Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Hawa Arsala

Hawa Arsala on "Parkour traces Sacramento"

2009-08-21T16:21:31Z

It's great to hear from you about the Sac parkour scene! Thanks for giving us your input, we really appreciate it!

Hawa Arsala on "Parkour traces Sacramento"

2009-08-20T07:43:18Z

Thanks for providing us with more information, Victor!

Parkour traces Sacramento

2009-08-20T06:44:13Z

I walked onto the quad of Bella Vista High School on a Sunday afternoon to a sight of 20 or so men climbing walls, running like cheetahs on all fours and swinging from trees.

This was the Sacramento regional parkour practice, led by a SFparkour.com representative, Victor Lo Forte. He has been a practitioner of parkour, or traceur, French for tracer, for three and a half years and has led the Sacramento group for about two years.

"From what I understand, it's basically the discipline of training one's mind and body to prepare oneself to overcome obstacles in an environment," Lo Forte said.

Parkour is said to be rooted in early 20th century French military practices. Georges Hébert, a World War I naval officer, developed a notion of physicality that embraced use of the body and its environment for developing strength useful to society.

These principles were the foundation for his "Natural Method," which incorporated the fusion of the mental and physical to overcome obstacles via climbing, running and jumping (to name a few). His method contributed to the development of the French parcours du combattant, or military obstacle course.

As a young teen, David Belle, considered the father of parkour, picked up Natural Method ethics along with his gymnastic and martial arts training in France.

Many of the young men at the Sacramento parkour practice admire Belle and have adopted the Natural Method as part of their training.

"Parkour is training your flight response," said Sacramento State student Jake Anderson.

Lo Forte commented on one of the many purposes of parkour, to "be strong to protect your family and friends."

"We’re not trying to hurt anybody, we’re training to be strong, and that really helps the community," he said.

Though not a spectator sport, it is difficult to explain what exactly traceurs are doing to people who gather round their concrete playground.

"I usually point them to YouTube and Casino Royale," Anderson said. "I tell them parkour is the study of the most efficient way to get from point A to point B."

This efficiency calls for climbing walls, not walking around them.

"If you're in a dead-end alley, you look back and forth and don’t look up," Anderson said. "People don’t look up, they don’t look at their environments anymore."

He described parkour as a way to think of our built environment with a critical lens. "We create our environments to be quick and easy for what we’re raised as," Anderson said. "Parkour shows us that there are actually easier ways than we’re raised, things people don’t think of."

The Sacramento traceurs have tried practicing in the Downtown Sacramento area, but have found security and business owners to be hostile to the activity. "If they tell us to leave then we leave," Lo Forte said.

"I’d say ground-rules for anywhere are be respectful of the environment, don’t wreck things, don’t leave litter behind, clean up after yourselves," he said. "There is a big thing in parkour community called the leave no trace campaign. We don’t want it to look like we’ve been there. We don’t want to get kicked out of places."

Parkour training also focuses on overall health and well-being. "It might save their lives," Lo Forte said. "You never know if they might get addicted to drugs or end up in jail."

"I wanted to get in shape," said Robert King, a telecommunications technician for Sacramento County. "Since I started in January, I lost 40 pounds."

"A lot of people are sitting home and they don’t get any sensory input; they don't smell the dirt on their hands and the sun on their face," Lo Forte said.

This was the case for 15-year-old Jonah Saysourivong. "Before this I was a big-time gamer and would play Call of Duty for 42 hours straight," he said. "I definitely know other kids my age are drinking alcohol and smoking, and that’s one thing I’d never do."

The health benefits and the body's adaptation to unique movements is of great interest to Anderson as a kinesiology student. "They should talk about it in anatomy classes and in physical therapy classes. I think that doctors should know it, gymnasts, athletes," he said. He hopes to introduce parkour in his dance and martial arts classes at Sacramento State.

Lo Forte also aspires to introduce parkour skills to the police force. "These things will be helpful for them and hopefully they will realize that and hire some of us to train them in the future," he said.

In the middle of practice, a group of young men started tumbling and performing a series of flips in the air and over others lying on the ground. The freedom of movement in a creative way like this is called free-running, often associated with parkour.

"Parkour is strictly what's the most efficient way from one point to another; free-running is adding flair and flips," Anderson said.

Though there were not any females present at the practice, they are encouraged to participate as traceuse, French for female tracers.

Robert King encouraged me to try a technique to get over a 7-foot wall during practice, but I settled for swinging and balancing on rails on my own time. I found that I was using my environment rather than living around it. Though we all live in our environments, traceurs live their environments.

For more information, click the following link:

Practice at Bella Vista High School, meeting Sundays and Wednesdays at 4 p.m.

Hawa Arsala on "CLUCK presses for changes"

2009-08-07T19:10:44Z

Great article, Cheya. Do you happen to have links for those Penn State studies?

Hawa Arsala on "The Compassion Project"

2009-08-06T20:51:11Z

So far his main basis of support is his personal circle of friends that know about the project and help him put up the magnets. I believe this article is one of the first to shed light on his actions, and hopefully he will gain more support in the future as the project evolves!

Hawa Arsala on "The ladies of Meshugga Chic"

2009-08-06T16:43:50Z

This article was a joint effort with Jenn Walker.

The ladies of Meshugga Chic

2009-08-06T06:15:36Z

Contributed by Jenn Walker

At age 19 and 20, Sacramento City College students Diana Byrd and Elena Gallegos are discovering the business world firsthand with the growth of their online business Meshugga Chic.

Meshugga Chic, casually referred to as just Meshugga (not to be confused with the Swedish death metal band Meshuggah), is the duo's online vintage clothing store, catering to men and women with a unique fashion sense around the world.

Their merchandise is an array of color, fun and the unusual. Items like high-waist purple parachute pants, a billowy bright pink and purple windbreaker or an acid wash jumper scream '80s. Anything funky goes.

The two launched their site around a year ago. With a lot of "trial and error," the business has continued to gain recognition, especially in recent months, they noted. Participation in local events such as Launch and Second and Third Saturdays have helped spread the word.

Sharing the desire to be self-employed as well as a zeal for fashion brought the two together to create their business. "We kinda just did the business thing as a whim. We always wanted to work for ourselves, so we said, 'Why don't we just do it?'" Byrd said.

The two chose to sell vintage because of their love for outrageous, one-of-a-kind pieces, and also because it is an eco-alternative to buying reproduced clothing. "[Vintage] is really hot right now," Byrd added.

To build Meshugga the girls worked from the bottom up. Rather than take out a loan, the two relied entirely on their own resources to start up the business. "We worked with everything we had," Gallegos said. "Any x-amount of money I made from my job, wherever [Diana] would get money, we'd put in the business and anything we'd get, we'd put back into the business."

Approving a legal name and bank account for the business requires filing paperwork, but with no business background, these girls were on their own.

Some of the local boutiques downtown, like Sugar Shack, were valuable resources for the girls in learning about the business world.

"Sometimes we talk to people we know about the business stuff but we kind of get lost in all of the big words," Gallegos said.

A few Google searches later, and the ladies found themselves at the county offices filing for permits and licenses.

They chose to specifically name the business "Meshugga" because it means "crazy" in Hebrew. Being an online store is an essential part of fulfilling their Meshugga vision, as it allows them to ship to an adventurously fashionable clientele extending beyond just Sacramento.

"I think online is better, because we can be available to everybody from around the world," Byrd said.

They've already noticed a following in the Bay. "They definitely love Meshugga [there]," Byrd said.

So far the duo has handled every aspect of their business — buying the clothing, creating the website, cataloging their merchandise and taking their own photos. "You don't realize how much goes into it until you actually do it," Gallegos said.

Friends since the seventh grade, the two work well together and do their best to divvy up business management tasks. Elena loves to write, so naturally she takes on any aspect of writing on the site. Diana is responsible for managing the site and editing pictures.

"I'm not very knowledgeable about HTML, but I literally did the whole website myself," Gallegos said.

Selecting merchandise, however, is something they have worked at equally.

The Meshugga collection started out as salvaged vintage pieces from both Byrd's and Gallegos' families, either grandmothers or aunts. "We're like treasure hunters," Gallegos said.

Byrd added foreign taste to the collection after her recent trip to Italy.

In addition to their own hunting, Gallegos and Byrd have recruited Jesus Medrano as their buyer. A local designer with a Meshugga eye, the two entrust Medrano with the task of buying rare finds in Berkeley, L.A. and the Bay Area. They soon hope to shop more vintage havens around New York and the East Coast.

Though the Meshugga ladies are looking to transcend the local design scene with their international ambitions, they also want to channel local designers like Medrano. "[Jesus Medrano] is going to do a collection for Meshugga and we're very excited about that," Byrd said.

Most recently, Gallegos and Byrd are looking into moving their collection from their homes into an office space at The Urban Hive on 20th and H Streets.

Rather than just a clothing line, the two like to think of Meshugga as a way of life. "It's almost like a personality type of thing," Gallegos said. "You're so confident about what you wear and you're not afraid to wear this crazy stuff."

The elements of adventure, uninhibited fun and playfulness in their clothing line reflect their attitudes in real life.

When they are out vending, they set up buckets of water balloons and encourage passers-by to be mischievous and have fun.

"That's our personal philosophy," Gallegos said.

"It's almost like we're kids again," Byrd said.

For more information, click the following links:
Meshugga Chic Website
Meshugga Chic Myspace

The Compassion Project

2009-08-06T05:20:56Z

When Michael Donnoe puts up magnets with compassionate statements around downtown Sacramento, he intends to have them ripped down, plagiarized, and re-posted elsewhere.

Having moved to the downtown area around March 2008, Donnoe was struck by election paraphernalia floating around the city, as well as graffiti. "Election signs easily make people polarized," he said.

He thought, "How about instead of having an election sign, somebody put something up about respect and kindness."

These attempts to disseminate notions of compassion and thoughtfulness pushed him to create the Compassion Project.

"It's best described as an art and activism project that is designed to cultivate the causes and conditions of compassion and altruism for all who encounter it," Donnoe said.

His inspiration stems from his upbringing. "It was of utmost importance that we treat others with compassion and our primary motivation in life is altruistic," he said.

About 15 years ago, he came across the teachings of Buddhism and found they resonated with his family values. "Everything I grew up believing, it said," he said.

Donnoe writes all of the statements on the magnets himself and tries to capture the attention of passers-by. "It's easy to get preachy on these, but they aren't religious in any way," he said.

The magnets start off with scenarios prompting the reader to "imagine" or "dream" themselves in a particular situation where compassion is needed.

Donnoe found magnets to be a simple way to convey these messages. "I don’t have printing skills and magnets are good because they stick to lots of things," he said.

He typically posts on mailboxes, newspaper boxes, utility boxes and will even leave them on tables and booths in the downtown area.

