Newest articles on The Sacramento Press written by Mark Forsyth

Yosemite storm traps hikers

2009-06-14T00:51:43Z

It is estimated that more than 100 hikers are trapped on the trail to Half Dome in Yosemite, CA Sat. evening June 13, and one person is believed to have fallen. The person’s condition is unknown as is the condition of all hikers who became caught in a violent hail storm at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Weather took a quick turn from cloudy and dry to the hail storm that currently pommels Yosemite Valley. Rangers are unable to attempt rescue attempts at the moment due to the dangerous weather.

According to park rangers, the trail is impassable until the storm subsides which might not be until early Sun. morning.

At least four Sacramento hikers are stuck atop the mountain with no knowledge of their current condition or well-being.

Tree falls on car

2009-05-23T06:28:43Z

Approximately 10:30 p.m. Fri. May 22. My girlfriend and I were entering our car parked on the corner of 14th and Q Streets after enjoying some portabella and tofu burgers at Burgers and Brew.

A loud crack rang through the night air drawing my attention. Seconds later a second crack followed, this time louder. I surveyed the street wondering if I heard a minor car accident when the unique sound of splitting wood occurred.

I watched as a branch, at least 15 feet in length with several large branches attached to it fell 50 ft. to the street landing directly on the hood of a car.

We walked around, amazed at what we had just witnessed, when I noticed a sign posted on the street directly in front of the tree. The sign stated, "No Parking 5-23. Tree Trimming."

I snapped a few pictures as a police car pulled up and an officer exited the vehicle to access the situation. I asked him if this happens often to which he replied, "Yes," and continued to do his job.

So apparantly trees fall onto cars all the time in the city, and I have seen this on a few occassions, however I find it extremely ironic that this particular tree was scheduled for maintenance the following day--no doubt to take care of the branch that failed only hours before they could trim it.

See pictures for the incident. Enjoy your weekend and be careful when parking under large trees! Luckily no one was injured, although my girlfriend and I had quite a start to have a branch fall less than 20 ft. from where we stood.

Sacramento State graduation 2009

2009-05-23T05:55:41Z

Sacramento State University sent thousands of graduates off to their next venture in life Fri. May 22 during graduation ceremonies held at Arco Arena. Tomorrow, Sat. May 23, will see thousands more move their tassels.

The ceremonies' main speaker was Sac State president, Alexander Gonzalez, who wished the graduates well in their upcoming quest for employment. He placed emphasis on the importance of hard work and diligence in the struggling economy and requested alumni to remember to give to the university when they achieve success.

A highlight of the College of Arts and Letters commencement ceremonies, held at noon, was the graduation of 92 year-old Estelle Rees Arroyo who received her Bachelor of Arts History degree. When asked why she returned to school Arroyo told ABC news on Wed. May 20, "I was watching too much TV. I decided if I kept it up my mind was going to go to mush." Arroyo received a standing ovation twice, once when her accomplishment was announced by Pres. Gonzalez and also when her name was called to receive her degree.

Another moment of importance was the awarding of an honorary doctorate degree to Sacramento businessman and philanthropist, Fred Teichert. Teichert is executive director of the Teichert Foundation, which offers grants to charities and other local community organizations.

After a long ceremony, graduates refrained from the traditional hat throw, opting instead to bat around several beach balls. Excitement filled the air as congratulations were offered by Pres. Gonzalez and the group was dismissed to celebrate with their families.

Interning at the Press

2009-04-25T01:48:01Z

I have worked the last 16 weeks as one of four unpaid interns at Sacramento Press. I started with no experience in journalism and felt completely overwhelmed with my new responsibilities, which were in addition to taking five classes at Sacramento State University. Now, nearly four months later, I leave this position with an appreciation for the writing skills I have developed and a deeper understanding of journalism.

Sacramento Press is not traditional journalistic reporting. As you know this is a community-contributed news site. The reporting, with the exception of a very small group of staff and interns, is done by members of the community, which is the reason Sacramento Press stands out against the mainstream media.

When I began the internship on January 8, there were 117 people signed up to write for the site. As of April 22 there are 327 writers and over 1100 total users signed up on the site. It has been exciting to witness the growth of community-reported news.

The ability to comment on posted articles is my favorite aspect of the website. It opens possibilities for discussion and debate, and I'm happy to see a wide range of personalities and beliefs interacting through these comments.

I have thoroughly appreciated the freedom given by Sacramento Press to write about issues that concern or interest me. My articles have covered a wide range of topics, most of which I am very passionate about. My personal favorites, if you would like to check them out, are Tent City, Trivia Night, Sacramento's Catch Phrase, and the Outdoor Activities thread.

As an interesting side-note, my email address is the second most Googled item containing the words "Sacramento Press." Thanks to whoever has been tracking me down! Although the office seems to think I should be slightly concerned that I have a stalker.

