Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "heart"

Daisies, Tomatoes and Parsnips, Oh My!

2011-10-14T17:58:11Z

Daisies, Tomatoes and Parsnips, Oh My!

The relationship between what you grow and the air you breathe

Researchers at the University of Virginia found that air pollution is destroying flower fragrance, making it harder for bees to find flowers when foraging. This proves that the relationship between the air we breathe and what we grow can be a crucial factor on whether your garden will have the best petunias on the block or whether they fall flat. The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and the air districts of the region want to provide tips on how you can make the most out of your garden. This can be done while reducing pollutants in the air you breathe and bringing to your attention avoidable health risks when outside tending to your plants.

Getting The Most Out of Your Garden
You can help Spare The Air by practicing simple tips while gardening or taking care of your lawn. In order to breathe easier, consider the following:

• Try using air friendly pesticides or biopesticides as an alternative. Certain types of vegetables and plants, such as spinach and certain varieties of bell peppers, require heavy pesticide use to cultivate crops. When you use pesticides, the residue gives off small particles that are dispersed into the air. These particles get into our lungs and create many health risks. Instead use biopesticides derived from natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. For example, canola oil and baking soda have pesticidal applications.
• Dispose of your pesticides safely. Leftover pesticides can leak or give off fumes that, if not disposed of correctly, can contribute to the region’s poor air quality. If you have leftover pesticides, see if your neighbor can use them. If not, contact your local solid waste management authority for information on hazardous household cleanup days. Do not pour the remaining pesticides down the toilet, sink or street drains as this may affect the waste water treatment system. If the container is empty, follow the directions on the label or throw it directly into your trash.
• Plant native plants. The great thing about native plants is they grow naturally in our region, making them easy to find locally and cutting down on travel to find non-native species. They are low-maintenance and help reduce the impact on the environment. Plus, they look great!
• Use electric gardening equipment. It is a fact that gas mowers represent five percent of U.S. Air Pollution (EPA). By using electric mowers, weed whackers and other air friendly garden equipment you can help Spare The Air.
• Recycle old lawn equipment. By recycling you are reducing your carbon footprint and getting rid of air polluting gas mowers and weed whackers.
• Composting. In a special bin or a well maintained pile, collect cardboard rolls, clean paper, coffee grounds, leaves, non-treated grass clippings, cotton rags, tea bags and other compostable items. This can later be used as soil to cultivate plants and vegetables. By adopting a holistic approach when it comes to lawn care you can lessen your impact on the environment.

Your Gardening Lifestyle
Adopting a “green” lifestyle is a step in the right direction to keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy. This lifestyle choice may not only include how you garden but also where you buy your products.

Consumers and farmers that locally grow their fruits and vegetables contribute greatly to reducing the air pollution. When fruits and vegetables are grown locally there is no need for trucks to transport these items to far destinations, which cuts down on air pollution. Also, when you know that your produce is coming from your own backyard or even a local farm you can ensure that the product is fresh.

Can You Dig It?
Vegetables, fruits and plants are usually seasonal and every season usually has a time of day when it is best for you to be outside planting them, such as the morning or early evening. Not only are these the best times for your plants, but they’re also when air quality is best, making it healthier for you. Gardening is fun and relaxing but it can bring about some avoidable health risks. Sign up for Air Alert at www.SpareTheAir.com to receive an email containing the daily air quality forecast each day before noon; this will help ensure you always plan your gardening hours with your health in mind. Take these facts into consideration before you decide to garden:

Health risks associated with being outside during a high air pollution day include:
• Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness
• Added stress to heart and lungs, which must work harder to supply the body with oxygen
• Damaged cells in the respiratory system
• Wheezing, coughing and watery eyes

Using an electric mower and disposing of your pesticides safely are just a few things you may have picked up in this article. Most importantly, be aware of the health risks you face if you’re outside when air pollution is elevated and the steps you can take to avoid them.

Over the years your hard work has paid off to keep Spare The Air days to a minimum, so keep up the good work! To stay up to date on the Spare The Air campaign and fun activities, follow us on Twitter @AQMD or become Scooter’s Facebook friend at SpareTheAir Scooter. For more information on how to receive free educational materials or to sign up for Air Alert, please visit www.SpareTheAir.com.

Disclosure: On behalf of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

Sacramento Area Concerts and Local Music Events This Week

2011-09-09T18:12:09Z

Here are some of the many music events happening in the Sacramento area this week. For more detailed information on these events and many more go to www.eMusiConnect.com.