Donnoe also tries to superimpose his magnetic messages on graffiti vandalism. "I don’t particularly feel safe with graffiti and I assume other people don’t, so I usually try to cover it up if it's written on something magnetic," he said.

"I am limited in where I can post, but I’ve actually started using that to my advantage," Donnoe said.

His limitations allow him to be creative, putting magnets in empty "Take One Please" boxes and sending them off with traveling friends.

"They've gone as far as Davis, Boston, San Francisco and a couple in India," Donnoe said.

The feedback he receives on his magnets has been positive. "My friends are really, really thrilled that the magnets disappear. It's a really good thing."

In the future, Donnoe hopes to write the web address for his new website on the back of magnets and have people register where they found them and any words of wisdom they may have.

He also plans to translate them into Spanish and put them up in Spanish speaking areas.

With the advice of a friend, Donnoe obtained a Creative Commons License for his magnets. "Anybody can use it, copy it, post it around," he said. "I may be the person that starts it, but I hope everyone who encounters it will help it grow."

If you come across these magnets, take a second to read it, pick it up, move it around and spread the compassion.

For more information, click the following link:
The Compassion Project

Photo credit: Michael Donnoe

Hawa Arsala on "Sacramento's Fashionable History"

2009-08-04T16:57:11Z

Great article, Lexie. I thought I was familiar with the fashion scene in the midtown/downtown area, but it seems like there is more I need to check out! I'm curious, were you able to do more historical research about fashion before this decade in Sacramento? Was fashion always a part of Sacramento, or did it trickle in with the advent of boutiques etc.? It would be cool to see if seamstresses and tailors still exist amidst these young designers and entrepreneurs. Did you come across any?

Paper Heart review

2009-08-02T03:47:00Z

The Sacramento Film & Music Festival pre-screened Paper Heart Friday evening.

Paper Heart was co-written by actress Charlene Yi and Nick Jasenovec, and directed by Nick Jasenovec.

The film opens with Yi holding a microphone shyly in the middle of the Las Vegas strip, asking the question, “Does anyone really love?”

A love-skeptic, she embarks on a cross-country tour to gain perspective on love from couples, divorce lawyers and children at a playground.

Her findings are recorded in a way that combines faux-documentary filming and traditional storytelling, only part of which is scripted. Some of the storytelling is done through sequences of puppetry reminiscent of Science of Sleep.

The style of filming creates a transparency to the whole production. The viewer is able to see camera equipment, brainstorming ideas for subsequent scenes and dialogue from the actors that include lingo like “deleted scenes,” commenting on the editing process.

Yi takes a scientific journey as well, speaking to academics in a Discovery Channel fashion, to gain perspective on the physiology of love.

She is a lovable character and brings a refreshing charm to the film, one that captures Michael Cera’s attention.

Cera, who starred in Superbad, is infatuated by Yi and he begins a clumsy courtship with her, one that becomes the focus of the film.

Although the actors play themselves in this quasi-documentary, they are not romantically linked. "We're not dating. No. I swear...Never," she said in an interview with CBC news.

Paper Heart follows their budding romance as Yi continues on her search for the meaning of love.

Actor and comedian friends give Yi advice, but does she find it in herself to believe in love?

If you are a fan of quirky romantic comedies and awkward young-adult charm, then watch this film to find out.

The film is to release in theaters on Aug. 14.

For more information, click the following links:
Paper Hearts official movie site
Sacramento Film & Music Festival

Hawa Arsala on "E-mails reveal city's talks on security cameras"

2009-07-31T19:25:52Z

I agree, great insight into the thought processes going on behind this!

Hawa Arsala on "Toward a clearer picture"

2009-07-30T18:48:38Z

I'm glad that the pictures are uploading in order now, that will be helpful in following the story visually!

Hawa Arsala on "Music meets design at Vhcle Launch festival"

2009-07-28T18:50:59Z

Jennifer, thanks so much for the clarification on numbers! It's good to hear there was a great turnout. Do keep us updated on future events and let us know what the final head-count is!

Hawa Arsala on "Sac Film-maker Fights Obesity "

2009-07-28T18:25:04Z

I am quite familiar with the Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley and the amazing philosophy guiding students to learn about gardening and their consumption habits. I didn't know that there were two of these in New Orleans, that's great!

Hawa Arsala on "Launching Sac Style"

2009-07-27T07:00:51Z

For more about the event, read the following: http://sacramentopress.com/headline/11176/Music_meets_design_at_Vhcle_Launch_festival

Music meets design at Vhcle Launch festival

2009-07-27T06:58:32Z

Vhcle Magazine set the mood for their Launch Design and Music festival with a swanky location and a variety of tunes Saturday evening at the Greens Hotel on Del Paso Boulevard.

The festival was a celebration of design and the arts, as well as a way for Vhcle to brand itself in the Sacramento community, according to Michael Hargis, an architectural designer and coordinator of the event.

The Greens hotel is mother nature-meets-urban design. Hargis described the hotel as “1950s mid-century modern.”

Upon entering the hotel, brown and green hues meet the eyes and lights hang from the ceiling. Walking through the bar and lounge area, it was possible to see local vendors set up shop. A door led outside into the courtyard and a converted parking lot with lines still visible on the asphalt.

People lazed under the misting canopies, listened to music and explored the hotel’s features.

Each room corresponds to a letter of the alphabet in order. Giant, red letters hang from the ceiling just outside the rooms.

The flashiness of the lettering system is matched by the interior design. Bright, rich colors painted on the walls contrast well with the black furniture.

The aesthetic and overall explorative experience being at a gem in the Del Paso neighborhood was a vibe Vhcle was going for.

“Being a fan of Del Paso and understanding that there was originally a vision for the arts in this area, I wanted to tap into that,” Hargis said.

The big open courtyard allowed ample room for a main stage where great musical acts from Sacramento and beyond could be heard.

For Hargis, choosing the musical acts was not a difficult process.

“I've always loved digitally produced music and to have music that speaks to me was a natural fit,” Hargis said.

First on the bill was local family trio Dusty Brown. Dusty and Jessica Brown are brother and sister. Zac Brown joined the group 2 years ago and is their cousin.

The crowd was in its infant stages, with only a few people sprinkled around the beer garden and courtyard. The music had a fusion of eerie industrial beats and guitar riffs that are neutralized with Jessica Brown’s ethereal vocals.

Hailing from San Francisco, Tycho took the stage after Dusty Brown. By this time in the evening, the sun was on its way to setting, and the crowd grew bigger.

The transition into Tycho maintained a similar unique fusion of eerie sounds and echoing beats, though sans vocals. Scott Hansen, the brains of Tycho, was performing on his equipment with two backdrops projected with the same custom video feed he compiled himself.

Hargis had in mind the “progression of the evening” and chose Wallpaper to go on after Tycho to lighten the mood.

“Scott's sophisticated, and Wallpaper is really fun,” Hargis said, commenting on their musical styles.

All the way from the Bay, Wallpaper is the pet project of musician Eric Frederic.

“I listen to a lot of Funk and R&B like Parliament and Sly and the Family Stone as well as 90s rap,” Frederic said.

These genres have influenced his writing and beat churning to create an electronic sound backed by drummer Arjun Singh.

Ricky Reed is the band’s vocalist and has a personality on stage that brought an equal amount of laughter as dancing from the crowd.

Ricky has a lot of qualities that exemplify some of the worst parts of people, he's sort of really into this consumer culture, the me-culture,” Frederic said.

The Ricky Reed spectacle did induce the crowd into such frenzy that people started climbing on top of the stage and combined runway to dance.

“This event is really surprising because when I first saw that it was on Del Paso, I was like, ‘Are you sure we should be playing this?’ I've never seen this hotel before; it looks really nice, really posh,” Singh said.

Wallpaper whips out serious dance tracks inspired by funk with lyrics that glorify unusual things like fast food chains in the song, “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.”

“I do a lot of the writing of the stuff that (Ricky) sings, but I couldn't actually get up on stage and say the things that that man says—not in a million years,” Frederic said.

The progression of musical acts continued throughout the night, and the crowd matured to about 500 people anticipating the L.A. Riots performance.

L.A. Riots is DJ Jo’B and Daniel LeDisko.

LeDisko has been a part of the electronic music scene since the 1990s. “I feel like at around the time that we got our start was really ground-zero for this electro-crossover movement that's going on now,” he said.

They got their start in April 2007 and received major label interest after remixing “Low Life” by the Scanners for Steve Aoki.

“We've done remixes for Weezer, we’re the new title track off Kylie Minogue's new album, Boombox, Method Man, E-40, NASA, Chris Cornell, Timbaland and the Ting Tings,” LeDisko said.

“Now people are starting to see the potential of electronic music, and it can really be the next big thing,” he said.

L.A. Riots performed with Crystal Method June 16 at Harlow’s and expressed his gratitude for the accommodations of the staff. “Everybody involved in that place was one of the best experiences I had on that tour,” he said.

As for the Launch festival, “It's a new thing for me like a fashion show, bands—Wallpaper,” he said.

After another stage-swarming crowd was delighted with music from L.A. Riots, the night ended with the stylings of project Dances With White Girls turning out beats for a crowd of young hipsters who danced with enough strength after seven hours of performances.

The name Dances With White Girls plays on the politics of race and appropriation as displayed in “Dances with Wolves,” featuring Kevin Costner, according to the musician named Frog.

Chiara Hunter, a student and Musician from Melbourne, Australia, reflected on her experience at the Launch festival. “This is my first taste of culture in Sacramento, and if this is what its like, then it's f------ cool. I’m down!”

Nineteen-year-old Dawit, a student at American River College, said he was excited about the event catering to all ages. “This event so far has been one of the most exciting and spontaneous, because of the amount of random actions that’s going on tonight.”

Hargis reflected on the mission of this event aside from launching the Vhcle image. “Sacramento has its own personality apart from the big cities. I think Sacramento is craving something different and cool,” he said.

Singh mentioned that “a scene is really defined by the people who are behind it booking acts, bringing bands to places that maybe wouldn't book them on their own.”

Launch Design and Music festival was an endeavor on behalf of Vhcle to unite the community, and organizers hope incorporating the music scene into their concept becomes part of an annual tradition.

For a list of full artists, click this link

For more information, click the following:
Vhcle
Greens Hotel
Dusty Brown
Tycho
Wallpaper
Dances With White Girls
L.A. Riots

Wallpaper photo credit: Sonia Lucyga

Afghan Raiders to storm Bravado

2009-07-22T06:06:23Z

There's a troop surge for all you dancers out there, and the Afghan Raiders are leading the pack.

Thursday night's Bravado at Mix will be hosting the Afghan Raiders (AR), a musical twosome from Las Vegas.

