Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "kcra"

Richard Roeper Talks Film

2012-02-03T07:07:49Z

People enjoyed musings about the movie business from the Chicago native and Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper Wednesday night at the Community Center Theater for the fourth installment of the Sacramento Speaker Series.

He said people often come up to him at parties and say, “I want your job. You get to watch movies all day then talk about them.” What they mean is, “Any idiot can do you job.”

After annually reviewing 250 films, many run together, he said. However, the last movie he saw in a theater was the classic 1946 masterpiece “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“Great movies really didn’t have a life beyond the theater or TV,” he said. Today you can find movies three months later on DVD or Blu-Ray. Films that did well from the 40s and 50s are classics because they were played a lot on TV, like “Gone with the Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz.”

When “Star Wars” first came out in the ’70s it took 12 days for the first review to come out.

“The culture was different then,” he said. “There wasn’t as much blockbuster journalism.”

The surge of interest in the filmmaking process has come in the last 15 years or so with the rise of the Internet. These days film speculation and hype is expected weeks or months before a movie is released in theaters and studios know by the first Friday of opening weekend if the film with be a flop or not.

Kelly Brothers from KCRA moderated the question-and-answer portion of the talk.

With the 84th Annual Academy Awards at the end of Febrary at least 10 people wanted to know, “Who are your picks for this year’s Oscars?”

He responded:
• Actor in a supporting role: Christopher Plummer, “Beginner”
• Actress in a supporting role: Melissa McCarthy, “Bridesmaids”
• Actor in a leading role: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
• Actress in a leading role: Viola Davis, “The Help”

Roeper addressed that Sacramento has been home to filmmakers like director Joe Carnahan — “He is so skilled that he gets in his own way... He should mute it down.” — and Greta Gerwig — “She’s quirky enough that she can crossover from independents to blockbusters and back easily.”

What about the writer Nicholas Sparks?

“Why does he put those people through so much?”

And who is a breakout young actor?

Elizabeth Olsen, the younger sister of the twins Mary-Kate and Ashley, is “the real deal.”

Finally, what is Roeper’s favorite movie of all time?

“The Godfather.” But if it’s late at night and he is channel surfing, “Goodfellas” will suffice.

Disclosure: Join the film production scene in Sacramento by attending or participating in any number of film festivals in the area. Sacramento International Film Festival and A Place Called Sacramento are only a few that come to mind.

Marching bands, sports cars and beauty queens featured in Sacramento's annual Santa Parade

2011-12-11T21:34:47Z

photographs by Barry Wisdom

It wasn't the glitziest parade on the block, and more ads passed by than during a Talladega Superspeedway Nascar event, but the smiles that beamed from the shoulder-to-shoulder spectators at Sacramento's 2011 Santa Parade are the stuff that Christmas dreams are made of.

Presented Dec. 9 by D&H Special Event Management, the capital city's 29th annual holiday tradition once again delighted young and old with an eclectic lineup of merry marching bands, a spate of sports cars, a bunch of Boy Scouts, a gaggle of Girl Scouts and a Santa in a pear tree. (OK – a Santa in a horse-drawn carriage.)

Horses aside, chances are if it had an internal-combustion engine, it traversed the parade route. A two-story grocery cart, sponsored by Save Mart Supermarkets, provided an impressive visual and provided a distinct counterpoint to the mini CHiPs cart that also "roared" past. Along with the novelty vehicles, there were ample examples of high-powered parade staples, including a volley of vintage Chevrolet Corvettes (many of which squired local pageant winners) and siren-blasting police cruisers.

In addition, equestrians mounted up, beauty queens charmed, the Sacramento River Cats' mascot Dinger waved, and KCRA news anchor/reporter Walt Gray donned his motocycle leathers to enliven the Saturday-morning event which launched at the corner of Ninth and I streets, and completed its rectangular route at the Westfield Downtown Plaza Ice Rink at Seventh and K streets.

KCRA and the now-defunct Weinstock's department store founded the parade in 1983, with D&H taking the reins in 1991.

Today, some 16 "presenting partners" sponsor the event, including Westfield Downtown Plaza, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Macy's and Sactown magazine.

Access Sacramento Celebrates 25 years.

2011-03-13T22:17:09Z

Access Sacramento opened its doors and studios to the public to mark its 25th year of offering community media for Sacramento County.

For 25 years, nonprofit organization Access Sacramento has been “making a difference, one voice at a time,” through its commitment to covering local entertainment, high school sports and cultural events. Saturday’s event will showcase what local media has to offer the community and how attendees can play a major role in community reporting.

