Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "new year"

Real Relationships: New years resolutions

2012-01-09T16:21:39Z

Are you among the millions who made a New Year’s resolution or resolutions under the title of self-improvement? A new diet, a new job or a new outlook on life in your future?

Research shows that more than 100 million Americans make resolutions every January but only one out of five actually stick with it. Good for those 20 million people.

For the rest of us, consider the resolutions you have made in the past. Did you stick to them? Why not? (Yes, I AM assuming you didn't.) I can only imagine that you set out to change your life. You planned on losing 25 pounds, finally snagging that job you always wanted, and you planned to quit smoking.

All. In. One. Year.

I mean, since those things are so easy and all....

Failed resolutions only serve to bring you down; physically, mentally and emotionally. Not only will you be angry at yourself for not meeting your goals, but you'll be more reluctant to try again.

The answer: set realistic, attainable goals. Realistic for the everyday person, not some diet freak superhero.

If your ultimate goal is to lose weight this year, (who doesn't have that goal), instead of vowing to lose 25 pounds by Valentine's Day, try setting monthly or biweekly goals for yourself. For instance, cut out one food that you know is unhealthy for you in January.

In February, drink at least four large glasses of water everyday. In March, continue with your previous months’ goals and add one more. If you maintain this eating pattern in April, then challenge yourself with one more goal in May, such as limiting your alcohol intake.

By setting one very achievable goal per month you won't overwhelm yourself or send your body into a food deprived coma. Furthermore, don't beat yourself up if you cheat every once in a while. In fact, set a day every other week to do just that. Call it a mental health day.

After five or six months you will undoubtedly see a vast improvement in both your weight and your overall health, not to mention the drive you need to continue!

This same strategy applies to any resolution that you have for yourself. Although you may have an ultimate goal in mind, don't force yourself to give it all up at once or complete it in an unreasonable amount of time.

If change was easy we would have already done it.

Don't have another year of quitting before you start. Don't tell yourself that you can't do it. Don't assume that you have more willpower than you actually do.

The fact is you CAN do it, but it is going to be hard. You aren't afraid of a little hard work are you?

Here is to loving yourself, your goals and your life in 2012!

Have a relationship question? Email sacpress@live.com. Real Relationships will ask and answer questions anonymously every Monday!

MidLife GridLife - Boxes, and Boyfriends, and Beggars - Oh My!

2012-01-07T04:17:39Z

There were a lot of memorable moments in 2011.

It began with the foreclosure of my house, not unexpectedly. In fact, by the time it actually happened and we could pack boxes and exit, Stage Right, it was a tremendous relief.

Hot on the tail of that, my boyfriend of a year and a half finally broadcast his true colors and walked out without do much as an ”I won’t be back,” in the midst of the furniture move, after breaking two pieces of furniture and flooding my new condo without telling me. He later went on to hit on my sister and a friend of mine on Match.com, and as of a few weeks ago, was still using a fake name to try to get on FB friend lists of my friends to get music gigs. (Fortunately this is not a conflict of interest for them, because his talent does not exceed his morals).

I was asked by my employer to participate in The Beacon of Hope, our annual major fundraiser. I accepted without having any idea what that might entail, because that’s what you do when your employer asks you to do something (especially in this economy).

It was an amazing experience.

I worked with Participants of the program who told their personal stories for the first time—stories of being victims of domestic violence and parental abuse, heart-wrenching stories--in front of a crowded Crest Theatre. I had the privilege of helping prepare them for that experience.

I also worked on less dramatic, but crucial parts of the benefit. I found myself contacting—let’s just call it what anyone in sales would know it as, “cold calling”—businesses at the last minute to fill in holes in our plan. That’s when I was reacquainted with what a terrific community we have here.

It had been years—since my days as a radio station promotions director—since I had been in the position I found myself last May, bartering for program space, with virtually no prep time, albeit for a really good cause this time.

Not a single business turned me down.

Java City.
Sugar and Spice.
Bella Brew, Natomas.
Taiko Dan Drummers.
Heather Mell, stylist at Allure Salon.

BAM!

We’ve improved our organizational plan for this year’s event, but it won’t change the loyalty I have for the businesses that jumped in at the Eleventh Hour.