The two musicians, Beans and Mikey, are not ethnically Afghani— the inspiration for their name came from the French film Amelie.

"[Amelie] is trying to find her boyfriend and she makes up this long, kind of neurotic story about how he might have been kidnapped by Afghan raiders," said Beans. "We thought it was a really cool phrase and intriguing."

Beans and Mikey, the other half of AR, have known each other since high school. Heavy rock and punk music brought them together, and their musical tastes evolved into the backbone of Afghan Raiders.

"As we got older we definitely broadened our horizons and would go from everything like Animal Collective to Madlib, Soulwax, Black Lips, Mos Def, LCD Soundsystem," Beans said.

Their original songs are produced with synthesizers and machine-gun beats that lead the listener on a deep-space journey in "Admiral's Doorbell" and through a robot war-zone in "Future Thinkers."

He further explained the function of remixes in the AR doctrine. "Original material is certainly very important for us, but at the same time remixes are also very important to us and a good way to blend genres," he said.

Adding to their list of accomplishments is a completed a remix of "Mirror Error" off of The Faint's latest album, Fasciinatiion.

"We knew the new album was coming out, so we actually asked them if we could remix the new track and they picked 'Mirror Error' out," Beans said.

The duo were able to deconstruct and examine the song and appropriate it into a fusion with their personal handy-work.

"Being able to have your creative take on a band that you admire and grew up with is a really cool, surreal experience," Mikey said.

New material is in the works with celebrity help à la GZA from Wu-Tang Clan. "We're doing a remix for Black Lips and there's a GZA drop on there, so you got like Wu-Tang and then you have ours— kinda raw, industrial and sorta synth," said Beans.

Within the next month, they are due to release the remix. "It's an unofficial remix, technically Black Lips has no idea we're doing this," Mikey chuckled.

Though an unofficial remix, it is said that it will get back to the Black Lips officially via AR. "We're pretty proud of it," Mikey said.

The AR aesthetic on stage is just as unpredictable as their genre influences.

Beans reminisced about a show they had in Austin, Texas. "We played a club that was downstairs, and during the first part of the song I ran out of the club, went up the stairs and started playing tambourine on the street," he said. Mikey was left to man the set by himself inside the club.

Will Sacramento get a taste of their impulsive antics? "We're hopeful," they said.

For more information, click the following links:
Afghan Raiders on Myspace
Afghan Raiders on Twitter
RSVP with Bravado

photo credit: courtesy AR Myspace and David Padilla

Hawa Arsala on "Temple opens second shop"

2009-07-20T20:25:18Z

Barefoot Coffee roasters in Santa Clara according to Scott Guglielmino http://www.barefootcoffeeroasters.com/people/barefoot/

Hawa Arsala on "Temple opens second shop"

2009-07-20T08:19:00Z

Thanks! Their second location is homey, and I must say the parking will be GREAT for customers.

Hawa Arsala on "Temple opens second shop"

2009-07-20T06:46:15Z

Article with more background information: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/9780/One_Temple_not_enough Temple website: http://www.templecoffee.com/

Temple opens second shop

2009-07-20T06:39:59Z

About 300 people milled in and out of the newest location of Temple coffeehouse at 2829 S St. for the grand opening Saturday evening.

The new coffeehouse is the second Temple location in Sacramento.

The front area of the building was crowded with young people, business professionals and families mingling. The back room of the café was opened up as a space to snack and play darts.

Drinks were free for those attending the private opening event. Anything the customer wanted, the baristas were happy to make.

The second location was well-received by community members.

“I was so excited that we have an authentic coffee shop in our neighborhood,” said Ann Hamilton, a board member for the Newton Booth Neighborhood Association. “The board is really thrilled, and I personally am really thrilled.”

The event attracted people from beyond the Grid. Baristas from Santa Cruz and San Francisco were present at the event to support the opening.

Scott Guglielmino is a coffee wholesale director for Verve coffee roasters in Santa Cruz. He had much to say about the future of Temple.

“Temple will be roasting their own coffee, which will be a great thing for Sacramento to have,” Guglielmino said.

He estimated the roasting facility to be running in about six months. The back room featured the cafe's first roaster (pictured above), and Guglielmino said it has roots in San Francisco as Ritual Coffee’s first roaster.

Much of the encouragement Temple Manager Scott Sean Kohmescher received from the community in Sacramento and beyond has to do with the philosophy of Temple coffee.

He said fair trade coffee and teas are “something we believe in—we believe in community and in things being organic.”

Hamilton lives two blocks away and reflected on a meet-and-greet Temple had with the community Saturday morning: “They had a little morning treat for the neighborhood with coffee and pastries, and it was delightful!”

The opening party brought many community members who celebrated the growth of a sanctuary together, and it would not be possible without the support of the staff and baristas working hard to keep the crowd hydrated.

“They are just awesome!,” Hamilton said. She was impressed by the enthusiasm of the staff and how the baristas would applaud the classical guitarist and flutist when the musicians couldn’t be heard over the noise.

The staff was a key part of making decision in developing the idea for the new location. “It’s really important for the staff to be on par with what we’re doing and to make that transition to opening another space,” Kohmescher said. “Businesses don’t function without staff that are involved.”

The night progressed, and the older crowd trickled out as the younger crowd trickled in. The large gravel parking lot was a space for conversation - people were chatting under table umbrellas, and patrons left Kohmescher with pats on the back and words of support.

“It’s an honor and wonderful that the city of Sac supports local businesses like they do,” Kohmescher said. “I’m glad everyone came out and pretty amazed by the turn out.”

A brief encounter with Club Lyfestile

2009-07-19T01:04:53Z

You better run for your spandex, because Club Lyfestile is an epidemic dancing the nation.

Bravado night at Mix, a rooftop lounge and bar downtown, hosted a 13-person dance troupe from Philadelphia on Thursday.

Bravado is a party held at Mix every Thursday night. Past guest DJs include Nick Catchdubs, Designer Drugs, and Treasure Fingers.

I was able to follow the dancers around town for the night, and had the pleasure to know fun as I had never known before, the Club Lyfestile method.

The dancers are Versastile, Bumble Bees, RazzMaTazz, Champagne, Señor Sexweed, Jovius, Blackout, Miracle, Aquamarine, Marvey, Zephyr and Azimuth. They are followed by a videographer, Autofocus. Videos of the groups can be found on their site listed below.

A hungry hoard of dancers set up a changing room that functioned as a space for a grand entrance on the Bravado dance floor around 10 p.m. before hitting the streets of Downtown Sacramento in their regular day wear.

I was able to guide them to nourishment, and conducted a group interview over Chinese noodles and rice at Plum Blossom.

The genesis of Club Lyfestile (CL) was at the advent of caffeinated alcohol beverages, according to lead CL-er, Versastile.

A group of friends decided on a dance team concept, and Miracle, recalls one of their practices at a friend's house in Philadelphia. “Somehow someone brought a case of Sparks to our practice, then we just flipped out and started dancing," she said. "We turned the living room into Club Lyfestile.”

Club Lyfestile is essentially an ever-evolving set of enthusiastic people who embrace the do-it-yourself ethos with open, glittered arms. Their outfits, choreography and music are all self-produced.

Versastile is considered the “dad” of the group, because of his hand in helping found the group. He also leads in much of the choreography.

“We’re all amateurs," he said. "A couple of us maybe did dance before, but we’re not like a professional group. When people see us dance, they’re not like, ‘Wow, that’s amazing. I could never do that!’ It’s more like, ‘Wow, that was awesome. I could do that!’”

Jovius, the burly half of the wardrobe sewing team, said that all you have to do is “show up to practice” if you want to be a part of the team.

This was the case for faux-hawked Bumble Bees. “I saw them play once and I was like, ‘That’s it,’ and then I went to practice the next day," she said. "That was three years ago.”

CL is in its fourth year running. This is their third tour but first full-fledged nationwide journey venturing past Chicago.

About two years ago CL collaborated with Philadelphia club owner John Redden to perform at his space, The Barbary. Redden is a DJ under the name JHN RDN, and he worked with Designer Drugs, another DJ duo, to create a monthy party called Live Forever.

“I don’t think we fully realized then what combining Club Lyfestile with a regular club DJ night would be like, but once it came into fruition it was a formula that really worked,” Redden said. Before playing in clubs, CL could be found at block parties and house parties in Philadelphia.

Shortly after joining forces with CL in a club setting, Redden joined the troupe as Blackout. On the current tour, after performing with the dancers, he spins a DJ set with electro beats, and mixes bands like Animal Collective.

Over dinner, I brought up the topic of religion. Their MySpace page advertises the group as Wiccan, the dancers say jokingly, but their beliefs align with other-worldliness nonetheless.

“We regularly talk to the Dance Gods,” Jovius said.

Everybody chimed in unison, “The Dance Gods,” in reverence.

“They control our days and if our whole tour goes well or not," said spunky RazzMaTazz, a self-proclaimed fishmonger.

The Dance Gods have worked their magic on the crew. No longer do they have to dumpster-dive for scrap spandex and upholstery fabric to be economical.

“Now we go to designer spandex outlets,” said strawberry blonde dancer Marvey.The group's (tight) budget accommodates sparkles, yards of spandex and neon everything.

“I really love the idea of the second skin, so I taught myself how to sew so I could make spandex outfits,” said the burly Jovius.

The group has about 40 costumes for this tour, thanks to the labor of Jovius and Zephyr. The spandex onesie is a staple outfit and comes in a variety of patterns and light-reflecting colors.

They created rainbow "vomit-tards," a variation on the unitard, for a stunt where all 13 members jumped through the mouth of a 30-square-foot giant baby head.

As much as the stunts and performances are practiced, Redden finds there is still an air of suspense to the tour in its entirety. “We really go to these cities not knowing what to expect, what dance we’re going to do, the size of the venue," he said. "We don’t know where we’re going to stay that night."

After dinner, I was able to observe the troupe practice on the sidewalk next to a parking garage on 16th and L streets.

Some of the dancers piled into the tour bus and summoned me in an act of induction to the proper CL lifestyle. I received a “grand tour” of a small bus containing an explosion of fabric, groceries and, of course, cans of Max Fury alcoholic energy drinks.

Fearing rain, Versastile proceeded to take precautions. “You should close the windows — it might dance.”

The group burst with laughter.

It really is a lifestyle, but one that comes with a day job as well.

Zephyr is a nanny, Miracle is a photographer, Versastile is a union organizer and Aquamarine is a television editor.

The dancers are able to come from diverse backgrounds and contribute to an electric performance of gymnastics, disco-aerobics and jazzercise.

“It was overall something different and unique,” said party patron Haroon Ferhut. “I’ve never seen some kind of dance performance in a club.”

“It was raunchy to me,” he added.

Echoing the vibe, Bumble Bees said CL “is the kind of thing where you think that any one of us might make out with you.”

