Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "fundraiser"

Keep the arts in your heart this Wednesday

2012-02-07T18:18:48Z

At this Wednesday’s Hearts for the Arts Benefit Event (6pm-9pm at Alex Bult Gallery) artists, community leaders, and Sacramento’s finest convene to celebrate and raise funds for Any Given Child Sacramento. This initiative, spearheaded by For Arts’ Sake, strives to ensure that art experiences are accessible to every child in grades K-8.

As a part of this fun, alternative event you can treat your Valentine to a night like no other, all while supporting a great cause and enjoying an evening of art, music, cocktails, and refreshments.

Esteemed auctioneer David Sobon will auction off “heart-works” donated donated by over 24 local artists, including Raphael Delgado, Shane Grammer, and Micah Crandall-Bear. Live music will be provided throughout the evening by Clemón.

All proceeds from the $30 tickets ($40 at the door) go to support Any Given Child.

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Find more detail on this event along with many more at Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Disclosure: Written by Sacramento365.com Assistant Editor, Alison Kranz

Fundraiser to support teen cardiac arrest rehabilitation a success

2012-01-24T08:58:01Z

This past Saturday night over 150 supporters attended a fundraising event at the Florin Road Arts and Business Complex in South Sacramento for Marissa Grant, 16, a Sacramento area teen who suffered cardiac arrest on January 27, 2011 while attending classes at Natomas High School.

The event was hosted by “The Friends of Michele Grant,” a group that includes Grant’s coworkers, friends and concerned members of the community who came together to provide financial and emotional support as Marissa fights her way back from the effects of being deprived of oxygen for 8-10 minutes before paramedics arrived to revive her.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love,” stated Michele Grant during her brief appearance at the microphone as she thanked both those in attendance and those who invested countless hours to make the event, “An Evening for Marissa,” a success.

The evening’s program consisted of opening remarks by Joe Pollakoff, Shonna McDaniels and Michele Grant. The MC duties were handled by Pollakoff’s daughter Natasha.

The evening consisted of a full slate of entertainment, a raffle, and a sit-down homemade dinner that included baked chicken, pasta, fresh salad and a variety of side dishes.

Nationally known poet Terry Moore set the tone for the evening with his poem entitled, “Two Seconds.”

Moore alternated between whimsical musings about making an impulse purchase in two seconds and how precious and fragile life can be in that same span of time.

The audience really responded when Moore emphasized that tomorrow is not promised and that everyone should take the time to practice forgiveness and appreciate those in their lives with demonstrable showings of love and affection by reaching out to them today.

Tina B’s Sacramento Soul Line Dancers then showed the crowd some of their unique dance steps to the songs, “Step Off,” “The Cupid Shuffle” and “Wobble Baby Wobble.”

“It is so nice to see what is happening here and to be a part of this,” stated Tina B., who volunteered her dancers to perform at the event after hearing about it from a coworker.

“I am glad to support this mother who’s going through something similar to what my mother went through many years ago,” said Tina B.

Marissa Grant’s care, comfort and rehabilitation were foremost on everyone’s mind throughout the evening.

Marissa attended the event and was exquisitely coiffed and beautifully attired in a taupe blouse and jeans for the evening held in her honor. Her youthful appearance belied the difficult circumstances she endured, and her struggle to regain her health served as the inspiration and purpose for the occasion.

The quiet and reserved teen graciously maintained her poise and dignity before tiring and returning home to rest about midway through the evening.

Marissa’s Aunt, Gayle Bailey, came from the Bay Area to attend the event and contribute to the fundraising efforts.

“I am so thankful that so many people came out to support my niece,” stated Bailey. “I am praying that the Lord heals her body and makes her whole again.”

Local musician and DJ Robert Williams played a variety of gospel, jazz and R&B music while attendees took turns being served at the buffet line set up in the Obama Room.

The foyer was tastefully set up with covered tables adorned with votive candles that surrounded the area that served as the DJ booth and temporary stage.

Once the attendees were served and settled in seats, the evening’s activities proceeded forward.

Natasha Pollakoff sought help from audience members to pull the winning raffle tickets from a basket and announced the numbers, much to the delight of the winners.

Joseph Lacefield first took the stage, leading about a dozen members of the local a cappella group, “Sticky Notes.”

Their 20 minute set of gospel music included the songs, “Ain’t No Rock,” “Be Unto Your Name,” “Awesome God,” “Exalt the Lord,” “Deep Calls to Deep” and “Lead Me to Rest.”

Evangelist Raymond Coats followed with a soulful a cappella rendition of the classic song first made famous by the Hollies, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

After more raffle prizes were given away by Natasha Pollakoff, the featured group for the evening, the Spiritual Harmonizers, took over the entertainment and proceeded to fill the building with their well-rehearsed combination of vocals and live gospel music.

The Spiritual Harmonizers consist of Doyle Bryant, Larry Stephens and Earl Peeples on lead vocals with Eric Canada providing supporting vocals. Musicians include Tony Marshall on keyboard, Eucerean Harris on drums, Jimmy Bray on percussion, Norman Coats on lead guitar and Preston Hayes on bass guitar.

The selections performed by the group included “While I Run This Race,” “This Old World,” ”Holding On,” “Be Alright,” “Since I Found Jesus” and “Another Blessing.”

The messages conveyed in their music provided a fitting culmination of the evening’s entertainment. It reminded everyone in the audience of the blessings conferred upon Marissa Grant and the entire extended Grant family to have Marissa well on the road towards rehabilitation from her illness and medical condition.

Known as Long QT syndrome (LQTS), the illness is a congenital disorder that is very difficult to detect and is known to cause cardiac arrest and seemingly inexplicable sudden death by natural causes.

Danielle Grant, one of Marissa’s older siblings, described how everyone in the family was extremely worried about Marissa and how that concern extended to Michele, who practically lived at the hospital with her during the first few months after she fell ill.

Damarrus Grant, Marissa’s older brother, indicated that the past year “went by so quick.”

“It has been a reality check that has made my faith in God much stronger,” said Damarrus.

“Marissa is getting better every day; she is looking better and she fights hard every day,” stated Danielle.

Once the evening came to a close and the attendees cleared the building, “The Friends of Michele Grant” were united in their belief that the evening had been a success both financially and in terms of showing community support for a family during their time of need.

“People really showed how much they cared,” stated Joe Pollakoff, a colleague of Michele Grant’s who is credited as the individual who carried the idea of holding a fundraiser to others and organized the individuals that contributed to making the event a success.

“I thought the event was magnificent,” stated Shonna McDaniels, who arranged for the use of the building where she is the Director of the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum.

“I was pleased to see all of the support - it was a wonderful night,” said McDaniels.

Anyone who is interested in assisting the family by donating vacation time to Michele Grant, or who simply desires to make a financial contribution to assist Marissa in her rehabilitation may contact Joe Pollakoff at (916) 801-3673 or via email at j.pollakoff@gmail.com, or Michele Grant at (916) 501-5917 or via email at chelleg510@gmail.com. Michele Grant may also be contacted at P.O. BOX 348324, Sacramento, CA 95834.

Upcoming fundraiser to support teen cardiac arrest rehabilitation

2012-01-16T23:16:57Z

A group of caring individuals who refer to themselves as “The friends of Michele Grant” are hosting “An Evening for Marissa” this Saturday, January 21, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Florin Road Arts and Business Complex located at 2251 Florin Road in South Sacramento.

On January 27, 2011, Michele Grant’s 15 year old daughter, Marissa, went into cardiac arrest while attending classes at Natomas High School.

Marissa is now on the long road toward rehabilitation and recovery. The fundraiser is to help Michele Grant with the care of her daughter.

Tickets for the event are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children. Dinner will be served and there will be a raffle to raise funds to help the family with expenses and treatment.

Joe Pollakoff is universally credited as the driving force behind the fundraiser. Pollakoff came to know Grant while working with her at the State Department of Health Services.

“If I could choose someone for my mom, I would choose Michele,” stated Pollakoff in a moment of unguarded sincerity.

“Michele has been very strong and very positive throughout this entire ordeal,” said Pollakoff.

Pollakoff has been met with an outpouring of support from many of Grant’s co-workers as well as members of the community who were not previously acquainted with Michele to assist with the planning and organizing of the upcoming event. Nearly everyone who Pollakoff approached did not hesitate to join him in the effort to help the Grant family in their time of need.

Pollakoff is especially thankful for the generosity of Shonna McDaniel, Director of the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum. When approached by Pollakoff, McDaniel immediately offered the use of the Florin Road Arts and Business Complex facilities to host the event in addition to volunteering to help organize the event.

Grant was forced to take catastrophic leave from her job as a supervisor at the Department of Health Services in order to assume full time care of Marissa once her vacation time and paid leave was exhausted.

Keeping the family’s financial life in order has been an ongoing struggle for the divorced mother of four during the past 12 months. It has only been through the generous donations of vacation time by other state workers as is permitted after an employee qualifies for catastrophic leave that Grant has been able keep the family afloat financially.

Although Grant expects to return to work within the next 90 days, there is still a need to secure donations of vacation hours from fellow state workers until such time that she is able to return to work to draw a paycheck.

“I have been brought to tears on many occasions by the overwhelming support I have received from people who know me and those whom I’ve never met, but have contributed some of their vacation hours after hearing about our situation,” stated Grant.

Grant credits her strong faith and the support of her church home, Bayside of South Sacramento, for the spiritual support that was necessary for the family to pull together to make during some very uncertain moments.

“I know there is a loving God who has helped not just Marissa, but our entire extended family to make it through the times when we feared we might lose her,” said Grant.

Grant’s co-workers have admired her perseverance through what has been an emotionally and financially draining experience. Those who have known Michele or heard of her family’s situation from their friends welcomed the idea of hold a fundraiser to assist the family.

“I see a lot of strength in Michele and I think it comes through her faith,” stated Alexandria Arredondo, a member of the planning committee that is headed by Pollakoff.

“We all wanted to do something to help Michele get through the situation that she is facing,” said Arredondo.

Many of Grant’s co-workers have known her and her children including daughter Danielle, 18, and twins Alicia and Damarrus, 21, for 10 years or more.

“We’ve watched them grow up,” said Linda Horne, a member of the Friends Michele Grant committee.

“We all empathize with her situation as a mother, friend, and as a co-worker,” stated Horne.

January 27, 2011, began as normal day at work for Michele and at school for Marissa who was attending classes at Natomas High School.

Grant was apparently away from her desk when the initial call came from the school informing her that Marissa had suffered what they believed at the time to be a seizure and had been taken to Sutter Memorial Hospital.

Upon arriving at the hospital and identifying herself, Grant was taken into a room where she was met by Natomas High School vice-principal Angela Herrera. Herrera was accompanied by hospital personnel who informed her that Marissa had aspirated while having a cardiac arrest and her body did not receive oxygen for approximately 8-10 minutes until after the paramedics arrived.

Marissa’s heart had stopped and her organs were in the process of shutting down before the paramedics were able to clear the breathing passageway and use a defibrillator to restart her heartbeat.

Despite the warnings of medical personnel, Grant insisted upon being admitted to the intensive care unit where Marissa lay comatose. Her body had swollen to the point where she was nearly unrecognizable by her mother.

Marissa was connected to various monitoring and life support equipment and was shivering uncontrollably due to the fact that her body was completely iced down to help to reduce the swelling.

The doctors at Sutter Memorial informed Grant that Marrisa had very nearly lost her life. Marissa’s brain was swollen and had been damaged on both sides, her lungs were filled with fluid, and her heart had been weakened by the cardiac arrest.

The doctors insisted that they would do everything they could, but that it was a “wait and see” situation. After the first four days while still in a coma, Marissa was transferred to Kaiser Roseville where the Grant family belonged as members.

It was apparent to observers from the beginning that Marissa’s youth relative good health would be the determining factors in her recovery.

The first milestone in Marissa’s recuperation was when she woke up from her coma approximately one week after her cardiac arrest. The next major event occurred two weeks later when Marissa was taken off the respirator and she was able to breathe on her own.

It was a great relief to all when Marissa was able to respond to simple commands to move or blink her eyes and give a thumbs up or down sign.

The effects of the cardiac arrest left Marissa with impaired mobility and function of her extremities. The left side of her body is more severely weakened much like an individual who has suffered a stroke.

Marissa’s rehabilitation therapy began while she was in the hospital with meeting various goals such as being able to sit up for 30 minutes a day. After a steady improvement over the course of her first month, Marissa was transferred to Kaiser Vallejo on February 28, 2011, for six weeks of occupational therapy.

While at that facility Marissa continued to learn how to use her body. She was relearning basic motor skills such as standing, walking, and getting dressed which had become difficult due to her loss of balance. Fine motor skills such as grasping and stirring had also become problematic due to her impairments. The rehabilitation also included speech therapy.

Marissa’s medical history includes sporadic episodes of fainting that began when she was 8 years old. Every time it would occur, Michele would take Marissa to the doctor and get thoroughly checked out for abnormal brain function and heart irregularities. The tests would come back with normal results and the doctors were unable to pinpoint a cause of the fainting spells.

It has only been after a battery of sophisticated tests by some of the best physicians available in Northern California, that doctors diagnosed Marissa with Long QT syndrome (LQTS), a congenital disorder that is very difficult to detect and is known to cause cardiac arrest and seemingly inexplicable sudden death by natural causes.

As a result of the diagnosis, Marissa underwent surgery on May 31, 2011 at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, where a pacemaker/defibrillator was placed in her heart.

Although Marissa is still confined to a wheelchair, she has processed steadily in her rehabilitation and recovery. The Natomas school district assessed Marissa and developed an individual education plan (I.E.P.) that is tailored to her needs and limitations.

As might be expected, there have been some difficulties during the rehabilitation process. Michele indicates that sometimes Marissa gets depressed and is easily fatigued if faced with too much activity.

As a former volleyball player and honors student who had already researched and investigated programs for a future career as a pediatric nurse, Marissa has had an understandably tough time adjusting to her new reality. She has indicated to Michele that she would just like to “get the old Marissa back.”

Marissa has to endure a steady routine of therapy along with up to 10 hours a week of private instruction with two “delightful” teachers according to Grant.

Michele has not pushed to have Marissa return to the Natomas High School campus as she has not yet indicated a desire to reunite with friends.

“Marissa has the option to make those decisions when she is ready,” stated Grant.

“I have faith that Marissa will grow in her acceptance and allow those who know and love her to show how much they really care,” said Grant.

It is anticipated that Marissa must continue with the rehabilitation process for a minimum of four years. It is unknown just how far or fast she will improve. However, Michele is extremely thankful that her child pulled through because so many people who have gone through similar circumstances did not make it.

Anyone who is interested in attending this fundraiser, donating vacation time to Michele Grant, or simply desires to make a financial contribution to assist Marissa in her rehabilitation may contact Joe Pallokoff at (916) 801-3673 or via email at j.pollakoff@gmail.com or Michele Grant at (916) 501-5917 or via email at chelleg510@gmail.com.

West Sac Mayor Proclaims Jan. 14 West Sac-Crab-Mento Day for Rotary Crab Feed Fundraiseer

2012-01-09T21:14:12Z

Mayor Cabaldon Proclaims January 14th

West Sac-Crab-Mento Day

(World’s Crabbiest Crab to Attend Rotary Fundraiser)

He’s Crabby, the World’s Crabbiest Crab. He’s boiling mad. And who can blame him?

His agent signed him to an event the crusty crustacean finds in bad taste, while those in attendance will be there for the good taste……….of crab…….at the Might Rotary Club of West Sacramento’s “claw-some” (sorry) Crab Feed to benefit The Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation and the West Sacramento Rotary Foundation. The Crab Feed takes place on Saturday, January 14, at Our Lady of Grace Church Hall, 1990 Linden Road, West Sacramento.
(6pm Cocktails, 7pm Dinner)

Crabby was shell-shocked (sorry) to learn that the event has been endorsed by West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, who, in an official proclamation has declared January 14, 2012 as West Sac-Crab-Mento Day in recognition of the Rotary’s popular crab feed.

Besides a sumptuous meal of antipasto, salad, crab, pasta and bread, festivities include:

* Dancing by blues rockers “Neckbone”
* Crab Shots (a special Rotary cocktail)
* Raffle & Silent Auction with “incrabible” (sorry) Prizes
* Outdoor Cigar Bar
* V.I.P. Table Package which includes a “medley catch” (sorry) of open bar, raffle tickets, option of picked & cleaned crab, and limousine service to and from the event….hey, this is not your father’s crab feed.

Advance tickets $50 at www.eventbrite.com or Call 927-1592
V.I.P. Package – Contact Doug Carson (916) 595-9501

Disclosure: Steve LaRosa is Media Director for Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation

Swimmers at McKinley Park take the plunge for a good cause

2012-01-09T05:03:22Z

During the hot summer months, Clunie pool, located in McKinley Park in Midtown Sacramento, is the place to be. But this past Saturday, swimmers could be seen jumping off the diving board and swimming in water during cold winter temperatures.

Swimming during the winter months may seem crazy, but Sacramentans came out for a special cause.

The city Department of Parks and Recreation has been making cuts in the aquatics department for several years now, increasing shutdowns of city pools.

Sierra Voss, 27, who has been lifeguarding for 10 years, has seen firsthand the changes that have been happening recently.

"Last year we had black out days, where once a week each pool had to be closed down for the day. And the hours of recreational swim had to be altered, and a lot of people weren't happy with that."

Along with the cutback of hours, programs have also been altered or have completely subsided.

"Our hours have drastically been cut but also closing of the pools makes swim team and swim lessons limited,” explains Samantha Matranga, a lifeguard of six years.

During the 2011 aquatic season, there were only six pools open: Johnston, McClatchy Park, George Sim, Doyle, Clunie and Pannell Meadowview.

"There is a good possibility that this upcoming season there will only be three pools open and we wanted to do as much as we could to keep more pools open," explains Terri Matal, Recreation Supervisor of Aquatics and Adult Sports.

The aquatics department recently teamed up with giftstoshare.org, a non-profit organization that supports the City of Sacramento's park, recreation, cultural, educational and neighborhood improvement programs to help raise money for the department.

Along with giftstoshare.org, the idea of a polar plunge to help fundraise and raise awareness was mentioned.

"A lot of the polar plunges are timely with the start of the New Year. I thought it would be a great winter event for the community, but also to call attention to the current budget situation with the city pools," explains Matal.

With the pool at a crisp 48 degrees and the outside temperature only a few degrees higher at 51 degrees, participants were up for a challenge.

Residents of all sizes and ages came out to Clunie to show their support as well as participate.

The city made sure that safety came first with three lifeguards on deck, a warming station and the pool chlorinated and regulated.

Two cousins who came together had different views on jumping in the water.

"I'm not scared at all to jump in," said Bobby Goforth, although his older cousin Erin Horrell who is normally a park patron but not a regular at the pool confessed, "I'm a little scared to jump in."

The fist plunge took place at 10:20 a.m., with patrons having the choice of the diving board, slide or off the side of the pool to enter the chilling water. Many of the plungers jumped in several times, seeming invincible to the icy cold water.

Along with the plunge, participants were also able to enjoy refreshments, face painting and a fun polar bear walking around.

Besides the fun that the event brought, it is important to remember the reason for the occasion.

City pools in Sacramento are not only a great way to stay cool during the summer, but they help our residents with employment, swimming lessons and recreational events to help kids stay out of trouble when school isn’t in session.

"The one thing I love about my job is the camaraderie amongst my coworkers, but also that I'm able to provide a service that can help kids from wandering the streets and keeping them out of trouble," explains Matranga.

This polar plunge was started to raise money for the city, with hopes that it will continue as an event the community can participate in on an annual basis.

"I'd love to see this event happen every year. Regardless of whether people swim or just watch, I think it's a great idea," explains Voss.

For more information on the current aquatics budget, visit http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/recreation/aquatics/pools.htm

To make a donation you can visit www.giftstoshare.org.

Disclosure: I worked for the Aquatics department of the CIty of Sacramento as a Senior Lifeguard for the 2004 and 2006 seasons.

Polar Bear Plunge

2012-01-09T03:41:32Z

It’s a chilly January morning. Shivering, swimsuit-clad bodies surround Clunie Pool waiting for the countdown of the Polar Bear Plunge. In unison, the swimmers leap into the bracing 48-degree water. Like a comic film being rewound, they just as quickly leap back onto the pool deck. Most lasted a full three seconds before returning to the warmth of their towels and hot coffee.

What manner of motivation brought these hardy souls to the first annual Polar Bear Plunge sponsored by the City of Sacramento?

For most, it was a chance to support city pools. All proceeds of the event go towards keeping the pools open in the summer. Lesley Henriquez encouraged her daughter Gracie to take the plunge because “she’s on the swim team and we want to help the fabulous pools.”

Josh Lurie-Terrell had similar motivation but had to bribe his friends to do it with an offer of a dim sum lunch afterwards.

Grietje Reuter and Sharon Nelson also wanted to support a good cause and were willing to dive into frigid water for it because, “We are apparently not very bright,” they said.

Polar swimmers had their choice of pool entry methods. They could jump in from the side, dive off the board or enter via tube slides. Some were so energized that they tried all three methods. For others, once was enough.

Lifeguard Margaret Freiwald was hoping that she wouldn’t have to go into the icy water noting, “I want to keep my fingers and toes.”

She was given special instructions to watch swimmers for hypothermia symptoms, something she doesn’t see much of in the summer.

Aquatic Supervisor Terri Matal organized the January 7th Polar Bear Plunge and said that similar events are traditional around the New Year to support good causes and to “give people an opportunity to challenge themselves.” This year’s Sacramento event attracted nearly 100 people who contributed at least five dollars each to support community pool operations.

Donations can still be made through the non-profit Gifts to Share program at www.giftstoshare.org and specifying that you want your contribution to go towards city pools.

What happens when Sheriff K9's retire?

2012-01-03T03:01:18Z

The Sacramento Sheriff's K9 Association held a fundraiser and demonstration Sunday at Pet Food Express on Fair Oaks Blvd.

Along with meeting the K9's, getting to rub a K9 belly and meet their handlers, goers had the opportunity to purchase the new 2012 SSDK9 calendar loaded with dynamic images of the dogs and their handlers by XSiGHT Photography and Video.

Ike, one of twelve active K9’s in the unit, has seen his fair share of rough and tumble, part of the job as a K9. Deputy Pomerson, Ike’s partner and handler, related how Ike went over a fence after a bad guy and punctured a lung. With the punctured lung, Ike still latched on to the bad guy until deputies apprehended the perp. Ike’s chest swelled to almost twice his normal size and he was rushed to medical care and saved. After a two week recovery, Pomerson related, Ike eagerly went back to work.

Pomerson shared tales of his partner, such as how he slides back and forth in the back seat responding to calls.

“It seems the more he (Ike) is tossed around in the back, [the] more he’s excited and ready to get the bad guy when we arrive at the scene.”

Pomerson also explained the toll the tossing around takes on the K9’s, giving them an average of five to seven workable years. When the K9’s retire, “they get to de-stress and just enjoy the rest of their life as a pet and adapt well,” stated Pomerson.

We got to tag along while Pomerson gave Ike a bath at the pet store. Even though the water was nice and warm, Pomerson agreed Ike would much rather be getting wet in the river.

When Ike retires, Pomerson will purchase him from the county for one dollar plus tax, and Ike will enjoy his retirement as the family pet. With Ike’s retirement, Pomerson will get a new K9 partner. At that time, Pomerson explained, the hardest part for Ike will be not going to work.

On their off days they do absolutely no work related things at all, and when it’s time to go back to work and Pomerson dons his uniform, Ike gets all excited.

“Even when I chirp the alarm on the car or move the car around, Ike gets all excited thinking it’s time to got to work,” said Pomerson.

A large portion of the fundraising proceeds are dedicated to the retirement needs of the K9’s who served their community. The fundraising calendar is a wonderful way to get to know the beautiful and talented animals that protect and serve our community.

If you are interested in donating and being involved with the SSDK9 association, their site has all the information and details you need to get engaged. Be sure to check out SSDK9 Association fundraising golf tournaments and marathons as well.

SSDK9 Demo/Fundraiser from SacMav Rapid Media on Vimeo.

Deputy Amos talks about the K9's>>

Racing for a Reason: Tony Prakash

2011-11-22T19:19:32Z

Lace up your shoes, Sacramento -- the 18th annual Run to Feed the Hungry is this week!

Every week up until then, we will interview a new Run to Feed the Hungry runner. We will ask a handful of different past and present runners the same questions. We have found that people are motivated by many different reasons to be involved in this incredible event.

There is still time to sign up to participate and help keep this the largest Thanksgiving Day run in the country. Go to the Run to Feed the Hungry website for more information and ways to register. We hope to see you there!

Name: Tony Prakash
Occupation: Real Estate

The Sacramento Press: How many years have you been doing the run?
Tony Prakash: It's been four years now.

SP: How many people do you run with?
TP: One to five.

SP: Do you run or walk outside the event?
TP: Yes, I run [regularly].

SP: What motivates you to be part of this cause?
TP: The cause is such a great cause. Just like many others that are out there, [SFBFS] is special based on its beliefs and what it does for the community; helping others who are less fortunate than us. My belief is that everyone should be equal. We should what we can to make [everyone] feel just as important. No one should ever be faced with hunger and experience poverty.

SP: What is your favorite thing about Run to Feed the Hungry?
TP: I cant pick just one, I love every aspect of the event!

SP: Do you have a favorite t-shirt design from over the years?
TP: All of them that I have are fantastic.

SP: If you could make one wish this Thanksgiving, what would it be?
TP: It probably sounds corny, but to end poverty.

SP: What are you most thankful for this year?
TP: The gift of life!

"Contractors Caring for Kids" SWEET 16th Annual Toy Drive & Fundraiser

2011-11-09T22:16:54Z

Contractors Caring for Kids
16th Annual Toy Drive & Fundraiser

Saturday, December 10th, 2011
12 Noon to 4:00 PM
* Pls. Note NEW Location
Orangevale Community Center
6826 Hazel Avenue, Orangevale, CA 95662
“Raising money and toys for children in need to build a better tomorrow”
Contractors Caring for Kids is an all volunteer organization, it is also an
IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit charity.
Contributions are tax deductible-ID#68-0397430

Everyone Welcome- Fun Family Event! Bring a Toy and a Smile!