Not all experiences with local businesses were memorable in the same way. I’ve been a big fan of Sweetwater Restaurant and Bar for ages, putting up with deteriorating service and menu items that run out regularly, because I just like it there. I’ve taken friends, and met dates there. On one memorable occasion someone even played my Cougar Card, much to my stammering surprise.

One morning at brunch my companion caught my eye and whispered that one of the men sitting near the door with a party of six had just been panhandling for money at the freeway off-ramp when she drove in.

“I couldn’t be sure at first,” she whispered, still looking a bit like a deer in the headlights, “But he was definitely wearing that [team] jacket and cap, because I remember thinking how new it looked.”

She shook her head.

“I can’t believe he was panhandling money from me to take his girlfriend to brunch at the same place I was going!”

She did look a little high-maintenance for him, I conceded.

I never give money to off-ramp beggars. I’ve heard of too many who are scam artists. But that’s just me.

The weirdest thing to happen to me there was the night I ordered a tequila and Diet Coke. The server came back and told me they were out of tequila. Not my tequila. Not a tequila. All tequila. At a bar. Seriously?

I no longer have confidence in my favorite little eatery, but I try to remain optimistic.

By far, one of my most memorable moments was spending the evening with my elder son. For most of the past (7? 8?) years he’s been living out of the country, first in Thailand and then in Australia, where he decided to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and get paid a little more for the ESL teaching he’d been doing. He’s back in the States, until he gets restless and/or solidifies a plan to earn a Masters in an exotic land, I imagine. But being able to spend that first evening with him, listening to jazz, catching up on his life, was a highlight of my year.

Followed closely by having both of my boys with me for Christmas.

Ah—the cynical writer with the souls of a mother! Little Red Riding Hood’s Grandma in Wolf’s clothing?
Not sure I like how that ended up for either of them…

I hope you can hold onto optimism in 2012.

I wish you moments of love, joy, peace, and clarity.

I hope you find wings.

"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another."

-- Lucretius

January 1: New Year, new laws in effect in California

2012-01-03T07:25:31Z

As of Jan. 1, laws affecting child booster seats, LGBT rights, handgun open-carry and liquor sales will be among many going into effect in California. Here are some of the highlights of what Californians – and Sacramentans – have in store for them in 2012.

BOOSTER SEATS: Previously, children had to ride in approved child restraint devices – booster seats – until they turned 6 years old or weighed 60 pounds. As of Jan. 1, children must ride in booster seats until they are 8 years old or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Kids under 8 years who are taller than 4 feet 9 inches are allowed to use a safety belt instead of a booster seat.

HANDGUN OPEN CARRY: Bans citizens from openly carrying handguns – but Californians can still get permits for concealed weapons. Violators of the new law will be subject to $1,000 fines and six months in jail. Previously, it was allowable to carry an unloaded handgun in a visible holster.

LIQUOR SALES: SB 39 prohibits the production or sale of beer with caffeine added. AB 183 prohibits grocery stores from allowing liquor sales at self-checkout stations.

VEHICLE IMPOUNDS: Police officers will no longer be able to impound a vehicle from a sobriety checkpoint if the only offense by the driver is failing to hold a valid driver license (AB 353).

DUI CONVICTIONS: A new section was added to the California Vehicle Code that allows courts to revoke a driver license for 10 years if a person is convicted of three or more DUIs.

COPPER THEFT: AB 316 makes “stealing, taking, or carrying away copper materials” that value more than $950 a grand theft felony. Criminals are subject to fines up to $2,500 and one year in jail on the first offense, and two or three years in jail and a fine up to $10,000 for repeat offenders.

KINDERGARTEN ENTRANCE: SB 1381 pushes back the 5-year-old birthday for kindergarten eligibility from Dec. 1 to Nov. 1 for the 2012–13 school year. That date pushes back to Oct. 1 for the 2013–14 school year, and then to Sept. 1 for the 2014–15 school year and beyond.

LGBT RIGHTS/HISTORY: Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law the Gay History Act, which requires schools to include the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans in history and social studies lessons and textbooks.

Another law that went on the books in 2011 – the Transgender Non-Discrimination Law – adds “gender identity and gender expression” to the list of characteristics that require equal rights protections in the state.

FOOD HANDLER CARDS: Beginning Jan. 1, health departments will begin enforcing a new law which requires food handlers to complete a training course and assessment.