They gave a stellar performance that received applause and screams of encouragement from the crowd. JHN RDN's set infused the dancers with the pulsating crowd on the dance floor until the end of the night.

It became clear to me throughout the night that CL is a cooperative that functions as one entity, each person relying on one another to create a finished product and way of life.

Among transcending culture and notions of self-esteem, CL exceeds gender and sexuality norms. Males and females alike don neon onesies, sport ambiguous nicknames and embrace spandexuality, a term a friend of mine introduced to me, and I passed on to CL.

They are an amalgam of joy, entertainment and raw modes of production that serves audiences from all backgrounds a dose of lighthearted fun.

“We want to cross some borders,” said Jovius, speaking on the future of the group. “We want to need passports.”

After the performance, CL parted for a taco run, and then north onto the next leg of their 17-stop tour.

Thank the Dance Gods for the alcoholic energy drinks that brought these fine people together under one second-skin.

For more spandex and fun, click the following links:
Club Lyfestile
JHN RDN
Bravado

Hawa Arsala on "Accounts of unrest in Honduras"

2009-07-18T05:45:47Z

Bill, I really appreciate your thoughts on this article. I also appreciate the perspective and background that you bring as you are familiar with the history and politics of the region. The people I interviewed shared some of your concerns about the coverage of the events. It was certainly a unique opportunity to be able to sit down with the delegates, and I only hope more people want to hear their stories.

Hawa Arsala on "Front yard ordinance allows DIY food"

2009-07-17T22:59:00Z

i like hearing about the benefits of front yard gardens, especially about the reduced water consumption. Do you have a link for the ordinance itself?

Hawa Arsala on "Accounts of unrest in Honduras"

2009-07-17T17:17:34Z

Thank you for taking the time to read this, Arif. I would like to get your international perspective on this issue. Do these accounts seem to reflect what you have heard about the events?

Hawa Arsala on "Accounts of unrest in Honduras"

2009-07-17T16:44:34Z

Thank you very much! I must say that I cannot fully be sure of what his intentions with the referendum were. From what I understand through research and stories, Zelaya wanted to allow the people of Honduras to eventually have a say in what their young constitution says. Now the changing of the constitution is a far removed process from the initial survey on June 28, and would be up to the people of Honduras to change, not Zelaya. If you have further questions, please comment!

Hawa Arsala on "Accounts of unrest in Honduras"

2009-07-17T16:32:44Z

Thank you very much, Bill! It was, and is, a great learning experience. Do you think you would share what you have heard about the situation?

Hawa Arsala on "Mascots to play kickball game at Raley Field"

2009-07-16T23:16:45Z

" Throws more curves than Lombard Street." YES

Hawa Arsala on "Accounts of unrest in Honduras"

2009-07-16T08:04:05Z

Photos courtesy of Kate Allen and Bill Camp

Accounts of unrest in Honduras

2009-07-16T07:32:54Z

Hours before Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was forcefully exiled to Costa Rica on June 27, he met with seven delegates from Sacramento.

The seven were: Bill Camp, executive secretary for the Sacramento Central Labor Council (SCLC); Bud McKinney, a sheet mill worker; Chris Bender, a union representative; Greg Larkins, president of IBW Local 340 and a political organizer for the SCLC; Arturo Aleman, a consultant, Kate Allen, a graduate student at UCLA and summer intern for the SCLC and Dion Archuleta, a canner at Campbell Soup in South Sacramento.

The following is an account of their experiences in Honduras over a three-day period in which an alleged coup d’état took place.

Background

The SCLC helped to deliver medical supplies and facilitate medical outreach to Honduran communities with limited accessibility. Because of their aid to Honduras, an invitation was extended to 12 members of the SCLC to observe ballot procedures, which would take place in Honduras on June 28. Five of them were unable to attend, according to Bud McKinney.

Bill Camp’s brother, Tom Camp, a doctor in Alabama, helped with relief efforts in Honduras after the wrath of Hurricane Mitch in 1998. He encouraged Bill Camp to visit Honduras with him and served as a connection to a native doctor, Dr. Luther Harry Castillo. Dr. Luther Castillo's passion to help the underprivileged was the driving force that inspired Bill Camp to build a clinic.

In partnership with several members of various unions, Camp was able to gather the resources to build the clinic in Honduras with the California Honduras Institute for Medical Education and Support (CHIMES) over the course of two years.

In 2005, as a result of these efforts, Bill Camp began building a clinic in Ciriboya, a remote village on the northern coast of Honduras.

McKinney found out about the organization while working on a health proposition with Camp at the SCLC in 2005. He was interested in the mission of the clinic and joined Camp in clearing out the initial site and communicating with local elders about having them contribute labor to its construction.

A hospital was opened in late 2007. "The hospital and the [eleven] doctors that it employs provide health care to about 20,000-25,000 people in the area," McKinney said.

Camp made it clear that it is the only hospital in Honduras operated by Garifuna people, the indigenous population.

In 2007, a chance run-in with Patti Garamendi provided Camp with the opportunity to invite Lt. Gov. John Garamendi to Honduras with less than a week's notice. They scheduled a visit, and shortly before Garamendi arrived, it occurred to Bill Camp, "Oh lord, the Lieutenant Governor is coming to Honduras and I don't even know if the roads are open!"

Garamendi was able to attend the dedication ceremony for the completion of the clinic and meet Dr. Castillo, a primary force in building the hospital. "John's real contribution was going and having all the public attention," Camp said. The dedication ceremony attracted press attention both in Honduras and in the United States. He added that Garamendi "had put [the hospital] on the map."

A second-floor addition later the next following year was cause for another dedication. This time, President Zelaya attended and committed to compensating salaries for any three of the 11 doctors. "When they get the checks, they just split them eleven ways," Camp said.

Leaving for Honduras: Day 1

On June 21, the SCLC received a letter signed by Patricia Rodas Baca, the Honduran foreign minister, inviting members of the SCLC by name to participate in a fully funded trip to observe balloting procedures around the country for the survey that was to take place on June 28.

Other than the U.S. ambassador, the seven from Sacramento were the only observers to fly in from the United States. There were about 80 international delegates in total, according to Bill Camp.

The delegates arrived in Honduras on June 27 and were directed to a press conference with President Zelaya and his cabinet members soon after their arrival.

At the time of the press conference, President Zelaya had dealt with battling the Honduran Congress and the Supreme Court over the legality of holding a non-binding survey. Camp said it was essentially, "An effort to hear from the public. Do you think we should have a vote in November about the question, yes or no?, Do you want to have a constitutional convention?"

The Honduran Supreme Court ruled the survey illegal the week it was to occur and threatened arrest of anyone wanting to change the constitution.

At the press conference, Chris Bender said, "they handed out the portions of the constitution and the law that they felt made this legal."

These excerpts were handed out on paper, including Title XII, which is the portion of the constitution in question in regards to the legitimacy of the survey.

Aleman explained the process that Zelaya envisioned would pan out in regards to a future referendum. He said Zelaya intended to hold a survey of the people with the survey scheduled to take place on June 28 to gauge whether they wanted to have a vote in November, on election day, to decide if they then wanted a constitutional congress. From this decision, a constitutional convention may or may not have convened after the installation of the new administration in 2010.

"It had no effect of law," said McKinney said about the survey. The survey was fundamentally a public opinion poll, and the immediate consequence of the vote would have no legal effect on the constitution or the law.

"We were to observe how the election was being conducted, so if the media wanted to have an outside view of how this was handled– was it appropriate, were people being coerced, threatened or intimidated– we would be able to speak as outsiders in terms of our perspective," Camp said, commenting on how the Honduran Department of Foreign Relations outlined the duties of the delegates.

"The only thing we went down there to do was ensure that the vote was free and fair," McKinney said.

Outside of the press conference, McKinney was conversing with locals. "I talked to people outside of (the) Presidential Palace,” he said. “There were a lot of volunteers milling around."

These volunteers were delivering ballot boxes to about 15,000 precincts all over Honduras, after a group of unarmed citizens seized them from the military. The ballot boxes were dispersed the week before, and McKinney had witnessed the last of them being transported.

After the press conference, all of the international delegates gathered for a dinner with Zelaya and his cabinet members. Each place setting had a microphone, allowing observers to question Zelaya.

One question posed to Zelaya was if the referendum was about extending his presidency. McKinney, paraphrasing Zelaya, said he responded, "No. On Jan. 27, my term is up. I will hand over my sash to the duly elected president of Honduras."

Over the course of the press conference and dinner, the seven spent about five hours in the presence of Zelaya.

"There was no expectation that he would be kidnapped," Camp said.

A Turn of Events: Day 2

The next morning, on Sunday, June 28, Camp and Bender were to report to the airport to fly out to a village and observe voting procedures.

While waiting, the two received word from Dr. Castillo, "Take off your hat, take off your vest, take off your badge; put them in your satchel. I’m coming to pick you up to take you back to the hotel -- there's been a coup."

For the duration of the trip, the majority of the group members remained in their hotel, two miles away from the Presidential Palace.

“The streets were calm, there was no troop presence, there was no real unrest where we were at,” explained Larkins, political organizer for the SCLC.

At 8 p.m. Sunday, Dr. Castillo picked up three of the group members, Allen, Camp and Archuleta, and took them to the Presidential Palace, where protests were taking place.

Allen described the scene after a thunderstorm had set in. "[The protesters] were under these tarps in the middle of the street and there was a truck with a bullhorn and they were chanting along to Zelaya's name right in front of the gates of the Presidential Palace, and behind the gates were all these guards in riot gear."

According to Allen, there were about 200 protesters at the time of her visit, and the three were able to engage in conversation talk with some of the protesters. Allen turned her attention to Camp., "Suddenly they're going 'Sí se puede!' (Yes, it can be done!) and Bill is leading them in a chant of 'Sí se puede' in front of the gates of the Presidential Palace," Allen said.

"Our job is to encourage the heart," said Camp.

Anti-Zelaya protesters took to the streets as well, however, Allen said, "We couldn't stay long because there was going to be a curfew at 9 p.m., instituting martial law."

Returning with a Cause: Day 3

On Monday night, June 29, the seven arrived safely back in California.

"Immediately when we got back, we started calling all the union people we knew and said, ‘you gotta get a hold of the National Security Council and the Secretary of State's office,’ " Camp said.

McKinney received word that Honduran labor unions were gathering support to take protesters to the street, despite the military’s attempts to machine-gun tires of buses. “The AFL-CIO is in full support of labor’s participation in the retaking of democracy in Honduras,” he commented.

"When workers are being destroyed in Honduras...that really is an injury to all of us," Camp said.

Upon their arrival, Camp received an e-mail from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights with an urgent message. 29 people had been listed as targets for detention by the interim government. Dr. Castillo is on this list, but has evaded capture so far, according to McKinney.

