Fascinated by railroading history? Interested in working on a train? Enjoy working with visitors, children and school groups? The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park (SHP) are now recruiting adults (18 or older) who are interested in volunteering in early 2012 to help communicate the West’s fascinating heritage of railroading and the California Gold Rush.  The volunteer orientation will begin on Saturday, February 25, but interested volunteers must apply and be interviewed in advance. Volunteer applications are being accepted now through Monday, February 6.  Community members are encouraged to get involved in this worthwhile program that offers an opport

With Veterans Day landing on a Friday this year it was conducive for many events honoring those who have served. Somewhat under the radar, Old City Cemetery (OCC)  gave visitors a tour of a few of the grave sites of Military Medal recipients  fought in the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Spanish-American War. Amongst them they were recognized with these medals:     •     2 - Medal of Honor     •     2 - Distinguished Flying Cross     •     6 - Silver Star     •    23 - Bronze Star     •     5 - Air Medal     •    44 - Purple Heart. Three volunteer tour guides took turns telling the stories of the circumstances surrounding the dead soldiers. . As we started walking we were to

Sergio Jimenez last seen at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2. He is a 17 year old student at the Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep (NP3) campus on Del Paso Road. He is 5'4", weighing 145 pounds and wears glasses. Join in the search for this missing teen tomorrow morning 11/05/11 at 9am at the NP3 Gymnasium: 3700 Del Paso Road  Sacramento. It will be a walking search, please wear warm clothes and comfortable walking shoes.   Anyone with information about Sergio Jimenez please contact Rutten (916) 826-5966 OR Sacramento Police Department (916) 264-5471.

Pat Palley was recently recognized for her longtime commitment to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS). Her history with SFBFS goes back over 14 years. In 1995, Pat applied to be the program manager for SFBFS’s Mother-Baby program, but declined the position due to foot surgery. Later, she volunteered working with clients in the Havens Transitional Living program. In 2001, she and her teenage daughter started volunteering in the Food program, which she continued to do until 2009. In 2005, after teaching Spanish at a Waldorf school in Placerville and having heard about SFBFS’ Adult Education program from a friend, she approached SFBFS and inquired about tutoring opportunities. She

As the sunlight crept through the thick leaves of Curtis Park Saturday morning, the sight of youth volunteers cleaning up dried leaves welcomed joggers and dog-walkers on the park. Twelve youth volunteers cleaned up Curtis Park from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of the youth programs provided by the La Familia Counseling Family Resource Center and Hmong Women's Heritage Association. Staffers of the two associations supervised the youth volunteers. "It has given us the motivation to come together and focus to work with youths at risk that are living in the same communities," La Familia youth specialist Vidal Gonzalez said about the two groups collaborating. "Why don't we go ahead have acti

It's that time again... we're nearing Thanksgiving, which means it's almost time for the 18th annual Run to Feed the Hungry! This event, taking place every Thanksgiving morning, is the largest fundraiser of the year for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS). The event launches in front of Sac State and winds through East Sacramento, with a 5K course and a 10K course. Over 28,000 people participated in last year's event, making it the largest Thanksgiving Day race in the country. One of the ways this event is made possible is through the support of over 500 volunteers on the morning of the event as well as the days leading up to Thanksgiving Day. Not much of a runner of a walker,

The Best Deal in Town continues to benefit local children’s charities The Active 20-30 Club of Greater Sacramento #1032, does great things to help the youth of Sacramento. Among the many projects undertaken are the annual Crab Feed (February) and Monte Carlo (September/October) events. Right now we’re gearing up for the Monte Carlo. It’s exciting that this year’s event is the 30th Anniversary of “The Best Deal In Town”!! We are asking supporters to take a chance and roll the dice - Monte Carlo Night on Saturday, September 17, 2011, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front Street, in Old Sacramento. Tickets are $45/advance (until September 16th), and $5

Did you know there is a hero in all of us? A parole officer, two teen lifeguards, a one hundred year old senior citizen, a doctor, and a scientist were among those recognized by the American Red Cross for their life changing efforts in the capital region. Nominated by their peers, these honorees exemplified the characteristics of a hero such as courage, selflessness, and perseverance. They were recognized at a luncheon at the Doubletree Hotel in Arden on Thursday, September 15, 2011. Here are the award recipients and their deeds. Good Samaritan Adult Hero – Sean Ferguson, 43, called upon his 15 years of American Red Cross training to rescue a teen boy who was struck by oncoming traffic

Teaching kids to read and helping college students navigate college requirements are just two of the ways city employees spend the 40 hours of paid leave they are given to do volunteer work each year. The Volunteer Mentor Leave program started in 2009 and offers those 40 hours of paid leave for city employees to act as mentors in Sacramento public schools, said Mary Lynn Perry, volunteer coordinator with the city’s Human Resources Department. Perry said volunteers can use an hour per week of their work time helping local kids who need guidance and encouragement. “Right now, there is a push for literacy (in the city),” Perry said, “so (employee) volunteers read with schoolchildren of all

10 Bands…10 Restaurants…5 years.   We did the math…it adds up to big fun at the… 5th Annual Blues for Life, which takes place on Sunday, October 2nd, from 1pm to 7pm, at the Torch Club, 904 15th Street.  (inside and out in the parking lot…two stages)   This popular fundraiser, described in this news release, which has grown every year, benefits Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation, which raises money for expensive diagnostic breast cancer tests such as PET scans and mammograms for women in need. At Albie, we like to say, “Your mother, your sister, your daughter, your best friend... Who Cares?…..Albie Aware!   Besides performances by the area’s leading blues bands, the popular Pasta Cook-