I was 'the media covering the media' as I roamed around snapping photos for a couple of hours. Here are some shots:

Many special guests including Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, City Councilman Steve Cohn, Supervisor Phil Serna, and Chris Flores representing Congresswoman Doris Matsui dropped by.

Folks had the chance to meet local media organizations like The Sacramento Bee, KCRA, News 10, FOX 40 and others.

The Media Lab showcased the public launch of the new web site AccessLocal.tv with content from our five "Neighborhood News Bureau" partner organizations.The television studio hosted performing groups to demonstrate studio television productions skills.

Students from Luther Burbank High School in above photo: Vanessa Pagan, Jasmine Owens, Mo Lee and Sebastian Nand promoted March12-18 as a Week of Peace, a collaboration among students from Sacramento area schools, churches, Youth Organizations, After School Programs, City Park and Recreation, and all workplaces.

Access Sacramento is putting together a network of news bureaus in the South Sacramento area. The goal is to get youth to report for their communities, producing news stories about South Sacramento. The effort is based around a website that access Sacramento has set up called accesslocal.tv.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Access Sacramento's 25th Anniversary Celebration March 12

2011-03-10T23:17:04Z

News is no longer designed for idle consumption: It is becoming more and more interactive as bloggers, community journalists, Twitter users and witnesses equipped with smart phones make their mark in distributing news. Access Sacramento will be hosting its 25th anniversary celebration Saturday and invites you to be seen and heard by telling your stories through digital media.

The event also kicks off “Sunshine Week” (March 13 - 19), a national effort promoting the freedom of information and open government. To help celebrate Sunshine Week, Congresswoman Doris Matsui and city, county and state agency representatives will be in attendance.

Access Sacramento is having an open house from noon - 4 p.m., where you’ll have the chance to learn how to make your own TV or radio program, write stories about your neighborhood and meet local media organizations like The Sacramento Bee, KCRA, News 10, The Sacramento Press and others.

Participants can get a taste of streaming radio programs live on the Internet, posing as an anchor in the television studio, recording musical performances and using the new Neighborhood News Bureaus’ website, accesslocal.tv.

Bring your best Ron Burgundy or inner DJ voice while you try out the Access Sacramento equipment and facilities.

Nonprofit organizations are also welcome to attend, as demonstrations will be given on how to create public service announcements using the green studio.

The Sacramento Press will have a booth at the event, encouraging citizen journalism and answering questions about the site and how we operate.

Whether you’re looking to learn more about community journalism, or have been wanting to create your own TV or radio program, or you’d like to meet some of the local news organizations, Access Sacramento is the place to be Saturday, from noon - 4 p.m.

The Coloma Community Center is located at 4623 T St.

For more information, visit www.accesssacramento.org.

Development department audit raises questions

2010-10-07T00:26:55Z

An audit report stating that the city’s development department failed to collect more than $2.3 million in fees from developers raises a host of questions. The audit’s finding that city employees broke state and city laws makes the situation even more complex.

The audit, prepared by Sacramento firm Sjoberg Evashenk Consulting, Inc., investigated the department’s work from fiscal years 2007 through 2010.

“In summary, the weak system of internal controls allowed employees to disregard state and city building laws, codes, and regulations aimed at protecting the public’s health, safety, and general welfare,” the audit states.

Read the full audit report here.

The City Council is expected to discuss the audit’s findings on Oct. 12.

City Councilman Rob Fong said Wednesday that he will focus on obtaining the lost revenue to the city. The report’s findings are “outrageous and shocking and incredibly disappointing,” he said. “My priority is getting the money back.”

Interim City Manager Gus Vina on Wednesday answered a series of questions from reporters on issues relating to the $2.3 million in uncollected funds, violations of laws, the culture of the department and possible disciplinary actions.

Journalists from The Sacramento Press, Fox 40, KCRA, News 10, CBS 13 and Capital Public Radio posed the following questions to Vina at the Wednesday press conference.

Q: Do you find that these lapses were well-intentioned? Or, is there indication that there’s perhaps corruption involved?

Gus Vina: It’s difficult to answer that. Part of my job now is to look at some of the specific issues that the audit report has highlighted. I will need to dig a little further into that very question. We know at a minimum that because of the lack of rules and policies and the fact that the decision-making was being made at an extremely low level in the organization, we need to explore that very question.

Q: What is the likelihood that you’re going to get any of this $2.3 million back?

