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"Shrek the Musical" Kicks Off the Broadway Sacramento 2011-2012 Season

2011-09-29T06:57:14Z

“Shrek the Musical” kicked off the Broadway Sacramento 2011-2012 season with a Technicolor extravaganza.

Based on the characters and story of the book “Shrek!” by William Steig, DreamWorks adapted the book into its blockbuster hit animated movie ”Shrek” in 2001. With a cast of major film actors voicing the characters the movie became the first of a major film and product franchise.

DreamWorks expanded that franchise into their first foray into live productions with the opening of “Shrek the Musical” on Broadway in December 2008. After a very successful run on Broadway “Shrek the Musical” went on a US national tour and a London West End production with continuing changes to the production. The show that opened in the Sacramento Community Theater on Tuesday night is a new non-Equity US national tour. Happily this change has not seemed to reduce the production values of the show.

David Lindsay-Abaire (“Rabbit Hole”, “Good People”) wrote the book and lyrics that tell what is now a well known story of the young ogre kicked out into the world at the age of seven, which seems to be the custom of ogres. A couple of decades pass and Shrek’s quiet life in a swamp is disturbed by a host of fairy tale characters booted out of Duloc by its clearly disturbed and vertically challenged ruler Lord Farquaad.

At the same time Shrek is being sent into the world, seven year old Princess Fiona is sent by her parents to a solitary life in a high castle tower, again as was customary.

The two lives intersect when Shrek is sent on a mission by Lord Farquaad to rescue the princess and bring her back to marry him so that he can be officially the king of Duloc. Naturally there are lots of complications including a dragon guarding the princess and the not always cooperative princess herself.

Jeanine Tesori (“Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Caroline or Change”) composed the music. The score is very much what one would expect for a Broadway musical with soaring interludes, while also being matched well with Lindsay-Albaire’s lyrics. While one may not leave the theatre humming one of the songs, the music and lyrics are a large part of what makes the evening so pleasant.

A nine piece orchestra conducted by Kevin Casey performed the score with gusto.

The star of “Shrek the Musical” is without a doubt the fantastic staging of the production by DreamWorks Theatricals formed by Dream Works Animation SKG, Inc. in 2007 to produce live productions along with NETworks Presentations LLC (“Mary Poppins, ”War Horse”) which has produced over 80 national and international touring productions. Their creative team created the visually stunning look and movement of the show that dazzled both the children and adults in the audience given the buzz leaving the theater.

A big part is due to Tim Hatley who did the original scenic, costume, and puppet designs. Hatley has used a whole spectrum of colors found in animation in his designs that along with Paul Miller’s lighting tie “Shrek” to its comic book roots.

All of this color is set in motion by the choreography of Josh Price recreated by Chris Bailey and the direction of Stephen Sposito. In the now prerequisite Broadway Musical tap number the twist here is that what begins as something like tap dancing rat slippers in a flash become human size tap dancing rats that accompany some fancy footwork by Princess Fiona.

All the actors are performing in major costuming along with heavy makeup designed by Naomi Donne. Some including Lord Farquaad are acting while being part of a puppet. The actors still need to bring out the inner life of the characters for the show to be successful. This cast succeeds at this.

Lukas Poost, performing under a lot of green makeup and prosthesis, succeeds in having the audience care about what happens to the ogre.

Liz Shivener with her beautiful voice and her dancing skill stood out during her musical solos as Princess Fiona.

The donkey, arguably the most popular character in the show, is played by André Jordan who received a lot of the laughs and applause for his performance. Jordan also did a nice job on the donkey’s songs that were surprisingly good songs.

Another character that had surprisingly good songs was Lord Farquaad, played by Merritt David Janes. Janes has a nice musical voice and did a great job on Farquaad’s songs. He also has great comic timing. Janes should win some sort of award for the athletic performance he does moving the puppet of the approximately four foot tall Lord Farquaad around in such a believable way with only his head visible.

There is also a large number of cast members that play the outcast fairytale characters who overall do a good job singing, dancing and speaking while in a whole gamut of costumes.

Not to be left out is the huge dragon which was moved by four puppeteers in black and voiced off stage. It was fascinating to watch the dragon came to life.

With “Shrek the Musical” California Musical Theatre has started off its new season with a show that not only entertains and appeals to children but also highly entertains the adults in the audience. The color, movement, and music built around a funny, sweet, affirming story makes ogres, fairy tale princesses, talking donkeys, dragons and all the rest become real and believable if only for a couple of hours.

“Shrek the Musical” Community Center Theater Through October 2, 2011
More info and tickets

Pour for Prevention benefit for CAP Center

2011-08-29T04:01:30Z

A child is reported abused or neglected every minute in America. The Child Abuse Prevention Center is working to change that.

The CAP Center serves more than 140,000 children annually and manages the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento, Inc., Safe Kids California, Lift the Children and Prevent Child Abuse California.

Pour for Prevention was a benefit held for the CAP Center that incorporated food, art and, of course, lots of wine, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward preventing child abuse. Over 16 vintners and eateries participated, and 15 artists displayed works in Jon Stevenson's historic three-story home/gallery/special events venue located on 1724 N St.

