Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "sacramento convention center"

Ways to spend your MLK, Jr. Day in Sacramento

2012-01-12T21:22:34Z

Not everyone has this coming Monday off (alas!) but for those that do, Sacramento has a few options for using your day off to celebrate the man it honors—Martin Luther King, Jr.

MLK365 is presenting the 31st Annual March for the Dream, which includes a peaceful march (choose to begin from the Oak Park Community Center, Grant High School, or Sacramento City College) that convenes on the Sacramento Convention Center for an afternoon of celebration. There will be something for all ages and interests—vendor booths, kids’ crafts & activities, entertainment, an art village featuring local artists, and more.

The Crocker Art Museum is opening their doors for their free Holiday Monday program. Monday’s event—“MLK Day – Lift Every Voice”—is a music-infused celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr, with regional choirs performing throughout the day. The event concludes with a screening of Not in Our Town, a documentary about the movement to stop hate.

If you think both those celebrations look fun—and you're also looking to listen to some jazz—consider signing up for Sacramento Wine & Nightlife Tours' MLK Day Experience & Smooth Jazz Celebration. This event meets for the March in front of Sac City College, attends the Celebration at the Convention Center, and then shuttles you to "Lift Every Voice" at the Crocker. From there, the shuttle will take you out to the Old Sugar Mill to enjoy musical performances by Tony Elder & Westbound Groove, Cynthia Douglas, DJ Rock Bottom, and more. This is a great way to make the most of your day!

Also open for the Holiday Monday, though not MLK-themed, is the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center, which is celebrating the opening weekend of their new Blast from the Past Exhibit. Kids can enjoy a day of hands-on fun learning all about dinosaurs! There’s a Dinosaur Train creative play area, dinosaur bone replicas on display, a “dino-nest” photo opportunity, and a dinosaur diorama craft.

If you are looking to give back with your day off, consider one of Hands On Sacramento’s volunteer opportunities for MLK, Jr. Day of Service.

Disclosure: Written by Sacramento365.com Assistant Editor, Alison Kranz

Perspectives offers stories for all

2011-09-24T03:21:40Z

Despite running shorter and offering fewer speakers than past years, the Metro Chambers’ 17th annual Perspectives event offered a range of speakers diverse enough to make the morning entertaining and fascinating for all attendees.

Perspectives is an annual event for individuals to see notable political and cultural leaders speak in the Sacramento Convention Center.

This years speakers were Olympian Dara Torres, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, and former CIA Director Robert Gates.

Previous speakers include Condoleezza Rice, Mikael Gorbachev, Margaret Thatcher and Elizabeth Dole.

After videos of sponsors, various introductions to the event, and an audio-less video montage of Dara Torres swimming spliced with an interview, the Olympian, author, and TV commentator took the stage and proceeded to describe her unconventional swimming career. She focused mostly on her post-natal decision to swim in the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the age of 41. She came home from Beijing with three silver medals, one of which was due to finishing only .01 seconds behind the winner.

Erin Harris, Director of the American Heart Associations Go Red for Women, said that she found 12 time Olympic medalist and mother the most interesting of the morning.

“As a woman she was very inspiring,” Harris said.

“We all have our own obstacles we have to overcome,” Torres said. “No matter what age you are, there’s always someone helping you.”

Despite sounding trite at times, it was clear that Torres’ intention was earnestness on Friday morning, even momentarily choking up after mentioning the death of her longtime coach.

Following Torres was Twitter co-founder Isaac “Biz” Stone. The 37-year-old entrepreneur promoted creative perseverance by telling stories of starting a lacrosse team at his high school after not being accepted into any of the already organized sports teams, dropping out of college to pursue graphic design after inadvertently getting hired as a designer as a result of secretly placing his own graphic design work in a file of professional pieces at a firm where his actual duties were just moving boxes of books, and developing Twitter despite nearly unanimous skepticism.

“Creativity is a renewable resource,” Stone said. “You as a person have infinite creativity. To succeed spectacularly, be ready to fail spectacularly.”

“Biz was very fun,” said Sacramento Metro Chamber interm president and CEO Martha Clark Logren. “There was positive energy in the room.”

While Torres and Stone spoke candidly and seemed to improvise for the sake of storytelling, Robert Gates, 2006-11 Secretary of Defense, former Director of the CIA and the final speaker of the morning spent much of his time staring down into the podium while speaking about the future of the United States and its relationships with China, North Korea, and Russia.

After beginning with a series of puns such as, “It’s just great to be anywhere but Washington D.C.,” Gates spoke to Perspectives attendees as one might expect the leader of the CIA: direct, confident, and forewarning.

“In the coming years the United States and Asia will become more inextricably linked...It is important for the United States to have a military presence in Asia,” he said.

Although he admitted that he was pessimistic in his CIA days, Gates’ closing remarks suggested a change in his attitude during the years since, “There are no painless solutions to the challenges we face...But regarding the American future I am an incredible optimist.”

KFBK Operations Manager Alan Eisbenson said that Gates was his favorite speaker of the event.

“I thought he had the most interesting information,” Eisbenson said.

National Train Show Makes Stop in Sacramento

2011-07-12T08:59:12Z

Generations of model train enthusiasts came to the Sacramento Convention Center this weekend to experience the ultimate showcase of model railroading. The 21st Annual National Train Show came to town with thousands of square feet devoted to model train displays inside the Convention Center.

The National Train Show is held at different cities in the U.S. and showcases the industry’s new and one of a kind products and services from retailers and manufacturers from around the U.S. and world.

Model trains, accessories, track and collectibles were shown at different miniature venues. This is a prime show for model train connoisseurs, from those who have been involved for the past half century or so, to the new collector looking for that special train, track or accessory that completes their collection.

One of the most popular display areas on the floor was the unbelievable 2,500 square foot Lego Mini Land display. Landscape, buildings, bridges, waterfalls, vehicles of all kinds and many more items made entirely by Lego pieces filled the area.

Children and adults marveled at the Lego creations as they watched in awe as trains travelled through the great landscape. Millions of Lego pieces were used to create the marvelous structures, vehicles and moving trains.

Around 300 exhibitors showcased their model train items at the show, which also included a model train Hall of Fame. Intricate tracks were laid out on certain displays and every single setup was done to showcase detail.

A children’s play area was also set up with train sets. For some of the kids, the play area may be the beginning of a lifelong love affair with trains. Many junior engineers were made during the event and wore brand new engineer hats to enjoy the show.

The three day show was very popular for families. Besides the model train exhibits, there were vendors selling accessories, electronics, replacement parts, starter sets and much more. Vendors were more than willing to spend time chatting about best practices, places to begin or where to find items not available onsite.

The National Train Show (NTS) is owned, produced and sponsored by the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA). The NMRA was founded in 1935 and is the largest of its kind in the world. Established in 1988, the NTS promotes model railroading as an active hobby for people of all ages. The show is geared for model train enthusiasts as well as any model building fans.

The weekend event showcased great planning and building feats and made many new fans. Children enjoy the event as much as their parents and grandparents, making the event a very enjoyable family outing.

Information on the National Model Railroad Association, membership and train modeling and activities can be found on the NMRA website.

City loans California Musical Theatre $300,000

2011-04-28T01:17:51Z

The struggling California Musical Theatre in Sacramento will receive $300,000 from the city to help it stay afloat.

The Sacramento City Council unanimously decided Wednesday to loan the amount to the theater over the next three years. The theater can withdraw the money in $50,000 increments each quarter until the $300,000 total is reached, according to a report by city staff. The money will go toward the theater’s operations.

California Musical Theatre runs Music Circus, the Broadway Series and Cosmopolitan Cabaret.

“It’s an important piece of downtown,” Councilman Jay Schenirer said, referring to the theater. The business the theater brings to downtown is “incredibly important,” he added.

The city is taking $300,000 from its Community Center Theater Renovation Project for the loan.

Councilwomen Sandy Sheedy and Angelique Ashby noted that the money for the loan is designated for the arts and cannot be used in the city’s general fund.

When the theater withdraws money from the loan during a fiscal year, it must pay back the city the amount plus interest by June 30 of that fiscal year, according to the city staff report.

The theater cannot receive a bank line of credit because of its financial situation, the staff report said.