In addition to others, Patricia Rodas Baca was detained and later released.

Camp said he believes they "got them released because we got the National Security Council and the Secretary of State's office saying, 'You can't hurt this individual,' and somehow that went down through the chain of command."

An Update on Current Efforts

McKinney has been in contact with doctors at the hospital in Ciriboya. "Everything seems to be normal at the hospital,” he said. “The doctors are a little apprehensive that if the coup goes very long they will cut funding."

He also said that the Cuban government is pulling out Cuban doctors out of from Honduran clinics, and fears the same may happen with the doctors in Ciriboya.

McKinney is also in communication with Dr. Castillo, who staged a protest against the military’s shooting of civilians with First Lady Xiomara Castro Zelaya on July 7.

"The question is how do we get the head of the labor council in Minneapolis, or Rochester, or St. Louis to understand that this is their fight as well as the Honduran workers?" Camp asked.

As of July 13, Telesur, McKinney's main source of television coverage of the events in Honduras, has been expelled from coverage by the interim government.

Furthermore, the military seized ballots from a rural city that had held the vote through the coup, according to an anonymous source of McKinney’s.

McKinney reflected on his trip: "I didn't go to support the referendum or Manuel Zelaya. I had pretty mixed feelings," he said. "I went down there to observe democracy. I went there to make sure the people had a fair vote in both directions."

McKinney explained that he did not want to see the referendum forced on the people, and he did not want to see people "stuff ballot boxes" either.

"It was in a sense an unbelievable experience, but it was also a calm experience in the thrust of the chaos," Larkins said.

The group plans on making another trip back to Honduras Aug. 6 and hopes peace comes to the nation by then.

LINKS:
Project CHIMES
AFL-CIO position, press release
Honduran Constitution, spanish

Hawa Arsala on "Safe Ground yet to be found"

2009-07-16T03:47:49Z

Thank you so much, Dale. I will definitely look into that.

Hawa Arsala on "Safe Ground yet to be found"

2009-07-16T01:26:15Z

Mathieu, you bring up some very important issues. Do you have any more information about the rise in dementia cases?

Hawa Arsala on "Safe Ground photos"

2009-07-16T00:50:38Z

Thsas, thank you for suggesting another way to approach the article. I am very open to hearing your opinions, as I feel members of the community have knowledge that others may not. Please feel free to email me at: hawa.arsala@sacramentopress.com For this article, I did mention who the property owners were and linked back to a previous article that mentions the illegal nature of the campers' acts. I would also encourage you to write as well! We offer free copy editing services, and you can get more information by emailing journalism@sacramentopress.com

Hawa Arsala on "Safe Ground photos"

2009-07-15T21:49:02Z

Photo Credit: Justin Wandro

Safe Ground photos

2009-07-15T21:47:33Z

This is the fourth vacant space Sacramento homeless have been forced to leave since July 1. For more background on this event, click the "Storyline" tab on the right, or click this link

Hawa Arsala on "Safe Ground yet to be found"

2009-07-15T21:45:07Z

Hi Dale, Thanks for the information. Do you have resources you can point us to so that we may be able to access the information you cite above?

Hawa Arsala on "Safe Ground yet to be found"

2009-07-15T20:39:50Z

Thanks Kathleen! We should be getting pictures in of this event soon, so stay tuned for another update!

Hawa Arsala on "Safe Ground yet to be found"

2009-07-15T19:54:51Z

Justin, I appreciate your thoughts on this issue. I should clear up that most of the homeless people in these stories do know that what they are doing has legal consequences, because they are active in the community. They have advocated for a legal "Safe Ground" to avoid citations and incarceration. They are left with almost no options for housing, and you touch on the closing of the emergency shelters, which is a part of this lack in options. Thank you for contributing your thoughts!

Hawa Arsala on "Rice Exports Soar At Port Of West Sacramento"

2009-07-15T17:37:54Z

This is a really interesting article, thanks for posting it! It's great to hear about international issues that affect Sacramento. It seems like a positive in current times!

Hawa Arsala on "Safe Ground yet to be found"

2009-07-15T17:05:27Z

This is the link to a site that has information on it: http://www.communitycouncil.org/homelessplan/ You can scroll down to get the full plan and summaries as well. This is what it says about the plan "Adopted unanimously by the City Council and the County Board of Supervisors in September of 2006, the 10-Year Plan describes innovative new strategies to address chronic homelessness." I should get an update on that council meeting if I can find somebody who attended!

Safe Ground yet to be found

2009-07-15T04:27:26Z

Police arrived at the most recent Safe Ground location on North D and North 11th streets Monday afternoon to notify about 100 homeless campers that they must vacate the premises.

Safe Ground is an attempt to find a safe, legal space for the homeless to settle.

Reverend David Moss was the only arrest made that afternoon for trespassing. Sacramento Police Department spokesperson, Sgt. Norm Leong commented, “He refused to identify if he was camping on the site and refused to leave.”

The empty lot is owned partially by the city and two private property owners. Joan Burke, Director of Advocacy with Loaves & Fishes, said those camping were aware only of the city ownership of the property.

“We came here to facilitate the removal of illegal camping and trespassing complaints of neighboring businesses and owners of the property,” Leong said.

Since the closing of the shelters, the homeless have now been forced to leave a fourth camping location since July 1.

The first was on a vacant lot at 420 Richards Blvd., the second was a vacant parcel of city owned land at 100 Bercut Dr., and the third was a small camp site between the Volunteers of America Shelter and the Union Gospel shelter on Bannon St.

“Thus far everyone is cooperating and moving their property,” Leong said.

Leong said that the police department does not claim itself as an organization fit to solve the homeless issue. “Our job is to enforce ordinances and laws in place," Leong said.

Since their time searching for a safe space to settle, the homeless have become self-governing.

“Campers as a group elected five people to be on a governing board,” Burke said.

She said the board is a Council of Elders, inspired by tribal practices, which helps make decisions about the group in a democratic process. “Each camper signed an individual pledge that the campground be drug, alcohol, and violence free,” Burke said. “It was the first thing the entire camp decided on."

Following the clearing of the lot, Joan Burke made her way to a meeting on the 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness.

In a phone interview Tuesday morning, Burke explained that the policy board met and voted Monday to ask the city of Sacramento to "adopt a moratorium on the enforcement of anti-camping laws."

This advisory policy will be passed from the board, which consists of non-profit organizations, businesses, law enforcement, and the homeless community, to the Sacramento City Council and the City Manager's Office.

The campers are planning to go to the City Council meeting Tuesday night with their gear to raise questions about where they will be sleeping tonight.

“This is a grave situation with nowhere for folks to go,” Burke said.

Hawa Arsala on "Sac to get "3rd Saturdays""

2009-07-13T19:22:50Z

A defibrillator to the heart of K street mall! Without an event like this, I fear the area turning into a ghost town. I'm excited to see how it turns out!

Hawa Arsala on "D.I.Y. Is Alive"

2009-07-13T19:16:04Z

I really enjoyed this event as a participant. The crowd was pretty enthusiastic, and I wish I could have braved the heat a little longer to make it to all of the workshops! I'm hoping this becomes annual, because I want to make another t-shirt!

Hawa Arsala on "Deep Tabla Talent"

2009-07-09T18:27:36Z

I heard about this a while ago, and was excited to see such a performance coming to town! Thanks for posting this, Julie!

Hawa Arsala on "Trash Film Orgy"

2009-07-09T17:26:00Z

I was not under the impression that the opening night is any different than the others. They seem to go large EVERY night haha!

Hawa Arsala on "Trash Film Orgy"

2009-07-09T17:25:28Z

I would venture to guess that you could stay up that late with all the loud heckling and fun! It definitely sounds like big fun!

Hawa Arsala on "City officials, ACLU debate surveillance system"

2009-07-09T03:30:23Z

Awesome research! I remember we installed security cameras at my high school years ago, and when there was a theft, we found out that the cameras weren't equipped with tapes. I hear that's an issue as well.

Hawa Arsala on "Sacramento Zine Symposium"

2009-07-08T21:42:00Z

I'm going!

Trash Film Orgy

2009-07-08T21:14:53Z

It's the middle of summer and time to air out your best Halloween costumes, as the Trash Film Orgy is back in town.

The debauchery begins this Saturday at the Crest Theatre with the screening of "Flash Gordon," a science-fiction classic.

The Trash Film Orgy (TFO) is in its ninth year running, produced by Christy Savage, Darin Wood and Amy Slockbower.

"It is much more than a regular movie film. We do indeed try to find the best in cult and exploitation cinema," said Savage.

Exploitation cinema? Savage defined this as, "pushing the envelope a bit. A little extra boobs, blood, more explosions, action and monsters."

When researching and booking films to showcase at the festival, Savage said there are numerous factors to take into account, but "the primary thing we look for is FUN!"

There is no shortage of fun to be had with interactive games, contests, prizes to be won, and a vampire prom taking place on August 1 along with the screening of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

The lobby will be transformed into "Trashville," where people can play games to win anything from candy to quirky retro toys.

Watching the feature films will be no ordinary experience either. Savage said that heckling and drinking are encouraged, and it is normal for people to yell at the screen during a film. "The people that come to midnight movies are a little more adventurous than your general 'I'm gonna go to a movie at noon' crowd," she said.

The scheduled host for this year was El Tigre Diablo, a luchador, or wrestler, from Mexico, but Savage speculates, "We think he may have gotten in a Mexican jail."

Francois the Fly is said to take his place. "He's had some issues over the years with bug-spray addiction, but he's back this year, which is just in time because we can't seem to find El Tigre," Savage said.

At least this is what the audience will hear from the host, fabricating rumors about characters is another element of TFO theatrics and mythology.

In the past, the TFO has done live monster wrestling three times, has performed numerous musical parodies like "Dead Side Story," and has thrown a zombie prom.

This year, Savage said, "I've been telling people to expect the unexpected."

TFO productions also makes "low budget, high quality exploitation films," according to Savage. They expect the release of their current project, "Planet of the Vampire Women," early next year at the Crest Theatre.

Those wanting to view films must be at least 18 years of age due to adult content, and for Trash fans over 21, the Retro-Trash Lounge will be serving alcohol.

"I think the majority of our people have a good time. Unless they're drinking too much," said Savage.

The TFO runs every Saturday at midnight from July 11 until August 15.

For more information, click the following link:
Trash Film Orgy

Hawa Arsala on "Zen Sushi"

2009-07-08T17:23:34Z

Tammi, I enjoyed reading your piece the entire way through! I love how you are able to weave in this personal narrative about your relationship with sushi and the local community and Zen restaurant. Your writing is very vivid and fun, I look forward to seeing more of your work!