“Eighty percent of the photography I do is for donation, in order to benefit causes like the CAP’s” said Darrell O’ Sullivan, whose nature photographs of Lake Tahoe and Death Valley were on display.

Outside the home, individuals were given empty wine glasses and encouraged to stroll from table to table in order to fill it.

To complement the red wines, Capital Confections offered chocolate truffles. To accompany the whites, Mama Kim’s served chicken skewers and salmon banh mi.

“It’s been a great time,” said guest Melissa Pagluica, holding up her half-full glass of wine, “for a wonderful cause.”

4WDD: Complete Streets: West Capitol Avenue Improvements

2011-08-21T16:54:36Z

Please join us on Wednesday evening, August 24th beginning at 5:45pm for this month’s 4th Wednesday Design Dialogue (4WDD).

“Complete Streets” is the inspiring story of the planning, re-design and transfiguration of West Sacramento’s main street area: West Capitol Avenue. The project completely transformed a portion of old highway US 40 with a wide variety of improvements including new, widened sidewalks, re-structured roads, contiguous bicycle lanes, pocket plazas, landscape plantings and iconic bus shelters which celebrate the City’s unique identity.

The re-development of this area has served to foster community spirit by addressing the needs of West Sacramento’s residents and employees and re-vitalizing the area by encouraging new private sector investment as well as complement the city’s Civic Center; which includes Los Rios Community College campus, Yolo County public library, West Sacramento Community Center and transit center.

Come listen to a presentation by MIG, SACOG, the City of West Sacramento and Dokken Engineering as they discuss this amazing project and its process from funding, planning, engineering and re-design to development and completion. Q & A panel discussion to follow.

Presenter:
Mukul Malhotra, Principal, MIG, Inc.

Panel:
Greg Chew, Community Design Program Manager, SACOG
Rick Liptak, President, Dokken Engineering
Bill Panos, Department Head for Community Development, City of West Sacramento

Moderator: Brian Fischer, Brand Aid Media (BAM)

This event is FREE and open to anyone. Refreshments provided.

Please RSVP to info@aiacv.org or call the AIA Central Valley chapter office at 916-444-3658.

Click here for flyer.

What: 4th Wednesday Design Dialog (4WDD) – Complete Streets: West Capitol Avenue Improvements
When: Wednesday, August 24th, 5:45 – 7:30 pm
Where: AIACV Gallery, 1400 S Street, Suite 100, Sacramento

Disclosure: Dalton LaVoie is the co-chair of the 4th Wednesday Design Dialogue Series; a collaboration between the California Sierra Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the American Institute of Architects Central Valley Chapter.

East Sacramento’s Bertha Henschel Wading Pool Braces for a $22,000 Bill: Volunteers Needed to Help

2011-07-29T15:53:08Z

Laura Barrett and a dedicated band of volunteers kept the Bertha Henschel Wading Pool open this summer, but now they are faced with a mountain to climb.

“We raised money for the past two years to help support the pool and keep it open. Now the need is much more extreme. We are bracing for a possible contribution of $22,000 to keep the pool running next year,” says Barrett, coordinator of The Friends of Bertha Henschel Park.

All city resources are dwindling and more and more neighbors and community members are relied on to keep services running, especially in our parks. For Bertha Henschel the news is grim.

“At this point the City Parks and Recreation department is saying that there will be no funding for next summer," says Barrett.

The group is considering trying to find sponsors to fund the pool through advertising. This would mean banners and other forms of advertising at the pool site. Hopes are high that East Sacramento businesses will help out.

But such efforts don’t happen by themselves. “Our basic need is to have volunteers sign up to assist with fundraising efforts,” says Barrett.

The group also welcomes donations. “We have an account through the city's Gifts to Share program. This program allows neighbors to make tax-deductible donations, which would be directed to Bertha Henschel Wading Pool.

Send your tax-deductible donation to:

Gifts to Share, Inc.
915 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
(Tax ID # 94-29285546)

Please write “Bertha Henschel” in the memo line.

Or donate on-line www.giftstoshare.org by clicking on their “Donate Now” link and then designating Bertha Henschel Pool in the “Program Designation” tab.

To volunteer to help contact Friends of Bertha Henschel at BerthaHenschel@gmail.com

4th Annual Sacramento Homeless Connect this Saturday, May 21 at Sacramento City College

2011-05-16T21:19:36Z

The 4th Annual Sacramento Homeless Connect event will take place this Saturday, May 21 at Sacramento City College from 10:00 am-3:00 pm. It is hosted by Sacramento Steps Forward, with support from presenting sponsor The Salvation Army. Speakers at the event include Assemblymember Roger Dickinson, Mayor Kevin Johnson and Supervisor Phil Serna. Over 1,000 homeless guests are expected; additionally the event hosts 500 community volunteers and over 60 different service providers.

Project Homeless Connect is a national Best Practice model for bringing services directly to homeless folks. Started in San Francisco, it now occurs in over 150 communities across the country. Homeless Connect events are one-day, one-stop, 100% free resource fairs that bring a myriad of services all to one location, thus eliminating many of the barriers homeless folks face in accessing the services they need. Transportation is provided for guests that day (a major barrier for many homeless people), as well as pet care and childcare. Homeless folks get to meet with providers face-to-face, in a warm, hospitable environment. Additionally, the Salvation Army provides BBQ chicken meals for the guests, and bands Guitar Mac and BluSoul Band will be providing all-day entertainment.