Still, the theater provides benefits to the city, according to the report. The theater employs more than 550 people, and pays $800,000 to the Sacramento Convention Center in rent annually, the report said.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Anaheim's economics luring Kings, mayor says

2011-03-04T03:51:08Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson on Thursday sounded resigned to the idea Sacramento may soon lose its professional basketball team.

A day after his first conversation with the Sacramento Kings' owners in more than a month, Johnson said Anaheim and its city-owned arena, the Honda Center, have this city beaten on too many fronts.

Anaheim has a lucrative TV market and the Walt Disney Company’s Disneyland and other Fortune 500 companies that can buy sponsorships and luxury boxes and suites – critical revenue streams for basketball teams, in addition to ticket sales. Sacramento's economy is struggling and its arena is outdated, he said.

"It's a business decision and the economics of Anaheim are better than the economics for them at this state here in Sacramento," Johnson said in a late-afternoon press conference at City Hall. "They are fully exploring their options, which appears to be Anaheim."

Johnson has been trying to meet with the Maloof brothers, who own a majority share of the Sacramento Kings, since Feb. 19 during National Basketball Association All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, when NBA Commissioner David Stern confirmed rumors the Maloofs have been talking with Anaheim officials about a possible move.

The Maloofs also made it clear during the discussion with Johnson before Wednesday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers that they will not sell their interests in the Kings.

The Maloofs aren't willing to negotiate a deal for the Kings to stay in Sacramento or share any financial documents about Kings and Arco Arena revenue unless a deal in Anaheim falls through, Johnson said.

"I do not think Sacramento can influence the outcome of their decision," he said. "I'm OK with that. I think we're all OK with that. It's a decision they're going to have to make."

During a phone call with the mayor Wednesday, NBA Commissioner David Stern encouraged Johnson to continue to "fight" for the Kings – but said he'd support the Maloofs when they make a case to move to Anaheim to other team owners during the NBA Board of Governors meeting April 14-15.

On Tuesday, the NBA board extended the Kings’ deadline to file a relocation request to April 18.

Bracing for the likelihood the Sacramento Kings will be leaving town, business leaders said in a separate press conference Thursday that the time is right for the region to pull together to get a new sports and entertainment center built downtown.

Downtown redevelopment and the region's $2.4 billion convention and tourism industry and other businesses would benefit by having a state-of-the art facility downtown, said Sacramento Convention and Visitor's Bureau President Steve Hammond.

"This is about so much more than the Kings," said Downtown Sacramento Partnership Executive Director Michael Ault at a morning press conference inside the Sacramento Convention Center. "There are too many examples of urban centers .... where these facilities have been catalysts."

In a rare joint press conference, Ault, Hammond and Sacramento Metro Chamber President Matt Mahood threw their support behind an arena effort led by Johnson – who until now has been the lone leader addressing the unfolding situation involving a possible Kings departure.

An arena and events center can be expected to draw 3 million visitors to at least 225 events each year, they said.

Leaders from 14 business chambers throughout the area recently met and agreed to collaborate to determine what type of arena and event center is needed and how to get it built. The community must "prepare itself" that public investment will be needed, Mahood said.

Hammond quickly added that efforts to fund the facility must include "opportunities" for the businesses that would benefit and that business leaders couldn't expect all the funding to come from taxes.

Just what that would mean – whether it might be businesses buying luxury suites at a new arena or some other type of funding – is uncertain. Business leaders are awaiting a list of financing options being put together by a development team, they said.

The Sacramento area has lost several major conventions, primarily religious conventions, that would have brought 10,000 to 15,000 visitors to the area because there isn't a big enough facility near downtown's hotels. Those visitors would stay at hotels, eat at restaurants and spend money in other ways, Hammond said.

The six-county region's 2 million residents would benefit by having a facility that could accommodate much more than just professional basketball, which Arco Arena was built for. A newer and bigger facility could handle the kinds of events and concerts that residents must drive to the Bay Area for, such as hockey games and big concerts, they said.

Leaders of the ICON-Taylor development team told Johnson after Stern confirmed rumors about the Kings' possible move to Anaheim they would use financial data from comparable NBA markets to prepare a financial analysis for building an arena.

The Maloofs agreed to communicate more quickly and openly with Johnson and the city in the future. They'll make sure he's one of the first to know once a decision about a move has been made.

"They told me if they do decide they don't want to be here, they'll let me know immediately," Johnson said.

Kings officials declined to comment Thursday.

Videos by Brandon Darnell. Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Johnson presents agenda at State of the City

2011-01-21T02:24:41Z

In addition to breaking the news that former Washington, D.C., Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee would base her education group in Sacramento at Thursday’s State of the City address, Mayor Kevin Johnson also laid out his agenda for the environment, education and downtown development.

Johnson’s speech was the key draw of the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s 19th annual event, held at the Sacramento Convention Center. The chamber’s communications director, Hal Silliman, said this year’s turnout of about 950 people set a record.

In remarks before Johnson’s speech, Metro Chamber Board Chair Gregory Eldridge commented on the poor economic environment in Sacramento, saying “many of our members continue to struggle.”

The economy was also central to Johnson’s comments on “Greenwise,” the regional environmental initiative he started last year. The initiative will focus on five objectives.

The first is a goal of bringing twice as many green jobs to the region by the year 2020, doubling the current 14,000 green jobs.

“Our signature projects, in my opinion, when it comes to the green sector, are game changers for our community,” Johnson said.

The mayor’s second goal is to remodel school buildings in an environmentally friendly manner in the next 10 years. Greenwise aims to refurbish 15 million square feet of existing school buildings in the region.

A third element of the plan is to encourage people to buy local food. The fourth priority is to advance energy innovations.

Johnson’s fifth environmental goal is for the region to launch a biofuels manufacturing sector.

“With all of the waste that we produce in our region, particularly around agriculture, we have a tremendous amount of raw material in which we can create biofuels,” he said.

“Everything we need is right here. So on the flip side of it, if every garbage truck, if every bus, if every vehicle, if every city, county and state fleet, runs on biofuel, we can create a market and satisfy it with just our purchasing power by us becoming consumers here in our community.”

On the education front, Johnson set a goal to bring all Sacramento third graders in the city up to grade level in reading.

“We are announcing an initiative today that we want to be the first city in the country that ensures that every child is reading on grade level by the third grade,” Johnson said.

The mayor also discussed his development agenda. He mentioned his desire to revitalize downtown and bring a new sports and entertainment arena there.

A task force studying four current proposals is likely to make an analysis public on Friday.

“I don’t want us to just limp through this (economic) crisis,” Johnson said. “I think if we look back to the history of our community, we know that we have a strong core in this community and we can do a lot of things to get our mojo back.”

Read the complete text of the Greenwise plan here.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Martin Luther King Day

2011-01-19T07:38:57Z

"Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."

- Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Stockholm, Sweden, December 11, 1964.

The words of Martin Luther King, Jr. continue to inspire decades after his departure.

Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration was a day to remember one of America’s greatest heroes. Monday commemorated the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s Holiday.

Marches throughout the United States took place in honor of King. Sacramento residents participated in their own 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. march. Two groups embarked on the march, one departing from the Oak Park Community Center and the other from Grant High School and both met at the Sacramento’s Convention Center.

(Marchers approaching the Sacramento Convention Center)

An estimated crowd of 10,000 participated and enjoyed the celebration. Inside the Convention Center community and educational booths handed out information related to the holiday. A job fair and expo were also held in the Convention Center.

(Roger Dickinson, Darrell Steinberg)

The birth, life and Martin Luther King's dream were celebrated at the Convention Center downtown and a few blocks away the Crocker Art Museum also celebrated the legacy of King.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Crocker was celebrated through inspirational tours based on his teachings. Consumnes River College Contemporary Gospel Choir performed at the museum as well.

(View of new wing from the second floor)

A hands-on art making project took place on the ground floor of the museum and down the hall at the Crocker Auditorium a film "Martin Luther King: Legacy of a Dream" was screened depicting highlights of King’s involvement in the Civil Rights movement.

This was my first visit to the new Crocker Art Museum and I was very overwhelmed by the size of the new wing as well as to the number of exhibits throughout the three floors of art displays. I was also able to enjoy a guided tour led by a Crocker art museum docent. Debbie led a small group through various exhibits in the second and third floors of the museum as well as a visit through the older section of the museum.

Besides the personable and very knowledgeable docents of the museum many high school student volunteers participated in this event. Other volunteers also help the museum run smoothly and they all go through vigorous training.