Hawa Arsala on "Riding Cool?: fixed-gear bikes without brakes"

2009-07-08T16:28:31Z

I am replying to my own comment, as a friend at the bike kitchen provided me with the answer. You must apply pressure to the pedals to create friction that will stop the tires from spinning. Sounds like it isn't very safe and may cause damage to the bike. Does anybody know what, if any, kind of damage that causes?

Hawa Arsala on "Tour de Sacramento"

2009-07-07T21:02:28Z

If you look on the top left-hand side of the site, there is a list of links. The "info and dates" section lists the events on the right side of the web page. Here is the link: http://www.tourdesacramento.com/Info_and_Dates.html

What's on your plate?

2009-07-07T04:54:23Z

In 2001, two-and-a-half-year-old Kevin Kowalcyk became a victim of food. His death was induced by hamburger meat contaminated with the E. coli bacteria.

Kevin’s story is one of many issues discussed in Food, Inc., the recently released documentary directed by Robert Kenner. A special screening of the film was hosted by the Pesticide Watch Education Fund on Friday evening at the Crest Theatre.

Food Inc. begins with an aerial shot of farmlands that transform into the packaging of a Farm Fresh product. The film discusses the modern food production industry’s tendency toward using an agrarian visage for goods manufactured in factories.

Much of the data and research in the film is provided by Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation. They narrate government policies and practices by the food production industry that contribute to the alteration of our ecology, bodies, and the way consumers think about food.

As a public health nutritionist, Judy, who chose not to disclose her full name, says she has an advantage over consumers due to her formal training with food systems. “I can decipher it more easily," she said. "You shouldn’t have to be a nutritionist to pick your food. That’s a problem.”

The film highlights the lack of transparency in food industries with regards to ingredients in products. California Senate Bill 63 is cited as an example of an attempt to label foods that have products of cloned animals.

Monsanto, a leading multi-national corporation in the sector of genetically-modified foods, plays a big role in the film, and its relationship with farmers is depicted as a strained one.

A series of vignettes are done with several farmers battling Monsanto over intellectual property rights. Deposition tapes reveal the politics and policies underlying the production of our food.

The closing credits offer reform measures for the food industry and feedback on how to make health-conscious choices as shoppers are faced with the prevalence of high-fructose corn syrup, an ingredient the film depicts as unhealthy, as well as other potentially unhealthy ingredients in the aisles of grocery stores.

The creators of Food, Inc. encourage support of local farmers markets and organically-grown food.

After the screening, a panel of experts in the field was able to speak on the topics brought up in the film and suggest the same support for community gardens and farmers markets.

Jaclyn Hopkins, coordinator of EAT Sacramento, connected the concerns of Food, Inc. to her community in Oak Park. “We’re considered a food desert," she said, "meaning that there is no good food in our neighborhood and our kids don’t have access to healthy things that can allow them to thrive.”

“We’re just seeing huge amounts of childhood obesity, diabetes, things that are not the natural condition of children,” said Judy, referencing the research done in her field of work. "It’s because it’s pretty toxic for kids."

Kathryn McOmie, a former teacher, predicted the return to an agricultural society as a result of watching the film. "This huge financial meltdown may be a way really of turning ourselves to think," she said. "We’re going to go back to growing our own food.”

Food, Inc. delves into the processes at work before consumers reach the checkout line—from the very fields and labs from which their food comes . It has sparked dialogue on the future of food, both as we know it and do not.

Tour de Sacramento

2009-07-07T04:47:37Z

The Tour de Sacramento kicked off today and will continue for three weeks of activities and ride-alongs around the Sacramento area.

The event coincides with the Tour de France. The three-week event in Europe is a world-famous race, but tour organizer Dawn Dais says that the Tour de Sacramento has a different feel to it. "We don't really want to encourage a competition. Its going to be super laid back and fun."

Dais has written a book called "The Noncyclist's Guide to the Century and Other Road Races," that details her training for a bicycle race and breaks down the process to encourage people of all backgrounds to participate in cycling.

Today, a bike safety check and a Safe Cycling Clinic took place at the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen. The safety checks are sponsored by Ycycle.org and coach Myron Dong will be on hand to provide expert cycling opinions. "He is informed about safe ways to ride bikes. has real advice. and personalized coaching advice," said Dais.

People are encouraged to bring their bicycles to the Sacramento Bike Kitchen for maintenance and check-ups before the ride. If participants do not have bikes, Dais said renting bikes is also an option, "and you get a discount with the Tour de Sacramento."

The Tour is about bringing people together, and they don't necessarily have to participate, according to Dais. "Every ride we're going to be accepting bike donations with Cycles4Hope even if you don't want to ride."

The routes planned for the Tour vary in length and type. There will be day rides on standard bike trails that will be up to 12 miles long, and night rides through streets in places like historic Folsom. "The night time rides are more leisurely and about exploring the city," said Dais.

There will also be a "Grub and Crawl" ride, and for a $25 fee, participants can enjoy restaurant hopping, food tasting, and end the night at a popular night club.

"Cycling is just a really fun way to be active," said Dais. For her first book, "The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women," she recalls not having an enjoyable time training for a marathon. "I was expecting to find the same thing in cycling, but I enjoyed it. It's a flat route and not too strenuous. While you move you get somewhere. It's more of a destination type of thing."

She adds, "It's a lot cooler, hipster wise, than running."

Dais feels the cycling event will work well with the Sacramento community, because of the enthusiasm for bike riding in the area.

The Tour de Sacramento will take place from July 6 to 26. Registration for the event is free.

For more information about the event and registration, click the following link:
Tour de Sacramento

Hawa Arsala on "Riding Cool?: fixed-gear bikes without brakes"

2009-07-06T20:50:53Z

I'm not super bike-savvy, so a brakeless bike doesn't make much sense to me! How do they come to a stop then?

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-04T00:50:26Z

Thanks for clearing that up!

Hawa Arsala on "Young artists transform communities"

2009-07-03T19:06:56Z

Thanks for signing up to contribute to the Sacramento Press! If you have any other details you'd like to add, please feel free to comment!

Young artists transform communities

2009-07-03T01:07:54Z

For the past three months, young people from 10 to 21 years of age have come together in Sacramento once a week to discuss their role in their physical environment.

As part of the Youth Voices for Change initiative, the group called the Sactown Heroes collaborated with UC Davis scholars, artists and graduate students to explore their community, what they like about it and what could change. The culminating event on Tuesday was a presentation of their findings to the community.

14-year-old Bradly Palmer said he would change "where youth are welcome and where they are hired for jobs. Some places discriminate against youth because they think they're trouble-makers."

He is a student at West Sacramento Early College-Prep Charter School, and is able to explore his surroundings with cameras, video and audio equipment that he is trained to use.

"I set up a lot of the Google maps, the graphics, and I took videos of my favorite places and what I dislike about the community," Palmer said.

The Google maps have digital, color-coded thumbtacks on local businesses and parks that the students have explored with their equipment. They are later able to add audio commentary about what they like and dislike about the areas.

"They are the people that are using the spaces the most often. It's really important what those people using the spaces think about those places," said Patsy Eubanks Owens, an associate professor of landscape and architecture.

"I think what's key about this is you have young people who care enough about their communities to spend every week learning what's out there," said Diane Littlefield, a senior program officer with the Sierra Health Foundation. She continued to say that students are "willing to roll up their sleeves and take action and improve the environment in which they live."

Jessica Rice, a future ninth-grade student at River City High School, recounted a beautification project she took part in, "We planted flowers in front of the preschool, we decorated the benches with decorative rocks and it's really nice."

The Youth Voices for Regional Change is part of a larger crusade called Healthy Youth Healthy Regions program at UC Davis. Jesikah Maria Ross, director of the UC Davis program the Art of Regional Change, said the program poses the question, "How is the impact of how youth perceive their places related to the well-being and prosperity of the region?" She concludes, "By studying this, we can give policy makers some recommendations for change."

The Sierra Health Foundation and the California Endowment are funding this program as part of a policy program. "What we're hoping to do is understand better the conditions that affect young people in terms of their health, economics, environment and education," said Littlefield.

West Sacramento Mayor, Christopher Cabaldon, was also in attendance and he encouraged students, "Make Facebook comments on my page," to further stimulate dialogue on their insights.

The program is funded as part of a two-year study with findings projected to be public in fall of 2010 that will inform grant making and the allocation of resources. Littlefield emphasized, "This is real data, this is research done by young people."

After the two-year study is completed, the students and program advisers hope to continue the spirit of this organization in other neighborhoods, and even nationally. "It kind of might change the social norm by looking to young people for some of the solutions," said Littlefield.

For more information, click the following links:
The Art of Regional Change
Healthy Youth/Healthy Regions

Hawa Arsala on "Concerts in the Park: Golden Shoulders light it up Friday"

2009-07-02T21:15:45Z

I commend your use of Twitter for research. Also, this sounds like a cool band...I like how it starts off too! Jeremy Piven?! That is really cool!

Hawa Arsala on "Local Poet and Community Activist: LAWRENCE DINKINS JR. IS NO LONGER MISSING"

2009-07-02T20:52:10Z

Thanks for the update!

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-02T19:30:14Z

Tom, I never claimed that this rally produced a permanent housing facility. I was able to prove, however, that this is what people want. Thank you for providing the links for the articles. Sister Libby from Loaves & Fishes is quoted at the end of the article: "I personally believe in 'housing first' because I work directly with homeless people with severe mental health, drug and alcohol issues," said Sister Libby Fernandez of Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento. "It's hard for change to occur unless you can change the environment. You have to get them into a safe place where they believe that their lives can get better." It seems here that she advocates exactly what you advocate for. With the closing of shelters this week, the number of homeless on the street is bound to go up. They say they are looking for an alternative for the time being. Thanks again for your sources.

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-02T18:52:38Z

Tom, do you have evidence of the sentiments of the participants that you cited in your first paragraph? If so, I would like to know. Also, where are you getting the data about the decreased number of chronic homeless? And again, it has been expressed that more permanent supportive housing is a goal for these people. However, in our current financial crisis, opening and operating these structures "immediately" seems like a long-shot. But it is what people want, and you make a great point in bringing that up!

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-02T18:32:35Z

Sounds like that's what they're trying to do here in Sacramento! Though they hope to be able to use the World Shelters as an alternative to tents. Thanks for this link! It reminds us in Sacramento that we aren't the only "Tent City"

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-02T18:29:47Z

Thank you for making the distinction between a ticketing offense and arrest. Many of the people I spoke to told me they were arrested when found sleeping on sidewalks. Can there be a different scenario in which this happens? I like how you said "the very act of sleep is illegal for homeless people." This hits really hard. Thanks very much!

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-02T18:05:32Z

Thank you William Burg! As Tina Reynolds is quoted saying in the article, you can't even camp our in your own backyard for more than one night. It is illegal! Clearly there are some wonky policies here.