Pie Toss at City and County Building Inspectors, Silent Auction and Big Prize Drawings, Food and Refreshments, A Visit from Santa, Y92 Live Radio Broadcast, Lego Design Build Contest, Face Painting, and so much more.

Benefiting Children’s Organizations:

*Big Brothers/Big Sisters
*Boys and Girls Clubs
*WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Envir.)
*UC Davis Hospice
*Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home
*WIND Youth (Works in New Directions)

*Perhaps you’d like to help the day of the event or to serve on a committee, please call to get involved.
Please deliver checks and raffle prizes to:
CONTRACTORS CARING FOR KIDS c/o Zumwalt & Associates, Inc.,
Attn: Michele Zumwalt 4887 Pasadena Ave., Sacramento, California 95841-4239
For More Info: (916) 978-9600 Office (916) 978-9672 Fax Michele@zumwaltinc.com E-mail
Call or e-mail to request for an e-copy of this flier or go to: http://site.gotgreattools.com/cck_2011_flier.pdf

"We Will Rock You!"

2011-11-09T04:44:55Z

The Sac State Geology Club is shaking things up on November 18th by auctioning off hundreds of rocks, minerals, fossils and more at the 8th annual Rock Auction. This celebration of the natural world is free to the public, begins at 6pm at the CSUS Alumni Center and will include live and silent auctions, catered food and beverages, and children's activities.

The room will be abuzz with the chatter of rock hounds, educators, students and gem connoisseurs perusing samples of highly polished petrified wood, purple cubic fluorite, and stunning fossilized coral. “But, you don’t need to be a professional to enjoy the festivities,” says Club President Chris Hughes, “many of our guests are new to the rock world-- looking for garden pieces or a unique holiday gift. Others are there to support the next generation of scientists.”

Since its inception in 2004, the Rock Auction has raised thousands of dollars to support the study of geology by subsidizing field costs for Sac State Geology Students and through the creation of Rock Boxes for underfunded schools. According to Club Vice President Bryan Bergkamp, “Each spring, the Geology Club constructs boxes full of rock and mineral samples to donate to local schools. It is our opportunity to educate future geologists.”

Some of the unique items up for grabs in the live auction include a crystal ball of calcite, a two foot tall tower of orthoceras fossils from Morocco, and a valuable “Green and Gold” pair of quartz samples-- one a large quartz point containing fine crystals of green chlorite and the other a piece of quartz containing a significant amount of crystalline gold. “You can’t beat the thrill of a Live Auction,” say department chair and event auctioneer Dave Evans, “The atmosphere can get a little frantic as bidding escalates, and with such exceptional items up for auction, this year should be very exciting.”

Volunteers have been working for months to collect specimens from local businesses, alumni, faculty and collectors. “It is a tremendous amount of work, but it's worthwhile.” Says Hughes, “Because of the support of our donors and volunteers, we are able to share our love of geology with the entire region!”

For more information about the Rock Auction or to donate a specimen please contact the Geology Club at sacstategeologyclub@gmail.com or call Chris Hughes at (831) 595-336.

Disclosure: Jessica Bean is a member of the Sac State Geology Club.

Racing for a Reason: Laura Smith

2011-11-07T18:19:33Z

Lace up your shoes, Sacramento -- the 18th annual Run to Feed the Hungry is only a few weeks away.

Name: Laura Smith
Occupation: In-Home Care Provider and Social Work Student at California State University, Sacramento

The Sacramento Press: How many years have you been doing the run?
Laura Smith: I have been doing the run for the last four years!

SP: How many people do you run or walk with?
LS: I usually run with four or five people. Last year I ran with my best friend Kristen, her sister Stephanie, her mother Mary, her boyfriend Jairid, and my boyfriend Jeff. The year before that I ran with my mother Veronica and my grandfather Ron.

SP: Do you run or walk outside the event?
LS: Well, I try and run but it is hard with so many people so it is sometimes more fun to walk and talk with family and friends.

SP: What motivates you to be part of this cause?
LS: There is so much need in the Sacramento area that it really motivates me to support a good cause and contribute so that more people can have a hot Thanksgiving meal.

SP: What is your favorite thing about Run to Feed the Hungry?
LS: My favorite thing about the Run to Feed the Hungry is that it is the largest Thanksgiving run in the country. It brings thousands of people together to give back to the community. I love being in the freezing cold early in the morning and seeing all the people dressed up festively in turkey hats.

SP: Do you have a favorite t-shirt design from over the years?
LS: I loved the brown shirt with the fall leaves on it. I’m not such a big fan of the white shirts, but I loved the material they were made with last year.

SP: If you could make one wish this Thanksgiving, what would it be?
LS: Well, for everyone to have a fresh, healthy, and hot Thanksgiving meal to share with their friends and family.

SP: What are you most thankful for this year?
LS: I am most thankful to have a home, a job, and be a student in this tough time. I am also most thankful to share another happy and healthy year with my family and friends.

Racing for a Reason: Tonja Field

2011-10-31T19:05:38Z

Lace up your shoes, Sacramento -- the 18th annual Run to Feed the Hungry is only a few weeks away.

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) encourages you to be part of Sacramento's Thanksgiving tradition. The 5K and 10K fun run and walk launches from Sacramento State, 6000 J St., on Thanksgiving morning. With 30,000 participants expected to be involved, you are guaranteed a morning of fun with family and friends.

Every week up until then, we will interview a new Run to Feed the Hungry runner. We will ask a handful of different past and present runners the same questions. We have found that people are motivated by many different reasons to be involved in this incredible event.

Name: Tonja Field
Occupation: X-ray/CT/Mammography Tech

The Sacramento Press: How many years have you been doing the run?
Tonja Field: I've participated every year since 2001.

SP: How many people do you run with?
TF: Every year it is different. In the beginning I would run/walk it with two of my best friends, one year I did it by myself because the race started before I could even locate any of my friends and another year I did it as part of The Sacrament Press team.

SP: Do you run or walk at RTFTH?
TF: Lately I've mostly walked it as I find it more enjoyable to enjoy the scenery and a little more difficult to get my legs moving in the cold weather as I have gotten older, but one day I may want to try running it again.

SP: Do you run or walk outside of the event?
TF: I ran a half- marathon for the first time in March and have run only twice since then. I ran again on Sunday [at the Merrell Down & Dirty National Mud Run Series] and the last time I'll probably run in 2011 is the Run to Feed the Hungry. I'm a Beachbody coach so thankfully those workout programs have kept me in shape so that I can run these sort of events when I want to and not feel like I am going to die for the cause.

SP: What motivates you to be part of this cause?
TF: People going hungry has always been something I've been concerned about. I don't have to know why they are without, I just know that no one should be without food. The fact that this event allows Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services to provide so much for so many people is just one of the reasons I participate in this event each year.

SP: What is your favorite thing about Run to Feed the Hungry?
TF: My favorite thing about Run to Feed the Hungry is the fact that I am getting a little exercise before I consume more food than my body probably needs in a week. Also, even if I am just walking it, the fresh air and happiness around me is enough to make me be positive about the whole day.

SP: Do you have a favorite t-shirt design from over the years?
TF: I do have a favorite t-shirt design! I can't recall the year *digging up all my millions of t-shirts* but it was the white one with blue & yellow writing - turkey legs in running shoes. FOUND IT! 2005 :)

SP: If you could make one wish this year on Thanksgiving, what would it be?
TF: If I could have one wish (I always make wishes!) this Thanksgiving, it would be for me just to come to the CLEAR realization that all I have and all the people I have around me is enough. I don't need anything else and I need to learn to be content and thankful in this moment. I am getting better with this over time, but it still is a struggle.

Albie Ribbin' BBQ Cook-Off Fundraiser for Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation

2011-10-19T23:33:11Z

Annual Rib CooQue-Off Fundraiser
Answers the Age Old Question…
Where’s the PorQue?

We Ain’t Ribbin’…. We’re Ribbin.

Seems like a contradiction in terms, right?

Very WeaQue Translation: We’re not Quidding… we’re Q-ing.

It’s the 3rd Annual Albie Ribbin’ BBQ Cook-off to benefit the Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation.

Saturday, October 29th, from noon to 6pm, at the Hilltop Tavern (4757 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento) …. 15 Q-teams, comprised of everyone from local bars and restaurants to open competitors, will be “slathering slabs” of St. Louis style ribs in hopes of winning first ribbon for best ribbin’.

And if you were thinking we’d run out of puns and wordplay…not so fast…for who better to play live music at a Q-off than Sacramento’s favorite good time party band…the Q-Balls. (Ok, we didn’t make that one up…that really is their name, and this band roQues!!)

This is an all age event, fun for the whole family, with Quiller barbeque (St. Louis style ribs, Q’d by the folks at the Round Corner Bar) , Quollasal silent auction and a remarQable raffle with great prizes. Admission is just $20. Quite a smoquin’ deal!

Lunch served from 1pm to 4pm. Q-Balls play from 2pm to 5pm.

For advance tickets, call 927-1592

You’d be Qrazy not to attend this event!!

albieaware.org

Your mother, your sister, your daughter, your best friend.....Who Cares?
Albie Aware.
Albie Aware sounds Like "I'll Be Aware" and that's our purpose: To encourage self-examination and a follow-up doctor's appointment for early detection of a recurrrence. To make others aware of the diagnostic testing available to determine the best treatment of a recurrence. To provide financial assistance when these tests are not covered by the insurance provider.

Disclosure: Steve LaRosa is the Media Director for Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation

Corbett's House of Horror Benefits SFBFS

2011-10-11T17:22:32Z

The spookiest month of the year is here! Get in the spirit by attending opening night at Corbett's House of Horror. Today, October 11, bring canned goods to receive $5 off admission. Corbett's House of Horror will pass on the canned goods and also donate $5 of each admission ticket directly to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services! Check out www.sacramentohaunt.com for additional information. Please note, they only accept cash.

Corbett’s House of Horror is located at1120 Galleria Blvd, Roseville CA 95678. Conveniently located right across the street from the Galleria, nearby many shops and restaurants. Enjoy plenty of free parking in a well-lit lot. Don’t worry about rain, if it’s storming outside, there are lots of indoor activities.

Questions? Contact Corbett’s House of Horror at corbettshouseofhorror@gmail.com or (916) 905-7822.

Gather your friends and family for a spooktacular evening! Thank you for supporting

Disclosure: Kelly Siefkin is an employee of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is featured on Groupon

2011-10-03T19:55:19Z

Groupon, the popular daily deals and discount site, selected Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services as TODAY’S FEATURED CAMPAIGN from October 3-October 6, 2011!

What does that mean for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
This is a wonderful opportunity to share our mission with a wider audience in Sacramento. Not everyone in our community is aware that Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services distributes fresh fruits and vegetables 16-20 times per month at various locations around town to combat hunger, as well as poor nutrition.

What’s offered by Groupon?
G-Team, the local philanthropic arm of Groupon, is offering a deal of $13 to purchase four days worth of healthy groceries for a family in need.

How much of the daily deal supports Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
100% of your donation ($13) directly purchases food for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services’ Food program.

How can you be part of this exciting deal?
Click on this link to make a $13 contribution. Make 1, 2 or 3 donations! 40 donations must be made through Groupon to trigger the tipping point. Please help us reach our goal of at least 40 donations to make a difference in the lives of families in need. Once you’ve made a donation, share information about your good deed with friends! A tweet or Facebook post is really helpful.

Thank you to all who are able to give a donation and share this offer.

How do I donate through Groupon?
1. Go to http://www.groupon.com/deals/gt-sacramento-food-bank-family-services
2. Click BUY and select quantity. 1 = $13, 2 = $26, etc
3. Complete your order

How can I help spread the word about this great deal?
1. Go to Facebook and share this link:
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gt-sacramento-food-bank-family-services
2. Follow us on Twitter and retweet about this great deal:
@SacFoodBank

Disclosure: Kelly Siefkin is an employee of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

Sutter Breast Cancer Quilt Auctions to Benefit Cancer Research and Treatment Programs

2011-09-21T19:42:03Z

The greater Sacramento community is invited to live, silent and online auctions that benefit breast cancer research and treatment programs at Sutter Cancer Center. More than 600 handcrafted quilts and textile art are displayed at the Sutter Cancer Center during October.

Sutter Cancer Center is open daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and the public is welcome to visit the quilt display anytime during the month. There will be a bid sheet for each item on display so that individuals may bid during their visit.

The Silent Auction takes place Oct. 3 - Nov. 5, 2011, while the Live Auction happens Nov. 5, 2011 at 10 a.m. The Online Auction takes place now through Nov. 5. Those interested can visit www.biddingforgood.com/smcfoundation.

Sutter Cancer Center is located at 2800 L St., Sacramento, CA 95816.

Every three years since 1999, California quilters have generously created beautiful quilts for the auction. The past four auctions raised more than $425,000 for Sutter Cancer Center programs. More than 1,900 quilts were donated to those auctions.

Programs that benefit from the Sutter Breast Cancer Quilt Auction include the Breast Cancer Navigator Program, Lymphadema Education, Nutrition Counseling and Classes, as well as Dance Movement, Art, Music and Massage Therapy. For more information, visit www.suttermedicalcenter.org/quiltauction.

Sutter Cancer Center does more than treat a disease. We care for people living with cancer and strive to meet their physical, mental and emotional needs. Through comprehensive programs and services, we support our patients and those who care for them. For more information, visit www.suttercancer.org.

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, is affiliated with Sutter Health, a not-for-profit, community based health system located throughout Northern California. For more information on Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, visit www.suttermedicalcenter.org.

# # #

Disclosure: Liz Madison is a Communications Coordinator who works in Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region’s Strategic Marketing and Communications Department

Blues Festival and Pasta Cook-Off Fundraiser-October 2nd

2011-09-15T22:27:11Z

10 Bands…10 Restaurants…5 years.

We did the math…it adds up to big fun at the…

5th Annual Blues for Life, which takes place on Sunday, October 2nd, from 1pm to 7pm, at the Torch Club, 904 15th Street. (inside and out in the parking lot…two stages)

This popular fundraiser, described in this news release, which has grown every year, benefits Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation, which raises money for expensive diagnostic breast cancer tests such as PET scans and mammograms for women in need.

At Albie, we like to say, “Your mother, your sister, your daughter, your best friend... Who Cares?…..Albie Aware!

Besides performances by the area’s leading blues bands, the popular Pasta Cook-Off featuring 10 top Sacramento restaurants, will be featured. Attendees will be able to taste them all for a mere $10. Doing the math again…we think you get it…

All Star Line-Up of Bands:

The Nibblers
Mercy Me!
Walking Spanish
Kaye Bohler
Ron Hacker
Gino Matteo
Bone MacDonald
Sista Monica
Trubaduo
Pailer, Adams & Joyce

Participating Pugilistic Potentates of Pasta
(aka: Competing Pasta Cook-off Restaurants)

Blue Prynt Restaurant & Bar
Clark’s Corner
Evan’s Kitchen
House Kitchen & Bar
Lucca Restaurant & Bar
Mama Susanna’s Ristorante Italiano
Michelangelo’s Italian Restaurant
Rio City Café
(2 restauarants TBA)

Silent auction items:
Flat screen TV
Signed art works
Trips and much more

50 Raffle Items
Including restaurants & local entertainment certificates

For more information, please visit: www.albieaware.org

Tickets available now at eventbrite.com

Disclosure: Steve LaRosa is the Media Director for Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation

Step Up and Step Out - AIDS Run/Walk 2011

2011-09-09T06:57:26Z

Would it surprise you to know that AIDS rates are on the rise again?

As someone who lost only a few friends to AIDS, but was nearly frozen with fearful anticipation waiting for the results of that first test in the ‘80s, it certainly surprised me! It further amazed me that anyone who has seen the devastation the results of a compromised immune system can cause would continue to engage in risky and potentially fatal behavior.

But they do.

But the most disturbing information by far, was that one of the reasons that HIV continues to spread is that it’s considered by many in high-risk groups to be “no big deal.” The rationale—if it can be considered that—is that people do so well on the medication (think Magic Johnson) that it’s not really the death sentence it used to be.

If only it was so simple.

The truly rational mind would realize that contracting AIDS is a crapshoot. Once you are positive for HIV, the odds that you will die from any number of things go up. You are vulnerable. Medication works well for some people, and not for others. Medication is hugely expensive. HIV/AIDS is a preexisting condition, so if you are not Magic Johnson and need to get health insurance, this can be a problem.

Where HIV/AIDS is concerned, not only is ignorance not bliss, it is suicide.

Or murder.

That’s where AIDS Walk comes in. The Sac Valley AIDS Run/Walk is, ostensibly, a fundraiser, but, in reality, isn’t one of the big moneymakers for the cause. It’s most important function is to raise community awareness about the disease and the organizations that fight it and serve the sufferers and survivors.

Co-chair Julie Kennedy talked with me about how this year’s run/walk differs from past events.

Most notably, the walking course is only half as long. The former course was a 5K, or about 3 miles. This year the revised course will leave the Capitol and head toward the Tower Bridge and back, for a total of 1.5 miles.

“It will save us money on street closures and police escorts, which is a factor to consider in this economy,” admits Julie Kennedy, “But more importantly, it will also allow survivors to participate more comfortably, which has been a concern in previous years.”

The runners’ route will remain a 5K.

Julie Kennedy is also hoping the shorter route will bring a sense of community back to the event. She’s hoping to see the return of tribute signs, and the costumes and camaraderie of years past.--whatever it takes to get people reengaged.

Kennedy also works at CARES, a nonprofit HIV/AIDS clinic in Midtown.

“I recently had a 19-year old test positive, “ she tells me, “The HIV tester was talking with him and he was excited that it was his birthday the next day. He was telling her about his birthday plans.” She paused a moment.

“Then she went down the hall to get the results, and she has to tell him it’s positive. She wanted to cry.”

There are too many stories just as sad, she said.

So if there were one final thing she could say, it would be,

“If I could say just one thing,” she says, as we are about to part company. “It would be, Help! AIDS needs help. Please walk. If you can’t walk, donate.”

She pauses, thinking about the clients she will return to.

“Let’s bring this back into the light.”

You can register a team or as an individual on line in advance at www.sacvalleyaidsrunwalk.org or in person up until the beginning of the event, which will be held on Sunday, September 18.

AIDS Walk is a Capital City AIDS Fund event that benefits number of charitable organizations. This year, among them will be CARES, who will use the money to support their Positive Speakers Program; Breaking Barriers, who provide mobile testing and transportation for people with HIV; Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center; Sunburst Project, a camp for children with a parent who has HIV; Golden Rule Services, serving gay men of color; Harm Reduction Services, providing needle exchange and HIV testing; Oak Park Outreach needle exchange; Sierra Foothills AIDS Foundation of Auburn; and Chico Stonewall Democratic Club.

Salons VS Designers Hair Battle

2011-07-28T22:58:24Z

Hosted By Naima Mora From Americas Next Top Model! A Berry Special Event Proudly Presents The First Ever Diversity Hair & Fashion Battle "Salons Vs Designer" Fundraiser.This is your opportunity to see our areas top salons, designers and make-up artist battle it out on stage for cash and other prizes. This event is filled with shopping, salons, spas, healing artist accessories and fashion! The evening will include a runway show featuring top salons, make-up and stylist from Sacramento and surrounding areas showcasing and competing in the areas of hair, make-up and fashions. With our theme of Salons Vs Designers this show will showcase the most innovative stylists highlighting unique styles worn by trendy fashionistas from every background, body shape & size Come learn about the Roberts Center and see their kids from the center hit the runway with a special performance. Local Celebrity Judges will be in attendance! Get your tickets early. This show will sell out. Roberts Family Development Center Fundraiser! 916-271-2351 Visit Our Website at www.hairandfashionbattle.com

Sutter's Fort Calls Out to Food Lovers & History Enthusiasts!

2011-07-25T15:26:46Z

After a successful inaugural effort in 2010, Friends of Sutter’s Fort in association with Slow Food Sacramento proudly present the second annual “A Taste of History” fundraising event on Saturday evening, September 24. “A Taste of History” offers guests a unique culinary experience that includes a four-course, sit-down dinner amid a beautiful setting inside the walls of Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP). The highlight of the memorable event is a specially designed menu designed to showcase meals reminiscent of those enjoyed when John Sutter founded Sutter’s Fort in 1839. Many historic recipes will be re-invented with today’s innovative techniques and vibrant local ingredients.

When they first arrive, “A Taste of History” guests will be treated to scrumptious appetizers while enjoying local wine and beer tastings. New this year, guests will have the opportunity to watch and interact with chefs as they prepare their culinary creations in period facilities such as outdoor fire pits or in the historic kitchens and on-site bakery. With local wines and beer paired with the various courses, the inspired dishes will be created by chefs from popular restaurants such as Café Vinoteca, Ella Dining Room and Bar/The Kitchen, Mulvaney’s B&L, Spataro and Ten22 Restaurant. In addition, the meals will be served by talented volunteers from Plates Cafe & Catering, a special endeavor launched by St. John’s Shelter Program for Women & Children.

With an international flair representative of the types of music enjoyed by emigrants who first came to Sutter’s Fort, live acoustic music will entertain guests and set a lively and festive mood throughout the culinary experience and silent auction. At the close of the evening, each participant will each receive a goodie bag that includes a keepsake program with the historic recipes and today’s adapted recipes.

“A Taste of History” is a fundraising event that benefits Sutter’s Fort SHP and would not be possible without the generous contributions provided by the following businesses and organizations: Bogle Vineyards, Boeger Winery, Café Vinoteca, California State Parks, Ella Dining Room and Bar/The Kitchen Restaurant, Midtown Business Association, Mulvaney’s B&L, Plates Café & Catering, Rail Bridge Cellars, River City Brewing Company, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Slow Food Sacramento, Spataro, Ten22 Restaurant, The Sutter District and Whole Foods Market.

For information about donating silent auction items or purchasing tickets to “A Taste of History,” visit www.suttersfort.org or call 916-323-7626.

About Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Operated by California State Parks with financial assistance from the nonprofit Friends of Sutter’s Fort, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located in midtown Sacramento on L Street between 26th and 28th Streets, the Fort offers special events, Living History and Demonstration Days programs throughout the year. Established in 1839 by Swiss immigrant John Augustus Sutter, Sutter’s Fort was at the center of a flourishing agricultural empire named New Helvetia (New Switzerland.) This empire established Sacramento’s earliest settlement and the first European settlement in California’s Central Valley. For more information, call (916) 445-4422 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/SuttersFort

About Slow Food Sacramento
Slow Food Sacramento is the Sacramento region’s chapter of Slow Food USA. The active organization hosts a wide range of educational and convivial events throughout the year to showcase producers and creators of some of the region’s outstanding foods, farms and restaurants in an effort to champion locally and sustainably produced vegetables, fruits, wines, meats and cheeses. For more information, visit www.slowfoodsacramento.com

Disclosure: Traci Rockefeller Cusack represents a number of businesses and organizations throughout the greater Sacramento area including the Capital District State Museums and Historic Parks.

A Night with Owls & Hawks

2011-06-14T17:57:25Z

Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Bushnell Gardens Nursery
5255 Douglas Blvd.
Granite Bay California 95746

“A Night with Owls & Hawks” is great event for the public to get up close and almost personal with birds of prey – they are our friends.

Bushnell Garden Nursery is hosting this fund raiser for both Native Bird Connection & Hawk Talk. These two groups help educate the public about these amazing birds as well as rescue birds in need.

Tickets:
• $15 per person
• $25 per couple
• Children under 12 are free.
* Space is limited to the first 200 people. We sell out so being quick on the draw is recommended.
* Available to purchase at Bushnell Gardens Nursery (see below)

Bring a folding chair, unless you prefer standing.
Light refreshments will be served.

Contact:
Bushnell Gardens Nursery
(916) 791-4199
http://www.bushnellgardens.com

Disclosure: Dave Bushnell is the owner of Bushnell Gardens

Rock out for Big Brothers Big Sisters

2011-05-25T03:49:04Z

On Sunday, May 29, more than 6,000 community members will be walking and rocking out to KISS, all in the name of charity. The third annual Walk ‘N Rock, being held at Raley Field, will split all funds raised between their 2011 non-profit affiliates (see bottom).

Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento participated in Walk ‘N Rock for the first time and raised $26,000 through the event. This year, they hope to top that and raise $40,000.

Founded in 1963, BBBS Sac currently has 282 active matches and operates on a staff of only 14. Matching Bigs and Littles and providing training to the mentors would not be possible without donations and successful fundraisers like Walk ‘N Rock.

The Sacramento Press talked to President and CEO Rhonda Staley-Brooks to find out why you should rock out on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento this weekend!

The Sacramento Press: Tell me a little bit about your background and how you got involved with BBBS.

Rhonda Staley-Brooks: I was attending school at CSU Sacramento and needed to find a job because my father would not support my social life. Found BBBS on the job line and applied. I started in 1993 as a Case Work Assistant and worked my way through all Program positions to the current position as CEO.

SP: If you had one minute to explain the organization and its mission, what would you say?

RS: Changing the way children grow up today by providing positive adult role models in their lives. These children are less likely to do drugs, drop out of high school or become a teen parent due to the influences we place in their lives.

SP: How did BBBS become involved with Hope Productions/Walk 'N Rock?

RS: We applied the second year of the organization and become one of the partner agencies.

SP: Are there any notable teams of BBBS staffers or volunteers participating in Walk 'N Rock?

RS: VSP was a huge supporter of Walk ‘N Rock last year. This year, “Walk N Rollers,” led by one of our board members, Lynn Matsuda, is making their way up the leader board.

SP: What are the biggest annual fundraisers for BBBS? How much money is raised, on average, during each?

RS: Bowl for Kids’ Sake raises over $55,000 each year and we are still calculating the books for this year and for sure will surpass that amount. Wine on the Waterfront raises an average of $20,000. Big Disco raises an average of $55,000

SP: Why is it so important to raise funds for BBBS?

RS: The funds are critical to our success. It ensures the safety of our children as we put trained professionals in positions to recruit, screen, match and support every child that enters our program.

SP: Why is it so important for Littles to have mentors in their lives?