Seeing the many young people participates in the march and at the Crocker it seems that the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. will continue.

As I write this I heard on the radio that a potentially lethal bomb had been found along a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade route in Spokane, Washington. The parade route was changed to avoid the device and no-one was hurt as the bomb squad disabled it without incident. I don’t know what to make of this but will follow that story to see what comes out of it.

The Crocker Art Museum expansion has not been only its physical growth but many community events will also be held to give exposure to the art of Sacramento and its community. Besides special events Studio Art Programs, films, concerts, dance and member receptions are being planned year round. Lectures and symposia, talks, tours and educational programs for teachers and students also take place throughout the year. Log on their website to find out more about hours, admission fees, events and museum membership.

(View from Crocker Art Museum)

One final reminder; on Saturday February 6, the Crocker Art and other museums will hold the annual Sacramento Museum Day. On this day you can visit several museums free of charge however many of these museums will be packed so plan accordingly.

Biggest, Baddest, Bike Show in America

2011-01-18T05:52:29Z

Billed as the "Biggest, Baddest, Bike Show in America" the Easyriders Bike Show Tour came to town this weekend. Custom bikes, specialty motorcycle merchandise, live music, door prize giveaways, fashion and stunt shows were part of this annual event.

(Easy Rider motorcycle)

The roar of hundreds of motorcycles could be heard Saturday and Sunday all around Sacramento. The ever increasing popularity of the Easyriders Bike Show Tour could be seen and heard all around the downtown area.

(Front of Sacramento Convention Center)

The line to the ticket box office was long and it stretched halfway around the block. Once inside vendor stations spread throughout the exhibition halls. Over 500 motorcycles were going to be exhibited through the weekend as well.

(Box Office line)

This year a kids play area and an autograph signing station were provided. Charlie Hunnam who plays Jackson “Jax” Teller on the Sons of Anarchy TV show was present to sign autographs. Hunnam was only present on Saturday but was on hand for several hours.
Special performances were scheduled for each day of the show. World famous bike builder Paul Yaffe was available to meet with guests. Kendall Johnson and The Limpnickie Lot known as "The Next Generation of Custom bike builders" were also available during the weekend shows.

A stunt show by Jason Pullin was scheduled on Saturday and Sunday with two or more performances a day. The Easyriders Roadware Fashion Show graced the stage with the presence of the Purrfect Angels.

(Purrfect Angelz)

Live music was also performed by Renegade and Jeff Watson. Dozens of vendors provided food, drinks as well as merchandize, samples and information about many products and services.

(Renegade)

Charlie Hunnam, “Jax” on the TV show "Sons of Anarchy" joined the Easyriders 2011 Bike Show Tour. A loud cheer was heard as Charlie entered the autograph area. Actually, the Purrfect Angelz were about to start one of their shows as the cheering was heard. Lisa Ligon, creator and choreographe of the Angelz heard the cheers and commented; "Jax is in the house y’all." From the time Charlie Hunnam showed up until it was time for him to leave a line of fans waited in line to get his autograph and have pictures taken with him. Charlie attended the show on Saturday and was a big hit with the fans.

(Charlie Hunnman "Jax" on Sons of Anarchy with fan)

Geico Insurance and Dennis Kirk presented this annual Sacramento event at the Convention Center. Dennis Kirk is known for perhaps being the world's largest retailer of aftermarket parts and accessories for motorcycles snowmobiles, ATVs and PWCs.

Custom bike builders were able to showcase their bikes and attracted the attention of young and old. There were also door prizes and at least one Harley Davidson bike was being given away. Vendors selling accessories and clothing also occupied many booths as did insurance and legal services vendors.

The Purrfect Angelz performed in several Easyriders Roadware Fashion Shows modeling various Easyriders outfits. The Purrfect Angelz is always a popular attraction and they were available for autographs and pictures. Their 2011 calendar seemed to have sold out as usual. Lisa Ligon gave some information on the Purrfect Angelz saying "We're based in Los Angeles, there are 46 of us entertaining our hearts out." Four of the Angelz performed at the event, Lisa went on to say "The louder you guys are the more we shake it up on the stage up here." Cheers followed and they did their best to entertain the audience.

Voting ballots were given as you entered the display area and there were also voting areas inside the Convention Center. Awards were given for Best of Show, Antique/Old School, Specialty, Modified Stock, Radical, Best Paint and other categories.

(1913 Pope bike)

The Easyriders Bike Show Tour is an annual event that has made it a point to be part of the Sacramento scene. Their shows continue to be popular in Sacramento and several pre-event shows are held at Harley Davidson dealerships from Folsom to Vacaville and other places in between. The Easyriders’ website contains links to the many events scheduled and other helpful sites.

Easyriders Bike Show Tour

2011-01-16T20:35:34Z

This is not a news story. It is not even opinion so much as it is a few words to accompany the photos attached to them. If the old saying has any truth, each shot is worth 1,000 words.

The Easyriders Bike Show Tour traditionally makes its annual Sacramento pilgrimage this time of year and unlike last year, the weather did not present any hindrance to the literally thousands of motorcyclists who parked their bikes on J Street and on every other street around the Sacramento Convention Center. Although the show caters to all motorcycle enthusiasts, the vast majority of those in attendance hold allegiance to one brand in particular – Harley Davidson.

As one might expect, the majority of the megabuck customs displayed inside the convention center reflect that allegiance. Those who know the culture, know; and those who do not, do not, but regardless of one’s level of acquaintance with this lifestyle, it is perfectly clear to anyone who happened to be downtown on January 15th and 16th that there is a huge commitment of both time and money to our “hobby.”

Although I am admittedly a Harley aficionado, it does not mean my entire life revolves around them. But at the same time, other aspects of my life neatly dovetail into what can be viewed as a serendipitous opportunity to express my art in terms of my passion. I do not create the custom painted and chrome plated works that were on display yesterday and today, but I can and do create the words and pictures that document them. Yesterday was one big Kodak moment and a few of the results of that moment can be viewed here.

Art has no bounds…

Lesser lights shine brighter at Perspectives

2010-10-16T01:16:33Z

Despite nationally known speakers Sarah Palin and Howard Dean headlining the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Perspectives 2010 forum, it was the lesser-known speakers who had a greater effect on the audience.

Terrence McNamara, a Sacramentan in the construction industry, said he found management consultant and author Marcus Buckingham to be the most interesting.

“I’ve been coming to this for seven years, and it’s always the speaker you’re not interested in seeing who has the biggest impact,” he said.

Buckingham offered his views on dealing with strengths and weaknesses. Traditionally, Buckingham said, people tend to think that weaknesses need to be worked on.

According to Buckingham, however, strengths should be reinforced.

“Strengths are your areas of opportunity – not your weaknesses,” he said, adding that “a weakness is an activity that consumes us, even if we’re good at it. Strength is an activity that makes you feel strong.”

In figuring out how to enhance performance in areas where people feel strong, Buckingham said they will be better at their jobs and more fulfilled in life.

The second speaker of the day was Food Network personality Chef Jeff Henderson.

Henderson told his story – how he went from being poor in Los Angeles to building a $35,000-per-month drug empire to being thrown in prison and eventually reforming and attaining the American Dream through hard work.

“I wasn’t arrested, I was rescued,” Henderson said.

After thrusting himself into the lives of the successful, Henderson found that “the only difference between the haves and the have-nots are the ones who have the knowledge and information and the ability to do something with it.”

Dean, a former Democratic Party presidential candidate, said the biggest threat to the United States is the budget deficit.

“Great countries collapse and die not because of external threats,” Dean said. “They do it because they lose the will to fight internal threats, and that makes them unable to deal with the external threats.”

Dean advocated stopping government growth and increasing taxes, as well as creating more manufacturing jobs in America.

In the upcoming midterm elections, Dean predicted that, of the contested seats, the Democrats will hang on to four seats in the House of Representatives and three to four seats in the Senate.

“Our candidates are better than the Republican candidates,” Dean said, referring to their political skills as much as his thoughts on their views.

On the subject of health care, Dean said that he views the current national health care plan not as reform, but as an extension of a system that was already in place.

“This bill was not groundbreaking. It was not reform,” Dean said.

Palin, former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, disagreed with Dean on how to generate wealth in the economy, calling for permanent tax cuts to spur investment and business growth.

“My kid is not your ATM,” Palin said, referring to a sign she liked at a tea party gathering. “I love that message sent to Washington, D.C.”