500 community volunteers will be donating their time that day, helping with a number of different projects.

This year, over 60 different agencies and service providers will be in attendance, including:

Community housing and shelter providers, including: Sacramento Self-Help Housing; Volunteers of America; Transitional Living & Community Support; Lutheran Social Services, Resources for Independent Living; St. John’s Shelter and Sacramento Area Emergency Housing
Health Services including: the UC Davis Willow Clinic rapid HIV-testing by CARES, Hep-C, STI testing and harm reduction services by Harm Reduction Services and Oak Park Outreach Services; dental screenings by Dr. Charles Newens, and ocular exams by the Lion’s Club Vision Van and UC Davis eye doctors
Free California State IDs provided by the DMV, with help from Francis House
An Employment Triage Station, run by Women’s Empowerment, with an interview-ready clothing closet and help with resume-writing and interview skills
A new Wellness Area, including: free yoga all day, by the Yoga Seed Collective, 20-minute mini-chair massages by the Healing Arts Institute, foot washing & clean socks by Christ Church, Davis, an art therapy station (staffed by AmeriCorps NCCC members) and a Story Table (with professional portraits by Lynette Falls of Three One Photography)
A Mental Health services station, staffed by Guest House Homeless Clinic, Genesis, Social Security Administration, SMART (a brand-new pilot program that helps folks receive SSI), and Clean & Sober
Veterans Services, staffed by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the Sacramento Veterans Resource Center, the Sacramento Veterans Support Network, the Sacramento County Veterans
Sacramento County General Assistance and CalFresh (Food Stamps)
Bike repair provided by Cycles4Hope, who is also raffling off 10 adult bikes
Free haircuts by Federico’s Beauty Institute Salon
And amazing giveaways, including: The Sacramento Public Library is giving away 200 free books; the Bra Recyclers donated 1,300 bras; Restoring Vision provided us with 300 pairs of reading glasses; a Sac State student is giving away 150 pairs of shoes; 2 clothing closets and exit gift bags for each guest.
Other elements: free transportation all day provided by Regional Transit, Paratransit, Volunteers of America and Sacramento County. Free all day pet-care provided by WOOFF and free childcare provided by the Mustard Seed School!

The Salvation Army is our presenting sponsor, for the 2nd year in a row, and they’re providing at least $20,000 of in-kind support.

Additional sponsors: The City of Rancho Cordova, Wells Fargo Bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region, Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency, Loaves & Fishes, Sacramento Mutual Housing Association, Councilmember Steve Cohn, The Merchants National Bank, CARES, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento Housing Alliance and Councilmember Jay Schenirer.

Last year's Sacramento Homeless Connect had over 800 homeless adults and 170 homeless children in attendance.

For questions about the event, please contact Kate Towson, ktowson@communitycouncil.org

Kate Towson is an Americorps VISTA serving with Sacramento Steps Forward.

Table Talk Sacramento Live Chat today at noon

2011-03-30T14:47:27Z

Today at noon, The Sacramento Bee's Allen Pierleoni will host a live chat with Rick Mindermann of Corti Bros. and John Paul Khoury of Preferred Meats, Inc.

Visit sacbee.com/live from noon - 1 p.m. to ask questions relating to "What's new in the Sacramento food scene?"

The live chat is a preview of what will be discussed at Table Talk Sacramento, April 13. Read more about Table Talk Sacramento here.

Click here to go to the Bee's Live Chat page.

Checkup on city's development department

2011-03-03T02:10:39Z

Five months after a consultant released a scathing audit of the city’s Community Development Department, the department is making headway on correcting its practices, according to City Auditor Jorge Oseguera. However, it’s still unclear when or if the city can obtain $2.3 million in developer fees that the department did not collect.

Oseguera presented a report on the department’s overhaul to the City Council on Tuesday. The council accepted Oseguera’s report and did not take any formal action on it.

The October audit, conducted by Sjoberg Evashenk Consulting, Inc., faulted the department for not collecting more than $2.3 million in fees in recent years. The firm also accused city employees of violating state and city laws. The audit examined the department’s work from fiscal years 2007 through 2010.

Oseguera noted in his report that it’s still unknown if the city can collect the $2.3 million.

“According to the attorney’s office, the city is still evaluating whether the city may successfully recoup some or all of the previously noted $2.3 million in uncollected fees,” the report said.

Attempts to contact City Attorney Eileen Teichert on Wednesday afternoon for more information were unsuccessful.

Oseguera, who managed the consultant’s work on the audit, is also responsible for checking to see how the department applies the audit’s 40 recommended changes.

He gave the department positive reviews for its work to change its practices.

The recommendations cover an array of areas, including the department’s operations, policies, permitting practices and fee collection practices.

One of the recommendations, to verify that expired permits are voided, is fully in effect, according to Oseguera’s report. The department has “partly implemented” 35 percent of the changes, according to his report. CDD has begun work on 55 percent of the recommendations, while work on 10 percent of them has not yet begun, the report said.