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS: AB 22 prevents employers from running credit checks on prospective employees or using credit information in a hiring decision. Exceptions are allowed for law enforcement positions and positions that require access to bank and credit information or access to confidential information.

Not every new law charts new ground this year, though – some are simply no-brainers:

AB 688: Bans California stores from selling expired infant food and formula.

AB 25: Requires schools to remove athletes suspected of having a concussion or head injury from athletic activity until a doctor or health care provider gives clearance.

SB 746: Prohibits minors under 18 from using tanning beds without a parent’s permission.

With more than 40,000 new laws going into effect across the nation in 2012, people will want to do their research to make sure they don’t inadvertently run afoul of a law that they didn’t even know existed.

Start with the list of new California laws here.

Melissa Corker is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

Say hello to 2012 at these New Year's Eve nightlife events

2011-12-29T22:06:32Z

Can you belive 2011 is practically over? New Year's Eve is this Saturday and if you're still searching for plans, we here at Sacramento365.com have gathered up some activities for you.

If you're looking for a great, family friendly New Year's Eve experience, complete with fireworks, be sure to head to Old Sac for the New Year's Eve Sky Spectacular.

But, for those of you who are looking for some adult celebrations--no kids allowed--here're a few options to greet 2012 (see even more in our Top 10 & Holiday Event Section). Sacramento nightlife is kickin'!

1. New Year's 2012 Bash with Mickey Avalon: Ace of Spades, 7pm
Hailing from Hollywood, Mickey Avalon is known to the world as one of the hottest underground American rappers and has become a fan-favorite.

2. New Year's Eve Gala: Chicago: Davis Musical Theatre Company, 8pm
Ring in the New Year with Broadway favorite: Chicago. The Tony Award winning performance of the “truth-is-stranger-than-fiction” play is opening for a special preview, accompanied by a catered buffet dinner, champagne, dessert, party favors, a live DJ, and more.

3. Townhouse New Year's Eve Party: TownHouse Lounge, 8pm-2am
On the 365th day of the year, The Townhouse presents a very special NYE party with some of your favorite DJs on both floors: Electro/House/Progressive with Mike Diamond & My Cousin Vinny & Indie/Pop/Dance with The X-GVNR (Pop Freq, Get Wet) & Jon Droll.

4. NYE at the Hyatt Regency: Hyatt Regency Sacramento, 8pm-2am
Start the evening with a cocktail in the acoustic lobby lounge listening to the sounds of Quinn Hedges and Ryan Hernandez, then enjoy a gourmet four course meal in Dawson’s, followed by the big event in Sacramento’s largest nightclub with DJ Rated R and the Cheeseballs.

5. New Year's Eve 2012: The Golden Bear, 8pm
What better way to welcome 2012 then spending your evening partying it up at The Golden Bear? There is no better way! Live and direct--DJ Crook on the 1s and 2s spinning all your favorite joints and jams. Cheers with a champagne toast at Midnight, plus take advantage of New Year's Eve drink specials all throughout the night.

6. NYE 2012 Celebration: MiX Downtown, 8:30pm
Celebrate the end of 2011 and the start of 2012 inside Sacramento's favorite rooftop nightclub and lounge, which is also celebrating its third year of amazing parties and fabulous events. Complimentary champagne at Midnight, party favors, and lush decorations get you in the mood for a hands in the air night of dancing and partying with friends.

7. New Year's Eve Bash with John Nemeth: Torch Club, 9pm
John Németh is a rising blues star; a singer steeped in the tradition and reminiscent of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity.

8. NYE Dance Party with DJ Larry Rodriguez: Fox & Goose, 9pm
DJ Larry Rodriguez's Dance Party celebrates its 15 year anniversary on New Year's Eve with round, warm sould & funk. DJ Larry Rodriguez is bringing some of Sacramento's favorite dance party kings Mike C. and Tim Matranga to round out the night.

9. Roaring '20s NYE: Crescent Club, 9pm
Take a trip back in time to America's glorious Prohibition Era as you celebrate the New Year with gangsters, glamour, and gambling. The evening’s entertainment includes a Speakeasy Casino, Ballroom Swing Dancing, Gypsy Jazz, Blues, & Cabaret, featuring live music by the notorious Crescent Katz.