RS: As mentioned earlier, they are less likely to do drugs, drop out of high school or become teen parents when they have positive mentors in their life. Currently, we have 139 boys and girls waiting for a BIG.

SP: What is something about the organization that the public might not realize but should?

RS: How many part-time employees (six full-time and eight part-time) are employed to keep this size agency functioning. Also, that we are not funded by the national organization. Each affiliate pays local dues to the national headquarters to receive support, marketing materials and other branded materials so that you don’t have to recreate the wheel.

SP: Besides donating, how can community members get involved?

RS: Volunteering in several capacities: Become a Big - 4-6 hours every week or every other week - matched to a child. Volunteer at a special event: As the need arises, we use a database of more than 300 to call upon when we need volunteers for our special events. Become a Board Member: The board is responsible for the oversight of the organization.

It’s not too late to sign up and start fundraising for your own team! Register here.

Read about Hope Productions here.

2011 Walk 'N Rock non-profit affiliates

* Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, Inc.
* Cristo Rey High School
* Keaton Raphael Memorial
* Okizu
* People Reaching Out
* River Cats Foundation, Inc.
* Wind Youth Services

Tessie is Racing for a Reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-05-19T23:54:57Z

This week’s interview is with Tessie Ernst, who has worked for the Xerox Corporation for 24 years and is currently on a one year Social Service Leave of Absence volunteering her time at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. She enjoys the outdoors, especially playing golf!

Racers will be racing around town in search of jewelry graciously donated by Rogers Jewelry Company. What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
My favorite piece of jewelry is a diamond ring that my mother gave me when I graduated from high school. It was my Grandmother’s ring that she gave to my Mom when she graduated from high school so it holds a lot of sentimental value since my Grandmother passed away in 2005.

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?
Yes, but only as part of the committee that is organizing the event. Next year I plan to participate because I LOVE the Amazing Race.

What motivates you to be part of this cause?
It is a fantastically fun event for a wonderful cause. It allows teams, business and companies to all be part of helping the community in a creative way.

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?
I did not participate but I did see all the great footage of the event and looked like everyone enjoyed themselves.

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
Volunteering at Sacramento Food Bank & Family services for the year as the Volunteer and Communications Assistant and part of the Race for the Ring committee.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services?
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is so much more than food!

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?
Everyone should come out to participate in the Race for the Ring event. It is a great way to get some fresh air, exercise and be part of the entire experience. Whether you participate in the race or you volunteer, there is still plenty of time to sign up for either one. There will also be a silent auction at the after-party with some awesome items that participants can get at a screaming deal. You can bid on the items and if you win, we can hold the item for pick up at a later date. Don’t let anything hold you back. Going once, going twice,…SOLD!

Team SacPD and the Race Across America

2011-05-19T04:09:03Z

Team SacPD Race Across America cyclists from left to right:

Officer Matt McPhail, Officer Skyler Baldock, Officer Paul Curtis, Lieutenant Neil Schneider, Lieutenant Jim Beezley, Sergeant Dan Nutley, Lieutenant Mark Greenlee and Sergeant Don Davis. Not Pictured: Chief Rick Braziel

It is approaching 2 p.m., race start. Thousands of people are milling about the Oceanside Pier in Southern California, and you are one of them. Nervous, you look out past the crowd, about a mile up the road.

One mile of the 3,000 that lie ahead.

You are proud because you know this is for the ultimate cause: honor. You are strong, assured by months of hours long training through rain, bitter cold, and pain. You are ready.

Having traded badge and gun for helmet and bicycle, you are part of the first ever law enforcement team taking on the challenge of Race Across America.

A nine-day non-stop grueling bicycle race across 12 states. This historical first is because eight local Sacramento Police Officers decided it was time to bring attention to the national sacrifice 900,000 brother and sister officers make each year when they stand on the thin blue line.

The team is raising funds for The National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., a graceful 304-foot curving wall of blue-gray marble etched with names--the names of each officer who has fallen on duty dating back to the first known death in 1791. Visitors can pay tribute on three tranquil and tree-lined acres in Judiciary Square. Each spring during National Police week, new names are added.

Our Sacramento Police Department hopes to bring much attention to their cause by relay bicycling across the United States. Destination: Annapolis, MD., City Dock.

The race route

“Why not start big!” says one young team member, enthusiastic for the adventure ahead. Why not, indeed.

Some numbers:
19,000 officers have been killed on the job.
53 hours. On average every 53 hours another officer falls.
375 miles per day, or more.
170,000 vertical feet to climb.

They have 216 hours to race across America. By the time our team finishes, four more names will be waiting to be added to this wall. Please honor these men and women who give the ultimate sacrifice and the team who pays tribute to them all, for us.

Donate here: http://www.sacpd.org/teamsacpd/raam/donate.html

Watch SacPress for more information as Race Across America grows near!

Why Margie Mott will Walk 'N Rock for Kids

2011-05-12T21:13:00Z

Hope Productions Foundation’s, third annual fundraising walk and benefit concert to support local children’s charities, Walk 'N Rock for Kids, will take place Sunday, May 29th at Raley Field in West Sacramento. Hundreds of local companies and civic groups have formed walk teams to raise funds for 22 nonprofits which serve Sacramento area children and youth. The morning’s walk will start and end at Raley Field, taking participants to the Capitol and through the Downtown Plaza. Later that evening, Hope Productions Foundation will host a VIP reception for event sponsors and a benefit concert featuring American rock icons KISS, which is open to the public. From volunteers to sponsors, walkers to concertgoers, Sacramento has shown great support of this event. Here is a spotlight on Margie Mott. Read on to learn why she will Walk 'N Rock for Kids.

A little about Margie: I am the Executive Assistant to the Central Division Executive as well as the Corporate Financial Officer of Sutter Medical Foundation. I live in Antelope and work in downtown Sacramento.

What is your role in this year’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids? I will be co-captain of the Sutter Health Cares for Youth walk team which will support Wind Youth Services.

Did you participate in last year’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids? While I did not get to go in person last year, I was a virtual walker and co-captain of the Sutter Health Team. Many of my co-workers were able to go and I heard that it was all, and more, than I would have expected. I cannot WAIT for this year’s Walk ‘N Rock!

What was your favorite part of last year’s event? While the concert portion is something to look forward to and culminates a good time and rewards ALL who participate, I also love the fact that much needed funds are being raised to support some very well-deserving organizations directly in our own backyard.

Have you ever received support from one of the benefiting organizations? My son is a leukemia and bone marrow transplant survivor. In the past two years he has finally been healthy enough to attend Camp Okizu, once during a “family camp,” and once during “oncology camp.” I can’t tell you what that organization has meant to us and how much he enjoyed going. It’s a “safe place” to send oncology kids where staff, co-campers, and all the other families are familiar with the world that a pediatric patient now lives in. The location is beautiful and peaceful and the activities are amazing! Dominic is excited about going to camp again this year! And while I am familiar with and support ALL the wonderful organizations served by Hope Productions Foundation, my heart is also touched by Wind Youth Services and the support they provide to homeless youth in our community. Their services are not provided by any other entity to the kids that they help.

Why are you involved in Walk ‘N Rock for Kids? Foremost because of the kids, including my own, who have needs that are addressed in such a powerful way by the various local children’s nonprofits that serve them. In addition, Sutter Medical Foundation where I work is community-minded and encourages and supports employee participation in these activities. And finally I am involved because I love the Hope Productions Foundation team!

Hope Productions Foundation provides training, resources and funding for seven local children’s charities: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, Cristo Rey High School of Sacramento, Keaton Raphael Memorial, Okizu, People Reaching Out, River Cats Foundation and Wind Youth Services. An additional 15 children’s charities will also benefit from abbreviated training and fundraising support through the Walk ‘N Rock for Kids event. With continued support from the community, the Foundation has distributed over $1.5 million in contributions, resources, marketing and in-kind business training to local children and youth nonprofits since its inception in the fall of 2008. More than 51,000 local children have been impacted by the efforts of Hope Productions Foundation.

4th Annual Food & Wine Tasting

2011-05-10T21:29:31Z

John Kerr was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the age of eighteen months he was diagnosed with the neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy. This is a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy that attacks the motor neurons in the spinal cord and directly affects the functionality of his muscles. Never able to sit up independently or crawl, John received his first electric wheelchair on his fifth birthday. This newfound independence buoyed John into a life that was no different than that of his peers.

With a diagnosis like Muscular Dystrophy, you may think that John has not lived a normal life, but he has lived a very normal life. Growing up he was fully involved with his friends and in school. He was involved with the sports within his high school as the PA announcer for the boys basketball, baseball and track teams, and he was awarded a lettermen’s jacket. When he was younger John met Michael Jordan through the Make-A- Wish Foundation. This would later go on to inspire him in life when he saw in a Sports Illustrated Magazine that Michael Jordan created his own foundation, and at that time decided that he would create his own foundation. One that would benefit those that have Muscular Dystrophy.

The John Kerr Foundation was created to help individuals with Muscular Dystrophy. Already having given out two scholarships, totaling nearly $2,000; he has also taken a young lady to see the Kings Basketball Team in Portland and bought driving equipment so that a young man could drive. John Kerr wants to keep raising enough money to continue doing this.

For the future John would like to expand what he is currently doing, not only giving scholarships and helping individuals, but also to create a summer camp for children and young adults with Muscular Dystrophy. He already has the location set in Yosemite, CA at a campground which features trails accessible to individuals in wheelchairs. As part of the summer camp, John wants to have both physical and mental activities, a pool with wheelchair access and adaptive soccer and other sports. He envisions arts and crafts for the artistically inclined, and a campfire where the children can exchange stories. This summer camp will also have seminars on how the youth can lead a fulfilled life, such as his own. He will teach and show them that they can be independent, have goals and aspirations as well as hold a job within society.

In order to offer a camp with such wonderful opportunities for the children, John Kerr will have to raise between $40-$50,000. This is a very reachable goal. John would like to launch the new summer camp in 2012.

The John Kerr Foundation has been doing fundraisers since 2006, and is currently planning this year's largest fundraiser, a Food and Wine Tasting. This year he will be holding his 4th Annual Food & Wine Tasting on Saturday May 21st at The Clunie Hall inside McKinley Park. The event will start at 5:30pm. For more information on the event or on John Kerr, please visit www.johnkerrfoundation.org.

Disclosure: Ray Bacon is Event Designer for Royal Events, responsible for planning and marketing this event.

Jackie is Racing for a Reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-05-09T21:58:09Z

This week’s interview is with Jackie Goree, the Database Manager at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. She has been an employee with SFBFS for a year and a half. This enthusiastic and compassionate woman is also a massage therapist who is passionate about travel, recently visiting Paris with her mother.

Participants will be racing around town in search of jewelry graciously donated by Rogers Jewelry Company. What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
My Tanzanite earrings from Mazatlan, Mexico.

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?
Unfortunately, it's the same day as my niece's graduation so I can't volunteer, but I wish I could be there! I loved meeting all of the participants and the After Party was a hoot!

What motivates you to be part of this cause?
It’s a great way to raise funds and awareness for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. The organization continues to impress me with the scope of programs and the number of individuals served each month.

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about Race for the Ring?
Last year I volunteered at the After Party distributing water and goody bags. It was fun to see everyone's excitement as they entered the After Party. Everyone was discussing the clues and how much fun they'd had racing around downtown Sacramento. They seemed very greatful to take a break, enjoy lunch and rest a bit.

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
As Database Manager at SFBFS, I oversee the tracking of donors, volunteers and clients in our database. I work closely with donors and volunteers to thank them for their support.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services?
How dedicated each employee and volunteer is to the organization's mission and the clients we serve. The compassion is extraordinary and I love seeing volunteers and staff members going the extra step to make sure families are really taken care of when they ask for assistance.

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?
Race for the Ring is fantastic and I hope there's a great turnout again this year. Please tell your friends and family to sign up!

For more information about this event or to register to participate, please visit www.raceforthering.com. To learn more about Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, please visit www.sacramentofoodbank.org.

Food, wine and classical music at A Toast to Music

2011-05-09T05:07:31Z

The fourth annual A Toast to Music food and wine benefit helped raise money for the Camellia Symphony Orchestra at the Old Sugar Mill Saturday night. The event was sponsored by Carvalho Family Winery.

Camellia Symphony Orchestra executive director Roberta McClellan said the money raised at the event will help fund the orchestra’s 2011-2012 season, although they won’t know the total amount raised at the event until Thursday or Friday.

“(It will help pay for) brochures, production, purchasing music, rental space and concerts over the summer,” McClellan said.

The orchestra provides free family concerts over the summer, and McClellan said the money will also help pay for all of the expenses.

The Camellia Symphony Orchestra musicians also performed at the benefit, with different musical interludes.

The wineries that participated in the taste testing included Carvalho Family Winery, The Solomon Wine Company, Scribner Bend Vineyards, Heringer Estates, m2 wines, Bogle Vineyards and Three Wine Company.

Brew it Up! Brewery and Grill also provided a selection of beers.

Several local restaurants and caterers provided a variety of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, including Hawks Restaurant, Enotria Restaurant and Wine Bar, Michelangelo’s, Mi Pueblo Ajijic Mexican Grill, Ravenous, Tulí Bistro, Capital Confections, Capital City Event Management and Sweet Cake Box.

Retiree Robin Kane said she heard about the event from her neighbor and that she has attended one of the orchestra’s symphony events before.

“It’s very nice,” Kane said. “I like this as a venue. It’s terrific. The music is very nice. It’s refreshing.”

Parent James Pigford was at the benefit to support his daughter, who plays in the symphony.

“Any fundraiser that supports the arts in Sacramento is a good thing,” Pigford said.

There was also a large silent auction.

Carvalho Family Winery donated a barrel of custom blended red wine with a value of $5,500, amounting to 22 cases of wine. The winner will help bottle the wine this July at a special bottling party at the Carvalho Family winery.

Other hot auction items included a gift certificate for an iPhone, an Amazon Kindle and a World Mark vacation.

There were several raffle vacation prizes, including a gift certificate for the Mendocino Music Festival, a North Lake Tahoe getaway and a Bodega Bay escape.

Eat at Joe's

2011-05-03T17:17:24Z

What do Joe’s Crab Shack and Cinco de Mayo have in common? Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services' fundraiser night, of course! Please come out and join the fun on Thursday, May 5 between 5:00pm and 11:00pm. You can enjoy a delicious meal while helping raise funds for a worthy cause. Simply bring THIS FLIER with you to dinner and present it to your server. It is that easy. At the end of the night, 10% of your evening’s total will be donated to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. We included three coupons on this flier so you can post a few at work, give one to a friend or share with a fellow diner.

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services has been making a difference in our community since 1976. Eight diverse programs at two sites, along with mobile distributions, are designed to combat hunger, improve literacy, strengthen families, educate youth, foster technological skills,m entor parents, build self-esteem and provide hope.

Not able to join us for dinner on Thursday? Consider being part of the exciting Race for the Ring coming up on May 21. This text message based scavenger hunt on bicycle promises to be the most fun time you'll have helping a local charity. Visit www.raceforthering.com for more information.

Ole'!

Pat is Racing for a Reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-05-02T19:29:58Z

The third annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacramento on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Company and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason.

Today's interview is with Pat McManus, a volunteer from last year’s event. Pat was born in the Midwest, but moved to Sacramento in 1987. She and her husband began volunteering at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) in 1989. Upon retirement, the pair became very involved with programs such as Sunday Lunch with her husband volunteering five days per week for 10 years until he passed away. Pat came back to volunteer on her own in 2006 and has been helping in Food Assistance and with other volunteer activities ever since. Not even two hip replacement surgeries can slow her down. This canning pro and baker extraordinaire helps families in need several days a week as a regular volunteer at SFBFS.

Racers will be racing around town in search of jewelry graciously donated by Rogers Jewelry Company. What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
Oh my, I have a lot (chuckles). The pearls my daughter gave me 20 years ago are probably my favorite. I wear them a lot. They are very special to me.

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?
Well, kind of, but not as a racer. I'm going to be a clue! Last year, I volunteered as a clue about SFBFS for the racers and I enjoyed it so much, I’m looking forward to doing it again this year.

What motivates you to be part of this cause?
Many things. Mostly giving back. I’ve been blessed through my whole life and I am so thankful I can give back through Food Assistance at SFBFS. I strongly support SFBFS in all aspects.

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?
Being a clue! All the participants raced up to me (I was hidden along the course) and asked me information about the Mother-Baby program at SFBFS. Everyone was very enthusiastic and excited!

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
I currently volunteer at SFBFS and I’m excited to be a clue for this year’s Race.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services (SFBFS)?
The public should be aware that SFBFS does not only provide food to the needy, but we provide additional services such as PlayCare, Youth Academy, Computer Clubhouse and Adult Education. These services can help everyone.

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?
Come on down, a fun time awaits! Look for me as a clue!

For more information about the event or to register to participate, please visit www.raceforthering.com. For more information about Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, please visit www.sacramentofoodbank.org.

Viewpoint Photographic Art Center fundraiser auction and exhibit

2011-04-28T17:20:15Z

Walk down busy J Street, pull open a heavy door of an appealing brick building and enter a showcase of photographic art – digital media, black and white, and historic processes, each image matted in the traditional austere fashion and hanging side by side on spot-lighted walls.

Viewpoint Photographic Art Center, a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization, provides a community for photographers and photography events, exhibits and education for the community. The center is holding its annual fine print auction and fundraiser until May 7.

“We currently have 160-plus items that have been donated by photographers from around the world,” said Michael Corlew, chairman for the auction committee.

Displayed works include photographs created by internationally known photographers such as Ruth Bernhard, Michael Kenna and Jock Sturges, as well as local photographers Lewis Kemper and Jennifer Wu. Kemper and Wu are members of Canon’s Explorer of Light Photography program.

“Viewpoint is a photography-only gallery,” Corlew said. “We provide an opportunity for photographers to meet with other photographers to discuss photography in all aspects. We have people who are avid digital photographers. We have people who are just as avid in the alternate processes.”

“Alternate process is another way of saying historical process,” said Judy Yemma, Viewpoint instructor and membership coordinator. “As silver gelatin (black and white) came into use, these processes fell by the wayside, similar to what is happening as people move more to digital imagery.”

Yemma offers workshops for those interested in alternate processes. Other members offer classes in digital photography and software and workshops at scenic and visually stimulating locations. Workshop attendees do not have to be members, but members do get a nice discount on the class enrollment fee. Membership fees help with Viewpoint’s operating expenses.

Viewpoint offers the community a unique experience in being able to view a new photography exhibit every month. Reception openings are held on Sacramento’s Second Saturday evenings.

“We do everything we can to put on a high-quality exhibit every month,” Corlew said. “We put up 22 different shows every year. It is just a great community of photographers who get together to embrace photography.”

Support the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center and attend the live auction on May 7. Enjoy fantastic photographic works, food, drink and a good time.

View the online auction catalog or visit the Viewpoint gallery at 2015 J St., Suite 101, to see the auction photographs. Prints may be bid on through May 6 in the silent online auction.

Disclaimer: Laura Mah is a member of the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center.

Japan XOXO: Dance for Japan

2011-04-27T23:53:20Z

Looking for something to do this Friday night? Put on your dancing shoes, head over to the Blue Lamp, and support a good cause! Japan XOXO is a benefit dance party, with all profits from the door going to the American Red Cross. Join local DJs Shaun Slaughter, Adam J, Sam I Jam, and Taylor Cho as they do what they love to support an amazing cause.

Feel like you could do more about Japan's dire situation? Feel helpless? Japan XOXO offers a very easy solution: COME DANCE.

Expect an evening of fun house, bouncy house, hip house, topsy turvy techno, treacherous techno, and some fun indie stuff mixed in the middle keeping the party going all damn night.

Plus, enjoy drink specials all night--$3 well drinks & $3.50 PBRs.

Feel like giving more? Do it! It's never too late (or too early) to help a good cause.

Specifics:
When: Friday, April 29, 2011, 10pm-2am
Where: Blue Lamp Lounge, 1400 Alhambra Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816
Cost: $5 (all proceeds from cover costs go to American Red Cross)
Age: 21+

Chris is racing for a reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-04-25T18:51:49Z

Interview with Chris Wallis, a participant in last year's event and a member of the 2nd place finishing team in the 2009 event. Chris is a researcher and grad student at UC Davis. He has lived in Sacramento for most of his life yet admits he still doesn't know where anything is. However, he believes it's still more pleasant to be lost here than to be lost in most other places.

Racers will be racing around town in search of jewelry graciously donated by Rogers Jewelry Company. What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
I swallowed an earring when I was 5 and it never came out. You could say it's near to my heart, pending x-ray confirmation.

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?
A full day of good, clean, safe, wholesome fun. And winning, duh.

What motivates you to be part of this cause?
Some combination of good times, good causes and the opportunity to collect shiny things.

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?
Doing arithmetic in the dirt when we didn't have a pen or paper.

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
Novice on all counts.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services (SFBFS)?
It's not an acronym, it's just pronounced "sfbfs".

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?
I'm looking for a replacement main wiring harness for a '97 Toyota Avalon, if anybody is letting one go on the cheap.

For more information about the event or to register to participate, please visit www.raceforthering.com. For more informaiton about Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, please visit www.sacramentofoodbank.org.

3 Comedians, 1 Live Band to Bring Cheers and Raise Hope for Blood Cancer Survival

2011-04-20T08:15:04Z

On Saturday, April 30th, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Woman of the Year candidate Vickie Lee from Sacramento launhes the first event of her campaign to raise awareness and raise funds for cancer research. The funds raised from this event will offer hope and support for those impacted by blood cancers such as for the local children honorees Kylie(9) from Roseville and Jackson(5) from Folsom. Both children are going through treatment for Leukemia.

With 2 young children, a full time job as an insurance and financial professional, along with the familial duty of taking her parents to doctors' appointments, many would ask why Vickie is willing to subject herself and her family to the 10 week campaign. It all stems from her hope to find the cure and improve the quality of care for her mother, who was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2009.

Join her on Vickie's birthday Saturday, April 30th to help make her wish come true and also gain a research grant in honor of the children honorees and her mother.

Event: Laugh Out Loud - Comedy & Music Show featuring comedians Bob Hernandez, Rick Pulido & Del Van Dyke(Voted Best Comic in Sac). and Live Band: Not for Profit
Location: Palare Lounge 1009 10th Street(corner of 10th & J), Sacramento, CA
Tickets: $45/person

For more information call 916-606-8877 or visit online at http://sacr.mwoy.llsevent.org/vickie
All proceeds go towards the efforts of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Lily is racing for a reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-04-18T18:36:14Z

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?
Yes, but I need to borrow a bike! I love getting outdoors, walking around and being out in the sun. Sacramento is a great place for a treasure hunt!

What motivates you to be part of this cause?
I love the significant impact that Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services has on families in our community. I am motivated because of the people I work with at SFBFS. I enjoy everyone from the clients to the volunteers to the staff. I like to think I’m making a real difference in people’s lives.

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?
Last year I got to spend a lot of time with a friend I don’t get to see very often, which was really nice. This is a really great event to do with a close friend who can finish your sentences and knows how you think - a great recipe for an efficient racing team!

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
I am a current volunteer in Clothing and Women’s Wisdom Art programs at SFBFS and a 2011 Race for the Ring hopeful!

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services?
I wish people knew about all of the other services the organization provides, not just food. A lot of people don’t know that, but they should! Every time I mention the organization, everyone thinks it’s just food, but it’s so much more!

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?
I challenge everyone to come out for a day of fun to support a great cause!

For more information about this event or to register to participate, please visit www.raceforthering.com. To learn more about Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, please visit www.sacramentofoodbank.org.

Will Durst Comedy Night Helps Access Sacramento - Friday 7:00 PM

2011-04-18T01:56:15Z

The Humor Times (20 Years) and Access Sacramento (25 Years) Celebrate Anniversaries Together with a Comedy and Variety Show Featuring Comedian Will Durst and many other performers including the 40’s vocal harmonies of “Sister Swing”, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, a magician and local improvisational comedy troupe The Anti-Cooperation League.

Joint Anniversary Celebrations -- As print publications nationwide continue to fall by the wayside, the Humor Times is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary. And as corporate media continues to consolidate, Access Sacramento celebrates its 25th anniversary as the area’s local, community-operated TV, radio, and Internet production resource.

The public is invited to a combined bash featuring the celebrated, world-touring comedian, Will Durst, on Friday, April 22nd at 7:00 PM in the Coloma Community Center Auditorium, 4623 T Street Sacramento, CA. 95819. Food, beer and wine will be available. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Advance tickets may be had online at www.HumorTimes.com or purchased by phone with a credit card and mailed out prior to the event by calling (916) 456-8600 ext. 0 during normal business hours.

Entertainment -- Mr. Durst is perhaps the most prolific and well-known political comedian in the U.S. The Humor Times has featured his column for years, and “people who have never seen him live will be blown away,” said James Israel, publisher/editor/founder of the Humor Times. “He was a stand-up comedian before he ever wrote for publications, and as good as his column is, he’s even funnier in person,” he added. The New York Times says the Emmy-nominated comedian and writer “is quite possibly the best political satirist working in the country today,” and the Chicago Tribune calls him a “hysterical hybrid of Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Osgood.”

Also performing will be Sister Swing, an “Andrews Sisters-style” vocal jazz trio who will perform a few humorous songs featuring fine harmonies. The “variety show” theme continues with Absurd Entertainment’s top-notch Marilyn Monroe impersonator, Marion Le Clerc and magician Joseph Bossenmaier, (named “best magician” in Sacramento by the Sacramento News & Review). The laughs continue with Sacramento’s longest-running, long-form, improv comedy troupe The Anti-Cooperation League. A “carnival atmosphere” is planned, with all manner of roving performers including the Sac City Rollers (women’s roller derby team) jugglers and other acts.

The Humor Times -- Founded in early 1991, the Humor Times (formerly the Comic Press News) released its first free issue in Sacramento, fittingly, on April Fools Day of that year. That issue, now a collector’s item, featured four pages of an editorial cartoon re-hash of the Gulf War, which was just winding down at that time. Local readers were immediately hooked. Of course, that was back in the day when printed periodicals were still profitable. Those remaining have something unique to offer, as does the Humor Times. The publication transitioned from a free give-away to a paid circulation magazine in 2008, and is now available by subscription, or in stores, such as Newsbeat (Sacramento and Davis).

