration all day Sunday such as watching free entertaining children’s theater performances, participating in hands-on activities, watching a fun fashion show and visiting a Global Village complete with entertaining cooking and dancing demonstrations. A special highlight this year is a new “Instruments of the World: DRUMS!” area near Front and J Streets. Plus, visitors of all ages will also enjoy visiting booths with innovative and interactive educational opportunities to learn about different cultures.

The Saturday evening “Spotlight on: AFRICA!” opening performance runs 6 to 9 p.m. at Waterfront Park and there is a small admission fee. Sunday’s free activities run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and happen in five performance areas in Old Sacramento, including Waterfront Park (Front and L Streets), Global Village (Near Front and J Streets), Passenger Station Stage (Front and I Streets), Old Eagle Theatre (Near Front and J Streets) and Fats City Performance Area (Front and J Streets).

SacWorldFest 2012 is produced by a dedicated volunteer board of directors, collaborative local business owners and generous sponsors such as Wells Fargo. For updated performance schedules and more information about the SacWorldFest celebration, visit www.SacWorldFest.org. For sponsorship inquiries or vendor participation information, please call 916-549-2749.

About the Sacramento World Music & Dance Festival (SacWorldFest)
The mission of the SacWorldFest is to showcase the cultural diversity of the Sacramento region through a spectacular annual presentation of an ethnic dance and music festival that offers an educational and entertaining experience for all ages. The annual event provides educational entertainment opportunities for the entire Sacramento region while recognizing, nurturing and honoring the region’s rich cultural diversity. For more, call 916-549-2749 or visit www.SacWorldFest.org.

Disclosure: Traci Rockefeller Cusack represents a number of businesses and organizations throughout the greater Sacramento region including the SacWorldFest 2012.

Learn the fine art of monster defense

2012-08-06T21:06:33Z

Does garlic ward off werewolves? Or is it holy water? Can you spot a vampire if he doesn’t make a reflection in a mirror? Or is it if he can’t enter a house uninvited? For answers to these questions and more, join the Van Helsing Foundation on August 11th when Generation Next Media presents its family-friendly show, How to Defend Against a Creature of the Night.

This hour-long participational presentation features three members of the “Van Helsing Foundation”—Rupert Van Helsing, Phaedra Frankenstein, and Jeffrey Jekyll—who travel around the world educating the public on how to spot and defend against a host of fearsome supernatural creatures. The Van Helsing Foundation members are descendants of renown—or some might say notorious—monster lineage. Aided by guest lecturer and psychic Madame Valyana Veil, the Foundation members must transcend their own deep-set fears and utilize their unique strengths to defeat a “monster” that suddenly appears during the presentation. The monster can only be banished when the presenters trust their instincts, work collaboratively and invite the children in the audience to help, proving that any problem can be surmounted when everyone works together.

How to Defend Against a Creature of the Night blends supernatural lore, comedy, song and dance, and fast-paced action in this participational workshop suitable for ages four through adult.

How to Defend Against a Creature of the Night is written by Sacramento actor and playwright Michael Pollock, whose scripts have been performed by Sacramento City College’s “Storytime Theater,” City Theatre’s “29 ½ Hour Playwriting Festival,” and the Sacramento, Elk Grove and San Juan Unified School Districts. Pollock’s acting credits include the lead in Sacramento City College’s rendering of Neil Simon’s famous Eugene Trilogy, and for the last twelve years he has been lead actor in the B Street School Tour, with which
he has performed for over a million children. In How to Defend Against a Creature of the Night, Pollock plays eager new Foundation member, Jeffrey Jekyll.

Playing distinguished director of the Foundation is Eason Donner. Currently Artistic Associate at Ed Claudio’s Actors’ Theatre of Sacramento, Donner has been acting professionally in Sacramento since 2009. In addition to acting and directing stints at Actors’ Theatre of Sacramento, Donner has also logged credits at Sacramento Theatre Company, Capital Stage, and B Street Theatre.

Portraying monster-stalker Phaedra Frankenstein is Leah Ladd-Evrigenis. An actor, singer, and arts administrator, Ladd-Evrigenis began her performing life at the age of thirteen in national commercials. Since then she has performed with Shakespeare in the Park; CA State University, Sacramento; Celebration Arts; Sacramento City College; Garbeau's Dinner Theatre; and others. For over a decade Ladd-Evrigenis toured with Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Program, and the B Street Theatre School Tour.

Rounding out the cast is Alison Whismore as the ethereal Madame Valyana Veil. A veteran actor new to the local arts scene, Whismore received both her undergraduate and post-graduate theatre degrees in London. Her professional acting and directing career spans three continents and a host of venues, including universities, retirement homes, youth camps, prisons, cathedrals, US military bases, forests, and more. She has been seen in the recent local productions of Drinking Habits at Chautauqua Playhouse and Arcadia at Big Idea Theatre Company.

How to Defend Against a Creature of the Night will be presented at Your Space Studio— one of Sacramento’s newer multi-use venues. Owner John Paul Nevans created Your Space Studio as a warm, inviting venue that offers both intimacy and technology. Your Space Studio is equipped with theatre seats, sound, lighting, and backstage crossover, and even has amenities like gaming stations and X-Box and Sega video games. This allows Nevans to offer the space for storytelling, musical events, children’s birthday parties,
and more. As Nevans says, “In a world in which theatre technology and interpersonal communications are both evolving so rapidly, it’s nice to offer an inexpensive, people-friendly space that everyone can come into and just play.”

How to Defend Against a Creature of the Night is produced by Generation Next Media, LLC. Generation Next produces imaginative and expertly-crafted entertainment in the film, television, digital and live performance mediums. It is committed to the creation of highly entertaining, thematically empowering and commercially viable productions.

How to Defend Against a Creature of the Night will be presented at Your Space Studio on Saturday, August 11th at 2pm. Your Space Studio is located at 4120 Franklin Boulevard. Parking is available behind the building. Tickets are $4 for children and $6 for adults.
For tickets and information call (916) 676-5156 or email cpmaurice@hotmail.com.

Real Relationships: The mystique of 50 Shades

2012-08-06T15:37:00Z

'50 Shades of Grey '

If you have read the trilogy you have feelings about them. The good, the bad. The possibly pornographic nature of the content. Let me say that I read the trilogy. The books were unlike anything I had ever read, but as a (relationship) writer and an avid book reader, I felt the need to figure out what they were all about. I was not prepared for what I read, but I, like half the women on earth, was gripped by the story. I must have read all three books in less than four days.

Although controversial in nature and seemingly improbable in theory, I believe this to be the reason women have been falling over themselves about the possibility of a movie being made out of the books: Christian Grey represents what every woman wants in a man and in a relationship.

Whoa. I totally just said that.

Please go back and read that sentence. Note that I said he represents, not that he is, what every woman wants.

While the majority of women are not game to be tied up, blindfolded and flogged (although I do believe there are now many more who are) every woman wants passion. The passion that Christian has for Ana is undeniable. It is different, but it is still passion.

As Ana discovered in the book, she did not like to be controlled, but she did appreciate a man who cares enough to be concerned with her daily life. Christian was (overly) concerned for her health, her safety and her well-being. Women want to be fussed over.

At one point in the book Ana flees Christian and his lifestyle without telling him. She was scared and confused. However, he pursued her. Every woman wants to be pursued.

Christian's ostentatious displays of wealth borderline on obnoxious in the books, but every woman wants to be taken care of. Physically, emotionally and mentally.

Christian called and emailed Ana a lot. However, his communication conveyed a very important message: He was thinking of her. Women want to be at the top of someone’s mind.

Christian ultimately altered his hard limits and ingrained lifestyle to accommodate the love he had for Ana. He married her. Women want to be worth the sacrifice.

One characteristic that Christian possessed that was not hard to grasp was his unashamed ability to tell Ana how beautiful he thought she was. He was also amazed by her and told her daily. Women want to be cherished. They want you to be proud of them.

Last but not least, Christian is touted as the most beautiful man on earth. That doesn't hurt, but I do not believe that is the basis of the worldwide obsession.

Although no woman I know subjects herself to the extreme nature of behavior that was displayed in “50 Shades of Grey,” the underlying characteristics of Christian Grey are what make women across the world fall all over themselves while reading this book.

If there were any guys who have read the books (so far I have not met any willing to admit it), they too might discover a bit of Christian in themselves through his desire to dominate. Maybe not with whips and chains, or even an overbearing attitude, but a man loves a woman who allows him to lead. In an age of feminism and liberation, the "traditional" roles of men and women have been cast aside, but I do believe that most men still hold the desire to be the leader of their own relationship.

Passion, concern, capability, thoughtfulness, sacrifice, appreciation, compromise, desire and control. These are the things that make the world of intimate relationships go round.

The book is extreme. The book is controversial. It is not for everyone.

However, I am willing to guarantee that when they make the movie, the ticket sales will go through the roof because this is the ultimate love story. Groups of girls will flock to the theater to see a visual representation of what this perfect man looks like in "real life." They will envy Ana. They will ignore the explicitly graphic and sometimes uncomfortable sex scenes because in their mind, it is the ultimate show of love, respect and passion. They will walk away missing Christian; missing everything that he is, everything that he does.

Men, consider yourselves warned. If this book truly is made into a movie, you better be ready when she walks in the door after seeing it.

“50 Shades of Grey” baby boom indeed.

River Cats down Redbirds for second come-from-behind win in two days

2012-08-04T02:01:55Z

With rumors swirling that Cats phenom pitcher Dan Straily would be called up to the big club at any moment, Tyson Ross got the call to replace Straily in the starting lineup for Thursday’s tilt against the Memphis Redbirds.

With nearly the same type of clutch hitting as the night before, Ross’s fine performance and solid relief from James Timmons, Pedro Figueroa and Rich Thompson out of the bullpen, the Sacramento River Cats beat the visiting Redbirds 4-3 in front of 8,762 faithful in another exciting contest at Raley Field.

Even though it was the late clutch hitting of the Cats that helped pull out the victory, Cats manager Darren Bush couldn’t let the performance of his starter go unnoticed.

“I thought Tyson threw the ball really well,” stated Bush, who is in his second year as manager. “All his pitches were right around the zone. No big messes. ... with very good action on his pitches.”

With Ross pitching for the Cats and John Gast on the hill for the Redbirds, the game started as nearly the opposite — at least in pace — of last night’s affair. Both of the starters go very slowly from one pitch to the next, which sets up a long night at the park.

After giving up a double in the first and a single and a walk in the second, Ross finally gave up some runs to Memphis.

With one out in the third, Redbird right fielder Shane Robinson hit a line drive into right, which was later followed by one out with a single by third baseman Steven Hill. After a walk to designated hitter Mark Hamilton, second baseman Eugenio Velez hit a sharp grounder straight up the middle that scooted just past Ross and into centerfield for a two-run single that gave the Redbirds an early 2-0 lead.

Ross didn’t allow another run until the sixth. With one out, Redbird shortstop Pete Kozma singled, and one batter later leadoff hitter Adron Chambers hit a soft roller to Green at shortstop. Green fielded it, but made an errant throw to first. Kozma scored on the play, but when Chambers barely rounded first base, Daric Barton hustled over and made the tag for the third out of the inning.

After the sixth inning, Memphis had a 3-0 lead.

Up to this point, Redbird starter Gast was solid, if not spectacular. Through the sixth he had allowed no runs on four hits, two walks and five strikeouts.

Gast would finally start to show some wear as the Cats threatened in the seventh, when Anthony Recker, who pinch-hit for Derek Norris, lined a grounder into left field for a leadoff single. After Barton walked, Gast was removed from the game in favor of Nick Greenwood.

Greenwood never found his groove, as he walked the first batter he saw. A fielder’s choice and strikeout later, Colin Cowgill doubled into left. Barton, Wes Timmons and Jermaine Mitchell scored on the hit and Sacramento tied the score.

After an intentional walk to Josh Donaldson, Kila Ka’aihue ripped a shot into right that scored Cowgill and put the Cats ahead for the first time in the contest.

Bush spoke about the timely hitting.

“Recker leading off the seventh, and then us getting some big hits,” said Bush. “Cowgill with the bases loaded hitting the ball in the gap that scored three, and then K.K. (Kila Ka’aihue) coming up, after they intentionally walk J.D. (Josh Donaldson) — lefty on lefty — another big hit. It was good. It was a good day.”

The Redbirds tried to rally in the eighth when Velez, who had two previous singles, singled again and stole second and third to give Memphis a runner in the scoring position with two outs.

The threat was abruptly ended when Timmons made a great diving stop of a grounder that seemed destined to end up in right field. He was able to get up and throw Bryan Anderson out at first and stop the Redbirds rally cold, before dusting himself off and heading to the dugout.

“That was huge,” said Bush. “That’s the tying run, right there. And he goes over and ranges way out to his left and makes a great play. A game-saving play.”

For Timmons, it just gives him more leverage in convincing Bush to let him play shortstop, as Timmons’ career winds down.

“It’s just one of those plays,” said Timmons. “The ball’s hit and you just react. The funny thing is that I got on Bushy the game before for not letting me play shortstop. I wanted to play shortstop.”

Timmons was only half-kidding. He’s kind of a modern-day Campy Campaneris. He’s even pitched this year — his 10th in professional baseball.

Rich Thompson came in to close out the ninth. After Chambers walked, he was running to second when Luis Montanez struck out. Montanez didn’t slide, and was easily caught stealing.

Thompson then struck out Matt Adams, looking to earn his second save of the year.

Timmons may have made a game-saving stop, but, as always, gives a lot of credit to Bush for the team’s never-say-die attitude.

“It starts with Bush,” said Timmons. “It’s been like that for two years now. He has confidence in us and we go off of that. He doesn’t panic. We don’t do anything different. And we’ve done it enough times where you almost expect to do it and when you don’t, it’s like, wow, what happened?”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

David Alvarez Photography

Cats ruffle Redbirds feathers as Godfrey comes back to form

2012-08-03T01:29:31Z

To say the Oakland A’s have an eye for pitching talent and like to have lots of live arms is like telling a 35-year-old that Santa Claus doesn’t exist.

Duh!

Graham Godfrey is one of those live arms that for one reason or another hasn’t been able to find his mark when called up for duty.

Godfrey thinks he may have found what ailed him over his last few starts, when his earned run average skyrocketed from 1.21 on June 15 to 3.29 prior to the game on Wednesday evening.

“I’ve been battling an injury and you can kind of notice the dip in my numbers,” said Godfrey. “It was something I was trying to pitch through, but I just needed some time off. I was able to rehab it and get it strong again.”

Godfrey is talking about a minor problem with his left knee. Whatever he’s done, he looked much improved on Wednesday, as he pitched six strong, gave up three hits, struck out five and only gave up one run in Sacramento’s 5-2 comeback win over the Memphis Redbirds.

The first two innings sailed along like an easy cruise on a Mississippi steamboat, as both starting pitchers looked sharp and were hitting their spots.

For the visiting Redbirds, Brandon Dickson sat down for all six innings he faced, as did Cats ace Godfrey. Godfrey’s stuff looked a little better. He had three strikeouts, and the Memphis hitters were having a hard time getting around on his fastball.

Godfrey only allowed a walk in the third, but Dickson wasn’t as lucky.

Sacramento’s second baseman Grant Green led off the bottom of the third with his 12th homer of the season, to put the first digits on the Raley Field scoreboard for the night.

Both pitchers kept their rhythm until the sixth, when the Redbirds also put a run on the board.

With one out, the ninth hitter in the order was Bryan Anderson, who ripped a shot into deep right centerfield. Jermaine Mitchell went back for the ball, but the ball just missed his outstretched glove, hit the bottom of the wall, and rolled back towards centerfield. By the time Mitchell got to the ball, Anderson was safely arriving at third base.

The next hitter was Adron Chambers, who lofted a soft shot into short centerfield for a run-scoring single that tied the game at one apiece.

Darren Bush, third-base coach and Cats manager, replaced Godfrey after six great innings. Godfrey threw only 61 pitches in his six innings of work, 49 of them for strikes, and Bush was extremely happy about the way Godfrey went about his business on the mound.

“Him going six innings at that pitch count is an outstanding job,” said Bush. “He attacked the zone, changed speeds, he was down — great outing.”

He was replaced by Arnold Leon to start the seventh.

The first hitter Leon faced proved that the Redbirds were not done scoring just yet. In the seventh frame, Matt Adams, one of Cardinals brightest prospects, took Leon’s 1-1 pitch over the right field wall only a few yards inside the foul pole, for a solo jack that put Memphis ahead by 2-1.

It seemed like the leadoff hitters were getting to have all the fun this game.

And the fun continued when Daric Barton led off the bottom of the eighth with a solo shot of his own that tied the score at 2-2.

Sacramento would threaten further in the inning, as Adam Rosales hit a two-out single that kept the inning alive. Mitchell followed that with a single of his own, which knocked Memphis starter Dickson out of the game.

Colin Cowgill then broke the tie with an infield single that scored Rosales from third on a tricky play. Cowgill’s single didn’t even make it out of the infield, as Redbird shortstop Ryan Jackson make a diving stop to keep the ball from going into the outfield. The lucky diving stop caught both Rosales and Bush off guard.

“I had to wait a long time to see if the ball ricocheted off, but I was stopping Rosie (Rosales),” said Bush. “He was coming so hard down the line that he didn’t pick me up, and it worked out.”

Rosales hesitated just for a second on his way home, once he realized the ball didn’t make it into the outfield, but eventually made it home before the ball, giving Sacramento the go-ahead run.

“I thought I was dead in my tracks,” said Rosales. “It was a really tricky play because it happened so fast.”

The Cats bats weren’t done yet. Josh Donaldson stepped into the box and drilled a line shot into right centerfield that plated both Mitchell and Cowgill, padding the lead and assuring the win for the home team.

“I felt like I was back to the old Graham that was doing well the first half of the season,” said the 2012 All-Star. “A lot of it (his recent struggles) had to do with just feeling healthy again.”

What’s it going to take for Godfrey’s to stick around the next time he gets the call?

“It’s going to take a little bit of luck and timing,” said Godfrey. “Hopefully, I’ll get another opportunity and make the most of it.”

Mulch Madness! in McKinley Park

2012-07-31T21:34:04Z

Looking for an alternative to the Monday workday routine? Grab your wheelbarrow and join other park lovers as we mulch the trees of McKinley Park.

Mulching around trees suppresses weed growth, reduces labor and Maintence costs by reducing the need to apply herbicides around the trees, a common practice in Sacramento area parks. Mulching enhances soil structure, improves plant vigor and health. Mulch improves nutrient and water retention in the soil, and encourages favorable microbial activity and worms. Ken Decio, California Integrated Waste Management Board says, ”Not only does mulch keep green material out of landfills. It also controls weeds, reduces erosion, conserves water, adds organic matter to the soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.”

This is an all ages, all ability event. Many people have already signed up to help mulch the trees of McKinley Park, and more are welcome!. It all takes place thisThursday, August 2, 6-8pm. The event is supported by the City of Sacramento Parks and Recreation Department and the Sacramento Tree Foundation. Mulch is provided by the City of Sacramento Urban Forestry Service. If you don’t have a wheelbarrow, just show up! The Sacramento Tree Foundation will have extra wheelbarrows, gloves and rakes. Meet near the pond near the Pond, across from the corner of Alhambra & G street.

Visit www.sactree.com/events for more information.

Disclosure: Anne Fenkner is a Certified Arborist and works for the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

Devin Blankenship's venture in self-publishing - Selling Sherman's Eagle

2012-07-31T04:50:34Z

It started with an office joke gone slightly bad.

Devin Blankenship told the folks at work that co-worker Darrin May’s attempt at writing a novel was a lackluster one at best.

“He had read my latest one and he was giving me a hard time about it,” said May. “And I got mad and said that was harsh. I put like two years into this thing.”

Of course, he was only joking, but soon realized that his comments kind of bothered May and, as time went on, Blankenship felt worse and worse about his attempt at humor.

“It’s still, to this day, one of the crappiest things I’ve ever done in trying to get a cheap laugh,” said Blankenship.

The irony here is that Darrin May is his boss.

Fast forward to the present, and now the shoe is on the proverbial other foot.

Blankenship has written a book of his own but is still waiting for May to poke fun at him.

Blankenship said it was his comments to May almost two years ago that ignited the spark he needed to check something off of his personal “bucket list”: write his own novel. After poking fun at May, he wondered deep inside if he could pull off the same trick and write something himself.

“I told myself that I wanted to see how much work he put into doing it, and what I realized right away was that how off I was, and how much work and time he had invested,” said the first-time writer.

Nearly five years later, with help from, well, almost no one, he self-published his first novel “Sherman’s Eagle,” and May hasn’t said a word.

Blankenship, a local guy, graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in public relations. He currently works for the Sacramento Kings in the media relations department.

