Located just off Broadway on 17th Street, Beatnik Studios will launch an expansion project to add an outdoor artwork space, patio and event venue adjacent to its existing space. Construction is set to begin in two weeks, and the 1,800-square-foot spot of largely unused asphalt will be fenced in with a stone wall between it and nearby residences and an “art wall” made of tin panels and distressed wood by local artist Kermit McCourt. “We’d like it to be a place to have a sculpture garden, do some art shows and events, and maybe have some outdoor music if we can do it legally,” co-founder Wes Davis said Friday. Over the past year, Beatnik Studios, 2421 17th St., has become more involved as

Q: I am getting married in six months. I asked my three best friends and my sister to be in my wedding. Fortunately, I could make my sister my maid of honor so that I didn't have to deal with friend drama and jealousy. Unfortunately, I am still dealing with drama with my friends. One in particular has not been the ideal bridesmaid. She is extremely opinionated about everything I choose for my wedding, particularly the dresses, and, frankly, it is more of a headache to deal with her than I am interested in. She has been my friend forever, but I am two minutes away from telling her she can just come as a guest. What do I do? A: There is really only one course of action here. She can put up

Emails between Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and his fiancée, education advocate Michelle Rhee, reveal that the couple’s nuptials have been delayed for seven months. “Johnson is micromanaging every aspect,” of the big day, an email from Rhee to a family member said. The couple had planned to marry last September, but the wedding has been rescheduled for an unspecified date in 2012, according to email communication obtained by The Sacramento Press. Johnson expressed insecurity about being worthy of marrying Rhee while he serves as a weak mayor in council/manager city government. “The perfect time for our wedding would be sometime in 2012, when I become strong mayor,” Johnson wrote in a

Even though Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is a celebrity, it appears he doesn’t want a celeb-style wedding. In a Tuesday e-mail, Johnson and his spouse-to-be, Michelle Rhee, told their friends and family Tuesday that they’re changing the date and location of their wedding to avoid hubbub. Johnson and Washington, D.C., Schools Chancellor Rhee had set a Sept. 4 date to marry in Sacramento. Johnson and Rhee’s e-mail does not provide the new date and location of their wedding. “We underestimated the intensity of interest in the wedding and didn’t manage that well which was our responsibility,” the couple explained in the e-mail. “As a result, the wedding as planned for September 4th ended

Everyone can be Italian this weekend at the Italian Cultural Society of Sacramento’s Festa Italiana. The 25th annual Italian festival has much more to offer than the stereotypical spaghetti and meatballs. Once held at the Cal Expo, the fair is now at the Croatian-American Cultural Center at 3730 Auburn Blvd. This year’s Festa Italiana is set up to represent authentic festivals in towns across Italy. It started as a small picnic in the park by the society’s Gioventú young people group, the festival has grown to an average 6,000 visitors per year. Bill Cerruti, executive director of the Italian Cultural Society, said the Italian-American community of Sacramento wanted something to celebra

                                                                                               I do...........again                                                               Clarence and Madeline Rich share a laugh while they renewed their wedding vows. Residents of Aegis Living in Carmichael, they decided to tie the knot again during the Aegis-sponsored Vintage Bridal Show. Clarence, 88 and Madeline, 87 have two daughters, three granddaughters and one great granddaughter. No honeymoon is planned. They have been married 68 years. Photo | Kati Garner

Saturday, May 30 7 a.m.-1 p.m. The Kings of Queens motorcycle club will be holding a walk-a-thon fundraising event for breast cancer near the south steps of the Capitol. The event is expected to draw 500 participants. 10 a.m.- Noon Forty people will be participating in a prayer rally for California Department of Corrections prisoners, parolees and personnel. 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Senator Darrell Steinberg's office will be holding a ceremony honoring graduates. 500 people are expected on the south steps of the Capitol. According to a press release from the Senator's office: "Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) will hold a special recognition ceremony this Saturday at 11

Saturday, May 23 8-11 a.m. Hope Productions Foundation will be holding their "Walk 'n Rock" fundraising event in which people will walk from Raley Field to the Capitol and back to Raley Field. Richard March is scheduled to perform at the Capitol's West Steps. About 2500 people will participate in the event, and Journey will be headlining the evening concert at Raley Field. 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Three separate private weddings will be held near the rose and cactus gardens. Sunday, May 24 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 500 will be holding their annual "reading of the names" ceremony for an audience of about 200 people near the Vietnam War Memorial. 3:30-6 p.m. A wedding