Hawa Arsala on "A royal occasion for the Sacramento Kings"

2009-07-02T17:30:41Z

Thank you very much for providing us with some insight as to the danger of firework use!

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-02T17:26:34Z

Yes, no arrest for being poor! "Criminalization" does not mean the act of committing a crime, but to treat as criminal. Some people are socialized to think that all homeless people are criminals, when in fact they may not be. So this is a situation where a criminalized homeless person (one who is labeled a criminal via social views) is not in a position of arrest. I hope that better clarifies what I was trying to say. Thank you for sparking some great discussion here.

Hawa Arsala on "SEIU Rally Brings Thousands to Capitol"

2009-07-02T17:03:31Z

I have the same questions as well.

Hawa Arsala on "Balancing the budget topples hopes"

2009-07-02T16:57:58Z

Thsas, I understand that most private companies are small business, which is why I tried not to generalize. Also, I know that small business owners aren't all upper-middle class income generators, which is why some of the people in these businesses suffering the hardest fall into lower and middle-income brackets as well--especially right now. I know this by speaking to people on the street, the "liberal media" has little to do with what I understand. And yes, an across the board cut is an evening out of the pay cut worries, but how that would pass is another story! I really appreciate the dialogue that's being driven here, I am definitely absorbing a great deal of knowledge from you.

Hawa Arsala on "Balancing the budget topples hopes"

2009-07-02T16:45:58Z

Thank you Sonia! And Seth, you raise some really great issues as well. Thanks for bringing in some clarity with examples.

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-02T16:44:13Z

Many organizers spoke on the issues of arresting homeless people because of illegal camping on streets. They cannot afford housing and end up sleeping outdoors with blankets, sleeping bags, etc. By law, this is illegal to do. Also, "criminalization" does not necessarily culminate in an arrest of some sort. It can also apply to a social view as well. Thank you very much for raising that issue, I appreciate it!

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-02T14:53:14Z

Tom, I agree with what you said in that first paragraph, and that is what the activists are hoping to avoid--the continuous cycle through the criminal justice system. Well said. Facilities at Cal Expo cost roughly $140,000 a month to run, and though subsidized, I agree there needs to be a more cost-effective alternative. They say the World Shelters can do that. There is some phone bank type of activity and writing of letters to local officials going on in this process, because as you mentioned, that is how to get help. The processes to set up low-income, supportive housing could take years. This is a temporary solution to providing shelter and being aware of the issue helps stir more activism in the community. Thank you for raising some great concerns! Also, I should add that St. John's Shelter for women and children on Power Inn Road has approximately 340 people on the wait list for entry. This is a program that provides a lot of rehabilitation efforts as well: http://www.stjohnsshelter.org/program.php

Hawa Arsala on "In search of sleep"

2009-07-02T06:25:33Z

You are both right, and I appreciate your responses. Tent cities are hard to maintain because they are hastily put together in the face of unforeseen or sudden circumstances. Sanitation is also definitely an issue. What the advocates at this rally want is not a tent city, but a well thought out periphery-community to provide basic human necessities to those who rely on shelters. It was mentioned that these communities may be able to prevent homeless people from being incarcerated. It is easy for this to happen when you want to illegally set up camp on the street. With a quasi-community set up on a vacant lot, along with plans to have sanitation and an orderly governed system, it can prevent constant incarceration. I really like your idea about on-site supportive care, TomRunge. Actually, most shelters in the Sacramento area already support rehabilitation efforts through therapy in addition to providing shelter. I hope I was able to give some insight! And yes, to erect low income housing in the state's current financial situation seems like a fantasy. I was just listening to the 11pm news, and it is pretty devastating. It is hard to figure out what our priorities are in a time like this, but we can be aware of our environment and community.

Hawa Arsala on "SEIU Rally Brings Thousands to Capitol"

2009-07-02T06:12:40Z

Amazing how big the turn out was! Also, you see that I'm commenting immediately after your post, which says only one thing...I'm on this site too much (secretly not enough). You definitely brought a different perspective to this piece. I especially like how you touched on the workers still coming into work despite the cuts. Good work!

In search of sleep

2009-07-02T05:40:38Z

Emergency overflow shelters shut down their accommodations to the homeless in Sacramento, including Cal Expo so the homeless took a stand Wednesday morning.

Hundreds gathered in front of Loaves & Fishes on the corner of North 12th and Ahern Street for a march to bring awareness to the recent closings of shelters and the criminalization of poverty and homelessness.

Event organizers expected around 200 attendees, but at one point during the march, there were counts of close to 1,000 people walking to 420 Richards Blvd., a vacant parcel next to the new police station.

Many of those participating in the rally who rely on shelters for a place to sleep at night said they are afraid of legal consequences for camping out on streets.

"There was a woman, six months pregnant on the street, and when the police found she was homeless, they put her in jail," said G.P. Bailey, an activist and songwriter. "That is a scary thing."

"It's a crime against people for existing," said Robert, an 18-year-old a recent graduate of Jesuit High School.

He endured the heat and 1.2-mile march in solidarity for the community of people he was immersed in as a part of a community service project. Robert spent one week living as a homeless person, scrounging for food and pedaling for money with the guidance of teachers.

"We come from a pretty privileged school and they want us to learn that there is more to life than that cloistered area in Carmichael," he said.

Another appearance from the ranks of the privileged was made by the lead singer of local band Papa Roach, Jacoby Shaddix, who lived in Del Paso Heights since the age of 18.

He mingled with the rally participants, held up signs of support with his family, and led a cheer for a safe, legalized camping ground for the homeless.

"My family was homeless for the first year of my life, and to be where I'm at now, I'm super blessed," he said.

Papa Roach has donated money to Loaves & Fishes, and when he is not touring on the road, he serves food there in his spare time.

Birte, a librarian at Loaves & Fishes, as well as a Danish immigrant, was attracted to the homeless environment because of her experiences in Denmark.

"Healthcare for everyone was a big difference back home," she said. "A lot of folks out here end up here because they didn't have healthcare or had big bills."

Tina Reynolds, the owner of Uptown Studios, expressed the need to reform public policy that criminalizes homelessness.

"We are working on repealing laws and making politicians aware of the situation," she said. She also expressed dissatisfaction with the various laws that prevent people from setting up camping gear, rolled up beds, and how these apply to everyone with homes as well. "You are not allowed to camp out in your backyard for more than one day," Reynolds said.

The issues at hand are not specific to the homeless population, they also affect the community in general.

"It's not one side, it's affecting everyone," G.P. Bailey.

Bailey feels the cuts in shelters are creating a ripple effect which affects more than those looking for a home on the street.

"It is affecting the police department," he said. "It's hard to hire anyone from the new graduating class" of the police academy.

Reynolds suggested a dome-like model structure on display from World Shelters that they hope to implement in the future.

"They have if for disaster relief, and there's no disaster like homelessness," she said.

The structure, which costs roughly $2,495, is made of panels of corrugated plastic, and is said to protect from UV rays and can be equipped with optional solar panel attachments. For $2 a day, people can live in these structures.

Reynolds said she wants to look for property within the city that is unclaimed and hopefully set up safe facilities. She described the ideal location as an inexpensive community off the grid that has access to services like Loaves & Fishes, water, toilets, showers and garbage collection.

"What I hope is that we'll be able to understand that there's a legitimate problem in Sacramento," Robert said.

To learn more, click the following links:
Sacramento Loaves & Fishes
World Shelters

Hawa Arsala on "Firefighters' jobs likely to be saved"

2009-07-02T04:20:33Z

I'm always on edge with these firefighter articles! Thanks for the update--well done!

Hawa Arsala on "Balancing the budget topples hopes"

2009-07-02T04:17:33Z

Thank you very much, Suzanne! That really does mean a ton to me coming from you!

Hawa Arsala on "Balancing the budget topples hopes"

2009-07-01T22:49:03Z

Trapper: I really appreciate your sentiments on the issue. From what I gathered, it is true, private companies are making cuts as well! But I think Seth makes a point--many (though not all) of those who are suffering from cuts are the low and middle-income people at the bottom rung of the company ladders. What most of the union workers expressed was a more evening out of the cuts, so people aren't suffering together, rather contributing to the welfare of their state together. Thank you both for your comments!

Hawa Arsala on "Balancing the budget topples hopes"

2009-07-01T20:38:15Z

Zachenglund: The SEIU is organizing the event, and I don't know of any other organizations participating, but I don't see why others wouldn't join their cause. Thanks for that question! Kathleen: Thanks so much! That means a lot coming from the budget Queen!

Balancing the budget topples hopes

2009-07-01T19:16:00Z

On Tuesday evening, hundreds of workers with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) congregated at the steps of the Capitol to voice their frustrations with how the state legislature is handling the budget.

Yvonne Walker, President of the SEIU, opened the rally with a fiery speech about how state workers “are on the tipping point,” with the continued proposals to cut state workers’ pay and adding a third furlough day.

Walker described the two-day furlough already in place for state workers as “the equivalent of one month’s pay.” She explained an additional day of unpaid leave would increase the financial burden on state workers, causing some to lose their homes.

Workers were well aware of this possibility as they walked circles around the Capitol lawn, some waving signs that read, “The future face of poverty.”

The impacts of pay-cuts have had severe effects on the lives of the workers.

“I have two children and I cannot afford a fifteen percent pay cut as a single mother,” said Kendra White, a tax technician. She added, “I already can’t pay my bills,” though the further proposed cuts have yet to be implemented.

Richard Wilcox Jr. is an employment program representative who processes employment insurance claims forms. He attended the protest in solidarity for his fellow workers.

“Some of them are at a point where they are actually filing for unemployment insurance claims forms,” seeking the exact help they provide as a part of their job, he said.

Some of the rally attendees held up signs that referenced the safety and well-being of their children. “I’m having to make choices about my kids being in daycare, and in a potentially dangerous situation” said Angela Ramirez, a DMV employee.

“I had to actually check with child services to see if it was okay to leave her home for a few hours out of the day until the lunch hour when I could come home,” Ramirez said.

She touched on current situations at her office that reflect the effects of the budget cuts on the community as a whole. “We’re backlogged, and customers are disappointed that the services are taking a lot longer.”

These services include filing paperwork dealing with DUI offenders. “Getting drunk drivers off the road is getting longer. The paperwork is taking longer,” she remarked.

“We’re doing a disservice to the community, not only the workers but the state of California,” Ramirez said.

Members of the SEIU have pin-pointed many ways to re-direct pressure off of state workers. “We’ve identified $34.7 billion in private outsourced contracts,” Walker said, hoping that the amount of money pouring into private contracts is reduced.