Where Dean had forecast the health care system evolving to a system similar to government-run ones in Canada and Europe, Palin said a free-market health care system is the only way to be successful.

The health care bill is “the mother of all unfunded mandates,” she said. “It’s gotta go. It’s gotta be replaced by true, free-market (reform).”

During her speech to the mostly full house of about 2,000 people at the Sacramento Convention Center, Palin applauded Republican Senatorial Candidate Carly Fiorina and questioned if incumbent Democratic candidate Barbara Boxer has done anything to earn votes.

“She spent 28 years in Washington to show...what for it?” Palin asked.

Palin also said California has the opportunity to lead the United States in government reforms by figuring out a way to deal with the state budget. She compared California’s budget problems to those of the federal government, and she said that Gubernatorial Candidate Meg Whitman is the woman to do it.

“We can, we should do all that we can to make America remain that shining city on a hill and know that our best days are yet to come,” Palin said.

Audience members interviewed by The Sacramento Press after the event said it was a good experience.

“I thought it was terrific,” said John Frisch, a commercial real estate manager in Sacramento who has come to Perspectives for 14 of its 16 years. “One thing I love is there’s always surprises – one to two speakers you’ve never heard of, and they turn out to be nuggets.”

For Frisch, Henderson was that nugget.

“He was terrific,” Frisch said.

DeAnna Mackensen, an interior designer from Yuba City, said she thought Buckingham’s tips on focusing on strengths were very informative, and she plans to put his tips to real-world use in her business.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

12th Annual Taste of Sacramento…A Benefit for Easter Seals

2010-09-29T22:49:22Z

Hundreds of eager patrons filled the Sacramento Convention Center on Friday for the annual Taste of Sacramento. This Easter Seals signature fundraising event celebrated its 12th year, showcasing over 80 of the best wineries, breweries and restaurants the Sacramento region has to offer.

I was able to visit the majority of the vendors due to the well organized arrangement provided by the event planners. Although there were many familiar food and beverage merchants, I managed to add a few new ones to my list of favorites. You can find a complete list of vendors by visiting Participating Vendors.

Those who attended also had the opportunity to bid on over 200 items donated for the silent auction and raffle drawing Silent Auction/Raffle Donations. Add that to the festive environment was music provided by 96.9 The Eagle, and you’ve got a ticket for one exciting and charitable evening.

About Easter Seals

For more than 85 years Easter Seals has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, along with their families, to live better lives. From child development centers to physical rehabilitation and job training, the program offers a variety of services to assist people with disabilities address life's challenges and achieve personal goals. All members of Easter Seals share a single vision:

· People with disabilities will have equal opportunity to live, learn, work and play in their community.
· Children with disabilities will be fully included and have the same experience as their peers.
· All adults with disabilities will experience the life style of their choice.
· All seniors will live out their lives in comfort and with dignity.

Most importantly, Easter Seals offers help, hope, and answers to over one million children and adults living with disabilities nationwide.

To learn more about Easter Seals, how you can become involved, and information on future events, visit www.myeasterseals.org

Wine Enthusiasts Spend their Wednesday at Grape & Gourmet

2010-07-09T01:45:27Z

Cal Expo and the State Fair hosted the 15th annual Grape & Gourmet wine event at the Sacramento Convention Center Wednesday. The convention center was a perfect venue for the largest showcase of award-winning California wines in the world.

There were over 700 California wines from more than 200 wineries. Those who attended enjoyed unlimited food, wine, micro-brewed beer and music. Prior to entering the event, each “wino” received a free commemorative wineglass and wine tote to encourage sampling and purchasing.

There were approximately 3,000 guests who attended, and, surprisingly, it was not overcrowded. There were booths and booths of wineries, many with gold, silver and bronze ribbons covering their prized bottles.

A quarter of the booths at the event were Northern California award-winning restaurants handing out samples to complement the taste buds of the wine enthusiasts. Some hungry guests formed long lines for the popular red velvet mini cupcakes with sweet cream cheese frosting from Babycakes Bakery, and for the large helpings of tender rib-tip and pesto pasta from Sandra Dee’s BBQ. Many went back for seconds, and others were not ashamed to stack multiple cupcakes on their plate. Hey, they paid for it.

Some guests paid the big bucks for the $100 VIP ticket and were able to enter before the public to taste and view the State Fair Commercial Wine Competition. At 5 p.m. the doors were open to the public. Some guests were so anxious they didn’t bother to change out of their work attire.

Sacramentan Bryan Imai purchased the VIP ticket and was at the event early. He waited in the long line for Sandra Dee’s while raving about Macchia, his personal favorite winery. He never stopped smiling throughout our conversation. “I’m having a great time!”

There was not much sitting area besides a few standing tables and a couple of larger tables near the entrance. This encouraged guests to keep sampling. Once the band warmed up, the guests were not shy to hit the dance floor and dance to cover songs like “Sweet Caroline,” “Love Shack” or “Tik Tok.”

The California State Fair held a booth for guests to turn in their Grape & Gourmet admittance ticket in exchange for a free fair ticket.

It was a great turnout, and by the end of the event couples and friends were leaning on each other with wine-stained lips and smiles.

Get inked at the All-American Tattoo Festival

2010-06-18T03:57:10Z

Looking for a little push to get a tattoo? Now's the time to work up your courage, because tattoo artists from all over the world will be inking it up at Sacramento’s All-American Tattoo Festival at the Sacramento Convention Center this weekend.

Hosted by Forever Tattoo and held in the Sacramento Convention Center, the festival celebrates tattoos and the people who love them. Forever Tattoo’s Eiland Hogan said his gang of artists have been to tattoo festivals all over the world, including London, Asia and Greece. The crew decided they wanted something in Sacramento that would operate on an international scale.

“A lot of tattoo conventions are going on in California, but none of them are on an international scale,” Hogan said. “We provide a place where you can come and get a world-renowned tattoo.”

While the festival attracts many tattoo artists from all over California, it also draws artists from Nevada, New York, Hawaii, Florida, and Texas. The festival’s international artists this year hail from Spain, Germany and New Zealand.

“It’s a world scale of what can be done with tattoos,” Hogan said.

Over 100 artists will be on hand to lend their own unique style to human canvases who are looking for something a little different. Hogan hopes to have an attendance of at least 6,000 for this year's festival, coincidentally held on the weekend of Father's day.

The event will also feature a tattoo contests, including Best Leg, Best Sleeve,Best Color, and Best Back tattoos. Some competitions, like the Best Large tattoo, will be divided into men's and women's categories. Each day will end with the best tattoo of the day. Tattoo artists will also showcase some of their own tattoo inspired artwork with over 100 paintings and drawings. This year's live show features the daredevil duo of Tyler Fyre and Thrill Kill Jill, providing a daring Coney Island-style sideshow attraction, complete with sword-swallowing, escape artistry, glass-eating and flame-spitting.

Legacy Tattoo’s Sean Jackson started with the festival five or six years ago as a part of the tattoo artist community in the Sacramento area.

“The festival is a great event, an absolute positive outlet for a lot of the better tattooers in Sacramento, the States and overseas,” Jackson said. “It’s a very positive thing, especially for bringing business into Sacramento.”

Jackson has been tattooing for over 11 years now and enjoys the creative outlet it provides.

“I never know what I’m going to draw until the last second," he said. "I usually pull a really cool rabbit out of my hat. It’s like bringing art to life.”

The All-American Tattoo Festival opens Friday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m and will continue on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., where the celebrations will close with the Best of Show tattoo competition. Fyre will perform his thrill show all three nights.

Tickets will be available all weekend at the Convention Center box office. Prices are $20 per day or $40 for the entire weekend, including admission to the after-hours party. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult and are given free admission.

For more information, including a full schedule of events, please visit the festival website.

Images:

1 & 2: Outside Forever Tattoo
3: Artist Chris Danley works on a tattoo
4: A tattoo enthusiast shows off his full back tattoo
5: Brent Patton works on a design
6 & 7: Tattoo art by Jackson
8: Traditional skull with candle by Branden McAfee
9: Praying hands by Mark Matthews

Neighborhood Summit Meeting Informs Residents

2010-05-24T03:49:47Z

This year's Neighborhood Summit, "Healthy Neighborhoods = A Sustainable City," was held Friday at the Sacramento Convention Center.