Sacramento Area Concerts & Music Events

Defending The Caveman at Cosmopolitan Cabaret on 1000 K Street in Sacramento. Continues WED-SUN through 9/11. Show times are at 8PM or 7:30PM with some 2PM matinees. Tickets are $33.00 - $48.00.
Beginning September 30th: Bingo The Winning Musical.

Saturday, September 10th: Curtisfest at Curtis Park on 3349 West Curtis Drive in Sacramento will feature Istagon - Garage Jazz Architechts - Mike Justis Band. Begins at 11:00AM/Free.

Saturday, September 10th: Tim Reynolds from Dave Matthews Band at Harlows Concert begins at 7PM. Tickets are $20.00.

Sunday, September 11th: Sixth Annual White Noise witha variety of local musicians at Torch Club on 904 15th Street in Sacramento. Begins at 2PM

Sunday, September 11th: Hall & Oates at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Concert at 8PM. Tickets are $21.00 - $59.00.

Sunday, September 11th: Def Leppard & Heart at Sleep Train Amphitheatre. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $32.00 - $85.00.

Sunday, September 11th: Colin Hay at Harlows. Show at 7PM. Tickets are $25.00.

Sunday, September 11th: Queensryche at Ace of Spades. Show at 6:30PM. Tickets are $30.00.

Tuesday, September 13th: Kesha with LMFAO at UC Davis Pavilion. Concert at 7:30PM. Tickets are $39.50.

Thursday, September 15th: Snoop Dogg at Ace of Spades. Show at 7PM.

Thursday, September 15th: Bucho! at Harlows. Show at 9PM. Tickets are $15.

The Local Music Scene

Friday, September 9th

Tainted Love at Harlows 10PM/$17

Trench - Force of Habit - serpent at Ace of Spades 7PM

Solsa at Torch Club 9PM/$12

Get Shot - Riot Radio at Blue Lamp 9PM

Casey Lipka - Cavewoman Commons Quartet at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

3 Dance Floors of DJ Top Hits - Hip-Hop - Latin at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 After

CrookOne TGIF at Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

Abrupt - Massacre Time - Rat Damage at Distillery 10PM/$5

Jean Rogar - Clan Dyken - Manodlyne Avenue at Marilyns 9PM/$5

80's & 90's DJ Mix at Mix Downtown 9PM

Flirt Fridays with David Carvalho at District 30 9PM

Dry Creek Rounders - Kevin Seconds at Lunas 9PM/$6

Forever Goldrush - Grubfodg & The Anazing Sweethearts at Old Ironsides 9PM

Hoods - Take Pride - The Kids We Used To Be at The Boardwalk 7PM

Zoo Huamn Project - The Old Screen Door at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$5

Album Premiere Pary for DEV at 6PM DJ Billy Lane at Park Ultra Lounge 10PM/$15

Roger Carpio & X-GVNR - Jon Dro -l at Townhouse 9PM/$5

Get Down To The Champion Sound with DJ Esef at Capitol Garage 10PM/$5

Kattywompus at Shenanigans 9PM/$5

James McCullen Project at Power House Pub 10PM/$15

Nothin Personal at Swabbies on The River at 6PM/$5

Saturday, September 10th

Richard March - Bob Woods Band - Dirt Nap Band at Marilyns 9:30PM/$8

Fascination 80's New Wave Dance Party at Old Ironsides 9PM

Hullaballo Rock N Roll Shindig at Fox & Goose 9PM/$5

Wonderland at Mix Downtown 9PM

Country Music & Line Dancing 8PM with DJ's on Three Floors at Faces $5 before 10PM/$10 after

DJ Peeti-V at Park Ultra Lounge 9PM

Agnostic Front - Mongoloids at Distillery 10PM

Big Mo at The Torch Club 9PM/$10

Exhale - Prairie Wood - Iris Shanks at Naked Lounge Downtown 8:30PM/$8

DJ Whores at The Golden Bear 10PM/No Cover

DJ Don Lynch at District 30 9PM

Wesley Avery - Delirious at The Boardwalk 8PM/$10

Steelin Dan at Swabbies on the River 4PM/$5

Whiskey Dawn at Power House Pub 10PM

DJ Larry Rodriquez at Press Club 9PM/$5

Mondo Deco -Golden Ghost at Blue Lamp 9PM

X-GVNR & Brian Hawk at Townhouse Lounge 9PM/$5

Sunday, September 11th

Dragalicious Show & DJ Hits at Faces 9PM/$5

Noisefest beginning at 11AM at Torch Club/$5

Delta Wires at Power House Pub 3PM

Industry Night at Golden Bear 9PM

Spazmatics - Dawn Silva - Cynthia Robinson - Jerry Matini at Swabbies on the River 3PM/$10

Symbolic Jews - Odd Monkier at Blue Lamp 9:30PM

Disclosure: I have been covering the local music scene in the Sacramento area for over ten years, and just want people to know what's happening where they live. There is a lot to choose from and a wide variety of local talented musicians.So Get Out & Enjoy!!