“One idea which I have,” said Wilcox, “is basically we start taxing oil companies for the oil that they drill out of ca public land.” The same is currently done in Alaska where they “actually make enough money where every year the Alaska state government sends its citizens checks.”

While he does not think the possibility of drilling an equivalent amount of oil in California is possible to generate that income, “it could at least offset the hurt.”

The SEIU planned to have a candle-light vigil and spend the night on the Capitol lawn, but some of the coordinators called it off because it looked like the legislature was not going to be in session that evening.

The protest at the Capitol Tuesday evening was a precursor to today’s rally. The SEIU expects over 2,000 workers to convene at the Capitol around noon to rally against the projected cuts.

Hawa Arsala on "The guide to local government budget madness"

2009-06-30T17:25:03Z

Kathleen, thank you SO much for this! It really is a great piece about breaking down the chaos that is the budget. You incorporate numbers, stats, and a very reassuring tone to this guide. I really appreciate you fleshing this out!

Hawa Arsala on "Street Interview"

2009-06-30T17:19:43Z

I like the idea behind this piece! It creates a great connection to the community and I love the diversity of opinions...some I would never have thought of! I would be really interested to hear what younger people think as well: high school to college-aged people. I wonder what they would think??

Hawa Arsala on "Ask Officer Michelle - One Man's Garbage is Another's Treasure"

2009-06-29T19:37:58Z

I really like reading these question and answer pieces! I definitely find myself in some of these situations, or know people who experience them, but don't take the time to consider the safety concerns. Thanks for keeping us aware!

Hawa Arsala on "Midtown neighborhoods alarmed by unsafe activites at event."

2009-06-29T19:15:39Z

Thank you for writing this up and pointing out the public safety issue at Saturday's event.

Hawa Arsala on "A royal occasion for the Sacramento Kings"

2009-06-29T19:02:26Z

Dale, thanks for that! I did notice the fireworks AND the police, but I don't know much about the legality of the situation. Did you happen to see a fire truck at all? I sure didn't. I was in the middle of the crowd when they arrived, but I saw that there were fireworks coming from the bounce-house area, and one kind of shot down towards the ground instead of up in the air. I didn't see a big crowd where it shot (towards J street) but there were people who I could see ducking in the smoke. It is important to note that there really was a safety situation at the event, and I am very glad you brought that up.

Hawa Arsala on "SAMMIES take the party outdoors"

2009-06-29T17:11:16Z

Surprising to see such a turn out with all the heat! I really wanted to check out Sister Crayon, because I've read great reviews. Do you know how to find out where these artists will be next performing?

Hawa Arsala on "A royal occasion for the Sacramento Kings"

2009-06-29T17:06:13Z

There were a few hundred there at least. Thanks, David!

A royal occasion for the Sacramento Kings

2009-06-29T06:01:05Z

Kings fans proudly received the three newest members of the team Saturday evening at Marshall Park.

The park was a festive sight with families and fans clad in purple and white awaiting the arrival of University of Memphis guard Tyreke Evans, Israeli forward Omri Casspi and University of Washington forward Jon Brockman.

The players were bestowed with numbered jerseys for the first time since the draft picks were announced. Evans wearing number 13, Casspi with number 18, and Brockman number 40.

Season ticket holder Joseph Smith expressed his admiration for the Kings and the Maloof brothers for bringing the community and families together at such an event.

"It keeps us going as a family," Smith said. He was accompanied by his wife and child sporting a purple and white balloon hat while eagerly waiting in line to get a King's logo airbrush tattoo.

"I am optimistic about the team's future," Smith said. "The addition of these players to the young, core players will be a force to reckon with in the future."

Eighty-two year old Mary Gonzalez has been a fan of the Kings since their move to Sacramento in 1985.

"Don't call her," said her daughter Mary Tequida, "She won't answer the phone during a game." As a die-hard fan and knowledgeable of every player on the team, Gonzalez felt Tyreke will be a solid addition to the team. "They gonna be better with him, I can feel it," she said.

In the midst of controversy over Tyreke Evans' alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting, many fans overlooked his past and were cheering for his success on the team.

Evans, the fourth overall draft pick of the NBA, recruited celebrity supporters as well. Ryan Scheckler, professional skateboarder and star of MTV's reality television show "Life of Ryan," attended the celebration. "I'm here for Tyreke and the Maloofs. If the Maloofs put their trust in him, I don't see how they can go wrong," he said.

Gavin Maloof was quick to confirm his exhiliration for having Evans on the team, "He is the number one player in the draft, really. His trainer told me I wouldn't believe how good he is on the court."

Court skills aside, Evans, ranking 4th in the overall draft pick, expressed his willingness to "work well with the team," and emphasized good sportsmanship.

Omri Casspi, the 23rd overall draft pick, said he would do "whatever it takes to be a better player and person." The first Israeli player to be drafted into the NBA, Casspi recently arrived in Sacramento and described it as "bigger than I thought!"

A reinvigorated sense of optimism for the future of the Kings was apparent in the crowd as the team members were welcomed with a roaring applause.

"This city loves the Kings, and the new members will give fans a reason to be enthusiastic," said Paul Westphal, the Kings' new head coach.

Hawa Arsala on "2nd annual California Children's Rally"

2009-06-28T17:34:21Z

Aren't these kids so eloquent? Seems events like this really do promote activism in young students! Thanks, Sonia!

Hawa Arsala on "I do............again."

2009-06-28T17:31:09Z

This is absolutely adorable and great to see happening!

Hawa Arsala on "The (Afro)beat goes on"

2009-06-25T20:11:34Z

It's great to hear about Afro-beat performances in Sacramento! Sounds like it'll be an awesome show

Hawa Arsala on "Capital Public Radio spins out record sale this weekend"

2009-06-25T17:24:54Z

I'm excited about this. I'm glad I know where to donate now as well!

2nd annual California Children's Rally

2009-06-24T21:53:25Z

A swarm of children took over the Capitol Tuesday to defend education in the face of massive budget cuts.

Ranging in age from eight years old to 18 years old, students from all over California sought to answer the question, "What is the purpose of public schools?"

The Children's Rally, coordinated by Sandra Tsing Loh, an author and member of the Burning Moms organization, is a congregation of young students as participatory citizens in the political dialogue of their state legislature.

The Burning Moms originated as a group of parents, fathers included, who had frustrations about the education system in California. “I'm a Proposition 13 baby, and my children continue to be affected by the way funding is done in California,” said Loh.

The purpose of the event was to, “Get our children in the habit of coming to the Capitol and meeting with their legislature,” Loh added.

The style of activism is “more hands-on, more creative, and uses what we know about the Internet,” she said. The Burning Moms work in a Burning Man spirit, the week-long annual event in the Black Rock desert of Nevada that celebrates art and community, and commissioned students to install a giant, interpretive art piece on the Capitol steps.

This year the Children’s Rally coincided with Senator Gloria Romero’s informational hearing on SB 604, which would obtain input from students, parents, teachers, and members of the public about the mission of public education in California, and include a preamble to the Education Code.

Senator Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, highlighted the purpose of the hearing in an interview, “We want to hear from students; they are rarely represented in California.”

In the span of an hour and a half, several elementary, middle and high school students took the stand to testify on their school experiences and to provide feedback for reform measures. Almost every student addressed increasing sizes in classrooms and a general lack of funding.

“It is important that a classroom has proper equipment, but equipment is nothing if there isn’t a teacher who has a good salary,” said 11-year-old Amira Telloch.

Telloch continued to express her hopes for the future of education, “It is also important to have a fun, nice, clean and safe school system that celebrates diversity, encourages ideas, is open to change, listens to all ideas from adults and children, and provides a good education for all children who seek one.”

Heather Wiley Cox, a soon-to-be fifth grader in Burbank County, was deeply concerned about the trouble students will have as a result of bigger classrooms. “There will be more children that will have trouble focusing and will be getting less assistance from their teachers,” she said.

She touched on Proposition 13 and addressed the legislative body saying the proposition, “corrupted your inability to balance our state’s budget,” and she demanded, “Roll up your sleeves, drop your agenda, and take a good look at what our state needs.”

The audience was taken aback by the passion and eloquence in her speech, as with many other young students, hearing the word "wow," circulate the room quickly.

After the hearing the children and their parents convened on the West Steps of the Capitol for a kazoo parade. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O’Connell, led the tune, "Saints go Marching In," for the kazoo parade and expressed his gratitude for student participation in the day’s events.

Assembly woman Julia Brownley also made an appearance at the event. Sandra Tsing Loh led her to the interactive art installation equipped with a spinning wheel to see what will be cut next from the budget. The installation was political in nature, commenting on legislation that “goes nowhere” at times, said Assembly woman Brownley.

Senator Romero said she is trying to combat this by focusing the Education Code with a mission statement, “If we had a clear direction and purpose, I think we could begin to answer the question and to provide for stronger certitude as to what we expect from our public school system.”

This direction begins with the students themselves. The diversity in their backgrounds, coming from magnet, public, and technology specific schools showed the solidarity among young people in regards to the future of education. “You talk about how if you do this you will be saving the future of the state, but you are cutting the education of the children that are the future of the state,” said Wiley Cox.

Students from Los Angeles to San Francisco were able to mingle with important state figures yesterday, and their voices were heard. In these trying times, young students are recognizing the difficulty of looking to the future of education, and they are doing something about it.

For more information, click the following links:
California Children's Rally
The Burning Moms
Senate Bill Number 604

Hawa Arsala on "California Museum hosts only West Coast stop for Lincoln exhibit"

2009-06-24T15:21:39Z

I like the details of the displayed pieces, it really does give a humanizing feel to the exhibit. Also, very exciting that Sacramento is the only West Coast stop! Great article!

Hawa Arsala on "In solidarity for Iran's distressed"

2009-06-23T22:45:13Z

Thanks Jonathan!

Hawa Arsala on "One Temple not enough"

2009-06-23T21:01:43Z

I'm excited about the new Temple! I love their philosophy, and I trust they will have a great selection of coffees and teas. Will they be carrying fair trade/shade grown coffees at the new location as well?

Hawa Arsala on "Rock poster artists in American Artifact at Crest"

2009-06-23T20:50:11Z

Great profile, he's had such an interesting life!

Hawa Arsala on "Helping the environment"

2009-06-22T19:21:48Z

Great article advocating care for the environment. I really like the pictures as well!

Hawa Arsala on "Sacramento has PRIDE!"

2009-06-22T18:08:20Z

Great article, Sonia! I really like all of the details you provide about the event and activities. Also, I'm glad you highlighted all the big sponsors as well. Sounds like it was a fun event!

Hawa Arsala on "Day two of French film festivities "

2009-06-22T17:52:59Z

Thanks for the info on where to find Denis' work! Behind-the-scenes was pretty chaotic after the show too! Everybody was so excited about the event, and the models looked gorgeous up close.