The meeting was sponsored by the city's Neighborhood Services Department, and had three categories of workshops: Sustainability and Wellness; Maintain, Promote and Revitalize Neighborhoods; and Community Resources and Partnerships.

Registration, a continental breakfast and opening session were held before the workshops began. The Sustainability and Wellness portion was held from 9:40 to 10:45 a.m. and had seven workshops. Maintain, Promote and Revitalize Neighborhoods went from 10:55 a.m. to noon and had six workshops. A networking lunch included "resource pods and quickie workshops." Community Resources and Partnerships, with eight workshops, was held from 1:40 to 2:45 p.m. The day closed with more networking, "resource pods and quickie workshops" and a closing session.

The Maintain, Promote and Revitalize Neighborhoods workshops included "Getting Ahead of the Crime Curve." Led by Sacramento Police Capt. Dana Matthes and South Area Capt. Dan Schiele, they focused on working with police to stay ahead of the crime curve.

"The message today is how you can prevent yourselves from being a victim," Matthes said.

The officers covered crime trends, prevention, burglary facts, and information on vehicle burglary and violent crimes. The audience asked questions throughout and shared personal experiences with crime.

The officers discussed robberies at Light Rail stations and bus stops, purse snatching, scams and financial crimes.

They encouraged people to use preventive measures, including being aware of surroundings, shredding mail and documents and being cautious of unknown e-mails.

Audience members learned that unsecured doors and windows are common entry points and that burglars are motivated by a need for quick cash. They were told that 65 percent of burglaries nationwide have no leads and that neighbors frequently observe suspicious characters but don't call the police.

Schiele pointed out that burglars tend to target areas with which they are familiar, and that they frequently return to areas. Since burglars like to break into homes where no one appears to be home, Schiele said they often go door to door, pretending to sell an item or using another excuse to see if anyone is home. He suggested people make their homes look occupied.

The officers called car burglary the "30-second crime," and showed hidden-camera footage of one taking place. It was a clear demonstration of how quickly a burglar can break a window, grab an item and flee.

"I thought this presentation was so good, I might ask them to come to our next crime-prevention meeting," said Dawn Carlson of Fair Oaks and the Power Inn Alliance. "They always are very ready to educate the community in any way they can to help them."

The Community Resources and Partnerships portion included a workshop on "How Community Partnerships Help Build a Healthy Community," presented by LaTisha Lawson of Oak Park Weed and Seed, Police Sgt. Susan Feenstra and Sharon Eghigian, NeighborWorks community services director.

It covered common obstacles, neighborhood revitalization, effective collaborations and lessons learned.

Common obstacles to community partnerships include fear, apathy and lack of trust.

Feenstra told about "Cops and Coffee," a monthly gathering that has been integrated into the Oak Park Neighborhood Association meeting.

The presenters discussed who was responsible for revitalizing a neighborhood, pointing out that it requires trust, a community leader, buy-in from neighbors and that common ground be established.

The audience gave a range of ideas on how to build community partnerships, from holding annual events such as potlucks, to simple acts such as being more connected with neighbors.

One workshop offered tips on starting neighborhood projects; its description said it would allow people to "learn how to build working partnerships in (their) community and how to sustain these partnerships by maintaining communication, readdressing (their) objectives and goals, and reaching out to new partners."

NeighborWorks' Eghigian had the perfect example: Oak Park's new farmers market.

"It really came out of residents' ideas and residents' energy," she said.

Agnus-Dei Farrant is an intern for The Sacramento Press.

Metro Chamber's biz-to-biz trade show part of Gov.'s Collaboration series

2010-05-11T18:04:01Z

More than a thousand businesses from across the region will gather Tuesday, May 25, at the Sacramento Convention Center to discover new contacts, exchange leads and obtain useful management skills and information on the latest products and services.

Metro Expo is part of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Collaboration Conference, which is an ongoing effort to connect small business with contracting opportunities and certification information. Metro Expo features city, state and federal agencies (below) seeking small- and medium-sized vendors for bid opportunities.

The annual business-to-business trade show hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber will also include more than 120 top service and product vendors. The half-day expo will also feature business seminars by local experts. Attendees can get their small businesses certified to do business with local, state or federal agencies. The day ends with a networking reception.

Tickets are available on a two-for-one basis—or $30 for a pair. Exhibit Hall hours are 1-5 p.m.; networking is 5-7 p.m.

Government Agencies Exhibiting and Looking for Small Business Vendors
• CA State University
• California Highway Patrol
• California Taxpayer Advocates (EDD, FTB, BOE, IRS)
• Consumer Affairs
• DDS
• Department of General Services (DGS)
• DMV
• DTSC
• Employment Development
• Fish and Game
• Food and Agriculture
• Franchise Tax Board
• Health Care Services
• Rehabilitation
• Resources, Recycling & Recovery (Calrecycle)
• Resources, Forestry and Fire Protection
• State Board of Equalization - Taxpayer's Rights
• Veteran's Affairs
• Water Resources

To register, visit metrochamber.org/expo or contact Lindsey Ono at 916-319-4262. Take a video tour of Metro Expohere.

What's Happening At The Capitol: April 29

2010-04-29T03:43:08Z

11 a.m. - 3p.m.

Caltrans is hosting its annual Workers Memorial on the west steps of the Capitol. The memorial will honor workers who died in the line of duty while fixing signs and potholes, working on highways and other transportation-related jobs. Business, Transportation and Housing Secretary Dale E. Bonner will be at the memorial along with people from Caltrans and the Office of Traffic Safety. It is expected to be an emotional and moving event. About 800 people are expected to attend.

2-3 p.m.

The California State PTA (California Congress of Parents, Teachers, and Students, Inc.) is holding a Rally for the Children on the north steps of the Capitol. The rally is part of the PTA's ongoing 9 Million Reasons to Speak Up campaign, which aims to tell legislators to invest in children. The rally is the first event of the PTA's 111th annual convention, which takes place over the weekend at the Sacramento Convention Center. About 300 people are expected to attend the rally.

Community Center Theater renovation planned

2010-04-27T05:07:10Z

Let's just say that you bought tickets to your favorite musical but had to sit in the back because those were the only seats available for a wheelchair user. Or you're a woman who needed to use the bathroom at intermission, but the lines were so long you had to miss the first 10 minutes of the second act.

If you've been to the Community Center Theatre since it opened in 1974, you could have experienced a problem of this sort, said Convention Center Manager Judy Goldbar. Luckily, those are two major issues that a proposed $40 million renovation seeks to address. The theater, run by the Sacramento Convention Center, hosts a number of local and touring productions, including Broadway Sacramento, the Sacramento Ballet and Sacramento Opera.

The City Council seeks to pass a resolution Tuesday Night approving the renovation, which would initially cost around $3 million in design services by Westlake Reed Leskosky Architects. The remaining projects, costing about $37.5 million, will need to be be paid back late in the 2010/11 fiscal year through bonds.

"We've talked about it in the past, even before 1999," Goldbar said. "When the building was built in 1974, it was state-of-the-art at that time, and it was our desire to update the theater."

Since the theatre is currently not Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, making it compliant will be the top priority. The theater, which Goldbar said was "designed to be a multipurpose venue for ballet, symphony, opera and entertainment venue," also seeks state-of-the-art electronics, a new heating and air system and LEED energy efficiency certification in the remodel.

To afford $3.5 million for the design contract, the facility will utilize more than $1 million it's saved since 1999, $1.5 million from a "Capital Improvements Project" fund, and another $2 million that it was awarded for renewing a contract with Classique Catering. The rest will be paid off in part by the Transient Occupancy Tax (hotel tax) and a Convention Center user fee of up to $3 per ticket.

"They are a magnet for activity downtown that in turn helps support the businesses surrounding them," said Lisa Martinez, The Downtown Sacramento Partnership's director of marketing and outreach. "They bring a lot of clientele, (and) the businesses get a lot of overflow."

Martinez also echoed the sentiment that the facility could use more bathrooms.

"I think (they) have the opportunity to create a better experience for the theater audience," she said. "Part of that is improving restrooms."

She also mentioned that the plan was comprehensive and would elevate downtown as a hub for the arts. With the new construction plan, Martinez said she hopes that people can drive by and know right away that it is a theater.

Goldbar stressed that the Convention Center renovation won't impact the city budget.

"None of (the money) comes out of the general fund," she said. "We are an enterprise fund, so as such, we pay fees back to the City of Sacramento for the privilege of renting the facility. The city has done a great job of maintaining it's asset, so I think it's a good idea that we update our facility."