10. D30 New Year's Eve with DJ Serafin: District 30, 9pm-3am
In addition to the innovative sound of DJ Serafin, enjoy a huge balloon drop, dazzling confetti rain, complimentary champagne toast at Midnight, delectable confections at Midnight, and complimentary party favors.

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Find more detail on these events along with many more at Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Disclosure: Rachael Lankford is the Managing Calendar Editor for Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Real Relationships: Holiday Hiatus

2011-12-19T16:49:33Z

“Real Relationships” will be taking a two-week hiatus for the holidays. I will be back to dish both solicited and unsolicited relationship advice on Monday, Jan. 2.

Email your questions to sacpress@live.com. Questions will be featured and answered anonymously.

Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

~Janna

Eppie's Great Race: A Great Fitness Goal

2010-12-31T23:46:25Z

With the New Year often comes the resolution to get in better shape. A little sweat and determination is enough for some to lose those extra inches or build muscle mass. The rest of us need a fitness goal-- something to work toward and accomplish.

If you have lived in the Sacramento area for at least one summer, you've probably heard of Eppie's Great Race. The unique triathlon consists of a 5.82-mile run, 12.5-mile cycle and a 6.35-mile paddle on a racecourse located on and alongside the American River.

What makes Eppie's Great Race so attractive to the thousands who participate every July is that it is an athletic event geared for both novice and competitive athletes, teams and individuals. As such, competing in Eppie's Great Race makes for a realistic fitness goal for just about anyone especially if training starts now.

The 38th annual event takes place on July 23, 2011, and even younger athletes can get in on the fun with the Kids Duathlon, a 2-mile run and 5.75-mile bike ride that provides kids with their own special event.

In addition to being an all around fun time, Eppie's Great Race is a fundraising event benefiting programs for the Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) that support mentally and physically challenged members of our community. To date, Eppie's Great Race has raised close to $1 million for TRS.

For more information about Eppie's Great Race, the best time to register and training tips, visit www.thegreatrace.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eppies.great.race . Hope to see you out there!

Photos: Tết Festival and Little Saigon celebration

2010-02-17T01:05:23Z

Sunday was the Lunar New Year for several Asian cultures, including the Vietnamese. The Vietnamese New Year celebration, Tết, began Saturday morning in a parking lot on the corner of Stockton Boulevard and Fowler Avenue. It started with the City of Sacramento's ribbon cutting ceremony for Little Saigon. This was followed by a New Year parade proceeding south down Stockton Boulevard to Florin Road, where participants viewed the County of Sacramento's ribbon cutting ceremony and participated in the Tết Festival. The following is a photo journal of the weekend's events and festivities. For more photographs and information, please read this article on the festival and celebration.

Councilman Kevin McCarty, who was instrumental in the creation of Little Saigon, talks to the crowd. Foreground: Vietnam War Veterans wearing maroon Berets.

State Assemblyman Dave Jones supports Little Saigon, congratulates the crowd of nearly 300 people.

Dancers dressed in traditional Vietnamese clothing.

Councilmen Rob Fong and McCarty, State Assemblyman Dave Jones, State Senator Darrell Steinberg and SMUD Board Director Nancy Bui all help cut a ribbon in celebration of a 1.5-mile stretch of Stockton Boulevard being named Little Saigon. White doves (left, bottom) are released into the air simultaneously.

Lion Dancers entertain onlookers and lead the parade down Stockton Boulevard.

A CHP Officer makes sure traffic is blocked along Stockton Boulevard as the parade marches toward Florin Road.

Bright balloons and a large Little Saigon sign are carried by Little Saigon committee members and women in Vietnamese dresses.

County Supervisor Jimmie Yee speaks to a crowd at the County of Sacramento ribbon cutting ceremony for Little Saigon.

Kim Quang Lion Dance Troupe performs at the Tết Festival in front of hundreds. Deafening firecrackers and drums accompany the performance.

Food vendors are a big part of the Tết Festival.

Food included bún (rice noodle), bánh mì (sandwich), phở (soup), papaya salad, egg rolls (pictured) and skewers.

A carnival area included rides, midway games and a large slide.

Wish-list businesses

2010-01-01T00:18:30Z

A new year starts. And local entrepreneurs are dreaming about businesses on their wish lists.

Whether it's a rooftop sushi bar or a celebrity look-alike chauffeur service, most business owners have at least one idea simmering close to their hearts. Several talked recently about other businesses they would love to open if the circumstances were right.

