On Aug. 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed to the world, "I have a dream...” His speech was given at the Lincoln Memorial after a quarter million people concluded the March on Washington, which became the largest demonstration for human rights of its time. Martin Luther King, a reverend, scholar and civil rights activist, practiced non-violence and civil disobedience to help change the existence of racial inequalities. During his life he was recognized by being the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, at age 35, but is predominantly known for his leadership in demonstrations and non-violent protests that challenge racial segregation and racial discriminatio

Ok. So tonight is the big night. If you still haven’t made your plans to say good bye to 2009, here’s a quick and dirty guide to the best low key local spots to check out. Part four: Low key and local Start out at Brew it Up, at 14th and H streets. Here you’ll find a reasonably priced prix-fixe menu at only $30 per person. Stick around after dinner for the Brewery Bash, which begins at 9 p.m. Pre-paid reservations score you a reserved table, party favors, canapé appetizers and sparkling wine at midnight. Call 441-3000 for more information. Or, check out de Vere’s Irish Pub for a hearty, home-style meal with a glass of bubbly for only $45 per person. Menu items marry contemporary Califor

Now that we’ve covered both family-friendly options and have supplied partygoers with a variety of exciting nightclub options this New Year’s Eve, we shift our focus to those who may prefer a more sophisticated, grown-up celebration. Several exciting dining options await you this New Year’s Eve. Part three of this four part series highlights Downtown’s finest haute cuisine, with specific information on each establishment’s New Year’s Eve options. Part Three: Wine and dine your way into the new year! For romance, nothing can beat The Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento. This well-respected eatery is extending its dining hours and opening its heated outdoor patio to accommodate the New

Thanks to those of you who have sent pictures of your pets. We'd love to have many more photos from your family gatherings or celebrations. Please continue to send your pet photos to journalism@sacramentopress.com Gertie is a 1-year-old pug. Her owner is Tyler Williams. Bradley Wiggins, a Westie sits in front of owners Ali Tabatabai's and Monica Gutierrez's tree. Suzanne Hurt holds Appa, a toy Australian Shepherd and Lhasa Apso terrier mix. Jonathan Mendick and Samedi Thach are the owners of 4-month-old, Appa. Beau, a miniature Schnauzer, dreams of sugarplums and fairies but Cal still lost yesterday's game despite wearing this t-shirt. Loren and Elaine Belcher own 13-year-o

The Midtown Holiday Ice Rink is the place to be!  School is out, Santa is near, the weather is great and the ice rink is HERE! Don't miss out on some festive Holiday fun for the whole family! The Midtown Holiday Ice Rink is open daily from 10am-10pm.  Don't miss a special Skate with Santa on December 23rd from 6-8pm! Photo courtesy of Tyler Waaler www.TylerWaaler.com

Disclaimer: the contributor of this and his wife run Movies on a Big Screen (MOBS), Sacramento’s weekly screening series of documentaries, general independent film, classics and cult titles. The following is blatant self-promotion of a MOBS event. According to Andy Williams' 1963 carol, "It's the most wonderful time of the year."  Well this year, Movies on a Big Screen has decided to restore some balance to the equation by offering two Crappy Christmas shows! On Sunday, December 20, Movies on a Big Screen will "present" the 1964 anti-classic, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, also known by the far more thrilling title, Santa Defeats the Aliens.  Briefly, this "fun-filled romp" involves

Downtown's Crest Theater will screen A Christmas Story, the retro comedy classic based on Jean Shepherd's novel, in the third annual Christmas Story at the Crest event Saturday, December 19.  Beginning at noon, guests will enjoy several tables of home-baked sweets and hot chocolate in the lobby of the gorgeous art deco theater, while awaiting their turn to meet a real-bearded Santa, available to take gift requests and photos with hopeful children and adults.  The film begins at 1 p.m.  Ten dollar tickets will benefit Jesuit High School. For the uniquely uninitiated, A Christmas Story is the campy cult classic about 1940's school kid, Ralphie Parker, who wants nothing more than for Santa t

Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi scored a career-high 20 points Wednesday, grabbed eight rebounds and notched two assists. Thursday, he noshed and schmoozed with about 200 people at a Hanukkah party at Memorial Auditorium put on by the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region. Casspi sat in the lobby for nearly an hour signing autographs, talking to fans and posing for photos. He also spoke of how he celebrates the Jewish holiday in Israel. "I usually (celebrate it with) a small group of family, we get everybody to come together, light the candles, sing songs and pray together," he said. "Usually we do that all week (and) on the last night, we go to my grandparents' house, invite a

You're invited to the 23rd Annual Christmas Party Extravaganza benefiting Diogenes Youth Services. One of Sacramento's hottest holiday events. Whether you want to meet new Sacramentans, celebrate the holidays in style, or help at-risk youth in the Sacramento area, this event is not to miss. The party includes: Catered Appetizers from Tuli, Zocalo, Hot Italian and Rail Bridge Cellars Live Music by Utz and the Shuttlecocks Valet Parking A Full no-host Bar Fashion Show presented by A&A Music Events Special Performance by Sacramento Kings Dancers When: Thursday, December 17, 2009 7:30pm - 11:30pm Where: Niello Audi Dealership (2350 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento) Tickets: $60 in advance,

Those passing by Grebitus & Sons Jewelers at the corner of 10th and L Street this month will see a piece of Sacramento history in the window; a trio of life-size animated figures (a man, a woman and a dog) in front of a Christmas tree. The figures are products of the Gaffney Display Company, the family firm who created the figures for the Breuner's furniture store chain's annual Christmas window display.   The idea started at November's Sacramento County Historical Society meeting, where Mark Gaffney gave a presentation on the history of Gaffney Display Company and their years providing animated figures for Breuner's. Mark's parents started Gaffney Display in 1936, and Mark has carried o

