It was a very tough decision to choose the winners of The Sacramento Press 2012 Journalism Open. Fifty-three community contributors shared 93 stories about the greater Sacramento area and the quality of submissions this year really impressed the judges. Thank you to all of you who made this year’s Journalism Open a success. The Sacramento Press judges were Casey Kirk, Director of Community Outreach, Brandon Darnell, Copy Editor and Reporter, and Colleen Belcher, Editor-in-Chief. Each story was judged on newsworthiness, research and sources, spelling and grammar and how interesting they were. Each winner could only win one prize. Click here to read the complete judging criteria. First

The holiday choral music season is in full swing. On Saturday night, the Mondavi Center in Davis was host to the 15th annual “Home for the Holidays” concert presented by the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra. This festive event demonstrates the close community connection between SCSO and its many faithful friends, sponsors, and fans. It is eagerly anticipated by the throngs who come from as far away as Modesto, the San Francisco Bay area, and even neighboring states. They come to hear one of the largest choral groups in the United States, the only one to employ its own orchestra.They come to thrill at the harmony and majesty of the season’s most beautiful music performed with joy a

In about 20 minutes you can have a no-stress, peaceful Christmas experience and no-long-lines for-Santa-photos with the kids. This is the sixth year of the "Old Fashioned Christmas" presented by The Elk Grove Historical Society in the Hotel and Stage Stop just a hop off Hwy 99 in Elk Grove's Heritage Park. Three rooms upstairs and four down are lavishly decorated, and donated by the designers, in the fashion of Christmas spirit past. Ladies Parlor Ambience in the Ladies Parlor just inside the front door was decorated by Michelle O'Leary, Design FX Home Staging and Redesign,  and Teresa Smedley, Staging 4 All Occasions. Men's Parlor A 1900's version of the "man cave" was designed/dec

For 27 years, the first weekend in December has been marked by the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus singing in the season with their signature brand of holiday glee. On Friday night, the tradition continued, bringing a substantial and happy audience to Midtown's First Methodist Church for another evening of high spirits, close harmony and popular musical entertainment. This year’s event was just as jolly and campy as SGMC’s audiences would expect, opening with some of the most outrageous holiday headgear to adorn a stage this side of Beach Blanket Babylon, as choristers waltzed, pranced and swayed to a lively rendition of the classic “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” “Christmas Ang

Over 4,000 of us Christmas enthusiasts crowded together  on K St in Old Sac tonight for the third annual Theatre of Lights. Mayor Johnson lit the Christmas tree. A beautiful 60-foot white fir is poised on Front St near the Delta King Riverboat. Turned on, it's like a chameleon, changing colors and design.Two white-haired gentlemen made an appearance - Mark Twain and, of course, Santa Claus.Twain narrated "Twas the Night Before Christmas" from a balcony of one of the lit up buildings.A chorus comprised of volunteers from Old Sac Living History sang tunes with Father Christmas (above and below).   Over About 50,000 visitors experienced the show last year. The light show continues through

Right now Sacramento is full of "Kodak moments." This afternoon I stalked Downtown and Midtown for those moments. There was something around every corner. The Grid in Technicolor:

K Street was a happenin' place last night. The revival of automobile traffic lured lots of folks to see Sacramento history repeating itself. I was perched on top of Hyatt's parking garage. I was in good company; K St Venues was blowing mass quantities of confetti from here, as well as across the street onto, the parade of cars. Crowds lined the streets along K and 12th. Restaurants were busy. Here are some photos from last night:Vintage, muscle and modern cars did an inaugural round-trip on K St.Only between 8th and 12th K St are cars allowed at a slow speed. No Parking allowed and there are passenger drop-off/pick-up zones.

This morning's Veterans Parade on Capitol Mall had a huge turnout. It was Sacramento's first in about a decade. With Chuck Yeager, legendary test pilot and retired Air General, as the grand marshal how could it not be well attended? There were over 67 entries from marching bands to Girl and Boy Scouts. Sacramento Valley Veterans (SVV) was honored to be the leading Color Guard for this historic event. “Sacramento Valley Veterans thanks the City of Sacramento for including us in this momentous occasion,” said SVV President Tyson Redhouse, “This is a great opportunity for the Sacramento community to come out and show support for our area’s Veterans and Servicemembers. We are honored to be

  The American River College Theater was sold out Friday evening as the Sacramento Master Singers presented a wonderful ensemble concert to begin their 26th season. “From Sand to Pearls: A Choral Tribute to Perla Warren” honored the longtime music instructor with an ambitious program involving four choral groups, several supporting instrumentalists and a solo jazz pianist. Many of the musicians were former students of Warren and credited her with the transformation of young voices into accomplished musicians. Dr. Ralph Hughes, artistic director of the Master Singers and a colleague of Warren, is also the director of the 26-voice American River College Chamber Orchestra. He led his youn

The chic clubs and restaurants along the K Street Mall were swamped Saturday evening with young adult revelers in extravagant costumes. Yet amid the high spirited chatter of zombies and ghouls, witches and vixens, a more sedate group of celebrants slowly gathered in front of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramento, intent on a different sort of transformation. Classical music lovers had been eagerly awaiting the first Stained Glass Concert, “Canticles of Praise,” which opened the Sacramento Choral Society season. The beautiful cathedral, built in 1889 and renovated in 2005, was packed with a diverse audience. It was a setting worthy of the magnificent sacred music to be performed. Some