Sutter Launches First Hybrid Suite, Heart Hospitalist Program

2010-10-12T23:54:26Z

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento became the first hospital in the greater region to open a Hybrid Surgical Suite – a cardiovascular catheterization lab with immediate surgical capabilities designed to enable cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons to work side by side – and the first to have a cardiology hospitalist program, providing in-hospital coverage by fully trained, board-certified cardiologists 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The goal of the new cardiology hospitalist program is to improve the quality of care in the cardiology division at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, assist with lowering the overall length of stay for patients and, overall, to maintain the cardiac program at Sutter Memorial Hospital as a center of excellence for cardiovascular care.

“In heart cases, timeliness is of utmost importance,” said David Roberts, M.D., medical director of the Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute and an interventional cardiologist. “This ensures that anyone at Sutter Memorial Hospital – whether in the emergency room or in their room, heart patient or not – will have access to an experienced cardiologist at a moment’s notice.”

The Hybrid Surgical Suite, which is located at Sutter Memorial Hospital, combines endovascular, cardiac catheterization, heart surgery, laparoscopic and radiological capabilities, allowing maximum flexibility and speed in the treatment of patients with even the most complex cardiac and vascular conditions.

Surgeons and interventional cardiologists have already teamed up to perform abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs, which in the past required open-abdomen surgery. With the right equipment and a large enough room, these repairs are now being performed minimally invasively by going through the femoral artery.

“With this Hybrid Surgical Suite, our physicians will be able to provide even more collaborative clinical care for the current and evolving treatment modalities of endovascular aneurysm and transcatherter valve replacement in one setting,” said Michael Ingram, M.D., a Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento heart surgeon and a medical director with Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute.

Meanwhile, the Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute is raising funds to help install a Hybrid Surgical Suite as part of the ongoing “medical center of the future” expansion project at the midtown Sutter General Hospital campus that will bring cardiovascular services from Sutter Memorial Hospital. When it opens in late 2012, the expanded Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento will house all of its tertiary services in one campus.

The Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute’s surgical program is headquartered at the Sutter Memorial Hospital campus of Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. The Sutter Memorial campus includes four catheterization labs, including electrophysiology capabilities and the Hybrid Surgical Suite; a 16-bed surgical intensive care unit; a16-bed cardiac intensive care unit; and a 20-bed pediatric intensive care unit. SHVI includes the Transplant and Advanced Heart Therapy Services, which include the heart transplant and ventricular assist device programs, the only such services available outside of the Bay Area in Northern California. Through rapid diagnosis, complex surgeries, non-surgical interventions and one of the most extensive research programs in the region, Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute maintains its tradition of excellence in care for infants, children and adults. For more information on Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute, visit our website at www.suttermedicalcenter.org.

Disclosure: Gary Zavoral is the public relations specialist for Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region

Classic Rock Lives! . . . in bed by 11.

2010-06-01T02:48:42Z

Heart and Sammy Hagar. Between them they have sold nearly 100 million albums, not one of which was sold to me.

I knew Heart was from Seattle, and was famous for such hits as "Barracuda," and "that one song" and "you know that other song, the one, with the singer."

Hagar, "The Red Rocker," I knew from Van Halen, of course, but I have always been more of a Metallica guy. I can honestly say that I liked the Hagar incarnation of VH more than the David Lee Roth incarnation, but that isn't really saying much.

Sammy seems like he'd be a lot of fun to hang out with. Diamond Dave seems like he'd do all your drugs then leave with your girlfriend.

Heart and Sammy "co-headlined" a benefit show at Raley Field on Sunday night, and I decided to check out these two rock icons firsthand, and to see who's been buying all these albums.

