About 150 people marched through Oak Park Thursday in a “unity march” to fight against the City Council’s proposed redistricting map that would move the UC Davis Med Center out of Oak Park’s council district. “The purpose for tonight is to try to find a hero in this whole controversy, and by that I mean someone who will find a real compromise,” said Michael Boyd, president of the Oak Park Neighborhood Association. The marchers Thursday night walked from the intersection of 34th Street and Second Avenue to the Med Center, chanting slogans and carrying signs along the way as police blocked the streets and kept a clear path. Residents of Oak Park have repeatedly made their voices heard at

Jai Miller tied a team record for home runs in a month, helping the Sacramento River Cats hold off a late rally by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox to get the 4-3 win on Saturday night at Raley Field. In the third inning, Miller blasted a two-run homer onto the roof of the building beyond the 403-foot mark in center field. It was his 27th home run of the season and his 12th in July. This tied a mark shared by former River Cats Dallas McPherson, who hit 12 home runs last August, and Graham Koonce, who also hit 12 in August 2003. Miller’s home run gave the River Cats a 3-1 lead, and they added one more in the fifth inning.   River Cats pitcher Anthony Capra, recently called up from Double-A

I had the opportunity to meet with Troy Carlson, CEO of Stage Nine Entertainment Store and Exhibit Design, the creators of probably the most impressive exhibit at the California State Fair this year. “Rock U: The Institute of Rock ‘N’ Roll,” is located in building 5. This custom designed exhibit is an interactive adventure into one of America’s greatest institutions - Rock ‘n’ Roll. Admission is free with your entrance to the fair. According to Carlson, “This really is a mix between a museum and an Exploratorium.” The exhibit provides attendees museum style displays such as vintage posters and photos, while also providing plenty of hands-on exhibits. The exhibit features interactive sta

It’s been almost three years since Slumgum released its self-titled debut album, but the band members are ready and excited to let the public hear how hard they have been working since then. The jazz quartet from Los Angeles will kick off the release of its sophomore album, “Quardboard Flavored Fiber,” with a performance in Sacramento on April 18 at Luna’s Cafe and Juice Bar, 1414 16th St. According to Rory Cowal, Slumgum’s pianist, the band was drawn to Sacramento because of the city’s strong community for jazz and improvised music. The band first played in Sacramento about a year ago during a Second Saturday Art Walk. “Since then, we have been visiting Sacramento more and more and are

Marty DeAnda started a vinyl record store by accident with a little help from Louis Armstrong. Medium Rare Records is in the offices of the Dig Music label, which DeAnda co-founded. The label represents local artists such as Jackie Greene, Chris Webster and Sal Valentino. The business is located in The Urban Hive at 1931 H St. and was pretty typical of a recording label office, with couches and music-themed décor, before becoming a retail store. The office, visible from the sidewalk, featured a mannequin of Louis Armstrong in the window, staring out at 20th Street, and passers-by routinely came in to ask about it. “I’d have 30 people coming by each day,” DeAnda said. “I figured I might

 Music lovers and bargain hunters came together Friday for great deals as Capital Public Radio hosted its annual used records and CD sale preview party. About 4,000 people showed up at the Howe Bout Arden Shopping Center for the swap this weekend, for which all proceeds went towards CPR’s two local radio stations 90.0 and 88.9. Some visitors were searching for older types of recordings, wanting to keep a tangible form of music in their collection. “I’m looking for more things that are unique,” Bjarne Winkler, 56, said. He added that the old 78s are interesting and many "kids of today" wouldn't recognize one. "It’s sort of a piece of history I can hold on to.” People were riffling throu

Capital Public Radio’s Annual Used Record & CD Sale will be held Saturday and Sunday June 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s sale will once again take place at the Howe ‘Bout Arden shopping center, 2100 Arden Way, Suite 172 in Sacramento. The Annual Used Record & CD Sale offers music and movies for hugely discounted prices. Last year, approximately 1,000 people took advantage of the great deals on vinyl records, DVDs, audio books, videogames, and more. There are diverse formats of audio and other entertainment to choose from in a variety of genres. From LPs to CDs, video games, and VHS to Blue Ray DVDs, all types of media have been collected over the past months All musical gen

Take a million-dollar inventory of LPs, CDs and DVDs, arrange them on several 80-foot-long tables and place them into a 10,000 square foot room for three days. This is the recipe for Capital Public Radio's (CPR) annual Used Record and CD Sale. It will commence on Friday night with a "Preview Party" from 6 - 9 p.m. For a $20 cover charge, people can get a jump start on the musical feast while enjoying live music, food and wine. On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., the public can dig in for free and search through the leftovers. It all takes place in suite 172 of the "Howe 'bout Arden" shopping center at 2100 Arden Way. All-in-all there will be approximately 45,000 vinyl records

Every year, Davis radio station KDVS holds a record swap where local record labels, record collectors and record stores can trade thousands of records. It's likely that a few CDs, T-shirts and turntables will turn up as well. This year's event will be held Saturday in Luigi's Fun Garden, and music nerds, casual shoppers and passersby can get in for $3. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. people will be able to visit booths of more than a dozen vendors, including punk-rock labels Gearhead and Prank Records. KDVS, Midtown Monthly and the 'Zine Symposium held July 11 will also have tables, according to event co-coordinator Heather Klinger. Also a DJ at KDVS, she's been coordinating the event with Tim Mat

  On Saturday, Feb. 28 Harlow's will be hosting Rock and Rhyme, beginning at 9 p.m. Lyrics Born, a Hip Hop artist with local connections will be headlining the show at Midnight. Lyrics Born went to UC Davis with Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel of Blackalicious, Lateef the Truthspeaker, DJ Shadow and Jeff Chang aka DJ Zen. In addition to being one half of the band Latryx with Lateef, Lyrics Born has released two albums, three mix tapes, a remix album and a live album as a solo artist. His single "Callin' Out" was featured in a Diet Coke advertisement featuring Adrian Brody, while his single "I Like It, I Love It" was featured in a Playstation 3 advertisement. His rhymes are as diverse as his mu