Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "fathers day"

Free Family Fun Day at the Crocker on June 19

2011-06-17T19:19:39Z

This Father’s Day take the whole family to the Crocker Art Museum’s "Free Family Fun Day.” On Sunday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy a Museum-wide celebration of Impressionism and summertime with a host of family programs, including hands-on art making, interactive tours, dance and music performances, and much more.

“Free Family Fun Day” is a unique opportunity to sample the Crocker’s family programs, such as Drop, Yak, Splat!, studio art workshops, and family-friendly art tours. Visitors can try their hands at creating landscapes, sculpting with clay, or crafting portraits of their favorite heroes.

Artist Sarma Karsiere will lead a draw-along session focusing on landscapes. Classic children’s musician Mister Cooper will perform at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. while Mistura Brasileira, a local Brazilian dance troupe, will take the stage at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

“Free Family Fun Day” is sponsored by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation. Sunday, July 19, is also “Pay What You Wish” Sunday, sponsored by Bank of America.

For more information, visit crockerartmuseum.org or call (916) 808-7000.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art.

The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America.

How dads can help with Little League, Boy Scouts

2011-06-17T02:51:44Z

Bob Tanaka has a long personal history with the Boy Scouts. Now the father of a 13-year-old, Tanaka serves as a scoutmaster for his son’s troop in Sacramento.

But Tanaka, 47, brings plenty of experience to his scoutmaster duties: He earned the prestigious title of Eagle Scout during his own days with the Boy Scouts.

“Scouting meant a lot to me as a youth,” Tanaka said, “and I appreciate the opportunity to serve again as an adult.”

Tanaka said he volunteers around 30 hours per week with Troop 50, which meets at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento at Riverside Boulevard and Broadway.

“I grew up in this program in the late ’70s and early ’80s,” Tanaka said, adding that scouting is a “lifetime experience” that he treasures.

Local Boy Scouts and Little League groups provide ways for fathers to volunteer, connect with and support their children.

Tanaka, a civil engineer for CalTrans, said he encourages fathers to volunteer with the scouts because “it’s very worthwhile and very rewarding.”

Bob Cardosa, a state worker, also volunteers time to help his children and other young kids. Cardosa is manager for the Land Park Pacific Little League and the father of a 9-year-old girl, Kelly, who played on the team. The last game for the season was June 8.

Cardosa, 52, coached his three other children in the past when they were younger.

He said he enjoys watching the players start at a beginning point and then later learning the game to the point where they “make a play that blows you away.”

To volunteer with local Boy Scout Troops, call 929-1417 or log onto www.beascout.org.

To learn more about the Land Park Pacific Little League, visit http://www.lppll.com/.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Developer dads teach sons about hard work and ethics

2011-06-17T00:02:27Z

Dads teach their kids all kinds of things – sometimes even skills that allow them to build shopping centers and redevelop historic properties as big as Globe Mills and Sacramento’s K Street Mall.

When kids go into the family business, a father's ability to impart lessons gets taken to a whole new level.

Sons who've followed their dads into development in three families say there are pros and cons to doing so – with the biggest benefits being the valuable instruction they've gotten from their fathers.

Ali Youssefi was doing investment banking in San Francisco when he decided to return to Sacramento to join his father, Cyrus Youssefi, at his community development firm, CFY Development, Inc. The ability to learn from his father as they worked on the adaptive reuse of the historic Globe Mills in Alkali Flat lured him back to Sacramento and into development in 2006.

The younger Youssefi said he's grateful for the opportunities he's had working in the family business – opportunities he might not have had otherwise. His first job, which he got in high school, was working as a lifeguard and assistant manager for one of his dad's affordable housing projects in Rancho Cordova.

The best lesson his dad has taught him is to work hard and always be honest, he said.

"I'm lucky to be able to see my dad's professional side and witness the characteristics that have made him successful firsthand," Youssefi said. "It's a dimension of him that I never saw while growing up."

Jim Taylor started Potter-Taylor and Co. in 1957 with his father-in-law, Sheldon Potter. Taylor has also taught his own son, Tim, by example how important it is to have a strong work ethic.

"It started at home. It was work in the yard. It was work around the house. And when it got to working at the office, we worked pretty much side by side," said Tim Taylor, who got his real estate license in 1976 right after high school. He later got his broker's license.

