On July 4th, citizens braved the hot weather to attend the Carmichael Elks’ 53rd annual parade along Fair Oaks Boulevard in Carmichael. People of all ages lined the streets, and most wore the traditional red, white, and blue and waved American flags. The parade was led by two California Highway Patrol cruisers followed by two Sacramento Fire Department vehicles, all with lights, sirens and American flags. Several queens and princesses of various municipalities rode in vintage cars. San Juan Unified School District sponsored two school busses, and P.O.W./M.I.A. and The Daughters of the American Revolution Daughters of the Revolution (dressed in vintage dresses), were also parade participan

Imagine this: You’re driving down the highway in a new Sacramento Tree Foundation Truck. It’s your first full day on the job, it’s raining, you’re slowing down to look for your exit when… bam! Another truck sideswipes you at 70 MPH. Suddenly you’re tumbling, tail over hood, down the embankment, until finally you come to a stop – miraculously right side up and without a scratch on you. The roll bar saved your life, but the trees, the truck, and yes, your first day are completely wrecked. Know what’s even worse? You don’t have to imagine it. It happened. On one rainy day in April the Sacramento Tree Foundation lost a truck that we had hoped would help us move trees and large supplies to our

A giant star-spangled banner decorates this Midtown house at 2514 I St.   Photo by Suzanne Hurt.

Throwing a Fourth of July celebration? Your fellow Americans have some tips, ranging from home-grown parades and potlucks to Elvis impersonators, dunk tanks and old-school amusements. This week, a handful of Sacramentans offered ideas on how to have fun and maybe even save a little cash this holiday with celebrations as diverse as the country. Organizing your own Independence Day parade topped the list of suggestions. Processions can be as small and impromptu as a clanging pots-and-pans parade of kids and adults moseying around the block or as big as a community parade with marching bands and dozens of floats closing down streets. Jeff Dominguez, who owns Exit Realty West in Midtown, i

Saturday, July 4 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Americans for Prosperity and Mark Meckler, organizer of the Sacramento Tea Party, will be holding an Independence Day Tea Party on the west steps of the Capitol. About 500 people are expected. Noon- 1:30 p.m. Kevin S. Carter will be reading poetry on the north steps of the Capitol. Though he will be reading through a sound system, it is unknown how many people will attend. Sunday, July 5 through Wednesday July 8 No events are scheduled.