“Overall, we are pleased to report that the Community Development Department has made substantial progress towards implementing the recommendations given the relatively short time that has transpired since the report’s release in October, 2010,” Oseguera told the City Council.

Oseguera said the department has made a “good start” on the work of applying the recommendations, but noted that he expects a “lengthy period” of time for the department to finish all the work.

The consolidation of Code Enforcement with the CDD, city budget cuts and the need for the CDD to form new policies and procedures are some factors that will lengthen the amount of time to finish the overhaul, according to Oseguera.

Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy praised Oseguera for providing an in-depth update on the department.

“I think this is going to help immensely,” she said.

Oseguera’s report briefly summarizes the department’s work on each of the 40 recommendations. One recommendation the department has “partly implemented” calls for it to create “an organizational culture that places importance on adhering to proper policies and processes while also meeting service level goals.”

The recommendation further says that the department’s leaders should show zero tolerance for violating permitting and fee rules. It calls for a new “tone at the top.”

One of the recommendations not yet applied says the department should examine how revenues were used in the past.

“Conduct a review of past Building Services’ revenues to analyze how the monies were utilized and determine whether the usage was appropriate, complied with regulations, and was in the best interest of CDD and Building Services’ operations,” according to the audit.

The city auditor’s office will assist the CDD on how to carry out that task, according to Oseguera’s report.

Read Oseguera’s report on the Community Development Department here.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

City outsources tree pruning work

2011-02-24T00:51:57Z

The Sacramento City Council voted Tuesday to hire an outside contractor for tree pruning and removal work despite opposition from a major city union, Stationary Engineers Local 39.

Council members voted 7-2 to pay up to $3.7 million to Roseville-based Jensen Tree Service, Inc., for a contract that could span five years. The contract has a one-year guarantee of work – after that, the city manager will decide each year over the following four years whether to continue the contract, according to Craig Lymus, the city’s acting procurement manager.

A representative for Local 39, which represents urban forestry workers, among many other groups of city employees, said the work that Jensen Tree Services will carry out is usually done by city employees.

“I find this to be an affront to the public employees and the residents of this city,” Linda Norman, business representative for Local 39, told the City Council. “These dollars will be lost to the city’s embattled economy.”

Each year, the city will pay the contractor $749,000, according to Transportation Director Jerry Way. The money will come from a lighting and landscaping fund, he said.

Way told council members that his department is trying to balance its tree pruning work between in-house workers and outside contractors to save money. The city’s Urban Forest Service is part of the Transportation Department.

“We’re growing our outsourcing a little bit, because, you know, we’ve been hemorrhaging general fund dollars,” Way said.

Councilwomen Sandy Sheedy and Bonnie Pannell voted against hiring the contractor. Pannell raised concerns about contracting with an outside firm when the unemployment rate is high. “My problem is: Unemployment is 12 percent,” she said.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

K Street's 700 block to get entertainment, housing

2011-01-06T05:44:56Z

A redevelopment project being considered by the city could help cement K Street Mall's future as an entertainment district.

The proposal that went before the city's Preservation Commission Wednesday night would build a live music club with a roof terrace in the historic Banking Hall building at 700 K St., anchoring a key block across from Westfield Downtown Plaza and St. Rose of Lima Park.

The plan by D & S Development, Inc., and CFY Development Inc. – led by David Miry and his son, Bay Miry, and Cyrus Youssefi and his son, Ali Youssefi – also proposes four restaurants with bars for the south side of the block, along with 153 new apartments and a nearly 29,000-square-foot, two-level parking garage. The project would add new housing stock and full-time residents to the troubled mall, which is nearly deserted nights and weekends.

"Our intention with this development is to celebrate the buildings that have for years held an exciting place in the history of downtown Sacramento," Ali Youssefi told the commission.

Youssefi's and Bay Miry's fathers taught them to respect old structures and their character. The two young developers and the project's architect, Bob Kuchman, have spent nearly every day of the last six months discovering the charms of the block's historic buildings, Miry said.

"We have so many historic buildings around Sacramento that really need love," he said.

Most of the housing would be contained in a five-story apartment building with a 91-space parking garage on the bottom. The building would occupy space created by demolishing the back half of some existing 160-foot-deep retail spaces.

That would mean the 19th-Century alley façades would be eliminated, although developers discussed reusing the bricks to possibly reconstruct some of the façade on the ground-level or in a rooftop garden courtyard. Other apartments would be built over ground-floor restaurant and retail space.

The plan calls for 63,780 square feet of retail including the restaurants and bars – nearly double what was originally proposed. Developers would create extra space by incorporating basements for retail use. There would be sidewalk kiosks, operated by vendors, on the block and housing would include rooftop gardens.

City staff said they support the way the project would restore historic brick and wood storefronts and incorporate most of the existing buildings facing K Street. They also like the way the area would be invigorated by the music club in an adaptive reuse of the corner landmark building that once held a Men's Wearhouse.

"They've shown sensitivity to the historic nature and pedestrian scale of the area," said Beth Tincher, a senior project manager with the city's Economic Development Department. "They have created a great vision for the 700 block."