He's worked with his father on acquiring and developing land and commercial property for retail and self-storage projects throughout Northern California. Retail projects range from drugstores to supermarket shopping centers. One of the biggest benefits of working with his dad is all the support he's gotten at work, he said.

Bay Miry, who joined father David Miry at D & S Development, Inc., said going into the family business has allowed him to grow closer to his dad than he might have in a typical father-son relationship. Their projects together include the Maydestone Apartments, 2020 H St. Lofts and the Sterling Hotel & Ballroom.

He and Taylor both said the biggest con to working with their dads is that business comes up at every family gathering.

"Sometimes business talk tends to dominate the family dinner conversation," Miry said.

Youssefi said a downside for him is that mom sometimes gets a bit jealous about the time the two men spend together.

Miry and Youssefi are taking the lead on redeveloping a vacant block of K Street Mall, with their fathers and D & S partner Steve Lebastchi available for feedback and support. Father and son couldn't do the development without each other's help, Youssefi said.

"The 700 block of K Street is a special project for us because I have the opportunity to exercise my own vision as a developer with his complete support and encouragement," Youssefi said. "He's there to 'clean up my shit,' as he likes to say."

The most important lesson Bay Miry said he learned from his father was to treat everyone equally.

"All walks of life are the same," Miry said. "It doesn't matter if you're talking to the governor or a laborer at a construction site."

Taylor's father also taught him that strong ethics were just as important as working hard.

"The thing I took away was you really have three things: You have your time, you have your knowledge and you have your reputation," Taylor said. "And no matter how much time you have or how smart you are, if you screw up your reputation, you'll never succeed."

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Nonprofit org. offers dads services, support

2011-06-16T02:20:52Z

Sacramento dads have an ally when it comes to navigating family court and help on parenting: the nonprofit Center for Fathers and Families.

“Our goal is to make fathers into men and make men into fathers,” said Terry Moore, director of adult services at the center. “A lot of them don’t have that take-charge mentality, and we help them provide for their families and look after their families’ safety, even if they’re not with the mother.”

The center, at 920 Del Paso Blvd., was founded in Sacramento in 1994 and provides myriad programs for fathers, kids and families in general, but the focus is on helping fathers develop and maintain the skills needed to be active members of their families, Moore said.

“Fatherhood is forever,” said the center’s CEO, former Oakland Raiders Super Bowl champion Rick Jennings, II. “Once we commit to our children, the future is that much brighter.”

That commitment can come at all income levels, and the center provides a list of 100 low- or no-cost ways for dads to spend time with their kids.

“Pack a lunch, go down to the river, sit on the bank and have a picnic and throw rocks,” Moore said. “There are so many ways. Even just going for a ride on light rail or going up to the (Nimbus) fish hatchery and feeding the fish are great. And the fish hatchery is free, and all kids will love that.”

He said the list includes numerous other ideas that many dads might not think of, but find fun.

Also offered are classes on parenting, where dads learn how to change diapers and mix baby formula, among other topics.

Anger management classes are offered as well.

“A lot of these guys let their tempers get the best of them, and that sometimes keeps them from having unsupervised visitation with their kids,” Moore said. “We help them control that anger and have them focus on the positive.”

The center’s seven employees have training in counseling, family law and other areas that help their clients.

Whitney Robinson, a 52-year-old dad, said that when he was 30, he didn’t have the help he needed dealing with family courts.

“My daughter’s mother took me through hell,” he said. “I had always been the kind of guy who, when it came to defending myself, it was on the streets by fighting or whatever. In the legal system, I couldn’t defend myself.”

He said that when he moved to Sacramento from San Francisco in the 1990s and had a steady job working for a telecommunications company, he wanted to volunteer, and he found the Center for Fathers and Families.

He described the center as a fraternity where men can gather and hep each other solve problems and prepare for mediation with mock runs and classes as well as other legal routes they will likely take when it comes to determining custody of children.

“The center really brings families together,” he said, adding that it helps turn around the problem of “deadbeat dads” by helping them interact with their kids.

Patrick Hunter, a Sacramento father of two in his 40s, said he came across the center about three and a half years ago.

“I was experiencing some difficulties with the family court system,” he said. “I consider myself pretty intelligent, but they were the objective party that helped give me pointers on how to handle problems with paperwork and give me assistance on parenting a young kid.”

When it came to playing with his daughter, who is now 4, he said advisers at the center told him not to be afraid to play house, pick out girls’ clothes and even dance.

“Every week I would pick up something different,” he said.