The book encompasses several locations and points in time, including Atlanta, Ga., and the Civil War, and works all the way back to the author’s hometown of Sacramento, Calif. Even the secret underground of the Capitol City are included in this history mystery.

“Growing up here in Sacramento, you lose sight of the fact that, at least I did, of what a historical place this is and how many connections it has to the development of the West and even this country,” said Blankenship.

Writing a book is always a challenge, but like most first-time authors, Blankenship also had to find someone to publish his fine work once he was finished — a trick much harder than you’d think.

Blankenship created a website called “Selling Sherman’s Eagle,” in which he chronicled his efforts to find a publisher for his novel. It became kind of a sounding board for the author to vent and post the roadblocks and choices he was facing in getting his book to print.

“At that point, people knew I had (written) the book, the book was pretty much completed,” said Blankenship. “I was just in the process of finding a publisher, and it just helped me put my own thoughts down and see where I wanted to go with it.”

Some things never change — even in the publishing world.

Finding an agent is the first order of business, but that’s a chore in and of itself. You can’t go straight to a publishing company. You must get an agent to get your master work in front of a publishing company.

The agent then must like what you’ve written, like the premise of the book, and then, if you’re lucky, they will ask for an advance copy. If they like it, they will sign you up and move to the next step, which is trying to sell it to a publisher.

“With the economy, an agent doesn’t really want to stick his neck out unless it’s really something they feel close to,” said Blankenship.

Facing that roadblock, he decided to create his own publishing company, thereby holding all the book’s rights in the future.

Considering the advent of e-books and e-readers like the Amazon Kindle, self-publishing has lost some of the stigma it faced in the past.

Blankenship created 916 Publishing and bought the rights to the book himself. Now, he basically uses Amazon as a printing company. He just pays them a modest printing fee for each copy, and is free to do whatever he wants after that.

“Prior to self-publishing, if an agent didn’t like it or the publisher didn’t like it, you were screwed,” said Blankenship. “Now, it’s an easier way for voices to get out. The flip side is that there is a lot of not-so-good work out there since anyone can put anything out, but I think people that had quality stuff and may have been shot down by the gatekeeper is now out there and it’s up to the reader to decide if it’s something they’re interested in.”

The question now must be with his first novel out there, will he use his 916 Publishing company to help other authors that are in the same boat he was in the not-too-distant past?

“There’s a lot of writers out there that are struggling to figure out how to get their work out there, and maybe this is the vessel,” said Blankenship.

He hasn’t even gotten a chance to get out there and promote this book, but people that have finished “Sherman’s Eagle” are already asking about a sequel.

“I didn’t intend to (leave an opening for a sequel), but people have been asking. I’ve been thinking about it more. There is definitely an opening for it, so I would say there is a high probability there will be a sequel and maybe even a third one,” said Blankenship.

You can purchase the book here at Amazon.com.

Look to The Sacramento Press in the near future for a full review of “Sherman’s Eagle.”

Sacramento Mile rewards attendees with a couple milestones

2012-07-30T01:33:29Z

A female winner, a Kawasaki on top of the podium, and Barry Weiss from the pop culture television hit, “Storage Wars,” completed a night of surprises at the 47th running of the Sacramento Mile on Saturday night at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds.

A packed house saw some exciting races - especially in the two main events - as both the 12-lap AMA Pro Singles main event and the 25-lap AMA Pro Grand National Championship Twins main event both came down to a drag race on the front stretch.

In the Pro Singles races, Honda would be the dominate manufacture as Dominic Colindres and Shayna Texter won the heat races and Cole Crowley won the last chance qualifier.

In the Pro Singles main event, Texter, a 21-year- old, 95-pound female, dominated most of the 12-lap event until lap seven when
Stephen Vanderkuur passed her for a temporary lead.

Texter didn’t panic and raced her way back to the lead group and narrowly passed three other riders at the last second for a .037
second win over Vanderkuur.

It was only the second time a female has won an AMA flat track race ever! Texter was also the first, as she won her first race last year
in Knoxville. She took third at last year’s main event in Sacramento.

Texter is no stranger to racing. Her father, Randy Texter, spent many years on the flat track circuit and her brother Cory spent some time
racing also.

You could say she’s always been one of the boys.

“It’s what I grew up doing,” Texter said. “They treat me just like one of them at the track and I wouldn’t want it any differently.”

“The race was an awesome race. My first one was a dream come true but this one was a fairy tale for sure,” Texter continued.

Her father passed away from heart failure back in 2010 and never got to see his baby girl win a race on the main circuit. Texter feels his
presence at the track when she rides and always reflects on him before each race.

“Down at Knoxville when I won, I knew he was there,” said Texter. “Today was a little different, but every time I go on the track, I
make sure I salute him and let him know that I’m thinking about him. I felt it today and am pretty sure he was with me the whole time.”

On to the Pro Grand National Championship Twins, where the big bikes reach speeds over 140 miles per hour. Kawasaki riders won two of the three heat races as Brandon Robinson and Bryan Smith won heats two and three respectively. In heat one, last year’s series winner, Jake Johnson, won on a Harley-Davidson.

In speaking with Johnson just moments before the start of his main, he told me what it would take for him to win on this special night.

“A good start and 25 good laps, that’s about it,” Johnson said.

In the 25-lap main event it was Smith, Johnson, Robinson and Sammy Halbert Jr. that took off to form the lead pack early in the race.

After a short bit, Jared Mees caught up and joined the group as they blistered their collective way around the legendary mile track.

For most of the race, Johnson and Smith traded first and second back and forth more than a kid swaps baseballs cards. Almost every time, as Johnson would pass the line in first, Smith would overtake him going into the first corner and retake the lead. In the end, the Kawasaki of Smith had too much straightaway horsepower for the Harleys of Johnson and Mees. Smith’s non-traditional black Kawi ruled the day as he beat Johnson by .0328 seconds with Mees coming in a close third.

Rounding out the top five were Robinson and Halbert.

After the race, Jake Johnson couldn’t believe how fast the Kawasaki of Bryan Smith was.

“That bike of Bryan’s, that thing is just fast,” Johnson said after climbing off the podium. “It’s got quite a bit more power than the Harleys do. I was able to get by him a few times going into turn three, but he would be able to blow back by me going down the front straightaway. I knew my only shot was to just try and stay in second. Me and Jared (Mees) went back and forth a few times but I was able to back in second late in the race.”

The second place finish put Johnson in second place in points, only 11 behind Mees.

For Bryan Smith, it was his second win in a row at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds.

He was pumped after the race knowing that he broke his own record of winning on a Kawasaki. In a sport that has been dominated by
Harley-Davidsons since nearly the beginning, it’s a big deal.

“I’m the only guy in history so far to win a Grand National race on a Kawasaki,” said a stoked Smith. “I’ve done it before and this kind of
redeems myself and proves I can do it again.”

In this form of racing, you never want to be the leader at the start of the final lap. The best riders will wait and slingshot themselves past the leader and more on the final straightaway of the race.

On Saturday, the issue never came up as the dominant horsepower of Smith’s Kawasaki led most of the way and was out far enough to make the slingshot move almost impossible.

“It was really hard for them… to draft me so I just played my cards right through the corner and I could hold them off at the start/finish line. It’s fast, but it’s a handful in the corners.”

One must wonder, after being off the schedule for 12 years and just being added back last year, does the Sacramento Mile still hold any
prestige among the riders?

“This is a legendary place,” said Smith. “Growing up, I watched my heroes race here in Scott Parker and Chris Carr. I grew up in the same
town as Parker did. I learned a lot of these mile tricks from Parker and can’t wait to send him a text message here in a few and say we did
it.”

The "Big Bikes on the Big Track" are back at Cal Expo this Saturday

2012-07-28T03:08:03Z

The Sac Mile is back!

The familiar catch phrase was reintroduced last year after a 12-year hiatus away from the Capital City area.

And the fans showed up like the event had never left.

It’s that time again this year, as the “big bikes on the big track” are back at Cal Expo for what looks like another exciting Sacramento Mile on Saturday, July 28.

Long gone are the stars of the past like Bart Markel, Mert Lawwill, Hank Scott, Gene Romero, Jay Springsteen, Ricky Graham and Bubba Shobert.

Even stars from the not-so-distant past have hung up the riding boots.

Two of the sport’s most popular and famous riders — Chris Carr and Scott Parker — made their mark in SacTown. The two battled it out from 1985 until 1999 in some of the most famous finishes, as the Sacramento Mile was on the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) schedule twice a year during most of that time.

These days the names have changed and may not slip off the tongue as quickly as some of the heroes of the past, but the action on the track is as hot as ever.

Guys like Jared Mees (Harley-Davidson), defending series champion Jake Johnson (H-D), Johnny Lewis (Kawasaki) and Sammy Halbert (H-D) are on top of the leaderboard.

But this 16-race season, six races have been run and six different winners have taken the checkered flag.

Mees, Lewis, Halbert, Matt Weidman, Henry Wiles and Willie McCoy have all stood in the first place slot on the podium this season.

Another thing that stands out these days is that Harley-Davidsons are not the dominating bike in the field. Guys are riding Harleys, but Kawasakis and Hondas are in the field. Heck, even a KTM and a Ducati have run the tracks this year.

Visitors in attendance will love the rider autograph session that will be held at 5 p.m. in the paddock, and is open to spectators.

The opening ceremonies start at 6:15 p.m., with the first Pro Heat beginning at 6:45 p.m., and action going all the way to the 25-lap Expert Main Event at 9:15 p.m.

Tickets start at $20. Some of the legends will even be in attendance for autographs and conversation.

Ask the County Law Librarian: I Need an Annulment!

2012-07-26T23:13:42Z

Q. Three weeks ago I got married to my girlfriend, “Ruby.” As soon we got married, I knew it was a big mistake. How do I get the marriage annulled? I just want out! -Bill

A. I’m sorry to hear about your troubles. And I’m sorry to have to tell you that you probably can’t get an annulment (which California calls “nullity of marriage”). The good news is you may qualify for a “summary dissolution,” which is a quicker, easier way to get divorced than the standard dissolution process.

People often think that annulments can be used to “cancel” any very short marriage. In California, however, annulment is totally unrelated to the length of the marriage. It’s only available when the marriage itself is legally invalid. (California Family Code sections 2200-2201 and 2210-2212.) It’s also actually harder to get than a regular divorce, although it can be quicker.

Incestuous or bigamous marriages are “void,” since they are illegal. A few other categories of marriages are “voidable.” If the marriage took place when one spouse was under 18, of unsound mind, or permanently “physically incapable of entering into the marriage state” (that is, unable to have sex), it can be annulled. If a missing-or-presumed-dead spouse shows up after the marriage, any of the three parties can petition for annulment. If consent of one spouse was obtained by fraud or force, the innocent spouse can seek an annulment.

Fraud may seem promising. Unfortunately, “she was sweet before we married, but then turned into a witch” doesn’t count as fraud. Most of the cases of fraud involve sex, fidelity and procreation. For instance, fraud has been found when a spouse never intended to consummate the marriage, or falsely claimed to be fertile. In one case, the court found fraud when, at the time of marriage, the husband fully intended to continue his ongoing affair with his wife’s sister. In re Marriage of Ramirez, 165 Cal.App.4th 751 (2008).
A spouse who hides a drunken, lazy, slovenly true nature until after the wedding isn’t committing fraud. In re Marriage of Johnston, 18 Cal. App. 4th 499 (1993). Even outright lying about one’s ability to support a family doesn’t count as fraud. Marshall v. Marshall, 212 Cal. 736 (1931).

So, it’s very rare to meet the conditions for annulment. It’s also a bit more complicated than a regular divorce, since you may need to give the judge evidence that the marriage is invalid. The main practical advantage is that annulment becomes final as soon as the judge signs the order; a standard dissolution has a six-month minimum wait. It can also be important to someone to erase the marriage completely, for personal, legal, or religious reasons. Unless you have a very good reason, it’s probably easier to get a divorce.

The good news is you may qualify for a “summary dissolution,” which is a streamlined, simpler way to get a divorce. If you have been married less than five years, don’t have kids, and have limited assets and debts (including no real estate), you may qualify. Both parties have agree and to sign the petition, and there is a set of forms to fill out, but no hearings will be required and the divorce should become final six months after you file. Vist the California Court's Self-Help website to figure out if this is the right option for you.

Coral Henning, Director
@coralh & @saclawlibrarian
www.saclaw.org

Runnin' Wild through the Sierra Foothills

2012-07-25T18:08:46Z

Runners, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages are invited to run wild on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the 4th Annual Gold Rush Fun Run on the El Dorado Trail in beautiful El Dorado County. Area nonprofit INALLIANCE is once again hosting the event that sends participants on a tour through the Sierra Nevada Foothills in 10 mile, 10K, 5K and 1 mile races along what used to be the Michigan California Lumber Company railway corridor, but now boasts lush vegetation and scenic vistas.

Following the races, guests will enjoy a Finish Line Celebration featuring snacks, wine and hard cider sampling, music, raffle prizes, and awards ceremony. Races will be chip timed, and medals will be awarded to the best overall male and female finishers in each race, as well as by age divisions.

The Gold Rush Fun Run is the annual benefit for INALLIANCE, a nonprofit organization that supports the independence, health and safety of people with developmental disabilities through community programs. Proceeds from the 2012 event will go to direct services that prepare people with disabilities to live, work and thrive in their communities. Last year, over 300 participants competed in the event, raising nearly $8,000 for vital services. This year organizers hope to double that amount.

The Gold Rush Fun Run offers participants a unique opportunity to view the beautiful Gold Country area at its best. And unlike other fun runs, this event features fantastic raffle prizes including a trip to Lake Tahoe, wine packages and more. Registration is now open, and INALLIANCE is offering a discount on registration and free raffle tickets for everyone who signs up by August 17. For more information and to register visit www.goldrushfunrun.com or email jbean@inallianceinc.com.

Disclosure: Jessica Bean is an employee of INALLIANCE

Real Relationships: Future or family?

2012-07-23T15:17:51Z

Q: I know that my boyfriend wants to get married and I think he wants to propose soon, but I have talked with my dad and he said that if my boyfriend asks, he won't give his blessing. It really hurts to know my dad doesn't approve of him, but I love my boyfriend so much. He is exactly the kind of man I have always wanted to marry. I love my dad, but I don't want him to dictate how the rest of my life turns out. I don't know how to make peace with my dad but still marry the man I love.

A: That is a really hard situation to be in. I can understand how hurt you must be that your father does not accept the feelings you have for your boyfriend or the decisions you have made. Having a parent's blessing, particularly a father's blessing, is a very special thing. I encourage you to speak in length with your father about his thoughts on this issue. Why does he feel that way? What would need to change for him to extend his blessing? Does he have some specific concerns about your relationship and future?

Once you have heard your father's perspective, use that information to make your next decision. Do you respectfully disagree with his opinion and would like to move on as is? If so, understand that any decisions that you make that your father has specifically spoken out against may sever or severely disrupt the relationship that you have with him. That is a very serious life decision.

On the other hand, finding the person that you are prepared to spend the rest of your life with is also a very important decision, and one that will affect you on a very daily, personal level. If you know that you are making the right decision, then you cannot allow anyone else to interfere with your ultimate happiness — your happiness and your boyfriend's happiness. Your first obligation is to yourself. Ideally, everyone would be on the same page, but if that is not possible then you have to move on.

Just be mindful of how others in your life feel about your relationship. If everyone is against it, take that into consideration. Family and friends typically have your best interests at heart. You have a rough decision ahead of you. Good luck!

If you have a topic or question that you would like to see featured on Real Relationships, email sacpress@live.com.

Eppie’s Great Race champ races Saturday after severe ailment

2012-07-21T01:41:50Z

Nicole Young, a two-time women’s triathlon champ in Eppie’s Great Race, fell and nicked herself while jogging on the El Dorado Trail in October of 2010. The deceivingly innocent cut, requiring only three stitches, rapidly turned into a fight for her life.

Young was training early for Eppie’s Great Race, an event she describes as a vibrant piece of Sacramento history.

Eppie’s Great Race, a triathlon now in its 39th year, is the largest paddle event in the country.

At 8 a.m. on Saturday, more than 2,000 participants will gear up for a 5.82-mile run, 12.5-mile bike ride and 6.35-mile paddle across the American River Parkway in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento.

Individuals can form a three-person relay team or go solo as Ironmen or Ironwomen and compete in the triathlon from start to finish.

Eppie’s Great Race has a “Great Team,” which consists of an Ironman, Ironwoman and three-person relay team. Competitors who beat the score of “Eppie’s Great Team” will receive a meal coupon for a free breakfast at IHOP on 30th and N streets.

The Great Team members time themselves 10 days prior to the event. Young is the paddler for Eppie’s Great Team this year and will also compete on Saturday.

“It is one of the most enjoyable races I’ve ever done,” Young said. “I love the camaraderie that everyone has. It’s low-key, but it’s also competitive. And the course, you can’t beat the course.”

Young, 41, will participate in the Ironwomen’s competition for the first time since her near-death experience.

In October of 2010, she said she first went to the local care unit to get stitches and antibiotics to treat her knee wound.

Less than a week later, Young could not walk, and her leg continued to swell despite the hospital’s attempts to control the infection. Eventually, doctors performed surgery to relieve the swelling and realized that she had necrotic fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacterial infection.

At one point her lungs, heart and kidneys were failing, she said.

“They had to remove part of my quad muscle and part of my hamstring, and at that point, it kept creeping up my leg,” she said. “They thought the best thing for me to survive was to cut my leg off.”

She was scheduled for an amputation, but after her fifth surgery, they didn’t see any more dead flesh.

“They said, well either it’s in my abdomen and I’m going to die in a couple of days or they got it, and they were able to save my leg,” she said.

After five days in the intensive care unit, five weeks in the hospital and months of rehabilitation, Young said she is ready to compete in the 39th Annual Eppie’s Great Race.

“I made a miraculous recovery, and I’m here,” she said, laughing. “It took me a few months to walk without assistance, and now I am going to be in Eppie’s again for the first time as an Iron person.”

Eppie’s Great Race and restaurant founder Eppie Johnson, 81, said he did not expect the level of success the event has had. Originally, Johnson said, he wanted to create an athletic event that promoted his restaurant business.

It started with a challenge using Johnson’s restaurant—beat Eppie’s Great Team. Johnson paddled and picked two other people to participate in the run and bike portion of the relay. Whoever beat Eppie’s Great Team won a free breakfast at his restaurant.

Around the competition’s 20th year, he sold the restaurant, but the race was so large, he decided to keep it going and continued Eppie’s Great Team challenge, he said.

There was much enthusiasm in the community by the time it was in its 20th year, he said. “We must have had about 1,000 people in the race, so we kept it going.”

Johnson said over the years there have been longtime participants who have made an impression on him, such as Patrick Scott, an Ironman competitor, who raced using his wheelchair before the disability adaptive division.

He said that another person who stood out was Mark Wellman, who crawled to the finish line.

“He couldn’t use his legs, and he did the entire race himself,” he said. “He got out of the kayak with his hands.”

Proceeds from the great race benefit Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS), which provides therapeutic recreational activities for people with disabilities and special needs. Eppie’s Great Race has donated $970,000 thus far.

Young said she recommends newcomers train specifically for the race by incorporating all three stages of the race into their fitness routines, but ultimately, she said, it is about having fun.

“I think that everybody should have it on their bucket list,” she said.

It is not too late to sign up. Late registration continues until race day. People can turn in a paper registration form at William Pond Park from 6:30-7:30 a.m. on race day. Find out more about Eppie’s Great Race at www.eppiesgreatrace.org.

Decisive meeting for food truck ordinance negotiations on Friday

2012-07-19T03:06:11Z

It’s crunch time for the negotiations over a new food truck ordinance: The city, food trucks operators and restaurant owners will hold what all parties see as a potentially decisive meeting Friday.

Brad Wasson, manager of the city's revenue division, will present a proposal with the hope of obtaining approval from both parties.

“We've put together a kind of straw man proposal for them to look at,” Councilman Jay Schenirer said. “My hope is that it's something they could both live with, and if so, we figure out how to go forward and implement it."

Under the current Sacramento city code, food trucks can stay on the street until 6 p.m. in winter months and 8 p.m. in summer months with a 30-minute parking limit, which includes preparation time. Food trucks are also not allowed to park on private vacant lots or next to parking meters.

Chris Jarosz, co-organizer of the NorCal Food Trucks coalition and owner of Wicked ’wich, said the trend of food trucks run by chefs is a relatively new concept to Sacramento, since most of these trucks emerged about a year ago. He said the current law reflects the needs of more traditional food trucks.

NorCal Food Trucks met with Schenirer and Councilman ~~Darrell~~ Rob Fong twice recently.

One idea that has been a focus of the negocations has been developing dedicated spaces for mobile food vendors called “pods.”