The club would be big enough to hold 500 people. Its roof terrace would be 3,225 square feet. Developers plan to use some space from the neighboring Joe Sun building at 704 K St. for the club.

The developers would preserve the landmark Morelia building at 716 K St. for use as a bakery or coffee shop.

The historic Galleria building at 712 K St. could contain a salon and the former Tower Records at 726 K St. – also a potential historic landmark – would get a restored mural and be used for retail. The old Texas Mexican restaurant at 1114 Eighth St. will be demolished for the project, Bay Miry said.

On Wednesday night, city staff asked Preservation Commission members to review the proposal and discuss concerns that would need to be considered during project review in the next few months.

Several commissioners expressed concern over demolition of alley façades, the loss of hollow sidewalks and construction of a flat, industrial-looking alley wall on the apartment building.

Commissioner Fred Turner encouraged developers to do a survey of the historic resources and see what's regulated, including interiors, and to use information from a survey the city funded last year.

Developers will work with city staff to decide how much of the alley façade will be taken apart, how much will be reconstructed and where, Kuchman said.

The city requested proposals to develop the blighted 700 and 800 blocks of K Street in early 2010. The Sacramento City Council chose two teams – one led by D & S Development, Inc., and CFY Development, Inc., and the other by Sacramento developer David Taylor – to revitalize the blocks.

D&S Development, Inc., and CFY Development Inc. originally turned in a proposal to build a four-story building with 136 units of "affordable" alley-front housing over podium parking. They also wanted to create 37,480 square feet of retail space by reducing the size of 160-foot-deep retail spaces and devoting the 66-feet-deep leftover space to housing.

The current project application was submitted to the city Dec. 10. Developers are working through the entitlement process and creating a financing plan. The city and its Redevelopment Agency must prepare an environmental review of the plan and evaluate the project's feasibility. Funds must still be secured for the project, Tincher said.

The D&S team was requesting $16 million in RDA funds and would invest $1.5 million in cash equity and $18 million in conventional debt to develop the 700 block, Bay Miry said shortly before the team was chosen last July. At that time, he estimated their project could start six months after being chosen, once entitlements and permits were obtained.

City staff expect to bring the project before the commission and the City Council for final action in May and June.

Developers hope to start construction near the end of the year, Cyrus Youssefi said.

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

Masquerade Gala

2010-11-23T04:04:45Z

The Sacramento Artists Council brought together artists and guests to an enjoyable evening during its 1st Annual Masquerade Gala event. This elegant Masquerade is one of two major events held, by this council, during the year to raise funds and support art scholarships for local students.

This social event also helps raise grants for artists, musicians and filmmakers in the Sacramento area. The recipient of this year’s grant was Juliana Zachariou.

Several outfits worn by those who attended the event spent quite a bit of time creating their outfits for the Masquerade. Several outfits had integrated beautiful designs created by those who wore some stunning dresses.

Compliments were heard all around as guests socialized while admiring art. Walking down the hallways of the Sacramento Art Complex, where the event was held, many compliments were heard; “You look so darling. Turn around let me see the whole outfit. Beautiful! Did you make that? Your make-up is stunning. Oh my gosh, you look dazzling. Your hair looks marvelous.” were some of the many compliments uttered by guests to each other.

At times it seemed as if a movie was being filmed. It had a European feel to it. Many wore stunning outfits and all looked like they were ready for a Masquerade Ball. Classical music played in the background. The Sacramento School of Music String Trio played to the delight of the guests and provided a great setting for the event. Beautiful music played as guest mingled and enjoyed studio tours by resident artists.

The no-host cocktail reception for this event began at 4 p.m. Rail Bridge Cellars had a bar in the patio in the back of the complex. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a sitting area were available for guests to enjoy food and drink as well as a place to catch up on current events and the night’s festivities.

Guests were able to walk around both floors of the art complex and enjoy the art in many studios. Several artists were on hand to talk and answer questions about their art. Many of the auction items were donated by in-house artists. Many who donated proceeds from their art gave at least 20% of the winning bid price back to the Sacramento Artists Council and several donated 100%.

Dinner was provided and this gave guests a chance to chat amongst other guests at their tables. Several guests purchased a bottle (or two) of wine to enjoy during their dinner. The dinner was hosted by Classique Catering. After their delicious dinner guests enjoyed tantalizing deserts provided by Baby Cakes Bakery.

Mark Rabinovitz, Vice President, of the Sacramento Artists Council came to the microphone as guests were sitting to eat their dinner. He began by declaring; “The council is the brainchild of Susan Rabinovitz. She’s an artist in this building and she’s always been interested in art and always has had the sincere desire to assist people and to aid people to help out and do things that will result in something good. A lot of things have come from the artists we’ve met and been associated with and it’s the reason why we are here.”