After-school programs – 12 in the Twin Rivers School District and two in Natomas – are also coordinated through the center, and Moore said they have classes for high school-age boys to help them get on track and stay on track when it comes to grades and staying out of trouble.

Moore said volunteers are always needed and welcome.

“We have a receptionist’s desk, but no receptionist,” he said with a laugh. “We can always use donations, too.”

Regular events are held to promote togetherness between dads and kids, and a special event will be held Friday for Father’s Day.

In the past, Moore said, father/daughter dances have been held. This year, however, the dance will be a smaller part of a larger event: a celebrity basketball game.

Coaching one team will be former WNBA star and Sacramento Monarchs player Yolanda Griffith. Super Bowl champion Jennings will coach the opponents. Teams will include local radio personalities, comics and church officials.

Moore said FM 102.5 radio personality Big Al Sams and New York Jets player Marcus Smith will be some of the celebrity players.

The game will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Rio Tierra Junior High School, 3201 Northstead Drive. A $3 donation is asked to cover shirts for kids and beverages, Moore said.

“We’re doing it on Friday so everyone has Father’s Day to do their own thing,” he said. “My 7-year-old daughter has plans for me. I don’t know what they are, but that day is for her.”

To contact the Center for Fathers and Families, click here.

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

Father's Day Gift Guide

2011-06-14T03:30:24Z

Sons and daughters, it’s time to throw in the tie. It’s that time of year to show your appreciation for dear ol’ dad, and this year, neck adornment just isn’t going to cut it.

Don’t know what to get for dad? The Sacramento Press has compiled a list of places to shop and unique gift ideas for Father’s Day, whether your dad is a music buff, a bike aficionado, a comic book nerd, a beer nut or a hip young pop.

Phono Select: for the music man

Phono Select is an indie record shop located at 2312 K St. in the heart of Midtown. This is the spot that local DJs and music lovers can go to to dig for records new and old.

The store is artsy, clean and organized based on music style – punk, rock, hip hop, jazz and more.

Not only does the store specialize in records, but it also has a wide collection of CDs, record players, turntables, trinkets and good music reads.

Phono Select has you covered if your dad is a record collector with all your record needs— record cleaner, album sleeves and record wall displays.

Store owner Nick Phono, 29, said the store has more than 5,000 different kinds of records to choose from. The records range from $20 - $50, and there are tons of throwbacks and boxed sets. It even has a dollar bin full of random records and musical gems.

There is an entire section dedicated to classic rock featuring records from Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Bee Gees, which are likely to be dad favorites.

“It depends on what kind of dad you have,” Phono said. “We have gift certificates if he wants to pick it out himself. We’ve also got music almanacs and books on the history of music and records, which dads like a lot,” he added.

Big Brother Comics: for the comic-con man

Big Brother Comics is a hidden treasure at 1722 J St. for the avid comic book fan. You’re never too old for comics here.

The store features classic comics like “Batman,” “Watchmen,” “The Punisher,” and also has niche comics like Japanese anime, Warcraft and DC comic genres featuring popular super heroes like The Green Lantern, Superman and Wonder Woman.

Employee Tyson Smith, 36, said, “If you’re into comics, this is the place most people come.”

He said people usually will come in to browse or pick up comics for other people, but, in general, the clientele is comic book readers.

The cost for a single comic book issue is $2.99 and higher. The more expensive comic books are the graphic novels, which are $16. Smith said the store tends to focus more on graphic novels.

He said the most popular comic right now is “The Walking Dead,” which is a current comic-turned-TV show featured on A&E. He said the television show has sparked more interest in the comic book.

Whether your dad likes to keep up with the comic book times or longs for the nostalgia of old comic favorites, Big Brother Comics has him covered. It might transport your dad back to his teenage days of laying on his bed paging through an old copy of a “Spiderman” or “Star Wars” comic.

IkonCycles: for the bike buff

IkonCycles is a small bicycle shop located at 1126 18th St. doing big things. The shop specializes in bicycles, accessories, apparel, custom bike fitting and fitness testing.

If your dad loves to bike, then this is a nice local spot to go to, because they care as much about biking as you care about your dad. After all, their slogan is: “Where fit really matters.”

Employee John Kewin, 17, said the business is more of a workshop than a store.

“We have workshops and do fits to figure out which bike is good for you,” he said. “We have people coming in to get stuff for other people too, mostly the clothing."