The full resolution can be viewed here.

Green Summit Shows New Green Tech

2010-03-18T04:18:00Z

The fourth annual Green California Summit and Exhibition wrapped up today at the Sacramento Convention Center, giving attendees a look at new green technology that provided a glimpse into what the world could look like in the near future.

The summit featured keynote presentations from four speakers: 15-year-old Alec Loorz, founder of Kids vs. Global Warming; Noel Perry, Next 10 founder; David Roland-Holst, director of the University of California at Berkeley's Center for Energy, Resources and Economic Sustainability; and Fran Pavley, the state senator who authored Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The summit also offered classes on green building codes, new media and green legislation.

Between classes, people could walk through the expansive and busy exhibition hall, which was filled with about 300 booths and showed everything from commercial toiletry management to fuel-cell-powered vehicles.

Japanese company Noritz showed off a gas-powered, tank-less water heater that promised endless hot water and used less energy than current water heaters, while BionX had a device that provided electronic assistance to bicycles, resulting in a faster and more efficient bike ride.

Groasis featured its Waterboxx invention, a little box that allows for planting trees in places that they would not normally grow. The device, which will be fairly cheap when it is released, gives enough water to a young tree to live until its roots can begin to sustain its life. Ellie Hoff, project director at Groasis, said that a test in the Sahara desert showed that more than 80 percent of trees planted with the Waterboxx technology survived, while more than 90 percent of those planted without the device died. Hoff said this can lead to more planting of trees.

"At this moment, when you plant something, you have to irrigate it," she said. "But if there is a drought or scarce water resources, this product reduces the amount of water needed to plant trees."

Mount Professional Services showcased its Dewpointe water filter, which uses a complex system to make water out of the moisture in the air, producing up to 3,000 gallons per day of clean water without the need for a pure water source. Scott Mount of Mount Professional Services said that this technology could be used to provide water to people who do not normally have access to it.

"In America, we take for granted the water resources we have," he said. "We're looking at going to places that need water. This device could be used in places like Haiti or Chile."

Not all of the booths promoting a green lifestyle needed high-tech products. 7th Generation Recycling showed its textile recycling bins, which would help eliminate landfill waste and provide a use for used clothing that places like the Salvation Army can not take.

"We're trying to put these bins in convenient public places," said owner Kennedy Nijmeh. "It provides an outlet for people to get rid of their unwanted textiles." Nijmeh said that the unusable textiles are processed and made into things like mop heads and insulation, while some clothing that can still be used is sent to other countries.

The exhibit hall featured other products including solar-powered trash compactors, a machine that makes biodiesel fuel out of vegetable oil for less than $1 per gallon, electric motorcycles and a specialized fan that decreases the amount of grease a restaurant oven produces. Many different industries, from clothing to computers and lighting, were represented, each with its own take on how to make the planet greener and more efficient.

The fourth annual Green California Summit and Exhibition turned the Sacramento Convention Center exhibition hall into a window to tomorrow's world.

Fourth Annual Green Summit Next Week

2010-03-13T06:24:34Z

The fourth annual Green California Summit and Exposition is coming to the Sacramento Convention Center next week.

The expo is one of the biggest green forums with a public-sector focus in the nation. It's also where government and businesses interested in green technology can get educated, according to Racquel Palmese, managing editor of Green Magazine. The expo's theme is "Committed to Sustainability."

"In this time of economic hardship, it's important for everyone to keep their eye on the ball, as well as be good for the environment," she said.

In addition to an exhibit hall that will feature new developments in green technology, there will be four keynote speakers: 15-year-old Alec Loorz, founder of Kids vs. Global Warming; Noel Perry, Next 10 founder; David Roland-Holst, director of the University of California at Berkeley's Center for Energy, Resources and Economic Sustainability; and Fran Pavley, state senator who authored Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.

"AB 32 is being challenged now," Palmese said. "This summit will be a good reality check on what AB 32 is and the importance of keeping it moving forward."

The summit also will offer classes and seminars on various topics such as water management, green building codes, and legislative mandates. Palmese said that the first-time class on building codes reflects the fact that California is the first state to have green building codes.

More than 300 companies will be represented in the three-day event.

"This is unlike any other green summit," said Palmese.

The Green California Summit and Exposition will be at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J St., March 16-17. Monday will haveall-day workshops, but no exhibit events. Registration is available online and is free only for exhibits and to hear keynote speakers.

Black Expo inspires Sacramento to go green

2010-02-22T04:59:47Z

As someone who enjoys fun and festive community events, I am more than happy to report on one of the best events in the area that took place over the weekend, the Black Expo. This was my second visit to the annual expo, which is held during Black History Month and provides a means of networking and showcasing the best of black business and culture.

I was eager to see what had changed between last year and this. I heard from some who can remember the expo's past, and it is heartening to learn that it has come a long way since it began 14 years ago.

No longer an obscure event with little fanfare or sponsorship, the Black Expo welcomed thousands of people over the weekend. More than 100 sponsors, exhibitors and vendors participated in the expo at the Convention Center, with its theme "Tapping our Green Power." The goal was to educate and call upon Sacramento’s black community to become more engaged in green technologies and resources, said Cheryl Brownlee, consultant and expo committee member.

“Each year we are trying to find ways to better inform our community about what’s happening, and this is our 14th year of doing this event, so we wanted to reflect what is happening in the future and green technologies reflect that,” said Brownlee. Companies such as SMUD, PG&E, Regional Transit, Caltrans, Los Rios Community College District, and General Mills are among major sponsors of this year’s expo.

“We feel it’s important to be here to increase our diversity efforts and give back to the community," said Holly Brown, Membership Representative of Schools Financial Credit Union in Sacramento. Those efforts toward environmentally friendly energy use are meant to accelerate the understanding of African Americans and others should have about the importance of a green-oriented economy.

The green theme was obvious from the displays in the exhibit hall as well as the countless Black Expo “Tapping Our Green Power” bags on people's arms. What representatives of the expo such as Brownlee want people to know is that the need for more information and a change in environmental policies, investments and funding sources is essential. Such changes, she emphasized, will lead to more jobs and a better economy for everyone.

However, not everything at the expo was about going green. Some highlights: a keynote address by Susan Taylor, the National CARES Mentoring Movement founder and editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence Magazine; the Glory Awards, which honored several spiritual leaders for outstanding service; a community breakfast for leaders under the age of 30; and the Stars of Tomorrow talent show. The weekend’s events also included business and job workshops, kids and crafts activities, and a gospel program on Sunday.

And most important, what is a good community event without good food? There were several options, including Minnie’s Cornbread House, El Shaddai Liberian food, G-Dubbs Barbeque and Healthy Eats. The food lines were never short but kept moving, making for easy sampling of tasty dishes.

Those who missed this year's Black Expo should plan to attend next year's. It's a thought-provoking and community-building event.

Black Expo serves as showcase for Black community in Sacramento

2010-02-16T20:14:24Z

When it comes to a showcase of events from Sacramento’s black community there is only one event that stands out and that is the annual Sacramento Black Expo exhibit held at the Convention Center this weekend from February 19-21. From people shopping to vendors selling goods it’s a chance to experience a lot of what the culture of African-Americans is all about. Whether its business, health, spiritual, finance, fashion, music, food, and education there is something for everyone.

Among special events include a “Youth Talent Show”, “Glory Awards”, Soul Food and Exhibitors”, and “Gospel Sunday Program”. There will be a host celebrities and personalities in attendance. Major sponsors include SMUD, NAACP, Wells Fargo, McDonald’s, Regional Transit, PG&E, Comcast and others.

For more information or if you interested in becoming a vendor/exhibitor contact Lesley Leatherwood at (916) 838-9467 or Pleshette Roberston at (916) 470-2337.

The twenty-second annual Winter Wine and Food Fest benefiting Make-A-Wish

2010-02-02T04:38:22Z

Each year the Sacramento Convention Center houses the annual Winter Wine and Food Festival in order to benefit the Northern California chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The goal for this year’s twenty-second annual event was to meet or exceed the $700,000 raised from last year’s Food and Wine Fest. The event consisted of a food and wine tasting portion from 5-7:30 p.m., followed by a VIP live auction from 7:45-10 p.m.