All in all I had a great time at the Sacramento Press. The office, if you haven't popped in or seen it at one of the writing workshops, is a relaxing and inviting space in which to work. The staff is a fun group of people and I enjoyed the many conversations I've shared with everyone. I'm sad that it's over, but ready to move forward.

I will continue to be around, both at the office and as a contributing writer. I will also be working with the marketing department helping to spread the word about Sacramento Press and expand our portfolio of readers and writers.

Rock climbing

2009-04-21T02:37:30Z

I have never felt so alive as when I'm holding onto a ledge on the side of a mountain hundreds of feet above the ground surrounded by nothing but rock and clear blue sky.

Rock climbing is an exhilarating sport that has had a presence in the California Sierra Nevada mountains since the 1950's. California is home to several of the most famous climbing locals in the world such as Yosemite and Bishop and Joshua Tree in southern California. But you don't have to travel that far to enjoy beautiful outdoor scenes and high class climbing routes.

Sacramento is a central location to many excellent climbing spots for any level from first-time beginners, to professional-rate advanced climbers.

Beginners typically feel more comfortable learning in a rock climbing gym and the Sacramento area has 3 such gyms- Pipeworks in midtown Sacramento, Rocknasium in Davis, and Granite Arch in Rancho Cordova. Detailed information can be found at their websites.

Gyms offer the challenge and fun of rock climbing in a controlled and safe environment complete with knowledgable staff and padded flooring. All necessary equipment can be rented and lessons are available to learn to belay (hold the rope while a partner scales the wall) and get a handle on basic climbing techniques.

While climbing gyms are a great place to learn and practice newfound climbing skills, the excitement of rock climbing is not fully experienced until you get outside on a real rock. Outdoor Adventures, based out of UC Davis, and Peak Adventures, based out of Sacramento State University offer beginning climbing trips for a low cost.

Once you've learned the skills and aquired the gear (or acquired climbing friends who have gear) you can head out to one of several beautiful locations nearby. Directions and routes can be found in climbing guide books (which can be purchased at any of the gyms mentioned or at REI) or online with a simple search. Online climbing communities also abound, information can be found and questions answered by fellow climbers.

Below is a rundown of the primary climbing styles that can be found in the area.

Climbing Styles

Top Rope- A rope is fixed to an anchor at the top of a rock climb. One person climbs with a partner belays them up the wall. This is the safest and most basic climbing style. The primary climbing style in gyms.

Bouldering- Climbing without ropes on short routes (less than 15-20 ft. high) that require more strength than roped climbing. Beginners can learn to boulder and many prefer this style to top-rope. This is also prevalent in climbing gyms.

Lead- Advanced climbing. A rope is attached to the climber's harness and as he/she climbs he runs the rope through clips attached to the wall/rock. This takes practice and experience. Not recommended for beginners.

Traditional- There are no clips attached to the rock, but rather the climber carries equipment to slip into cracks in the rock, then runs the rope through it. The most enviromentally friendly style of climbing. Very advanced skills required.

Take a hike

2009-04-11T19:08:32Z

It is spring in Sacramento. Flowers are blooming and the trees have grown back their thick canopy of leaves. Our bodies are feeling the natural urge to be outside in the sunshine to enjoy what nature has to offer, and the greater Sacramento area definitely has a lot of it.

Sacramento and its surrounding areas contain some of the most beautiful landscapes in California. There are hikes and nature walks aplenty in this region that can give a good dose of springtime joy, all of which can be reached with a short drive or bicycle ride.

Following are some classic favorites:

Capitol Park: Downtown, 15th and L Streets — 1.5 mile loop

Not so much a hike as a walk, but beautiful nonetheless. A nature sanctuary in the middle of the city, there are trees and plants from around the world, all tagged with their name and place of origin, and memorials scattered throughout as well. The rose garden has yet to grow back from its winter cut, but there is a desert garden in the southeast corner that is interesting to check out and other flowers are blooming throughout the park. Of course there is also the stunning Capitol building in the middle of it all. Restrooms and drinking fountains are available to park-goers.

Effie Yeaw Nature Center: Carmichael, near Ancil Hoffman Golf Course — 0.75-3 miles

Three trails are offered by this park, each a simple day-stroll through a small preserved section of the once vast riparian woodlands along the American River. Wildlife abounds on these hikes and you can expect to run into deer, snakes, wild turkey, rabbits, and birds of all kinds. An information center is located next to the parking lot and historical information as well as trail maps can be found there. Also near the parking lot, examples of traditional Native American life can be seen in the form of a shelter, grinding rock, granary and other interesting items. The nature center has restrooms, picnic tables and an outdoor theatre available for use. Directions and information can be obtained at their website.