The clothing, which is high-quality bike gear, can range from $50 for a jersey shirt, and can easily go up to $300 depending on the caliber of the clothing brand, like Campagnolo, Canari and Louis Garneau. A good biking shoe can go for as low as $130, and a better shoe can be $300.

Kewin said a bike pump is a nice gift option. They are sleek with a dark wooden frame and cast iron pump, and would definitely be good for a father’s biking needs. They are $60.

If a bike is the gift route you want to take, they’ve got beautiful bicycles. The cheapest bike is a $320 beach cruiser, and the most expensive, the colorful handmade metal bikes from Italy, are $1,000.

First Edition: for the young hip pop

First Edition is a men’s clothing shop located at 2524 J. St. It’s got urban digs for the “cool” urban dad.

The store features everything from shirts to shoes, and hats to accessories. Store owner Aaron Hearing, 22, said he’s pushing this style trend of “American work wear.”

Jeans range from $59 - $115, and they are high-quality denim with a nice wash from light to dark. Shirts come in a variety of styles – plain and simple T-shirts, graphic T-shirts, button-ups, and tank tops, ranging from $40 - $89.

Hearing said the Native shoes are a really popular item and would be great for dads because they are the same material as a Croc, but with more style.

They can be used for comfort and river walking. They are a more wearable style and have familiar brand titles like Sperry Topsiders and Keds.

The best Father’s Day gift selection in the store for a modern dad would have to be the line of Baxter men’s skincare, which features men’s facial scrub, aftershave balm, face wash and moisturizer for $10 - $20.

Going along with the Americana trend, the store features a double-edged safety razor for $65 in its Baxter line. It comes with five extra derby blades and an instruction manual of how to use it properly.

If your dad travels, Hearing suggested the Baxter Travel Kit for $55, which features a small army-green travel bag with moisturizer, shampoo, aftershave and face wash.

“It’s set to go from buying it in a store and throwing it in a carry-on and going from there. Everything is under three ounces for flying, and it even has a Ziploc bag so you can whip it out easily,” Hearing said.

Brew it up with dad

Brew It Up!, located at 801 14th St., has the ultimate brewing experience for your dad this Father’s Day.

Brew it Up! is offering a Father’s Day Brewing certificate with a $350 value for only $299. This certificate includes a brewing experience where fathers can come in and create six cases of their own personally labeled beer, don a Brew it Up! T-shirt, and it includes a $50 dining certificate.

Owner Mike Costello said Brew It Up! has been brewing beer for 15 years, and it is a huge part of what Brew It Up! does as an establishment.

“It’s a very hands-on experience and a lot of fun,” Costello said. “It’s a very personalized experience. You can make any kind of beer you want, and it’s 100 percent guaranteed, so if you don’t like it, you can come back and make another.”

The establishment has more than 100 types of beers to choose from, but Costello said the fun part is creating your own beer with the flavors you like. He said people come in with ideas all of the time.

Brewing is a three-hour process, and there are four -10 people per batch. It takes two to six weeks for the beer to ferment. After the waiting period, your father can come back and bottle and label his very own beer and take it home.

You can buy the certificate and schedule to come in on Father’s Day, or you have your dad come in and brew whenever he wants.

Brew it Up! is open seven days a week, all year round. Brewing takes place from 2 - 7 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information visit the website.

Citizen Hotel and Grange Restaurant Father’s Day package deals

Treat your father to a special stay-cation for Father’s Day at The Citizen Hotel and Grange Restaurant, located at 926 J St.

The Citizen Hotel is offering two great deals for fathers: The “Wheelin’ & Dealin’ Perfect Getaway” and “The Perfect Gift” – a personalized bottle of a one-of-a-kind Joie de Vivre tequila.

The Wheelin’ & Dealin’ package includes a one-night stay at The Citizen Hotel, a two-hour bicycle rental from Bikes and Bites in Midtown that comes with a map of the city and a picnic lunch including cheese, salami, house-made crostini and two half bottles of wine, one red and one white. Everything is included in a Citizen Hotel-Grange Restaurant tote bag.

Ashlee Gadd public relations manager of The Citizen Hotel, said this is something the hotel has never done before, and it will be a nice way for people to see what Sacramento has to offer.

“It’s nice to have a local getaway,” Gadd said. “It’s cheaper than getting out of the city, and it would definitely make a nice gift for a husband and wife.”

The packages start at $189 for weekday reservations and $289 for weekend stays.