GV: We’re working with the city attorney’s office to answer that question. This is as fresh to us, really, as it is to you. So we need a little time to dissect it. But we are going to work with the attorney’s office on what can we do to go after some of the revenue that was not collected.

Q: As city manager, is it your hope that we might get some revenue as the result of this investigation?

GV: We will be as aggressive on that as the law allows.

Q: If the city had this $2 million, could any layoffs have been prevented in Fiscal year 09 or in FY 10/11?

GV: I suspect that we could have probably minimized some of the layoffs with the revenue having been collected. I think that what’s important to note is that when we look at staffing in Community Development, it’s not just the revenue that you look at ... it’s workload. The report spent some considerable amount of time looking at that workload. We’ve had over 70 percent decrease in some of our workload in Community Development. Obviously, this recession has had a profound impact on our business. And, so, we would have been in a declining mode in terms of our workforce two, three, four years, anyway.

Q: These lower level (employees) — why were they allowed to make these big decisions?

GV: Let’s talk about culture change for a minute. If you go back, say, three (or) four years, we brought in folks to Community Development to in fact look at the bureaucracy, and how difficult was it to work with the city on development projects. There was a lot of excitement created around a “Get the Customer to Success” theme, and looking at how we might streamline some of the processes. What this report is now pointing to, is that that probably went a little too far. The technology that was put in place ended up being too open to decision-making without policy in place. That’s the bridge now. We still want to provide good service to our developers. And we don’t need unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy. It needs to be streamlined. But the bridge to success here now is policy, training, and decisions that are consistent.

Q: Does this at all, in your mind, tarnish the legacy of Ray Kerridge? His big thing was “bring the customer to success” and make it easier to build and develop here.

GV: I respectfully am not going to comment on that. I’m not going to speculate on Ray Kerridge’s legacy, and I wish him well in Roseville.

Q: Will there be any disciplinary actions taken? And, if so, when...will the public learn about that?

GV: If, as I review the report, there’s a need to go down the disciplinary road, then I will certainly do that.

Q: Will that information be made public?

GV: Most of the time, personnel matters are not.

Q: The report though says flat-out that laws were broken.

GV: What you need to look at, is why were laws broken? And what I’ve read so far in the report is that it speaks to lack of policy that led to decisions that were inconsistent with the law. So, motivation is important. And that’s what we need to find out next — what was the motivation?

Q: Is it your opinion that the city attorney should look at these findings to see if any criminal charges should be brought?

GV: I will be working closely with the city attorney’s office and Labor Relations office as necessary.

Q: What does that mean?

GV: That means I don’t know enough to tell you whether there’s criminal charges or not. I would be speculating and I’m not going to speculate.

Q: When a low-level employee doesn’t comply with the law, how do you figure out if it’s their fault, or it’s the culture of the department and the fault of someone higher up? Or both?

GV: That’s exactly my next step: What was violated, what were the reasons and at what level? And the report has been pretty clear that decisions were being made at a low level due to lack of policy and procedures in place.

Photo: Vina and Councilwoman Lauren Hammond at the July 13 City Council meeting.

Photo by Brandon Darnell.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Brown and Whitman clash at UC Davis debate

2010-09-29T16:37:11Z

Anyone looking for a clean kill in tonight’s gubernatorial debate between Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman probably walked away a little disappointed. If you were hoping for another Jan Brewer moment in which a candidate seems to simply and completely lose it on camera, again, disappointment reigns. But if you were looking for a reasonably thoughtful discussion of many of the real issues facing California, there was much to appreciate in the debate staged at the Mondavi Center at University of California, Davis.

Three local journalists – Amy Chance of the Sacramento Bee, Marianne Russ of Capital Public Radio and Kevin Riggs of KCRA Channel 3 – led the candidates through ten questions ranging from the broken California budget process to water policy and the death penalty.

Job creation, pension reform, immigration policy and higher education funding also had moments in the spotlight.

Whitman worked hard to stick to her talking points, sometimes to her detriment while Brown was clearly the more comfortable and relaxed candidate, joking with the crowd about his age and his legendary thriftiness.

When Whitman did attempt a little humor, saying that putting Jerry Brown in charge of negotiating pension reforms with labor unions was like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank, it seemed forced and rehearsed.

Most Californians will not make up their minds based on who had the best one-liners. The overarching issues for most across the Golden State are jobs and the broken budget process.