Cosumnes River Preserve: I-5 and Twin Cities Road — 4 miles of connected loops

20 miles south of Downtown Sacramento lies the Cosumnes River Preserve. The Cosumnes River is the only free flowing, unregulated river on this side of the Sierra Nevadas. The easy trails through the preserve offer a glimpse at what the Sacramento Valley once used to be. Bird-lovers frequent the preserve as it is a major migratory stop for water fowl of all varieties. There is an information center with interactive educational displays and rangers ready to answer any questions. Guided hikes and other programs are offered; information can be obtained at their website at www.cosumnes.org. This time of year the vernal pools are exploding with colorful flowers and waterfowl and the area is rich with life and beauty.

Jepson Prairie Reserve: Highway 113, 12 miles south of Dixon — nature walk, no distinguished hiking trails

To see the natural Sacramento valley in all its springtime glory, check out the Jepson Prairie Reserve. Filled with vernal pool flowers and wildlife, this area is a beautiful example of the natural state of valley prairies. Guided tours are offered Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. through May 11. There is an information booklet available at the parking lot for a small donation if you choose to take a self-guided tour at your own leisure. The reserve contains over 400 species of plants, many rare and endangered species, and a wealth of bird and reptilian wildlife to view. Information about the reserve can be found at their website at nrs.ucdavis.edu/jepson.html

UC Davis Arboretum Trail: Just off the south side of the UC Davis campus — 3.5 mile loop

Another easy stroll, but filled with thousands of species of plants spread throughout numerous gorgeous gardens. The park was begun in 1936 by UC Davis students and today encompasses 100 acres. A favorite attraction of the arboretum is the Coastal Redwood grove which offers picnic tables, making it a great place to stop for lunch. There are gardens of plants indigenous to California and other gardens consisting of plants found around the world in diverse places from Australia to South America. Plaques line the walkway giving information about the plant life, making this a fun and educational hike.

There are other hikes around Northern California, satisfying the pleasures of all that nature has to offer, from coastal mountains, to strolls along the beach, to rigorous mountain hikes. Information on hikes of all kinds can be found easily online or in any number of books that can be located easily at one of our downtown bookstores or the public library.

*Information about the hikes was gathered from personal experience and the book 60 Hikes within 60 Miles-Sacramento

Building 'green' in Sacramento

2009-04-08T04:45:49Z

The new retail/restaurant concept, Hot Italian, on the corner of Q and 16th Streets, is embracing green ideology in its entirety, completely renovating an old, vacated retail space with a sleek new design that Mother Nature would be proud of.

Andrea Lepore, co-owner of Hot Italian, had the environment in the front of her mind when she first had the idea for Hot Italian. The reason is simple. "I think the environment is important to everyone,” she says. “Especially when you're in a space where you're eating, drinking, and relaxing. We wanted to create a restaurant that offered healthy food, but was also healthy to be in."

Lepore decided to pursue a Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the space. LEED is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that gives a strict set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. The system is based on a point system that ranges from 26-69 points. The building can receive a rating of 'certified' (26-32), 'silver' (33-38), 'gold' (39-51), or 'platinum' (52-69). Hot Italian is currently awaiting its accreditation rating, and once certified, it will be the first retail or restaurant building in Sacramento to achieve a LEED rating.

Several aspects of construction are considered in the certification process, including low-flow faucets and toilets, solar water-heating and tube lighting, ENERGY STAR appliances, recycled building materials for everything from the floor to the furniture, plenty of two-wheel parking, and many others. Lepore has worked with her general contractor and her architect to follow these guidelines to the highest standards.

When asked why she chose to pursue the certification, Lepore answered, "I’m competitive by nature. So if we were going to basically rebuild a building, I wanted to do it right and have a real, achievable goal."

John Johnson worked as the general contractor on the project. This was his first LEED construction and he said there was no additional difficulty in the 'green' nature of the project. "It was a learning process in following the paperwork and knowing which bouncing ball to follow to get through the process," he said, but with the guidance of the green building consultant, a required aspect of LEED, everything moved smoothly.

Edward Mojica, from Mojica Architecture Studio, was the architect on this project. He shares Johnson's sentiments and stated that, "the most difficult part was convincing the neighborhood and the city that this was the right project to happen at this location."

There is a statement on the menu, "Tutto e Possible" which means, “anything is possible.” That belief helped Lepore work through delays in the LEED process to get Hot Italian where it is today. She appears to have achieved the restaurant’s goal: to inspire, make a difference, and create better neighborhoods. The result can be seen at the once-dilapidated corner of 16th and Q Streets, where the restaurant has been serving its traditional pizza and gelato as well as other treats since February 14.

Policing downtown

2009-04-01T19:48:27Z

Cities are like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. The same can be said for neighborhoods within cities. The Sacramento Police Department understands this and manages the policing of downtown Sacramento differently than its surrounding areas.

Sacramento poses one major issue that differs from other cities. We house the State Capitol building and, at times, the governor himself. Being the capitol of an important world entity, California, Sacramento sees special events of all kinds. The Amgen Tour for example, which stopped in recently, required the closing of many streets in the city. Other events, such as large-scale protests, marches, or parades, also require heavy monitoring and planning. The SPD is responsible for the smooth operation of the city amidst the road closures and large influx of people that come to town for these events.