Humor Times features political and non-political cartoon panels and strips. The Humor Times uses humor to review the news on a monthly basis, helping readers, as publisher/editor James Israel says, to “laugh at the news, rather than cry about it.” Specifically, the publication features the cream of the crop of editorial cartoons, humor columns and “fake news” – similar to the satire made famous by The Onion newspaper and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In the works: more cartoon and video galleries, humor blogs, columns, and interactive fun such as cartoon and video submissions, contests and more. Subscriptions to Humor Times are $19.95 a year (12 issues) in the U.S., and may be purchased at the website. A digital edition is available at less than half the price.

Access Sacramento – Provides an “amplified voice” for the thoughts, dreams, opinions and community events locally since 1985. Access Sacramento is a nonprofit community media organization dedicated to binging the tools and training for television, radio, and use of the Internet to all Sacramento County residents. We reach an audience of up to 265,000 Sacramento County homes on Comcast and SureWest cable channels 17 and 18 and more than 1,200 daily views watching channel 17 “streamed” at www.accesssacramento.org. Visit our website for program and training information. To become a “community reporter”, go to www.accesslocaltv.org for neighborhood news organization “blogs”, on-demand videos and Twitter posts. “A Place Called Sacramento” celebrates its 12th year as the premiere local film script writing event and film festival. At Access Sacramento, you can:

* Learn the steps needed to create your own TV show
* Be your own anchor using a computerized “virtual” television studio
* Become a community “Neighborhood News” reporter or blogger
* Host your own cable radio program and “stream” to the world on the Internet
* Record a music performance or video in the four-camera television studio
* Use Web 2.0 techniques on the new community reporting web site AccessLocal.tv
* Write, produce, and distribute your own “Place Called Sacramento” movie

Viewers of Access Sacramento channels 17 and 18 experience unique entertainment, challenging points of view, varied religious beliefs, diverse political opinions, and cultures and languages different from what you see and hear on the other, commercial channels. The public is invited to meet their neighbors at Access Sacramento by taking a class, creating a program, volunteering to help a group production effort, develop a community web blog using AccessLocal.tv, or by simply watching the community channels 17 and 18, as well as listening to community cable radio “The Voice of Sacramento”.

Disclosure: Ron Cooper is the Executive Director for Access Sacramento.

Jason is racing for a reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-04-11T21:27:54Z

Interview with Jason Hone, who placed in last year's event with his wife Stephanie. Both Jason and Stephanie hail from Southern California’s Inland Empire. Jason grew up in Redlands and Stephanie was raised in nearby Riverside. The pair married, moved to Sacramento and Jason started a new job all in the same week. After living downtown for nearly five years the Hones recently moved into a home in West Sacramento – so they are definitely excited that the race is headquartered on the westside . . . of the river.

Racers will be racing around town in search of jewelry graciously donated by Rogers Jewelry Company. What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
The Tissot watch I won in last year’s race. Oh, Stephanie might be reading this, definitely my wedding ring! For me jewelry is best when it is reminiscent of something - so whether it’s a hard won prize or a symbol of commitment, I like having a reason to wear it.

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?
You bet! And I’m looking forward to out-smugging certain Land Parkers this year. But failing that, at least toasting the hallowed afterbeers with good friends.

What motivates you to be part of this cause?
Where else can you find such an “amazing race” experience in Sacramento? As for the cause, I’m definitely impressed by the committed people and the good works you find at SFBFS. I’ve volunteered in their warehouse, tutored in their afterschool programs and helped out at special events like the Turkey Drive. It’s a great feeling to be part of something special like this and to have fun doing it too!

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?
The thrill of solving a puzzle and the frenzied dash to the next clue. That’s two things.

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
We’re going to be racers and hopefully winners.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services?
It’s way more than a food bank! Not only do they distribute food and clothing to Sacramentans in need, they have programs serving children, expectant and new mothers, English language learners, and teens, just to name a few.

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?
This may be the only time this year I ride a bicycle. The only legitimate reason for not racing is not knowing about the race.

For more information about this event or to register to participate, please visit www.raceforthering.com. To learn about Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, please visit www.sacramentofoodbank.org.

KISS: The rock band, the music, the make up

2011-04-08T17:54:55Z

Attention all KISS Army. Yes, that means you. Dust off those platform shoes, dig in the closet for your skin-tight pleather and cover your face in your kid’s Halloween make up because your favorite rock band is coming to town – KISS.

One of America’s most influential rock and roll bands is coming to Sacramento during Memorial Day Weekend. The legendary rock stars that have performed at the Super Bowl, Olympics and “American Idol” – Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer - will be at Raley Field on Sunday, May 29 as the headliner for Hope Production Foundation’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids 2011. All proceeds benefit Sacramento region charities.

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and range from $40 - $125 each. “The Hottest Show on Earth” will be up close and personal during the performance at the intimate venue, Raley Field; all for the benefit of their fans or the KISS Army. Expect to see the smoking guitars, shooting rockets and other pyrotechnics the band is known for during its 37-year-career.

Lace Up Your Shoes and Get Ready to Rock: Five Ways to Prepare for KISS

Worldwide sales for the rock band’s albums now exceed 100 million albums and don’t include its wide range of other products or reality shows such as “Gene Simmons Family Jewels.” Due to a schedule of high-profile international tours and stadium performances, Sacramento KISS fans have only rarely had a chance to see their favorite rock stars on home turf with the most recent performance at ARCO Arena in 2009.

“KISS raised the bar for what a rock concert should really be,” said KISS bassist and singer Gene Simmons.

The morning of the concert will feature the “walk” portion of Walk ‘N Rock for Kids 2011 as more than 6,000 walkers will lace up their sneakers (before lacing up their platform boots) to raise money for Sacramento charities including but not limited to: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Cristo Rey High School, Keaton Raphael Memorial, Okizu, People Reaching Out, River Cats Foundation, Wind Youth Services.

Team Warrior Princess Sends 23 Kids with Cancer to Camp Thanks to Walk N Rock

This is the third year for Walk ‘N Rock for Kids. Previous performances include Journey, Sammy Hagar and Heart. Hope Productions Foundation is a Sacramento-based nonprofit that provides support and training at no cost for local charities serving children and youth. Their services include training and guidance for nonprofits to improve their marketing, fundraising, partnerships and board cultivation so they may become more efficient and increase their potential for long-term sustainability. Through events such as Walk N' Rock for Kids, Walt Gray Ride, Hope in Harmony and generous business sponsorships, they have raised and provided over $1.5 million in contributions, resources, marketing and in-kind business training for local children's charities.

To learn more, visit www.walknrock.org.

Walk N Rock 2011: Lace up your shoes and get ready to rock

2011-04-08T17:16:55Z

Walk ‘N Rock for Kids will be returning to West Sacramento’s Raley Field on Sunday, May 29 for its third year featuring a fundraising walk in the morning and concert in the evening headlining the rock band KISS. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster.com.

Hope Productions Foundation, a nonprofit that provides support and training at no cost for local charities serving children and youth, created this annual charity event. Through Walk ‘N Rock for Kids and similar fundraising events, Hope Productions Foundation has raised over $1.5 million and supported 22 local charities making a difference in the lives of 51,00 local youth.

There are five easy ways to support or participate in Walk ‘N Rock for Kids 2011:

Sign up for Walk ‘N Rock for Kids. Over 400 teams and 6,000 people participated in last year’s “walk” of Walk ‘N Rock for Kids. Create a team or join an existing team. The walk starts at Raley Field and continues over Tower Bridge to the Capital and back. The route features local bands, activities and concludes with entertainment, food and fun! Sign up at www.walknrock.org.

Buy tickets to KISS. The iconic rock band KISS will be performing at Raley Field the evening of May 29 with all proceeds benefitting local charities. Tickets may be purchased online through Ticketmaster.com or at the Raley Field Box Office. The concert is expected to sell out fast due to the strong contingency of KISS Army fans, so buy your tickets now.

Volunteer for Hope Productions. It takes hundreds of volunteers to help organize and implement this large-scale event. Volunteers are needed the day of the event as well as in the weeks leading up. To learn more, visit www.hopeproductions.org.

Become a corporate partner. Local businesses have played a critical role in the success of Walk ‘N Rock for Kids. Their support through the donation of resources and manpower make the difference in the lives of thousands of local youth. Current partners include: Kaiser Permanente, Vistage, Walmart, Wells Fargo, Big Hairy Dog, Waste Connections, Western Health Advantage and over two dozen more. For a complete listing of corporate partners or to join the list, visit www.hopeproductions.org.

Join the KISS Army. Affectionately referred to as the KISS Army, KISS fans are known for their loyal devotion, painted faces and tongue dropping poses. Upload your best KISS photo on the Hope Productions Facebook page or tweet the images using the hashtags #kissarmy and #walknrock. Learn more about the KISS Kulture at www.kissonline.com.

To learn more, visit www.walknrock.org.

Full Circle Treatment Center Raises the Bar on its Fundraising Efforts

2011-04-07T14:10:46Z

After Full Circle Treatment Center became a Nonprofit Affiliate of Hope Productions Foundation in the fall of 2009, executive director Erin Johansen learned some encouraging tips to increase community support for her organization.

First, Johansen raised the bar on her team’s fundraising goals for this year’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids event. Last year the team raised $11,000, providing partial funding for more than 30 family scholarships at the Placer County adolescent drug and alcohol treatment center. As impressive as those numbers are, this year Johansen set her sights on raising $25,000, enough to assist 60 percent of the clients at Full Circle.

“Our board members and team captain are fully engaged, and we have a high level of confidence we’ll reach our goal,” said Johansen.

Johansen also changed the way potential donors are approached, professionally honing materials and presentation to better target regional companies. Results were positive.

“In the past year I’ve been able to meet with several prospective major donors using a senior level approach, thanks to the training, connections and credibility we’ve gained through the Hope Productions affiliation.”

One meeting paid off when a local company became a Full Circle sponsor. Another resulted in an event sponsorship, and the third prospect invited Johansen to submit a proposal for funding.

“We’re very grateful for the response we’ve received, and hopeful for the future.”

Johansen explained, “We are a start-up nonprofit organization. We do good work, but we’ve been open for less than three years, and we’re brand new to the fundraising world.

“The mission and training program of Hope Productions Foundation is exactly what nonprofits need for success and sustainability.”

###

Full Circle Treatment Center is the vision of a concerned community and five working professionals in the field of family and youth services. The nonprofit facility provides intensive outpatient adolescent drug and alcohol treatment to youths and their families in Placer County and surrounding communities.

Hope Productions Foundation (link to www.hopeproductions.org) provides training, resources and funding for seven local children’s charities: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, Cristo Rey High School of Sacramento, Keaton Raphael Memorial, Okizu, People Reaching Out, River Cats Foundation and Wind Youth Services. An additional 15 children’s charities will also benefit from abbreviated training and fundraising support through the Walk ‘N Rock for Kids (link to www.walknrock.org) event. With continued support from the community, the Foundation has distributed over $1.5 million in contributions, resources, marketing and in-kind business training to local children and youth nonprofits since its inception in the fall of 2008. More than 51,000 local children have been impacted by the efforts of Hope Productions Foundation.

Team Warrior Princess sends 23 kids with cancer to camp

2011-04-07T08:10:09Z

At the ripe age of six and a half, Juliette Geney can make a powerful claim like no other little girl her age. Last year, her Team Warrior Princess raised more than $23,000 during Walk ‘N Rock for Kids, sending 23 children with cancer to Camp Okizu in the Sierra foothills.

Okizu provides peer support, respite, mentoring and recreational programs to meet the needs of all members of families affected by childhood cancer.

Juliette’s goal was to send 21 kids to Camp Okizu. Thanks to supporters of her Walk ‘N Rock for Kids team and a surprise call from an anonymous donor, Team Warrior Princess was able to surpass that goal.

Warrior Princess — the name Juliette assumed during her own cancer treatment — had another goal for last year’s Walk ‘N Rock for Kids: to walk the entire 5K route through downtown Sacramento. She did, crossing the finish line with family and friends, shouting, “I did it!”

Both milestones were significant, given Juliette’s story.

At four and a half, Juliette was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Her mother, Kirsten Geney, recalls having to carry Juliette into the hospital on the day of her diagnosis, making Juliette’s gleeful stride across the finish line especially poignant.

“I am thankful for so much,” said mom, Kirsten, “including the generous donations given to Okizu and for the healing that will come to so many families affected by childhood cancer.”

She added, "I’m so thankful for Juliette and the opportunity she’s been given to learn that she can make a difference in this world.”

For the past two years, little Juliette has taken an active role in drumming up interest in Walk ‘N Rock for Kids by distributing event materials, unafraid to approach local businesses and ask them to display posters “to help kids like me.” Juliette also appeared in a public service announcement promoting Walk ‘N Rock for Kids.

“It’s a way for her to do something positive, and a way for us to deal with this together,” says Kirsten.

Juliette just completed more than two years of chemotherapy treatments and has been given a clean bill of health. Kirsten explained, “Juliette’s prognosis is better than it would have been 20 years ago, thanks to medical advances.”

Again this year, Juliette plans to join mom Kirsten, dad Christian and little brother Maxim to cheer on the estimated 10,000 walkers who champion local children’s charities at Walk ‘N Rock for Kids.

Learn more about Juliette’s story. You can join or contribute to Juliette’s efforts to raise funds for Okizu at www.walknrock.org/teamjuliette .

Tom and Jessica are racing for a reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-04-04T20:16:06Z

Interview with Tom and Jessica Pearson, finishers in last year's event. Tom hails from eastern Washington and fancies himself a bit of a mountain man. Jessica grew up in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino/Riverside area) and learned to snowboard on fake snow. They met in Spain while trying to make the most of their undergraduate opportunities via studying abroad. The couple now live in Land Park and spend entirely too much time working.

Racers will be racing around town in search of jewelry graciously donated by Rogers Jewelry Company. What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
My wedding ring and my engagement ring (Jessica) . We have matching wedding bands with inscriptions. My engagement ring was picked out by Tom from a little celtic jewelry shop in Jackson, CA.

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?
Yes, we are both looking forward to dominating. And gloating, gloating is good, too.

What motivates you to be part of this cause?
Tom used to work for SacramentoFood Bank & Family Services and had a great experience supporting their mission by teaching English to adult language learners. Now he is getting his Masters Degree to do the same. So many of our friends work at or volunteer for SFBFS that it seems like an extended family.

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?
Winning fourth place, and getting to feel smug for knowing downtown Sacramento really well (this helped with the clues), a skill that normally generates little fanfare.

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
Just a pair of ring hopefuls this year.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services?
That they have tons of family programs for kids, adults and seniors alike. They really try to meet a variety of family needs to allow families to help themselves through classes and other offerings, the Family Services part is larger than most people realize.

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?
We had so much fun last year that we’ve recruited lots of friends for this year’s event. We look forward to some friendly competition. And the refreshing quench of afterbeers.

For more information about this event or to register to participate, please visit www.raceforthering.com. For more informaiton about Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, please visit www.sacramentofoodbank.org.

WHAT is FEAT?

2011-04-02T09:34:35Z

Throughout my 'radio' years here in Sacramento, people have asked me about my involvement with FEAT--a non-profit organization of parents, family members, and treatment professionals dedicated to providing best outcome Education, Advocacy and Support for the Northern California Autism Community. FEAT stands for Families for Early Autism Treatment. My answer is simple. Someone in the media needed to help. When I first started to help FEAT the term autism was still relatively unknown to the mass audience. Back then, when one would say, autistic--people thought we were saying, artistic. I knew I needed to help with the enlightenment of autism. I realized then, these parents needed more than a bake sale.

My involvement with FEAT started in 1993 when I was with radio station Y92. I was walking by a store front and a few ladies were holding a bake sale. I was curious what the sign, FEAT, meant. They explained the non-profit organization and it's infancy. They enlightened me about autism and it's necessity for early treatment. Having a friend in L.A. who's nephew has autism, I was curious and offered my services to the non-profit organization. Along with Y92's reach to the public, I helped FEAT put on their first "Night of Caring" dinner and auction. I invited local celebrity Tim Busfield to assist me in Master of Ceremonies. From 50 attendees to over one thousand at the annual "A Night of Caring", FEAT's event snowballed year after year and I was honored to be their host.

Now, you hear about the trials of autism everywhere. But, know this--FEAT is not the 'Hollywood" type of non-profit. FEAT are not federally or state funded. FEAT are all volunteer families helping other families. FEAT actually helps families directly here in the greater Sacramento area. FEAT got the UC Davis Mind Institute started. FEAT helps parents better themselves to be advocates for their autistic child. The realities of autism is not fully understood until you talk with a parent who is trying to raise an autistic child. Without FEAT, parents would not know where to go or what to do here in the greater Sacramento area. FEAT of Sacramento has, since their beginning, started numerous chapters throughout the United States. It all started here in Sacramento. These parents, their children and their families are amazing to me.

Feat helps families with the vast spectrum of autism. You can find out more at www.feat.org Oh, and by the way, while visiting the site, you will see that I am currently helping FEAT put on a different kind of benefit-event this year. Sacramento native and superstar guitarist Craig Chaquico will be performing for us. I became friends with Craig while hosting the mid-day show for 12 years on Smooth Jazz 94-7 KSSJ. He graciously agreed to play to help our Sacramento area children with autism have better lives. We will also have Sacramento's premier Santana tribute band, The Rhythm Vandals along with International Food and Wine from Young's Vineyard. We are calling it ROCK'in the Vineyard with 100% of the proceeds going to FEAT!

Join us for a really FUN day Saturday, May 14th. Tickets at www.feat.org

Please share with the greater Sacramento area what FEAT is all about. Share the event, ROCK'in the Vineyard with your friends in every possible network and know that you're loved.

Cranes and cupcakes for Sacramento's Bake Sale for Japan

2011-04-01T02:43:15Z

Saturday, Cafe Au Lait will host Sacramento’s Bake Sale for Japan to raise money for victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami devastation in Japan.

The Bake Sale for Japan is a national bake sale held on April 2 at bakeries, restaurants and other places featuring baked goods.

Milena Pointer, who works as a nanny, and is one of the also an organizers for the Sacramento bake sale. Pointer viewed videos of the destruction in Japan and said she wanted to find a way to help.

“If it happened to us, if it happened to America, we would need help,” Pointer said. “Any person with a heart would feel like they like they need to do something. The difference is some people act on that feeling, and some don’t.”

She said she saw an ad for the Bake Sale for Japan event website and wanted to bring it to Sacramento.

Pointer contacted the Bake Sale for Japan and they connected her with Jill Wegrzyn, a UC Davis computational biologist, and writer Katey Nilan, who were also interested in the event. Wegrzyn found out about the cause through a friend, and Nilan heard about it while she was searching online for recipes.

Within two weeks, Pointer, Wegrzyn and Nilan organized the bake sale through many emails and phone calls. They divided up the tasks of recruiting bakeries, fliering and mass emailing friends to bake and help, Nilan said.

According to Pointer, other cities including Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco are all participating in the Bake Sale for Japan.

All proceeds from each Bake Sale for Japan event will be donated to Peace Winds, a non-governmental organization that provides relief for victims of natural disasters, Pointer said.

“I hope to (raise) at least $5,000,” Pointer said. She said she hopes to organize another bake sale for Peace Winds if the bake sale is a success. Pointer said she is playing with other fundraising ideas.

Wegrzyn said she hopes that the bake sale will attract hundreds of people. “If everybody does a little something, we can raise a lot of money for such a significant tragedy,” Wegrzyn said.

Eight businesses have donated items to the cause, including: Magpie Caterers Market and Cafe, Esther’s Cupcakes, Leatherby’s Family Creamery, Cookie Connection, Timothy’s Bakery of Woodland, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates, Cafe Au Lait and Icing on the Cupcake.

Some of the donated treats that will be donated to the bake sale include Guinness-flavored cupcakes with berry frosting, cinnamon raisin scones, chocolate cupcakes and several vegan options.

Pointer will bake granola bars and chocolate chip cookies, Wegrzyn will bake 16 loaves of banana bread and Nilan will bake gourmet salted brown butter Rice Krispie treats and banana and peanut butter cupcakes for the fundraiser.

According to Wegrzyn, there will also be an origami crane-making station and she will be donating 600 pieces of origami paper. Nilan said that individual attendees will also contribute paper to make cranes. The goal is to send 1,000 paper cranes to Japan to make a wish come true, such as recovery or good health, Wegrzyn said.

The cranes will be sent to professional cook and freelance writer Samin Nosrat, who will then send all the cranes as a gift to Japan, Wegrzyn said.

Food and monetary donations will be accepted at the event.

“We need to do this,” Nilan said. “It’s good to show people that an event so small can do something big.”

Cafe Au Lait is located at 2107 P St.

For more information on the Bake Sale for Japan, click here. For inquiries about the Sacramento event, email sacramentobakesale@gmail.com or click here for their Facebook page.

Race for the Ring 2011

2011-03-31T18:45:34Z

Fans of TV’s globetrotting race game can now test their game play right here in Sacramento! Rogers Jewelry Company is preparing to host the 3rd annual Race for the Ring on May 21, 2011 to benefit Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS). 2,000 Sacramento area residents are expected to turn out for this exciting, location-based game where clues and answers are sent via text messages. Participants race from location to location in Downtown and Mid-town on foot and bike solving riddles and challenges while earning points. The team with the most points at the end wins! Prizes include over $30,000 worth of jewelry from Rogers Jewelry Company.

The $40 registration fee for any team includes two race shirts, entrance into the after-party, lunch, a chance to win amazing prizes and a guaranteed day of fun. 100% of the proceeds benefit SFBFS to help in their efforts of serving families in need.

What: Race for the Ring
Where: Downtown Sacramento (kick-off and after-party at Raley Field)
When: May 21, 2011, 10 am
Who: Anyone age 18 and up
Why: To support Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Registration is now OPEN! For more information, including video from last year’s event, please visit www.raceforthering.com

Interested in sending many people from your company or becoming a sponsor? SFBFS is looking for sponsors to help brighten the future of families in need. Please check out this sponsorship flier to see if your business would like to be part of the Race for the Ring as a sponsor. Sponsors will receive booth space at the kick-off event and after-party held at Raley Field, logo placement on participant t-shirts, complimentary registrations and scavenger clues with information about your company!

Know others who might want to participate? Please consider posting this participant flier where customers, friends, neighbors or fellow employees can learn about this fun event and encourage them to form a team.

About Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, a local non-profit organization serving families and individuals in need since 1976, offers eight diverse programs at two facilities in Sacramento. A staff of 40 employees and several thousand volunteers accomplish SFBFS’ mission of assisting those in need by alleviating their immediate pain and problems and by moving them toward self-sufficiency and financial independence. Additional SFBFS information is available online, including how to volunteer or lead a donation drive, at www.sacramentofoodbank.org.

About Rogers Jewelry Company
Rogers Jewelry Company has been helping clients celebrate their stories of love, success and commitment for over 70 years. Rogers was founded in Modesto, CA in 1937 by Harry Marks, a young jewelry professional, and Dr. Robert Moon, a partner with equal vision. These two entrepreneurs built Rogers Jewelry Co. on the foundation of honesty, trust and integrity that continues to permeate the company and the communities they serve. Rogers has grown from a single location in downtown Modesto to a chain of nine stores stretching from Bakersfield, CA to Reno, NV. For more information about Rogers Jewelry Co, visit www.thinkrogers.com.

SFBFS - Serving our community since 1976

2011-03-31T18:34:27Z

Father Dan Madigan founded Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) in the basement of his Oak Park church in 1976. Pained by watching so many people go hungry on the streets of Sacramento, he called together a small cadre of compassionate volunteers to tackle the problem. Over time, the number of facilities, staff and volunteers grew to meet the ever increasing need in Sacramento. His passion for helping individuals and families in need is still alive and well in the wide array of programs and services offered by SFBFS.

SFBFS currently operates two large facilities, in Oak Park and in North Sacramento, serving neighborhoods with families experiencing some of the highest rates of poverty, unemployment and child abuse in the Sacramento area. Over three decades, the number of programs and services offered by SFBFS grew from food and clothing to include adult education, child development and technology.

SFBFS runs a very lean, grassroots organization with an incredibly efficient, professional staff of 40 and a volunteer workforce of over 4,000 annually. SFBFS continues to meet the increasing demands for services by leveraging donations when purchasing food, baby supplies and reading materials for pennies on the dollar.

SFBFS provides free emergency goods and services to nearly 20,000 men, women and children each month. All programs at SFBFS are offered free of charge.

Food Assistance - Provides a five day supply of emergency, take-home groceries to thousands of clients every month. Individuals and families in need can receive fresh produce, dairy, grains and canned goods at mobile distribution sites throughout the Sacramento area.
Clothing - Distributes donated men’s, women’s and children’s clothing items to those in need at no charge. Clothing articles include suits for interviews, school uniforms and seasonal weather attire.
Mother-Baby - Guides parents in raising children in a healthy and supportive manner. Diapers, formula, food and clothing are provided for parents attending educational workshops.
Adult Education - Provides one-on-one instruction to adults in reading, writing, math, computer skills, resume building and English.
Women’s Wisdom Art - Offers a variety of art classes to women overcoming loss or depression, surviving cancer and helps build self-confidence.
PlayCare - Offers an enriching daycare for toddlers of parents attending classes through Adult Education. This co-operative program encourages parental involvement, interactive games and preparing youth for kindergarten.
Youth Academy - Provides enrichment for elementary-aged youth focusing on literacy and independent thinking. This program encourages academic success, character building, social development and service.
Computer Clubhouse - Encourages junior high and high school students to explore technology classes including web design, animation, basic computer skills and video production.

SFBFS provides these goods and services at no cost due to the generous support of donors through individuals and company contributions as well as special events. SFBFS hosts the annual Run to Feed the Hungry every year on Thanksgiving Day. Nearly 30,000 Sacramento residents turn up on their day off to spend time with family and raise awareness of those less fortunate in our community. This Thanksgiving will mark the 18th year for the Run to Feed the Hungry, an event that generates nearly $1 million to support programs and services at SFBFS. SFBFS also partners with Rogers Jewelry Co. to host an event each spring called Race for the Ring. This scavenger hunt for jewelry uses clues sent via text message to challenge participants to solve riddles throughout Downtown and mid-town Sacramento. Prizes include diamond rings, men’s watches, bicycles and more. Please join us on May 21 for a day of fun to support SFBFS!

