It's coming to that time of year again when people reunite with the outdoors, shedding the winter clothes and holiday pounds in a zest for activities under the sun. While some folks prefer to stay inside, others are ready to lather on the sunscreen. The Sacramento Press hit the streets around McKinley Park, William Land Park and surrounding neighborhoods this Easter weekend to hear what locals consider their favorite outdoor activities. Golden 1 Membership-Relationship Specialist Sarah Jones, 25, said she enjoys walking her three dogs with her husband at McKinley Park because of the exercise for both the dogs and her and her husband. "We will usually do two laps or so. It's good for th

Sacramento Ca.- 4:21pm, Sacramento Metro Fire water rescue teams were dispatched to the report of two people, a 38-year old female and a 10-year old male, stranded in shallow water on the high-flowing American River. Fire crews quickly responded to the area and found the two standing in shallow, swift-moving water. They were assisted into the rescue boat and returned uninjured to shore. The pair said they were part of a three-raft flotilla, all tied together, when the raft's tie rope became entangled in a bridge abutment and they had to cut free. Once freed, the raft soon became caught in tree branches downriver, which they clung to fighting the strong current. They abandoned their boat an

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the American River Parkway Foundation’s “Down River Day” will bring hundreds of rafters together for a fun-filled ride down the American River on Saturday. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the foundation’s stewardship programs.   The festivities start at River Bend Park in Rancho Cordova (formerly Goethe Park) Saturday morning, where participants will be picked up by bus and taken down Sunrise Boulevard where American River Raft Rentals will have boats on shore and ready to board. Rafts will depart around noon and return to River Bend close to 2:30 p.m.   “We supply them with drinks, water guns and anything they could possibly need,” said Chris

Can you believe this warm weather?  Who would have thought that we would be warming up so quickly.  I was surprised to see divers and snorkelers on the Lake recently.  This type of weather always reminds me to ask about Scuba review or refresher classes. I know we are all safe when we are around the water, but it never hurts to be reminded about the past few years and the expectation that 6 or more people will not be with us, due to water related accidents.  I am a snorkeler and scuba diver, as are most of us who love to see in the water.  I can't get enough of the rivers and lakes we have access to around here.  Even the Delta feels good on a hot day.   Why a Refresher program you may a

I, like you, have been inundated with the word, Green. For me, I'm not tired of it, in fact, I find it interesting how many 'main-stream' companies are embracing the concept but I worry many will tire of the barrage. Some tuned out long before this recent surge began and they're probably untouchable when it comes to converting them to Green champions. Others are in the wait and see mode of learning and then there are those of us who are interested and dabble in Green exploration and of course, the complete Green geeks. I'll stop right there, for this isn't a call to arms, a political piece or a lambasting of the corporate structure in the US. This is a short tip-sheet to help those that w

"2009 rafting flows confirmed!" The American River website (www.theamericanriver.com) boasted the good news on Sat. March 7 following a storm that dropped enough presipitation to guarantee a full and fun-filled whitewater rafting season through the 2009 summer. This is exciting news for thrill-seekers, water sport enthusiasts, and rafting guides (such as myself) alike. The South Fork of the American River is the most rafted river in California, with hundreds of people boating down the Class II and Class III rapids on any given weekend throughout the summer months. It is the historical site of James Marshall's discovery of gold that led to the "Gold Rush" and the eventual statehood of Cal