"For us domestic riders, this is our Tour de France," Chris Jones said of the Amgen Tour of California. "It's the biggest race of our year," added the 31-year-old cyclist from Auburn. Jones and Michael Sayers, a retired professional rider, are Amgen tour veterans. They joined John McCasey, Sacramento Sports Commission director, at a Tuesday press conference at Mason's Restaurant. They introduced the tour's first stage -- from Nevada City to Sacramento -- with Mayor Kevin Johnson and Councilmen Ray Tretheway and Steve Cohn also in attendance. The event kicked off with a video that provided a glimpse of the scenery cyclists will see when they ride from Nevada City to Sacramento on May 16.

New life is coming out of old trees in Sacramento. A foothills woodcarver is finishing a prototype for a collectible wood baseball bat made from a tulip poplar loved by generations as it stood on state Capitol grounds for 129 years. Two Mendocino brothers created a seven-foot-tall abstract tree sculpture from another part of the tree. And a Sacramento sculptor is working on a free-form chair from a California black walnut that marked the site of an old wagon trail for at least 140 years. The wood remains of these old trees are being turned into art, furniture and other new projects to benefit the Legacy Trees Project. Sponsored by nonprofit Sacramento Education Events for Art, the proj

Wednesday, Jan. 27 Noon - 1 p.m. The California Prolife Council will be holding a "Rally For Life" on the West Steps of the Capitol. Following the rally, the group of approximately 350 will meet with legislators. Thursday, Jan. 28 Noon - 1:30 p.m. The California Office of Privacy Protection will be holding a press conference on the north steps of the Capitol. They will discuss the importance of protecting privacy by disposing of personal information, especially electronic data. Approximately 15 people are expected. No further events will occur outside the Capitol until Feb. 1.

Monday, Jan. 25 Noon - 2 p.m. The U.S. Census Bureau will hold an informational rally on the west steps of the Capitol. About 250 participants are expected. No further events will be held outside the Capitol until Wednesday.

Monday, Jan. 11 1 - 2 p.m. California State Student Association will hold a press conference regarding AB 656, which creates a California Higher Education Fund through a new 9.9 percent oil severance tax. About 75 people are expected on the north steps of the Capitol for the press conference. Tuesday, Jan. 12 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Foundation for a Drug Free World will have an information booth on display near the north steps of the Capitol. The Foundation for a Drug-Free World is supported by Scientology churches and other volunteer organizations. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. International Faith-Based Coalition will be holding a public safety and public health rally on the West Steps of the Capitol.

Tuesday, Jan. 5 11 - 11:45 a.m. The Marin Institute, an alcohol industry watchdog group based in San Rafael, will hold a press conference and rally in support of AB 1019 on the west steps of the Capitol. Authored by Assembly Member Jim Beall (D-San Jose), the bill proposes to establish a state alcohol-related services program funded by large alcohol wholesalers. The bill, which was introduced in February, will be reconsidered by the state Legislature this month.  

Through December 31, there are fewer Capitol events, according to the CHP's Capitol Permit Officer. The only event scheduled in the next few weeks is a rally Monday, Dec. 21. From noon to 1 p.m., the Sacramento Area Coalition Against the Death Penalty will be holding a vigil against the death penalty on the north steps of the Capitol. About 15 people are expected. What's happening at the Capitol? will resume in January. 

Saturday, Nov. 21 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. California State Sen. George Runner and California State Assemblyman Roger Neillo will team up with the Patriot Defenders Network to sponsor the "Water For Farmlands" forum. The group seeks a temporary waiver of the Endangered Species Act in order to revert water that is currently rehabilitating endangered fish species to Central Valley farmers. About 500 people are expected to attend the forum, which will be held on the Capitol's west steps. 2 - 5 p.m. Aspiranet, a nonprofit that provides social services to foster children, will be holding a National Adoption Day rally on the north steps of the Capitol. About 300 people are expected to participate. No

Wednesday, Nov. 10 1 - 2 p.m. In honor of Veterans Day, Mexican-American Veteran Memorial, Inc., will hold a memorial service at the California Veterans Memorial for about 50 people. No further events until Saturday, Nov. 14.  

