De Vere's Irish Pub held its inaugural St. Baldrick's event Monday, raising more than $81,000 for cancer research, $10,000 of which came from De Vere's. The pub's roped-off sidewalk was packed with spectators trying to get a glimpse of local participants shaving their locks to conquer kids' cancer. De Vere's had 221 shavees lined up for their turn to get snipped. Publicly displayed on the patio, shavees winced when they felt the cold steel clippers reach deep down to the scalp. The participants' reactions caused perpetual laughter, since there was a four-barber-rotation, and each head took only a minute to shave. The crowd stirred when Shawn Eldredge, a City Council candidate for Distri

For the past six years, $300,000 in city funds has remained untouched. The city currently has that amount in its public financing pot for City Council and mayoral candidates to use in their campaigns, according to Assistant City Clerk Stephanie Mizuno. But Rick Bettis, an active member of the Sacramento County League of Women Voters, said he thinks that many people don’t know the city’s public financing money exists. “It doesn’t really jump out at you,” Bettis said. Since the public fund was set up in 2003, only one candidate has used the money, according to Mizuno. In 2004, Craig DeLuz, a City Council candidate in District 2, used about $17,000 in public campaign funds, Mizuno said. I

All but four of 13 candidates running for a City Council seat in June received campaign contributions from sources outside Sacramento County from July to December 2009. It also should be noted that many of the candidates have received numerous contributions from individuals and groups in Sacramento. To provide information about contributions to candidates from sources outside the county, The Sacramento Press has prepared the following guide. The following contributions were made to candidates between July 1 and Dec. 31. DISTRICT 1 Angelique Ashby, City Council candidate Top outside contributions: Lewis Investment Company, Upland: $500 James Milliken, retired Superior Court judge, San

The Sacramento Press is reviewing campaign contributions for the candidates in June's City Council race. Here is a breakdown of the main contributions to the candidates in Districts 1 and 3 from July to December 2009. The July to December figures provide the most recent information on campaign contributions for City Council candidates. Look for the list of key contributors for Districts 5 and 7 on Tuesday in The Sacramento Press. DISTRICT 1 Angelique Ashby, City Council candidate Total monetary contributions for 2009: $26,452 Top five contributors, July to December 2009: Sacramento Police Officers Association: $2,550 Ken Stevenson, auditor: $1,500 Molly Fling, retiree: $1,500 Sha

While Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohn expects dismal budget numbers for the city this year, he also thinks the local economy will begin to heal. In an interview about his goals for 2010, Cohn said the city budget will be his top priority. He said he doesn’t yet know a specific number for the city’s possible budget deficit this year, but he expects the figures to be daunting. The Sacramento City Council made major cuts to services last year to address a $50 million deficit. “In general, despite the tough economy, I’m actually very optimistic about the future,” Cohn said. “So I feel like we’re going to see things start to turn around in 2010.” Cohn said he expects job opportunities

It’s election season in Sacramento — do you know how to follow the money in the 2010 City Council campaigns? You can get the scoop on campaign contributions through the city of Sacramento’s Online Campaign Statement System.  The system, which is free and open to the public, provides information on contributions to City Council candidates. Assistant City Clerk Stephanie Mizuno gave tips Thursday on navigating the online system.   In the past, Mizuno said, the public would have to appear in person to request campaign information. “In this case, you can do it at home, at your computer.” There is a link to the online system at the city clerk’s website under the heading “Elections & Campaig

A Johnny Cash tune playing in the background, Midtown activist and former mayoral candidate Shawn Eldredge announced Friday that he is running for the 3rd District seat on the City Council held by Steve Cohn. Communities in the district include downtown, East Sacramento, Midtown and Arden Fair. Eldredge, a building contractor, took a break from a construction project at the MARRS building in Midtown to talk about his plans. Last year, he lost the race for mayor to Kevin Johnson. If elected to the City Council, Eldredge said his priorities would be “clean and safe” issues, noting that business growth is linked to people feeling comfortable in their environment. Business growth and develop

The Bloc Concert Series has been canceled. Paragary marketing director Callista Wengler confirmed today that the series will not continue. It was scheduled to run the last Saturday of each month through September. The Paragary Restaurant Group organized the and ran the first two concerts to earn money for the Marshall Park Fountain Fund Committee. "We'd love to keep doing it, but it's just really expensive, and the costs were just way more than was expected," Wengler said. "The synergy between the outdoor space and the restaurants makes a great entertainment venue for people." Problems such as a lack of communication and organization began before the concert's debut on May 30, the same

Does the neighborhood association that represents Midtown reflect the opinions of most Midtown residents? Shawn Eldredge doesn’t think so. Eldredge, a construction contractor and former candidate for mayor, brought 17 residents with him to a Neighborhood Advisory Group (NAG) meeting Monday to make the point that Midtown includes residents who support the events, festivals and entertainment being held in the neighborhood. Eldredge said that in the last 10 years, he’s been the “lone voice” at NAG meetings in favor of Midtown and downtown as locations for public events and businesses. He noted that he was not trying to be confrontational with NAG members, saying that he was not trying to l