Whitman’s responses here were focused and clear – get Californians back to work through a combination of targeted tax cuts, cutting business regulation and stronger economic development policies. Whitman hammered away at the state of the business environment in California, holding up Texas as a model for making the state more “business friendly.”

For Brown, those policies look more like a tax giveaway to the richest Californians, likely only to balloon an already enormous deficit and put further strain on state obligations to the most vulnerable.

Those looking for new or creative positions from the candidates were likely disappointed as well. That’s not surprising, however, because with a campaign in a virtual dead heat and this one of only two scheduled debates for the candidates, these appearances are about playing defense, not making a big gaffe, and giving your supporters a plausible explanation for why you won the debate.

The spinmeisters must have been pleased, because there was much that each candidate could say in defense of his and her claims to have won the debate.

For Whitman supporters, the story would be that she was the more focused and on-point advocate, repeatedly hanging the public employee unions and Brown’s own political legacy around his neck.

For the Brown supporters, the story would concentrate on how programmed Whitman seemed, in contrast to the affable Brown, ripping Whitman for her inexperience and her tax policies, leaving him as the only candidate likely to lead Californians out of the wilderness.

In the end, there was much to admire about this debate – a sufficient contrasting of positions and philosophies to help voters see the differences between the candidates, enough laugh lines to keep things interesting and a confirmation that maybe the choices we face in the ballot box are not as dreadful as we might have feared.

A second debate scheduled for October 12 will be moderated by Tom Brokaw. Stay tuned!

This and That around the Debate

–As a former debate coach, I would encourage Whitman to relax a bit more and show us she can work away from a script. I would put an arm around Brown and tell him not to let his humor and willingness to be a little goofy get in the way of pursuing his responses to Whitman’s pointed and legitimate questions.

–Congratulations to the panelists and the moderator, KCRA’s Gulstan Dart, who never, even once, made this debate about them. Let’s hope that Tom Brokaw can resist the same temptation.

–Best crowd moment: a tall, good looking young man wearing an “I Love Linda Ronstadt” T-shirt … even better, he explained that he had bought it on eBay.

–Who won the debate? If it was about exceeding expectations, I give Whitman a slight edge here. She was clearly prepared, kept focused and displayed a mastery of issues that may have surprised some. If it was about likability, it’s Brown by a wide margin. It’s hard not to like a guy who is at ease with his own image. Those who came to the debate with an image of the old Governor Moonbeam, however, may have thought his self-effacing goofiness was a little too much.

–Surprising statements: Brown talking about a 15-18 percent “reset” in state agency spending. Whitman saying that she supports raising the retirement age for state workers from 55 to 65 and the end of defined benefit pensions for new state workers.

–Old and lame: Whitman attempting to play the Rose Bird card in an answer to speeding up death penalty proceedings. Brown saying that Whitman is just taking a page out of the Bush playbook.

–Still troubling: Whitman spends so much time and energy demonizing state workers and public employee unions. These are the people who patrol our streets, fight our fires, take out the trash and care for the disabled in their homes. Are these people really the reason the state of California is in such a terrible mess?

–Still troubling: While Whitman has no record of leadership in public service, Brown’s record can be a liability as much as it can be a strength.

Prof. Burnett teaches classes in freedom of speech, argumentation and debate, journalism in times of war and peace, and political communication.

Photo Credit: Ron Nabity, Nabity Photos. More photos of the debate available here.

Photos #1 & 2: Republican candidate Meg Whitman addresses the media after the Gubernatorial Debate on Tuesday evening at the Mondavi Center. Whitman briefly answered three questions before leaving.

Photo #3: Democratic candidate Jerry Brown walks with the media after the Gubernatorial Debate on Tuesday evening at the Mondavi Center. Brown appeared outside briefly before returning to the inside of the building.

Photo #4: Gubernatorial Debate ticketholders lined up early to enter the Mondavi Center at UCD on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo #5: Debbie Mazzanti, left, from Vacaville engages in a shouting match with Meg Whitman supporters outside the Mondavi Center prior to Tuesday's Gubernatorial Debate.

Photos #6 & 7: Supporters for Brown and Whitman engaged in chanting wars and sign-waving outside the Mondavi Center.

Walt Gray Leads Another Successful Ride For Kids

2010-08-23T04:54:49Z

On August 22nd, 2010 the eighth annual Walt Gray Ride For Kids roared into action with thousands of motorcycles lined up at Raley Field in Sacramento. Registration, a $25 per rider charitable donation, began at 8:00 am with free pastries, coffee and bottled water.