Thursday, Nov. 5 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Blood Source Sacramento will be holding a blood drive for an expected 50 participants. Their "mobile blood van" will be parked near the fish pond. No further events scheduled until Sunday, Nov. 8.  

Saturday, Oct. 24 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Boy Scouts of America will hold the California Capitol March to help celebrate 100 years of scouting. The walk will begin at the west steps of the Capitol and end at Raley Field, where there will be midway games, a BMX and skateboard show, pinewood derby races and other entertainment. The event costs $20. About 10,000 people are expected. Sunday, Oct. 25 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. UC Davis Children's Hospital will be holding a free Halloween-themed Capitol Family Fun Day on the west steps of the Capitol. Preschool through preteen children are encouraged to wear costumes while learning about health, fitness and safety. Free pumpkins and pumpkin carving kits will

Wednesday, Oct. 21 1:30 - 3 p.m. Firestar Productions will be filming a California Firefighters Conference video. The crew of about six will be filming near the south steps and south lawn area of the Capitol. 5 - 9 p.m. The California State Library will hold their monthly "Food For Thought" event at the California History Room, room 200 of the Library & Courts Building II at 900 N Street. Held the third Wednesday of each month, the free event features a film, refreshments and discussion. This week's film is Young Frankenstein. About 80 people will attend the screening. Thursday, Oct. 22 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The California Afterschool Network will be holding their annual "Lights On Aftersch

Friday, Oct. 9 Noon - 1:30 p.m. The Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus will be presenting the Tonga Defense Services Marching Band. About 90 people will view the performance on the west steps of the Capitol.  

Monday, Oct. 5 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. California Partnership to End Domestic Violence will be kicking off Domestic Violence Awareness Month on the north steps of the Capitol. About 300 people will attend. No events will take place until Oct. 9

Saturday, Oct. 3 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Alzheimer's Association will be holding its annual Memory Walk, beginning on the south steps of the Capitol. About 2,000 people will participate. 1 - 2 p.m. The China National Day Foundation will be holding a flag-raising ceremony on the north steps of the Capitol. About 100 people will attend. Sunday, Oct. 4 7:30 a.m. - Noon The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be holding its annual Walk to Cure Diabetes, beginning at the West Steps. About 3,000 people will participate.

Thursday, Oct. 1 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. California Department of Health Care Services will be holding a retirement celebration for it's department on the Capitol's lawn. About 40 people are expected. Friday, Oct. 2 No events planned on this day.

Saturday, Sept. 26 6:45 - Until it ends The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be holding their annual "Light the Night" walk at the Capitol. About 3,000 participants will walk a mile around the Capitol starting at the west steps. Sunday, Sept. 27 No events are scheduled on this day. No events are scheduled until Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Thursday, Sept. 24 Noon - 1:30 p.m. California's Department of Education will be holding a company picnic on the lawn of the Capitol. About 200 people are expected. 5 - 7 p.m. American Society for Public Administration will be holding a reception at the firefighters' memorial. About 50 people are expected to attend. 6:30 - 8 p.m. The Marine Corps band will be performing on the west steps of the Capitol to an expected 50 people. Friday, Sept. 25 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. A Native American Day Celebration will be held on the south steps of the Capitol. It will feature speakers, music and dance. About 300 people are expected to participate. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The Sacramento chapter of the national

Monday, Sept. 21 Noon - 1 p.m. Sacramento Area Coalition Against the Death Penalty will be holding a rally against the death penalty. About 15 people are expected to participate in the rally on the north steps of the Capitol. Tuesday, Sept. 22 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The city's Department of Transportation will be holding a department picnic on the lawn of the Capitol. About 60 people will be participating.

Thursday, Sept. 17 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. The California State Treasurer's Office will be setting up an information booth for the State Employees Charitable Campaign near the traffic circle west of the Capitol. About 75 people are expected to visit. 9:30 a.m. - noon A film crew of eight people from the China Travel Channel will be filming on the north and west sides of the Capitol. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. American Heart Association will be holding a wellness fair on the west steps of the Capitol. During their lunchtime, about 2,500 state employees will also be walking around the Capitol in the AHA's annual Health Walk. Friday, Sept. 18 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club will be ho