Past discussion topics have included giving food trucks more time to park on the street, extending the curfew and giving food trucks the ability to park on private property with the consent of the owner.

Keith Breedlove, owner and chef of Papa Dale’s Drivin’ Diner, said his top concerns are curfews and permitting access to meter parking and private property.

“Private property is the really big one,” he said. “If someone wants to invite us to park at their lot, we can’t really, and that’s a consumer saying we want you here, and we can’t access it.”

Jarosz said that NorCal Food Trucks believes that regulations are necessary because, like in any business, there are “bad actors” who try to take advantage of a situation.

“We feel that having some regulations in place to protect both restaurants and food trucks is a good thing,” he said.

Breedlove said that the restaurant owners who attended the last meeting with the council members were very pro-food truck.

Executive Chef and co-owner of the Paragary Restaurant Group Kurt Spataro said that he is generally supportive of the idea to revise ordinances and plans to listen in on the discussion July 20.

“I’m basically supportive of the idea, and I like the concept of entrepreneurship and bringing more people in the food business and the restaurant business,” he said. “There just needs to be some parameters set, and we’re in the process of doing that.”

Schenirer said they hope to have a more defined plan by Friday afternoon.

“If it's a positive meeting, then I think we're on a roll, but if not, then frankly I'm not sure where we will go with it," he said.

Sacramento River Cats

2012-07-16T22:44:07Z

Come on out and celebrate the conclusion of Sacramento’s Fleet Week on Navy Day at Raley Field. Naval simulators and a Navy band will be on Ballpark Drive prior to the game, and the River Cats will honor the men and women who serve during an on-field enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony.

Disclosure: Genene Charles is the Advertising Manager with the Sacramento River Cats

Real Relationships: Pursue your passions

2012-07-16T15:19:28Z

“Real Relationships.” It’s back. I took a short hiatus because life has been hectic for me. As you may have guessed, this isn't a full-time job for me; actually it isn't a job at all, more like a labor of love. I took a few months off because I didn't have time to manage everything I have going in my life, and this was the easiest thing to toss away. I realized that I can make a very obvious, if not lame, comparison to relationships here.

Sometimes we get busy. If you are like me, it is more like occasionally you are not busy, but most of the time you are. It pained me, as I was thinking about how much I missed this little weekly installment, that I was so cavalier with it. Why didn't I toss away the few hours that I like to spend reading each week? Oh yeah, I love that too. Hmmmm, what about the time I spend drinking my morning coffee on Saturdays before the craziness takes over? Well, I am selfish with that time. Needless to say, I have decided that regardless of the busy nature of my world, I will not forsake the things (and people) I love, so I am going to figure it out.

That brings me to the loose comparison of my love for this column and the relationships in your life. When your life becomes overwhelming, busy and hectic, do you often toss aside what you love most because you're confident it will be there waiting for you when you are ready to make it a priority again? I know, when said like that it seems kind of coldhearted, but it is true. Sometimes it is your intimate relationships, or your friends or even a physical pursuit you love (reading, running, biking, sports, knitting, etc.). It is easy to set these loves aside because ignoring them isn't likely to get you fired, as it would if you set aside your job for a while. However, despite how much you enjoy your job, is that where your happiness ultimately lies? Probably not.

More than likely your happiness lies in your relationships, in your hobbies; things that live in your heart. Don't ignore those things. Don't let go of the true passions of your heart, the people you love or the ideals that make you who you are, just because life gets a little busy. Sometimes that means saying no to activities. Sometimes that means getting a little less sleep to fit in what really matters. Sometimes that means letting go of an obligation you have that isn't paramount to the greater success of your life. Sometimes that means asking for help.

Do what you need to do to reorganize the priorities in your life and place your relational health at the top of the list: personal relationships, intimate relationships and your relationship with yourself. I am working to do this in my own life. I want to get back to pursuing my passions, not just running the race that keeps me above water. Join me?

As always, if you have a topic or question you'd like to see addressed in “Real Relationships,” email me at sacpress@live.com.

Sacramento Bee reporter Ed Fletcher makes zombie movie for film festival

2012-07-02T23:04:17Z

Between Batman, Spiderman and the “Twilight” craze, ghouls and iconic heroes are everywhere, but what Sacramento Bee reporter Ed Fletcher, 37, really wanted to see was zombies – dancing. He got what he wished for, and Sacramento is about to see the results.

Fletcher wrote and produced a new movie called “Dance Steps of Death,” which is scheduled to premiere on Aug. 18 at the Crest Theatre during the Sacramento Film and Music Festival.

The action comedy is set in Sacramento and tells the tale of three renegade superheroes, the “Adventure Patrol,” and their fight against killer zombies. After a series of reported dog maulings, the superheroes decide to investigate, and in the process they learn that killer zombies like to dance to a beat.

Mystery Zone Productions owner Aaron Keith Long, 22, will direct the movie.

Long said he is most excited about directing the dance scene.

“We are going to have a 20-person crew out there with probably about three or four cameras, and it’s going to be a lot of organization and fun,” Long said. “This is only a 10-minute movie, but we’re doing it at a pretty good production scale.”

Fletcher said that Sacramento Film and Music Festival organizers liked the script and added the movie to the short film lineup despite the abnormally short production schedule.

Keith and Fletcher worked on pre-production in April and May, casted actors in mid-June and will shoot for four days in July. Set locations include the Old Sugar Mill and the Pre-Flite Lounge. Final edits will take place in early August.

Nathan Schemel, executive director of the Sacramento Film and Music Festival, said that in addition to providing a variety of films for the festival, the committee wanted to provide Sacramentans an opportunity to shine.

“We try to be more Sacramento-centered this year,” Schemel said. “Our goal is to focus more and be more supportive of our artists, and I guess Fletcher is a part of that.”

To make the movie possible, Fletcher and Long invited the Sacramento community to attend a costume party and contribute to their online campaign on Indiegogo, a fundraising website that allows people to contribute to a cause online. You can see their campaign video here:

Fletcher said Indiegogo possessed a key feature that met their constrained budget and timeline needs.

“We were going to go forward regardless, and we were going to adjust what we do to the budget we have,” Fletcher said. “Indiegogo allows you to keep whatever amount that you reached, so it’s more flexible to your campaign that way.”

They have raised $1,285 of their $2,151 goal; the deadline to contribute online is July 3.

For $30, contributors receive a “Dance Steps of Death” T-shirt, $100 contributors are recognized in thank-you credits and $500 sponsors become associate producers.

Twenty-seven people funded their campaign thus far.

Despite the movie’s emphasis on crime fighters and zombies, Fletcher does not have an obsession with the undead.

“I’m really not a huge zombie person, but they’re everywhere, and I just really like the way they moved,” Fletcher said. “I sort of tried to bring all these pop culture elements together in a story that worked, and was fun and energetic.”

Long said that he likes that the movie project ties people in the community together.

“What’s most rewarding for me is going to be leading a team of people that live right here in Sacramento,” Long said. “It’s really going to be great just to take this one to the next level.”

Disclosure: Baryo Dee is an Editorial Intern. Follow her @BDee11.

Ted

2012-07-01T02:38:46Z

Up till now the summer movie season has been utterly devoid of any good comedies. I mean I don’t actually know anyone who saw That’s My Boy and The Dictator seemed to fade as quickly as it appeared. But now we have Ted, the first live action film from writer and director Seth MacFarlane; and I must say fellow nerds, the man behind Family Guy and American Dad delivers!

Ted begins with an extended prologue, narrated by Starfleet’s own Sir Patrick Stewart, that explains the titular teddy bear’s magical origin. After little John Bennett (played as an adult by Mark Wahlberg) wishes for a friend on Christmas, his wish is granted in the form of a walking, talking teddy bear named Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane). The issue of how the world deals with a fantastical stuffed toy is also briefly addressed through obligatory news reports and an appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

Fast forward 25 years or so and though Ted is no longer a celebrity, John and Ted are still best friends, living together with John’s girlfriend of four years Lori (Mila Kunis). It’s here that we’re introduced to the main thrust of the story which is John having to basically choose between the love of his life and his magical BFF. In other words it’s a movie about a man having to choose between growing up and remaining a child. Nothing we haven’t seen before; but it is handled ably by first time feature-helmer MacFarlane.

There is another subplot as well involving a creepy dad (Giovanni Ribisi) and his son (Aedin Mincks) who try to steal Ted away for themselves. This results in some weird and funny hi-jinks as well as the dramatic climax of the film.

As I just said, Seth MacFarlane’s directorial debut is solid. He creates a charming and whimsical tone that is laced with his signature raunchy comedic sensibilities; a lot like a Family Guy episode. Not surprising really but it’s a good thing.

The movie does not skimp on the R-rated humor that you can tell MacFarlane always wished he could do on Family guy. There aren’t as many of the trademark flashbacks and cutaways but they are there. The plot is also very simple like a lot of Family Guy episodes but it works as a skeleton MacFarlane and company can graft their jokes and funny scenes onto.

Speaking of company, Family Guy vets Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild helped MacFarlane write the rude, crass, and hilarious script. It’s fairly evident that they’re having fun with the ability to go all the way to an R-rating after being restricted on TV for so long. Some people may not enjoy the raunchier jokes, but I’m guessing the above 40 set isn’t going to rush out and see this movie.

The CGI that brings Ted to life is brilliant as well. He’s expressive enough to almost make you forget that you’re just watching an animated teddy bear and not a real life character. But it’s MacFarlane’s performance and charm that give Ted his irreverent and loveable personality and make Ted become more than just a high-concept idea.

The other cast members are great as well. Wahlberg and Kunis definitely have chemistry which is important if we’re to believe she’s willing to deal with his and Ted’s shenanigans and not leave him the first time he messes up. They also have some nice dramatic scenes together where both of them can display some acting chops.

Rounding out the cast are Patrick Warburton, John’s coworker, Joel McHale, Lori’s ass of a boss, Matt Walsh, John’s boss, and Jessica Barth, Ted’s trashy girlfriend.. There are also several awesome cameos from people like Norah Jones and Tom Skerritt. The other two big ones I will not ruin because of their awesomeness.

It has certainly been a tough summer for comedy so far. Thankfully Ted is a consistently funny film that does not let its high concept idea get in the way of delivering a great comedy. I can’t wait to see what MacFarlane does next. 4 out of 5 stars.

Ted is playing in most local theaters including UA Arden Fair 6.

Kings grab stud power forward, Thomas Robinson slips to the fifth pick

2012-06-30T01:18:49Z

As I sat in the Sacramento Kings media room at Power Balance Pavilion on Thursday afternoon, my heart sank when the Charlotte Bobcats took Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the second overall pick of the 2012 NBA draft.

A small forward that can score at the rim is a burning need for the team and I was really looking forward to watching this kid’s defensive and rebounding skills along with the motor he brings to the table. Guys like him don’t lower their level of play — they make the other players on the team raise their collective enthusiasm and desire for the game.

But when Dion Waiters, a shooting guard out of Syracuse, was picked by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the fourth overall pick in the draft, the possibility of the Kings filling one of their greatest needs — a solid forward that can play right away — came true.

Boom!

The pick came in and Thomas Robinson, a power forward out of Kansas, fell right in their lap.

Robinson, who averaged 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game in his junior year and final year, unofficially became a Sacramento King.

“Thank God I’m here,” said Robinson, as he appeared to hold back tears when asked how it felt to be drafted after everything he’s been through in the past year.

Robinson lost his grandmother in December 2011, his grandfather in the middle of January of this year and then his mother less than a week later. All of them passed within three weeks of each other.

You could tell that he yearned for them to be there on this special night, as the young man was overcome with emotion.

“I don’t know where that came from. I worked hard to get here and I’m able to see it play right out in front of me and it really got emotional.”

Sacramento also picked Orlando Johnson with the 36th pick in the draft, but traded him to the Indiana Pacers for cash considerations.

As for Robinson, he wants to wear uniform number zero. By picking that specific number, it’s like he needs and wants to prove it to himself all over again.

“I want to bring my hard work and my ethic back there. The whole attitude of winning again. Just be who I am and that’s a hardworking person.”

Sacramento Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie was not expecting Robinson to fall all the way to the fifth pick.

“Even as of this morning, we were fairly sure that he wouldn’t be at five but that’s why the draft is the draft,” said Petrie. “We certainly have a need there with our depth up front. He’s going to bring a lot of competitive spirit. He’s a ferocious rebounder. He had a lot of quickness, a lot of speed and quick feet. I think he’ll be a great addition to the team.”

His hard work paid off for Kansas, as he earned his way into the starting rotation this season and never looked back. He already understands that this is the continuation of a voyage and not the end of one.

“My journey is not over. I’ve got to come in and work hard again and get back to the top.”

The 21-year-old from Washington, D.C., can’t wait to see what he brings to the dynamic duo of Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins.

“With Tyreke at the guard spot and DeMarcus down low, they are both tough kids and I just want to bring the same toughness to this club with rebounding and energy.”

He’s especially excited to be paired down low with The Big Cuz.

“My biggest thrill is playing besides someone that you know what kind of player they can be,” said Robinson. “In DeMarcus, he’s tough. He’s a young player. He’s gonna play hard. He’s going to help keep my intensity up with no problem because he’s gonna be going hard."

Keith Smart, in his first full season at the helm of the Kings, loves that Robinson has a “live body,” a motor already and some unique skills that made him a great pick.

But again, it was what Robinson has been through in the past six months that set him apart.

“(But) the maturity level that he has,” said Smart, “he’s faced so much already, it let us know that he’s a veteran so to speak coming into our basketball team who is already seasoned.”

Think about it. The kid needs no extra incentive to play his heart out as a pro, after all the loss he’s suffered at such a young age.

“It’s the only reason I’m here. It’s my motivation,” said Robinson.

When asked by NBA TV’s Craig Sager what he would tell his mother if she was there for that moment, Robinson simply said, as he was still visibly emotionally affected, that he had held up his end of the bargain.

“I kept my promise,” said Robinson. “I told her I was going to do it.”

Downtown Hot Dog Stand Opens Restaurant

2012-06-29T01:05:46Z

From hot dog stand to brick-and-mortar location, Good Dogs owners Michael Floyd, 23, and Tyrone Norman, 42, live the American dream at 8166 14th Ave.

“It was of course a dream,” Norman said. “The thought was there, but could it happen? We stumbled on it by pure faith.”

Good Dogs, open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., celebrated their grand opening on June 11.

They join a community of hot dog restaurants in Sacramento, which include Capitol Dawgs, The Weinery, Weiner Works and Top Dog.

Norman said their hot dog stand can draw a crowd of around 100 people at peak late night hours. Customer favorites include polish, chili, atomic and bacon cheddar jalapeño (BCJ) dogs.

The atomic dog, a spicy beef and pork hot dog on white bun, is one of Norman’s favorites, he said.

“A lot of heat, a lot of flavor,” Norman said. “It’s a cross between a hotlink and a polish….If you’re extra hungry, that’s the one to get. It’s our biggest dog, a third of a pound.”

According to Norman, the configuration of the hot dog stand prohibited them from frying. The brick-and-mortar location inspired them to expand their menu to fried items such as asparagus and bacon wraps in addition to hot dogs.

They serve five different types of French fries: celery salt, garlic, picante, Cajun, malt vinegar and extra crispy.

They also carry sandwiches like Jive Turkey, Ham Chunk and NY Roast.

Floyd and Norman said starting a restaurant happened by accident.

Originally they were looking for a commercial space to prepare food for their hot dog stand business so they wouldn’t have to use their home.

Norman was shown the 14th Avenue restaurant.

Floyd said everything needed to be cleaned up. The only fixture intact was the refrigerator, so it was like working with a shell. Despite the condition of the restaurant, Norman said he was convinced the place had potential.

“I basically just spotted things out and got the enthusiasm going,” Norman said.

Floyd said they worked around the clock to repair the restaurant.

“People didn’t see it,” Floyd said. “They were like, ‘You guys are going to start doing business in two months there is no way, no one does that.’ Here we are. It’s still work in progress, but we’re both highly motivated.”

Floyd graduated from Sacramento State in 2010 with a degree in business. He said owning a restaurant is new to both of them. He handles the business side while Norman handles the cooking side.

“It’s still very modest, but we are trying to make it happen,” Floyd said referring to the restaurant's bare white walls. They plan to decorate in the ensuing weeks.

Floyd continues to serve hot dogs to hungry night crowds Thursday through Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on 10th and K streets.

In two to five years, Floyd said he sees the Good Dogs restaurant in a bustling town with a good flow of people such as downtown Sacramento, Davis or San Francisco.

Norman said he hopes to open another restaurant five years from now. However, he is content with what Good Dogs has achieved thus far.

"I’m living the dream right now,” Norman said. “I’m getting out what I’m putting in for the most part, and I’m happy.”

Enjoy Theatre Under The Stars With The Sacramento Shakespeare Festival

2012-06-26T22:32:59Z

Sacramento Shakespeare Festival 2012 presents King Arthur and A Comedy of Errors

For its 27th season in William Land Park, the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival 2012 presents King Arthur and A Comedy of Errors.
King Arthur is written and directed by Luther Hanson. It is written in the style of William Shakespeare. With Merlin’s guidance, noble King Arthur and the glamorous Guinevere rule Camelot in happiness and prosperity. But peace in the kingdom is soon threatened by a secret affair with Lancelot, the bold claims of Arthur’s nephew Mordred, and the machinations of Arthur’s sister Morgan. The conflict grows until all is in danger of destruction and Arthur must rise to victory. With exciting swordfights, and Arthur’s fools to keep us laughing, this production will bring to life the story you have always known. The cast includes Brent Bianchini as Arthur, Breanna Reilly as Guenevere, Rob August as Lancelot, Bradley Moates as Merlin, Sara Hanson as Morgan, and Anthony Person as Mordred.

The Comedy of Errors is directed by David Harris. The Comedy of Errors tells the story of two sets of identical twins that were accidentally separated at birth. Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, arrive in Ephesus, which turns out to be the home of their twin brothers, Antipholus of Ephesus and his servant, Dromio of Ephesus. When the Syracusans encounter the friends and families
of their twins, a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities lead to a host of hilarious situations.
The cast includes Kevin Menager as Antipholus, Cathy Hardin Schau as Adriana, Tara Henry as Dromio, Sarah Rowland as the Courtesan, Alejandro Padilla as the Duke, Maszaba Carter as Egeon, and
Mar-y-sol Pasquiers as Luciana.

King Arthur opens Friday, June 29, and plays June 30, July 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, and 27. The Comedy of Errors opens Friday, July 6, and plays July 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 29. There is no performance Saturday, July 28, because of Ice Cream Safari.

Tickets are $18 general, and $15 for students, seniors, SARTA, and persons with disabilities. Tickets are available online. Children ages 6 to 12 are free. Children under six are not admitted. No reservations are taken, except for large groups. Parking is $2 per car. Performances are in the William A. Carroll Amphitheatre in William Land Park. The Box Office opens at 6 p.m., gates open at 6:30 p.m., and performances begin at 8:00 p.m. Some concessions will be available, and picnics are welcome.

The Sacramento Shakespeare Festival is produced by City Theatre at Sacramento City College; in partnership with the City of Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation and Capital Public Radio; and with generous grants from the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, Councilman Rob Fong, the Sacramento Regional Community Foundation, and the Los Rios Foundation.

For questions or group reservations, please call 558-2228, or visit the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival Website at www.sacramentoshakespeare.net.

###

The Sacramento Shakespeare Festival is produced in Sacramento, by Sacramento, and for Sacramento. www.sacramentoshakespeare.net

Disclosure: Written by Luther Hanson, Festival Director

The Tipsy Hustlers debut at Old Ironsides leaves us wanting more

2012-06-25T02:43:15Z

On Saturday evening, Old Ironsides hosted a lineup that included Lauren Wakefield, who also plays with The Solicitors, and multi-SAMMIE award winner Crazy Ballhead, but it was The Tipsy Hustlers’ debut that I had come to see and, even though this was their first public performance since forming less than four months ago, they rocked the house with their unique blend of rock, soul, funk and a little bit of rap.

They shook out any nerves they may have had with their first number, “Remember The Good Times,” lead singer and songwriter Ken Rudulph’s look back at his first big band, Mama’s Gravy, and the times they had in local places like Old Ironsides. The song had a sweet rockin’ rhythm and blues feel to it that had the crowd groovin’ to the beat.

Next was “Go,” where Rudulph really let his vocal range be heard in a song that had a slower, more relaxed flow to its unique sound.

“Getaway” was a song Rudulph wrote that tells about the feeling that he had ruffled a few feathers in town and needed to, in short, getaway.

“Whole Lotta Soul” featured bass player John Mullick IV’s talents and the blues vibe really kicked into high gear on “Poof Pow, Be Gone” as Altimiras Lupon, or “X” as he is known in the band, got to showcase his overall skills. The song started out very soulful and slow, but allowed him to nearly get his fingers bleeding in the heavy guitar portion of the song.