Over the past seven years the Walt Gray Run has raised over $320,000 with all proceeds benefiting children’s charities. This year, the recipients were: Autism Speaks, Bikers against Child Abuse and Hope Productions Foundation.

As the day started bikers of all creeds and ages filled the parking lot at Raley Field with every style, shape and color of bike you could imagine. The registration began early with riders braving the chilly morning air in preparation for the ride through roughly 43 miles of scenic river roads ending in the town of Isleton and a wild street celebration.

At 10:00 am the rumble of bikes started its annual charitable ride with a California Highway Patrol escort onto Westacre Rd, 15th Street and then Jefferson Blvd. (SR-84). As engines roared and bikers cheered, crowds of people, volunteers and sponsors lined the roads to celebrate the charitable event. The ride then took a hard left onto South River Road where it proceeded for another 24 miles. As the road changed quickly into Sutter Slough Bridge and then CA-160 the noise of the engines was never more clear – a sense that the destination was at hand. As the bikers turned onto A Street and then 2nd Street the riders were filled with smiles and cheers as the town of Isleton had come-out in droves to celebrate another successful ride.

The route chosen for this year’s run was a roaring success with unbelievable weather, clear skies, open fields and a rolling road that followed the river straight into Isleton. All along the route young and old alike demonstrated their support by waving signs, clapping and cheering. For the entire 43 miles the bikers did not disappoint their supporters either– they would honk, waive and cheer right back. The entire scene felt like it was part of a movie. In fact, when Walt Gray was asked what he thought of the event he responded, “I could imagine it being a ride like back in the sixties with rolling country roads, a cool breeze and a small town.” He continued, “Once again, another success for all involved.”

As the bikers arrived in Isleton the atmosphere changed from precautionary driving to a let-your-hair-down party scene. The band ‘Leather Souls’ could be heard throughout the town and was enjoyed by those being served a lunch of chips, brats, a cookie and water. Not to mention a street lined with local and regional vendors hawking everything from clothing to custom bikes added that little extra flare.

As in many of these kinds of rides there were representatives from many local and national groups: Buffalo Soldiers, Veterans of Foreign Wars Rider’s Association, Southern Cruisers Riding Club, Road Runners Motorcycle Club, Old Coots on Scoots, Port Stockton, Jus Brothers and many more.

At approximately 1:15 the days raffle was held for various donated prizes (motorcycle stand, Harley Davidson Clock, miscellaneous clothing articles and many more items). The crowd stayed with hopes of winning one of the numerous raffle prizes and could be heard saying, “next ticket, next ticket.” Around 2:00 pm the grand prize item, an autographed guitar with names like Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro, Uncle Cracker, Tesla, Lydia Pence, Brad Gillis and Walt Gray, was raffled off to a lucky winner.

Once the final raffle was over, the bikers began to disperse back they way they came – knowing they had successfully helped children in need.

For more information on Walt Gray’s Ride For Kids or to personally donate to one of the children’s charities, please follow the links below.

Walk Gray Ride For Kids
Autism Speaks
Bikers Against Child Abuse
Hope Productions Foundation.

Photos by Marc McLaughlin, www.marcmclaughlin.com.
Marc McLaughlin is a Contributing Writer and Photographer with Sacramento Press

First Annual Designing Dreams Fashion Show

2010-08-10T22:43:47Z

The First Annual Designing Dreams Fashion Show at Sacramento’s Memorial Auditorium went off without a hitch. The Tiana Vega Collection was the anchor piece of the fashion show. Tiana and six other designers participated in this gala event that was co-produced by Couture Connections. Beautiful designs were modeled down the runway, something that the Memorial Auditorium has not seen since the early 1940’s.

(Tiana Vega)

Couture Connections did a fantastic job putting together this show that has been in the works for months. Everyone associated with Couture Connections did a great job greeting guests, distributing literature, escorting media and VIP guests to exclusive sections of the show. They worked hard to put this show together and hopefully it will be the start of similar and bigger shows in the future.

(Couture Connections, Kim and Sean)

Adrienne Bankert, from KCRA, served as Master of Ceremonies. Her sense of humor, sense of fashion, beauty, and presence on stage made her, in my opinion, the ideal person for the evening’s ceremony. Adrienne introduced the show, talked about the designers, and the purpose of the event. There was also a raffle and silent auction where many local businesses had donated goods and services. Adrienne encouraged the audience to purchase tickets for the raffle and continue to bid on the auctions.