Sergeant Norm Leong of the SPD shed some light on the challenges of policing downtown Sacramento.

He explained that the majority of crimes committed here are property related. Thefts of all kinds are reported regularly to the SPD. Robberies and muggings are also common on the light rail or near light rail stations. "They are mainly crimes of opportunity. Late at night there may only be one or two people on the train and the opportunity presents itself," he stated. Crowds play a major role in deterring theft from taking place.

Sacramento Regional Transit is patrolled by the Sacramento Regional Transit Police Department, which is managed by the SPD and funded by the Sacramento Regional Transit District. This unit is comprised of SPD and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department officers who ride the train in order to deal with any problems and keep people safe. There are also undercover units riding the light rail regularly to help maintain safety.

Gangs do not center in the downtown area. They do come to town for entertainment purposes, although typically there are few gang-related issues downtown. The topic of gangs raised the issue of graffiti, and Leong said that the majority of spray painted walls can be attributed to "taggers" rather than gang signs. "Taggers have turf too," he responded when asked about identical tags located in concentrated areas around town.

An interesting aspect of the SPD's responsibilities lies in the downtown entertainment industry. Weekends see police vehicles parked outside certain night clubs into the early morning hours. These are part of the “entertainment unit,” whose services are paid for by the night clubs that require them. This unit keeps an eye on the clubs that are known to have problems, and also works with the owners of the night clubs to quell any potential issues. The rental of city police cuts back on calls that would otherwise cost the city large amounts of money and also reduces the number of disturbances that might be caused if they were not present.

Downtown also houses a large population of transients. Since this is an issue that persists, the SPD must monitor them and does so through the use of “homeless police,” a small unit assigned to handle the homeless population.

Another issue that is considered by the SPD is high pedestrian traffic. "Population more than doubles during the week with people who work downtown," said Leong. This increases traffic, which, doubled with the high pedestrian traffic, results in a high number of accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians.

Leong explained that the policing of downtown is a combined effort of the California Highway Patrol, County Sheriffs, and SPD who partner together to keep the city safe. The presence of the County Jail (jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s Department) and the State Capitol (jurisdiction of CHP) forces the cooperation of these three departments, and they do cooperate well, considering each other to be assets in carrying out their duties.

Same drum, different 'beat'

2009-04-01T01:07:35Z

Downtown/Midtown Sacramento is awash with bicycle activity, and why not? Bicycles are the quickest and most efficient way to maneuver this metropolitan area.

The Sacramento Police Department realized this as well, and in 1989 established a four-person bike unit in the Downtown area to patrol the streets during business hours. Today this unit consists of 10 officers and a sergeant who patrol from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m., seven days per week. They cover an area of the city from Old Sacramento to 19th Street between H and N Streets.

Sergeant David Valdez spoke with Sacramento Press to shed some light on the role of the bicycle police in Sacramento. He has been a part of the bike unit for seven years, two as an officer and the last five as sergeant. He said of the bike unit, "We can sense and approach things better than an officer driving by in a car at 30 mph."

His sentiment is supported by the statistics. Sacramento's bicycle police boast the second quickest response time in the department, second only to the helicopter unit. He attributes this to the mobility of bicycles, especially their ability to get through and around heavy traffic that would otherwise slow a patrol car. Patrol bicycles are official police vehicles and are equipped with lights and sirens, just like a patrol car. They share the traffic exemptions that other officers utilize in responding to disturbances, such as traveling the wrong way down a street, running red lights as needed, and riding on sidewalks.

They work in tandems, patrolling downtown through rain or shine, or even hail. "Our only disadvantage is the lack of technology," said Valdez, citing the lack of computers and other gadgets that patrol cars are equipped with. Otherwise, the bike units have the full authority and abilities of any other police officer, including making traffic stops. They keep a vehicle parked at the K Street Mall in the event that a perpetrator must be transported, and are in full contact with car units in cases that require additional vehicles or backup of any kind.

A large concern for the bike unit lately has been the rise in popularity of fixed-gear bikes, said Valdez. Many of these bikes do not have brakes, which is an issue when approaching a red light. Valdez voiced his concern, saying, "They either skid and make a sharp turn, or they just blow right through the red light." He mentioned that brakes are required on bicycles, and that the bike unit is working to educate riders on the necessity for proper safety equipment.

Critical Mass, a bicycle proponent group that organizes rides though Downtown Sacramento, once posed an issue for Sacramento police and traffic safety. Initially the group would incur a large number of traffic tickets for infractions, but through education and cooperative efforts by the bike unit, Valdez said, "things are now good." The bike unit is managed by Central Patrol, which looks over other Sacramento metro units such as the equestrian, footbeat (officers without a vehicle), and marine police. While these units are currently sun separately, Sacramento PD is looking to combine them and is working toward cross-training between these departments.