I got to the show around 7 p.m. and surveyed the scene. And what a scene it was. I'd say the demographic was 85 percent 40 to 60 years old, all dressed as they would have been 25 years ago. Maybe the highlight was being on hand to witness a Sammy Hagar look-alike meeting a Brett Michaels look-alike. It was a powerful moment. Like the meeting of two heads of state. Except very, very different.

The rest were mostly the children of the 85 percent, and, to their credit, none of them seemed at all embarrassed by their parents outfits.

The vibe was overwhelmingly positive. The entire show I only saw one negative interaction: A woman cut in front of about 40 people in line for cocktails. When a man in front of me confronted her about it, she said that for 20 dollars a drink, he could cut in line too. He offered a guess at what she might have done to procure that 20 dollars. For her sake, I hope he was wrong.

Other than that, people could not have been friendlier or more upbeat. While the opening act played, I struck up a conversation with a woman and her college-age son. I asked Tammy and Wes if they had seen Hagar or Heart before. Turns out they had seen Sammy a half-dozen times, including twice in Cabo.

"You just happened to catch him in Cabo twice?" I asked.

"Nope," Tammy said. "We went to Cabo twice specifically to see him."

To say that The Red Rocker has devoted fans would be an understatement. I met another gentlemen named Jim who estimated he had seen Sammy 35 times, with and without Van Halen. He was there with his 12-year-old son. It was his first concert.

"This is a day he'll never forget," I offered, thinking back on my first concert. I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and Nirvana at the Cow Palace in 1992. I went with my mom and stepdad. Never were my parents cooler than they were that night.

Heart took the stage to raucous applause at 8:10 p.m. They received immediate bonus points from me when Ann Wilson came out playing a mean flute. Heavy metal flute is a powerful instrument when in capable hands. Ann proved more than up for the challenge. Ian Anderson would be proud.

The song was also noteworthy for being the only one in Heart's 70-minute set that I didn't immediately recognize, other than two songs from their upcoming album, "Red Velvet Car."

I could only name one song from the Seattle rockers going into the show, but it turns out I could sing along with just about every song they played.

They followed the flute song with "Heartless," (hey, I know this song!) "Never," (oh yeah, they play this) and "Straight on For You" (how did I forget this one?) before bringing the house down with Ann's sister Nancy on lead vocals for "These Dreams."

The beautiful love song was played in honor of Robert and Juanice. Or possibly Robert and Lanice. For Robert and his lovely date.

They followed that with the two songs from their new album. Otherwise known as "the bathroom/beer-run break." I hung around for both songs and thought they were quite good. The album drops Aug. 31.

Then they started playing their big hits. "Magic Man" into "Crazy on You" into "Barracuda" to finish off the set. Hit after hit, the crowd loving every second of it. They sounded great. The band was tight. Nancy displayed the chops that have made her one of hard rock's most formidable guitarists, and Ann belted out song after song, sounding just as she had in the band's mid-'80s heyday.

When they exited the stage, I mentioned to a fellow audience member that as co-headliner, Heart would probably come out for an encore.

"But they already played "Barracuda." What would they encore with? I think they're done."

Though he made a good point, I was soon proven right when Heart retook the stage to thunderous applause. And to answer his question, they opened with a Led Zeppelin cover, "What Is and What Never Should Be," which soon turned into "What About Love," finishing it off with another familiar hit.

The lights came on and the crowd prepared themselves for the Rooster's arrival (read: ordered drinks, two at a time).

At 9:45 p.m. the lights went down and the big screens on either side of the stage awoke. A video montage began playing, party scenes in both Mexico and the United States, with a variety of stars welcoming us to Cabo Wabo. ("This is Toby Keith... welcome to Cabo Wabo!" "This is Kenny Chesney... welcome to Cabo Wabo!" "This is Emeril Lagasse... welcome to Cabo Wabo! " Wait... what?)

The former Van Halen frontman took the stage, and the crowd went bananas. He opened with "There's Only One Way to Rock" and then brought his fans to a fever pitch with "I Can't Drive 55" and "Why Can't This Be Love?"

After the opening stanza he bantered with the crowd and with a host of waitresses who were on stage with him. "Waitress, I need a drink! I drove here, but I got someone else driving me home!" Throughout his set he had waitresses bringing him cocktails, many of which he shared with folks in the crowd.

He is a quintessential frontman, and I can now see how he has developed such an adoring fan base. His charm resonates to the back of the house, and that's no mean feat when you're playing a packed baseball stadium.