Sacramento's fright goddess Deborah Chaussé is really into Halloween. So much so that she would like to turn the home of Evangeline's Costume Mansion into a haunted house each October. That's not a total stretch, considering the fantasy shop is located in two of the city's oldest buildings: the Howard House, built in 1859, and the Lady Adams — at 156, the oldest building in Sacramento.

After inheriting the store from her mother Dorothea Evangeline, Chaussé has toyed with another Halloween idea: offering Sacramentans the opportunity to dress in fine clothes and pose for "corpse" photos in a store coffin.

On Wednesday, she led a tour of back rooms, secret doors and passageways. Behind the exteriors, the two buildings have been combined into one. The upper floors, which house the costume shop open each fall, are already outfitted with scary scenes and surprises.

Chaussé has dreamed of using all the floors and the dank basement for spooky hide-and-seek games, séances and haunted tours. Visitors would be given only "tiny, weak flashlights... flashlights that would flicker ... then go out," she said.

"It would be terrifying. There are so many places to become nervous. The basement is very scary, too. And when it's dark down there, it is pitch black," she said. "We have employees that get scared working here."

* * *

Paul Ringstrom and his sister, Conni Levis, own two successful restaurants in Midtown: Tapa the World, 2115 J St., and Kasbah Lounge next door. Ringstrom lived in Madrid and Paris for nearly a decade. His love of travel shows in the Spanish and Mediterranean food, settings and live music offered in both establishments.

"Restaurant people have these dreams of having a successful business, but people get consumed by it," he said while sitting in his office. "I have found that when I take regular breaks, I really appreciate more what I have."

He and his friend, former Tapa chef Glenn Weddell, have dreamed of operating an eatery in a sunny country with a slower pace for six months a year. While it's still just a dream, Ringstrom and his sister have worked hard to fill both restaurants with 50 employees they trust and rely on enough to be able to get away now that Tapa is 15 years old.

"Something I've actually thought of doing is opening a seasonal restaurant... somewhere in the Caribbean or down south in Mexico, in a small town or village somewhere," he said.

With Weddell doing all the cooking and Ringstrom waiting tables, the pair would offer "good, solid, creative food" that uses fresh, local ingredients, he said. They've had their eyes on a couple of surf towns north of Puerta Vallarta — Sayulita and San Pancho. A menu in a coastal village would feature plenty of seafood and ceviche.

"Down there, you can find some pretty good restaurants, but it's amazing how inefficient it is," he said. "There will be eight tables, three waiters and three cooks. And it takes forever."

* * *

Resale maven Corey De Roo has learned a lot in the five years she has operated French Cuff Consignment with her mom, Darcy McNie. Other small business owners now turn to her for advice. De Roo would like to put that experience to work as a consultant.

"A business I would like to do is mentoring other consignment store owners," she said while taking a break from assisting customers at the store, 24191/2 J St.

De Roo wants to travel nationwide to give support to thrift store owners and teach them things like which clothes are the biggest sellers. This summer, she'll teach proprietors how to use social media marketing as a guest speaker at a conference hosted by the National Association of Resale and Thrift Stores.

"There's so much we've learned, bad and good, what works and what hasn't," she said. "I want to help them be more successful."

New Year's dancing

2009-12-28T18:01:43Z

Looking for a place to go for New Year's Eve? The Sacramento Press would like to break down the most appealing dance parties for those who like to get their groove on.

Paragary Restaurant Group, who put on the ball drop last year, will be hosting what they bill as the "largest party of 2010."

What: Dinner at Cosmo Café. The Spazzmatics playing 1980s hits at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret and DJ Pat Allen spinning dance hits at Social Nightclub. The cafe and cabaret are all-ages and Social Nightclub is 21-and-over.

Where: The Cosmopolitan Building, 1000 K St.

When: Dinner from 5 - 11 p.m., dancing from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Cost: $50 for access to Social Nightclub and the Cosmopolitan Cabaret. Purchase here. $99 for access to Social Nightclub, Cosmopolitan Cabaret and a three-course dinner at Cosmo Café. Purchase here. $450 and up for VIP tables. For more information call 443-9004 or email vip@nightclubsocial.com.

V101.1 R&B and Old School radio station will be hosting its ninth annual "New Year's Jamming Eve" dance party.

