Every morning 1,800 employees enter the California State Board of Equalization Building.   Past the sliding glass doors, security, then up the elevators to get to work.  Most never notice the 2 by 5 signs taped to the glass doorways upfront.   Warning: Chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm, may be found in the facility.  California Health and Safety Code Section 25249.6 Though it's not only harmful chemicals, that has plagued the safety of the buiding in the past. Two weeks ago, on January 11, pieces of broken glass fell eight stories to the sidewalk on 5th and N Street. The sidewalk is still blocked with caution tape and

Written in memory of our brave daughter, Katie Janae Cramer, who went to Heaven January 6, 2011.   TO THE HOUSE OF THE KING Continued from A Journey of Hope- Part 1 It was January 2007, and our family would spend the next three years, three months climbing out of the valley of childhood cancer. We emerged - battle-fatigued and scarred - but we had emerged! And no one enjoyed being out of that valley more than our daughter. Katie seemed to have a renewed vigor for life. The battle hadn’t dampened her spirit - it energized it! She was ready to put her ordeal behind her and get on with life. She enjoyed her friends, being involved at church, and continued to excel in school. In February

Written in memory of our brave daughter, Katie Janae Cramer, who went to Heaven January 6, 2011. FROM THE DOORS OF AN ORPHANAGE: As the butterfly alights on my arm in the dingy industrial city of Liuzhou, China, our hopes for our newly adopted daughter are high. Life in a Chinese orphanage has been perilous for her, her tiny body telling a story of deprivation through her bloated tummy, pale skin, weak muscle tone, and dry, sparse hair. But a butterfly will soon to emerge. My husband and I return to Sacramento in May 1995, exhausted but elated at being home with our daughter. What was once only a tiny black-and-white picture is now an in-the-flesh baby dressed most often in pink. Alrea

As of Jan. 1, laws affecting child booster seats, LGBT rights, handgun open-carry and liquor sales will be among many going into effect in California. Here are some of the highlights of what Californians – and Sacramentans – have in store for them in 2012. BOOSTER SEATS: Previously, children had to ride in approved child restraint devices – booster seats – until they turned 6 years old or weighed 60 pounds. As of Jan. 1, children must ride in booster seats until they are 8 years old or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Kids under 8 years who are taller than 4 feet 9 inches are allowed to use a safety belt instead of a booster seat. HANDGUN OPEN CARRY: Bans citizens from openly carrying hand

Yes, there are a few gems in Sacramento.  Times when you can honestly say, living here can be good after all.  The thing is you have to know is where to look.  This Sunday, we decide to share some of the glow.

In a story posted on MSN.com from a recent Today Show report, they report a new trend in cosmetic surgery…couples that are having plastic surgery together. The up tick in couples pursuing cosmetic procedures and more invasive plastic surgery together is likely at least partially due to the increase in cosmetic procedures in men, explains NBC's chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman. Last year, American men accounted for 1.1 million of the country's cosmetic procedures, a small, but significant 2 percent increase over 2009, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In Sacramento, Dr. Wayne Yamahata of The Plastic Surgery Center is seeing more and more couples that are optin

On November 10th, at 10:30am, The Effort will celebrate the Grand Opening of their expanded The Effort North Highlands Community Health Center, (6015 Watt Avenue) ushering in a new era in affordable, state-of-the-science child and family primary health and children’s dental care, services largely non-existent for the underserved residents of North Highlands and surrounding areas.   Following opening remarks from Dr. Jonathan Porteus, CEO/The Effort, these local dignitaries will speak.   Congresswoman Doris Matsui Charlene Taylor of Kaiser Permanente Assemblyman Richard Pan, M.D. County Supervisor & First5 Commissioner Phil Serna Assemblyman Roger Dickinson   (Media facility tours will imme

Sacramento will be getting a dose of fresh, quality olive oil by late November, said Lisa Paskaly, owner of the Chef’s Olive Mix in Old Sacramento. The store, located on the corner of Second and J streets, will be what Paskaly described as an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting room, where customers will be able to sample oils and purchase bottles to take home. Bottles of olive oil, available in three different sizes, will range from $9-$16, and many types will be sold, including over 30 50 different extra virgin olive oils, as well as exotic flavors and organics. They will arranged from mild to medium to intense flavors. Fresh olives, cheeses, salads and hors d’oeuvre plates will also

A mother, a sister, a spouse, a best friend is diagnosed with breast cancer everyday. This life threatening illness claims over 40,000 lives annually.  In Sacramento, the love for survivors goes beyond the pink celebrating with Blues for Life, a fundraiser for Albie Aware Breast Cancer Foundation held at the Torch Club last Sunday. Every $100 pays for a mammogram that can save a woman's life. Over the past four years Blues for Life events raised over $125,000 to help those diagnosed with breast cancer in our community. Considering that the average age of diagnosis is 37 years old, more than 70% of cases have no family history, and the leading cause of death among women between 40 & 55 i