After a song I didn't recognize, he went into my favorite portion of his set. Meaning, he played songs that I both knew and liked. Following Heart's lead, he covered some Zeppelin, playing "Whole Lotta Love" into "Kashmir" back into "Whole Lotta Love." He then played probably his biggest Van Halen hit, "Right Now," which I remember as the music video that made me read. If I wanted to read, I wouldn't be watching music videos, now would I?

After politely requesting a refill ("Waitress, can I have another cocktail please? Make it a double!"), he continued with a bunch of songs that sounded vaguely familiar. "Best of Both Worlds," "Mas Tequila," "Heavy Metal" and a few others that I'm not sure of. He commanded the stage with a youthful exuberance that belies his age. The cat is 62 years old, parties, well, like a rock star, but he looks and acts on stage like he's in his 30s.

Someone should do a study on the age reversing properties of Cabo Wabo tequila. All I'm saying is that if one were going to go looking for the fountain of youth, they might want to start in Guadalajara.

He closed his set with Van Halen's ode to sexual frustration, "Finish What You Started," and thanked the crowd for a great night. There was an 11 o'clock curfew, and he followed it to the letter. It was the only time he acted his age all night.

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.

Heart, Hagar co-headlining Walk 'n' Rock For Kids

2010-05-20T00:33:59Z

Ann Wilson loved watching her son play "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock." Heart's lead singer is honored to have her song "Barracuda" featured in the video game, adding that it's a good way of passing music on to younger generations.

"I have a son who's 12, and when he was 10 it was hard for him," she said. "But he got into it. He got a chair, took his shirt off, got his guitar on and he got good. It was fun to see him play the songs on that game."

Heart and former Van Halen lead singer Sammy Hagar are headlining the second annual Walk 'n' Rock For Kids at Raley Field May 31. The walk and concert event benefits the local Hope Productions Foundation, which aims "to strengthen nonprofit organizations and benefit local children and youth programs," according to its website.

It kicks off at 8 a.m. with a 5k walk from the Capitol to Raley Field, culminating later that night with a 7:30 p.m. concert with the classic rockers. Proceeds from the entire event will be donated to seven local nonprofits benefiting youth (view list here).

Neither Heart nor Hagar are strangers to benefit concerts. Wilson said Hagar invited her band to play the show, and it's fun playing concerts with classic rockers who are still relevant.

"If we can put our music where our mouth is, that's what we're going to do: to draw attention to something," Wilson said. "We said, 'yeah' partly because we wanted to help Sammy out and partly because of the project; it should be supported by anyone and everyone who has the energy."

Ann Wilson and her sister Nancy, Heart's lead guitarist, are the only original members of the band, which formed in Canada in 1973. Though released on a once-new and obscure label, Mushroom Records, their 1976 debut "Dreamboat Annie" quickly went gold, then platinum.

"We never dreamed that would happen," said Ann, and the band has hardly slowed down.

They've sold more than 30 million albums and have six platinum and two gold-certified albums. Currently on tour in North America, Heart has been debuting material from their upcoming album "Red Velvet Car," set to be released Aug. 30.

"We chose the three (songs from the new album) that we thought would translate the best live, and surprise surprise, they're really going well," Wilson said. "Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't because fans (only) go to see us perform 'Barracuda' and 'Crazy on You.' In the past, they've chosen those 'new song moments' to go buy a beer."

Though formed in Canada, Wilson considers the band a west-coast band because it currently has members in Los Angeles, Seattle and San Diego. The Wilson sisters also have a close connection with the Seattle music scene, where they grew up listening to local blues rockers like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. These influences gave Heart a hard rock and metal influence in the '70s.

Heart reinvented itself in the '80s, going for the popular "arena sound," and Nancy Wilson married director and music journalist Cameron Crowe. Then in the '90s, as rock music trended away from a highly-produced digital sound to a roots revival, so did heart Heart - moving away from power ballads back to its original, harder sound.

The sisters created Seattle's Bad Animals Studio in the '90s with Steve Lawson of Steve Lawson Productions. During that era, grunge bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains recorded albums in Bad Animals' "Studio X." Ann Wilson contributed vocals to the Alice in Chains' EP "Sap."

The Wilson sisters were closely knit with the soon-to-be-famous '90s Seattle music scene depicted in Crowe's period film "Singles." But the grunge years weren't all fun and games.

"They were also very raw in the sense that we lost a few people," Wilson said. "Some of our friends didn't make it (because) people went really dark and some people died. It really brought the music community really close. We were always pulling someone back from the brink or going to someone's funeral."