(Jennifer Richards, Adrienne Bankert)

The event was not only an exquisite gala affair but it was a fund-raising benefit event for the Sweet Dreams Foundation as well. A portion of the proceeds from the event were scheduled to go towards designing a dream bedroom for 8 year old Aimee who’s been fighting Xeroderma Pigmentosa (XP) since birth. Aimee’s condition makes her skin extremely sensitive to the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, preventing her from direct exposure to sunlight and forcing her to spend most of her time indoors. It’s extremely hard to fathom a child not being able to enjoy the outdoors. By creating a dream room, designer Jennifer Richards helps the child enjoy the room of their dreams that can help ease the pain and also help in the healing process.

Designing Dreams is the result of collaboration between Tiana Vega and Jennifer Richards. The two met at a charity event that Jennifer was taking part in. Both started to talk about working together and this resulted in the creation of Designing Dreams. Both put together their ideas and later established a working relationship with Couture Connection. The three parties talked about their ideas and all became involved in putting on the Designing Dreams Fashion Show. This collaboration, if it continues for a period of time, may inspire similar collaborations throughout the Sacramento area. There were many local designers, fashionistas, businesses, and models at the show. Networking and having a central place to gather and share ideas may help these businesses by getting involved in helping the community via similar charity or fund raising events. Not only that but it can also help the Sacramento community as a whole.

The fashion show began with models showing off designs from Jules Thor, Yennie Zhou, and Melissa Kay. Each designer had outfits that inspired comments from people around me. “Beautiful, gorgeous, stunning, look at the back, wow, I want that” and other similar comments came from those sitting around me. Some outfits inspired much more appreciation from the audience. After each showing the designers came out for a short on-stage appearance and all received shouts and ovations of appreciation.

(Designers left and below)

Virginia Quintel came on stage to talk about her son Braycen and what Sweet Dreams had done for him. She spoke about her son’s illness, who is only 4 years of age, and has already gone through over 25 surgeries. Virginia indicated that her son is afflicted with Rubenstein Taybi Syndrome, a condition that affects every part of the body. As she spoke you could hear the hurt in her voice and you could see it in her facial emotions. As I listened to her I could feel a warm streak of tears rolling down my cheeks. I’m sure I was not the only person who shed tears for Braycen and his mom. What really got me was her parental observation when she said “This is one owie I can’t make go away.” You could tell how much she loves Braycen and what she wouldn’t do to relieve his pain. Virginia also relayed a story about a recent fire that destroyed parts of their house except for Braycen’s room that seemed to have escaped damage. Virginia said, (regarding his room after the fire) “His room was untouched like angels had stood on the walls guarding him. From the bottom of my heart thank you Jen and everyone involved. Thanks for giving him the chance to be a kid in the park.” The Sweet Dreams Foundation had created a room for Braycen with a Park Theme design. Her presence and story about Braycen was very inspirational and heart touching.

(Virginia Quintel)

A video with Aimee and Jennifer Richards followed. Aimee will be the next beneficiary of the Sweet Dreams Foundation. In the video Jennifer and Aimee sat and worked on getting the things Aimee wanted in a room. Sitting on the floor they drew ideas on paper and talked about what the 8 year old girl liked. Her condition, XP (xeroderma pigmentosa), makes the skin highly sensitive to sunlight. Can you imagine a world without sunshine? Designing Dreams brings some sunshine to these kids. These kids, including Aimee, however emit sunshine from within that touch all those around them.

After an intermission Adrienne Bankert returned to the stage to announce raffle prize winners. Fashion designs by Linzel Couture, Nelli Rosh, and Shamini followed the announcement of the raffle winners. I talked a little to Shamini before the show and found that she had attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles with Tiana. They are good friends, “we’re like sisters” Shamini noted.

(Shamini)

There was a wide mix of styles parading down the runway all through the evening. Many elegant night gowns adorned the models and awed the audience as they were displayed on stage. Several semi-traditional dresses along with some that seemed as if they were stitched together from newspapers (truly amazing designs). Other garments had ornate and elegant designs with some having open backs. Many were one piece outfits but separates adorned the models as well. Once the models got on to the catwalk the show went by quickly. Each model individually walked to the end of the runway and then back. They all came out in a single line parading one more time and each designer followed. It was all very glamorous.