If you are interested in becoming involved with SFBFS either by volunteering, leading a donation drive, participating in an event or referring someone in need, please visit www.sacramentofoodbank.org for more information.

Peter's Racing for a Reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-03-28T16:53:54Z

Interview with Peter Skipper, a finisher in last year's event. Peter teaches 5th grade math in Brooklyn, New York. In his free time, Peter writes screenplays, plays guitar and travels as far away from home as possible.

Racers will be racing around town in search of jewelry graciously donated by Rogers Jewelry Company. What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
I have a watch from Rogers Jewelers that I won at last year's Race for the Rock, and it brings me good fortune whenever I wear it.

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?
I wish! This event is so fun, but NY is a bit of a bike ride for me this year.

What motivates you to be part of this cause?
People shouldn't go hungry in the richest country on earth.

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?
Challenging our friends Chris Suter and Chris Wallis and beating them significantly.

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?
Race participant/Sacramento enthusiast/stand-in for all Tobey Maguire look-a-like related emergencies.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services?
It's more than just food. Everybody forgets the Family Services part.

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?
Please come out! It's the most fun you'll have volunteering all year.

Divine wine and chocolate for Sacramento Children’s Chorus

2011-03-28T04:15:21Z

It was a night filled with drinks and divine desserts for the Sacramento Children’s Chorus’ Wine and Chocolate: A Harmony of Tastes fundraiser at Revolution Wines Friday night.

According to Sacramento Children’s Chorus’ executive director Daphne Quist, the event was held in honor of the chorus to raise money for the organization, some of which will go toward tuition scholarships for students.

“It was a great success for our organization,” Quist said.

This is the first Wine and Chocolate event for the Sacramento Children’s Chorus and Quist hopes to continue it every year. Corporate sponsorships, individual donations, concerts and one large event each year help fund the organization, Quist said.

Quist hopes the event raised $4,500, but the event possibly reached up to $5,500-$6,000.

The Sacramento Children’s Chorus administrative staff, event committee members and volunteers helped host the event. Throughout the night, 115 people attended the fundraiser.

The attendees included parents and family of the children in the Sacramento Children’s Chorus and friends and staff of the chorus.

Artistic director Lynn Stevens co-founded the choir 19 years ago as a master’s project at Sacramento State.

Stevens sipped on a reserve chardonnay and loved the presentation of the chocolates.

“I love the chance to be with the parents and the community,” Stevens said.

Revolution Wines provided several wines, including pinot grigio, merlot, zinfandel, syrah and a blanco port.

The local chocolatiers that showcased desserts for the evening were Bella Bru Café, Capital Confections, The Chocolate Architect, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Enotria, Good Eats, My Chocolate Affair, Sweeties and Village Cake Shoppe.

The desserts ranged from moist dark chocolate cake slices to rich chocolate brownies speckled with powdered sugar.

Several chocolatiers presented a variety of cookies. Sweeties had a crisp, peanut butter cookie, and Bella Bru Café had chocolate chip cookies and salted chocolate cookies. Dove Chocolate Discoveries put a spin on their chocolate chip cookies with a chai raspberry sauce.

Capital Confections displayed darling chocolate truffles decorated with drizzled chocolate and small candy shapes.

The Chocolate Architect provided a variety of soft and creamy chocolate silks, including espresso, chocolate and raspberry chocolate. My Chocolate Affair created an element of surprise with their chocolate-covered pretzels by including a caramel filling underneath the chocolate.

Parents Kristin and Scott Finney came out to show support and brought their daughter’s grandparents along too.

“It’s nice to be exposed to all the chocolatiers,” Kristin Finney said. “I didn’t know there were so many in Sacramento.”

Celebrity judges for the event included Tina Macuha from “Good Day Sacramento,” Edward Ortiz from The Sacramento Bee, Patrick Mulvaney of Mulvaney B&L Restaurant and Beth Hassett of WEAVE. Each chocolatier won a different category for their delectable contributions to the event.

Terry Knight of KFBK “Real Estate Show” was the masters of ceremony for the evening.

At the event, attendees placed bids on a variety of items in the silent auction, including Revolution wines and an Italian dinner for 10 prepared by the Sacramento Children’s Chorus staff.

Raffle prizes throughout the event included gift certificates from local businesses and items donated by parents.

According to Stevens, the chorus has 150 children in five different choirs.

More information about the chorus and auditions can be found on their website.

Cristina's Racing for a Reason - 2011 Race for the Ring

2011-03-21T23:19:51Z

Interview with Cristina Stoyle , a participant in last year's event. Cristina is the Veterinary Advocacy Coordinator for Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association

A bit about our racer

I've lived in the Sacramento area most of my life and, despite what some might say (I'm talking about you, Forbes magazine!), I think it's a pretty great place to live. Since graduating from University of California-Davis in 2004, I've turned my passion for animals into a career and have been lucky to work for two incredible animal protection organizations. In my spare time I volunteer for a few causes (including waking up bright and early each Thanksgiving morning to volunteer for the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services' Run to Feed the Hungry), support the thriving performing arts community in Sacramento and enjoy hanging out with my my trio of rescued/adopted pets: Cooper the much-loved Pomeranian, the grumpy-but-lovable Serendipity and goofy-but-lovable Buster (both cats).

Racers will be racing around town in search of jewelry graciously donated by Rogers Jewelery Company. What is your favorite piece of jewelry?

My watch; my wrist would be naked without it.

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?

Definitely, I wouldn't miss it! I'm most looking forward to learning how much I don't know about my hometown.

What motivates you to be part of this cause?

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services is a much-needed resource for people in need, and Race for the Ring is a great way to support the amazing work they do while having fun!

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?

Seeing all the participants madly dashing around Downtown on bicycles, scooters and skateboards--and the confused bystanders trying to figure out what was going on!

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?

This will be my third year in a row racing with my friend Alexis Raymond (perhaps the third year's the charm?) and I have volunteered for SFBFS' Run for the Hungry for the past three years.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services?

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services provide much more than food to individuals and families in need; they also provide clothing, support to new mothers, after-school programs, adult education, creative opportunities and more.

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?

Go Team Rolling Groans (we need to work on a new team name)!

Dave's racing for a reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-03-15T17:36:33Z

The thrid annual Race for the Ring is coming to Sacrament on May 21, 2011. This text messaged based treasure hunt on bike through downtown Sacramento is sponsored by Rogers Jewelry Co and directly benefits programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Teams of two will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out why they are racing for a reason.

Interview with Dave Katten participant in last year's event.

A bit about our racer

Former Sacramento resident and connoisseur of fine Californian burgers. Oh Squeeze Inn, how I miss your cheese skirt.

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?

No, sadly I'm no longer in Sacramento, which is a bummer since the Race is literally my favorite event of the year.

What motivates you to be part of this cause?

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services does so many great things for the community, that the Race is really a privilege to participate in. Sure the prizes are great, but it's such a fun morning, and it's for a great cause. There is absolutely no downside to this race - it's fun, it's good exercise and it helps people who do great things for the the Sacramento area.

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?

Easy - me and my buddy had only lived in Sacramento for 2-3 years, but our friends were lifelong residents and knew midtown back and forth. On top of that, neither of us biked much at all, and our friends were supercyclists. Like, Ironman-quality. Heck, those guys even scouted potential locations and questions. So when we won something and they finished just outside of the prizes...oh man, that was sweet. But even before I found out we did well, it was just a great, fun adventure around the city. With the added bonus of a competitive spirit :)

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?

I know a few staff members and volunteers at SFBFS who who told me about the Race.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services?

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services does so much more than distribute food. It offers adult classes in many areas, computer courses and clothing. SFBFS is there to help the community in myriad ways, and it's run by top people; really, the folks that volunteer and coordinate are just top notch.

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?

Best. Event. Ever. Defitely the most fun I had in Sacramento.

Filling Empty Bowls - photos

2011-03-08T17:58:48Z

The River City Food Bank held its 8th Annual Empty Bowls fundraising dinner Monday at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Sacramento. Two luncheons are scheduled for today.

The events raise awareness about hunger in the Sacramento area and serve as the River City Food Bank's most important fundraiser. The Food Bank building was destroyed in a fire last fall and their fundraising efforts are more urgent than before.

More information about the Empty Bowls events is available in a previous Sacramento Press article.

Event Photography by Ron Nabity

Michelle's Racing for a Reason - Race for the Ring 2011

2011-03-07T19:10:01Z

Interview with Michelle McCauley, contestant in last year's event.

A bit about our racer

Michelle grew up in Southern California and moved to Northern California in 2001 to attend University of California, Davis. While at Davis I was a coxswain on the women's crew team for 4 years and met my husband Scott. In 2006, the pair married, moved to Sacramento and Michelle began working in the fund development department at WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment) located in downtown Sacrmento. While working at WEAVE she met staff members at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) who introduced Michelle to the wonderful programs and volunteers at SFBFS. Michelle began participating in SFBFS' infamous Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day. Michelle enjoyed supporting the organization, but her slight obsession with the CBS show Amazing Race drove her and her husband to immediately sign up for the event. The pair had even applied to be participants on the globe-trotting show and Michelle knew they would do well. "It's such a good fundraiser, who would not want to participate?" Last year Michelle and her husband created "Team Rock Solid" and the pair really enjoyed biking around downtown Sacramento. The two hope to participate again this year. Michelle currently works for Media Solutions, a local women owned media buying agency as a Media Buyer. In her spare time, she enjoys serving on public relations/events commmittees for various non-profits in Sacramento, running or biking on the beautiful American bike trail and spending time with friends and family enjoying all Sacramento and the surronding areas have to offer.

Racers will be racing around town in search of jewelry graciously donated by Rogers Jewelers. What is your favorite piece of jewelry that you own?

My wedding ring

Are you participating in this year's Race for the Ring? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?

I would participate if I wasn’t going to be 8 months pregnant. I LOVE this event and can’t wait to participate in 2012!

What motivates you to be part of this cause?

I love knowing that every dollar I give to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services goes directly to Sacramento families in need. I realize all non-profits have overhead cost, however when you give to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services you see exactly where your dollars are being spent. It’s our responsibility to give back to the community we live in...why not have fun doing it? This event is unique, fun, well organized, and most of all provides services to Sacramento families in need!

If you participated last year, what was your favorite thing about the race?

I love participating with my husband. We had the best time biking around Sacramento and pretending we were on the Amazing Race. The clues were fun and we loved learning more about Sacramento!

What is your role with Race for the Ring 2011 and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services?

I will help out in any way I can! I am sure my friends and husband will participate this year.

What is one thing the public might not (but should) know about Sacramento Food Bank& Family Services?

Anyone in Sacramento County can utelize various services at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. They have a wonderful volunteer program and great staff.

Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or the event?

I encourage everyone to participate in this event!

River City Food Bank hosts Empty Bowls fundraiser events

2011-03-04T04:55:05Z

The River City Food Bank is hosting its eighth annual Empty Bowls fundraiser and Potters’ Market events on March 7 and 8 at the Sacramento Masonic Temple to raise awareness about hunger in Sacramento County.

Eileen Thomas, the executive director of River City Food Bank, said she finds the communities coming together most rewarding. “It’s a wonderful melding of community effort to help the hungry,” she said.

“Preparation is huge – we have over 100 volunteers, seven restaurants providing soups, and 1,500 bowls,” Thomas said.

On Monday from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., there will be wine and hors d’oeuvres along with gourmet soups.

The restaurants participating in Monday’s event include Scott’s Seafood, Vizcaya, R15 and Michaelangelo’s.

Tickets are sold out for this event.

On Tuesday, there will be two lunches that people can attend, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. with more soups and desserts.

The restaurants participating in Tuesday’s lunches include The Broiler Steakhouse, L Wine Lounge and Restaurant, Greek Village Inn, Scott’s Seafood, Lucca, Michaelangelo’s and Café Bernardo.

Tickets are $30 per person.

At both events, a ticket allows you to choose a hand-crafted bowl and fill it with soup.

According to Empty Bowls co-chair Kelli Whitcomb-Weston, there are around 50 different donors who provided the handcrafted bowls, ranging from groups of professional and amateur artists to school groups. The Nor-Cal Woodturners, Christian Brothers High School, Vista Del Lago High School, American River College, Sierra College, Natomas Charter School, and Sacramento Country Day are several of the many groups that have donated the bowls.

“It’s amazing to see the variety and quality of bowls from both professional and student artists,” Whitcomb-Weston said.

Shannan Berg, chef at Café Bernardo in Midtown, will be serving a soup with potato, roasted red bell pepper and créme fraiche chives. “We’re going to make 20 gallons of soup,” Berg said.

This will be her third year at the event.

The empty bowl symbolizes the bowls that are empty when there isn’t enough food for people.

“I think it’s really cool, the (symbol) of the empty bowl,” Berg said.

When Berg was younger, she relied on the food bank because her family was homeless for two years.

“I just love it, it’s a great event,” Berg said. “It’s different, it’s much more personal.”

According to Thomas, River City Food Bank is expecting to have 1,300 guests, 400 at each event, and at least 50 percent of last year’s event attendees will be returning this year.

Empty Bowls events are nationwide.

“It benefits food banks and various hunger organizations,” Whitcomb-Weston said.

Empty Bowls events originated in Michigan and have been in Sacramento for eight years, Thomas said.

The River City Food Bank building was destroyed by fire last October, but the nonprofit organization is not giving up. “This year we are trying to rebuild,” Thomas said.

River City Food Bank hopes to raise $100,000. According to Thomas, the money from the event will help with the operations budget and expand the existing programs, such as the Nutrition Cooking Class.

The Nutrition Cooking Class teaches low-income families how to make nutritious meals, revolving around the food River City Food Bank gives.

The Food Bank promotes nutritional, good healthy meals for anyone in the community.

Today’s recession has made it hard for families to get access to food. “Food money goes into the gas tank,” Thomas said.

River City Food Bank serves 40,000 people a year and more than 3,000 a month, according to Thomas. “Hunger is still very much a part of the community,” Thomas said. “We become a very important resource for people.”

The Sacramento Masonic Temple is located at 1123 J St.

To purchase tickets for the events or make a donation to River City Food Bank, click here.

Both the Trinity Cathedral Bookshop at 2620 Capitol Avenue, and Avid Reader at the Tower, 1600 Broadway are also selling tickets to the events.

Empty Bowls serves up soup to fight hunger

2011-03-02T02:01:35Z

Since stormy winter days have almost everyone thinking about soup, it's a good thing River City Food Bank's 8th annual fundraising event is just days away. As in previous years, Empty Bowls features some of the area’s finest restaurants serving up their best soups- all to raise awareness about hunger in the region.

Everyone who attends Empty Bowls chooses from among 1,500 bowls, hand-crafted by Sacramento students and professional potters. The bowls represent people across the region who don’t have enough to eat. As many as one in seven people report that they don’t always have enough money to provide their families with food. After picking a bowl, attendees choose soup from one of these restaurants: Café Bernardo, R15, Scott's Seafood Grill and Bar, Chops Steaks Seafood and Bar, Michelangelo's, Vizcaya, Lucca, The Broiler, Greek Village Inn, and L Wine Lounge & Urban Kitchen.

The Empty Bowls evening event, on Monday, March 7, is already sold out. A limited number of tickets are still available for Tuesday, March 8 at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Both seatings feature plenty of beautiful bowls, gourmet soups and desserts. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased on River City Food Bank’s website. All events will be held at the Sacramento Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street.

River City Food Bank is the only Sacramento- area food bank open every weekday to anyone experiencing hunger from anywhere in Sacramento County. RCFB offers nutritionally-balanced 3-day emergency food, as well as compassion. In the wake of the food bank's October fire, this year's fundraising goals are ambitious. River City Food Bank hopes to raise over $100,000.

For more information, and to purchase tickets online, visit www.rivercityfoodbank.org.

Disclosure: Lesley Miller works for 3fold Communications, a local marketing agency. River City Food Bank is a client of 3fold Communications.

Orangevale Grange to hold 6th Annual Family Fair

2011-02-17T20:39:24Z

To celebrate Grange Month, Orangevale Grange presents The Orangevale Grange Family Fair for the 6th year and extends an invitation to the families in and around the community to come to their Grange and have some fun.

Admission is FREE for this community event.

Offered is a diverse collection of activities so that each member of the family can find something to do, something to watch, something to intrigue them. There will be many vendors, performers, animals, crafts, games, and activities, along with food, live music, public service displays and much more. There will be other local not-for-profit organizations and businesses on hand demonstrating or exhibiting as well.

The Grange, the oldest agricultaural organization in the nation, is a non-profit family fraternity whose roots are in agriculture. Their focus today is still on agriculture as well as community service and legislative activities. Local community growers, family gardens and the Grange garden provide important educational opportunities and valuable and delicious results!

Why was the Grange started? It was formed in the years following the Civil War to unite private citizens in imroving the economic and social position of the nation's farm population. Over the past 135+ years, it has evolved to include non-rural families and communities as well.

What do I gain by becoming a member? The Grange offers it's members:

•a friendly, family oriented organization that provides membership at any age
•an opportunity to join with others (individuals & organizations) to improve communities
•a chance to influence local, state and national laws
•a social gathering place for activities & recreation
•a place to develop skills for a lifetime

During the month of April each year, dues for new members are FREE. New members are offered the opportunity to experience the Grange for free and then consciously decide to continue their membership in the years to come.

The Orangevale Grange No. 354, organized March 31, 1910, is the oldest service organization in the town of Orangevale. For over 100 years, the members have been active in the community, not only participating in many community activities and events but sponsoring them as well. THe members are honored to be a part of a community that posesses such a long and rich history.

Today's Grange provides an opportunity to serve by providing leadership for local community service projects. For more about the Grange in general, click here.

For Orangevale Grange No. 354, other projects include: distributing personal dictionaries to third graders (Words for Thirds), serving breakfast to the community every second Sunday of the month, celebrating our country's independence with a fireworks booth and demo each July, sponsoring informational workshops and seminars such as Identity Theft Awareness, First Aid & CPR classes, making our Grange Hall available for rentals and for community events.

River City High School seniors participate in marriage fundraiser

2011-02-15T02:59:43Z

West Sacramento's River City High School seniors began what they call a “Marriage Fundraiser” on Valentine's Day, which will last one week and attempt to bring much needed funds for extracurricular activities such as their senior trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and San Francisco. Unlike marriages issued by the state, anyone can get married and it costs only $1

It was a marriage free-for-all in the cafeteria. Students lined up at lunchtime and gathered with their friends. Some married their best friends and others married more than one friend. Ceremonies were held that included an exchange of vows and ring pops. Once completed, some chose to have their picture taken and receive a marriage certificate.

The senior class hopes to raise at least $200.

“The students here at River City love this fundraiser, which is partly the reason why we do it every year,” said Associated Student Body President Michelle Truong, “Not only do we want to raise money, but we also want to have some fun here at River City because high school is not all about academics.”

Francis House “Feast For The Streets” to Honor Greg Bunker

2011-02-12T02:54:52Z

As Francis House of Sacramento continues to celebrate its 40th Anniversary, this very important institution will honor the memory of Greg Bunker, Executive Director, who passed away December 28, 2010 with their upcoming 20th Annual “Feast for the Streets Food and Wine Gala”, April 27, 2011 at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in downtown Sacramento. Feast for the Streets is the largest fundraiser for Francis House and is highly regarded as one of Sacramento’s premiere food and wine tasting events.

With the sudden passing of Greg Bunker in December, Francis House wants to celebrate his life’s work for the homeless and destitute in a way that he would have wanted. Forrest Reed, Acting Director of Francis House of Sacramento is hoping that this year’s event will exceed any in past years so that the vital direct services this tireless advocate helped build from scratch will continue to keep up with the unprecedented demand.

Francis House provides resource counseling and referrals that assist those experiencing poverty in breaking the cycle. Those in need find emergency assistance with transportation and identification, temporary shelter, employment services, advocacy, and personal attention and caring. Francis House is supported by an interdenominational group of seventeen churches as well as community grants, businesses and individuals.

The goal of Francis House is not to sustain people where they are now, but to help provide the way to lift them towards self-sufficiency. This cornerstone agency in the social service community is more about a hand up then a hand out.

On April 27, forty of Sacramento’s finest restaurants and caterers, along with six exceptional wineries and several other business partners will pull together a feast to remember. The evening beginning at 5:30pm will include gala food and wine tasting, music, silent and live auction, raffle and door prizes and loads of fun.

You can purchase your tickets online (individual, couple) at www.francishouse.info or at Francis House, 1422 C Street. ($50 individual, $100 couple) For more information including Sponsorship Opportunities call 916.443.2646.

Eighth annual Run Rocklin will once again benefit Matt Redding Foundation

2011-02-03T17:26:23Z

The eighth annual “Run Rocklin” will be held Sunday, April 3 at Johnson-Springview Park in Rocklin.

This signature city event begins with a 12K run at 8 a.m., followed by a 5K run/walk at 8:15 a.m. Children may participate free in the quarter-mile Kids Fun Run at 7:45 a.m. There is also a 1-mile run for kids, which is free and is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

Run Rocklin has become a significant community event that last year attracted teams of runners from throughout the Sacramento region and had 2,600 total participants.

The festive event will once again feature music by JD Productions, Quality DJ Entertainment, complimentary food from Randy Peters Catering, and other goodies from local vendors.

Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age group for the 5K and 12K events. Awards and prize money will also be given to the top three male and female overall finishers in the 5K and 12K events.

All registered and paid participants will receive a colorful commemorative T-shirt and a finisher’s ribbon. Bragging rights will be awarded to all of the team participants, and prize money will be awarded to the top three largest school teams.

The race, which helps raise money for the local nonprofit Matt Redding Scholarship Foundation, has now given a total of $34,000 in memory of the fallen Rocklin police officer.

Redding died tragically while on duty in October 2005 when he was struck and killed by a drunken driver.

"Matt loved this community and would be so honored that people are running year after year in a race that supports a scholarship foundation in his name,” said John Redding, Matt’s father. “Our family is extremely pleased that so many people continue to support Run Rocklin. It’s a great community event, and we’re happy the Redding family can be associated with it.”

Director Larry Osborne has a son who is a Rocklin police officer and has a personal connection with the Redding family, even though he didn’t know Matt personally.

“The people of Rocklin and other nearby communities have embraced our event for several years and have really made Run Rocklin something special,” said Osborne, who served as a city of Berkeley police officer in the early 1970s. “We’ve been fortunate to have tremendous community involvement that has enabled us to grow the event and be able to make a generous contribution each year in Matt Redding’s memory. Everyone connected with Run Rocklin is thrilled to have created something that has become a real tradition.”

Adults can pre-register for $29 prior to race day, and the cost increases to $34 on the day of the run. Kids 18 and under can pre-register for $15 or pay $20 on race day.

Teams of six or more people are welcome, and all participants will receive a special team T-shirt. Teams must register by the March 18 to be eligible for the special team T-shirt.

To register, visit runrocklin.com. For more information about the race or to become a sponsor or volunteer, e-mail Larry Osborne at elephant@eaward.com or call 415-9991.

No time to spare: Bowl for Kids' Sake this month!

2011-02-02T01:49:06Z

Bowl for Kids Sake has been raising funds and awareness for all Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations throughout the country for over 25 years. It is one of their largest and most important fund raisers. With pledges from individual bowlers and teams as well as corporate sponsors, they are able to serve children and families in our communities through quality mentoring programs.

Area businesses, church and civic groups, schools, community groups as well as individuals and families are invited to join Big Brothers Big Sisters for a this year’s event scheduled for February 26th at Country Club Lanes in Sacramento and March 19th at West Lane Bowl in Stockton.
This event is not for the serious competitor. It’s just for fun and to help create a little magic in the life of many children still waiting for a big brother or sister. It’s easy to participate in Bowl for Kids' Sake. Bowling teams can be made up of co-workers, students, church members, friends, family and club members.

Highlights include:

-Two games of bowling and free T-shirts for every team of five to six bowlers raising pledges of $100 or more per bowler
-Lunch and light refreshments provided throughout the day.
-Non-stop prizes and entertainment

Sponsorships are also available at various levels and benefits including recognition in print, signage, audio announcements and interviews, and VIP lanes at the event.

There’s no time to spare! To register a team or as an individual, make a pledge, or become a sponsor, call (916) 646-9300 or (209) 957-0257 today.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the U.S. It has been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people in all 50 states. The national offices are located in Philadelphia. To volunteer or donate, visit www.bbbs.org  . For more than 47 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento has helped volunteer mentors to bring a little magic to the lives of thousands of children in Sacramento, South Placer, Yolo, Yuba, Sutter and San Joaquin Counties.

See last year's event: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/24056/Bowl_for_Kids_Sake_a_BIG_Success

 For information:
http://www.bbbs.-sac.org or
 Contact: info@bbbs-sac.org 
Phone: 916-646-9300 or 209-957-0257

Disclosure: Rhonda Staley-Brooks is the President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters

Today: Change a child's life for just $10

2010-12-28T19:03:37Z

Today, in the spirit of the holiday season, Deal Ticket and The Sacramento Press are excited to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento to offer you a chance to change a local child’s life.

Big Brothers Big Sisters needs to raise significant funds to keep the program going and asks for your support with a tax-deductible gift.

See David and Chester’s inspiring story here

For today only, you can visit the Deal Ticket website and donate $10 or more directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento. Many children have already been matched to Bigs, yet there are still many others waiting to be matched.

One hundred percent of the donation will go directly to the program and your support may determine whether these children get the help they need and assist in matching Littles waiting for Bigs.

All donations are 100 percent tax-deductible, and all donors will be issued vouchers that serve as receipts and include tax ID numbers.