As a separate package, Grange Restaurant is offering a personalized bottle of Joie de Vivre tequila from the Casa Herradura distillery handpicked in Guadalajara, Mexico, by the Joie de Vivre food and beverage team for $65.

The bottle can be personalized with an etching of the gift recipient’s name. Gadd said this would make a great gift for the tequila connoisseur father because it was made specially for Grange Restaurant, and can be made special for your father, too.

Father’s Day with the River Cats

What better way to spend Father’s Day than at Raley Field with your dad and the River Cats? The River Cats have a special Father’s Day package for their home game against the Fresno Grizzlies at 1 p.m.

Each ticket in the package includes a pregame barbecue in right field with plenty of food – tri-tip, hamburgers, hot dogs, sides and one drink ticket.

Each ticket in the package will also be entered in a drawing to have a special Father’s Day greeting for one lucky father on the baseline warning track, and the chance to throw the first pitch. The winner will be determined before the game.

The package is $36 for adults and $30 for children and will be available for purchase until 6 p.m. Thursday at the box office and online until midnight.

Nick Lozito, media coordinator for the River Cats, said it is a great value with the meal and the ticket.

In addition, fathers will be able to play catch with their families on the field after the game and fun-loving performance by Whiplash The Famous Cowboy Monkey, a monkey that rides a dog dressed like a cowboy in a rodeo fashion.

“It will be nice to have the memory of playing catch on a real field,” Lozito said. “We are trying to enhance the family experience and baseball memories other than the actual game.”

Still don’t know what to get? For fathers, it seems time is the best gift. John Hoge, 55, agreed.

“I don’t want anything,” Hoge said. “I have my children. That’s all I need. They’re the greatest gift.”

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there from The Sacramento Press!

Christmas rolls into Old Sac on Disney train

2009-06-19T04:10:56Z

Despite the sweltering temperatures, it will be Christmas in June this weekend in Old Sacramento.

On a 40-city interactive train tour,"Disney's A Christmas Carol" train will be pulling into Old Sacramento Friday through Sunday as a promotion for the upcoming "Disney's A Christmas Carol," which is scheduled to open in November and stars Jim Carrey.

Carolers, Christmas decorations and fake snow will transform the train tracks near the California State Railroad Museum into a winter wonderland for families and children of all ages.

Those who hop aboard the train will be treated to several different exhibit cars highlighting the making of the movie and featuring props and costumes from the film. A sneak preview of the film will be shown in the "3D Tent," and visitors will have the chance to pay a virtual visit to the Charles Dickens Museum in London and see actual artifacts from the museum.

Children can morph their own faces to look like characters from the movie and have the chance to win prizes from Disney and Hewlett Packard, which is providing the technology for the train.

The tour, which began on Memorial Day Weekend in Los Angeles, will come to an end in November at New York's Grand Central Terminal when the film will be shown in Digital 3D and IMAX 3D across the United States.

Visiting the train is free to the public, and for those who wish to visit the museum afterward, the admission box in front will be offering coupons good for two-for-one admissions.

The California State Railroad Museum is located at 111 I St. in Old Sacramento.

The Railroad Museum will have extended hours through the weekend. Hours are 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Sunday.

To follow the train's tour, click here

Lots of free (and cheap) events this Weekend!!

2009-06-17T23:55:20Z

It has never occurred to me that Father's Day weekend always happens at the same time as the summer solstice. Is that by coincidence? The longest, sunniest day of the year falls on the weekend that we celebrate our Dad's. That's kind of cool! At least for those of us who celebrate them. Otherwise, think of it as an extended day for you to be having fun! This weekend is packed with family friendly events for the whole family to enjoy at budget friendly prices. There are a few things I've mentioned that are a little more pricey... but they sound so fun! Whatever your budget is and whomever you'd like to spend your time with, check out what this weekend has in store.