Drummer John Linn never missed a beat in his role as time keeper for the band as, at times, his power reminded me of the late John Bonham. It didn’t hurt that he kind of looked like him also.

Rudulph wrote the song “Blackjack Breaker” about his son. It really showed how much in tune Mullick and Altimiras Lupon had gotten in such a short time as their combined licks steadied the song for Rudulph’s smooth vocal track.

The final and my favorite song of the night was “Pressure,” a driving, straight forward rock song that had the entire band involved at the highest level. “Pressure” has everything it takes to be a major radio hit. Rudulph’s vocal stylings, Linn’s driving beat, Mullick’s strong, steady bass and Lupon’s fluid guitar playing made this the standout song in a set that featured a variety of musical stylings.

If you missed it, you’ll want to mark the calendar for their next appearance, as this new band is only going to get tighter and more popular as they grow together.

23-year old Straily pitches gem on first outing for River Cats

2012-06-23T05:56:00Z

With all the pitching changes on the Oakland A’s staff that have already occurred this season, you don’t really know who may be called up from one level for good or get a one-time start on the roster.

So when Dan Straily took the mound on Thursday evening to throw his first pitches against hitters at the Triple-A level, even though he had an incredible strikeout-hit ratio, no one, not even Straily, knew quite what to expect.

Straily admitted that maybe he had to shake off a little case of the jitters early in the game.

“I was a little nervous there early on,” said Straily. “It was nice I was able to watch a couple of games, and settled in that way. But going out there and towing the rubber is completely different.”

On a cool, crisp 65-degree evening at Raley Field, the local boys of summer put a whooping on the Fresno Grizzlies, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, 6-0, in front of 8,521 chilly, happy fans.

After a lead-off single by Grizzlies center fielder Skyler Stromsmoe in the opening frame, Cats pitcher Daniel Straily, who was just called up Wednesday from Double-A Midland, sat down the next three hitters, two of them on strikeouts.

Straily had been mowing them down for Midland before being sent up to the River Cats. In 85.1 innings pitched this season, he struck out 108 batters and only walked 23.

His counterpart, Matt Yourkin, didn’t have the same kind of luck. After getting the first two hitters to fly out to right field, Yourkin walked Chris Carter, gave up a single to Kila Ka’aihue and then a walk to Michael Taylor to load the bases with two outs.

That’s when the hottest hitter of the last six games in the entire Pacific Coast League strode to the plate. Brandon Hicks, who had five home runs and 14 RBI in that span, roped a 1-2 pitch screaming over the left-center field wall for his first grand slam of the season.

“Tonight, I got myself in a hole early with the bases loaded,” said Hicks. “I swung at a couple of pitches in the dirt. I was able to work it back, and I got a good pitch when he made a mistake and I was able to drive it.”

Make that 18 RBI in the last seven games and six home runs in the same seven games!

“I think I’m just putting myself in a good position with my setup and everything and seeing the ball real well,” continued Hicks. “Whenever I got into a hole early in the year, I was a little jumpy and my head was moving a lot and I wasn’t able to see the ball like I am (able to) right now. I think that’s the key.”

Courtesy of Denny’s, everyone in attendance received a coupon for a free grand slam breakfast. Sweet deal!

The Cats would strike again in the fourth when Stephen Parker hit a shot into left-center that looked like it would be caught at the warning track at best. The ball kept going, and drifted over the wall for a two-run bomb that gave Sacramento an early 6-0 lead.

All the while, 23-year-old Straily was mowing them down.

In the second through fifth innings, he faced the minimum number of batters and had six strikeouts along the way, including striking out the side in the third.

In the top of the sixth, home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott ejected Grizzlies starting pitcher Yourkin for yelling at him from the dugout. Yourkin must have known he deserved it, as he walked quietly through the center field wall and to the showers.

By the time Straily was pulled after seven strong, he had only given up three hits, three walks, and struck out eight. Quite an impressive performance for the young man from Redlands, Calif.

“I got to clean it up a little bit, but I got the first one out of the way and I’m very happy with it,” said the 23-year-old.

How did the young man make his way up the ranks so quickly?

“You just keep working hard and everything takes care of itself,” said Straily. “I’m not trying to sound cliche at all. I showed up every day wherever I was at and had a great time. I worked hard and I feel very fortunate to be here this soon.”

The only real Grizzlies threat after Straily was pulled was in the eighth, when Fresno loaded the bases off Cats reliever Pedro Figueroa with one out. Figueroa settled in and retired the next two batters to shut down the Grizz.

Rich Thompson came in the close out the ninth, and sent the fans home happy.

Cats manager Darren Bush has seen a lot of top-flight pitching prospects come through town, but I’m not sure he saw this coming.

“He did a great job,” said Bush. “His first outing in Triple-A, facing a very good team on the other side and he went right at them. You could tell he didn’t have the best stuff that he could have had, but he made the pitches when he needed to in big situations. So, congratulations to him. Outstanding job!”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

David Alvarez Photography

PHOTO ESSAY: NASCAR haulers round Capitol on way to Race Sonoma

2012-06-22T22:03:16Z

They were loud. They were big. There were many.

Over 40 of the massive beasts in all.

Rumbling through the blocked off streets around the Capitol on Thursday afternoon were the haulers that carry the cars and supplies of the men of NASCAR’s top division, the Sprint Cup drivers.

The Save Mart 350 is on Sunday at Race Sonoma (formerly Infineon Raceway) located between Sonoma and Vallejo off of Highway 37 and the big wigs at the racetrack were happy to let the drivers of those big rigs take a short detour before heading to the racetrack.

The haulers drove down Capitol Mall, turned right on 9th Street, left on N Street, left on 16th Street and then left on L Street - all with police escort - before heading back onto Interstate 80 and finishing their trip to the track.

Most of these haulers are located in North Carolina and the tandem driving teams that move these rigs across the country each week put a lot of miles on their trucks each week. Sonoma is the longest trip of the year for them so it was cool of them to make a run through town before finishing up their long road trip.

The race starts at noon on Sunday and tickets are still available for the race.

For more information on the race or the track, check out Race Sonoma's website.

It's a family affair for the Austin Collie gang at ReceiverTech

2012-06-21T22:24:09Z

For the Collie family, it never was about how big you were, how tall you were or how fast you could run.

In their collective eyes, it’s about effort, the proper training and learning the mental game of football that gives you the edge you need to become successful in the game of football and the game of life.

From June 19-21, Austin Collie, wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, is in town, along with his father, one of his brothers and a few others, holding a wide receiver camp for young men (ages 7-14) at Luther Burbank High School.

The camp is called ReceiverTech and over the course of three days, the Collie gang takes you through everything from player interviews and evaluation on day one to making the catch and perfect route running on day two and finishing with mastering those skills on day three.

Scott Collie, Austin’s father, knows a thing or two about the wide out position. After having a successful career at Brigham Young University himself, he went on to play for a year for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL and the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League for four years.

With accolades from Steve Young, Andy Reid, Jim McMahon and Mike Holmgren, Scott Collie seems to know a thing or two about the position.

“The Collies will not only develop the skill set to be a better receiver, they will also be better young men by being around them,” said Andy Reid, head coach and xecutive vice president of football operations for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Scott wasn’t the biggest or fastest guy when he played and had to figure out how a way to keep up with the elite players of his time. He did so by outworking, out-practicing and out thinking his competition.

And so did his boys.

“When you look at what my sons have accomplished, and they aren’t the biggest athletes, their not the fastest athletes and their not the best athletes,” said Scott. “But, if you have an understanding of the proper fundamentals, understand work ethic and have a passion, you combine all those things and you can become more than what you think you are.”

Scott has taken everything he’s picked up from his and his son’s coaches, grabbed his boys Zac, Austin and Dylan and created a training program that even includes classroom training on how to be a better teammate, and, more importantly, a better person.

“I’ve told my kids that if you don’t want to play football, do something. And whatever you do, you give it your all, 100 percent.”

Austin, who will receive throws from Andrew Luck this season, enjoys watching the young kids mature and grow over the three-day camp.

“It means a lot just being able to pass along the little knowledge I’ve been able to attain in these past couple of years,” said Austin. “Just to see these kids and their willingness to be coached and to learn more, it’s always encouraging. To be able to see these guys grow in the next three days is a rewarding experience for us.”

Dylan Collie, the youngest of the brothers, was helping out until he had to leave for BYU’s summer program, but Austin’s older brother and one-time Philadelphia Eagle Zac was on hand for the training sessions.

“I think that it’s important, as young as these kids are, to get in the habit of doing the right things now,” said Zac. We here to break the bad habits they have and improve the good habits they already have.”

“What we help with is the fundamentals of the game - the nuances of being a receiver like catching the football and running good routes - that they might not get from their coaches. What we try to do is make these kids masters of their craft.”

Also helping out for the on-field part of things was Doug Cosbie, former tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and currently helps out at Sacramento High School.

On hand for the classroom training portion of the camp was Joe Thomas, a senior trainer from the Positive Coaching Alliance.

The groups’ message of making yourself better, making your teammates better and making the game better, falls right inline with what the Collie’s are trying to instill in these young men.

“These kids had what we call a “great coachable spirit” where they were sponges,” said Thomas. “Our goal was to make sure the kids understand the importance of respecting and honoring the game. And so our goal was to simply to share with them how important it is to see sports as a privilege. Hopefully they walked away with the experience of knowing that it’s important to respect the rules, their opponents, the officials and teammates. Also, most importantly, have respect for themselves by making sure they conduct themselves as if they recognize it’s a privilege to play this game.”

As for the kids, what did they get out of it?

“I think it’s spectacular,” said 12-year old Josh Leifker. “I love being here. I’ve met a lot of new people and learned a lot of new things.”

Kevin Kassis, 14, seems to get it already at his young age. You could see the focus and desire in his eyes as he ran though some of the drills.

“I came out to improve my game and be the best I can be,” said Kassis. “I believe at this camp they can improve me.

So why this camp?

“I’m a big fan (of Austin) and I’ve seen what he’s done and I want to someday be like him.”

Camps are still being held throughout the country. For more information, you can call Scott at 1-888-WRCOLLIE or email him at scott.collie@receivertech.com.

A conversation with Tyreke Evans' closest advisors -- his brothers -- about his future

2012-06-20T06:09:23Z

When I ran into Tyreke Evans and his brothers, Doc and Reggie last week, the burning question I had was whether ‘Reke was going to start the season at the one or the three position.

More importantly, would "Team Tyreke," the group of family members and friends that watch over him and his career, be happy if the guy who fell in love with the way Derrick Rose handled the rock had to start the season at the small forward spot?

“Do I think that it’s his natural position? No,” Doc Evans said. “Do I think that’s a position that he could play as a relief? Yes. But I prefer him to be at the one and sometimes the two, because with the ball in his hands, it creates a mismatch for smaller guards.”

With small forward John Salmons either injured or not playing to expectations when healthy, and the emergence of Isaiah Thomas at point guard, the Kings made a move that sent shockwaves through some the fan base of the Kings. The Kings brass decided to have Thomas start at the point beginning February 17 and Tyreke Evans was asked to play small forward and give up his beloved point guard position.

As the season went on, sentiment was growing to have Thomas, who was emerging as a possible replacement for Evans at the point, be the starter when everything settled into form.

When I brought up the scenario, “What if Tyreke thought that he would make a better point guard than a small forward,” Reggie informed me that a conversation very close to that occurred near the end of the season. They had a similar conversation with Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“Myself and his agent got together and had a conversation before the season ended similar to what you just asked, so yes, we will address all of his issues with management, front office people, the coach or whoever to sit down and have that conversation.”

Doc Evans then filled me in on what happened next.

“After that, Reggie, Arn, I and a few others flew into Sac and had a team meeting and told Tyreke that if this is the way you feel, you need to address this to (Geoff) Petrie in a positive way and let him know that there are some things I could be better, but there are some things that I didn’t like the way that they were done and try to make him more vocal and speak up about the things he wants. You know, you can still speak up about what you want and be positive about the whole thing.”

Let it never be misunderstood what “Reke’s quiet demeanor" means.

When Keith Smart asked him to fill in at small forward last year, he essentially said, if that is what you think the team needs, then I’ll be there for you Coach.

“I was just trying to help our team win,” Tyreke Evans said. “Whatever it takes me to do that, I was willing to do it. Coach put me in that position and I got better and better as the season went on.”

“I just want to go out there and be the best I can be," Evans continued. “When I got moved off the ball, I just tried to watch guys like Kevin Durant and other guys that played that position and see how they moved without the ball and they get open shots.”

Some fans still wonder if the move was forced onto Tyreke. Was Thomas just a better point guard than him?

“Here’s a guy that’s a team player and he’ll pretty much just be humble,” said Reggie Evans. “People were talking like it was a demotion or something and Isaiah Thomas was getting his job and it wasn’t like that. It was pretty much the John Salmons situation and they wanted Tyreke to step in and fill that void. It wasn’t a demotion at all and he didn’t take it as such.”

“Certain people that were blogging or the media saying that Isaiah Thomas took his job and now he don’t like him. No, it wasn’t like that at all. He was asked to help out in that position and he’s a team player. He did what the coach asked.”

What did Reggie think of the experience Tyreke received?

“For me, I always loved that idea that my brother got a chance to play the one, two and the three. He’s more valuable than ever! Look at what’s going on in the playoffs right now. Look at all the pieces of the puzzles that are missing. If you can play the one, two and three and you can defend the one, two and three, I think that is a valuable person. I like the idea of his making his resume great by playing all three positions.”

Tyreke Evans has some impressive stats on his side. In each of his first three years, including his second year where he was plagued by plantar fasciitis - a painful inflammatory process on the bottom of the foot - and missed 25 games, he was in the team's top three in average minutes played, steals, assists and points per game.

In the topsy turvy past year - with the coaching changes and position move - he was second in minutes played, third in field goal percentage and third in rebounds. He increased his free throw percentage to a personal high (.779), was third in boards (4.6) and even averaged almost half a block a game.

Those are numbers any player at any position would be happy with considering all he’s been through.

“What player do you know that can go change positions in three years and go through the pain and injuries that he went through and still maintain that high of a scoring average?” Doc asked. “And that’s with him not hitting his jump shot. To me, that’s scary!”

“His confidence in his shot is only gonna grow. His confidence in his game is only going to get better. So when that happens, it’s lights out for everybody else!”

Thinking I knew the answer already, I asked Doc about the possibility of Tyreke starting the season at the small forward position. Would he be upset?

The response caught me off guard.

“I can’t say I would be disappointed,” Doc said. “Because I would be interested to see his growth and maturity. He doesn’t necessarily have to play a certain position. He’s a basketball player first and foremost.”

Doc mentioned his respect for Magic Johnson and his ability to play almost any spot on the floor. He sees Tyreke in a similar way as having the ability to play many spots and guard many different types of players because of his size and strength.

“So if the season started and Coach Smart had him at the three, I wouldn’t be upset. I would be more intrigued to see how he makes the necessary adjustments. Let’s see if he can score his 25 or 30 and still get his teammates involved with the ability he has as a point guard and still find and take his shots in rhythm and move without the ball. I would be intrigued to see that.”

Now the biggest question of all for the fans, and maybe even the player, is what will become of Tyreke Evans during and after season number four.

He would love to stay here and be the starting point guard of this team. Only time, whether he gets traded or not, and Evans' own development will determine the ultimate outcome.

Team Tyreke helps keep 'Reke's life much more simple and in focus

2012-06-18T19:46:15Z

Team Tyreke.

No, this is not a basketball rec league you can join or Evans’ fantasy league team either.

It’s the ultimate story of “it takes a village to raise a child.”

It’s a group of mainly family members that put everything they have to offer into helping a young man focus solely on basketball and charity in a world that demands attention at every turn.

Team Tyreke seems to have covered the bases and consists of several important folks. Reggie Evans, 40, who already had a successful career with Communication Test Design Inc., was the first one to bring up the idea of the family taking charge of their little brother’s career. He handles most of the managerial aspects of Tyreke’s life including travel and discussions with his agent, Arn Tellem, and the management of the Sacramento Kings.

“Doc” Julius Evans, 41, who had a great run with Mars Candy, assists his older brother in some of the management details but is also known as Tyreke’s “shot doctor.” Doc was a playground legend in Chester himself. He makes sure Tyreke gets up several thousand shots every other day or so.

“We both had our own financial situations (covered) and were very successful,” Doc said.

They have since started up Blu Print Inc., with Doc running the musical act side of things and Reggie working on the apparel side.

Then there’s Eric “Pooh” Evans, 34, who readied Tyreke by helping him develop his jab step and most of his dribbling skills.

Other members include Malik, Reggie’s cousin who is part of the support network, and LaMont Peterson, who is his trainer from his days at Memphis and works on his strength and agility.

He’s also got a nutritionalist, a barber and two chiropractors, one on each coast.

“We have an adjustment table right here in the house,” Doc said. “He comes to the house before games and adjusts him.”

All the effort the brothers make on Tyreke’s behalf could be mistaken, by some outsiders, as a group of guys just trying to ride the coattails of a brother’s success. What a joke! Tyreke wouldn’t even be in this position if it weren’t for his loving siblings.

“It’s what we do as brothers, not just management, as brothers because we have kids almost his age and we’d do the same thing for our kids,” Doc Evans continued.

When I asked Doc and Reggie if there was any downside to being a brother and the management team at the same time, Reggie scoffed at the idea.

“We’re family,” he said. “We got the right parenting from my mom first and foremost. She was a great mom. She was a rock!”

“I named him. From day one, I became his guardian. He lived with me since he was ten or eleven years old. I put him in a private school with my daughter so it’s deeper than what this looks like. He’s like almost a brother/son to me. And the whole basketball thing, from day one being four years old, believing that I had a brother with talent. I started off and coached him, then my brothers came along, so we don’t need outsiders coming in and doing what we can do ourselves.”

Doc agreed.

“We know that a lot of people would try to take advantage of people like him. They look at him as a cash cow. We don’t need that. Knowing what his skills could do for him and the potential money they could possibly make at the time - before he was an NBA player - people try to sink their teeth into people like him. We saw that from an early standpoint, that’s why Reggie decided to meet with Nike and start our own AAU team, Team Final.”

“I couldn’t believe, first of all, what a job he (Reggie) did with him in getting him national press and all this, so we just sat down and said this was going to be huge. So we need to all get together and do this and that’s when we did Team Tyreke."

Look for Part Two tomorrow as the brothers discuss Tyreke's move to small forward and what it means for this season.

"Brought to Light" Details a History of Photography and Art

2012-06-16T01:20:11Z

Photography has always been an ugly stepchild in the art community due, in part, to the ease of tool usage. Opening this Saturday, June 16, is a survey of the Crocker Art Museum’s photography collection that weaves the histories of photography and art together in less than 50 images.

The survey traces the history of photography from daguerreotypes taken in the 1800s to silver gelatin to Polaroid and beyond. Along the way, a variety of other alternative processes are also explored.

In this 49-image exhibition opening Saturday, movers and shakers in the art community are also on display. Most recognize the paintings of Pablo Picasso, murals of Diego Rivera and photographs of Ansel Adams. Here, we will see what these contemporaries looked like through striking portraits.

Previous forays into the photography collection were centered upon a theme or idea and were narrow in scope, displaying only 15 images at a time.

Diana Daniels, who curated the exhibit, says, “Photography has a lot of theoretical thinking that has become attached to it, and is some of what makes contemporary photography so interesting.” She continues, “When you look at the work of Edward Weston, Brent Weston and the generations that followed, you see not a concern for three-dimensional images, but a highlighting with this unique instrument what the normal eye cannot take in and process.”

The most recent acquisition on display is a 2006 Lewis deSoto piece called “The Restoration,” which successfully reimagines Vermeer’s compositional aesthetic. Another contemporary photographer from San Francisco is Chris McCaw. He utilizes early techniques, such as solarization, to achieve the effects he desires.

True art looks back on itself, reflects then reinterprets. Experience the history of art through the photographic lens in this survey that runs through September 3.

Disclosure: Rich Beckermeyer is a top community contributor. You can follow him on twitter @Leland_Beck.

Tyreke Evans teams up with VSP for free basketball camp & eyeglasses

2012-06-15T01:08:52Z

Not all the Kings players are out of town.

Not only is Tyreke Evans in town, but he’s here doing two of his favorite things — working out and working with kids.

On Thursday, June 14, Evans teamed up with VSP Vision Care at the Dr. Ephraim Williams Family Life Center in the Oak Park section of Sacramento for his second annual free basketball camp for students in need.

The kids were selected by the Family Life Center as well as by VSP partners Asian Resources and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento.

