A soft sunset, a twinkling lit table and people passionate about food and where it comes from in abundance — these were the makings of Dinner on the Farm, a seasonally hosted event for The Center for Land-Based Learning. From teaching students where their food comes from (this in itself is no small deal) to helping train farmers to be farmers (new-generation farmers) this is a invaluable resource to the community. This nonprofit benefits the land and the people who till the soil, and when all the day’s work is done, they sat down and broke bread with their supporters. The drive out to Winters in Yolo County is always a departing from the norm, taking in the country in, in all its glory.

So after going to so many events for so many years, its hard to be surprised and feel overwhelmed anymore, to feel you'll see anything new and exciting to the scenes - this most recent A Day In the Country was just that...wow factor all over! This last Sunday the Sacramento Foodie elite were all in attendence for a great cause. From the beautiful day, the ride out to Park Winters (even getting lost once again couldn't deter from the excitement), the beautiful focal point of the old white Victorian mansion in the middle of the estate grounds, and the beautiful foods as far as the eye could see! As with any event showcasing the growers all the Sacramento celebrity chefs show up - these gro

A sunny day on the grassy playground, family gatherings around the table, an empty house, Our Lady of Guadalupe – these are just some of the vivid imagery captured by children of migrant agricultural workers temporarily living in Yolo County. Each of these photographs tells the untold story of migrant children – their fears, hopes and dreams as they migrate with their families from season to season, farm to farm. A Través de Mis Ojos (Through My Eyes), sponsored in part by The Latino Legislative, Caucus Foundation and Spanglish Arte, is a collection of 48 intimate photographs featured from Dec. 10 through Friday at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Sacramento (CCAS). Viewers of the exhi

There was a buzz in the other room, and a wafting smell of shellfish and rice. It was the third annual paella cook-off at Berryessa Gap Winery, and it was was already under way. The beautiful drive on a late Saturday afternoon was the perfect setting to a great evening. Once inside we were warmly greeted at the door and led into the huge storage cellar where the festivities were already under way. From a sangria competition to tapas served all over, the party was off to a great start. My favorite, though not the winner of the Sangria competition, was a wonderful jalapeno and savory spiced-styled one nicknamed "man-gria," as it was so robust in flavor. The competition was exciting as it

"It’s about a wood-burning oven, which will make so much more than pizzas," claimed Mary Kimball, executive director of the Center for Land-Based Learning at Sunday's inaugural Dinner on the Farm. The Center for Land-Based Learning aims to inspire and motivate people of all ages, especially youth, to promote a healthy interplay between agriculture, nature, and society through their actions and as leaders in their communities. They do this through engaging elementary- and high-school children about agriculture and cooking in a farm setting. When invited to this dinner, I originally thought I was looking at another form of urban agriculture project, but this seems to be going far beyond

Full on Ficelle By: Bobby Hickey Ficelle, meaning small baguette in French, is a diamond in the rough found only in Winters. Opened in 2005 by sisters Joanne Martin and Marianne Washabaugh, with family tradition and culinary prowess that is evident in every bite of their Platos de Tapas (Spanish for small plates). Joanne and Marianne chose Winters because their first concept was a “Grab and Go” eatery, catering to tourists and those traveling through Winters. Although they didn’t want to be confined to the strictures of a “restaurant” per-se, they did know, quoting Vacaville Magazine, “they wanted it to be a food place”, and by having small platters, and a bar-tab-type of billing system yo

From the beautiful day to the scrumptious food, this was an event not to be missed. It was new to me, and I was introduced to it by local wine personality/super salesmen Clint Crow from Berryessa Gap. "You just Have to check this out," he said. And after going and finding out not only the talent involved, but the cause they support, it makes me want to tell all foodies, sustainability kids and farmers alike. Yolo Land Trust has a long history of helping landowners preserve the landscape. The local networks of farmland, rangeland, stream corridors, wetlands and oak woodlands weave together to drive the economy, support wildlife and help make Yolo County a wonderful place to live and work

Fresh baguettes, roasted lamb, local wines and aioli were the ingredients for a savory Village Feast last Saturday in Central Park in downtown Davis. Nearly 300 people assembled for the sixth annual Grand Aioli-style meal served to aid the Davis Farmers Market project, Davis Farm to School Connection — an organization aimed at bringing farm-fresh local fruits and vegetables to all 13 Davis public schools. At noon, members of the community entered the Village Feast area with their own silverware, plates and cups, beneath the sycamore trees in Central Park. Guests enjoyed wine, olives and almonds while strolling through the feast area, socializing and taking a look at the silent auction it

The Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op brought a fresh perspective to sustainable farming last Friday. Forty community members gathered for a screening of “Fresh: The movie”— a film by Ana Sofia Jones that focuses on sustainable agriculture. Proceeds from the film sales will benefit the co-op’s One Farm at a Time project. The documentary follows sustainable farmers in America, including pig farmers, chicken farmers and an urban farmer  who farms in the middle of a metropolitan city, to demonstrate the contrast to industrial mass-produced agriculture. “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” author Michael Pollan said in the film that “cheap food is an illusion.” Feed lots used in factory farming that hold

The City of West Sacramento announces that they have installed new public artwork in Riverpoint Marketplace, the retail center off Ikea Court and Reed Avenue. "Synergy" is a 26-foot tall stainless steel and bronze sculpture created by Alber De Matteis, a noted sculptor with works in California, Europe, and South America. In addition to having a bold presence in daytime hours, the sculpture is illuminated by colored lights in the evening.  