Thursday 6.18

Class: Small Business Forum: Going Green -- $FREE
Where: SHCC Offices (1491 River Park Dr)
When: 9am
Why: Every month a different topic is featured in these workshops. From accounting practices, legal issues, buying new technology and creating a business plan—they’ll teach you all you need to know to be more efficient in your business. This month will focus on the latest trend in business…Going Green. It won’t cost you any green to come so check it out!
Details

Food & Wine: Wild West Cheese Adventure -- $45
Where: C’est le Cheese (Penthouses at Capitol Park)
When: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Why: “Artisan cheese makers are pushing the frontiers of flavor into an entirely new world by using the sweetest, creamiest milk from locally raised cows, goats and sheep to create an exquisite array of stupendous artisan cheese. Join Laura Martinez, author of "The Everything Cheese Book", in a tasting adventure of these wild and wooly cheese creations paired with wine and beer from pioneering vintners and brewers. This class is guaranteed to transport you to the best of the Wild West!”~ C’est le Cheese
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Music: Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series -- $10 (FREE to Crocker Members)
Where: CSUS Capistrano Hall
When: 5:30pm-8pm
Why: The Garrett Perkins Project will entertain with their versatile range of Jazz from bebop to modern contemporary jazz. The Garrett Perkins Project is dedicated to promoting music that is at once educational and entertaining. Garrett has had a Quartet since the age of fifteen as an avenue for playing his beloved alto saxophone.
Details

Friday 6.19

Festival: Sacramento French Film Festival—Opening Night -- $10/ $9 students (single ticket)
Where: Crest Theatre
When: 6pm (Movie at 8:30pm) ***The festival runs through Sunday, June 28th***
Why: Opening night and reception! You cannot see the film tonight without going to the reception. Enjoy an open wine bar and catered hors d’oeuvres by local restaurants and music by DJ Christophe. The Sacramento French Film Festival is an annual event held in July. It celebrates the present as well as the rich history of French cinema featuring new releases and rarely seen classics. It is the only festival dedicated to French cinema in Northern California and one of only two on the West coast. The Sacramento Bee described the Festival as “the Cinematic Highlight of Sacramento's Summer”. All of the films are in French with English subtitles. (Psst! Check out the website for more fun events like the fashion show on Saturday the 21st!!)
Details

Festival: All American Tattoo Festival--$15 at the door/$30 for the weekend
Where: Sacramento Convention Center
When: 2pm-11pm (also Saturday, 11am-11pm & Sunday, 11am-7pm)
Why: Tattoo lovers unite! Tell all your ink loving friends to come over to the CC this weekend. There will be tattoo contests for prizes in addition to the artwork and music. Whether you’re a seasoned (or should I say fully decorated) tattoo lover or a novice, this is the place to find what you’re looking for. Even if you’re not much of a tattoo fan, you got to come if only to see George the Giant. He is himself a complete sideshow performance- known for his fire breathing, sword swallowing, glass walking stunts and many more, he is sure to entertain! Plus...the world wide debut of SHIGE a book by Horitaka from the Yellow Blaze Tattoo Studio in Japan.
Details

Kids & Families: Wet 'n Wild Family Night @ the Y! -- FREE
Where: Sacramento YMCA
When: 6pm-8pm
Why: Join the Sacramento Area YMCA for a free Wet n' Wild Family Night with musical guests, Prima! Bring your swimsuit, flip-flops & towel, there will be plenty of wet n' wild games including a fundraiser dunk tank! This is a free community event where everyone is welcome so don't forget to tell your family & friends! Jamba Juice and Yogurtagogo will also be on hand selling their tasty juices and yogurt to help beat the heat!
Details

Kids & Families: Disney Train Comes to Sacramento! -- $FREE
Where: California State Railroad Museum
When: 9am-7pm (also Saturday, 9am-7pm & Sunday, 9am-4pm)
Why: Bring your family and friends to Old Sacramento to see the Disney Train on the tracks near the California State Railroad Museum. Disney is pulling out all the whistle stops and taking its show on the road with a spectacular immersive and interactive 40-city train tour, including a 3D sneak peek of film footage from the upcoming movie “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” Enjoy a snowy backdrop in June in Old Sacramento, complete with all of the sights and sounds of Christmas including carolers, decorations, giveaways and many more surprises. This Disney family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public. Starring Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens in theatres November 6 in Disney Digital 3D and in IMAX 3D.
Details

Music: A Classic Rock Tribute with “ATB” -- $
Where: Double Tree Hotel
When: 8:30pm-11pm
Why: After the Beatles, music has never been the same. Or so believes ATB, which stands for After The Beatles. They are a classic rock tribute band keeping the Beatles alive by playing the music that the Beatles made, after the Beatles.
Details

Music: Les Claypool -- $25 adv/ $30 at door
Where: Radisson Hotel
When: 7:30pm
Why: Legendary Bassist from the popular band Primus. Back in their heyday (aka the 90’s), Les was recognized for his inventive, funky style. Advance tickets can be purchased at any Dimple Records store, The Beat and R5 Records.
Details