About 100 kids were able to shoot hoops, participate in a Q-and-A session and even get some classroom training alongside Evans and mentors from the Positive Coaching Alliance. Tomorrow, another 100 kids will be getting the same attention.

Evans, who always had his big brothers around to push him and keep him focused in the right direction, enjoys being able to have a positive impact on kids.

“I think it’s great,” said Evans. “A lot of kids don’t have a chance to meet a player at a camp. I know when I was growing up it was a big dream of mine to meet an NBA player or go to one of their camps. To be able to do it for kids at these ages — for free, with VSP’s help — I think it’s a great opportunity for people to come here and get some experience.”

Bill Herenda, the executive director of the Positive Coaching Alliance, was glad to supply coaches for the event.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity to get out into the community with our message of ‘better athletes, better people,’ and to amplify VSP Vision Care’s mantra of eyesight being critical to the kids’ success and growth on the floor and in the classroom,” said Herenda.

Along with the free hoops clinic Evans and the coaches were hosting, free eye exams were given to those in need, in one of the 45-foot fully loaded buses that VSP owns.

The program was born from a need after Hurricane Katrina. VSP employees traveled to the scene and gave free prescription eyewear to those who either lost everything in the storm or were displaced from their homes.

Since then, the fleet has increased to three, and travels the country in search of others in need.

The eye doctors that give the exams do it all on their own time. On this day, Dr. Russell Ng was the lucky one that got to examine the kids in need.

“The kids in the community need eye care,” said Ng. “It helps them in their academic performance as well as in sports.”

“This is the first time that I’ve been associated with this and I’m definitely going to provide more time going forward.”

Niki Myers is the operations manager for the VSP Mobile Eyes Program. In her time in that role, she’s already traveled the country giving out free exams and glasses, but finds that doing the same in her hometown is also very rewarding.

“We love doing community outreach in our own towns,” said Myers. “We love our partnership with Tyreke. We’ve been working with him for the last three years.”

And then the other shoe dropped.

“Not only does he help VSP put on this basketball camp for the second year in a row, but we also sponsor the city of Chester, Penn., where he came from.”

That’s right. Never say the guy forgot where he came from.

Part of Evans’ deal with VSP is that they go back to not only his school, but also the other schools in the area, and give those kids in need the eyewear and care they may not be able to afford on their own.

Last year, VSP found that about 10 percent of the kids examined needed some kind of correction. Back in ‘Reke’s home town, because of Evans’ encouragement of the local youth to come out and get the exam, that number escalated to between 20 and 30 percent.

No worries, as all the kids that needed new spectacles got them.

Paul Gonzalez was out watching his two boys, 8-year-old Javier and 9-year-old Miguel.

“I enjoy it because I like them enjoying themselves,” said the proud father of two. “They love the game of basketball and are huge Tyreke fans. They both have Tyreke jerseys. It’s an amazing experience to come out here and watch some good coaching and good times with their friends out here.”

Oak Park activists prepare for fight against McDonald’s drive-thru

2012-06-14T19:07:15Z

Doctors, teachers and neighbors gathered Wednesday to discuss a looming concern in the Oak Park community that will soon be discussed at the Sacramento City Council – a proposed McDonald’s restaurant with drive-thru between Second Avenue and Stockton Boulevard.

“We just want communities that are safe for ourselves and communities that are safe for my patients,” family physician and Second Avenue resident Charlene Hauser said. “Drive-thru fast food is completely unsafe.”

The proposed site location, currently a vacant lot, is across the street from the UC Davis Medical Center, which includes a cancer center and pediatric obesity clinic. On Tuesday, the Sacramento City Council will discuss the issue for the first time after two years of intense debate.

Wednesday’s meeting occurred a block from the proposed site, where 10 Oak Park residents, a Hiram Johnson high school student and a Med Center physician met in a Second Avenue house to finalize their presentation to City Hall. It was organized by Healthy Development for Oak Park, a neighborhood group that was formed in October 2010 to oppose the McDonald’s.

The vacant lot is on the same block as residential properties, and many have railed against it – more than 1,700 Oak Park community members have signed a petition opposing the McDonald’s drive-thru.

Retired teacher JoEllen Arnold, 62, has lived three blocks away from the proposed McDonald’s site. She said she opposes the drive-thru because of how she has seen the community improve.

“I’ve seen the neighborhood improve so much, and adding traffic and trash and less safety to the neighborhood would be a real downer for the neighborhood," she said.

Teacher Chris Johnson, 59, lives one block away from the proposed McDonald’s site. Johnson said that the issue started two years ago when McDonald’s conducted a survey asking residents to choose their favorite building design.

The drive-thru sparked the concerns of residents, which led to the formation of Healthy Development for Oak Park. The group conducted a survey within a half-mile radius of the proposed site location to collect signatures. Businesses owners and neighbors wrote opposition letters to the city.

The city Planning Commission heard a request from McDonald’s on April 12 and voted 6-1 against building the development.

The planning commission report stated that it did not align with the 2030 General Plan, which dictates building development and land use in the Sacramento region. The drive-thru design also clashed with the Oak Park Design Guidelines. The reported stated, among other things, that the layout was “not pedestrian-oriented” and insensitive to the transition between residential and commercial areas.

For UC Davis family physician James Moore, the issue is larger than building design: He is concerned with the fast-food restaurant’s proximity to the UC Davis Medical Center.

“I see several pediatric patients, which struggle with obesity, and often I’ll send those patients over to the pediatric obesity clinic across from the proposed site,” Moore said. “One of my biggest concerns is that I’m trying to convey an image of healthiness and right across the street is a McDonald’s where there is basically easy access to food that generally I wouldn’t recommend.”

Meeting attendees said they are concerned about safety, increased traffic congestion on a residential street, decreased property values, health implications and nuisances such as noise and car lights throughout the night.

In 2003, the city approved a mixed-use development lot that included ground-level retail, second- and third-floor office space, and a fourth floor of apartments in the proposed McDonald’s site. However, the project was canceled.

Some residents would prefer that the lot be used as a mixed-use property like in 2003 or property that encourages community interaction such as a wellness center, coffee shop or community garden instead of a drive-thru.

The Sacramento City Council will discuss the site location Tuesday at City Hall, 915 I St., at 6 p.m.

Sacramento French Film Festival Celebrates French Cinema

2012-06-12T06:23:40Z

You do not need a passport to France to experience a taste of French culture this summer. The Sacramento French Culture Society will host the 11th annual Sacramento French Film Festival from June 15 to June 24 at the Crest Theatre.

“Hôtel du Nord” is one of two classic French films shown this year. Produced in 1938, viewers watch a couple experience love, crime and tragedy at the Hôtel du Nord in Paris.

Screenwriter, Jean-Louis Milesi, will present his social drama “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” on opening night. Jean-Pierre Darroussin plays a recently laid off social worker who heads off to Mount Kilimanjaro with his family and friends. Upon their return, they are robbed and his connection to one of the attackers surprises them all.

As a tribute to French actresses, Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle film critic, was selected to choose two recent films with two of his favorite female performers and lead a post-movie discussion. The program, titled “The Beauty of the Real with Mike La Salle,”will be held on Saturday June 16 and Sunday June 17.

Movie directors Raphaël Hitzke and Michaël Barocas will lead a short film post-screening discussion on June 24.

Passes are available through tickets.com or at the box office. The opening night pass costs $50, the first weekend pass costs $35 and the second weekend pass costs $36. The rate for combined passes ranges from $60-$90. Single show tickets are $11 (discount ticket $10) and must be bought at the box office. The closing night film and reception is $16 (discount ticket $15).

Seniors, students, and certain affiliated clubs are eligible for discounted tickets with proper verification.

Here is a glance at the movie lineup.

Friday, June 15
6:00-8:00 p.m. : Opening night reception
8:30 p.m : “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” (Social Drama)

Saturday, June 16
11:00 a.m. : “Hôtel du Nord” (Cult Classic / Drama); “Romantics Anonymous” (Romantic Comedy); “Empty Days” (Social Romance)
6:10 p.m. : “A View of Love" (Romantic Thriller)
8:30 p.m : “Hollywoo” (Comedy)
11:00 p.m. : “House of Pleasures “(Erotic Drama) - Followed by breakfast.

Sunday, June 17
11:00 a.m. : “Empty Days”
1:25 p.m. : “Romantics Anonymous”
3:55 p.m. : “Hollywoo”
6:20 p.m. : “I Am a No Man's Land “(Quirky Comedy)
8:30 p.m. : “Hôtel du Nord”

Thursday, June 21
5:30 p.m. : “I Am a No Man's Land”
7:45 p.m. : “Rebellion” (Action/Political)

Saturday, June 23
10:00 a.m. : French breakfast with filmmakers Michaël Barocas and Raphaël Hitzke (free with short film screening admission)
10:30 a.m. : Short Film Screening (100 min)
1:05 p.m. : “Rebellion”
4:00 p.m. : “The Day I Saw Your Heart” (Comedy)
6:20 p.m. : “Declaration of War” (Romance/Drama)
8:40 p.m. : “38 Witnesses” (Thriller)
11:00 p.m. : “Outside Satan” (Spiritual Drama)

Sunday, June 24
11 a.m. : “38 Witnesses”
1:25 p.m. : “Children of Paradise” (Classic)
5:20 p.m. : “The Day I Saw Your Heart”
7:45 p.m : “Polisse” (Crime/Drama)-followed by a champagne party.

After each movie, viewers have the opportunity to write down comments about the film. Based on the number of positive remarks a movie receives, a film will be chosen for the 2012 viewer’s choice award.

The festival will kick off with an opening night reception with open bar on June 15. DJ Christophe & DJ Roger Carpio will play contemporary and ‘60s French pop music. More than 10 restaurants will serve food, including Ella Dining Room & Bar and French Lady Catering.

Other festivities include an exhibit showcasing photography from Marie Bryan, a post-night-movie breakfast on June 16 and pre-movie breakfast on June 24 with Barocas and Hitzke. The event will close with a champagne party on June 24.

Hitzke, said he enjoys the discussions led by filmmakers, film critics and professors.

“It’s rare that you get those kinds of discussions about the films at a festival,” he said. “Usually people go see a movie, then go home, but here you get the whole experience.”

The festival has grown from 1,000 to 5,000 attendees over the past 11 years, a rate that pleases Cécile Downs, the executive and artistic director of the festival.

“Last year for the first time we had a screening during the week, and we’re going to have one again on June 21, and so we are growing in terms of the number of movie showings and the number of people who come to the festival,” Downs said.

Godfrey shines again, but Cats lose to Grizzlies 2-1 in ninth inning

2012-06-02T02:30:57Z

Graham Godfrey is killing it in Triple-A.

If he keeps up the numbers like he has so far at this level, he’ll easily be a pitcher of the year candidate.

Problem is, that's a minor league award and Godfrey is determined to get back to the A’s and stay there.

On Thursday evening, Godfrey did his part to increase his chances of being recalled and in hilding down the Fresno Grizzlies offense by only allowing one earned run in eight strong innings of work. This time, the bullpen let him down, as the usually reliable Fautino De Los Santos gave up three hits – all singles in the bottom of the ninth – as the Grizz knocked off the Sacramento River Cats 2-1 at Raley Field in front of 9,431 fans.

The Grizzlies wasted no time in trying to win their first game of the four-game set, as center fielder Justin Christian started the game with a clean single off Cats starter Graham Godfrey that went into center field.

One batter later, Francisco Peguero, who was playing right field on this night, slashed a line drive shot down the right field line that rolled to the wall and into the corner for a triple that scored Christian for the first run of the contest.

Anthony Recker, who is playing his first game as catcher of the year for Sacramento, showed off his cannon of an arm in the second, when Juan Ciriaco tried to steal second and the ball cleanly beat him for the third out of the game.

So many times in baseball does the guy that makes a great play get to come up to bat almost immediately and do some damage.

That was the case when Recker approached the batter’s box in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Recker reached on an error by the shortstop on a slightly bobbled ball. Recker hustled down the baseline and beat out the throw.

After a rare stolen base, Recker scrambled home after a Brandon Hicks’ single to tie the score.

The middle innings were filled with strikeouts and double plays.

Graham Godfrey, who entered the game 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA, allowing only four earned runs in 29.2 innings of work, was solid. He left after eight strong innings, allowing only one run on eight hits, and had seven strikeouts.

He was helped by a couple of double plays and two runners trying to steal second, who were thrown out by Recker.

Godfrey finally thinks he’s figured out what has held him back from putting up similar numbers at the big league level.

“It’s a combination of a couple things,” started Godfrey. “I felt like early on my mechanics were a little bit off. My command wasn’t where it needed to be, so I came down here and worked on it. When I got back up there, I injured my finger (the middle finger on his pitching hand) and it was just a bad circumstance. It made throwing off-speed, or really any pitches, kind of difficult, so I had some bad luck right there.”

“I feel like I’m in a good spot mentally and physically to stay up there. I’ve got to get that opportunity again and make the most of it.”

Darren Bush agreed.

“He just needs a couple of good outings to get his confidence level and know he can consistently do it, like he did here,” said the skipper.

His counterpart Yusmeiro Petit, who entered the contest 2-2 with a 3.98 ERA, was dealing just as well, if not better, than Godfrey.

Petit pitched seven frames, giving up only three hits and striking out eight in the process. He was in control his entire time on the mound.

De Los Santos came in to hold down the fort in the ninth, but ran into the top of the Grizzlies order.

Christian, who already was 3-for-3, ripped a shot to third baseman Stephen Parker. The ball took a very high hop and Parker just got a glove on it, but it bounced high in the air off the glove for a single.

After a sacrifice by Conor Gillaspie, Peguero hit a soft ground ball to Eric Sogard at second. Sogard couldn’t get to the ball in time, as Peguero beat it out for another infield single in the inning.

That’s when Chris Dominguez, who was just called up from Double-A Richmond, lofted a bloop single over Sogard’s head and into shallow right-center field. Two infield hits and a bloop single later, and the Grizzlies had a 2-1 lead.

It seems I can’t go to a River Cats game without some sort of umpire controversy.

Still in the ninth, with one out and two on, Nick Noonan swung and missed at a ball in the dirt for what everyone in the press box and the Cats’ bench thought – or should I say knew – was strike three.

Out trotted Bush to argue the call. All four umpires gathered near the mound for more than a minute before saying no, that was only strike two.

Surprise! Replays showed the umpire was wrong.

When I caught up with Cats outfielder Michael Taylor in the locker room, he said he’d “never seen anything like that in his years in professional baseball.”

Luckily for the home team, the next batter grounded into a 5-3 force out to close out the rally.

The River Cats had one more frame to do some damage.

And Taylor would be involved there, too.

With two outs, Taylor popped a routine fly ball into right field. Grizzly second baseman Charlie Culberson peddled backwards and waved off right fielder Peguero. Peguero stopped his pursuit of the ball, then suddenly Culberson stopped backing up and just dropped his arms, in essence, giving way to Peguero. The ball dropped in between them both for a fluke double.

After a walk to Chris Carter, Brandon Moss was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs.

Recker came up to the batter’s box. He flied out to center on the second pitch to end the threat and the game.

Bush was impressed with both starting pitchers’ performances.

“Petit located well,” said Bush. “He was hitting his spots down and away. Consistent. Didn’t give us much to hit. He only gave us a couple of pitches to hit the whole night.”

As for his ace, Godfrey?

“He did a good job. He made good pitches to get those double plays. He threw the ball well and worked ahead (in the count). He pitched into the eighth inning, so that’s a good game.”

GAME NOTES: Manny Ramirez was a last minute scratch, as he felt tightness in his left leg right just before game time ... Yoenis Cespedes was also removed from the Cats roster as it’s expected he will rejoin the big club on Friday ... The final game of the four-game set occurs Friday, 7:05 p.m.

Get ready to wine and dine

2012-05-31T01:20:37Z

More than 30 of Sacramento's top restaurants will participate in this year's culinary week, showcasing three- to four-course dinners with wine pairings for a fraction of the normal price. Work up your appetite for the fourth annual Sacramento Wine and Dine Week, which runs from now until June 10.

Mulvaney’s B&L and Ella Dining Room & Bar are three of the 35 participating restaurants this year, which are located in Midtown, downtown and the greater Sacramento area, and range in price from $35 to $50 per person. Pricing is based on the quality of the foods and wines served. A full list is on the event website.

Educating locals on the restaurant scene while encouraging them to support local businesses is the main purpose of the event, Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesman Mike Testa said.

"We want to remind locals of the culinary scene in Sacramento because it's vibrant, diverse and really, really good," Testa said. "A city’s residents are often their best cheerleaders and ambassadors. We want to make sure that the locals know what treasures we have here."

Unlike common wine and dine weeks, which can be found in most major cities, the wine served during Sacramento Wine and Dine Week stands out as a defining factor.

"Most restaurant weeks don’t have a specific wine component. Ours does because we have a great wine region right here in Sacramento," Testa said. "Our wine region generates a ton of attention based on the quality it produces. If you’re going to celebrate your culinary scene, it makes sense to celebrate the entire scene. For this region, that means food and wine."

Downtown's Michelangelo's Italian Art Restaurant, immerses its diners in the culinary scene with art, wine and traditional Italian dishes.

“We chose locally grown Italian varietals from Amador Foothills Winery and created dishes using local Feeding Crane Farms, organic lettuce and Mary's organic chicken in our traditional family recipes," Managing Partner Jacqueline Barton said.

Michelangelo's will offer a three-course dinner for $36 per person, including the wine pairing. For the first course, diners can expect crostini three ways with pepper, tomato and vegetable tapenades, with goat cheese salad with citrus dressing for the second course; and a choice of chicken cacciatore or house-made raviolis for the third.

"If you ordered each of the three courses individually, it would cost around $38. With the wine, you could spend another $28. The three-course wine pairing menu allow us to specifically create these dishes and provide samples of the wine to accompany them," Barton said.

The Thai Basil restaurant in Midtown will offer a four-course dinner menu and dessert for $27 per person or $39 per person with a four-ounce wine pairing.

Diners can expect a treat as the menu will showcase popular dishes such as the tom yum (Thai hot and sour soup) with new non-menu items such as the Thai crepe pastry with honey and mango.

"We made this menu specifically for this event. We wanted to add something new for people to try, along with some of the classic options," Thai Basil owner Suleka Sun-Lindley said.

The first course includes a vegetable samosa: golden fried curried puffs filled with potatoes, peas and carrots in a mild yellow curry. Diners can choose between tom yum or the tom kha (Thai coconut soup) for the second course.

Grilled Atlantic salmon fillet and crispy breaded organic tofu and whole Asian eggplants are offered as third-course choices, while the fourth course offers a mild yellow curry with chicken or Thai famous rice noodles. For dessert, diners top off with a Thai crepe, a sweet and warm pastry with fresh mango and honey.

Some other participating restaurants are the Firehouse Restaurant, Frank Fat's, Scott's Seafood Grill and Bar, Rudy's Hideaway, Tazzina Bistro and Star Ginger Asian Grill.

The event pricing will be in effect at each participating restaurant every day during dinner hours.
There are no requirements or rules for dining participation.

For a complete list of participating restaurants and menus, visit the website of Sacramento Wine and Dine Week.

Poor Girl Eats Well blogger to write book with Kickstarter funding

2012-05-28T06:15:22Z

Kimberly Morales’ co-workers used to wonder how it was possible.

How could she whip up home cooked meals like creamy wild rice and broccoli soup while spending just a $1.05, when their pre-packaged lunches fell flat?

The answers started to come in August of 2008 when Morales founded her food blog, Poor Girl Eats Well, which is appropriately subtitled, “How to eat ridiculously well on a miniscule budget.” The site drew a following, accumulating more than 10,000 email newsletter subscribers, 15,000 Facebook likes and 3,500 Twitter followers.

Now, after she received funding via Kickstarter on May 12, the popular blog is about to become a book.

Morales, 35, will write a three-part book that includes at least 30 new recipes. The first section will be autobiographical and will explain how exactly she became a “poor girl.” The second section, which will be the majority of the book, will consist of her money-saving theory, tips and techniques, and the last section will be dedicated to recipes.

Morales has not taken the traditional route to being an author.

Though she never considered herself “well-off,” at one time she had a “gorgeous” apartment, car and plenty of spending money, she said. That changed in 2008 when her finances plummeted due to a series of mishaps including past-due student loan bills and a car accident that caused her to miss a significant amount of work. She sold her car, moved out of her apartment and curbed her spending.

According to Morales, after her monthly bills were paid, she had little money left over for food, so she improvised, and learned to cook well with what she could afford. Her co-workers and friends knew about her situation so when they saw her meals, they were impressed, she said. That initial positive feedback inspired Morales to launch the Poor Girl Eats Well blog.

Morales said that this book is not a cookbook, but a book that happens to have a lot of recipes.

“I want to make sure people have the tools and the knowledge first, before they go out and start making a whole bunch of dishes,” Morales said.