As guests entered the main exhibition hall, they were given a wine glass and a food plate and allowed to roam the floor in search of whatever wine or food that struck their fancy. Over The Edge, a local cover band, played upbeat popular songs in the center of the room while vendors were situated in circular groups of tables throughout the hall.

There were more than 60 local restaurants in attendance proudly showcasing their edibles. Many of them return year after year to show support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The line to sample some sushi from Tex Wasabi’s (a restaurant in Sacramento owned by Food Network star Guy Fieri) was the longest in the building, making Tex Wasabi’s probably the most popular food vendor of the evening. Another popular vendor was Cupcake Craving, which brought more than 2,000 mini-cupcakes in delectable flavors such as 24K Craving (a carrot cake cupcake) and Red Velvet Rescue to feed food enthusiasts with a sweet tooth. Also a big hit was the Chocolate Architect, whose booth consisted of tiny cubes of “chocolate silk” in many tasty flavors such as rocky road, peanut butter and espresso. However, not all the food was sugary and sweet. Vendors such as Aioli Bodega Española, Boulevard Bistro and Nugget Markets offered savory fare ranging from pasta dishes to cheese platters.

With more than 60 wineries represented, the amount of Northern California wine available to taste was nearly overwhelming. There were smaller wine companies represented, such as Barsetti Vineyards, known for its signature zinfandel grown in the Lodi region. There were also more well-known wineries like Kenwood in attendance. Kenwood is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, a slightly grassy, crisp, light wine that borders on refreshing and goes well with oysters and crab, as well as its reserve Jack London wines that are actually harvested from the famous author’s historic vineyard in Glen Ellen, near Sonoma.

In addition to the numerous wineries, there were also several microbreweries in attendance. Gekkeikan Sake was present, which has opened its first brewery in North America in Folsom. Hoppy Brewing Company is a brewery in Sacramento that directly supplies retailers and its restaurant and brought some of its beers to sample. Sudwerk, a restaurant and brewery in Davis also attended.

The silent auction was set up at two large areas where guests were allowed to browse through the donated items up for auction and bid on them at will throughout the evening. There was a lot of wine up for auction, but there were also unique items such as hand-knit blankets, needlepoint and jewelry made by mothers of Make-A-Wish children. Overall support from the Northern California community was high, as there were so many donated items and services up for auction ranging from landscaping services to a complete Nintendo Wii videogame system equipped with games.

While plenty of money was expected to be raised from ticket sales and the silent auction lots, the live auction in the VIP area was where the big-ticket items were to be auctioned. While many one-of-a-kind items such as an autographed Guns N’ Roses bass guitar were for sale, the item all the big spenders were after was the most expensive thing up for auction – a trip to Costa Rica with business-class airfare valued at $16,400.

Probably the most important guest of the evening was 3-year-old Evan, this year’s ambassador for Make-A-Wish. Dressed to impress in his tiny tuxedo, Evan’s job as ambassador was to take part in the festival by having a film made all about him and his life to be shown during the auction, as well as to come on stage and participate.

Photos by Kati Garner

The 22nd Annual WINTER WINE & FOOD FEST is this weekend

2010-01-25T21:58:18Z

Get ready for the 22nd Annual Winter Wine & Food Fest benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the Sacramento Convention Center.

This premiere food & wine event will once again showcase over 60 exceptional local restaurants and food purveyors and 60 of the finest wineries and top area microbreweries. The general admission tasting and extensive silent auction begins at 5:00 p.m. and continues until 7:30 p.m. Live music will be provided by the Over The Edge Band.

For an additional cost, the evening continues on with a special VIP Program that also includes an exclusive live wine auction and runs from 7:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The event is attended by more than 1,500 of Sacramento’s business leaders and their guests. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Sacramento & Northeastern California. Founded in 1983, this charitable nonprofit organizations purpose is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy!

General Admission tickets are $85 advance and $95 at the door. Exclusive VIP tickets which include assigned seating with served wine and speciality appetizers by Henry's Steakhouse at the Red Hawk Casino are $175 per person.

For additional information or to order tickets, please contact the Make-A-Wish office at 916-437-0206 or visit us online at www.makeawish-sacto.org.

Come and enjoy great wine, great food and great company at the Winter Wine and Food Fest and share the power of a wish®!

Bikers come thundering into Sacramento Convention Center

2010-01-19T07:00:27Z

Hundreds of motorcycles lined both sides of J Street in front of the Convention Center on Saturday while their owners attended the annual Sacramento stop of the Easyriders Bike Show Tour.

Although the rain Sunday reduced the number of bikes parked on the streets, attendance at the two-day event was as good as or better than last year, said event manager Kari Roben.

Inside the Convention Center, the main floor was full of exhibitors and vendors displaying custom motorcycles and related goods and services, including accessories, apparel and custom fabrication.

Sacramento was the second stop on a five-city tour that started in Pomona on Jan. 9. “This is our second biggest show,” Roben said. “Only the last show, the invitational in Columbus, is bigger.”

Roben said that the Sacramento show owes its success to a large number of subscribers to Easyriders magazine, local support from Harley Davidson of Sacramento and other vendors, and the fact that the city is centrally located.

“Sixty to 75 percent of our vendors return year after year,” she said.

In addition to vendors and row after row of custom motorcycles, there was live music and entertainment. And clowns roamed the exhibit floor, entertaining young and old alike.

Woodland resident Meagan Murphy, also known as "Denim Jean," created balloon animals for all who happened by the booth of Anne Nix, owner of Sacramento-based Anne’s Badass Boutique (or Anne’s Incredible Bodywear, depending on her clientele).

“This is my 12th or 13th year,” Nix said. “I’ve been doing biker shows all over the U.S. for 16 years.”

She said the economy has significantly affected her business and that she was not sure how much business the show would generate. Other vendors, though, were more optimistic.

James Dean, owner of Rebel Design, a local custom motorcycle paint and fabrication venture, said, “This is the best show I can do all year.”

Dean said he receives “eight to ten jobs out of the show.” But another local vendor, Mike Armtrout, owner of custom-parts manufacturer Bigger Pimps, from Grass Valley, said he was there “mostly for exposure.”

Many national vendors also were exhibiting.

Representing Iowa-based J&P Cycles, Patrick Garvin said the show was “at least as good as or a little better than last year.”

A large motorcycle parts and accessories vendor, J&P Cycles distributed free catalogs for Harley Davidson, vintage and metric motorcycles.

John and Christi Huddleson were exhibiting for the first time at the bike show, traveling to Sacramento and Pomona from their home in San Diego.

The Huddlesons' business, Patch World, generates its income entirely at motorcycle events, John Huddleson said.

“These shows have been better than expected,” he said. “If I had known, I would continue (with the entire tour).”

Some booths had a more philanthropic bent.

“Spurz,” who declined to give his real name, is the state founder of Bikers Against Child Abuse. He said that although one goal of his booth is to raise donations, “our primary purpose is to raise awareness.”

Calvin Jefferson, also known as "Redbone," has been riding motorcycles for 35 years.

“I’ve been coming for the last five years and this is better than last year,” he said, adding that it’s still not as well attended as years prior, “probably because of the economy.”

Robert and Maggie Sanchez were attending their first Easyriders event with their granddaughter Alexia, 2, who was enchanted by Denim Jean. Sanchez has attended the similar Street Vibrations show in Reno but enjoyed Sacramento's version better because it's more family-oriented.

Although the show focuses mostly on V-twin powered street motorcycles such as the venerable Harley Davidson, there was something for every enthusiast.

The show attracted attendees from outside the Sacramento area as well.

Dorain and Christine Sallee traveled from Santa Rosa to view the exhibits and visit the various vendors.

“Last year there seemed to be more Harley stuff,” Dorain Sallee said, adding that he rides a Honda Gold Wing.

A large variety of custom motorcycles were exhibited, some worth more than $100,000.

Lane Shipp, Matt Toro and Andy Clark were checking out their favorite motorcycles Sunday.

“I’d like to see more bikes and less booths,” Shipp said. “I like the simple ones. Less is more.”

In reference to the image of the "outlaw biker," many attendees said that it has faded.

“A lot of that stigma has gone away," said longtime motorcyclist Jim Warnken of Livermore. "It’s not like it used to be.”

Christine Sallee added, “Bikers get a bad rap. It’s not deserved.”

The next stop on the Easyriders Bike Show Tour is in Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 23-24.