Today, your generous donation of $10 can provide one of the following things:

* Recruit more positive role models
* Assist with background screening checks
* Provide mentor training

At-risk kids with a Big Brother or Big Sister are more likely to:

* Show improvement in school performance
* Enjoy better relationships with family, adults and peers
* Gain a new and positive perspective on life

and are less likely to:

* Start drinking alcohol
* Start taking drugs
* Lie
* Use violence to resolve conflicts

If you are unfamiliar with Deal Ticket, here’s a quick rundown. Every day, we feature a fantastic deal from a local business. That deal is featured for one day only. You click to buy the deal and save money (51-90 percent to be exact) by doing so.

To receive deals directly in your e-mail inbox, all you have to do is sign up for the daily Deal Ticket e-mail so you don’t miss out on deals you’ll love. Just visit our Deal Ticket website to sign up.

All it takes is one click to help a child that will greatly benefit from mentoring in their life.

This special Deal Ticket only lasts one day and we’re asking for your help in making this donation drive a success. Spread the word to your friends, family, coworkers, everyone!

Read about Big Brothers Big Sisters on The Sacramento Press here

Photos courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento

Begin 2011 on the Right Foot!

2010-12-22T19:06:01Z

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 State Capitol
10th Street and Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA

GREAT restaurant deals and raffle prizes, too! Bring your race bib to Lucca Restaurant and Bar in Downtown Sacramento for special menu items and discounts. Win gift certificates to Sacramento Pipeworks, Grateful Bread, Arden Hills Country Club AND training certificates from Mama Bootcamp and Moms in Motion! Special prizes for the team with the most participants, as well!

For more information or to register, visit the My First 5K and Kids' Winter Fun Run website.

Youth Scholarships Available!

Know a young person who'd like participate on January 2nd? We have 30 scholarships available for youth interested in doing the 5K and 30 for kids (10 years and younger) to participate in the Fun Runs.

Contact the Wellness Task Force at myfirst5k@wellnesstaskforce.org OR call 916-534-7750 if you are interested in a scholarship for your youth!

ABOUT THE BENEFICIARY, The Wellness Task Force: Our mission is to create and promote programs and policies to increase access to healthy foods and physical activity in California's schools and workplaces.

Disclosure: Jill Broughton is an employee of the Wellness Task Force.

Take a Break and Help a 'Shul'

2010-12-07T04:39:15Z

Need a break from "retail therapy" this crazy time of year? How about some "laughter therapy" instead, and in the process help a synagogue with its operations? Thursday night, December 16th, starting at 7pm, is "Comedy Night at the Center." This entertaining evening promises to whisk you and your friends away from December stress! And it benefits Mosaic Law Congregation, the only Conservative synagogue in the Sacramento valley.

The evening features headliner Will Durst, “Quite possibly the best political satirist working in the country today.” (The New York Times)
Durst is a 5-time Emmy nominee and recipient of 7 consecutive nominations for the American Comedy Awards Stand Up of the Year. He is a regular commentator for audible.com, Air America, CNN and NPR, writes a nationally syndicated op- ed column, daily website jokes—yet
still finds time to perform hundreds of comedy shows every year, including this benefit performance for Mosaic Law Congregation.

The entire program will be hosted by local comedian Laura Rosenberg. A native of Sloughhouse, CA, Laura’s first comedy showcase was in January 2004 at the Comedy Store’s Belly Room on the Sunset Strip. She is now a regular at the Punchline (SF and Sacramento), Laughs Unlimited, the Comedy Store, and the Improv, as well as a host on the Travel Channel.She recently returned from performing a three week USO/Armed Forces tour for the troops in the Middle East.

Other featured performers include Rich Slaton and Jason Downs. Slaton is a Sacramento native and a young force on the L.A. comedy circuit. A semi finalist in the L.A.'s Funniest Comedian Contest, Rich has entertained crowds from Las Vegas to London. His material ranges from the insightful to the downright embarrassing, as he opens up his life and thoughts to his audience with full disclosure.

Beginning his comedy career in San Francisco, Jason Downs has become among the best comics in the bay area. Like his influences, Eddie Murphy and Sam Kinison, Jason draws his material from his personal life. While on stage Jason shares his dramatic and outrageous stories with the audience. A unique likeability allows Jason to confess his greatest flaws in an original, aggressive, and hilarious act. A good heart and a bad mouth allows Jason to share his story of a know-it-all who knows nothing.

So bring your friends and prepare to have a great time while benefiting a local charity. Mosaic Law Congregation offers education, programming, and spiritual support for Jewish individuals through one's entire lifecycle. Rabbi Reuven Taff is in his 16th year as the spiritual leader, and the congregation is known for its warmth and hospitality. They recently opened The Center at Twenty-Three Hundred which contains the KOH Library and Cultural Center, along with a multi-use grand hall (where the show will be) with state-of-the-art sound and lighting.

When: Thursday night, December 16, 2010 Doors open at 7pm

Where: 2300 Sierra Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95825

Tickets: $36 each, or $49 for reserved cocktail seating (includes one drink)

Tickets can be purchased in the synagogue office (2300 Sierra Boulevard), or on-line at www.mosaiclaw.org

This is a 21 and older event.

Submitted by: Deborah Gonzalez, President, Mosaic Law Congregation

Fab Forties Aglow

2010-12-07T01:02:46Z

‘Twas the first weekend in December and all through East Sacramento, five homes were decked with holiday decorations and filled with Christmas spirit. Local decorators hung stockings by the chimneys with care so thousands of visitors could enjoy Sacred Heart’s Holiday Home Tour.

Now 37 years strong, the tour has witnessed custom homes in the Fab Forties district (38th to 46th streets, bordered by J Street and Folsom Boulevard) cover their doorways in wreaths and garlands, display Christmas trees in their living rooms, and illuminate their windows with the sparkle of ornaments and the flickering glow of candles for the benefit of Sacred Heart Parish School.

Tour Chairperson Leslie Lopez said the decorators gave it their all, and that this year, it looked like Christmas exploded.

“Every single home was amazing,” she said.

Decorators from Holiday Home, Haus Home Decor and Specialty Gift, Twiggs Floral Design Gallery, East Sac Florist, Impressions Designs, Inspired Interiors, and Beyond the Garden Gate all volunteered their time and resources to stage the homes in Christmas flare.

Not only were homes done up in holiday charm, but Sacred Heart’s new library and gym were also recipients of a holiday makeover, compliments of Holiday Home.

Holiday Home’s owner Carol Shellenberger, along with a team of volunteers and students from the Art Institute of California, went to work transforming the school’s library into a winter wonderland.

“It was more theatrical this year, requiring installations and more than just decorating,” Shellenberger said.

Shellenberger added a touch of seasonal magic to the library, which was themed after the classic children’s novel “The Secret Garden,” by constructing six-foot-high walls and hand carving styrofoam into moss-covered rocks to place throughout the room.

A gazebo sat poised at the center of the room, housing a tree inside. Manzanita branches painted snow white and covered in ornaments gave visitors the impression that they were meandering through a real garden, lightly dusted in fresh snow.

In her fourth year on the tour, Shellenberger and company had previously worked exclusively in home settings.

“We work with what the homeowner has,” she said.

With a small budget, Shellenberger explained that her company makes many of their own ornaments and decorations, making good use of cellophane and wrapping paper for candy canes, oversized lollypops and other whimsical diversions.

“We are not interior designers,” she said. “We are decorators and designers.”

Homeowners are not always sure about how they’d like to decorate their homes, but Shellenberger said they are usually vocal about what they don’t like.

All homes are volunteered for use on the tour by homeowners wanting to benefit Sacred Heart School. Three of the five homes this year were volunteered by homeowners who don’t currently have children attending the school.

Lopez said the proceeds from the tour go to help offset tuition for students in need of assistance. Due to the economy, the number of families needing assistance has risen by six percent over the last three years, Lopez said.

“The tour acts as the school’s biggest fundraiser of the year,” she said.

In years past, the tour has drawn about 4,000 people from Northern California and Nevada over the course of the weekend. As of Saturday night, Lopez said the funds raised this year had surpassed those of last year.

Lopez said they hoped to net as much as $75,000 from the tour’s proceeds, but this year’s official count has yet to be tallied.

Photos | Kati Garner

Winter Rollerland

2010-12-03T18:42:47Z

WEAVE has been selected as the beneficiary of an up and coming local hot spot. Winter Rollerland will open to the public on Friday, December 3rd at 1630 I Street - right in the heart of Midtown Sacramento. Winter Rollerland promises the Second Saturday appeal of the Midtown Bazaar and the classic entertainment of a good old fashioned roller rink.

Get your skate on with the Sacred City roller derby girls! Meet Slamson, the Sacramento King's mascot on Saturday, December 4th. Enjoy the ambience of holiday lights, disco balls, and hay bales covered in snow. And after you've skated your day away, it's just a short stroll to the Midtown Bazaar - featuring arts, crafts and delicious foods. Have fun and support a great cause!

WHEN: Opening Day is Friday, December 3 at 5:00pm. The roller rink will then be open each Friday 5 -10pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm in December.

WHERE: 1630 I Street, on the corner of 17th & I Streets, Sacramento

COST: $5

In full disclosure, this article was written by a WEAVE employee in the hopes of spreading the word far and wide. We're grateful to Sacramento Press for this forum to get the word out!

15th Annual "Contractors Caring for Kids" Toy Drive and Fundraiser!

2010-12-02T20:37:01Z

Please join us for the 15th Annual “Contractors Caring for Kids” Toy Drive and Fundraiser!

When: Saturday, December 11th, 2010, 12 Noon to 4:00 PM
Where: Roseville Sports Complex, 1545 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, California 95747

“Contractors Caring for Kids” is an all volunteer, non-profit children’s charity. Our motto is, “Raising money and toys for children in need to BUILD a better tomorrow.”

Our 2010 Benefiting Children’s Charities are:

*Big Brothers/Big Sisters
*Boys and Girls Clubs
*WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment)
*UC Davis Hospice
*Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home
*WIND Youth (Works in New Directions)

Everyone is welcome for this fun and free family event! Bring a toy and a smile, and come help make a good difference in the lives of local children in need. Collecting new and gently used unwrapped toys and books and all donations are greatly appreciated.

You won’t want to miss FUN events like:

Pie Toss at City and County Building Inspectors
Huge Silent Auction and Big Prize Drawings
Free Food and Refreshments
A Visit from SANTA!
My925 Radio Broadcast
Lego Design Build Contest
Face Painting, and so much more.

Contractors Caring for Kids is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. Contributions are tax deductible-ID#68-0397430

SFBFS program highlight: Clothing program

2010-12-02T01:41:16Z

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) offers eight varied programs, including the greatly impactful Clothing program. For more than 20 years, the Clothing program has grown and expanded to provide a wide range of service to over 100 clients every weekday. Having recently undergone some organizational changes, the shopping area now offers distinguished sections for men, women and children’s clothing, plus sizes, active wear, business attire, a small teen department and school uniforms. Additionally shoes, accessories, books and toys are often available. The best part of the Clothing program is that all items are available at no costs to individuals and families in need.

Similar to a thrift store, donated items are arranged by size, season, gender and age and clients peruse neatly organized racks and shelves for desired items. However, all items are available at no cost, which can greatly impact a family facing financial challenges.

Volunteers who share their time in the Clothing program aim to provide each client with a dignified and specialized shopping experience. Clients who access the program may choose from thousands of different items on any given day and if their needs are not met, special requests are always welcome. The Clothing program has been able to provide prom dresses and suits, christening gowns and even wedding dresses to extremely thankful clients. In the back room where donations are sorted, volunteers can be found with a smile on their face when they find a specific item that a client is looking for, often an obscure size. Recently clients have been happily surprised to find that the program can satisfy their need for rollerblades, cleats, suitcases, Halloween costumes, new socks and school uniforms.

Many of the clients comment on the warm customer service they receive and the vast range of items available. And no matter what a client receives, it is always free of charge. Everyone involved in the program prides themselves on that ability, but it would not be possibly without generous donations from our community. Every year the Clothing program distributes more than 450,000 donated articles of clothing. Even with this incredible amount of items, the program desperately needs new socks and underwear, plus sized women’s clothing and big and tall clothing for men to continue to meet our client’s needs.

By providing our clients with clothing, SFBFS is able to meet one of their most immediate needs. However, the program is able to go much further than that by providing integrity and compassion with the warm respectful shopping experience. Volunteers hope to enhance client’s self-esteem and by offering business attire, school clothing and exercise gear, SFBFS can help open up opportunities to clients that can help them move more quickly back towards self-sufficiency. That noble task is possible with the donations of time and items from our community. The program’s volunteers are extremely grateful and thankful for all past and future contributions.

If you’d like to drop off gently used clothing at our facility, lead a donation drive or schedule a volunteer opportunity to assist in the Clothing program, please visit our Web site for more information.

Racing for a Reason: Chris Suter

2010-11-23T20:52:32Z

Lace up your shoes, Sacramento -- the 17th annual Run to Feed the Hungry is only two days away.

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) encourages you to be part of a Thanksgiving tradition. The 5K and 10K fun run and walk launches from Sacramento State, 6000 J St., on Thanksgiving morning. With 30,000 participants expected to be involved, you are guaranteed a morning of fun with family and friends.

There is still time to sign up to participate. Go to the Run to Feed the Hungry website for more information and ways to register.

Name: Chris Suter
Occupation: Fire Protection Engineer for the Sacramento Fire Department

SP: How many years have you been doing the run?
CS: My first year was 2006, so this will be my fifth year.

SP: How many people do you run with?
CS: I can usually roust a sibling and cousin or two to run with me.

SP: Do you run or walk outside the event?
CS: Every possible chance I get.

SP: What motivates you to be part of this cause?
CS: Having volunteered with SFBFS for several years, I’ve seen firsthand the beneficial effect that the organization has on those that they help and the community as a whole. Being a part of so many people working toward such a positive goal is really a wonderful feeling.

SP: What is your favorite thing about Run to Feed the Hungry?
CS: Who doesn’t love seeing all those thousands of people pounding down J Street? It’s phenomenal. That and the fact that because of this event, Sacramento Food Band & Family Services is able to provide so much to people in need.

SP: Do you have a favorite t-shirt design from over the years?
CS: The brown shirt with the turkey legs in the New Balance shoes (2006) is my favorite. I wear it all the time.

SP: If you could make one wish this year on Thanksgiving, what would it be?
CS: I think the Run getting 30,000 people this year would be pretty cool.

SP: What are you most thankful for this year?
CS: family and friends. They really are truly wonderful.

Change a life with mobile giving

2010-11-17T22:11:36Z

Nonprofit organizations are feeling the tightening of belts as much as everyone else, so staying current with giving trends is critical for every charity.

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) is no exception and now offers an opportunity for supporters to give via their cell phones. Donors can now easily make a $10 contribution by texting SACFOOD to 20222. A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance*. In less time than it takes to log on to a website and enter your credit card information, you can help make a difference for a family need.

You might ask, “What does $10 do?” Well, at SFBFS, it can do a lot:

* $10 = 20 articles of clothing for five people – Clothing program
* $10 = 2.5-day supply of quality, healthy groceries for four families of four (40 meals) – Food Assistance program
* $10 = 36 hours’ worth of formula, baby food and clothing for an infant – Mother-Baby program
* $10 = five art classes for two students – Women’s Wisdom Art program
* $10 = one day of technology-based after-school activities for one child – Computer Clubhouse

Due to the great partnerships with local vendors, SFBFS is able to leverage funds to turn every $1 donated into $10 worth of products and services for the Sacramento community. This means your $10 donation quickly becomes $100 worth of goods and services given to families in need at no cost. Want to see your donation in action? Come down to SFBFS for a tour, attend a volunteer orientation or schedule your office to spend a few hours assisting in programs. It’s never been easier to get involved. More information about SFBFS and ways to help is available online at sacramentofoodbank.org Thanks for making a difference in the life of a family in our community. Happy texting!

*All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the “Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services” by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at hmgf.org. Messaging and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe at any time by replying STOP to short code “20222”; reply HELP to “20222” for help.

Today: Change a life for just $13

2010-11-16T18:21:17Z

Since the launch of Deal Ticket in July, tons of great products and services from local businesses have been featured every day.

Today, Deal Ticket and The Sacramento Press are excited to partner with Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services to switch things up and offer a chance for you to donate just in time for the holiday season.

For today only, you can visit the Deal Ticket website and donate $13 or more directly to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS). One hundred percent of the price will go directly to the Food Bank and assist those less fortunate in our community.

All donations are 100 percent tax-deductible, and all donors will be issued vouchers that serve as receipts and include tax ID numbers. To give you an idea of how far your donation will go, here are some of the ways individuals and families will benefit from just $13:

· $130 worth of goods and services for individuals and families in need.

· A three-day supply of quality, healthy groceries for four families of four (48 meals) (Food Assistance program).

· Three days’ worth of diapers, food, formula and educational workshops for a family in need with an infant (Mother-Baby program).

· Twenty-six articles of clothing (Clothing program).

· Three art education classes (ceramics, watercolor, poetry, etc.) for four students (Women’s Wisdom Art program).

· Two days of technology-based education for one child (Computer Clubhouse program).

To receive a deal directly in your e-mail inbox, all you have to do is sign up for the daily Deal Ticket e-mail so you don’t miss out on deals you’ll love. Just visit our Deal Ticket website to sign up.

All it takes is one click to help those less fortunate in our community. This special Deal Ticket only lasts one day and we’re asking for your help in making this donation drive a success.

Spread the word to your friends, family, coworkers, everyone! Help make a difference this holiday season.

Read about the history of SFBFS and the services they provide here.
Read about the Food Bank's expansion here.

Photos courtesy of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Racing for a Reason: Joan Miller

2010-11-15T21:58:04Z

Lace up your shoes, Sacramento -- the 17th annual Run to Feed the Hungry is only a couple weeks away.

Every week up until then, we will interview a new Run to Feed the Hungry runner. We will ask six different past and present runners the same questions. We have found that people are motivated by many different reasons to be involved in this incredible event.
There is still time to sign up to participate. Go to the Run to Feed the Hungry website for more information and ways to register.

Name: Joan Miller
Occupation: Child Welfare Social Work Supervisor.

The Sacramento Press: How many years have you been doing the run?
Joan Miller: 2010 will be my family’s third year doing the Run to Feed the Hungry.

SP: How many people do you run with?
JM: I run with several people on a regular basis, but this run, I run with my family; my partner and our two children, ages 21 and 22.

SP: Do you run or walk outside the event?
JM: I run weekly about three times per week, with a long run on the weekend. I also do many races every year, but the Run to Feed the Hungry is my favorite race and the race that means the most to me.

SP: What motivates you to be part of this cause?
JM: In part because of what the race represents and in part because I get to share it with my family.

SP: What is your favorite thing about Run to Feed the Hungry?
JM: I love what this race represents. I love that I get to start my Thanksgiving Day running with my family for a cause that is so relevant to our community and to our society here in America. I think the Sacramento Food Bank is a wonderful organization and I am awed and motivated to be a part of this event because of how many people show up to run for this cause and I know that my family is fortunate and to be able to spend the day with many others supplying food and money for an organization that provides families with what they need is an honor. Until we started running this race, we would stay home and eat dinner. When you juxtapose that with being able to be a small part of something so much bigger, how could we not participate?

SP: Do you have a favorite t-shirt design from over the years?
JM: I don’t necessarily have a favorite shirt design, but I do like they are long sleeved and I do prefer the shirts that are not white. All the designs are well done and well thought out.

SP: If you could make one wish this Thanksgiving, what would it be?
JM: My wish for this Thanksgiving is that more cities/counties/organizations be able to organize runs of this magnitude to supply food and money for what families and children need in America. It is obviously a huge success for the Sacramento region. A friend of mine and I would like to start something similar in our county and are making preliminary plans to start finding out how we can make that happen.

SP: What are you most thankful for this year?
JM: Although it sounds cliché, what I am most thankful for this year is wonderful children, good health, and someone who loves me more than words can say.

Photo courtesy of Joan Miller

Holiday Inn Fundraiser

2010-11-15T19:03:19Z

Sierra West Consultants of Fair Oaks is pleased to join the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce in a charity fundraiser for local children & women organizations. Excellent food & entertainment will be provided -- professional Tina Turner & Michael Jackson impersonators. Fun for all!
$5 entrance fee or FREE with donation of diapers, bag of groceries, or unwrapped toy.
Date: December 3rd, 2010
Time: Noon to 5pm
At: Holiday Inn, 11269 Point East Dr, Rancho Cordova.
Call: Jeff Bensch, Sierra West Consultants for more information (916) 863-3220

Scott Pruett Revs up California Auto Museum

2010-11-10T08:29:12Z

Scott Pruett, the 2010 Rolex Grand Am driving champion, was the ideal Keynote Speaker for this year’s Fundraising Dinner, “Life in the Fast Lane.”

After all, the local hero from Auburn has become one of the nation’s most successful race car drivers by going very fast for almost 25 years now. Scott’s humble and down-to-earth style definitely endeared him to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience on November 5th at the California Auto Museum. It is easy to see how this native Californian has been able to make such an incredible impact in the racing world.

Scott spoke from experience about the value of a team effort to succeed in racing whether in the Grand Am Series, Trans Am Championships or NASCAR. In fact, Scott shared, “this is the best year I can remember in racing. It was a Dream Season! It was one of my best racing seasons ever!”

The Auto Museum obviously understands teamwork as well. Executive Director, Karen Mc Claflin, Good Day Sacramento’s Nick Toma, the Museum staff, and Mr. Pruett teamed up to put on a successful event that thrilled the 170 racing and car enthusiasts in attendance. Most importantly, “Life in the Fast Lane” raised over $21,000 for the California Auto Museum.

Many racing fans are aware that Scott Pruett just claimed his third overall championship and set a record for the most wins in a single season. They may also know that Pruett was an Indy 500 co-rookie of the year and that he has won the 24 hours of Daytona seven times. However, not everyone may realize that the Pruett’s (Scott and Judy) are now enjoying success as vintners producing wines from their Pruett Vineyard. As the father of a four year old, I was very excited to find out that the Pruett’s have written and published four children’s books about racing. Even though Scott doesn’t seem to be ready to retire any time soon, it’s nice to know that the Pruett’s will have plenty to keep them busy long after their very successful racing career is finished.

John Mc Namee, a self proclaimed “Motorhead” and proud owner of a 1973 Pantera, remarked that he could listen to Scott Pruett share his racing stories all night long. I’m sure Mr. Mc Namee and many others who enjoyed this years “Life in the Fast Lane” are already looking forward to the California Auto Museum’s next event.

If you are a car enthusiast, the Auto Museum is a must see. There are over 150 vehicles in a variety of makes and models from the early 1900’s to future vehicles featuring alternative power. The Museum is open daily to educate and entertain locals and visitors alike. For more information on upcoming Auto Museum events and opportunities go to www.CalAutoMuseum.org

Rick Atchley | Rick@MaverickPhotography.us

Click here to view more event photos>>

Racing for a Reason: Brielle Kruger

2010-11-08T22:02:24Z

Lace up your shoes, Sacramento -- the 17th annual Run to Feed the Hungry is only a few weeks away.

There is still time to sign up to participate. Go to the Run to Feed the Hungry website for more information and ways to register.

Name: Brielle Kruger

Occupation: Admitting Clerk

The Sacramento Press: How many years have you been doing the run?
Brielle Kruger: This will be our 4th year

SP: How many people do you run with?
BK: Three

SP: Do you run or walk outside the event?
BK: I walk and my son and fiance run.

SP: What motivates you to be part of this cause?
BK: It is a great way to start Thanksgiving.

SP: What is your favorite thing about Run to Feed the Hungry?
BK: The amount of people that attend, you will run into people you probably wouldn't see on Thanksgiving morning.

SP: Do you have a favorite t-shirt design from over the years?
BK: No, not really. They are all great.

SP: If you could make one wish this year on Thanksgiving, what would it be?
BK: My wish would be for my fiance to be able to get a job

SP: What are you most thankful for this year?
BK: My family that is healthy and happy!

Photo courtesy of Brielle Kruger
Caption: Mac Tiner and Brielle Kruger in back and Matthew Kruger in front

Join us Thanksgiving morning: Run to Feed the Hungry 2010

2010-11-04T22:19:54Z

What are you plans for Thanksgiving morning? Start asking around, and you’ll likely hear one answer repeated again and again: “Run to Feed the Hungry.”

This event benefiting Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) is a Sacramento tradition. Families from our town turn out by tens of thousands to take part in the biggest Thanksgiving Day race in the United States.

Parents with strollers, professional runners, high school athletic teams and out-of-town guests can all be found sprinting, strolling and jogging their way through East Sacramento.

The 5K and 10K fun run and walk is expected to draw nearly 30,000 participants this year. The event, which is owned and operated by SFBFS, raises funds to support eight different programs including food assistance, clothing, mother-baby, adult education and more.

These programs offer free goods and services to more than 20,000 men, women and children in need every month.

SFBFS has owned and been the sole beneficiary of Run to Feed the Hungry since its inception in 1994. Thanks to additional donations, generous sponsors, loyal participants and a very large number of volunteers, the event is able to operate with a very low overhead, and 100 percent of the profit benefits programs at SFBFS.

In 2009, nearly $850,000 were raised for SFBFS programs and services. The event will celebrate its 17th anniversary on Nov. 25, and we hope to see you there.

The registration fee is $35 per person or $20 for children 15 and under and includes a long-sleeved technical shirt designed by a Sacramento artist.

Out of town for the turkey holiday and can’t make the run, but still want to be involved? Become a virtual runner. For just $20, a virtual runner can sleep in, visit relatives out of town and even skip the exercise. And we’ll still mail you the cool shirt.

Want to get everyone at the office involved? Have an active boy scout troop? Belong to a group that loves to give back? Sign everyone up as a team. The group receives specialized shirts with just your logo on the back, great parking, a team photo, a kickoff breakfast and more.

Individuals wanting to make an even greater difference in the lives of families in need can take part in the give and win challenge. Run participants who raise donations to benefit SFBFS earn tickets to be entered into various drawings to win amazing prizes such as tickets to see the Sacramento Kings, an iPad, a flat-screen TV, bikes, Run to Feed the Hungry gear and more.

More information about this exciting event and all the ways to get involved is available online at runtofeedthehungry.com.

Sign-up timelines and deadlines/REI locations and hours 

The time has come to register!

