Sacramento's best storytellers will be entertaining at the very first Spring into Stories festival on Saturday, April 21. From 10am to 10pm, Carol's Books at 1913 Del Paso Boulevard will feature stories, music, poetry, dance, juggling, food and more. The all-day entertainment includes a Story Slam, a Liar's Contest, Kids' Place, Spoken Word, and cultural performances. A story concert begins at 7pm. All events are free, with a suggested donation of $5 during the reception and story concert. The program is “a must for the entire family” according to Angela James of Fenix Drum and Dance. The festival is sponsored by Carol’s Books and Fenix Drum and Dance Company, Sacramento's premier West A

“Telling stories without shame” is the goal of a new digital magazine published by Sacramento writer and editor Janna Marlies Santoro. The premiere issue of Under the Gum Tree was released this month, and Santoro said she asked contributors to write creative nonfiction that showcases important moments in people’s lives, as told by them. One writer, Sarah Heffron, wrote about her own unplanned pregnancy. “It’s a snapshot of the days just before and the moments after finding out I was pregnant,” she said. While the “creative nonfiction” genre leaves some question as to how much is true, Santoro said all of the stories are true, but sometimes dialogue is written from memory and timelines

Theater has always been a form of art native to children. Watching them play and create their own games and stories has been a staple of the family tradition, and more than a few parents have taken the opportunity to canonize these moments on YouTube. Cynthia Speakman, a local actor and teacher with the Sacramento Metro Arts Commission, has been in the game for over a decade, working with children to improve their performing skills and ability to be outgoing and expressive. "I think it's very natural for kids to act because they have an enormous need to communicate to others," says Speakman. "Even the kids who aren't extraverted want to be more confident, and for parents it's a remedy of

With a Miller Lite in tow, acerbic entertainer Adam Carolla took the Crest stage and delivered his familiar catchphrase – “get it on; got to get it on; no choice but to get it on!” – kicking off a rowdy night of comedy for an enthusiastic sold-out audience Thursday night.    Carolla hosts “The Adam Carolla Show,” a talk show featuring interviews with celebrity guests that is produced in his home studio and topped the iTunes Store's "Best of 2009" selection of audio podcasts.   The former “Loveline” and “The Man Show” co-host was in Sacramento to perform a live comedy event entitled “Christmas Carolla” in support of his recently released book “In Fifty Years We’ll All Be Chicks.”   Starting

THINK AND GROW RICH   By Phillip. S. Arthurs and Ella. C. Jones           I entered the bookstore just to look around. I was broke but couldn’t pass up the temptation of browsing. I came upon the most adorable paperback and was struck by what it promised. I lifted the book from the shelf and noticed the open space of which many of its volumes previously occupied and it was all that remained of at least twenty five copies. I had no money with me but I had to have that single volume; its cover promised the fulfillment of all my future hopes and dreams with the brief statement that was its title. I imagined myself in a life without toil and struggle, a life of abundance, success and prospe

That didn't take too long. Apparently there is a link to the whole Sacramento Business Journal story about The Sacramento Press. Earlier this morning I reported that the article was hidden behind a pay wall. I just got an email from Nicholas Walsh, Marketing Director of The Sacramento Press with this link to the full Business Journal article. This is a story about all of us: employees, writers, and readers. I want to thank Melanie Turner who wrote the story and Dennis McCoy the photographer.