What: The SOS Band, One Way featuring Al Hudson, Kurtis Blow and DJ Gino will perform R&B and classic hip hop. The event is 21-and-over.

Where: The Radisson Hotel Grand Ballroom, 500 Leisure Lane

When: 9 p.m. - to be determined

Cost: $67, tickets available at The Radisson Hotel gift shop (916) 922-2020, Sandra Dee's BBQ and Seafood (916) 448-6375, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (866) 448-7849.

EasternMpire Promotions will hold the "Ménage á Trois" party, billed as the biggest New Year's Eve event in Downtown Sacramento.

What: Three rooms including a "Bollywood" music room headlined by DJ Sohbash, a Top-40/hip hop room headlined by DJ Alazzawi, and an electronic music room headlined by Dyloot, plus a live fashion show put on by Fetti Entertainment. The event is 18-and-over.

Where: The Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J St.

When: 8 p.m. - to be determined

Cost: $40, December birthdays $25. Tickets available at Dimple Records, The Beat and by calling 916-709-2578.

The MiX's First Anniversary and New Year's Eve Celebration

What: A rooftop party with champagne, DJ Jus James, holiday food and drinks. The event is 21-and-over.

Where: MiX, 1525 L St.

When: 7 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Cost: $50, $75 with dinner.

Empire Event Center's New Year's Ball, promoted as "the biggest New Year's bash in Sacramento."

What: Top-40, hip hop and mashups by DJ Junior Fresh and DJ GI, a balloon drop and a live broadcast by KSFM 102.5. The event is 18-and-over.

Where: Empire Event Center, 1415 R St.

When: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Cost: $20

Hmong New Year celebration

2009-11-30T06:14:33Z

Thanksgiving Day usually means eating turkey. But for thousands of local Hmong, it means eating Hmong sausage, grilled pork and sticky rice while attending the Sacramento Hmong New Year celebration at Cal Expo.

More than 40,000 people are expected to attend the four-day celebration which begins Thursday and ends Sunday, said John Thao, Hmong New Year Committee board member. The board formed six years ago and consists of one representative from each of the 18 Hmong clans which make up Sacramento's community of approximately 26,000 to 28,000 Hmong. Hmong come from the mountainous regions of China and other countries Southeast Asia.

Nov. 14 and 15, Hmong already celebrated the new year at home with their immediate families and close relatives, Thao said. The celebration at Cal Expo is more than a New Year celebration - it's a festival of unity, a way to show wealth, meet new faces and come together to show support for the Hmong community in Sacramento, he said.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, General Vang Pao, will be cutting a ceremonial ribbon and giving a speech during the celebration's opening ceremony. A Hmong American born in Laos, the General fought in the Royal Lao Army and is revered by both Hmong in the U.S. and Asia. He was recently released of conspiracy charges.

His speech will kick off four days of events including a Miss Hmong California pageant, a Hmong Idol singing competition and a play reflecting on why the Hmong celebrate the new year.

The celebration will include local and international performers singing, playing music and dancing, said Tony Moua, the event's entertainment chair. Hmong people from China, Thailand and Laos, as well as other Asian American groups from Sacramento, are expected to attend the festival.

Moua and Thao both said they were excited that General Vang Pao will attend the celebration.

"He doesn't visit the area very often, (so) this is a wonderful event for Sacramento," Moua said. "It means the whole world to me, and it means that the region is strong and dynamic."

"It's important to all the Hmong, he's a hero to the people," Thao added.

Sacramento and Fresno both have about the same population of Hmong, the largest in California. Thao said that Fresno's Hmong International New Year celebration will be held Dec. 26 - Jan. 2, and will hold the Miss Hmong International pageant.

He also said he was looking forward to watching the play, which will reflect the history of why Hmong people celebrate the new year. This will be the first time the play will be produced, and it will be held on the first day of the event.

One New Year tradition is playing "Swb Pob", pronounced "pah-bah," which Moua said has similar rules to an egg toss. It acts as a way to socialize and meet new people.

Competitors wearing traditional Hmong clothing begin standing 10 feet apart while tossing a ball to each other. Each team must back up five feet every three minutes until they are 35 feet apart. The last person still tossing at the end will win a $100 cash prize.

"It's a celebration of life and for people to meet each other and promote culture," Moua said. "We are extending our hands to reach out and we would hope others do the same."