It’s time for the 17th annual Run to Feed the Hungry, and signing up couldn’t be easier.

Visit runtofeedthehungry.com and click on the “Register Now” button. In just a few easy steps you can sign up yourself, spouse, child, out-of-town aunt, the neighbors and your paper delivery boy all in three easy steps.

Enter your basic info: name, address, shirt size, etc.
Verify your info: This is where you have the option to add more people to your registration.
Check out: You’re registered!

You can sign up online now through Tuesday, Nov. 23 at midnight.

Registration is $35 for adults and $20 for children ages 15 and under. Would you like to be timed? For an additional $5 fee you will receive a timing tag that will record your official time. Select the “timed event” during registration if you would like your race results recorded and posted on the Run to Feed the Hungry website.

Prefer to keep the U.S. Post Service busy this time of year? You can mail in your registration with a check or credit card number. Just download the printable registration form and make sure it’s postmarked by Nov. 13.

Love to wait until closer to the date? You can register at any REI location Nov. 19-24.

Sacramento REI:  1790 Expo Pkwy.
Store Hours:  10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday.
Folsom REI : 2425 Iron Point Rd.
Store Hours:  10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday.
Roseville REI : 1148 Galleria Blvd.
Store Hours: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday.

Once you have registered, you may pick up your race packet. Your packet includes your bib number, your official Run to Feed the Hungry T-shirt and your timing chip if applicable. The ONLY location for packet pickup is the Sacramento REI. Packet pickup occurs Nov. 19-24. You can also pick your bib and T-shirt from 7:30 - 9 a.m. the morning of the event.

Only a few weeks are left until Thanksgiving Day, so register soon! Pre-registration is encouraged, as shirts are only guaranteed for those who sign up in advance. Timing chips are also limited to the first 7,000 people who sign up to be timed.

Check out runtofeedthehungry.com for more information about this great event to benefit Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

Disclosure: Kelly Siefkin is Communication and Devlopment Director at The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services

Racing for a Reason: Pam Farley

2010-11-01T17:09:32Z

Lace up your shoes, Sacramento -- the 17th annual Run to Feed the Hungry is only a few weeks away.

There is still time to sign up to participate. Go to the Run to Feed the Hungry website for more information and ways to register.

Name: Pam Farley

Occupation: My husband and I own and run Comics & Collectibles in Sacramento, and I have a gardening and thrifty living blog at www.brownthumbmama.com.

The Sacramento Press: How many years have you been doing the run?
Pam Farley: Three years.

SP: How many people do you run with?
PF: Our son and I participate—we see many friends and acquaintances each year and it turns into a big party!

SP: Do you run or walk outside the event?
PF: [ahem] Nope!

SP: What motivates you to be part of this cause?
PF: Our family has supported SFBFS for many years. There’s more to social justice than handing out food, and I admire SFBFS for teaching people to fish. In addition to the run and monetary donations, we hold a Spirit of Giving food drive each Christmas at Comics & Collectibles, and I donate extra produce from my garden. SFBFS provides a way to contribute and help others no matter what your talents are.

SP: What is your favorite thing about Run to Feed the Hungry?
PF: Starting the day bright and early with thousands of Sacramento’s best!

SP: Do you have a favorite t-shirt design from over the years?
PF: The green one from a couple of years ago. I like colorful shirts.

SP:If you could make one wish this year on Thanksgiving, what would it be?
PF: Holidays are crazy and chaotic for most people. There’s so much pressure to visit everyone and buy lots of presents. My wish is that we could slow down and express our love and appreciation for each other throughout the year, not just on a whirlwind weekend dictated by the calendar.

SP: What are you most thankful for this year?
PF: There have been some health scares in our extended family, so I’m thankful we’re all here to celebrate together.

Photos courtesy of Pam Farley

Handbag Fundraiser Helping Salvation Army Programs

2010-10-20T17:54:54Z

“I was thrilled. I called my husband immediately.”

That is the reaction Sacramento resident Cindy Nelson had after she outbid other ladies for a Ferragamo handbag during the live auction portion at the sixth annual Salvation Army Helping Handbag luncheon on October 16.

Nelson was one of nearly 400 attendees who came to the Radisson Hotel for the annual fundraiser.

“We have more ladies than in years past,” Major Colleen Riley, Salvation Army Divisional Director of women’s ministries and Women’s Auxiliary representative. “The event was well organized and the ladies were excited to bid on the purses.”

More than 200 items were offered during the event’s live and silent auctions, including designer handbags, local celebrities’ gently-used purses, donated gift certificates, and items given by local businesses. Some notable items that auctioned off at Helping Handbags included items donated by singer Linda Ronstandt, District Attorney Jan Scully and community leader Joyce Raley Reel.

In all, Helping Handbags grossed more than $40,000. Proceeds from the luncheon will go toward Salvation Army’s programs for women and children in the Sacramento area.

“We’re obviously supporting a great charity,” Nelson said. “It’s a lot fun, you meet lots of nice ladies, you see some familiar faces, and hear a great testimony.”

The luncheon fundraiser was organized by The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, a volunteer program made up of a group of local business women who believe in the mission of The Salvation Army, and donate their time and financial support to develop fund raising events like Helping Handbags.

“Behind the scenes, a lot of women put in many hours to organize this incredible event,” Major Riley said. “They truly put their heart and soul into this one.”

Syd Fong is the public relations director for The Salvation Army. For more information about The Salvation Army, please log onto www.salarmysacto.org

Curtis Park celebrates as a community

2010-10-04T05:52:47Z

Curtis Park residents know how to throw a party. The 20th Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction event converted the Sierra 2 Center into a interactive showcase of fine wine, beer and gourmet eats.

With 450 tickets sold before the event even began, only 100 were still available for purchase at the door. Curtis Park Neighborhood Association President Rosanna Herber said she expected the event to sell out.

More than 35 wineries offered tastings of their red and white wines and many provided food pairings to complement their generous samples.

People wandered slowly down the line of sampling tables with plates and wine glasses in hand. With no particular agenda or method, they followed their noses to trays of food that were refreshed regularly throughout the evening.

One of the most consistently crowded areas of the Sierra 2 Center was an outdoor section of Astroturf that had been converted into a beer garden. Pangaea Two Brews Cafe provided the selection of Belgian beers from 15 different breweries.

“This is some of the best beer you can get in the region,” Herber said.

People scanned the rows of bottles, overwhelmed by their options as helpful volunteers poured ice cold beer into wine glasses.

The abundance of beverage options were matched by more than 26 restaurants catering portions of their menus to the hungry crowd. Swarms of people lingered around Tuli Bistro's outdoor oven, which couldn't turn pizzas out fast enough to arrest people's voracious appetites.

Other favorites included lamb and beef meatballs in a spicy sauce served by Tapa The World, teriyaki chicken over rice by Megami Bento-Ya Restaurant and good old-fashioned macaroni and cheese with bread crumbs served by Dad's Kitchen.

Curtis Park resident Linda Elgart has attended the event for the last 14 years and said this year's appeared to be a little bit bigger. Elgart's pride for her neighborhood was evident in how she spoke so highly of events like this one.

“The neighborhood is just amazing because we have so many civic events that take place,” she said.

Elgart said that the Curtis Park community is neighborly in an old-fashioned way that you don't usually find. She said that people socialize with their neighbors.

“We're friends,” Elgart said.

An inviting and neighborly atmosphere could be seen throughout the event as people leisurely conversed their way through the rows of tables, eating, talking and laughing as they went.

A silent auction took place at a dozen or more tables spread throughout the Sierra 2 Center. Proceeds from the auction benefited the McClatchy High School track team, Bret Harte Elementary School and the Sierra 2 Center.

“We have a lot of bigger auction items than we've had in the past,” Herber said.

All auction items combined were valued at around $15,000, and Herber was confident that neighbors would bid the items up even higher than that.

One of the more unique items on auction this year included a private tour through the Crocker Art Museum led by the museum's executive director, Lyle Jones.

And in celebration of their 70th year, Gunther's Ice Cream auctioned off the opportunity for about four people to have an ice cream flavor of the month named after them.

As the day’s heat relented and people found refreshment in a cold beverage and neighborly conversation, harpist Bill Damian filled any momentary silences with classical music.

Herber said she anticipated the event to be a “hoot and a holler,” and based on the overall sound of merrymaking and wine glasses clanking, one might say she was right in thinking so.

Herber did say after all, “We’ve got a lot to celebrate.”

Francis House of Sacramento Announces 40th Anniversary Party

2010-09-18T15:16:31Z

Francis House of Sacramento is announcing its 40th Anniversary Party to be held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Friday October 29, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. This event celebrating 40 years of serving the homeless and poor of Sacramento County will include a four-course dinner and fine wines served by the best restaurants and caterers in the city. The dinner will be followed by a dance featuring the popular band, Mumbo Gumbo.

Forty years is a long time for a faith-based non-profit to survive, however Francis House of Sacramento is not just any non-profit. The organization sees that over 30,000 men, women, and children each year receives personal attention for their problems.

The mostly volunteer staff of Francis House provides resource information and counseling for the poor. Seventeen churches and the community-at-large support their efforts.

Francis House Executive Director, Greg Bunker explains, “In many cases, we provide the last hope for those disenfranchised from the mainstream of society. Anyone in need is welcomed at Francis House with a warm cup of coffee and a dose of compassion. Our counseling is very much like you would experience with a friend who is interested to help problem solve their dilemma.”

Francis House resources are distributed directly to the poor in the form of vouchers for emergency transportation, shelter and identification, or used to provide direct counseling and hospitality services.

Forrest Reed, Program Director for Francis House pointed out, “I am encouraged by the number of people in new jobs or in permanent housing due to our efforts. But personally, the best way I gauge our successes is by the smiles, appreciative words and expressions of hope I get to experience from those we help every day I come to work.”

The goal of Francis House is not to sustain people where they are now, but to help provide the way to pull themselves up and off the streets and into jobs and permanent housing. The process of getting them there doesn’t happen over-night so Francis House is right beside them every step of the way. Not everyone has the physical or mental ability, however for others who can do more, they expect sobriety, responsibility, hard work, and ultimately self-sufficiency.

One way to honor and celebrate Francis House of Sacramento and their 40 years of service and to help make sure they stick around another 40 years is to attend this very important fundraising dinner and dance event. Restaurants such as Mulvaney’s, Evan’s Kitchen, Tuli Bistro, Sampino’s and others will provide the four-course dinner and wine pairings.

You can purchase your tickets online (individual, couple, or corporate table) at www.francishouse.info or for more information call (916) 443-2646.

Curtis Park gala offers food, fun and the chance to give back

2010-09-16T22:14:44Z

On Saturday, October 2nd the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association will present its 20th Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction. From 4-7 pm the doors and patios of the historic Sierra 2 Center will open to welcome hundreds of guests.

Over twenty restaurants, fifty wineries, eight breweries, three musicians, and two dozen volunteers will be greeting patrons, who will spend a delectable three hours sampling food and drink, vying for high-end auction items, listening to music, and socializing with attendees. Even better, the event benefits Brett Hart Elementary and McClatchy High School, two neighborhood organizations that are at the heart of the Curtis Park community.

To purchase tickets or receive more information on the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association’s 20th Annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction, please call the Sierra 2 Center at (916) 452-3005. Tickets may also be purchased at Taylor’s Market and online at www.sierra2.org.

First annual Whiskers and Wine fundraiser to benefit the County Animal Shelter Sept. 25

2010-09-13T15:51:10Z

As part of an effort to raise much needed funds for the Sacramento County Animal Shelter, Teaching Everyone Animals Matter (TEAM), the animal shelter's non-profit partner, is sponsoring the first annual “Whiskers and Wine” fundraising event at the Animal Shelter, located at 3839 Bradshaw Road, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 25.

“We are pleased to be hosting this first-time event at the Animal Shelter to increase our visibility within the community, and to raise funds to make our animal shelter more self sufficient,” said Interim Animal Shelter Director Carl Simpson. “This is going to be a great opportunity for community members to come out and see our animal shelter, while enjoying some great food and drinks, live music, silent auction and much more.”

Tickets for this event are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. All proceeds go to support the Sacramento County Animal Shelter's Save our Shelter (S.O.S) campaign. For information on how to purchase tickets in advance, please go to www.SacAnimalShelter.org or email the Animal Shelter at WhiskersandWine@gmail.com

The Animal Shelter is also still accepting donations for the silent auction and raffle, and food and drink vendors. If you are interested in donating to this event, or to the Animal Shelter in general, please email Tara Diller at Dillert@saccounty.net. All online and mailed donations to the Animal Shelter are tax-deductible.

Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center's After Hours: Wine Event & Live Auction

2010-09-03T00:42:02Z

In every fairytale the good guys always win, the bad guys always lose, and there’s always a “Happily Ever After“. Real life however, is a very different tale. Financial woes, unemployment, addictions, and lack of support hit so many Sacramento residents who then find themselves with nowhere to go. Thankfully there is a program like the Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center that helps and supports these families in their time of crisis. Just like a real life fairy godmother.

Seems only fitting that on September 10th, 2010 Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center will be having their 18th annual After Hours: Wine Event & Live Auction fundraiser at Fairytale Town in William Land Park. Tickets are on sale for $50.00 per person for an evening under the stars filled with fine wines, delicious food tasting, and live music. There is a newly added live auction performed by Benefit Auctioneer David Sobon of David Sobon Auctions. Some of the items up for bid are A San Francisco Getaway at The Ritz Carlton, Golf for A Year & A Beach Cruiser Bicycle. Featured live music acts include The Retronaunts and The Putah Creek Crawdads. Be sure to look for the Wall of Wine, a Lottery-Style wine purchase!

So for the same price as a restaurant dinner, come feast and dance the night away in the spirit of helping the SAEHC who has served many families and young people turn their lives around. Since 1972 the non-profit SAEHC has helped over 10,000 families receive housing services, 68 % of the participants are children. Additional programs offered include self-sufficiency workshops, living skills, parenting classes, and mental health care to name a few. Support Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center as they shape the lives of so many people in our community. A true reason for Sacramento to give. For tickets and more information please visit http://www.saehc.org/fttah.php

Annual Village Feast gathers community for local cause

2010-08-30T03:25:16Z

Fresh baguettes, roasted lamb, local wines and aioli were the ingredients for a savory Village Feast last Saturday in Central Park in downtown Davis.

Nearly 300 people assembled for the sixth annual Grand Aioli-style meal served to aid the Davis Farmers Market project, Davis Farm to School Connection — an organization aimed at bringing farm-fresh local fruits and vegetables to all 13 Davis public schools.

At noon, members of the community entered the Village Feast area with their own silverware, plates and cups, beneath the sycamore trees in Central Park. Guests enjoyed wine, olives and almonds while strolling through the feast area, socializing and taking a look at the silent auction items up for bid.

First-time Village Feast-goers Ann and Charles Filmar from Davis said they looked forward to the good food and good fundraising.

“I’m enjoying myself and looking forward to all the good food and meeting new people,” said Ann, a Davis Farmers Market board member. “I don’t recognize many people here,” said Ann, also a member of the Davis Farmers Market Board.

The meal ticket — $55 for Slow Food Yolo members and $65 for others — gave guests a full four-course meal, which began at 1 and lasted until around 3 p.m.

The sold-out event featured a traditional French-style menu with ingredients from local farmers who sell their produce at the Davis Farmers’ Market.

Catered by Buckhorn Grill, all courses were served family-style in large platters. First up was a heirloom tomato salad with basil and olive oil.

The main course, which included Yolo County wines, featured platters of green beans, beets, peppers, and eggplants served with, of course, a garlic aioli. Traditional to the Grand Aioli style, hard boiled eggs were served and baguettes were passed around the table and torn off with one’s own hands.

The pièce-de-résistance dish was a grilled and herbed leg of lamb, with sides of bean salad and potatoes. Just in case anyone had room for dessert, a summer fruit tart with fresh-brewed coffee was served.

North Davis Elementary School science teacher Kathy Forman said she attended the feast for the second time to support the Davis Farm to School program. The organization pays for field trips to farms for second graders.

“Our community definitely is an upscale community, but it’s surprising how many have never been to a farm and have no idea where their food comes from,” Forman said.

Most schools in Davis have an interactive garden for children, which Davis Farm to School helps with. Forman said it is up to each individual teacher if and when they integrate the garden into their curriculum. Forman takes her classes out once a week.

Davis Joint Unified School District board of education member Sheila Allen said the Village Feast is the major fundraiser for the non-profit Davis Farm to School organization.

“Not only is it fabulous food and a great opportunity for the community to come together, but it helps support all these programs,” Allen said.

Cottage Housing Inc. celebrates 15 years

2010-06-28T02:07:30Z

Local homeless transition and recovery organization Cottage Housing Incorporated will celebrate its 15th year Wednesday with a fundraising celebration entitled "Beacon of Hope" at the Crest Theatre. The event will include and evening of reflection, entertainment and launch the program's Home Run! initiative.

CHI President and CEO Robert Tobin has been deeply involved with Sacramento's homeless community throughout the past 10 years.

"Homelessness is a symptom of larger systemic issues within our society," Tobin said. "Increasing challenges within our educational and medical systems affect some people more than others."

To aid individuals and families in need, CHI opened its first living facility, Quinn Cottages, in 1998. To qualify for the program, participants must make a commitment to sobriety, have self-defined personal development goals and render voluntary services. Participants may live in the facilities for up to 24 months and are considered graduates when they have secure housing, stabilized income and are sober at the time of their departure.

With the fall of the economy and rise of unemployment over the past few years, homelessness rates have shot up, and the need for homeless assistance has increased.

"The biggest change over the last five years is the length of time applicants are spending on our waiting list," Tobin said. "There was an 85 percent increase in the percentage of homeless population that is unsheltered."

Tobin went on to explain that waiting lists to get into Cottage Housing used to be three months, which is around the same time people are allowed to stay in emergency shelters. Now with the economic shift, typical waiting time is 10 months, forcing those in need to circle back to the streets before entering the program.

The Home Run! initiative is aiming to help heal that problem. The initiative is designed to double accommodations from 241 bedrooms to 500 and triple residential capacity from 450 to 1,400 adults and their children annually. Already $1 million has been generated for the expansion, and CHI is working to triple that amount.

The "Beacon of Hope" event will kick-off the public portion of the fundraising campaign. The night will be full of presentations and entertainment, including a performance by the Sacramento Gay Men's Choir.

The event will also recognize now-retired Bishop Francis A. Quinn, who has been involved with the organization since its inception. At the event, Quinn will be introduced by Mayor Kevin Johnson as the first annual Beacon of Hope honoree.

Wednesday's event begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased by e-mailing beaconofhotpe@cottagehousing.org or by calling 916-971-1566 x13. The Crest Theatre is located at 1013 K St.

For more information, visit cottagehousing.org.

All photos courtesy of Michael Iredale .

Fundraising for strong mayor effort continues

2010-06-24T01:16:09Z

Less than 24 hours after the Sacramento City Council barred the city attorney from drafting language for Mayor Kevin Johnson’s updated strong mayor proposal, Johnson was expected to attend a fundraiser Wednesday night in East Sacramento to press for a strong mayor form of government.

Shawn Callahan, who works for Johnson’s strong mayor campaign, said Wednesday that the fundraiser had been planned before last night’s City Council vote. Johnson is scheduled to appear at the fundraiser, which will take place in the wake of the council’s 7-2 vote to reject Johnson’s ideas, according to Callahan.

Callahan said more RSVPs for the fundraiser came in after last night’s vote.

“We’re happy to see that we got more RSVPs today,” Callahan said, adding that he thinks the new RSVPs are encouraging.

Callahan said the fundraiser will generate dollars for the campaign, which is now known as Open Sacramento, A Coalition for Accountable, Efficient and Transparent Government.

Open Sacramento is the new name, or re-brand, of the previous campaign known as Sacramentans for Accountable Government.

While the fundraiser will still take place, the campaign’s next efforts are unclear. Johnson told The Sacramento Press Wednesday that he will evaluate his options this week and next week.

He acknowledged that the City Council’s Tuesday decision prevents the public from voting on his plan in November.

By press time, Callahan had not e-mailed information that includes the price of admission to the fundraiser.

***

Johnson spoke to The Sacramento Press on Wednesday about his reaction to the City Council's vote and his next steps. He held one-on-one conversations with reporters at Cesar Chavez Park.

The Sacramento Press:

What are your thoughts the next day (after the City Council voted against your effort)?

Johnson:

I think, number one, disappointed. I truly thought that today I’d be able to say, “I want to thank my council member colleagues for last night (and) for really allowing this proposal to go forward. It’s an example of us taking one step forward to let the voters vote on something as important as modernizing the city’s charter.”

Unfortunately, that’s not what I’m able to say today. Once again, business as usual prevailed. The rules of City Hall are still dictating what goes on. The agents of status quo — a small group of people — are still dictating what happens in our community. I was just disappointed and I think people expect more from their elected officials.

Second thought: You know, I’ve still got a job to do. And I’m going to do it with all my might, and just as much vigor as I had yesterday before the vote. I think our governance system is broken. I think we have too many problems that aren’t being addressed. So, I’ve got to try to find a way to get at them, and solve some of the things that the community of Sacramento ... wants addressed. That’s my commitment — you don’t let up because it doesn’t turn out the way you want.

And then thirdly, in terms of next steps, we’re going to keep fighting. I don’t know what the next steps will look like. Keep fighting for Sacramento, generally speaking, and then certainly looking at our options for charter reform. I can tell you, at the few events I attended this morning so far, people are like, “Don’t quit. We want it. We don’t like the system. It’s dysfunctional; it’s broke. Mayor, don’t give up. We’ll speak louder; we’ll fight louder.” So, we can’t give up. I just don’t know what the next option looks like quite yet. But we’ll evaluate all those options this week and next week, and have a report out.

SP:

How are you going to work with the council going forward? After that vote?

Johnson:

I made a commitment to say council relations is a top priority of mine. You can disagree without being disagreeable. I felt the council members last night did not do their duty. Because they did not let this topic of discussion go forward to let the public weigh in on it ... As a mayor — you talk about how weak the structure (is) — I can’t even get the city attorney on my own to draft some language to have people look at it without five council members saying, “Look, we don’t want to hear about it.”

Photo by Anthony Bento.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Urban Flea Market to Benefit Iceland Skating Rink June 19th!

2010-06-09T01:46:02Z

Gary Schiff and Danyelle Petersen, of Schiff’s Estate Sale Building and Schiff's Estate Services, are coordinating the first annual Urban Flea Market on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 from 9am-3pm. After much urban renewal of the Estate Sale Building itself, as well as North Sacramento’s Del Paso Boulevard’s shopping district, the lot next to Schiff’s Building will be temporarily renewed with Antiques, Collectible, Furniture, Arts & Crafts, Unique and Desirable Items of all Kinds.

The event benefits the rebuilding of The Iceland Skating Rink on Del Paso Blvd. The Skating Rink was destroyed by an arson fire in March. Through donations they are looking to rebuild by their 70th birthday in November. The Iceland Skating Rink is important as a form of recreation, a gathering place that is healthy, safe and fun.

Join us for a good cause and a great time on Saturday June 19th at 1309 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento.

Admission is Free!

Vendors Wanted!

• Contact: Danyelle Petersen 916-220-3627 or danyelle@schiffestateservices.com www.schiffestateservices.com

Slide Guitarist Roy Rogers Holds Concert to Benefit KVIE

2010-06-07T17:31:27Z

Legendary slide guitarist Roy Rogers and his band The Delta Rhythm Kings are coming to KVIE Public Television in Sacramento, Thursday, June 24 to perform an exclusive benefit concert for this local non-profit PBS member station. The concert, which will be held in the intimate setting of KVIE’s Studio, will feature classic Rogers’ titles and songs from his latest release Split Decision. In a generous show of support to KVIE and concert goers, The Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek (who was recently in Studio D in Sausalito recording with Rogers); last musical partner of Woody Guthrie and mentor and model for young Bob Dylan, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott; and world-renowned harpist and violinist Carlos Reyes were invited by Rogers to join him and The Delta Rhythm Kings at KVIE to create an exciting, one-of-a-kind live musical collaboration.

Residents of Northern California, Roy Rogers and his wife are loyal KVIE viewers who believe in the mission of public television. “Public Television is important because it gives the audience diverse programming not found anywhere else–in particular The NewsHour coverage, American Masters, and all the great documentaries that are presented,” says Rogers about his passion for public television. About the concert he adds, “It is my hope that the audience attending the concert will be treated to some very special musical moments.”

In addition to being one of the premier slide guitarists performing today, Rogers is also an internationally acclaimed producer, having produced recordings for John Lee Hooker (4 Grammy nominations and 2 Grammy Awards) and Ramblin' Jack Elliott (2 Grammy nominations). Rogers has received numerous accolades for his songwriting (Grammy nomination for Song for Jessica), as well as his work on movie soundtracks (slide work on One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and for the Dennis Hopper movie The Hot Spot) and television. Rogers has also written and performed with Bonnie Raitt, recorded and performed with Linda Ronstadt, Carlos Santana, Steve Miller, Sammy Hagar, John Lee Hooker, and many others. Guitar Player said about Rogers, “Many guitarists dabble in slide guitar, but the number of modern masters can probably be counted on one hand—Roy Rogers is surely one of them.”

To purchase tickets, visit kvie.org/support or call 1-800-270-6601. General admission includes: two tickets to the concert, a donation to KVIE, the CD Live! From The Sierra Nevada Big Room with Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, and a souvenir commemorative DVD to be filmed at the event. An admission package that offers two front row seats and a meet and greet event is also available. KVIE’s Studio is located at 2030 W. El Camino Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95833. Doors open at 6:30pm with the concert starting at 7:30pm.

Jackie Greene plays Fairytale Town

2010-06-07T03:31:46Z

Fairytale Town hosted Sacramentan performer Jackie Greene at a fundraiser in their park Friday, the first in a series of such concerts this summer.

The prominent folk rocker sold out the show and entertained the crowd with his original tunes as well as covers of the Grateful Dead. Greene is touring with bassist Phil Lesh of the Dead.

“I love Jackie!” Valerie Sheppard, 52, said. “He has turned me back onto music. Original, just a person that is self-taught, writes music, just awesome.”