I think this was a well received event. Many people, behind the scenes, worked very hard. The make-up and hair stylists worked feverously to get the models ready. Image ProvoCateur provided hair styles and make-up with Kayla, Heather and others on site. Wardrobe adjustments continued up until the show began, if this event continues I believe that it can only grow. Sacramento has a wide pool of talent and many fashion artists are looking for a venue to display those talents. The collaboration exhibited at the Designing Dreams Fashion Show can work and perhaps it can bring Sacramento fashion to the same level as markets that exist in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

There are many people and businesses that contributed to the success of the event (too many to mention here). Congratulations are in order for all the parties involved in making this event a successful venture.

Photos:

Above photos and more can be found at Designing Dreams Fashion Show

Music from Second Saturday

2010-07-11T19:26:04Z

Second Saturday was very well attended for the July 10 Art showings. I think this was the largest crowd of the year.

Jen Cimaglio and Stephanie Oliveira actually started with their art starting on Friday. They were doing a chalk mural for the forthcoming 20th Aniversary of the Chalk It Up event. You can see their work on J Street near Cesar Chavez Plaza. Other performers that I stopped to listen to were Meghan Collier who also sings with the Corner Pocket Band was on hand. Meghan has a webise at www.myspace.com/myredsky. Mae McCoy and the Neon Stars played at the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen. The last act of the night that I had the pleasure to listen to was Lindsey Cook playing in a court across from the L Street Lofts.

20th Street H and M seemed to be the busiest street (except for J Street) for art, music , drinks and people watching. Along the way I met Madame Red who even wore some red contacts to fit her motive. Her mom has a booth selling beanies and you can view her work by going to www.56greenbeanies.etsy.com. Conrad Lawrence was decorating 3 bikes he had finished welding together. He’s one of those native Sacramentans that has been in the area most of his life. He has his own website (http://www.onetonmagoo.com/ and also has various videos on youtube, a search can be done under onetonmagoo.

The evening included a Zombie Walk where a large crowd was expected and indeed this was the largest crowd of zombies I’ve ever seen. I think they should have done a Thriller dance to end their walk. Chris Riva from KCRA was on hand with an intern and played along by putting on some zombie makeup. Children of the Grave played and were well received playing their Zombie Black Sabbath tribute.

Photos

1, 2 - Chalk It Up (art), Jen Cimaglio, Stephanie Oliveira (artists)

3 - Unknown performer (anybody know?) 4 - Meghan Collier

5 - Madame Red 6 - Conrad Lawrence

7 - Mae McCoy and the Neon Stars 8 - KCRA's Chris Riva and intern

9, 10 - Kaela and Maddy (before/after) getting ready for Zombie Walk

11 - Zombies (if there was a prize they should have won)

12, 13 - Children of the Grave

14 - Lindsey Cook

KCRA and RED CROSS: HELPING HAITI SURVIVORS

2010-01-18T22:18:19Z

Anita Webb, a volunteer with the Sacramento Sierra American Red Cross, talks to a person who has called in to donate to the relief efforts for the Haiti earthquake survivors.

KCRA 3 and the American Red Cross are raising funds to help the victims in Haiti today until 7 p.m., The Call 3 volunteers will be taking your calls if you'd like to make a donation. As of 2:16pm $82,219 has been raised.

Just call 916-447-2255.You can make a difference in the lives of people who have lost everything.

If you would like to make a Red Cross donation online click here.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Media Panel video at Urban Hive

2009-12-11T22:00:42Z

Wednesday night, the Urban Hive was packed with people eager to hear what local media outlets had to say about the changes they've made recently in response to the economy, technology and social media.

Jim Jakobs, Assignment Manager of KCRA, Jon Schuller and Anne Shulock, Office Manager and Reporter of Sactown Magazine, Jen Picard, Senior Producer of Insight, David Watts Barton, Editor in Chief of Sacramento Press, and Nick Miller, Arts Editor of Sacramento News and Review, had a lively discussion moderated by Janna Santoro.

Here is the first part of the video from that night. Nick Miller joined the panel a little late. This first segment is before he arrived.

Media Panel video part 1 from Colleen Belcher on Vimeo.

Media Panel Dec. 9 at The Urban Hive

2009-12-03T19:42:54Z

Many of you have asked about workshops and events being posted on our site in addition to the email invitations. Here is some information about our planned December events.

We've organized a media panel Dec. 9. and a Google workshop Dec. 15.

The media panel is a collaboration between the folks at the Urban Hive and The Sacramento Press. It will be held at the Urban Hive, Dec. 9 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The panel features representatives from each type of news outlet and will focus on the changes each has had to make over the past few years with technology, the economy and social media. Each panel member will also be asked where they see the future of journalism is headed. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask their own questions during the panel as well.