Mark went on to discuss another of their main events and what comes out of these fundraising events. Mark continued, “We’ll be doing another Art Happens in July and that will be outdoors it’s more of a festival type environment. What the masquerade does is that it raises money to provide a grant or scholarship and each year we’ll be notifying and introducing you to the recipients so that you can see where the money is going. This year’s recipient will be performing in a few minutes her name is Juliana Zachariou She was actually part of our Art Happens event. She’s a great girl with a beautiful voice. Her application emphasized the need for some recording support. She filled out the lengthily application and we decided she will be receiving the grant this year so congratulations Juliana. “

Mark went on to introduce the board which includes Board Founder and Executive Director Susan Rabinovitz, President, Scott Mitchell, Vice President himself (Mark Rabinovitz), Secretary, Wendy Mitchell and Treasurer, Dylan Swann. Other board members were Jodie Kerhlikar, Gary Garley, and Karen Dukes. Alister Oliver, resident artist, put together the fashion show that was to follow the auction.

Juliana Zachariou played several songs during dinner. Her parents and sister were on hand to lend their support. Juliana was the second place winner for the Contemporary Music 2010 JAMMIES and has been showcasing her talents around the Sacramento Area. Juliana is a very talented young artist and her music is quite striking. I’ve seen her perform a couple of time in Sacramento and seen her parents at the events being very supportive. You can follow her on her facebook account.

Susan Rabinovitz conducted the live auction part of the event and started off by giving thanks to the guests. She also made mention that the Sacramento Arts Council is helping to partner with individuals, businesses and artists to collaborate on putting together events such as the Masquerade to help the artistic community of Sacramento. She went on to say, “This event is one of the major things we’re trying to do as a council we’re trying to find partnerships within the community to help put on events like this so that people such as artists and business actually gather to help each other and make amazing evenings to enjoy and make it a win-win event for everyone.’

Susan continued, “I’m glad to announce because of you we were actually able to give a little bit of money and help Juliana with her recording. This was just amazing because she was one of the JAMMIES winners. She actually played at our Art Happens event and one of the things that was so amazing was that the three winners of the event played. Thanks for your support.”

The silent and live auction followed dinner. Approximately 30 pieces of art were held for auction. Once the live auction began several of the pieces generated lively bids with guests trying to outbid each other.

The talents of Alister Oliver followed the live auction. Alister Photography presented a Fashion Show. In partnership with Make-up by Treja, GiRl N LeAtHer & Face It Salon, Spa and Boutique and make-up sponsor Face Altelier a lively fashion show put a wonderful ending to the event.

Alister was labeled as Hidari Maki by artist Marbo Barnard which means left wrapped or reversed from normal, as he put it “Hidari Maki therefore, is used to mean crazy”. He also introduced a quarterly magazine called Hidari Maki and its next issue will be out January 1, 2011. He announced that the models would be available after the show to pose with guests. Alister ended by thanking those who were involved in the Fashion Show and thanked all in attendance for being there.

The 2nd Annual Art Happens will take place in June 2011. This Masquerade Gala event was very well put together and attended. Tickets sold out and it may have outgrown the Art Complex however if it is held here again next year be sure to purchase your tickets early for the 2nd Annual Masquerade Gala.

Photos by David Alvarez Photography

(View more photos from this event at Masquerade Gala)

All Aboard - The Folsom Rail Festival

2010-09-19T19:20:02Z

Track that was laid to be part of the Trans-Continental Railroad did not fulfill its destiny but it was celebrated as the oldest railroad track west of the Mississippi River this weekend during the Folsom Historic Railroad and Transportation Festival .

"130 years ago the track ran from Sacramento to Folsom. The route was changed and now it runs from Sacramento to Auburn and beyond," said Larry Bowler, one of the Festival's organizers.

It became only a local freight line and travelled just beyond Placerville. Many years ago the track was torn out five miles west of Placerville.

This is the first time the festival has been in Folsom. The past four years it's been held in Ione on a smaller scale.

There were lots of things to see and do.

Walt Freeman, Sacramento Regional Transit, prepares passengers for a short trip in Sacramento Regional Transit’s own #35 PG&E Streetcar at the Folsom Historic Railroad and Transportation Festival at Folsom Pointe. Designed to run on the rails, the streetcar was built in St. Louis, MO in 1913, servicing Sacramento from 1914 through 1948. The old Folsom Powerhouse supplied power to a power plant in Sacramento at 6th & I Streets and ran the system.

Conductor Eric Olds collected passenger's tickets.

The historic streetcar ride took passengers south of Hwy 50.

One of the characters along the way.

A man and his two sons depart from the streetcar.

A festival visitor stands by a Railroad Motorcar, sometimes called a “Speeder”. Smaller models, like this one, were used routinely to inspect the many miles of track for defects. Larger versions would carry half a dozen workers and pull a few trailers loaded with spikes and tools, to handle track maintenance.They have a top speed of 30mph and are faster than handcars. ( from www.narcoa.org/newsite/faq.htm)

Ric Hornor was on hand with 'Books by Dead Guys', books full of photos and stories created in the 1800s. (www.19thcentury.us/)

This is the passenger side of San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway Fire Truck MW No. 1003. It was built by the Ford Motor Co. in 1931 and was based near the Mexican border at Jacumba, CA. It fought fires that plagued the railway's many wooden trestles and timber lined tunnels of the Carriso Gorge. It is in full operational condition.

A father and son inspect a Track Mobile. It has rubber and steel wheels so it can travel on land as well as the rails. It is mainly used in industrial settings.