Streets and neighborhoods in West Sacramento will again be participating in the National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. The annual event, which promotes public safety and community partnerships, brings neighbors together for block parties and cookouts. At 7:30 p.m., in support of the Bryte & Broderick Community Action Group, the Police and Fire Departments, along with other agencies, will converge at Bryte Park at 425 Todhunter Avenue. For more about National Night Out, contact Community Service Officer Nora McDowell, (916) 617-4837 or noram@cityofwestsacramento.org .  

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Harmony on the River, a free summer concert series from the City of West Sacramento, will present the final concert of the season.  Enjoy an evening with Hurricane Sam & the Hotshots, featuring boogie, blues, and jazz. Harmony on the River is a family-friendly event, so please bring the kids, a picnic, and soak up the sounds. Pets on leash are allowed, but the City asks that you refrain from any glass bottles. Parking is free also, so just see a parking attendant on site for a pass. For more information, contact Scott Stanley of the City of West Sacramento Parks & Recreation, scottst@cityofwestsacramento.org.  

The City of West Sacramento announces a modification underway in the traffic flow parallel to City Hall, 1110 West Capitol Avenue as part of the West Capitol Avenue Streetscape construction project. All eastbound vehicle and bicycle traffic is shifted to a single south lane on West Capitol Avenue. Westbound vehicles and bicycles will continue using the north side of West Capitol. All pedestrian access continues on the north side of the street, as West Capitol's south sidewalk remains closed, and the closure of Merkley Avenue from West Capitol Avenue to approximately 600 feet south stays in effect. The two Yolobus eastbound transfer stations at Merkley Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard have

The City of West Sacramento has announced their Mimi-Grant Program for community service organizations with a great program idea needing additional funding. The City's "Community Mini-Grant Program" provides funds annually to help qualifying West Sacramento non-profit organizations with special funding needs. This year, thirty thousand dollars is available to non-profit organization applicants that can demonstrate a viable need that benefits West Sacramento and its residents. Applications for the mini-grant program must be submitted by Sept. 25, 2009, to the Parks & Recreation Department, 1110 West Capitol Ave., West Sacramento, CA 95691. Once all of the applications are in, they will

In a combined press release, Tony's Fine Foods and the City of West Sacramento have announced a major expansion of Tony's headquarters and food distribution facilities in West Sacramento. The expansion will accommodate an expanding customer base and new product lines, as well as business acquisitions generating significant growth in market share for the 75-year old, family-owned company. The company will invest about $15 million to construct a new 77,000 square foot building to house a new freezer and automated distribution warehouse, and renovate existing warehouse and office space. The expansion will increase the West Sacramento company's workforce to 365 fulltime employees, an increase

The City of West Sacramento Fire Department wants everyone to know to use life jackets during water recreation! Keep your kids safe. Free, loaner life jackets are available at the following West Sacramento Fire Stations: • Station 41, 132 15th St. • Station 42, 3585 Jefferson Blvd. • Station 43, 1561 Harbor Blvd. • Station 44, 905 Fremont Blvd. • Station 45, 2040 Lake Washington Blvd. Also, the Bridgeway Lakes Boathouse office, 3650 Southport Parkway! For more information, contact the West Sacramento Fire Department at  (916) 617-4600 . The free life jacket rental program is sponsored by both the City’s Fire and Parks & Recreation Departments.  

In May of 2009, The Cunningham Report stated that while container volumes are plummeting at West Coast ports, the Port of West Sacramento - which does not have container facilities - is enjoying a bumper year for rice exports. Port Manager Mike Luken said that the port is enjoying its best year for bagged rice exports in 15 years. This year, the port expects to export some 339,000 metric tons of bagged rice, which is about double what the port usually handles during the fall-to-fall rice export season. The rice is moving primarily to Japan and Korea, where demand increased significantly this season. Kirk Messick, vice president of Sacramento-based Farmers Rice, says the Korean demand st

Caltrans and the City of West Sacramento have jointly announced that on July 29, 2009, Caltrans will begin construction on improvements to the Harbor Boulevard interchange that crosses U.S. Highway 50 in West Sacramento. The scope of the project includes new alignment and realignment of the freeway ramp access, widening of the roadways, removal of pavement, and overcrossing structure work. The project is designed to accommodate increases in traffic activity on the Harbor Boulevard interchange. An information open house will be held in room 157 of the West Sacramento City Hall, 1110 West Capitol Ave., on Monday, July 27, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and the admission is free. Caltrans sta