While there is sometimes a general stigma against police, Valdez stated that these bicycle officers are "approachable, friendly, helpful, and accessible." He emphasized that they are here to help the community, and feels that being on a bicycle, rather than in a patrol car, allows them to interact more intimately with the people.

Next time you see officers on bike patrol, give them a wave and let them
know that we appreciate their presence in the city.

And for those who were wondering, bicycles require a white headlight that can be seen for at least 100 feet, reflectors on the wheels, pedals and back of the bike, and at least one handbrake that can bring the bike to a skidded stop on dry pavement.

Colors of spring at Southside Farmers Market

2009-03-23T05:11:47Z

Spring is making its presence felt. Flowers are blooming, leaves are returning to the trees, allergies are flaring up, and colorful foods are finding their way back to the market.

Today, Sunday March 22, the Southside Farmers Market (across W St. from Southside park under the freeway) was displaying foods and flowers that have been absent during the winter months.

Asparagus, beets, sweet peppers of all colors, artichokes, strawberries, beans, and kiwi among other foods were splayed out in tall mounds of edible art. Multiple vendors sold flowers of all kinds to market goers eager to tout the signs of spring.

Southside Farmers Market was a hub of activity with people meandering through the converted parking lot from booth to booth picking out the perfect produce. The vendors, northern california farmers, were full of smiles and morning greeting while they weighed produce in hopes of driving home with an empty truck.

If you've never visited the market, you'd be surprised to discover the amount of food you can purchase for a small amount of money. Your money goes directly to the farmers--an added benefit to shopping there. Many vendors employ organic, pesticide-free farming, and all are local.

Check out the Southside Farmers Market, open from 8 a.m. until 12 noon on Sunday mornings all year long. Other year-round markets can be found at Sunrise Mall, Laguna Gateway Center, Country Club Plaza, and at Sears on Florin Rd. Seasonal markets will be opening in the downtown/midtown area beginning in May--check back around that time for a preview, or take a look at the local growers website at www.california-grown.com.

Local bank stands its ground

2009-03-20T23:17:04Z

At a time when banks are relying on government help to remain in business, one local bank continues to rely on the same privately funded, “grassroots” business plan it has had for over 30 years.

The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (SFBFS) is a privately-funded, non-profit organization that serves the working poor of Sacramento County, and is perhaps best known for its "Run To Feed The Hungry" — a 5K and 10K event that takes place on Thanksgiving Day each year. Its mission statement is simple: "Dedicated to assisting those in need by alleviating their immediate pains and problems, and moving them toward self-sufficiency and financial independence." Established in 1976, it has extended its services without interruption through good economic times and bad, and it continues to expand with new programs aimed to educate individuals in a variety of areas.

The SFBFS’s primary focus is helping the working poor, people in the midst of tough times who may have difficult financial decisions to make. Its clientele includes single parents, disabled individuals, veterans, families, people in low-wage jobs who do not have a high school diploma, the elderly and children. Over half of its services benefit children under 12 years of age.

Blake Young, President of the Food Bank said, "Serving the poor and trying to educate the community is an important endeavor."

Young oversees the coordination and operation of 13 different services and programs offered to the community by his organization. Besides the obvious distribution of food, the non-profit also provides clothing, the Computer Clubhouse—which is an after school program for kids ages 8-18—adult education workshops, and a mother-baby program among others.

Young spoke with pride about the organization, sharing certain figures of the work it does. In 2008, the SFBFS served five million pounds of food to 18,000 people and gave away 500,000 articles of clothing. The SFBFS’s programs serve roughly 1,000 people daily. Between 450 and 550 people receive food from the SFBFS daily. Young also shared that 500 women participate in the mother-baby program every month and 150 women participate in the women's art program every week.

An operation of this size requires an extensive workforce to function. This need is met by a staff of 30 along with about 3,000 individuals who volunteer their time on a monthly basis.

During business hours, 100 volunteers are always on site at the Food Bank's headquarters on 3rd Ave in Oak Park, making the facility an ant hill of activity.

Immense funds are also needed to keep the SFBFS running. The SFBFS is 100 percent privately funded, receiving no funds from government sources. Of this, 62 percent of all funds received come from individuals, a number well above the 50 percent mark that indicates a healthy charitable organization, said Young. He cited this community support as the key to the SFBFS's success, "Our business is building long-term relationships with grandparents, parents, children, organizations."

The organizations he spoke of include KCRA, the Sacramento Bee, Clear Channel, UPS, REI, Intel—whose employees donated 10,000 volunteer hours in 2008—the UC and CSU university systems and local churches of all denominations.

"We couldn't do this without the churches," Young said. The "brown bag" lunch program relies on churches that donate their parking lots on Sunday afternoons and help hand out food to all comers.

Young talked about the current state of the organization, saying that "there has been a 25 percent increase in people served from this time a year ago, most of whom are using our services for the first time."