Thankfully, their sisterly bond helped them through the life of a touring rock star.

"I would say we're friends first and sisters second," Wilson said. "We're just really close and we get when to back off and when to be supportive. It's just a lifelong friendship that I think will go beyond life."

For more information, visit walknrock.org. Tickets for Heart/Sammy Hagar are $40 to $250, available at Ticketmaster.com. Raley Field, 400 Ball Park Drive.

Photographs:
1. Heart, credit: Randee St Nicholas
2. Left (Ann Wilson) Right (Nancy Wilson), credit: Randee St Nicholas
3. Ann Wilson, credit: Randee St Nicholas
4. Sammy Hagar, credit: Sammy Hagar

Join Big Brothers Big Sisters for Walk 'N Rock

2010-04-01T22:28:05Z

I am pleased to announce that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento has been chosen as one of Hope Productions Foundation’s 2010 Nonprofit Alliance Partners for the 2nd annual WALK ‘N ROCK FOR KIDS, taking place Sunday, May 30, 2010 at Raley Field in West Sacramento. This fund raising walk and benefit concert event will unite the community for a day of fun as we celebrate and raise funds to support our local children.

The event kicks off with a community 5K walk in the morning that begins at Raley Field. As a nonprofit alliance partner we are recruiting teams and raising funds for our cause while also building awareness for the overall effort. This is where we need your help. Our goal is to have as many teams as possible walking on our behalf.

Later that same evening, Hope Productions and community corporate partners will host an exclusive VIP reception and benefit concert on our behalf, which is open to the general public. The proceeds from the concert will be divided among this year’s Hope Production Foundation nonprofit alliance partners. The concert will be performed by iconic female rock band Heart, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar. Tickets start at just $40 and are available through ticketmaster.com.

Please visit http://www.bbbs-sac.org/ to get more information and join the Friends of Big Brothers Big Sisters team or start your own!

Fighting cardiovascular disease through Start! Sacramento Heart Walk

2009-09-17T06:47:41Z

William Land Park will come alive Saturday with over 3,000 community members walking together to fight against heart disease in the Sacramento Heart Walk. Start! Heart Walk is locally sponsored by Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute, and aided nationally by the American Heart Association. The event is scheduled to begin from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Sacramento community is very much involved, said Kristine Mosqueda-Kelly with American Heart Association. Families and individuals are participating in this event to share their stories and hopefully raise community awareness about the fight against heart disease and stroke. The event is driven by volunteers and walkers to fund lifesaving research in the cardiovascular field.

"The American Heart Association has had a significant impact in the lives of countless families through its research efforts, community education outreach, advocacy and healthcare quality improvement efforts," said Mosqueda-Kelly. "AHA-funded research has contributed to many important discoveries such as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery, the heart-lung machine and surgical techniques to repair heart defects. These are medical breakthroughs that has saved countless lives and continue to save many lives everyday." Said Mosqueda-Kelly.

One survivor is Grace Brown, age 6 1/2, of Antelope. Brown was diagnosed at 2 1/2 years old with a congenital heart defect called coarctation of the aorta. At only 3 1/2 years old, she underwent lifesaving surgery for her enlarged heart.

"We were told without surgery at some point, she wouldn't survive past her 30s," said Angie Brown, Grace's mother.

Now two years after her surgery Grace has been weaned off her medication and the family is confident that her future will be bright.

"[At the Sacramento Heart Walk] we honor her for her courage and what she went through, " said Brown said. "My father passed away from a heart attack at the same time when she was diagnosed in 2006," Brown said. "I am very passionate about this cause."

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers in the United States, respectively. "Anybody at any age can have risk factors," said Dr. Maxine Barish Wreden, physician with Sutter Health. "Children or teenagers can have high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, diabetes."

Obesity, can be directly related to the food we eat or don't eat as children, said Wreden. This can be easily preventable by the lifestyle choices we make with proper diet and exercise. The chance for stroke, hypertension and heart is significantly reduced by the type of food we consume, she said.

Along with community awareness, there will also be free health screenings, educational information, and heart-healthy snacks and beverages. Family-oriented activities in the Kids Zone will be providing free activities, such as the milk mustache contest, sponsored by Foster Farms Dairy. There will also be a health fair and free massages. Live bands will provide musical entertainment, as well.

For more information, visit the Start! Sacramento Heart Walk website.

More information about cardiovascular disease can be found at the American Heart Association website.