Saturday was opening night for Sacramento Theater Company's holiday hit, "Cinderella” Imagine British pantomime, a vaudeville act and musical comedy with a little Beach Blanket Babylon thrown in. The show is definitely interactive. Director Peggy Shannon started things off by having the audience do a warm-up by yelling back at the characters. And the characters don't just address the fourth wall, they blast through it. The plot is well known, but in this version a lot of topical humor and inside jokes are thrown in. The acting is excellent; many of the actors have appeared in previous STC productions of "Cinderella." This includes Michael RJ Campbell as Goneril and Brian Rodda as Regan, t

One of the best kept secrets of the South Sacramento area is a small, private school tucked away in the Lanai Shopping Center on Freeport Boulevard, neighboring the Sacramento Executive Airport, where it has existed in rented space for 21 years. Over the years, most of the shopping center tenants have moved away. Meanwhile, countless hours of parent, teacher and student work have gone into transforming a run-down property into a school with colorful classrooms and playgrounds. It has an understated entrance, but Camellia Waldorf School is an oasis for children. The kindergarten yard is home to Mr. Mountain, a big pile of dirt, and Ms. Sandy, a big pile of sand. There are climbing struct

An electric night parade will be held next weekend in Sacramento, reviving a 115-year-old spectacle copied by the Walt Disney Co. Plans are coming together to hold the city's first night parade since 1895. That parade lit up city streets during the Grand Electric Carnival, which heralded the arrival of electric power in Sacramento.  The Parade of Lights, planned for Saturday, Dec. 5, is expected to be short because organizing only began about a month ago. The parade, which will be held in Midtown, still has time to grow if more people get involved, said organizer Tassina Placencia, who owns Le Petit Paris, 1221 19th St., with her husband Ruben. With the continuing recession, Sacramento

There is no doubt that businesses in general have suffered through our ever-changing economy. Businesses on multiple levels have had to make sacrifices; downsizing, cutting salaries, furloughing, laying off, and certainly cutting expenses.Small business, especially in Sacramento, is no exception. One expense that seems to be a commonality, is the Company Holiday Party. Historically, no matter how large or small an office or business is, company's have celebrated the holidays and their accomplishments with their partners, employees, and sometimes, vendors and customers. It is a time when people put work aside, and come together over food, drinks, entertainment and memories that often survi

More than 95 regional artists and craftspeople will offer their unique gift items during the Crocker Art Museum’s Holiday Art & Craft Festival at the Scottish Rite Center, located across from the main entrance of California State University, Sacramento, at 6151 H Street. Visitors will support the Crocker and local artists while they shop for everyone on their holiday list with an array of gift items and price ranges. The artist’s creations for sale include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, gourmet food, a variety of unique holiday items and more. You can also capture the holiday season by having photos taken with a Victorian Santa Claus in the front lobby. Attendees will also enjoy free parki

A 1950s Lionel train advertisement shows a father, mother, little girl and boy peering into a window display featuring a model train going through a city, over a bridge and into the mountains. The father appears to be the most interested -- head cocked, hand on his chin, ready to help his child build the toy train set. An adjacent Lionel Train advertisement shows a father sitting on the ground assembling a train set, while his son sits in the background frowning. California State Railroad Museum's "Some Assembly Required" exhibit, which opened today, featured a somewhat similar scene. Many families were in the museum, but the historical toy exhibit seemed to strike the strongest chord wi

Today, 25 tons of pumpkins were there for the taking by Sacramento kids. The Antelope Pumpkin Farm, operated by Antelope Christian Center since 2002, aims to put smiles on kids faces. They provided free hayrides, carnival games, face painting, bounce houses, arts & crafts and, of course, a free pumpkin to every child.    In East Sac the Shepard Garden and Arts Center in McKinley Park celebrated its 50th anniversary by holding their fall festival and annual sale, together, this weekend.    There's hundreds of arts and crafts, interesting plants, holiday decorations, lights, tons of books, and lots more miscellaneous stuff. The sale continues through tomorrow. Where: Shepard

More than a century after the Grand Electric Carnival lit up the streets of downtown Sacramento, a new event called the Carnival of Lights will set downtown shimmering again for the 2009 holiday season. The light carnival being arranged by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) will mark the grand re-opening of St. Rose of Lima Park and the 700 block of Seventh Street. Both are currently undergoing renovations that are expected to be finished one week before Thanksgiving. The Carnival of Lights will make the intersection of Seventh and K streets glow starting on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The event is timed to coincide with the Christmas Tree lighting held at the entrance to Westf

As an (almost) native Californian, I realized long ago that the weather allows us the privilige to take certain things for granted, often to the chagrin of the rest of the country.  Most of us don't own a snow shovel.  We get fresh produce pretty much year-round.  And for the vast majority of us, the double-digit months don't necessarily signal the end of barbecue season.  I barbecue pretty much year round, and why not?   Even when the mercury dips to a chilly 38 degrees (you know, when the rest of the country is in the single digits----hee, hee, hee), what's nicer than warming yourself over an open fire  that also happens to be providing your supper?  And whatever you're in the mood for,

The Crocker Art Museum and the Creative Arts League of Sacramento are seeking local artists and craftspeople to showcase their work in the annual Holiday Art & Craft Festival taking place November 27-29, 2009. This event features a variety of crafts including jewelry, ceramics, painting, gourmet food, knit items and much more. The Holiday Art & Craft Festival will take place at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center at 6151 H Street, located across from the main entrance of California State University, Sacramento. The event regularly attracts 5,000 to 7,000 shoppers each year, and the venue features ample room for exhibitors and plenty of free parking. Vendor applications are available online