Despite this increase in demand, he said that the SFBFS is still able to meet the need in its entirety. Donations remain steady, and although he does anticipate a slight drop as the economy worsens, he is confident the SFBFS will continue to meet the city's need. There are no plans to seek grants or government funding of any kind.

A couple who had just received a cart full of groceries said, "They're doing great things for the community. If it weren't for the food bank there'd be a lot of starving people in Sacramento. I hope they never close, people would be in trouble if it closed."

In his newsletter, Young extends an open invitation for anyone in need to seek SFBFS's services, writing, "If you or your friends know of a family who has fallen on hard times, please refer them to our organization. Seeking assistance can be an embarrassing situation. We will make sure to serve their needs in a very dignified manner.”

If you're interested in donating or volunteering, you can receive information through the website at sfbs.org.

Gear up for rafting season

2009-03-16T06:15:16Z

"2009 rafting flows confirmed!" The American River website (www.theamericanriver.com) boasted the good news on Sat. March 7 following a storm that dropped enough presipitation to guarantee a full and fun-filled whitewater rafting season through the 2009 summer.

This is exciting news for thrill-seekers, water sport enthusiasts, and rafting guides (such as myself) alike.

The South Fork of the American River is the most rafted river in California, with hundreds of people boating down the Class II and Class III rapids on any given weekend throughout the summer months. It is the historical site of James Marshall's discovery of gold that led to the "Gold Rush" and the eventual statehood of California, and many hopeful people continue to mine this region for gold.

The South Fork is located east of Sacramento up Hwy. 50, just west of Placerville. The small town of Coloma is home to dozens of rafting companies that take participants down the 21 mile stretch of river which starts at the Chili Bar Reservoir and flows to Folsom Lake. The river is divided into two sections, 'the upper' and 'the lower', and trips are run with one-day or overnight options.

The lower portion of the South Fork is the most popular option for several reasons. Trips begin at about noon (as opposed with 9.a.m) when the water flow, which is released from Chili Bar Reservoir at appx. 9 a.m., makes its way to Camp Lotus, the most common "put in" point. This section also features more Class III rafting than its counterpart with rapids such as 'Satan's Sespool' and 'Hospital Bar' waiting to drench anyone willing to challenge them (and photographers ready to capture the moment perched nearby).

'The upper' features an exciting rapid named 'Troublemaker', a grueling run through a rocky section labeled "Meatgrinder", and a series of other Class II and III rapids in quick succession of each other. It is a less popular run due in large part to the early "put in" time, but offers a great deal of excitement none-the-less. 'Chili Bar Hole' is a favorite rapid amongst kayakers who practice 'surfing' and other tricks.

The peak rafting season is June-Aug., but for those who can't wait for warmer weather, trips are beginning to run now. Information on rafting or other fun area activities can be found easily at the American River website or through a simple Google search. Some of the more prominent rafting companies are listed below and have websites with specific information. Get out there, enjoy the rushing waters, and experience an exciting portion of northern California.

W.E.T.
ARTA
O.A.R.S
Whitewater Excitement
Peak Adventures (the company I guide for, based out of CSUS)
Tributary
Gold Rush
*and many many more

Inside Sacramento's "Tent City"

2009-03-14T01:02:29Z

Sacramento's "Tent City" has become national, even world-wide, news over the last two weeks. This article is Sacramento Press' take on the situation based on a visit by myself and our photographer, Anthony Bento, earlier this week.

I had been by there before, on several occasions, and expected to see a dozen or so tents and a large pile of trash. But what I found blew my mind. After ascending a certain hill (I'll leave the exact location undisclosed in this article) the gathering comes into view. It is, by my estimation, at least 10x larger than it was in July 2008. Hundreds of tents scattered over several acres make up "Tent City", and a city it is indeed.

Estimates of the total number of homeless living in this area range from 300-1200: I place my estimate somewhere in the middle at about 500 homeless.

First impression-"Wow"

The area was a hub of activity. Smoke plumed from several campfires over which residents prepared meals, people were coming and going from the camp on bicycles and on foot, and a kid of about 10 years weaved between tents on a gas-powered mini motorcycle. A man played fetch with his dog, while other dogs on leashes sat near their owners. There were no putrid smells. The residents appeared to range in age from early 30's to mid 50's. I saw a news van from ABC Channel 7, based in the bay area, setting up for a live feed and walked over to speak with them.

They were preparing for a feed to 5 different news broadcasts located across California including San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. 'Pat' (name changed), the camera operator, shared with me his thoughts on the situation and his concerns that he could see himself in a camp like this if he were to lose his job. "This business isn't doing so great right now. I'm lucky, I still have my job, but you never know."

Anthony wandered off to snap photographs as I made my way into the makeshift city and headed for one of the campfires which several people were gathered around.

"Baldy" (his street name), a black man in his mid-40's who isn't bald, was busy breaking apart pallets to fuel the fire as I approached. The group was hesitant to speak with me, but after hearing that I was a student and an unpaid local reporter, "Baldy" opened up.

