Yes, there are a few gems in Sacramento.  Times when you can honestly say, living here can be good after all.  The thing is you have to know is where to look.  This Sunday, we decide to share some of the glow.

A mother, a sister, a spouse, a best friend is diagnosed with breast cancer everyday. This life threatening illness claims over 40,000 lives annually.  In Sacramento, the love for survivors goes beyond the pink celebrating with Blues for Life, a fundraiser for Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation held at the Torch Club last Sunday. Every $100 pays for a mammogram that can save a woman's life. Over the past four years Blues for Life events raised over $125,000 to help those diagnosed with breast cancer in our community. Considering that the average age of diagnosis is 37 years old, more than 70% of cases have no family history, and the leading cause of death among women between 40 & 55 i

The line between runway deities and real people was blurred on Thursday night. That’s because the global Fashion’s Night Out show at Pavilions on Howe and Fair Oaks featured real people from all walks of life, not just magazine covers. Movers, shakers and other people of influence in Sacramento's community gathered to restore consumer confidence and support the UC Davis Children’s Hospital. The night’s theme: When you look good, you feel good. When you have the feeling of fulfillment, you won’t have the tendency to give up. Whatever you decide to do with your life, do it with style. For the 38 inspiring real-life role models on stage, how looking good, leads to feeling good, and being

“Yell Fire!” as in Franti's lyrics.  We did.  After the performance of the Phoenix Fire Dancers. It was quite a cleansing.  Walking in calm after the Wanderlust revolution. The body now knows - a stretch has no limits. Healing happened. Hearts opened to each other. Love is found. Our confidence manifested. Open to more knowledge, we share the second half of wisdoms from the festival. We burned a path of purpose with Phoenix Fire Dancers. From the beginning of the first explosion, to the last pyrotechnic crescendo, Austria’s Phoenix Fire Dancer’s pulverized. Agile dancers balanced raw flames as if it was an extension of their own bodies. The juggler explains as he lifts the ashes,” Allow

California Family Fitness (CFF) today announced that its’ next Body Fit Challenge (BFC) will begin Saturday, August 13, and interested individuals are encouraged to sign-up. The BFC is an eight-week long group training program, in which the participants are coached by a trainer through twice weekly group workout sessions, and educated on exercise habits, nutrition and lifestyle changes. “The Body Fit Challenge has been a great success for our members since it first started three years ago,” said Randy Karr, president of California Family Fitness. “Throughout the duration of the BFC, participants have shed more than 33,000 pounds. We are very proud of the BFC, and are thrilled to be a part

If you listen real close, you can hear the "ohm" resonate from Wanderlust Festival 2011 in Tahoe into the valley.  Mind, body, and spirit comes alive in this annual pilgrimage for outdoor enthusiast, music lovers, and yoga aficionados. Located in the natural setting of Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, few festivals in the world compares to majestic mountains, eclectic music, and meditations to match the mood. On its third year, the festival offers all who attend relaxation, revelation, and rejuvenation with organic foods, wines, scenery, music, and community. In true sun salutation, here are simple ways to waken your wanderlust. 1) Hoof it to Heaven, Schulyer Grant’s hike in the picturesque s

By Robert Linkul MS CSCS-CPT D*  I like to think of myself as a fairly organized and routine individual. I wake up at the same time every day, I eat the same breakfast every morning, I take the same route to work and always park in the same parking spot. As a certified personal trainer I live and die by my schedule book. Rarely, do you ever see me without it. In my line of work the more "routine" based individuals seem to be more successful. This however, is not the case when it comes to exercise. I'm not talking about the "daily routine" or time of day you have selected to exercise. I'm talking about your program design: selecting which exercises to perform, the correct weight to lift,

Personal Trainer introduces fitness to Sacramento My name is Ken Karnack and I am a personal trainer and weight loss expert. I just landed here in Sacramento and want to introduce my new fitness column for Sacramento Press. My goal is to bring updated fitness and weight loss tips, tricks and techniques that you can use to better your health. I have 25 years of weight loss and bodybuilding experience, and I love helping people get results. Most times, we are forced to see ads on TV that introduce a new gadget or weight loss program that is just too restrictive. Over the years, most of them have come and gone. You know the drill! You tried the high protein diets, the boxed meal plans, the

Roseville—While many small businesses in California are stagnant, shrinking, or altogether disappearing, Maximum Edge Fitness of Roseville, CA is growing. Expanding its training capabilities and services, Maximum Edge forecasts steady, consistent growth for the next few years due to the introductions of new classess and programs, like the one I was invited to on the 4th of July.  Max Edge kicked off their kickboxing fitness program at 7:30am, and the class had a terrific turn-out for their proprietary system; consisting of challenging workout stations developed by professional fighter, Billy Miles. Clients complete each training session in a quick and convenient 50-minute workout, with the

The annual Folsom Fitness Extravaganza was held at Folsom Middle School on Saturday. The event was hosted by the National Gym Association (NGA) and Fitness in Mind. Fifty individuals, male and female, competed for various categories including Mr. and Ms. California, bodybuilding, fitness and bikini. All competitors had to undergo a polygraph the night before the event to ensure there had been no drug use over the past seven years. Both the NGA and Fitness in Mind’s Johnny “The Motivator” Carrero are dedicated to ensuring this event remains drug-free and all-natural. Proceeds from the event benefit local educational programs teaching young athletes the harmful side-effects of anabolic ster