The panel will consist of:

Jen Picard is the Senior Producer of Insight on Capitol Public Radio. Picard has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Humboldt State University. She's worked as a features copy editor and entertainment editor at the Appeal-Democrat newspaper in Marysville. Picard has been with Insight since July 2006 and has served as Senior Producer since January 2007. Picard lives in Sacramento with her photojournalist husband Max and her neurotic cat Smokey.

Nick Miller is arts editor at SN&R, Sacramento's alt-weekly magazine, where he assigns thousands of stories each year--send those pitches, stat! He's been in journalism for eight years. In his spare time, he enjoys sitting around in a Snuggie with his pug, Leroy, and watching NBA.

Anne Shulock is a reporter for Sactown magazine. After interning for Sactown in college, she joined the staff as an editorial assistant in 2008. She graduated from Pomona College in Southern California with a degree in Media Studies, focusing on art and film. In college, she spent a summer interning in the fashion department of CosmoGIRL! in New York City, where she mostly organized piles of earrings and skinny jeans and decided she didn't want to work in fashion.

Jon Schuller helped launch Sactown magazine in 2006 after graduating UC Davis with degrees in Spanish and English. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the office, he's also writes, researches, fact-checks and copy edits content for publication. Recently, he's helped research and develop an action plan for the magazine's upcoming digital presence and hopes to expand the brand's presence in social media. He also assists with the advertising team. And orders Post-It notes.

David Watts Barton, editor in chief of The Sacramento Press. Barton has been in local media his entire life. From teenage work in independent publications like Rock 'n' Roll News and Tower Pulse! Through his nearly 25 years at The Sacramento Bee, where he was the paper's first Pop Music Critic, Barton has made his living exploring and reporting on different aspects of his hometown's culture. For the last year, Barton has entered the world of online news, helping to shape and guide The Sacramento Press, first as Managing Editor, and more recently as Editor-in-Chief.

KCRA will also be a part of the panel. The representative is still being decided.

Food and drinks will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the workshop will begin at 7 p.m.

The Urban Hive is located at 1931 H Street in Sacramento.

Please RSVP by emailing journalism@sacramentopress.com, so we know how many people to expect.

We'll post something later this month with more information on the Google workshop.

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you at the Urban Hive!

Best of Sacramento Celebrate

2009-11-21T03:47:11Z

"Oh god, this is gonna be a long night," said radio personality Jack Armstrong as he and Joe Getty kicked off the 11th annual Best of Sacramento party on Thursday.

The party, a benefit for the March of Dimes, was full of Sacramento Magazine's notion of the best of what Sacramento has to offer, everything from food and drinks to local media and entertainment.

"It's really a huge honor, it's a reflection of the station I work for," said 'Best TV Reporter Team' winner Edie Lambert. "It's a big compliment to quality journalism."

Booths filled the Convention Center, and lines wrapped around the exhibit hall as attendees took full advantage of the free food, services and other goodies.

Express Event Imaging and Sacramento News & Review offered free photographs gracing the covers of Sacramento Magazine and SN&R, Hoshall's Salon and Spa's fashion show featured dramatic hair, makeup and clothes, and KCRA 3's news team --Walt Gray, Mark Finan, Mike TeSelle, Kelly Brothers, Del Rodgers, Eileen Javora and Adrienne Bankert -- posed for pictures with attendees. The team also swept the media category.

"I heard this was the place to be," said first-time attendee Scott Wood. "I could joke and say there should be more free booze, but I think there's plenty."

Booths hawked products and services while providing freebies that ranged from body waxing to information from the zoo on the difference between apes and monkeys.

"We're glad to be here to let people know that the zoo isn't just for kids, even though we were voted 'best place to take the kids'," said Sacramento Zoo employee Lara Kirkendall.

The event raises money for the March of Dimes, devoted to the safety and care of infants.

"We raised $400,000 for March of Dimes, we had more sponsors than ever before. We are now up to $3.4 million for the charity," said Joe Chiodo, publisher of Sacramento Magazine. "This is our best year yet."

Dozens of attendees bid on silent auction items, the main source of donations.

"We came to support the March of Dimes, we're making our way to the auction tables," said Stephanie Thompson, attending for the first time. "They also have excellent sushi from Sapporo Grill and the atmosphere is great."

For more information, and to see all of the 'Best of' winners, visit the Sacramento Magazine website. For more information on the March of Dimes or to make a donation, visit the March of Dimes website.