Thought I would share this once in a lifetime reflection from the building opposite my office. Happy Memorial Day.

For many, Memorial Day weekend evokes the start of the summer season—warm days, cool nights, and lots of outdoor fun. On the other hand, Memorial Day itself serves as a day of remembrance for those that have given their lives for our country. Sacramento events this weekend take on both those meanings, with ways to honor those that have fallen, plus plenty of outdoor festivities and summery fun. Be sure to check Sacramento365.com's Holiday Event section for even more options. Take advantage of your extra day with these weekend-long events: Festivals: 76th Annual Sacramento County Fair: Cal Expo; Thurs-Sun 10am-10pm; Mon 10am-7pm The 2012 Sacramento County Fair celebrates 76 years of fair

On Memorial Day, KVIE/PBS will launch Front Row Center, a new concert series produced to give the live music fan an incredible, “like I'm there” experience. Front Row Center comes from the producers of the critically acclaimed PBS music series Soundstage. Filmed in front of a live audience at venues including, New York’s historic St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn and the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, this concert series delivers top-notch performances from some of the biggest names in music including, The Beach Boys, who reunite to celebrate their 50th anniversary; Train; Phil Collins; The Secret Sisters featuring T-Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello and Jakob Dylan; Colbie Caillat; Moby; Cheap

Rev. Dr. David Thompson also gave a Memorial Day Address after the Invocation. He explained "it is up to us to carry the torch for freedom.And to do so in the context of peace-making." "If the American dream is to form a more perfect Union then we must all be dedicated to that proposition that Abraham Lincoln put before us: that all are created equal," Thompson said. "If the world is to survive, that same proposition must set us all free." Alan Fisher reminded that Memorial Day is more than a three-day weekend. "My hope for you and me," Fisher said, "is that Memorial Day will have a little bit more of the resolution than New Years Day. That we'll resolve to be kinder, we will resolve to

Visitors to Cal Expo smell greasy food and fresh manure, which can mean one thing: The Sacramento County Fair is back. Fair manager T.J. Plew said that this year’s fair features some fun, new and exciting entertainment. “We have the safari theme and with that we’ve booked a camel show, an urban jungle bird show, an actual safari exhibit with some fun creatures from around the world, and a monkey show," she said. All the shows provide fairgoers with interesting animal facts and let them see unusual tricks. The camel show featured a demonstration on how to milk a camel. Observers learned that camels give milk for only 90 seconds at a time. Once it started flowing, the fun began. Children

Monday, May 25 12-1 p.m. Elk Grove Civil War Round Table will be holding a Civil War Memorial walk and rally near the fish pond. Fifty people are expected to participate. 1-2 p.m. A 21-gun salute will be held in memorial of the Mexican-American War near the Mexican-American Veterans Memorial just north of the traffic circle on 10th Street and Capitol Avenue. Seventy-five people are expected to attend. Tuesday, May 26 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Happy Tails, a no-kill facility dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of homeless and abused animals, according to their website, will be holding a bake sale on the north and south entrances of the Capitol. 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Caravan for Justice wi

Although many of the events this weekend do not really reflect the true meaning of the foundation of this holiday, there are still some great things to do! Whatever your plan is this weekend, do take a moment to reflect on what Memorial Day is about and be thankful for our fellow Americans who put their lives on the line for the sake of our country. Just in case you aren't sure as to what Memorial Day is all about and why it is a National Holiday, here is the definition from Wikipedia: "Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near

As an (almost) native Californian, I realized long ago that the weather allows us the privilige to take certain things for granted, often to the chagrin of the rest of the country.  Most of us don't own a snow shovel.  We get fresh produce pretty much year-round.  And for the vast majority of us, the double-digit months don't necessarily signal the end of barbecue season.  I barbecue pretty much year round, and why not?   Even when the mercury dips to a chilly 38 degrees (you know, when the rest of the country is in the single digits----hee, hee, hee), what's nicer than warming yourself over an open fire  that also happens to be providing your supper?  And whatever you're in the mood for,