In it’s 19th year, Capital Swing Dancers, a nonprofit dance club, hosted its annual Presidents Day Weekend Convention. The event has grown steadily, bringing in competitors nationally and worldwide. Bruno Silva, 24, is a visiting student from Fortaleza, Brazil. He participated in the West Coast Swing 101 Jack & Jill designed for newcomers. He wanted to experience a World Swing Dance Council sanctioned event in the United States before going home from his university break. He was visiting Tennessee on work exchange with Hard Rock Cafe. Unlike the United States, Brazil’s winter break runs from December to the end of February. Though he has only been dancing West Coast swing for one and a

Losing weight and getting into shape often top the lists of New Year's resolutions Americans attempt to commit to annually, and that resolution is met with the advice that a plan that combines diet and exercise is the best way to achieve or maintain desired results. But diet and exercise alone isn't enough of a plan to keep an individual committed to getting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. From everyman Jared Fogle to supermodel Cindy Crawford, the presence of a supportive community played an integral role as a third element toward goals that incorporate losing weight, getting fit and staying healthy. "Getting weight loss support from family, friends and sometimes even professionals

With the New Year often comes the resolution to get in better shape. A little sweat and determination is enough for some to lose those extra inches or build muscle mass. The rest of us need a fitness goal-- something to work toward and accomplish.   If you have lived in the Sacramento area for at least one summer, you've probably heard of Eppie's Great Race. The unique triathlon consists of a 5.82-mile run, 12.5-mile cycle and a 6.35-mile paddle on a racecourse located on and alongside the American River.   What makes Eppie's Great Race so attractive to the thousands who participate every July is that it is an athletic event geared for both novice and competitive athletes, teams and indi

Race Into the New Year With My First 5K Run/Walk This annual fundraising event is a flat and fast 5k (3.1 mile) run/walk for people of all ages and fitness abilities. It begins and ends at the State Capitol and loops around beautiful Capitol Park. Proceeds help support Wellness Task Force Programs. Join us as we kick off the New Year with a walk/run, sparkling cider toast, and a place to write your New Year's resolution! Check out the new and exciting additions to this year's event, including a Toddler Tumble Busfor kids' entertainment, free sports massages, and free food samples from Grateful Bread, Clif Bar, Blue Diamond, and more! Register NOW! Sunday, January 2, 2011 California Sta

Project Fit Launch Has Kids Up and Running Local after school non-profit youth initiative Sacramento, CA - Project Fit, the free after school running club offered to Sacramento elementary schools by Fleet Feet Sports J Street, is underway with ten schools and over 500 kids participating. Of the ten schools, six are considered Title I, in low socio-economic communities, and several schools have more than 80 children participating. The program initially started several years ago at Crocker Riverside Elementary by three moms, including Jan Sweeney, co-owner of Fleet Feet Sports. Sweeney then collaborated with the non-profit 'Be Change' at Oakridge Elementary in Oak Park last year and helped

Val Fujii, Folsom fitness expert and owner of Superwomen Boot Camp, is proud to announce a Charity Fitness Boot Camp being held Saturday, August 7, 2010. The event will be open to women of all ages who would like to get a great workout while supporting a worthy cause. For a minimum $15.00 donation women can participate in this charity boot camp. 100% of all donations will go directly to WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment) and will be used for crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The SWBC Team will host the WEAVE Charity Fitness Boot Camp at William Land Park, across from Land Park Ski and Sport. Registration starts at 8:30 am and ca

InAlliance will host the 2nd Annual Gold Rush Poker Run & Walk on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the El Dorado Trail in Placerville to benefit programs for people with developmental disabilities. The event is geared for people of all ages and skill levels and features a 10 Mile Run, 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Stroll. Registration is now open and space is limited. Like most “fun runs”, participants can expect a beautiful course, ample refreshments, awards ceremony and vendor tables, but here is the twist: as you follow your race you will collect playing cards. These cards will create a poker hand that will be worth raffle tickets at the finish line celebration! The number of raffle tick

The 24 Hour Fitness club in Downtown Plaza will soon be expanding to incorporate a full-size basketball court, racquetball court and other amenities. The 30,000-square-foot-club will grow to 50,000 square feet by the fall of 2011 and also include an indoor lap pool and new group exercise and cardio areas, said Danny Cowan, spokesman for 24 Hour Fitness. “It’s a great situation for the K Street Mall and the city of Sacramento,” said Club Manager Joel Bouchereau. “We are looking forward to offering the Sacramento community an expanded state-of-the art club with the latest amenities and features to help them reach their fitness goals,” said Jim McPhail, 24 Hour Fitness chief development of

Posted by uga I was just watching the news about the 3 day stand off and I was SHOCKED to see a 300+ pound Police Sergeant on my screen getting paid by tax dollars. When I was a police officer there were height/weight standards and this man was within standards 70lbs ago!! There is No way this Sergeant can pass the run portion of the PT test and I feel he is committing Fraud on tax payers collecting a check and not living up to his end of his contract! Give him 6 months to be IN weight or terminate his employment. That’s where our police and fire departments can start trimming their budgets. Dear uga, The incident you write about occurred on Arden Way in the county. Sac PD’s presence wa

The first annual Fit Crawl on Saturday had 38 "crawlers" ride bicycles to five locations for a 20-minute preview of different fitness methods. Downtown locations included Pipeworks for rock climbing, Fleet Feet to learn about proper running shoes and technique, Ultimate Fitness for in-ring training and bag work, Asha Yoga to try the styles of yoga and Bodytribe, for a fresh take on fitness training. The Crawl was put on by the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness, and sponsored by PepsiCo.  The $35 ticket included bike rental, loaned from Bikes and Bites.  The Wellness Task Force, in existence since 2002, focuses on fitness and nutrition in schools and the workplace. Exe