A young boy works the Handcar on a stretch of railroad track.

A huge wrench is carried in a Mudge "Special", an all-around car that can carry three men, yet it is light enough to be handled easily by one person. It has a one cylinder, 4-hp engine and is used by linemen, signal men, claim adjusters, patrolment, station agents and inspectors. It has removable guide arms, wheels and tray, and can be loaded into baggage cars.

Indoor Model Railroad Displays were up and running.

The RailFest is presented and organized by the “Railroad Education and Preservation Society”(REPS). The REPS is a newly formed organization made up of individual members from regional rail organizations that include the Recreational Railroad Coalition, Inc., Motorcar Operators West, FEDSHRA, among others.
Partial proceeds from the event are to benefit the FEDSHRA organization.

www.fedshra.org/index.html

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Cerrina Jensen joins Rood & Dax

2010-06-23T14:49:55Z

Cerrina Jensen, a vocal advocate of cost containment and consumer choice in health care and employee benefits, has joined the Sacramento office of Rood & Dax Advanced Insurance Services, Inc., as an employee benefits consultant focusing on the small group market.

“Growing up, I had no idea I would one day be a benefits consultant," she says. “But spending each day helping employers successfully navigate their benefit issues of coverage, cost and human resource challenges is truly rewarding.”

Jensen has more than 15 years of experience in a variety of settings in the insurance industry and brings a wide range of knowledge to her role at Rood & Dax Advanced Insurance Services, Inc., where she develops strategies and implements benefits packages based on the unique needs and budget concerns of small business owners.

Active in both the California and national health underwriting circles, Jensen serves on the local board of directors for the National Association of Health Underwriters, and has lobbied for responsible health care reform and cost containment, both in California and Washington, DC.

Jensen lives in Folsom with her husband, their two teenage children, and the family pets. She is an avid reader who also enjoys cooking up feasts for family and friends, as well as working in her new garden. She is active in her community and serves as vice president of public relations, in Toast of the Town Toastmasters Club, which meets in Sacramento.

Downtown loses its senior center

2010-03-19T02:02:46Z

Sacramento seniors facing economic hardship will have one less place to relax and meet friends.

Catholic Charities of Sacramento, Inc., has closed down its Cathedral Neighborhood Senior Center downtown because of a funding shortage, said Beth White, associate director of the nonprofit organization.

The center, which is located at 711 J St., had provided a social atmosphere for seniors since 1975, according to White. It shut down March 1.

Elderly residents of single-resident-occupancy motels as well as homeless seniors would gather at the center, White said. They would watch television or enjoy a coffee, she said.

For example, a group of seniors would come to the center in the morning because “that’s where they got their morning coffee,” White noted.

The closure means that seniors downtown no longer have a meeting place, White said. “We were the last downtown provider.”

For years, the center’s operations were paid for by Sacramento’s county government, the city of Sacramento and Catholic Charities, according to White.

Then, in 2004, the county halted its share of the funding for the center, White said, adding that the center is no longer receiving funding from the city government either.

Without the help from the city and county, Catholic Charities could not pay for the rent on the building, personnel or operational costs, White noted.

“If you live in a SRO, it really is your meet-and-greet place and your social place,” Sacramento City Councilman Ray Tretheway told residents at a Neighborhood Advisory Group meeting Monday in Midtown. “It just breaks my heart to see that go under.”

While the center has closed its doors, Catholic Charities continues to run an outreach program to help downtown seniors gain access to medical, dental and mental health services, among other services, White said. The outreach program is covered by federal funds, monies from foundations and private donations, she said. Catholic Charities operates the outreach program together with the Transitional Living and Community Support organization.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

8th & K Street Hotel Proposal Update

2009-12-04T03:15:04Z

A revised proposal by USA Hospitality, Inc. and their equity partners Consus Asset Management and Industrial General has been submitted for building a Marriott Renaissance Hotel at the corner of 8th & K Street. The new proposal includes a decrease in the number of hotel rooms from 409 to 300, and a decrease in the number of parking spaces from 372 to 350 while adding 100 condominiums on top of the parking garage as a second phase of the project. The total cost to build the project went up from $137 million to $162 million along with the needed city subsidy to build from $31.5 million to $33 million. The developer has asked that the city give them the land which is city-owned for free, and to forgive taxes on the hotel for the first few years of its operation as part of their needed subsidy deal.

The property has been tied up for 14 months in an "Exclusive Right to Negotiate" with USA Hospitality, Inc., but on December 8th the city staff will recommend releasing the Request for Qualifications for the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street with a due date of February 12, 2010. It’s anticipated that the city staff could return to the Redevelopment Agency by early April with several other proposals for the 8th & K Street site. In that time USA Hospitality must do three things.

1) Obtain stronger financial commitments from all equity financial partners.
2) Developer conduct an assessment of the Bel-Vue to determine the costs associated with preserving the façade.
3) Complete negotiated business terms for inclusion in Disposition and Development Agreement.