Saturday 6.20

Art: Stellar Studios’ Summer Solstice -- $FREE
Where: Stellar Studios (23rd & C St.)
When: 5pm-12am
Why: Celebrate Summer Solstice and support some local artists while you’re at it! Stellar will be featuring new work in glass, ceramics, metal & mixed media from all local artists. Get a glimpse into the future of art spaces. Also, it’s a great excuse to peruse and shop around with music & fire to compliment the atmosphere on the longest day of the year.
Details: http://sacramento365.com/event/detail/38873

Art/Class: Figure Drawing Marathon for Adults -- $65 ($45 for Crocker Members)
Where: Crocker Art Museum
When: 10:30am-4:30pm
Why: Back by popular demand! This workshop is for beginners and advanced students looking to learn or improve drawing skills. Draw from nude models while exploring the figure through warm-up exercises, gesture drawings and long poses. Note that this is an adult class! You must be 18 years or older. Drawing materials will be provided. Make sure you call to reserve your spot because reservations are required.
Details

Festival: 8th Annual Juneteenth Festival-- $FREE
Where: William Land Park
When: 11am-6pm (also Sunday, 11am-5pm)
Why: A Celebration of Freedom and the Emancipation Proclamation. What a way we’ve come! This is a two-day event featuring two stages of live musical entertainment, vendors, children's activities, spelling bee, fishing derby, The Juneteenth Educational Theater, essay/poster contests, theater, cultural dance performances, and more on Saturday! The Juneteenth Talent Show is probably the highlight of the event where local aspiring talent takes a stab at the stage. Nearly 8,000 people attend Juneteenth annually. On Sunday check out the 3rd annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament, the Juneteenth Gospel Extravaganza featuring Sacramento’s best gospel artists, food/ware vendors, and all kinds of children’s’ activities. Be there!
Details

Fundraiser: Round ‘em Up Barbeque -- $10 adults/ $5 kids
Where: Swanston Park
When: 3pm
Why: Grab the kids and head to the park for a family friendly BBQ! The Sacramento Children's Chorus will be performing an informal concert for entertainment. All of the proceeds for this event benefit the Sacramento Children’s Chorus. With all of the funding cuts happening with children’s programs, makes sense to support them in family fun ways such as these…
Details

Music: Pops in the Park Concert Series -- $FREE
Where: Bertha Henschel Park
When: 6pm-10pm
Why: This week is featuring the George Bruno Big Band. I don’t know much about the band- and couldn’t find any information on them other than they play at all kinds of family friendly events- but I do know that the Pops in The park Concerts are a great night out for families. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets and prepare to have some fun!
Details

Sunday 6.21 (Dad’s Day!)

Film: IMAX Father’s Day Package -- $Varies
Where: Esquire IMAX Theatre
When: 11am, 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 (Start Times)
Why: Take your Dad to see an IMAX show this weekend- or dad’s, take your kids out and save. In addition to the Stimulus Deal IMAX has been promoting, this Sunday Dad’s get in Free! You still need the receipt from a restaurant though. So the Stimulus Package Deal goes like this: Visit any Downtown/Midtown Sacramento Restaurant and spend $20…then bring your receipt to the Esquire IMAX Theatre and purchase any ticket to see Dinosaurs Alive 3D, Under The Sea 3D or African Adventure 3D for $5 or get a $5 discount off the full price admission ticket to Monsters vs. Aliens 3D, Star Trek, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian or Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. (Subject to availability) Up to 4 Tickets can be purchased with receipt.
Details

Music: Father’s Day BBQ Train -- $49 Adults/ $25 Kids (plus taxes & Service charge)
Where: Sacramento River Train
When: 11am
Why: Why not? When’s the last time you rode the train? This 3.5-hour trip includes a 28-mile train ride with a stop for a barbecue lunch at Elkhorn Park. The Sacramento River Train, which has three open-air cars and three enclosed air-conditioned coaches, operates between Woodland and West Sacramento.
Details

Keep in mind that all of these events and many more can can be found on Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events. If you have an event you would like to add to Sacramento365.com, visit the website. Its easy and free to add your events! Also, if you want to mention an event that I didn't squeeze into my little article- add it to the comments below! Have a great weekend!!