Those that do jump into it and get cooking will find the book has plenty to offer. There will be a Poor Girl Eats Well follower favorites section highlighting recipes that helped make the blog successful. Her Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad with Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette recipe, a Poor Girl Eats Well favorite, will be in the book. She plans to organize her recipe section similar to her Pinterest page. Her recipes will be divided into subsections based on meal types such as sandwiches, pastas and vegetarian. There will be a separate section for special sauces such as pestos, pizza sauce and pasta sauce.

In addition to recipes like Baked Eggs, Ham & Asparagus in Tomato Cups and Spring Vegetable & Meyer Lemon Brown Rice Risotto, her book, like her Pinterest page, will have a special category for different price levels. “PGEW Splurges” recipes contain more expensive meals. She said she will have a fun foods section, which are meals that cater to adults and children alike.

For Morales, Poor Girl Eats Well is more than just a blog or book.

“It was basically the responses from my readers,” she said. “Once I realized that what I was writing wasn’t just more Internet babble but was something that was actually helping people, I couldn’t not write something. I couldn’t just leave it and not take it a step further.”

When Morales is not blogging, she is a program assistant at a local nonprofit organization. The San Jose transplant and self-proclaimed chocoholic grew up in a restaurant family. Both parents worked in the restaurant business, so cooking and dining became their family hobby.

Since its onset, her blog has caught the attention of many food enthusiasts.

She also receives many stories of how her blog has helped those facing financial challenges. She recalled one of her first emails from a reader.

The email was from a single mother of four who was denied food stamps that day, according to Morales. The mother came across a CNN.com article showcasing one of Morales’ recipes. She thanked Morales for her recipes because she could feed her kids for the next week. The recipes required ingredients that she already had.

Morales said messages such as these and specific requests to write a book motivated her to find a way to write and publish her own book.
That’s where a funding platform called Kickstarter came in. For the uninitiated, Kickstarter allows people to finance their creative projects through contributions from other people called “backers.” In return, backers receive Kickstarter rewards or funding incentives to pledge more money.

After launching her page in April, Morales clobbered her Kickstarter goal of $9,750, raising $11,855 in 40 days. The money will be used to fund the time required to write the book and to create and send Kickstarter rewards. It will also finance graphic design, printing, shipping and administrative expenses, Kickstarter fees and transaction fees. She used word of mouth, social media and her blog to market the project.

More than 1,100 people liked her Kickstarter video on Facebook, and her followers congratulated her.

Debbie Cunningham, Poor Girl Eats Well fan and Elk Grove resident, said she is proud of Morales’ success and helped contribute to her Kickstarter campaign.

“I think what she is doing is fabulous,” Cunningham said. “I think more people should have access to what she has to say.”

Her self-published book will come out by Dec. 1. She said she hopes to sell more than 10,000 copies and said that this is just the beginning for her.

Morales is writing an e-book as a a separate project which will be released in June and is called, “How to Have a Successful $25 Shopping Cart Trip.” The e-book will be aimed at those who want tips on how to spend less money at the grocery store without buying the more detailed book.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to writing another one,” she said. “I don’t think this is the end of my book writing. I think it will definitely be the beginning.”

For those interested in funding their own project, she recommends developing a specific goal, researching and evaluating options. For Kickstarter, she recommends a “short and sweet” video, creative incentives and a thank you.

“Never stop telling people how grateful you are, because these are the people that are funding your job, and they are putting their faith in you to make that dream come true,” Morales said.

Photos: Sacramento Zoo 'treats' stuffed animal patients

2012-05-28T03:07:50Z

Everyone knows that when your pet is sick, you take it to see the veterinarian, but at the Sacramento Zoo on Saturday, children and their families brought stuffed animals needing a patch up to the second annual Stuffed Animal Vet Clinic.

Produced by Sacramento's chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers, this year’s vet clinic treated over 160 stuffed animal patients, twice as many as last year.

Checkups cost $3 per animal. Children and families who did not have an animal friend of their own had the opportunity to adopt one lightly used pet for $1.

The event raised $600, which will be donated to the Sacramento Police Canine Association, in order to assist the police dog, Bodie, with veterinary care and recovery.

On the Veterinary Hospital Lawn inside the zoo, participants checked in at a reception table before continuing to the vet stations for a checkup. A veterinarian, a vet resident, one vet tech, two docent volunteers and one zoo keeper waited to perform the physicals.

Armed with an assortment of standard medical supplies, such as band-aids, gauze, syringes for needleless shots and stethoscopes, each stuffed animal vet “cured” the furry friends of the illness claimed by the child.

Pets that couldn't be fixed with a band-aid or gauze were taken to the surgery station, where two docent volunteers, dressed in medical scrubs, worked independently to stitch up animals with more severe tears.

Whether a participant's animal needed a simple physical or surgery, everyone walked away with a smile.

Discovery Museum During Memorial Day Weekend

2012-05-26T03:33:35Z

For most people Memorial Day weekend means a three-day holiday and a time to remember those who have given service to our country. It is also time to spend with family. One creative way of spending time with the family is to go to the Discovery Museum from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. to see the top 20 images from the Nikon Small World competition.

The winning works of 20 photographers from the Nikon Small World photomicrography competition are on a nation tour, and they will be on display at the Discovery Museum until July 15.

Celebrating its 37th year, Nikon Small World is the oldest and most respected competition that uses a light microscope to create images.

While this is the only exhibition in California, three of the top images were taken in this state. Other top photographs were taken in Germany, China, Italy, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland and other parts of the United States.

This year’s subjects were magnified up to 2,000 times to highlight features people can’t see with the naked eye. Some of the subject matter to expect is familiar and others are very obscure. See the entire gallery online.

“There’s such a beautiful universe that’s around us that you can’t see with the aided eye that we don’t even know about,” museum community manager Beth Callahan said.

Visitors can also enjoy other exhibits and extended hours at the museum this holiday weekend.

Since the exhibit opened, a microscope station has been available to see varying slide samples each weekend. This weekend, butterfly wings will be available.

Another option for children is to participate in the museum-wide scavenger hunt “Search and Find” to learn more about science and nature at 20 displays, including the “Rockin’ Rocks and Diggin’ Dinosaurs” exhibit.

A robot construction lab, live animals and the only domed planetarium in Sacramento are also available to experience for all age groups.

Learn more at the Discovery Museum website.

Disclosure: Rich Beckermeyer is a community contributor. You can follow him on twitter @Leland_Beck.

Sacramento Zoo veterinarians will treat stuffed animal 'patients'

2012-05-23T01:01:43Z

Does your teddy bear need fixing? Maybe your animal friend isn't feeling so well. A stuffed animal veterinarian will be available to help at the Sacramento Zoo's Second Annual Stuffed Animal Veterinary Clinic on May 26.

Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., children and their families may bring in their stuffed animals for an exam by zoo veterinarians or zookeepers to the Veterinary Hospital Lawn inside. Exams are $3 per stuffed animal.

There will be six different stations and a reception area, according to Zoo Education Specialist Brooke Coe. Four of the stations are vet stations, where the stuffed animal will have its physical and check-up. A surgery center will be available for repairing injured animals, Coe added.

Don't have a stuffed animal? The clinic will have stuffed animals available for a $1 adoption fee.

All the proceeds of each fundraiser that is hosted by the Greater Sacramento Chapter of American Association of Zoo Keeper Events, such as the Stuffed Animal Vet Clinic, is donated to a different conservation organization, Coe said.

"With this event, specifically, we decided to donate all of our proceeds to the Sacramento Police Canine Association, in order to assist with the police dog, Bodie’s veterinary care and recovery," Coe said.

For more information visit the website of the Sacramento Zoo.

Small Market, Big Heart gives Kings fans the whole story - so far

2012-05-15T09:43:34Z

For the never-say-die Kings fan, Jan. 9 was an important day.

It was the premiere of Small Market, Big Heart at the historic Crest Theatre in Downtown Sacramento. A documentary designed, as their promo states, “to share the compelling 26-year story of the people of Sacramento and their battle to get and keep a professional sports franchise”

The film played once more on January 21, on KXTL FOX 40, but then went silent.

On Tuesday, May 15, the outstanding documentary and collective vision of producers James Ham and Blake Ellington as well as director Tobin Halsey, will finally be available across the nation by way of the Small Market, Big Heart website (www.smallmarketbigheart.com) for the first time ever on the Internet. The trailer can be viewed here:

The story didn’t get the happy ending makeover the producers had hoped for, as the new entertainment and sports complex in the Sacramento Rail Yards has been put on ice, at least for the time being.

The updated version being released tomorrow includes a newly filmed epilogue by Sacramento’s Mayor Kevin Johnson that brings the film current.

“A sequel is in the works,” Ham said via telephone, “but we felt this was the proper time to allow the film to be seen by a larger audience. Basketball fans everywhere need to know this story.”

When the trio sat down to discuss the possibility of making a documentary that would, not only inform the masses about the history of the Kings tenuous stay in Sacramento, but look to inject locals with a newfound rabidity for their only professional sports franchise, they looked to a similar situation that had occurred several years before in Seattle, Washington.

The film Sonicsgate shared the gut wrenching story of Seattle’s loss of their beloved basketball team. Call it a model for what Ham, Ellington and Halsey were looking to do, but with one huge difference.

In Seattle, the team was already moving to Oklahoma City and the story was one of “what happened?” and “why did we lose our team?”

For the makers of Small Market, Big Heart, the struggle was just beginning as they built the film as events were still unfolding.

“We saw an opportunity to tell an incredible story in real time,” said Ham. “To try and humanize the fight of the people of Sacramento.”

Ham, an editor of Cowbell Kingdom, an ESPN True Hoops affiliate, took offense to the fact that his local team and major source of passion, could leave town on the same sort of merits that the SuperSonics abandoned Seattle.

“Each of us have our own motivations for delving into a project like this,” stated Ham. “For me, I have two young sons that I want to raise as basketball fans and I have plenty of people I consider friends that work inside the walls of Power Balance Pavilion.”

For co-producer Blake Ellington, the mission was simple - do whatever he could to inform people that, not only that this team should not have to leave, but they darn well better stay.

Ellington is the managing editor of Bleedblackandpurple.com, a Kings blog he set up several years ago. He is also the founder of Here We Stay - a grassroots movement that began in October 2010 as an effort to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

“Here We Stay is a movement that was created and based on the principles that Kings fans needed the opportunity to have a voice in the process of building a new entertainment and sports complex in Sacramento and, in effect, ensure that their favorite NBA franchise stayed in town,” said Ellington.

“I felt that until that point, it was a conversation that was being held by city leaders and the team’s owners, but didn’t really take into account the feelings and passion for the team that the people of Sacramento had consistently shown over the last 27 years.”

Not only was Here We Stay a rousing success, it spawned several other “Here We...” movements, including Here We Stay nights #1 and #2 as well as Here We Build.

But the fight wasn’t over for Ellington, so he teamed up with Ham and Halsey to create Small Market, Big Heart.

“We wanted to put it out there for the Sacramento community, business leaders, politicians and fans that the desire to get something done and the desire for the fans to express their love for the team was something that needed to be seen on a large scale,” said Ellington.

“It needed to be out there for people to see in the form of a story; something that was tangible for others to see and connect with. Maybe people that weren’t involved with the grassroots movements and didn’t know the history behind what has gone on in Sacramento regarding the team, would get a chance to see that first-hand and get involved themselves.”

You can follow the group on Twitter @SMBHdocumentary or on their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SmallMarketBigHeart.

Disclosure: I know James Ham and Blake Ellington as we often run into each other at Kings games and practices. As the rabid Kings fan most of you know me to be, I've seen and enjoyed the movie very much and encourage you to see it!

Real Relationships: Animals

2012-05-14T15:50:13Z

Pets.

Loveable.

Frustrating.

All-consuming?

I seen this more often than I would like. Person A has dog (or cat or bird or whatever). Person A finds themselves in a committed relationship with Person B. Person B does not like animals. Person A is torn. They love their Ruffy, but they also kind of dig Person B. What to do, what to do.

Why should you have to choose? If you are an animal lover and you had your best friend before you got in this semi-serious relationship, the incoming significant other needs to understand that your pet is your companion. If they are an animal hater, that is likely to cause some serious dissention in your relationship.

I would hate to see relationships fail because of an animal, but I am willing to go out on a limb and say that if you do not agree on your love (or hate) for animals, there may be other differing points of view that will ultimately be the demise of your relationship.

There are exceptions. There always are (see: allergies).

Is it generalizing for me to say that people who hate animals often hate a lot of other things in life? Too bad, I am saying it anyway. Let me follow that up by saying I have no issues with people who do not like animals. I don't understand them, nor would I ever marry one, but that is their right!

My point is that if you love animals and plan on having them as part of your life ’til death do you part, it isn't likely that you will find romantic bliss with someone who hates animals. Animals are part of your life, much like children. They are always there, always need attention and require a financial investment. Better be in agreement about all those things before you commit your, and your pet's, life to this person.

Just a piece of advice, if you are entering into a new relationship and you have a pet you love to death: Introduce the pet and the new love sooner rather than later. That introduction will tell you more than you think.

If you are one of the animal haters (dislikers) I am referring to, beware: Animal (particularly dog) owners will absolutely judge you on how you interact with animals. Keep that in mind when you push Ruffy away because he is getting dog hair on you. I'm not saying you should pretend. I just want you to be aware of it.

Have a relationship question or topic? Email sacpress@live.com.

Harvey Milk Foundation host Harvey Milk Day with landmark conversation on law requiring LGBT history in public schools

2012-05-11T02:20:39Z

The Harvey Milk Foundation celebrates the third annual Harvey Milk Day in Sacramento, Calif. and joins together with the California Legislative LGBT Caucus and Equality California (EQCA) to host a breakthrough conversation on the implementation and benefits of Senate Bill (SB) 48.

This is an important event that families, educators, students, policy leaders and civil rights advocates should attend. Given the importance of the conversation, and the special holiday to celebrate one of our LGBT heroes, this event is free to the public with RSVP: http://harveymilkday.eventbrite.com/

Substance and celebration:

The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act (SB 48), authored by Senator Mark Leno and signed into law by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. in 2011, requires public schools to teach LGBT history. While the act went into effect on January 1, 2012, it has yet to be implemented into California’s public school curriculum standards. A panelist of policy, education and civil rights leaders celebrate the California holiday for slain politician, Harvey Milk, by addressing bullying and discrimination in schools. Solutions to mitigate these growing issues could develop as more students have access to factual information about social movements, current events and history of LGBT people.

In 2009, the California State Legislature passed, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed, SB 572 designating every May 22 as "Harvey Milk Day.” SB 572 was authored by Senator Mark Leno.

Location and time:

The California Museum
1020 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

6 – 7 PM

Featuring:

Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk
Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez
Senator Mark Leno, author of SB 48
Anne Kronenberg, Harvey’s campaign manager
Laurie Hasencamp, Equality California Interim Executive Director
Dori Moorehead, The California Museum Executive Director
Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson
Professor Lawrence C. Levine, University of the Pacific – McGeorge School of Law
Stampp Corbin, publisher of LGBT Weekly (moderator)

Harvey Milk Day 2012 sponsors: Chevron, Comcast Spotlight, VSP Vision Care, The California Museum, Hot Italian, California Biotechnology Foundation, Lucas Public Affairs, Platinum Advisors, Cathy Schwamberger & Diana Kienle and the Dewey Square Group.

The Harvey Milk Foundation, established in 2010 as a non-profit charitable organization, promotes Harvey Milk’s legacy through education and outreach around the world. Harvey Milk (1930-1978) was the one of the first openly gay elected official in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was assassinated in San Francisco’s City Hall in November 1978. The Foundation is led and founded by Harvey’s nephew, Stuart Milk, and Anne Kronenberg, Harvey’s campaign manager and political aide. To learn more, please visit: www.MilkFoundation.org

Disclosure: media director, Harvey Milk Foundation

Offbeat Mother's Day activities in Sacramento

2012-05-07T23:02:54Z

Mother's Day is almost upon us and, while some people think it ends after giving mom breakfast in bed, the fun doesn't have to end there. Treat mom to the whole day by taking advantage of the many activities Sacramento has to offer.

Scribner Bend Vineyards Mother's Day Brunch

Location: 9051 River Road
Event hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Scribner Vineyards is opening its doors for a brunch catered by Rayna's Gourmet Catering. There will be three brunch times available: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Located about 15 minutes from downtown Sacramento, guests get to sit and eat outside, surrounded by grape vines.

"It's 15 minutes from downtown, but you feel like you're in a different world. It's got gorgeous arches throughout, covered in red and white roses," said Event and Marketing Manager Karen Gamalski.

Prices include $25 for Wine Club members and $30 for non-club members. Children under the age of 5 are free. Wine is not included, but is available. Club members will receive a complimentary glass of champagne with the brunch.

Reservations are required. For reservations, call 744-1803 and for more information, click here.

MOM's Day Bake Sale at the Sacramento Zoo

Location: 3930 West Land Park Drive
Event hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For families with little kids, enjoy a trip to the Sacramento Zoo, where a small bake sale outside the orangutan exhibit will be in full swing. The profits of the bake sale will go to Missing Orangutan Mothers, an organization that aids orphaned orangutan babies in the wild. Baked goods will be donated from local bakeries.

East Sacramento Garden Tour

Location: 3535 M St.
Event hours: 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.

For moms who love to garden, the 14th annual East Sacramento Garden Tour can be a relaxing day out. For $20 per person (children ages 12 and under are free), attendees are given a map to seven walking-distance home gardens directly around the David Lubin Elementary School. The funds from each ticket go into a fund that benefits the school.

Each home garden has been volunteered by the owners and has been embellished and dressed up by local shops and florists.

"(Guests) look forward to it every year, and it's become a tradition they do on Mother's Day. No one's been disappointed yet," said Embellishing Committee member Amy Schnetz.

The school garden will also be available for viewing. A boutique will be open at the school during the event.

Mother's Day Excursion Train Rides at the California State Railroad Museum

Location: 125 I St.
Event hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All mothers who take a train ride will be treated with a double fudge-dipped cake pop (while supplies last).

Tickets are available online and in person. The cost for adults is $10, $5 for children ages 6 to 17 and free for children 5 and under.

For more information, call 445-6645 or click here.

Raley Field Presents Mother's Day Brunch Ticket Package

Location: 400 Ballpark Drive
Event hours: Pre-game brunch served between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The package includes a senate ticket, pre-game brunch, and $10 Macy’s Gift Card. One mom, of the package purchasers, will be randomly selected to throw the game’s first pitch. The brunch includes choice of bacon, ham, steak, scrambled eggs and more.

For more information, click here.

Do you know of a Mother's Day activity we should have included in the list? Let us know in the comments.

Real Relationships: Detached Teen

2012-05-07T15:17:46Z

I think it is safe to assume that everyone reading this is either a teenager or used to be a teenager. Do you ever look back at your 16-year-old self and feel like punching yourself in the face?

I was a late bloomer. I made it to 17 incident-free, but seriously... what was I thinking?

It breaks my heart to see parents with errant teens, saddened by their choices and seemingly helpless to correct them. Blank stares, slammed doors, late nights. Teenagers. It breaks my hear to see teenagers – angry, frustrated and unable to effectively communicate with the ones who brought them into this world.

I'm not telling you it is easy, or that you can fix it, or, more importantly, that it is anyone’s fault this is happening.

Let’s be honest: Teens have a mind of their own, and despite the best upbringing possible, sometimes they want to do their own thing. The good news is, it probably won’t last forever. It will feel that way, but really, give them two to five years of sheer rebellion, and they’ll realize the grass is greener on innocence side.

Bottom line: If they aren’t doing anything illegal (and I mean by the law’s standards, not yours) then the chances of you a) knowing about it and b) doing anything about it without completely cutting them off is low. However, that doesn't mean you cannot keep reaching out and eventually break through.

1. Listen. On those rare occasions they do want to talk, just listen. Don’t offer your opinion or advice until solicited.

2. Don't push. I know, it is your child, your baby, your legacy, and they are trampling all over it. Kids have to learn from their own mistakes. Until they make them, they’ll never know that indeed, you were right about everything.

3. Love. In the eventual return of your child to sanity and morals, welcome them back with open arms. Don’t allow the mistakes they have made to ruin your relationship. Yes, ground rules may need to be set, but there is nothing more disheartening than a teen finally coming to their senses, reaching out for a way back and being denied. As a teen, try and remember that your parents do love you.

There may be an opportunity to be open and candid with your teen about your own checkered past (assuming you have one). Be careful with your words. Don’t imply that rebellion is acceptable because everyone comes out unscathed on the other side. The fact is not everyone does.

Bad decisions in your teen years can lead to life-altering or life-ending changes.