The concert benefited Fairytale Town, including its weeklong camps and free-admission days for children with disabilities.

Most of the summer concerts are geared toward children and families, but some, such as a costume ball, are for adults only.

“Adults need time to play!” said Kathy Fleming, executive director of the park.

Other concerts include Mumbo Gumbo on August 11, and Sal Valentino and Ricky Burger on Sept. 9.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org.

Charities Join Heart and Hagar to Rock Sacramento

2010-06-01T02:37:21Z

May 31, 2010 — The Annual Walk 'N Rock took place at Raley Field on Sunday, May 30. The event is organized by Sacramento-based Hope Productions Foundation to support local children’s charities. Hope Productions Foundation anticipates that the morning walk, combined with business sponsorships and Sunday evening’s benefit concert, starring rock legends Heart and Sammy Hagar, will raise nearly $700,000 for local children’s charities. An estimated 30,000 children in the Sacramento area will benefit from the day's activities.

“We’re heartened that so many members of our community, including several businesses, have joined together to support local children’s charities,” said Debbie Gabelich, chief executive officer of Hope Productions Foundation. “Together, we’re able to provide resources that ensure the sustainability, viability and awareness of these important charities.”

An estimated 5,000 walkers in the morning participated in the 5-K fundraiser "Walk" portion of Walk ‘N Rock for Kids. Participating teams displayed their brightly colored shirts in hues of bright turquoise, green or tie-dye as adults and a large number of children walked from Raley Field, over Tower Bridge and around Capital Mall.

Walkers representing 475 teams raised funds for 16 local children’s charities including: Access Leisure, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento, CASA Sacramento, CCHAT Center Sacramento, Cristo Rey High School, Full Circle Treatment Center, Golden Empire Council, Boys Scouts of America, Keaton Raphael Memorial, Camp Okizu, People Reaching Out, River Cats Foundation, Roberts Family Development Center, Sacramento ENRICHES, Sierra Forever Families and Wind Youth Services.

But it was the evening's concert featuring artists Heart and Sammy Hagar that stole the show. Returning to the stage for their "Red Velvet Car Tour," Ann and Nancy Wilson showed a crowd of 7,000 at Raley Field why they are considered number 57 in the Top 100 List of Rock Bands. The sisters dynamic voices combined with Nancy Wilson's guitar riffs brought the crowd to their feet as they performed such classics as "Barracuda," "Never" and "Alone." They closed out with an encore performance of "What About Love," in which their background accompaniment included nearly all those in attendance.

For most artists, Heart would be a tough act to follow, but "professional rock and roller" Sammy Hagar is no ordinary musician. With a resume that includes 11 years leading Van Halen, over 60 million records sold and writing credit to Heart's "Brigade" album, Hagar and his following of Red Heads were ready to take on Sacramento. Hagar took to the stage with nearly 50 of his die-hard fans standing behind him and another couple thousand seated in front of him. While the audience joined him in shots of his Cabo Wabo Tequila, Hagar led his band, The Waboritas, in such classics as "I Can't Drive 55" and "Right Now."

The evening's opening act was Lara Johnston, daughter of Doobie Brothers lead singer Tom Johnston and star of MTV show Rock the Cradle. Johnston's impressive vocal range indicates this 19-year-old will be back in Sacramento to headline her own show sometime in the near future.

Hope Productions Foundation is a Sacramento-based nonprofit that provides support and training at no cost for local charities serving children and youth. Their services include training and guidance for nonprofits to improve their marketing, fundraising, partnerships and board cultivation so they may become more efficient and increase their potential for long-term sustainability. Through events such as Walk N' Rock, Walt Gray Ride for Kids, Hope in Harmony and generous business sponsorships, they have raised over $1million in contributions and in-kind donations for local children's charities.

Those wishing to support Hope Productions Foundations charities can still donate online at www.hopeproductions.org or use their cell phone to text "HOPE" to 27722 and donate $10 for local children’s charities.

Photos by Terry Daffin.

Put Your Paws to the Pavement for Doggy Dash

2010-05-27T02:29:43Z

Stretch those legs and flex those paws for the 17th annual Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash June 5 in William Land Park.

Approximately 4,000 people and their canine companions are expected to attend, and will gather in the Village Green Area of the park. Festivities begin at 8 a.m. and will continue until 1 p.m. Participants may register with or without a dog.

The SPCA hopes to raise $250,000 through Doggy Dash.

"This is our largest fundraiser of the year," SPCA public relations director Lesley Kirrene said in an e-mail. "All funds raised go to help us care for the more than 12,000 homeless animals that will come to the SPCA this year alone. We have had such a terrific response to the event in the past — it grows every year — that we set a loftier fundraising goal each year."

So far they have raised about $128,000.

The SPCA is a non-profit, independent organization that relies on private donations and fundraising events, like Doggy Dash, to support general operations.

Participants may choose from a 2K walk, 5K walk or a 5K run.

"We urge people to be very aware of what both they and their dogs are capable of physically before entering," Kirrene said. "We do have water stations and people checking throughout the course."

After Doggy Dash, join the SPCA for the free Bark at the Park Festival. Register for Pup Shows (which include contests for the ugliest dog, best smile, best kisser and best costume), watch the high-flying frisbee contest and the Sacramento Police Department's K-9 unit demonstration. Stay for the Pug Races, visit booths of pet-friendly businesses and learn about other Sacramento animal rescue organizations. A pet psychic and pet photographer will be on hand. Dog DNA testing and canine heart testing will be available. The SPCA will have adoptable dogs at the festival as well.

Dogs are required to be current on vaccinations and be at least six months old. Dogs must wear current ID and license tags at all times. The SPCA prefers one leashed dog per person, but will allow two well-behaved leashed dogs. Leashes must be six feet or shorter. The SPCA asks that if your dog is not sociable, please do not bring him/her.

Contest registration is $5 per contest and will be available at the Doggy Dash event.

"Doggy Dash is the largest event of its kind in Northern California, and has become a 'don't miss' event for animal enthusiasts," Kirrene said.

In light of the Sacramento County animal shelter's potential closure due to further budget cuts, local animal rescue organizations may face a torrent of homeless animals and veterinary needs. Fundraising and donations are needed across the board.

"The SPCA is doing all we can to assist Sacramento County Animal Care & Regulation," Kirrene said. "We are completely separate entities, however we are very supportive of them and their efforts to stay open and avoid further budget cuts."

Registration is $25 per individual and $30 per team participant until Friday. Late registration is $30 per individual and $35 per team participant from Friday through June 5.

Online registration closes June 2. Registration is available June 2 through 4 at the Arden Petco store from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1878 Arden Way. Otherwise, registration at the event starts at 7:30 a.m.

Photos courtesy of Lesley Kirrene and the Sacramento SPCA.

Agnus-Dei Farrant is an intern for The Sacramento Press.

Call for Artist Juried Competition - Sculptor Al Farrow will Select Awards

2010-05-13T21:47:22Z

The KVIE Art Auction 2010 juried competition and fundraiser is calling for artists to enter their best work into this year's Art Auction. Participants will have the opportunity for recognition in this highly competitive, prestigious juried show and have the chance to win cash prizes, which includes $500 for the Best of Show and $150 for First Place awards in each art category: sculpture, contemporary classics, figurative and still life, young collectors, California’s Gold, photos and prints, functional art, and watercolor.

Donated pieces will receive region-wide exposure in a 3-day televised event seen by up to 60,000 motivated art buyers. The KVIE Art Auction 2010 will be heavily promoted through television, direct mail, web, and live events leading up to the telecast.

The awards juror is sculptor Al Farrow, who has been exhibiting with galleries and museums since 1970. His work is featured in both private and museum collections including The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Di Rosa Preserve, and the DeYoung, as well as other collections throughout the United States, Hong Kong, and Germany. He exhibits with Catharine Clark Gallery in San Francisco.

New to this year’s Art Auction are Curator D. Neath and Art Auction Operations Specialist Liv Moe. D. Neath is one of the founders of Sacramento’s Second Saturday Art Walk. She has worked with many of Sacramento’s top galleries and museums including the Michael Himovitz Gallery, the Thomas A. Oldham Gallery, and the Crocker Art Museum. Liv Moe is a local artist, writer, and curator, and is the associate editor of Midtown Monthly magazine. She is a working artist who has received numerous awards for her work, including a Best of Show at the California State Fair Fine Art Exhibition.

A preview event and juried entry awards ceremony will be held on September 20 followed by the live auction September 24, 25 and 26, 2010.

The KVIE Art Auction 2010 is proudly sponsored by Niello and Mansour’s Oriental Rug Gallery.

To register, view entry specifications, deadline details, and additional participant benefits, please visit the KVIE Art Auction 2010 website at kvie.org/artauction. The deadline to deliver entries to the KVIE Studios is June 25, 26, 27 from 11am to 6pm.

B&B Wine Country Getaway to Benefit KVIE

2010-05-13T00:09:44Z

On May 21 through 23, KVIE Public Television and a group of Amador Wine Country businesses will host a bed and breakfast-wine country getaway fundraiser to support KVIE Public Television. The all inclusive getaway was created to showcase some of the best locations in the Amador region to visit. The fundraiser includes a two night stay at the 1862 National Historic Landmark St. George Hotel, a tour of Black Chasm Cavern, lunch at Cooper Vineyards, wine tasting at Montevina Winery, an exclusive dinner prepared by chef Randall Selland of The Kitchen and Ella Dining Room and Bar, a raucous murder mystery dinner featuring the Volcano Theatre Company, and more. Your host will be KVIE’s Rob Stewart of Rob on the Road, who will be taping a special segment of his series during the excursion.

Proceeds from the event provide critical funding to help KVIE’s efforts to offer outreach and literacy services to the community and the creation of local programs that let everyone in our community explore our region, meet its people, journey through history, and share the stories that make Northern California a great place to live.

For more information and to view rooms in the St. George Hotel, visit kvie.org/getaway.

Prom at the Park tickets on sale now!

2010-05-12T20:53:18Z

The Young Professionals Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters is hosting the 2nd annual Prom at The Park, a red carpet fund raiser that is sure to be one of the biggest events of the summer for Sacramento’s 21 and up, young professional crowd.

This premiere Sacramento event is taking place on Friday, June 11, at the Park Ultra Lounge in downtown Sacramento. This event is for the 21 and over crowd and will feature red carpet photography and a VIP lounge experience. In the true sense of Prom, attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their best.

Not only will this be an event to remember, but it is a party with a cause. The funds from presale tickets benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento. Tickets are $15 per person and are being sold online now at www.promatthepark.com.

Click HERE to check out all the great pictures from last year's Prom at the Park.

About Young Professionals Committee

The Young Professionals Committee (YPC) is a group of dynamic and diverse young men and women in the surrounding region who volunteer their time and talents to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento. For more information about the Young Professionals Committee visit www.ypcsacramento.org.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. We have been the leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children, ages 7 through 15, in Sacramento, San Joaquin, Yolo, South Placer, Yuba and Sutter Counties. For more information, please visit www.bbbs-sac.org.

Who's Alexis Raymond's "rock"? Race for the Rock 2010

2010-05-03T22:30:29Z

The second Race for the Rock, benefitting Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, will take place on June 5. Participants will pedal, scoot and wheel their way through downtown Sacramento guided by text message-based clues in search of over $35,000 in prizes, provided by Rogers Jewelery Co. Each week leading up to the event, we will interview someone who is involved in the race to find out who their "rock" is.

Interview with Alexis Raymond, SFBFS volunteer

A little about Alexis: I moved to Sacramento from Boston in 2002. I like to have fun and help others. I work full time for United Animal Nations, a national nonprofit animal protection organization, and I am on the volunteer board of directors of the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition, a local nonprofit that provides low-cost spay/neuter services to pet owners in need. In my free time I like to bike, hike, travel, read, write, cook, eat, and go for walks with my significant other, Richard, and our dogs, Nikki and Dewey.

Who is your "rock" and why? My “rock” is a husband and father of four. He’s just not my husband. Ted Ten Eyck and I met when we were both awkward (physically and emotionally) pre-teens in junior high school. He has remained my closest friend for 27 years. With a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen, he has ushered me through life’s minutia (unrequited crushes, first-job jitters, fender benders) and major upheavals (marriage, divorce, my father’s death, my own open heart surgery). Ted and I live 3,000 miles apart now and I’m lucky if I see him once a year. It hardly matters, though. Despite the distance that separates us and the differences in our lives, whenever we see each other we act like the same awkward kids we were 27 years ago -– laughing at each other’s dumb jokes, lending a sympathetic ear and accepting one another for who we are. (Attached photo is me and Ted on the top of Mount San Jacinto near Palm Springs, taken during a recent trip to celebrate his 40th birthday)

Have you ever been anyone else's "rock"? I like to think I have been a rock for Ted. I’ve popped up in his life where you might least expect a woman to be -– as his “best person” at his wedding, planning his bachelor party, and taking him on a trip for his 40th birthday, for example. We never actually took a vow or signed a contract, but we know it’s true -– if we need each other, in good times or bad, we’ll be there as fast as a commercial airline can carry us.

What are your thoughts about last year's Race for the Rock? It was a lot of fun, but I learned that I’m not the Sacramento know-it-all I thought I was!

What is your role with this year's Race for the Rock and/or Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS)? I am competing in this year’s Race for the Rock again and striving for a better showing. I have also volunteered for other SFBFS events, including a Mother’s Day donation drive for the Mother-Baby Program.

How long have you been supporting SFBFS? Since 2007.

If you are participating in this year's race, what are you looking forward to the most? Seeing hundreds of people in blue shirts peddling their bicycles frantically around Sacramento in support of a good cause. And winning The Rock, of course.

What is one thing about SFBFS the public might not realize but should know? It does WAY more than distribute emergency food supplies. Way more. The amazing staff members and volunteers offer parenting classes, job search assistance, computer classes, clothing for families in need, supplies for families with newborns, after-school programs and even an art program for women -– all at no cost.

For more information and to register as a participant, please visit www.racefortherock.com.

Celebrity Chef Challenge 2010

2010-05-01T17:00:35Z

“Whose cuisine reigned supreme?”

All of the contenders in the 8th annual Celebrity Chef Challenge brought their ‘A’ game and amazed the judges and crowd with their culinary talent.

Judges , 2009 challenge winner, Adam Pehal, Regional Vice President Wells Fargo Foundation, Chevo Ramierez, Sacdine.com food and wine blogger, Charlotte King, and News 10’s Bryan May, sat with satisfaction on their faces as they were served succulent dish after dish.

“The judges reactions are like little kids at Christmas,” said Sacramento and Company’s Melissa Crowley, emcee for the night. “Oh my gosh, it’s amazing. I love watching the chefs brainstorm.”

Hundreds of people came out to the California Auto Museum to eat, drink and raise money for InAlliance, a nonprofit foundation providing employment placement and life and work skills training to people with disabilities.

“The turnout was fantastic, much bigger than last year, it has a better set up and seems to be a lot more fun,” said co-emcee Sacramento and Company’s Guy Farris.

As the chefs competed the crowd was treated to 100 food and wine vendors from around California.

“It’s been fun to watch the live cooking and eat all the chocolate and the cars are cool too,” said first time attendee Jessica Jelich.

A favorite among attendees, Mount Aukum Winery, drew crowds by the dozens.

“I’ve loved talking to all of the people. This has been good exposure for our winery,” said first time vendor, assistant wine maker for Mount Aukum Winery, William Dishman.

The chefs weren’t the only ones receiving awards. The crowd favorites among the vendors received awards as well. In third place Seamas Sweets and Sours took $2,500, Degans Fine Catering took second place and $5,000 and Markstein Beverage Company took the first place prize of $10,000.

After a tense wait the winner of the challenge was Russel Michel of Central Valley Bistro at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento.

Chef Q of Chef Q for hire gracefully took third place and chef instructor for American River College’s culinary arts program, Teresa Urkofsky took second place.

“We came so that we can let the community know that we are here for them,” said Michel. “ InAlliance is a great organization and I want to help those who want to help themselves. Life is too short you have to live for the moment.”

Midtown-Downtown Treasure Hunt to Benefit Local Volunteer Organization

2010-04-28T00:02:05Z

Teams of family and friends will race through parks, around landmarks and even inside local businesses deciphering clues to secret locations in Hunt the Grid, an urban adventure presented June 12 by Mastermind Treasure Hunts and Downtown Grid. Partial proceeds from this fun and challenging event will benefit Hands on Sacramento, the Valley’s full-service volunteer action center.

With the success of films like National Treasure, and reality shows like The Amazing Race, treasure hunting—solving puzzles to find “secret” locations—is more popular than ever. Hunt the Grid, an information-based urban treasure hunt, challenges players to discover answers that can only be found at specific Sacramento locations.

“Players need to think creatively, work together and move quickly in order to win,” says hunt designer and co-owner of Mastermind Treasure Hunts Nikolai Lokteff.

The top three teams will win prizes, but anyone who’s participated in a Mastermind hunt knows that the real reward is in the adventure.

“We love this event,” Rebecca Sykes of Downtown Grid says. “People explore the streets of Midtown and Downtown in a whole new way, discovering things they may have walked past a thousand times without noticing.”

Hunt the Grid is set to take place during June’s Second Saturday Art Walk, a Midtown favorite.

“We planned the hunt to work with the art walk,” says Lokteff, a Sacramento native now living in the Bay Area. “The excitement of hunting down clues and keeping an eye out for your competition is even more fun when you’re dodging strolling musicians and street vendors.”

Hunt the Grid producers will donate a portion of the event’s proceeds to Hands On Sacramento, an organization that has matched more than 16,500 volunteers with opportunities to help others.

“Hands on Sacramento’s mission to create social change through volunteerism and education felt like a great fit for what we do,” Lokteff says. “When we create a treasure hunt, we aren’t just looking at it as a game, but also as a means to educate people about a community.”

Hunt the Grid is open to the public, including children 11 and older who are accompanied by an adult. The hunt will take two to four hours to complete, and teams must stay together and on foot. A team can be as small as two or as large as eight players. Single players are welcome – there’s always room for new players in this adventure.

Tickets will be available online at www.mastermindhunts.com beginning May 1. Tickets are $20 per player if purchased online before June 6, and $25 after that date and at the start of the hunt. Space is limited.

Searching for the right fitness activity? Come play with us!

2010-04-27T20:19:08Z

Come play with us on May 22nd from 1pm to 5pm. The 2010 Fit Crawl will introduce working adults to a variety of fitness facilities in Midtown Sacramento. "Crawlers" will rotate on bikes between participating businesses to try a variety of fitness activities, receive special offers and healthy swag, and meet new friends. Unwind afterward with light food and beverages at L Wine Lounge.

Tickets can be purchased in advance only at: Asha Yoga (1050 20th Street), Ultimate Fitness (1705 I Street), and Bodytribe Fitness (920 21st Street) or by calling 916-288-5173. Cost is $25 if you provide your own bike and helmet and $35 if you’d like us to provide the gear.

Thank you to our event partners! Asha Yoga , Bikes and Bites , Bodytribe Fitness , Fleet Feet Sports , L Wine Lounge ,
Sacramento Pipeworks, and Ultimate Fitness

Fit Crawl 2010 is sponsored by Smart Spot Division of PepsiCo and all proceeds benefit the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness.

For more information call: 916-288-5173 or click here.

BRAZILIAN NIGHT FUNDRAISER!!

2010-04-20T21:00:54Z

The Brazilian Center will have a Brazilian Night on April 24th at 8:30 pm, with live music, brazilian food and our tradicional Capoeira. This fundraiser is to help the Brazilian Center to create more programs for the community at large.

Come to experience a wonderfull brazilian night and meet other brazilians in the community, be expose to our culture and help us help others, by participating in our events what is tax deductable, you will be part of a positive difference that we are trying to make in the life of others.

We are asking for a donation of $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the door. To become part of the Brazilian Center family or to volunteer you can find us at www.braziliancentersac.org or come to our space at 3313 Julliard Dr. Studio #C Sacramento, Ca 95826 Phone (916) 387-7344.

"Hunt the Grid" Bicycle Scavenger Hunt Returning to Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen

2010-04-20T20:11:01Z

Second Year for Midtown Non-Profit's Fun-Seeking Fundraiser

As part of Sacramento's May is Bike Month celebrations, the non-profit Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen will host its second annual "Hunt the Grid" bicycle scavenger hunt through midtown and downtown Sacramento on Saturday, May 8, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, hosted at the Bicycle Kitchen's shop at 1915 I Street, next to the railroad tracks.

"Hunt the Grid II" is a repeat of last year's wildly popular scavenger hunt that sent teams of four riders racing across the central city in a friendly competition of pedals and wits to seek out trinkets, images, and Sacramento landmarks both popular and obscure. Over one hundred participants signed up for the nonprofit bicycle maintenance co-operative's first fundraising event, and registration will be expanded this year.

In addition to special prizes from partnering businesses, this year's prizes will include branded clothing from the Bicycle Kitchen and lifetime memberships to the shop in addition to special prizes from partnering local Sacramento businesses like OneSpeed Pizza, Big Brother Comics, Old Soul Company, City Bicycle Works, Butch and Nellie's Coffee Company, and Sugar Plum Vegan Cafe.

After the scavenger hunt, the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen will open its doors for its monthly Second Saturday party, featuring bicycle-powered live music from Clan Dyken and Smoot Valley High, beer from local breweries, and art by the Kitchen's own Gina Disney.

Registration will begin at 1:00 PM on the day of the event. Due to a limited number of allowed participants, teams may preregister by e-mailing hunt@sacbikekitchen.org. A $10 registration fee per person will be due at registration time. Teams are limited to a maximum of four members. Participants must be over 18.

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The Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen is a volunteer-run, donation-supported community bicycle shop focused on offering low-cost bicycle maintenance and training to the Sacramento area since 2006. It provides a space, tools, and staff to those interested in performing their own bicycle repair, as well as selling donated used parts and bicycles, recirculating good bicycles and components back into the community.

DeVere's is Balding

2010-03-17T02:22:07Z

De Vere's Irish Pub held its inaugural St. Baldrick's event Monday, raising more than $81,000 for cancer research, $10,000 of which came from De Vere's.

The pub's roped-off sidewalk was packed with spectators trying to get a glimpse of local participants shaving their locks to conquer kids' cancer. De Vere's had 221 shavees lined up for their turn to get snipped.

Publicly displayed on the patio, shavees winced when they felt the cold steel clippers reach deep down to the scalp. The participants' reactions caused perpetual laughter, since there was a four-barber-rotation, and each head took only a minute to shave.

The crowd stirred when Shawn Eldredge, a City Council candidate for District 3, stepped up and removed his two-foot-long surfer-style hair. After the shocking transformation, many audience members turned to each other and commented, "I think he looks pretty good."

Other well-known Sacramentans included Chief Executive Steve Hammond of the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau, restaurant owner Patrick Mulvaney and The Sacramento Press' own Sonny Mayugba. The shavees all seemed to have a sense of humor, and possibly a couple pints, to manage the onlooking crowd and media.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation has 621 events scheduled this year. Robyn Raphael, CEO and founder of the Keaton Raphael Memorial, was responsible for the events downtown and in the Roseville Galleria Mall, which produced almost 400 Shavees in only four hours and raised $96,000.

In memory of her son, Robyn Raphael created the Keaton Raphael Memorial and has so far raised more than $1 million to finding a cure for cancer. Raphael first met the three founders of the St. Balrdrick's Foundation in Washington, D.C., where they were being honored for their accomplishments. After the event, she spoke with the St. Baldrick's founders and discovered that the foundation was born out of a bet during a round of golf. In 2000, three Irish insurance executives wagered they could raise $17,000 for charity by the 17th of March, or else they would shave their heads.

More than $100,000 was raised, but the three shaved their heads anyways and started the St. Baldrick's Foundation that has thus far raised more than $74 million. Raphael was challenged to raise $30,000 or shave her head. A contract was even created on a nearby cocktail napkin, which Raphael signed and still has today.

2010 marked Raphael's first year hosting the St. Baldrick's Event in Sacramento and the eighth year in Roseville. In 2003, she shaved her head, and for two years straight had to explain why her hair was so short -- ; what Raphael called a "kind of awareness you can't buy."

For more information on upcoming events and foundations, check out Keaton Raphael Memorial at www.childcancer.org and The St. Baldrick's Foundation at www.stbaldricks.org

Photos by Tia Gemmell

Riverview Media Photography

phototia.com

Local Non-Profit to Host World Water Day Fundraiser

2010-02-10T21:35:22Z

The local Sacramento Water for People Committee is hosting a fundraising event on Thursday, March 11th at 6pm at the Urban Hive (http://theurbanhive.squarespace.com/) located at 1931 H Street in the heart of midtown Sacramento. The purpose of the event is to raise money to help bring clean drinking water and sanitation services to thousands of people in the developing world. At the same time, the event is in celebration of World Water Day 2010 – the theme of which is: Communicating Water Quality Challenges and Opportunities. The theme of World Water Day hits close to home, given our State's current water supply and quality challenges. Whether in California or the developing world, managing water resources continue to present challeges at many levels.

Our Keynote Speaker will be the CEO of Water For People, Ned Breslin, who is coming from Denver to share inspirational stories of his experiences with several NGOs in the water and sanitation sector since the 1980s. Through generous sponsors, the event will include free appetizers and non-alcoholic refreshments, live music, and short films on water issues in developing countries. Beer and wine will be sold at the event. Event tickets are $10 per person.

We are also requesting donations for a raffle to be held at the fundraiser. Raffle items may include: gift cards or certificates, artwork, movie tickets, sporting event tickets, bottles of wine, gift baskets and other great items. Any donors will receive recognition as a sponsor for the event for your generous contribution via event flyers, newsletter blurbs, our committee website, and posters and announcements at the event. Your contributions may also be tax-deductable and tax information will be provided to any donors.

Water For People helps people in developing countries improve their quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities and health and hygiene education programs. Our vision is a world where all people have access to safe drinking water and sanitation; a world where no one suffers or dies from a water- or sanitation-related disease. The Sacramento Committee holds events throughout the year to support these initiatives. For more information about the event or raffle, please send an inquiry to erica.bishop@mwhglobal.com.