What’s a fashion flashmob? I didn’t know either until this past Saturday. An event that lasted a little over an hour took a bit longer to put together. Events and social connections coordinator, Vy Nguyen, spent about 2 weeks organizing and putting together a fashion flashmob in Midtown. The event was put together to help promote the Designing Dreams Fashion Show that will take place at the Memorial Auditorium on August 13. Photographers, models, fashion interns, hair and makeup staff and Designing Dreams personnel were brought together for the fashion flashmob. Nguyen worked closely with various organizers and management at Zócalo, Paesanos, Yogurtagogo and Shady Lady. Fashionistas a

Co-hosts Liz Franco and Ashlee Gadd are bringing popular clothing exchange Stitch Swap to The Citizen Hotel Saturday. “Stitch Swap is an opportunity to meet new friends, rid your wardrobe of things you no longer wear, find new items for your closet, all while raising money and awareness for Women Escaping a Violent Environment," said Gadd, marketing and public relations manager for The Citizen Hotel. Participants bring $10 as well as any accessories, clothing or shoes they want to swap from 3 - 5 p.m. Saturday at the Citizen Hotel 926 J St. There is no limit to how much people can bring or how much they can take, Gadd said. Franco is a legislative assistant who started Stitch Swap in 2

During both World War I and II, our government introduced a new concept to the American people: Meatless Monday and Wheatless Wednesday. These initiatives were primarily focused on rationing food here in the states in order to give more to our soldiers off at war. Herbert Hoover, then head of the U.S. Food Administration, boldly proclaimed, “Food will win the war,” and as we all know, those wars were eventually won and the extra rations for our soldiers probably did help. Yet here we are after several decades, and the Meatless Monday motto is starting to pick up steam once again, except this time it’s to improve our health and environment. Even media mogul Oprah Winfrey has jumped on boa

Using seasonal ingredients, robust liquors and festive garnishes, bars across Midtown are preparing to fight the bitter cold by adding some new innovative concoctions and classic holiday favorites to their menus. Designed to warm the belly and lift the spirits, here’s a look at some of Sacramento’s tastiest winter cocktails. Shady Lady Saloon 1409 R St. Hot Buttered Rum $8 1 pound softened butter ½ pound brown sugar ½ pound super fine white sugar 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground cardamom 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons ground clove 1 ½ ounces dark rum Hot water (enough water to fill an Irish coffee glass or mug) Mix that by h

Midtown might be missing the MARRS ice skating rink from last year, but it will catch a bargain with Winter Rollerland starting Friday night at the Midtown Bazaar's indoor location. Three weeks ago realtor Sabrina Berhane and her associates decided to put together a roller skating rink where the community can enjoy the nostalgia of skating to 80's pop and the glint of a disco ball. So they threw a couple dozen hay bails in a circle, wrapped some faux-snow and tinsel around the parking garage columns, and are hoping for at least 10,000 people to skate through by New Years weekend. Berhane organizes the Midtown Bazaar and is hoping the roller rink will provide some entertainment in the co

One group of local businesses has come together to create a different kind of music venue. Earlier this month, the Handle District, a collection of 25 business establishments in a two-block area between 17th and 19th streets and L Street and Capitol, created the Midtown Music Walk. Thursday, the district will continue the weekly event, which premiered Oct. 1. It will feature five bands and one jam session outdoors in buildings and on patios. Though the name "Handle District" was coined several years ago (it looks like a handle for the Capitol), the idea for the music walk only came to fruition recently. It came up during a meeting between Yogurtagogo owner Eric Heffel and owners of Zoca