Hmong New Year takes place from 10 a.m. until an unspecified evening closing time, Thursday through Sunday at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. Click here for the full schedule.

Photographs credit Lou Lo Photography. Photos show My Tzer Lao, last year's Miss Hmong California.

2009 New Year Festival (Tết)

2009-02-01T05:54:08Z

Gathered in an empty parking lot, members of Sacramento's Vietnamese community celebrated the Tết Festival giving life to an otherwise meaningless location.

Several hundred people crowded together in the parking lot on the corner of Florin Road and Stockton Boulevard to watch musical acts, kung fu demonstrations by the Sacramento Kung Fu Academy, and to purchase food and clothing.

Fireworks rang in the new year with a bang, and under a large tent sat a diverse crowd of Vietnamese families watching a variety of entertainers on the main stage. Around the large tent stood smaller exposition booths run by Vietnamese community members, where some were socializing while viewing items such as clothing and religious artifacts.

Saturday Jan. 31 was the beginning of the two-day festival, which continues on Sunday Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $3 and can be purchased at the door.

As an added bonus, located in the same parking lot is a carnival midway, which holds a selection of rides, midway games, and fun for the younger crowd.

Lunar New Year Celebration

2009-01-23T21:05:13Z

Monday, Jan. 26th is Lunar New Year's Day, so whether you are following the Lunar Calendar or just would like to celebrate, here is a list of events in the area that you can attend, as well as some additional information about the first day of the Year of the Ox.

Here are some random facts. The Chinese Calendar is actually Lunisolar, which means it is calculated based on the positions of both the sun and the moon. Those born in the Year of the Ox are people who were born in: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997. According to the Chinese zodiac, Oxen tend to be persistently hard workers, and are most compatible with Rats. Famous Oxen include Bach, Handel, Van Gogh, Dvorak, Walt Disney, and Charles Chaplin.

Sacramento Youth Symphony and San Jose's Firebird Chinese Youth Orchestra will be holding a Chinese New Year concert at the Sacramento Community Center Theater. During the concert, which begins at 3:00 pm, the Chinese Youth Orchestra will be playing traditional Chinese instruments.

Also on Jan. 25th, the Korean American Community Association (KACA) will be holding a New Year's celebration with traditional Korean dancing and music. Held at the Crest Theatre, doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will start at 6:30 p.m. Though the event organizer Mr. Alex Lee says that tickets are sold out, according to a source on the Sacramento Korean Language and Cultural Meetup Group Page, tickets may still be available at Hana Supermarket, located at 9531 Folsom Boulevard.

During the weekend of Saturday, Jan. 31st, a small Vietnamese New Year (Tết) Celebration will be held in a parking lot on the corner of Stockton Boulevard and Florin Road. The information was not available at the time this article went to press, as the planning committee recently postponed the original date of Jan. 24th due to rain. (Updates will follow in the comment section.)

On Feb. 12th, Thy Tran, founder of wanderingspoon.com, will discuss various cultures' approaches to the celebration of Lunar New year and food at the Barton Art Gallery. Following the discussion, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and other Asian food will be served, as well as a number of Asian beers. Located at 1723 I street, the event will take place at 6:30 p.m.

On Feb. 14th, over a dozen Chinese community organizations will come together to celebrate and ring in the Year of the Ox at Sac State. It will be an all day event commencing at 11:00 am. The first part will feature a lion dance, martial arts and other performances, as well as games for kids. Then, from 7 to 11 p.m., ballroom dancing will be held for those who enjoy dancing late into the night.

What are your Lunar New Year's plans? Can you provide us with any additional information?

A Downtown New Year... A Time for New "Thinks".

2009-01-01T22:18:04Z

This New Year is undoubtedly the most important New Year of my life, on account of growth in areas including politics, relationships and spirituality.

The ball drop was amazing. It proved to this town, this country, EVEN THIS WORLD, that Sacramento can be happy and show solidarity if only given an outlet. More importantly, we proved it to ourselves.

We have a new President, may God help him keep his promises.

We have a new Mayor, and as with Mr. Obama, may youth and charisma be proven tools for changes that are greatly needed.

I have a reinvigorated love and respect for my family. May fortune continue to shine upon them, for they are truly brave.

May you and yours be as lucky and prepared for new beginnings.