For more information, visit the Easyriders Events website

Photo captions for images 1-8

Rebel Designs owner james Dean talks to a potential customer in his booth at the Sacramento stop of the Easyriders Bike Show Tour

Mike Armtrout, owner of Grass Valley's Bagger Pimp exhibited at the show to increase his company's exposure

Two year Alexia proudly wears her balloon hat crafted by 'Denim Jean' the clown.

Dorain and Christine Sallee of Santa Rosa talk to one of the vendors exhibiting at the show

Christi and John Huddleson exhibiting for the first time at the Sacramento event. Their company, Patch World, exhibits at 30 different shows per year

Lance Shipp, Matt Toro and Andy Clark made their way from Placer County to look at the custom motorcycles

Ron Mitchell and Jim Warnken from Livermore eye a bright blue custom fabricated motorcycle

Clown 'Denim Jean,' also known as Meagan Murphy, from Woodland, entertains bike show attendees

Easy rider bike tour rolls into town

2010-01-16T03:00:38Z

Motorcycle riders and rider wannabes: All are welcome at the Easy Rider Bike Show Tour this weekend at the Sacramento Convention Center.

Traveling across the country, the tour offers the nation's best in motorcycles, demonstrations, sales and equipment. The event will also include a bike show with different categories for show bikes and others.

Tattoo artists, clothing designers, leather handlers and more will also be on hand selling their brands. Exhibits and sales will line the walls of the Convention Center. This is the chance to find the perfect helmet graphic or leather vest.

Several local dealerships, including Harley Davidson, will offer on-site financing for future riders.

The Easy Riders Bike Show Tour runs Saturday and Sunday
Admission: $18 Saturday
$16 Sunday
Weekend packages and kids special pricing available.

The tour takes place at the Sacramento Convention Center located at 1401 K St. Motorcycle parking available.

12th Annual Sacramento Reptile Show at the Convention Center

2009-09-27T02:55:12Z

Creepy, crawly, slithery critters abound! The reptiles at the 12th Annual Sacramento Reptile Show were the stars at the Sacramento Convention Center. The show, which began Saturday, will continue through Sunday and should average about 10,000 reptilian enthusiasts and animal fans alike over the weekend.

With strollers packing in the 15,000 square-foot Exhibit Hall, people of all ages appeared amazed at the wide selection of chameleons, bearded dragons, pythons, and poison dart frogs. Vendors with colorful signs were selling everything from reptilian food, assorted enclosures and incubators. Many of the vendors were offering promotional discounts for this special show.

Jeremy and Angel Epstein, of Upscale Reptiles and Pets to Go, began the Sacramento Reptile Show to help educate the public on how to responsibly care for their pet reptiles. Started in 1998 as a 10-vendor show at a hotel, the show has proven to be immensely popular, now averaging about 3,000 reptiles, 80 vendors and 40 professional reptile breeders with educators and suppliers.

"We really do our best to reach out to the families," Angel Epstein said. "That is our future. We are very excited about the industry. We want the hobby to continue."

Vendors and breeders play an important role speaking directly to families about buying pet reptiles so they know exactly what they are getting into, she said. This helps families plan a budget on what they will spend on their reptile, and how large the animal will grow, she said.

Dave Collings, breeder with Rainbows-R-US Reptiles, promotes two different types of snakes: the boa constrictor and rainbow boa.

The price of snakes depend on the breed, the sex and the coloration, he said.

"Exotic males tend to be worth more at first than the females, then as time goes on the females become more valuable," he said.

With corn snakes or leopard geckos in the $25 to $30 price range, families will find a reptile within their budget. However, all native species or venomous or imported animals are not for sale.

Reptile newcomer Elisa, and mom Glenda chose to purchase a baby corn snake at the show.

"Originally, it was going to stay at school with her [eighth grade] science class," said Glenda, "but at the end of summer it will come back to [our] house," Glenda said.

"My cousin got one and I wanted to get one," Elisa said. The corn snake will live for about 10 to 15 years, she said.

Fostering respect through education was an important message throughout the show. Julie Allen, naturalist and environmental educator at Nature's Critters, performed an hour-long demonstration bringing out normally "scary" creatures for children to touch and hold. Allen's educational programs and activities encourage young children to appreciate and question the world around them.

"When you are a young child and you love animals, it carries on into your adulthood," Allen said.

Allen spoke of her belief that people should not be afraid of reptiles and crawling critters.

"I teach kids to not get [certain] animals as pets," she said. "And when they do adopt a pet, I teach them to care for them."

"The children learn to value life," she said. "When they see a snake or a spider, they don't scream and want to kill it; instead, they appreciate the animal and leave them alone."

These values are exactly what Christian is hoping to teach his 3-year-old daughter Pandora.

"I am an animal enthusiast, all around," he said. "Any opportunity to get out and see cool animals is great."

Along those same lines, Laurel Peterson, a biology teacher at Salida Middle School in Salida California, began the Reptile Education Club to nurture her love of reptilian creatures, and inspire her students to be involved with wildlife wonders.

"I love snakes," she said. "A principal came to me with the idea of starting my own club. I have been doing this for 21 years now."

Peterson's club members are mostly sixth graders. All of the students, and parent volunteers, handle snakes, geckos, and lizards while answering questions and letting other children hold the animals for the very first time.

Mya, 7, appeared thrilled to hold a snake at the Reptile Education Club booth.

"It was cool!" she said. She also described the snake as heavy and is considering getting one as a pet.

"You have to be passionate," Allen said. "Every animal I have is precious. I think if you have that kind of enthusiasm for all animals, it gets to be contagious."

The 12th Annual Reptile Show will continue Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J St., Exhibit Halls C-E. Ticket prices for one-day admission are $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free.

Upscale Reptiles' website is located here.

All photos by Kassandra Perlongo.

Sac Convention Center gets inked

2009-06-21T03:58:48Z

Guns and needles took over the Sacramento Convention Center Friday.

Tattoo guns and needles, that is. The first day of the eighth annual Forever Tattoo’s All American Tattoo Festival kicked off the weekend with the best of the best in the ink industry, tattoo contests and circus-style side performer George the Giant.

Sponsored by Tatt life, Tattoo Energy and Budweiser, the festival gave ink fans the chance to peruse and purchase the work of more than 80 tattoo artists from not only the United States but as far as Sweden (Living All Tattoo), Greece (Nico Tattoo) and Italy (Cherry Tattoo).

“I usually go to the festivals in San Francisco, but this is the first year I’ve gone to one [in Sacramento]," festival-goer Zachary Bacon said. "They have a lot of great artists and I’m really impressed."

Some festival-goers had blank flesh canvases and others had mere inches of available space to tattoo. A few artists offered “festival” specials, knocking anywhere from $20 to $40 off their prices, and some charged several hundred dollars to customers, who more than willing to pay for their expertise.

Newly tattooed festival-goers have the opportunity to enter their pieces into contests, which will continue throughout the weekend. Friday’s contests included best sleeve and leg tattoos, and the recipients of the coffin-themed plaques (and bragging rights) were Samantha Schue and Matthew Kleinhauas (pictured).

The evening’s main attraction, besides fresh ink, was George the Giant, a stunt performer who starred in the movie Big Fish and was on “America’s Got Talent.” George stunned his captive audience by swallowing a sword, hammering a nail through his nose and inviting an audience member to walk on his face, which was resting sideways on a pile of broken glass.

In the center of all the action, an art showing that will remain through Sunday lined the aisle leading up to the stage. The tattoo-themed paintings were created by various local artists whowill be inking throughout the festival, including Sacramento’s American Graffiti and Folsom City Ink.

Tattoos weren’t the only things being hawked, however. Livermore’s Charlotte’s Web sold tattoo-inspired clothing and Belzel Books set up a tattoo book nook. Tattoo aftercare companies took the opportunity to boasts their products as well, with companies like Tattoo Genie and Tattoo Goo claiming faster and better healing.

Hells Angels Sacramento, whose many members are tattoo collectors, set up shop to sell their gear and promote their organization. Passion Parties representatives handed out free samples of their intimate party favors, and Nos energy drink supplied boosts to the crowd.

Tattoo fans of all ages roamed the convention center until the doors closed at 11 p.m., many preparing to return the next day and get inked.

The All American Tattoo Festival will continue through Sunday, June 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the box office, located in front of the Sacramento Convention Center.

For Saturday and Sunday's schedule, click here

All photos taken by Jonathan Mendick