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is pleased to announce the selection of Paula Birdsong as its new executive director. Birdsong will take over for executive director Donna Sanderson who will retire in October. “Paula’s experience as the regional vice president of the American Cancer Society, California Division made her the ideal candidate for this position” said Sanderson. “She managed operations for 32 counties throughout California, all while improving the organization’s financial status and exceeding annual donor contributions. Her experiences will help Komen to continue providing outstanding breast health services and education while exploring new ways

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

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-

"I did it!" is an often heard refrain after the Mustard Seed bike ride for kids. On Sunday, September 25th the 7th annual Mustard Seed Spin in Sacramento will take place on the American River bike trail. This bike ride -- by kids for kids -- has already raised and donated $120,000 to the Mustard Seed School for homeless children. All rider fees are donated directly to the school. More than 700 riders are expected this year, slightly more than last year. The bike ride introduces kids under the age of 18 to organized cycling, teaches bike safety, and hopefully creates a whole new generation of bike commuters.  There is also a bike Scholarship Program which hosts 50 underprivileged kids at t

Would it surprise you to know that AIDS rates are on the rise again? As someone who lost only a few friends to AIDS, but was nearly frozen with fearful anticipation waiting for the results of that first test in the ‘80s, it certainly surprised me! It further amazed me that anyone who has seen the devastation the results of a compromised immune system can cause would continue to engage in risky and potentially fatal behavior. But they do. But the most disturbing information by far, was that one of the reasons that HIV continues to spread is that it’s considered by many in high-risk groups to be “no big deal.” The rationale—if it can be considered that—is that people do so well on the med

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® will be recognizing the contributions of outstanding community partners on Sunday, October 9 at Arden Hills Resort & Spa, announced retiring Executive Director Donna Sanderson. “We are fortunate to have the support of outstanding community partners during my tenure as Executive Director of Komen Sacramento” said Sanderson. “The time has come to give them the public recognition they so richly deserve.” Among the award recipients will be: Joyce Raley Teel, co-chair of the Raley’s Board of Directors, who brought the full strength of  the Raley’s Family of Fine Stores resources to help in the fight against breast cancer.  Raley

“The Language of Flowers” expresses the yearnings of the heart. Author, Vanessa Diffenbaugh is doing just that as she kicks off a nationwide book tour with a five hundred dollar a head fundraiser to raise money for foster kids who have aged out of foster care, followed by a talk & book signing at Tsakopoulos Library Galleria on Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 7:30pm to 9pm. The petals hide the tragic inequities of foster care. Her protagonist, Victoria, a damaged foster kid, ages out at 18 and finds herself sleeping in a park. She works at a flower shop for change and communicates meaning through her artistry of flowers. It is what she determines is what she is good at, a creative outlet and

The Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has expanded its 17-county service area to now include Glenn and Tehama counties.   With this expansion, residents can now receive services in the neighboring city of Chico, California through the California Health Collaborative breast cancer program. “Our goal is to ensure that we are providing breast health services and education to as many people as possible,” said Donna Sanderson, executive director of the Komen Sacramento Affiliate.  “Glenn and Tehama counties are severely lacking in these services, that’s why it makes perfect sense for us to expand our program to help more individuals and ultimately save more lives.” Gl

“Yell Fire!” as in Franti's lyrics.  We did.  After the performance of the Phoenix Fire Dancers. It was quite a cleansing.  Walking in calm after the Wanderlust revolution. The body now knows - a stretch has no limits. Healing happened. Hearts opened to each other. Love is found. Our confidence manifested. Open to more knowledge, we share the second half of wisdoms from the festival. We burned a path of purpose with Phoenix Fire Dancers. From the beginning of the first explosion, to the last pyrotechnic crescendo, Austria’s Phoenix Fire Dancer’s pulverized. Agile dancers balanced raw flames as if it was an extension of their own bodies. The juggler explains as he lifts the ashes,” Allow

Non-Profit “The Effort” Hosts Six Free Whooping Cough Vaccination Clinics for Area Children Sacramento—On August 9th, 2011, from 2pm-6pm, The Effort will host the first of 6 vaccination clinics at three of their Community Health Center sites. This first clinic will be held at The Effort’s South Valley Community Health Center, 8233 E. Stockton Blvd, Suite D. (737-5555) The Effort, in keeping with their mission of providing quality health care to the Sacramento area, offers these state-mandated Tdap vaccinations (combination vaccine that protects against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus) free to area students who might have limited access. The 6 clinics will be offered from 2-6pm at

A new league of superheroes will debut on the Sacramento comic book scene this December. The premise of the comic, “Health-E-Man and the Champions of the Chewniverse,” is a band of heroes will fight against the forces that prevent access to good health. In an attempt to promote health awareness in South Sacramento and in communities beyond, the nonprofit Building Healthy Communities has embarked on the comic project to create an innovative digital comic book series that will teach young people healthy eating habits. “We’ve always seen fast food restaurants catering to kids – whether it’s toys, superheroes or happy meals. You’ve seen their heroes promote unhealthy foods,” said Alberto Me