I still don’t see the value in the city giving away $33 million in land and future taxes when just two blocks up the street at 10th and K Street Toni Giannoni is asking for $10 million to build a 165-room hotel that better fits our market. Toni also has an excellent record of finishing projects downtown where there are more development regulations that can tie up a proposal. In the case of the 8th and K Street design, the developer has a half block to work with, so instead of a massive parking garage the parking should be spread out over the entire half block above the lobby and ground floor retail but below the hotel rooms like has been done with ten other high-rises in downtown. If the city can nudge the developer to do this sort of design instead, the proposal would actually be shorter but the curb appearance would be far nicer. We don’t need another 6 story car garage at the corner of 8th & L Street; car garages have a history of deadening side walk activity for entire blocks and devaluing distinctive corners in our city. I hope both our City Council and planners consider the consequences, there is no need to repeat mistakes of the past again.

(The photo above is a city owned parking garage across from City Hall at 10th & I Street)

Report to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Sacramento

Clear Channel may work with city on digital billboards

2009-08-26T05:01:03Z

New digital billboards from Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc., may be placed at city-owned locations if negotiations between the company and the city are successful. The city is pursuing talks with Clear Channel as a way to earn revenue for the cash-strapped city government.

The City Council unanimously decided Tuesday to start negotiations with Clear Channel for digital billboard placement. The city is undergoing severe economic problems and recently laid off 135 employees.

The digital billboards would be placed at the following three spots: the area following the south side of Interstate 80 and east of Northgate Boulevard; the area of Interstate 5 and Richards Boulevard; and near Haggin Oaks Golf Course at Fulton Avenue and north of Business 80 freeway.

Tom Zeidner, a senior project manager with the city’s economic development department, said the city is proposing that for every digital billboard set up by Clear Channel, a minimum of three traditional, non-digital billboards would be removed.

Councilwoman Lauren Hammond suggested that one-half of the revenue from the billboards should be split evenly among the eight council districts, and the other half should go to the city’s general fund.

Details were not finalized Tuesday.

Mel Rapton Honda now leases the location at Fulton Avenue from the city. Clear Channel has talked with both Rapton and city staffers about the proposal.

Two companies responded to the city’s request for proposals for the contract for digital billboard placement. The city selected Clear Channel over CBS Outdoor Inc. Zeidner noted in a staff report that Clear Channel met the city’s requirements more closely than CBS.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Amtrak locomotive gets an eco-makeover

2009-07-23T07:20:19Z

California's air may start to look a little cleaner, thanks to the California Department of Transportation and its project partners.

Caltrans's revolutionary "green locomotive" debuted Wednesday morning at the Amtrak Sacramento Valley station.

Members of Caltrans and its project partners assembled within the train station at a press release to make statements regarding the new locomotive, considered a major step toward reducing California's carbon footprint.

It is one of the 15 F59PHI model locomotives owned by Caltrans and operated by Amtrak that is now installed with a 710ECO Repower upgrade package. The package is said to consist of the latest microprocessor-controlled locomotive engine technology for lower emissions, increased fuel economy and predictable maintenance costs.

The F59PHI models were initially built by Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. in October 2001 to meet Tier 0 Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards, the minimum EPA requirement for fuel emissions from passenger locomotives.

James Goldstene, executive officer of the California Air Resources Board, explained that in other words, the newly-installed technology in the F59PHI model makes the engine run cooler and uses fuel more efficiently, allowing the locomotive to advance from Tier 0 to Tier 2 EPA emission standards, resulting in a 50 percent reduction of operating emissions.

Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson said that the development is "an illustration of our willingness to work with anyone and everyone to clean up the air for Sacramentans." He added that climate change and global warming is an issue that must be addressed at the local level by communities, and that the newly-introduced technology makes riding the train a "smarter and better" decision than ever before.

Following the statements, the representatives of Caltrans, the EPA and other organizations descended into the tunnel beneath the Sacramento Valley rail tracks, resurfacing to stop and admire the "green locomotive."

The retrofitted model has already begun operating on the intercity passenger rail service Capitol Corridor between Sacramento and the Bay Area as of three weeks ago.

The Capitol Corridor serves the Sierra Foothills in addition to Sacramento and the Bay area, and it is operated by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority in partnership with Caltrans and Amtrak.

Along with Amtrak California’s Pacific Surfliner and San Joaquin intercity rail line, Capitol Corridor is the third busiest rail line in the nation with a ridership of 1.7 million.

Capitol Corridor alone is responsible for eliminating 559 million miles worth of highway travel, said Eugene Skoropowski, Capitol Corridor managing director.

Caltrans is working to convert the remaining 14 Amtrak-operated locomotives to this upgraded model — which is the cleanest diesel electric passenger locomotive in the country — as quickly as possible, stated Caltrans Division of Rail chief Bill Bronte. So far there is available stimulus funding for seven of the 14, he said.

Money for the project came from the Carl Moyer Program, a partnership between the California Air Resources Board and local air boards in the state that provides grants for projects reducing pollutants from heavy-duty engines. Retrofitting the F59PHI involved both the Sacramento Metropolitan and Bay Area Air Quality Management districts.

Kevin Bahline of EMD said that the company is in the process of launching the eco-friendly technology globally.

See also: Eco train engine unveiled

Photo Credit: Images 1, 2, 4 & 5 by Ed Fogle; images 3 & 6 by Kati Garner.