Pearl on the River serves up Northern California cuisine with a view

2009-06-10T02:14:53Z

Jeff Pooler and Matthew Jones have just about done it all in the restaurant industry. They have a combined experience of over 35 years in the business and have held positions as everything from chefs to managers and owners.

With enough experience to go at it alone, Pooler and Jones decided to combine their dining expertise and take it to the next level. In late April, the talented duo opened Sacramento’s newest waterfront dining locale, Pearl on the River.

“I’ve always wanted to open my own restaurant and [experience] helps tremendously," Pooler said. "I love coming to work, and every day is fun for me."

The pair met through the Paragary Restaurant Group several years back, but that doesn’t mean that Jones, the executive chef at Pearl who was recruited on by Pooler, was given any special treatment in the interview process.

Just like every other candidate, he was required to give cooking demos and go through an extensive interview process. Pooler feels like he made the right choice, saying the two work extremely well together.

The restaurant‘s home, located next to Chevy’s on the River and above Crawdad‘s, was the previous home of Blue Gecko Bar and Grill, but almost all evidence of the previous tenants has been replaced with a classy, yet unpretentious and upscale dining ambiance. As a bonus, the restaurant boasts two levels of scenic patio seating.

Another unique aspect of the restaurant is its “live” menu. This means the menu can change on a daily basis, depending on what is available and fresh around Northern California. This allows for the menu’s reasonable prices ( $15-$20 for large plate entrees and even less for small plates) as produce, seafood and meat items will be available seasonally.

“We’re all about local products," Pooler said. "We’re really geared toward freshness of the food as well as quality and price."

From delectable sandwiches like their grilled chicken sandwich with sprouts, crispy bacon and sweet roasted peppers piled on fresh French bread to their pork sliders on their small-plate menu, the menu features something for everyone.

Seafood selections include seared Hawaiian ahi and king salmon, prepared alone or in sandwiches, and meat lovers can choose from Niman Ranch kobe sirloin or baby back ribs from their Applewood Grill menu.

There is a kitchen centered in the upstairs dining room, set up sushi bar-style with only a glass window separating the chef and diners. Diners who order a selection from the small-plate menu can watch while their food is prepared.

Despite barely any advertising the first month, Pooler says business has gone very well so far, with around a 20 to 35 percent increase in sales per week and they're very pleased.

To help with the midday lull common with most restaurants, Pooler and Jones have come up with a happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. With any purchase of a small-plate appetizer and drink, an additional drink (well cocktails or draft beer) is on the house.

Starting Father’s Day weekend, Pearl on the River will serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Pearl on the River is located at 1379 Garden Highway.

For menu offerings or more information, visit pearlontheriver.com.

Images courtesy of Pearl on the River

The language of flowers is being spoken at Capitol Public Radio through watercolor!

2009-06-05T00:48:56Z

Artist, Jennifer J. O'Neill-Pickering is speaking the language of flowers at Capitol Public Radio through watercolors.
Have you ever wondered what the veiled meaning is that is associated with a specific flower? Then, you might want to go view the twenty-three watercolor paintings by artist, Jennifer J. O'Neill-Pickering, on display at Capital Public Radio through June 26th.

Different cultures and different periods of time have assigned various meanings to flowers and some of these are still with us today. During Victorian England, these meanings developed into a language called Floriography. People then selected different flower bouquets to convey various thoughts and feelings to their friends, family members, and to that special someone, sentiments of the heart. For instance, you’d give the calla lily to someone you think is beautiful because it means beauty and a Camellia to thank someone because it signifies gratitude. Even the names of flowers can be playful or ominous. Take the Foxglove, which are also known as Fairy Thimbles, Witch Bells and Dead Men Bells.

The artist has been painting flowers for over thirty years and her watercolors in the lobby and adjacent room of CPR, create a Garden of Eden for the eyes. Indeed many of the flowers represented in the show were painted in the artist’s garden. “Gardening was, a gene I inherited from my mother and grandmother”, she says. The artist paints from life and memory and never from photography because” there is always something lost in the translation and usually the spirit of the subject matter."
The work ranges from small delicate botanical studies to large scale works that are influenced by impressionism and filled with symbolism. Three works from The Mandala Series are also, included in the show because as the artist states "flowers are living mandalas". The artwork affords an opportunity to select a favorite flower that will last a lifetime and runs until June 26th at Capitol Public Radio M-F8:00 AM to 5PM, State University Drive (off Folsom Blvd., Sacramento 916-278-8900. Free to the Public.