If you are a teen reading this, know that your decisions affect everyone around you. I know that you think you are living in your own world and you are your own person but let me break the news to you, you are still a kid. You are a teenager masquerading as a responsible adult that has no idea what to do next.

Have some mercy on your parents. They don’t know what to do next either.

Be smart. Be open. Be available.

As they say, “This too shall pass.”

Arthritis sucks! Arthritis Walk 5k raises awareness and funds to find a cure.

2012-05-04T01:19:54Z

Arthritis sucks, because today:

· Three people will die from arthritis-related complications

· 50 million men, women and children are in pain from arthritis

· 3,750 joints will be replaced

Arthritis and its forms, like RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), are often referred to as the “invisible disease.” The symptoms are invisible when looking at an affected person’s appearance – so much that people with the disease often hear, “but you don’t look sick.” There’s also a misconception that only old people are suffering. However, JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) can be diagnosed as early as 6 months old. The effects of arthritis and all of its forms, however, are far from invisible to those who have the disease.

Arthritis is a life-altering disease with no cure, making the most simple and basic daily tasks extremely difficult. Imagine living a day with the disease – getting out of bed in the morning is a challenge, movement is difficult, walking is painful, fatigue and stiffness last all day and joints are inflamed causing constant, numbing pain even when the body is at rest. Creating awareness about the invisible disease plays a critical role in helping to find a cure.

I was diagnosed with RA when I was 18 years old, a Freshman in college and competitive runner. The doctor said casually, “You have Rheumatoid Arthritis. You’ll be in a wheelchair by the time you are 23 years old, and you’ll never run again.” Nine years and two total hip replacements later, I am still battling the disease with a smile on my face every day. I’m not alone, and luckily there are organizations like the Arthritis Foundation that are dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who are battling it with me.

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month, and the Arthritis Foundation is holding its 2012 Arthritis Walk 5k. This event spreads the word of the benefits of physical activity to ease the pain of arthritis, but more importantly it is a way for the community to come together to help raise funds to find a cure. In efforts to help raise awareness and honor fellow arthritis warriors, I’ll be running the 5k – to prove my first doctor wrong. I am running again and won’t stop, because it’s part of who I am.

This year’s juvenile arthritis honoree is 3-year-old Bevin, who began battling arthritis when she was 21 months old. Bevin was first taken to see her doctor due to a prolonged limp. A pediatric rheumatologist discovered that both her hips, knees and one ankle were affected by JRA.

The 2012 Arthritis Walk 5k will be full of fun, festivities and food. The walk is free and includes vendors such as event sponsor Massage Envy, which will raffle off a free one-hour massage every hour. It also features a kids zone with face-painting, games, crafts, and live entertainment. There is still time to help – participate by walking or running the 2012 Arthritis Walk 5k.

When: Saturday, May 5
Registration: 8 a.m.
Walk: 9 a.m.

Where: State Capitol – West Steps
Sacramento

To learn more and to register for the Arthritis Walk 5k, visit www.sacarthritiswalk.org.

In the Flow Festival kicks off with pre-festival event on Friday

2012-05-03T02:00:56Z

People of all ages are invited to enter the world of jazz during the kick off pre-festival event at Midtown Village Cafe on Friday at 8 p.m. for Sacramento's fifth annual In the Flow Festival.

The preview show will give audiences a taste of the types of music they can expect when attending the In the Flow Festival, which will be held May 9 to the 14th.

"(The preview show is) not only for the media, but for fans to wet their appetite. We have local and Oakland based bands coming in to get people excited. It's also an opportunity to meet and greet folks who are coming to some or all of the festival," Publicist Mindy Giles said.

A $6 cover charge per person at the door will give fans and musical patrons a few hours of relaxing, live music from the talents of the Anthony Coleman Quartet from Sacramento, Chikading! from Sacramento and Dino Piranha from Oakland.

The In the Flow Festival has grown into a big community event, geared toward jazz and creative music. According to the website, patrons of this year's festival, will hear from over 35 artists and bands featuring jazz, rock, poetry/spoken word, electronic and blues.

Patrons can also expect a lot of creative or improvised music, Festival Programmer Ross Hammond said. Improvised music is not planned, but is made up as the artists or bands go along, he added.

While every festival is different and unique, so are all the forms of self-expression by each artist. The exhibition of improvised, live music denotes a thorough knowledge of an instrument.

"Come with an open mind," Giles said. "What you are seeing is incredibly creative people who are opening themselves up to you and each other. These artists know their way around their instruments to be improvisational and fearless."

When asked about potential highlights of the festival, Giles said that highlights could be found in any artist or group.

"You don't know what you're going to get. In years past I would see a 40 minute set by someone I hadn't seen before that really 'wowed' me. There's always a gem and you'll always be surprised," Giles said.

The In the Flow Festival was founded by bass player Byron Blackburn (now deceased) and guitarist Ross Hammond in 2008 because the musical events that dotted the Sacramento calendar weren't varied in music nor were there any shows of its kind, Hammond said.

"My perspective is: If you don't have it, make it up," Hammond said. "We just thought it would be fun to have a special event that celebrates this kind of music. I was all ready booking a lot of local jazz-related concerts and it seemed like a good idea to try to make a weekend of it."

The next obstacle Blackburn and Hammond faced was coming up with a name. The title "In the Flow" came from a description of a feeling when improvising music, art or conversations, Hammond said.

"You're not thinking and instead you're just reacting. That's being in the flow," Hammond said.

As a full-time guitarist, Hammond relies on his musical connections to other artists and bands, the generosity of volunteers and support of local venues to put on the festival each year.

This year's festival will be performed in five different Midtown locations including Antiquite Maison Privee, Luna's and Bows & Arrows. For a full list of venues click here.

The In the Flow Festival costs $10 a day at the door or series tickets (which allows entrance into all venues) can be purchased for $30 online until May 9 by clicking here or in person at the pre-festival event.

For more information on venues, lists of artists and times visit the In the Flow Festival website by clicking here.

A DAY OF HOPE FOR SACRAMENTO

2012-05-02T19:39:35Z

The Sacramento Convoy of Hope is a collaborative effort between dozens of local churches, businesses, social service organizations, local government and Convoy of Hope, Inc—a 501(c)(3) non-profit humanitarian organization, serving in the United States and around the world, providing food for the hungry and relief for people in crisis. For more info, go to: http://sacramentocoh.org/index.php

The Sacramento outreach will provide an estimated twenty thousand people with a tangible message of hope — free groceries, clothing, health screenings, job fairs, haircuts, social services, games and activities for children, and much more. All goods and services are provided to guests free of charge. This all-volunteer event mobilizes hundreds of area residents to serve and make a difference in their community. Strong participation by local businesses, churches, community agencies, and individuals is crucial to the success of this event.

EVENT INFO:
http://sacramentocoh.org/index.php
Location: CAL EXPO, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815
Time: 10 am to 3pm
Date: Saturday, September 15, 2012
FREE EVENT! OPEN TO ALL AGES!

Attendees: We look forward to making a difference in your lives... See you there!

To Volunteer: http://sacramentocoh.org/volunteer-opportunities.php

To Be a Sponsor: http://sacramentocoh.org/sponsor_become.php (We also need in-kind items/services, etc)

Business Owners: If you are a business that would like to be on our planning committee, can donate your time, expertise, services, or an in-kind exchange.

If you are a church, we need you... http://sacramentocoh.org/church_info.php - Contact: Robin 916-549-9922 / info@sacramentocoh.org

For Interviews, or Editorial coverage before, or during the event, please contact: Andrew Bradley, Media Relations, (510) 910 3443, MrAndrewBradley@gmail.com

Disclosure: The community is invited to give back. Join me as part of Convoy of Hopes 2012 planning committee.

Real Relationships: Call Me!!

2012-04-30T15:15:43Z

What separates a shallow relationship from a lifelong commitment? Checking in.

OK, I am being super facetious when I say that, because it really can't be separated that way. However, something that I have always appreciated about my husband, even when we were dating, is that he checks in. I, in turn, offer him the same courtesy if I am out of town or going to be working late.

By “checking in," I do not mean a 30-minute conversation about everything he did that day or an exact itinerary while he is away.

Situation: My husband is out of town for work or screwing around with his buddies.

Check-in: Text that says, "Hey wife, hope you had a good day, love you!"

Yes, my husband calls me "wife," but that is probably a whole different column.

My point is that all I want to know is that he is alive, hopefully doing well and thinking about me, even if for a few seconds. Sometimes he calls before he goes to bed so that we can chat for three minutes (neither of us enjoy phone calls).

This principle also applies to late work days. Text: "I'll be working late tonight" or "I am going to Costco after work."

I appreciate this check-in for a few reasons.

1. If I expect him home at a certain time and he isn't there, I'll probably start having irrational thoughts about his safety.

2. I try to time dinner to be ready approximately 25 minutes after he walks in the door. If I know when he is walking in the door, it is a lot easier. (He often calls or texts when he is headed home, which helps.)

Why is this so important to me? Those quick text messages and phone calls mean the world to me. I am not a hoverer (is that a word?) or a control freak. I do not set a check-in schedule or get upset with him if he doesn't check-in. I simply appreciate the fact that he does and that it is important to him to connect, even for a second, with me.

It shows respect. It shows thoughtfulness. It speaks volumes of his courtesy and love for me.

I'm not knocking those couples who don't check in with each other. It isn't for everyone. Actually, I know couple who diabolically abhor checking in with each other. That’s cool, particularly because they know that about each other.

So my question to you is, do you know if your partner prefers you to check in more often than you do?

I challenge you to randomly do it the next time you are away from home or working late and see if your significant other seems surprisingly appreciative. That will be your answer.

Have a relationship question? Email sacpress@live.com and I will write about it! Check out Real Relationships every Monday.

Outfielder reaches milestone as River Cats beat Padres 5-1

2012-04-27T22:28:50Z

Sacramento outfielder Brandon Moss reached the 1,000th minor-league hit in Thursdays 5-1 victory over the Padres.

The top of the first inning proved eventful as the Padres' first batter, left fielder Daniel Robertson, was hit by the pitcher in the left shoulder. Second baseman Everth Cabrera was out after lining out to River Cats short stop Adam Rosales. Right fielder Sawyer Carroll hit a fly into a double play, which was caught by right fielder River Cats' Jermaine Mitchell. He then threw to first baseman Chris Carter taking Padres' Robertson out on first.

The River Cats also started off with a bang in the bottom of the first as their first hitter, right fielder Jermaine Mitchell, hit a triple over second base. Center fielder Collin Cowgill singled up the middle, allowing Mitchell to score the first run of the evening. Carter then singled to left field, Cowgill took third. Driving hitter Brandon Moss singled to right-center field, and Cowgill scored the second run for the evening while Carter took second.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson grounded into a force out, by Padres third basemen James Darnell to second basemen Cabrera, allowing Carter to take third, but Moss was out on second.

Catcher Derek Norris singled to left field, Carter scored a run, and Donaldson took second. Left fielder Grant Green grounded into a double play, hitting to Padres short stop Beamer Weems, who threw to Cabrera, taking Norris for the out at second, and Cabrera then threw to first basemen Vince Belnome, to take Green out at first.

Excitement continued for the rowdy 3,212 fans in the top of the second inning, after Padres third basemen James Darnell popped out to shortstop Adam Rosales and driving hitter Matt Clark walked, when Belnome doubled to left field, allowing Clark to score a run for the Padres.

In the bottom of the fourth Mitchell singled, and Rosales was forced out at second. Mitchell then stole second base and later scored.
Mitchell scored again in the bottom of the sixth inning, which brought the crowd out of their seats in excitement, cheering, when Mitchell scored another run after singled to first base, then proceeded to steal second base after a wild pitch by pitcher Colt Hynes, and advanced to third on a throwing error by Padres Davis.

Moss reached the 1,000 minor league hit in his career on a single to right field, in the bottom of the sixth inning, singling to right field. The crowd burst into applause as his accomplishment shone bright on the Jumbotron.

There were no more scores for the night, ending with Moss' career highlight.

The River Cats will face the Tucson Padres again Friday at Raley Field at 7:05 p.m.

Mulch Madness at McKinley Park

2012-04-25T16:07:41Z

Looking for an alternative to the Monday workday routine? Grab your wheelbarrow and join other park lovers as we mulch the trees of McKinley Park.

Why are we adding mulch to the trees?
• Mulch suppresses weeds, which reduces maintenance costs by reducing the need to apply herbicides around the trees (a common practice in Sacramento area parks)
• Mulch increases nutrient and water retention in the soil (which means less watering)
• Mulch enhances soil structure
• Mulch encourages favorable microbes and worms

Ken Decio, California Integrated Waste Management Board says, “Not only does mulch keep green material out of landfills. It also controls weeds, reduces erosion, conserves water, adds organic matter to the soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.”

The event is supported by the City of Sacramento Parks and Recreation Department and the Sacramento Tree Foundation. Mulch is provided by the City of Sacramento Urban Forestry Service. If you don’t have a wheelbarrow, just show up! The Sacramento Tree Foundation will have extra wheelbarrows, gloves and rakes.

This is an all ages, all ability event. We need more help to mulch the trees of McKinley Park!
Monday, April 30, 5-6:30 pm
Shepard Garden and Art Center
3300 McKinley Blvd, 95816

Visit sactree.com/events for more information.

Disclosure: Anne Fenkner is a certified ISA Arborist for the Sacramento Tree Foundation and a volunteer U.C. Cooperative Extension Master Gardener. She resides in the Med Center neighborhood and serves on the Board of the Shepard Garden and Art Center.

Poetic voices educate immigrant choices

2012-04-24T06:42:41Z

More than 85 people attended a poetry benefit at the Guild Theater on April 21, 2012 to raise funds for the “Que Llueva Café” scholarship which aims to support the dreams, hopes, and aspirations of college bound undocumented students so they can earn their college degree and allow their hard work and sacrifice to persevere.

Thirty scholars were chosen holistically by a panel of community volunteers through CORE, Chicano Organizing and Research in Education earlier this month. Every year, the group aims to raise $15,000 to help undocumented scholars working towards higher education. Recipients live everywhere in the United States, not just in California.

“When we first put this scholarship together five years ago, there was a lot of hate,” Miguel Cordova, a state worker at Department of Education admits. He said some of the board members endured threats for moving the controversial scholarship forward.

“I think there is a great deal of fear. We have since come a long way towards bridging the gap for equality in education.”

He wishes that he could provide help to all 1,400 scholars who apply yearly. Their stories are enduring, but the group just does not have all the funds required to help them all. The applications go through at least five reviews until a decision is made.

The benefit is one of the many that the group organizes for the year which raised $13,000 so far. They are well on their way for their goal with one more fundraiser planned late in 2012.

Francisco Alarcon, Julia Connor, JoAnn Anglin, Nancy Aide Gonzalez were some of the educators who recited prose. Other poets include Betty Sanchez, Sean Penna, Rosalba Gabriela Ruvalcaba, and Paco Marquez. Musicians, Patrick Grizzell, Cynthia Llano Faulkner and Joaquin Clemente also gained spectators attention.

The evening is proof that poets come from all walks of life. From social workers, to lawyers, musicians, to visual artists, they paint the picture representing the meaning of the American dream.

"Poetry makes business sense,” said John Martinez. “In poetry the use of similes communicates the ideas that we are trying to set forth. I use similes daily when I'm closing," said John Martinez, an attorney who rededicated himself to writing rhyme at age fifty.

After four children and half a dozen grandchildren, he decided to pick up the passion he left behind at twenty. “It's never too late,” he adds. His wife Rosa America said that he used to write poems when they first met as a young couple starting out in life. When you follow ambition, work and family responsibilities have a way of taking over your life.

Here is Martinez in one of his rare public appearances.

And just like many influential older brothers, he was able to convince his younger sibling Ramiro Martinez, a visual artist to also share his take on literacy in the open mic later in the night.

Ramiro’s poem can be viewed here.

Kings lose 103-92 to Thunder as The Big Three prepare for playoff run

2012-04-22T00:41:13Z

If it wasn’t enough that it was Grateful Dead night and fans that bought the special ticket package got to talk to the legendary Bill Walton, members of the band and got a special T-shirt to mark the occasion. Then, the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, former Kansas City Royal Oscar Robertson was being recognized. How about that it was Fan Appreciation Night at the ole barn and nearly half in attendance was rewarded with some kind of prize for being a loyal purple-wearing fan. And finally, outstanding Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Isaiah Thomas was honored as this year’s winner of the team’s Oscar Robertson Triple Double Award during the game.

Oh, did I mention that the Sacramento Kings had to play possibly the best team in the league - the Oklahoma City Thunder - on this very special evening?

In a tough battle, it seemed that every time the Kings got close, the Thunder would pull away. They worked hard to pull out a 103-92 victory over the Kings on Friday night at Power Balance Pavilion before continuing their road trip and heading down south to play the Lakers on Sunday.

Again, like in the past several games, the home team pulled out to an early lead and seemed to have some kind of control of the flow of the game.

But when you’re playing against three of the best players in the game today - Kevin Durant (29 points, 14 boards, 7 assists), Russell Westbrook (18 points) and, since he’s averaging 17 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists a game, James Harden (20 points, 6 boards), an early lead is never enough.

Oh yeah. Don’t forget the most intimidating shot blocking presence in the game today in Serge Ibaka (12 points, 6 boards, 8 blocks).

Yeah, the Thunder are for real.

The Kings had their biggest lead of the game - seven - at the halfway point of the first quarter. That’s all it took for the Thunder to put their collective foot down and say that’s enough.

From that point on, the Kings chances of pulling out a win faded slowly like a desert landscape in the rear view mirror.

One fantastic highlight for the Kings was about three minutes into the game when Tyreke Evans split two defenders on the way to the rack but picked up a third defender just as got close to the hoop. That third defender was Ibaka and Evans instinctively knew he was in trouble. As Ibaka jumped to block the shot he thought was coming, Evans spun to his left and found Jason Thompson, who was closing on the basket from the opposite side of the floor. Evans’ pass went between three players right into J.T.’s waiting hands for the two-handed stuff.

For Thompson (13 points, 8 boards, 2 blocks), this year’s journey was in some respects, much like ones of year’s past. The many coaching changes, getting yanked in and out of the starting lineup of the years and a different style of play every year.

In other ways, this has been Thompson’s breakout season. Although many of his numbers are down from a few years ago, his shooting percentage is up and something seemed to click about one-third of the way through the year.

Whether it was Clifford Ray, who was brought in to work with the big men, getting used to Keith Smart’s system or just finally growing into his body and honing his craft, something happened.

“Kind of being in a consistent situation,” started Thompson. “I’ve had four different coaches in four years. It’s tough to get into a certain type of rhythm. I think for the most part, being a starter and knowing my role for some time, it got me at more of a comfort level. I started to get into a groove.”

But it was really slowing his game down and learning not to rush things that have got to have the Kings’ brass thinking about resigning him in the off-season.

“Kind of playing slower,” said Thompson. “Making the game come to me. Using my ability to run the floor and trying to look for the basketball as much as I can. Then when I got the easier ones, the tougher ones get easier.”

You know how much Kings’ fans hate the Lakers and anything to do with them. That hatred was on full display when Derek Fisher entered the game in the first to a chorus of boos that reigned down upon him like rain in a tropical forest. Heavy.

Early in the second quarter, the Thunder threatened to runaway with it as they gained a 14-point lead, but the Kings rallied to close it to an eight-point lead at the half.

To say the officiating was bad on this night would be an understatement to say the least. Right before the end of the half, there was a sequence where several Kings thought they were being hacked under the basket, so much so, that Coach Smart picked up the technical as he almost exploded in his shoes because of the lack of a foul call after the sequence.

“We can’t let that get the best of us,” said Chuck Hayes. “You just have to keep playing. You keep going to the hole strong, looking for contact and just be physical. Eventually, they’re gonna come.”

DeMarcus Cousins (18 points, 9 boards) came out in the third quarter angry and looking to score. Cousins had eight in the quarter and was making an impact early, but the Thunder know how to wear a team down. Late in the quarter, they would push it to a 15-point lead and never look back.

The Kings went shot-for-shot with Oklahoma City in the final quarter but it wasn’t to pull out a win.

Francisco Garcia, who put a hard foul on Durant towards the end of the game, performed well on this night finishing with 11 points, six boards, four assists and, of course, his two obligatory blocks.

Garcia, now the team’s journeyman, hasn’t received consistent playing time this season, but always does his best to stay ready for the call.

“It felt good to be out there,” said the veteran from Louisville. “Like you said, just playing a certain amount of minutes. It felt good just to be out there.”

And what about Isaiah Thomas, the celebrated King of the evening? What did it mean to him to win the coveted organizational award?

“It meant a lot,” said the rookie. “Any award you win, means a lot. But the one from Oscar Robertson himself, it’s a blessing from God. I was surprised I won it.”