I asked him how he came to live in "Tent City": "Well, I moved out here from the east coast last July, been homeless since August. I met some people who invited me out and been here since." A woman shouted from twenty feet away, "Baldy ain't been nothin' but problems since he got here," following the statement with a laugh. "That's Theresa, she got me settled in here."

I asked if this was a new experience for him: "I know what you're thinkin', but I never been homeless. I come from a good middle-class family, I had good parents, a good upbringing." He moved out here with hopes of finding work. He has two decades of experience in construction and kitchen work, but has been unsuccessful his his job search. "I'm always lookin' for work. There's no jobs," he paused and continued to break wood for his fire, "I won't give up. I won't give up."

I asked about "Tent City" itself. "Tent City, Homeless Town, we call it 'The Wasteland'." He pointed out the different sections of town--the drug users located across the field several hundred yards away, the bad crowd near the drug users (violent types), the recluses across the train tracks in an area dubbed, "The Snakepit". I pointed to a cozy-looking place with a fence and gate built around a tent. "Yeah, they moved here a month ago. I don't plan to stay long enough to want to build somethin'. But if you have pallets, you can build anything."

"The originals", a group of homeless who lived at this site months before, moved upstream about a half-mile seeking a more peaceful area. "You should see some of their digs, man. They got crazy set-ups." Baldy told me that the city's population has exploded since he arrived, prompting me to ask about safety of the area.

He told me in a loud, proud voice, "This here is one big family. We look out for each other and take care of our own." A half dozen of his neighbors voiced their approval, "That's right, uh huh." Theresa shouted from her tent nearby, "Tell him about 'Batman and Robin'." At this the entire group chatted amongst themselves as Baldy explained.

"You got good cops, and you got bad cops. And we got 'Batman and Robin'."

This duo of city policemen drive through the camp almost daily. Also known as the "Homeless Cops", they know the usual residents and keep watch for anybody who doesn't belong that might cause problems, and prevent the "bad cops" from harassing the residents. "For all the people trying to cause us grief, 'Batman and Robin' do more good for the homeless than anybody else out here." He attributes them for helping to keep "Tent City" in its current location.

Baldy told me that churches come out almost every weekend to pass out tents, sleeping bags, clothes, food, and most importantly, water. There is no water system flowing to "Tent City", so the delivery of bottled water is much appreciated. Other aspects that we might take for granted are lacking as well--sewage, electricity, trash pick-up.

Recently porta-potties and a massive dumpster were donated by local rental companies to fill the communities need. Prior to their arrival, waste of all types was deposited across the levee on the river banks. Everyone I spoke with praised these amenities. One man told me, "We're homeless, but we don't like living in filth. Before the dumpster we just put our trash across the levee on public land. Then the county had to take it anyway."

The sun began to set and Baldy wanted to eat his dinner he had been cooking while we spoke, putting an end to our conversation. He left me with one last trinket, "I'll tell you one more thing, man. Something you probably don't know. Maybe about 50% of people here are on GA (Government Assistance). When the first of the month hits, this place is like a ghost town."

He refused to expand on that statement and I shook his hand and thanked him for his time. I walked through the camp to meet up with Anthony who was snapping pictures of some of the settlements and spoke briefly with several other "Tent City" citizens while they sipped on Steel Reserve and smoked cigarettes, before we headed back to our bicycles and home.

Amid talks of sanctioning or closing "Tent City", I was happy to get a better understanding of the gathering. It functions like a standard community, housing people of all types, from drug abusers to day laborers. Many of these people have ambitions and a desire to improve their current situations. Many are first-time homeless who are temporarily down on their luck and expect to rebound soon. Many are also government leeches, taking aid checks and spending it on booze and drugs.

Overall this is a content group of people. While I was there I heard more laughing, and saw more smiles, than I do while walking around downtown and midtown Sacramento. People were friendly and wiling to talk, sharing jokes and poking fun at the news vans that have pestered them lately. It was a great experience and enlightened me a bit more to the plight of the homeless.

Keep in mind that when much of the country, and the world, thinks of Sacramento, the pictures above and the pictures splattered across the internet will be what they see. Mayor Johnson has many difficult decisions ahead on what to do about a situation that continues to worsen. Time will tell the fate of "Tent City".

*Photographs by Anthony Bento

Fairytale Town still going strong at 50

2009-03-07T01:10:01Z

If you grew up in Sacramento in the last 50 years, chances are you have memories of running around the fairy-tale-themed structures inside the childhood wonderland of Fairytale Town. Attractions such as “The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe Slide,” “Cheese Stands Alone,” “The Pirate Ship,” and the live animal exhibits still remain today behind Humpty Dumpty's wall—the entrance to this land of fun.

