For many Oak Park residents crime and violence has long seemed as if it has become a way of life over the past two decades. Oak Park is a community rich in neighborly tradition and serving as a staple of black culture for many within Sacramento, yet hard times over the years has made life more challenging for this ever growing racially diverse community. Gang violence has affected the area and young people have become vulnerable to making fast drug money when jobs are scarce. This is why the timing could not have been more perfect than when the leadership of Kyles Temple AMEZ Church recently invited members of the community to attend a forum against violence and its affect’s on the communi

Although UC Davis discontinued four of its intercollegiate sports last year, the university has partnered with Sudwerk Restaurant and Brewery to create a $25,000 athletic scholarship fund. The two brewed up the idea of a beer – the Aggie Lager – which would benefit UC Davis athletes. The folks at Sudwerk Brewery created the golden, malted barley beer. Local Davis eateries such as Woodstock’s Pizza, The Graduate Restaurant and Sports Bar, and The Hallmark Inn began selling the beer earlier this month. UC Davis officials thought this would be a good way to raise money for UC Davis intercollegiate athletes. For now, there is a one year licensing agreement on the beer. “The licensing agreem

When I first heard that the Sacramento Kings would be offering “dollar beer night” on its nationally televised Wednesday night home game as a promotion to bring in more fans, it was surprisingly troublesome to learn on many levels. As someone who is a community advocate and supporter of the organization MADD, this to me has the makings of irresponsibility written all over it, similar to letting a drunk tend bar. The Kings for all that can be said about their play on the court and lack of home attendance, should not display such gimmicky promotions that will encourage people to engage in risky drinking behavior just for a quick buck. Granted buying beer is an option to fans and no one’s arm

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) is preparing rain or shine to host its annual marquee community event and fundraiser “Walk like MADD” on Saturday October 17th at Southside Park in Sacramento. The registration is free and all are invited to come out and participate in this annual pledge walk that raises money to fund many programs and services that MADD provides to the families and communities of which it serves. MADD California is located at 4529 Whitney Ave. Suite 7 in Sacramento. For more information about MADD or how you can help visit the MADD website at www.madd.org or contact (916) 481-MADD.  

Taking a look inside MADD’s (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) new office one will easily realize the outstanding work of one of most recognized community organizations. On Tuesday June 30th, MADD California hosted its official open house event for the community as the state’s main chapter showed off its new dig’s. Representatives from various community organizations, groups, law enforcement agencies, and victims of drunk drivers all were treated to the viewing of informational displays, a pictorial of those deceased as a result of drunk drivers, a drunk driver video, and some sharing thoughts about how our community can prevent drunk driving. Matthias Mendezona, State Executive Director for