GAME NOTES: Kendrick Perkins had a quiet 10 points and seven boards for the Thunder . . . Jimmer Fredette had 11, but only hit one of his five three-point shots . . . Thomas had 12 points, three boards and four assists . . . Marcus Thornton did not play - sore knee . . . Hayes (7 points, 6 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals) had a solid game . . . The last home game of the year is Thursday against the rival Lakers

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

DARREN HALL

http://www.darrenhallphotography.net/

http://www.facebook.com/Darrenhallphotography

Cats lose another pitcher's duel, fall to Tacoma 1-0 on solo home run

2012-04-21T02:23:34Z

Coming into Thursday night’s contest at Raley Field, the Sacramento River Cats were on a roll. As winners of four of their last five, the team’s confidence was riding high, especially considering the pitching staff had only given up seven runs in the last five games.

All that changed with the Tacoma Rainiers in town. They brought their ace, Anthony Vasquez, who had a streak of nine consecutive quality starts on the line dating back to last July, pitched a gem and kept Sacramento’s bats confused by changing speeds often. The pitching performance allowed the Rainiers to win the game 1-0 on a beautiful 79 degree evening in front of 4,304 fans.

For the River Cats, the action got started in the bottom of the first.

With two outs and a man on first, a horrible call was made when Michael Taylor drilled a sinking line drive into right field. The ball clearly hit the grass before right fielder Chih-Hsien Chiang scooped it up, but the right field umpire called it a catch.

That’s all it took for Cats manager Darren Bush to come sprinting out of the dugout and racing straight up to the umpire to complain. It appeared that, not only everyone in the press box knew it was a clean hit, but so did almost every player in the field. Bush couldn’t get umpire Stu Scheurwater to change his mind, and the inning ended.

The third inning brought a little excitement for both teams. The first batter up for Tacoma was Guillermo Quiroz, who belted a shot over the left field wall for a monster solo shot.

In the bottom half of the frame, the Cats had two outs and one on when Colin Cowgill, who just joined the team after being sent down by the A’s, sent a ball screaming toward deep left field. Scott Savastano had to leap at the base of the wall and made a great catch, snatching the ball just as it was clearing the fence.

Cowgill seemed to be the only River Cat that could halfway figure out Rainiers starter Vasquez.

“I played against him last year,” he said. “He’s got a .90 (ERA) for a reason. He’s got a good fastball that tails away, good change-ups, cutters and works both sides of the plate. I was just fortunate enough to get the barrel on a few. I wish I would have done a little more damage with them.”

After three complete innings, the Rainiers led 1-0.

It was quite the pitcher’s duel through six innings. Tacoma’s starter Anthony Vasquez was solid as he only gave up four hits, gave up no walks and struck out three.

For Cats starter Fabio Castro, the pitching line was very similar. He had also given up four hits but had seven strikeouts. The big difference being the solo homer he gave up in the third.

Finally in the eighth, the Cats started a rally of their own. Brandon Hicks walked with one out, and a batter later, Cowgill, who had hit the ball hard in all three of his previous at-bats, smashed a liner down the third baseline that bounced off the glove of Vinnie Catricala and rolled down the line. It went far enough for Hicks to get to third and Cowgill to second.

Cue the Rainiers reliever. Out with starter Vasquez and in came Oliver Perez. With a 1-2 count on him, Brandon Moss, who scored the winning run two days ago, struck out looking to end the inning.

In the ninth, Derek Norris managed to squeeze out a walk, but that was all the Cats could muster. Adam Rosales struck out for the final out of the game.

Castro had a great performance. Castro’s final line was six innings pitched, four hits, one earned run, three walks and seven strikeouts.

Bush was very pleased with the outing.

“He threw the ball well and moved it around,” he said. “One mistake. He fell behind in the count, and the guy hit a home run. Solo home runs usually don’t hurt you. Tonight it hurt us. He threw the ball outstanding. Bullpen did a great job. The defense played well, but we just couldn’t get the hits.”

Bush was not surprised at the outing that Vasquez had for Tacoma.

“He changes speeds well,” he said. “He moves the ball around in the zone. He gets guys off balance and stays off their barrel. He does a good job of it.”

How did Bush think Cowgill did in his first start with the team?

“Just like I remember him,” he said.

Cowgill, like every new player that comes into the clubhouse at Raley Field, was welcomed with open arms.

“It’s a great feel,” Cowgill said. “Great teammates, great coaching staff,all the way around. It’s just a great clubhouse. There’s a positive attitude. This team is going to do damage in the future.”

PHOTOS COURTESTY OF:

RON NABITY PHOTOGRAPHY

http://nabityphotos.com

Kings fade in second half, Spurs play like champions without Duncan

2012-04-20T03:06:30Z

As the season winds down, the challenge becomes: How do you keep a 20-41 team still yearning for more wins and team cohesion?

How about play the San Antonio Spurs (45-16) in front of a nearly packed house and learn from the seemingly simple way the team from Texas goes about its everyday business?

The plan worked for 24 minutes. After halftime, the Spurs decided to lay the smackdown and really show the Sacramento Kings (20-42) how the formula translates on the floor by outscoring the home team 69-42 in the second half on way to a 127-102 rout at Power Balance Pavilion Wednesday evening.

The good news was that the Kings took an early 6-0 lead on the backs of Tyreke Evans and Jason Thompson scoring and rebounding.

The bad: That would be the biggest lead the home team would have the entire contest.

After the opening run by the Kings, the balance of the quarter was played very evenly.

For Sacramento, Marcus Thornton (20 points) was on fire. He hit six of seven shots, hit two from beyond the arc and finished the quarter with 14.

One amazing highlight from the first was when, with about eight minutes left, DeMarcus Cousins snatched a rebound and threw the ball more than half the distance of the court to a sprinting Isaiah Thomas, who was being shadowed by Danny Green. Already down on defense for the Spurs was Kawhi Leonard, so, even on the great pass from the Big Cuz, Thomas was essentially already double-teamed.

Luckily for Thomas (21 points, eight assists), Thornton was trailing the play. Without looking, Thomas jumped in the air and, with his back turned to Thornton, dumped an over-the-shoulder, one-handed pass into the waiting hands of Thornton, who made a sweet reverse lay-up for the bucket.

The final play of the quarter seemed to give the Kings a lift. Cousins, after missing a layup, grabbed the rebound and the bucket to give the Kings a 29-28 lead after one.

The second quarter was nearly identical to the first with the teams taking turns leading. At the midway point of the quarter, the Kings went on an 8-0 run, which was immediately followed by an 8-0 Spurs run.

About halfway through the second, “Magic” Cousins, as Jerry Reynolds like to call him on occasion, grabbed a rebound and went coast to coast for a driving layup that brought the crowd to its feet.

Even though the Kings found themselves down by one at the halfway point, it was a great game with both teams shooting over 50 percent. The only real noticeable difference was that the Spurs got to the line 21 times compared to only seven for the Kings.

As they have been lately, the Kings came out in the third trying to establish Cousins inside. Unfortunately, he missed his first four shots which helped the Spurs go on an early 13-4 run and acquire a 10-point lead.

The Spurs interior defense is stifling. Combine that with them shooting almost 64 percent in the third and nearly 59 percent for the game, and they are a tough team to beat.

You could just feel the air come out of the team once the fourth got going. The Spurs opened with a 13-4 run that doomed the home team’s chances of pulling out a win.

A scary situation for Thornton occurred when he banged knees with Manu Ginobili (13 points, five assists) late in the third and had to be helped off the court. It was almost the same spot he was hurt a few weeks back. Word spread that he wouldn’t return, but you can’t keep an angry man down. When will he return to the game?

“Right away, man, right away,” he said. “I’m a competitor first. Pete (Youngman) asked me if I wanted to sit out, and I said no. As it went on it started stiffening up, and they told me to ice it up and try to get ready for Friday.”

He joked that he told Kings trainer Youngman to “make him a whole body armor suit next time.”

Thornton expounded on why the Spurs are such a hard matchup for many teams in the league.

“They’re tough. They’re the best team,” he said. “They’ve got players at every position, and they can go out and be productive, not just on the offensive end but one the defensive end, too. That’s the mark of a great team.”

Playing defense in the paint against the Spurs is a tough challenge for any team, as witnessed by Cousins fouling out and Chuck Hayes picking up five himself. They run the same stuff repeatedly and do it so well, you can’t effectively stop it.

“They have great spacing,” Hayes said. “Everybody knows their roles, and we always got stuck in a position where we were always behind, and that’s how we got into foul trouble.”

Hayes says the Kings can learn from the way San Antonio spreads the floor and sticks with the plan.

“Run your stuff!” he said. “Don’t break the play. Don’t try to be a hero. Run your stuff. And that’s all they do. They don’t do nothing special. They don’t do nothing crazy. They run the play.That’s why they always say it’s boring basketball. But they win. That’s all that matters.”

GAME NOTES: Thomas was acknowledged for his fine play this season by Reebok handing out an autographed pair of shoes and an “I.T.” T-shirt to everyone in Kings Row One . . . Even though he fouled out halfway through the fourth, Cousins ended with 18 points and nine boards . . . Seven players scored in double figures for the Spurs, including Leonard (13 points), Green (11 points), Tony Parker (15 points, eight assists), Stephen Jackson (13 points), Gary Neal (17 points) and Tiago Splitter (17 points, seven boards).

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

NICK HUNTE and MARK NEEDHAM

Alyboo & Izybee Foundation Opens Retail Boutique

2012-04-18T21:32:13Z

Surrounded by precious, handmade baby clothes, Cyndi Mitchell thinks back to 2009 when her tiny twin daughters were born prematurely and she was thrown into the uncertainty of what comes with a child, or children, who must be hospitalized in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Mitchell remembers those days as some of the hardest in her life, and in an attempt to help other families in similar circumstances, she and her husband Dustin founded the Alyboo and Izybee Foundation, named after their two beautiful daughters Aly and Izy.

This amazing foundation is funded through donations, fundraisers and now, a children’s boutique, which had their grand opening on Saturday. The boutique, Aly & Izy’s Closet, offers new and gently used clothing and other children's items as well as maternity clothes donated by the public. All proceeds go to support families who have critically ill infants in local area NICU's. The store is now open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and weekends 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (closed Tuesday and Thursday) and patrons are encouraged to stop by to shop and hear about the work the foundation does.

The Alyboo & Izybee Foundation offers support services to families that have one or more infants in one of the Sacramento area’s six NICU facilities. It provides care baskets, isolette covers, blankets and other comfort items to these families as a small way to help them through a difficult time. The biggest item provided to these families, however, is the opportunity to stay free of charge, in the Foundation's fully-stocked RV and keep it parked in the parking lot of their child's hospital. The RV allows parents to be on location with their child, and eases some of the financial and emotional burden that can come as a result of having a child or children required to stay in a NICU. Many families, particularly those from out-of-town, have nothing with them when they come to the hospital but the clothes on their back. The RV comes stocked with food, blankets, towels and personal care items, all donated by caring members of the community, or purchased directly by the Foundation.

These efforts are done 100 percent by volunteers, including running the new store. The Alyboo & Izybee Foundation hopes to raise enough money in the coming months to purchase a second RV to cover two NICUs simultaneously, with the long-term goal of providing an RV to families at every NICU in the Sacramento region. The dream is an expensive one, but the new retail location will go a long way in raising funds for the Foundation.

“I am excited to move into this new, expanded location with Aly & Izy’s Closet,” said Mitchell, executive director of the Alyboo & Izybee Foundation. “Selling these items makes it possible for the Foundation to offer support services to other families in crisis." The Foundation strives to help NICU babies and their families, and it hopes that this store will continue to make that happen.

Aly & Izy’s Closet accepts donations of clothes, infant care items, volunteer workers and cash donations for the Foundation. Alyboo & Izybee Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, Tax I.D. 27-1339329. For more information about the foundation, a list of donations accepted, Aly & Izy’s Closet and the RV for NICU Babies, visit www.abibf.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HelpingNICUBabies

Aly & Izy's Closet
4800 Granite Drive Suite B7
Rocklin, Ca 95667
916.419.3343

Store Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday-Sunday 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Closed Tuesday and Thursday

Disclosure: Janna Haynes conducts marketing on behalf of the Alyboo & Izybee Foundation.

Sunshine and Heat make a comeback

2012-04-17T04:18:49Z

Thunder, hail, lightening and even a tornado. Weather gone bizarre for Northern California.

To say the least the weather has been quite interesting in the past few months for the Sacramento region.

The past few weeks keeping many families inside trying to keep dry or warm. Killing the typical April family outings to Old Sacramento, the capital and the American River bike trail. Many Sacramento folks trying to just steer clear of the thunder, lighting, and the hail. Not to mention a Tornado? What has gotten into Mother Nature? What has Sacramento done to deserve this weather. Can we blame it on the Maloof’s and the battle with keeping the Kings in Sacramento? I wish!

Saturday the tables turned and the sun finally decided to appear in the Sacramento region once again. Bringing the bizarre weather to an end and the sun and warmth back. Many of us thank Mother Nature as the rain was starting to get depressing.

If you were in downtown anywhere this weekend you were sure to find sidewalks full of folks enjoying themselves; from the capital, K street, the mall and Old Sacramento. The weather does that to us California folk. We become very happy and excited for just about anything when we have sunny and warm days.

With the outlook on the forecast looking superb I’m sure many are already planning their weekends. Will it be a trip to Old Sacramento? A bike ride or walk along the American River Bike Trail? A picnic in one of our many beautiful parks? Maybe it will be a trip to the Zoo?

No matter what it is, I am sure most families will be out in about in the sun this upcoming weekend.

River Cats bring in another victory against Reno Aces 3-1

2012-04-16T21:21:55Z

The River Cats took another victory on Sunday in the third of the four-game home series against the Reno Aces with a score of 3-1.

The game started off with two strike outs and a fly for the Aces, with River Cats starting pitcher Travis Banwart maintaining zero runs, hits and errors.

The River Cats started off with one hit by designated hitter Chris Carter with a single to right-center field, followed by right fielder Brandon Moss with a walk, pushing Carter to second.

During the top of the second inning, Aces' Randy Ruiz doubled to right field, followed by third baseman Ryan Wheeler hitting a fly out to left field. Second baseman Taylor Harbin walked. Catcher Ryan Budde reached on a fielding error by third baseman Stephen Parker. Ruiz took third while Harbin took second.

Short stop Tommy Manzella grounds into double play where River Cats' short stop Adam Rosales throws to second baseman Brandon Hicks, getting Aces' Ryan Budde out, then throwing to first River Cats' basemen Wes Timmons.

No bases are gained by either team in the third inning.

The Reno Aces scored in the fourth inning after first baseman Randy Ruiz singled to shallow left field, followed by third baseman Ryan Wheeler's single to right field, allowing Ruiz to take second. Second baseman Taylor Harbin walked, sending Ruiz to third. Catcher Ryan Budde was then out on a sacrifice fly, while Ruiz scored the only run for the Aces.

In the top of the fifth Aces' pitcher Travis Banwart tried a pickoff attempt and was cited a throwing error.

The bottom of the sixth inning brought fans out of their seats with screams after River Cats' center fielder Grant Green doubled to left field and, after taking second safely, decided to try to steal third. Pinned between Aces' second baseman Taylor Harbin and third baseman Ryan Wheeler with the ball, Green was out.

River Cats' designated hitter Chris Carter struck out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Moss hit a single to right-center field.

Shortstop Adam Rosales singled to left field, allowing Moss to take second. Third baseman Stephen Parker hit a single through second base, while Moss scored the first run for the game and Rosales took third. First baseman Wes Timmons was out on a sacrifice fly, while Rosales made the second score.

The 8,092 attendees roared with delight after the two consecutive scores in the seventh inning and the crowd remained wild throughout the rest of the game, chanting and cheering.

The Aces changed pitchers from Barry Enright to Sam Demel in the bottom of the eighth. The River Cats' shortstop Petey Paramore hit a home run on the first pitch out to left field, sending the crowd into a screaming frenzy.

In the top of the ninth inning the entire crowd stood when River Cats pitcher Justin Souza had only one strike left to throw to the Aces' right fielder Cole Gillespie, in order to win the game. Delivering to the crowd's anticipating chants of encouragement, Souza struck out Gillespie for a 3-1win.

River Cats fans went wild, stomping and cheering, while the entire complex was filled with victory music and the signature cat growl.

The River Cats will face the Reno Aces again at Raley Field for the fourth of the four-game home series at 7:05 p.m Monday.

Spring into Stories this Saturday

2012-04-15T19:12:35Z

Sacramento's best storytellers will be entertaining at the very first Spring into Stories festival on Saturday, April 21. From 10am to 10pm, Carol's Books at 1913 Del Paso Boulevard will feature stories, music, poetry, dance, juggling, food and more.

The all-day entertainment includes a Story Slam, a Liar's Contest, Kids' Place, Spoken Word, and cultural performances. A story concert begins at 7pm. All events are free, with a suggested donation of $5 during the reception and story concert. The program is “a must for the entire family” according to Angela James of Fenix Drum and Dance.

The festival is sponsored by Carol’s Books and Fenix Drum and Dance Company, Sacramento's premier West African and Afro-Caribbean drum and dance ensemble.

Disclosure: I plan to be telling a story and representing the Sacramento Public Library at the event.

Man on the Street: What is your favorite outdoor activity in Sacramento?

2012-04-11T06:09:02Z

It's coming to that time of year again when people reunite with the outdoors, shedding the winter clothes and holiday pounds in a zest for activities under the sun. While some folks prefer to stay inside, others are ready to lather on the sunscreen.

The Sacramento Press hit the streets around McKinley Park, William Land Park and surrounding neighborhoods this Easter weekend to hear what locals consider their favorite outdoor activities.

Golden 1 Membership-Relationship Specialist Sarah Jones, 25, said she enjoys walking her three dogs with her husband at McKinley Park because of the exercise for both the dogs and her and her husband.

"We will usually do two laps or so. It's good for the dogs and us to get out of the house and get some exercise. Sometimes we will ride our bikes," Jones said.

For Jones, a walk provides more than great company, but wonderful scenery and a fun, relaxing experience.

"I enjoy walking around the flower garden (McKinley Park Rose Garden) because they're always so pretty. The dogs always want to go inside because of all the smells, and it's entertaining trying to keep them walking along with us," Jones said.

Twenty-three-year-old Nick Castle, who works as an electrician for PG&E and is an outdoor enthusiast, said his favorite activity is eating food while overlooking the Sacramento River, watching the boats motor by.

"I like eating flautas with jalapeño jelly on the porch of Chevy's looking at the boats on the river. The porch is usually shaded. Most of the time there's music playing, and it's relaxing watching the boats hang around or go by," Castle said.

When asked why he prefers watching the boats to other activities he enjoys, such as dirt-biking, Castle said that it allows many different types of people to be together at once.

"Other activities are more specialized toward certain people. Being outside with family or friends and eating good food by the river is something that everyone can do aside from skill or interest levels. I work a lot, so any time to simply be with family and friends is important," Castle said.

Sacramento resident Rick Dee, 50, employee of ABF Freight System, says that whitewater rafting on the American River is the ticket to a fun-filled day.

"I am a very outdoorsy guy, so when I have the energy on weekends, I enjoy getting out of the house for some exercise. Rafting on the American River is one of my favorite pastimes and something I still like to do," Dee said.

With full-time work, husband, father and grandfather responsibilities, Dee said that exercise is one of the benefits of the American River adventure, but being with friends is the other.

"You can get exercise by running around your neighborhood, but no one is going to want to do that. Rafting doesn't require a constant supply of endurance, at least on the American River, so there's more time to talk with my friends," Dee said.

Rafting on the American River is also the favorite activity of Erin Bright, 31, a stay-at-home mom, said she finds drifting on the river to be a relaxing, but engaging experience.

"I always enjoy seeing the river from a different perspective. It's so relaxing and calming to be rocked around, be able to talk with friends and listen to the water," Bright said.

The river always brings new experiences, Bright said. Talking with friends or family is the relaxing part, but what there is to see on the sides of the river is the engaging part.

"Every rafting trip is different. You don't know what animal life you will see or even what other types of people you will meet on the river. One minute you're talking about work and the other minute you see some wild animal taking a drink," Bright said.

Donald McPeters, 18, is a student at Bella Vista High School, who said his favorite outdoor activity is longboarding during the day and sometimes at night with his friends.

According to McPeters, a longboard is longer than a skateboard and used for cruising around, while a skateboard is used for doing tricks.

"I really enjoy longboarding. It makes me happy. I love to longboard at night because it's calm, relaxing and enjoyable. During the day, I longboard around with friends and we skate all around," McPeters said.

With high school coming to an end and people moving their separate ways soon, longboarding is not only exercise, but an outlet to a host of lifelong memories.

What are your favorite outdoor activities in Sacramento? Share them in the conversation below.