This Saturday, March 7, Fairytale Town is continuing its anniversary celebration with "Faces and Places of Sacramento - An Archive Project." The park will be offering free admission between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to guests who bring in photos, video, or memorabilia of past visits, with hopes of building a history to put on display. Full price weekend admission is $4.25, according to the park’s brochure.

Events are scheduled throughout the year in celebration of the park’s 50th anniversary. Upcoming events include "Hina Matsuri," a traditional Japanese festival, on March 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; a theatre performance month through all of April; and "Egg-stravaganza,” an Easter egg hunt, on April 11 and 12. Check out the calendar for more events at fairytaletown.org/calendar.htm.

For those who don't know, Fairytale Town is a non-profit organization that is, according to their website, dedicated to expanding children's imaginations, creativity, and literacy as well as knowledge of other cultures. It is located across the street from the Sacramento Zoo in William Land Park. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. For more information on the park visit the website at fairytaletown.org, or call 916-264-5233.

Banjo-Rama 2009

2009-02-27T21:03:23Z

Twing, Twing, Twing, Twing -- the sound a banjo makes will be filling the air this weekend when Banjo-Rama 2009 comes to town.

Nearly 200 expert banjo musicians from across the west coast will be performing Sunday at Banjo-Rama 2009 at the Carmichael Elks Club, playing Roaring Twenties-style music. There will be two stages running simultaneously during the event, which is scheduled to begin at 11:40 a.m.

All musicians are volunteers, and all profits will be donated to Shriners Children's Hospital in Sacramento. Event organizers expect 700-900 attendees. Admission is a $20 donation at the door.

The Sacramento Banjo Band is hosting as well as headlining Banjo-Rama. The group of 35-40 musicians, which plays the 4-string banjo and other folk instruments such as the tuba, fiddle, and washboard, take the main stage at 4:40 p.m. Group size ranges from 2-40 among the other bands. The event has been an annual tradition for more than 40 years. Rex Inglis, a member of the band for the last 18 years, stated that over $120,000 has been donated to local charities during that time.

Tonight features a "jam session" at the Straw Hat Pizza on Mather Field Blvd. beginning at 5:30 p.m. Directions and additional information to all events over the weekend can be found at the Banjo-Rama website. The Sacramento Banjo Band also has a website with additional information.

Slacklining in the City

2009-02-22T21:50:37Z

Your first question is, "What is slacklining?" Well, it's a mix between chain surfing, tight-rope walking, and trampolining, and it's called a "balance sport."

Slacklining is an up-and-coming activity/sport across the world, and Sacramento. Its popularity is partially due to the simplicity of the sport. A length (at least 60 ft.) of 1-inch nylon webbing, two 15 ft. lengths of nylon webbing, three carabiners, and a couple trees are all that is required to participate.

Initially one might find it difficult to just stand on the line. A little practice will yield big results, however, and before long that same person will be attempting spins and jumps. Excitement grows with each new trick that is learned and many who attempt slacklining quickly become hooked.

Slacklining is closely associated with rock climbing due to the use of climbing equipment and the creation of the sport by Yosemite rock climbers in the late '70's. Since its creation, people of all backgrounds have taken to slacklining and it is no longer not entirely associated with climbing. A complete overview and history of the sport can be found at slackline.com.

Groups are setting up lines in Sacramento fairly regularly in the last several months. Even through the winter (which has been exceptionally sunny) I have seen lines set up in Midtown/Downtown parks. Southside, Fremont, and McKinley Parks are the most likely locations to find slackliners in the city.

If you see a group of slackliners in one of Sacramento's parks, feel free to ask for a try. Slackliners are typically very friendly and willing to teach their sport to newcomers. If balancing sports are not your forté, you're welcome to sit and enjoy the show.

Two-Way Conversion Project

2009-02-19T20:50:19Z

A new traffic signal was erected this morning at 10th and H street. This is the first stage of a project that will convert 10th street, currently one-way running north, to two-way traffic between E and I streets. 9th street is also included in this conversion, changing from a one-way running south to two-way between E and H streets. Bike lanes and parking spaces will also added on either side of the street for both 9th and 10th. One benefit of the change will be increased access to the underground parking garage below City Hall.

The conversion is scheduled for this Sat., Feb. 21 and the roads will be open to two-way traffic by Mon., Feb. 23. There will be no closure to traffic during the project.

This is part of the Central City Two-Way Conversion Project which gained approval on seven similar projects. Below is a list of the seven first-priority projects, the only one of which to be completed after Monday is J street between 30th and Alhambra. The project is meant to improve neighborhood livability, relieve traffic congestion, and increase pedestrian safety. Sacramento Press reported on the conversion of N street to two-way traffic in Nov. 2008.

The City Council approved the following package of seven first priority streets for conversion:

19th Street (H Street to Broadway, from three lanes to two lanes with bike lanes)--completed
21st Street (I Street to W Street, from three lanes to two lanes with bike lanes)--completed
N Street (21st Street to 28th Street, to two-way)-- completed
3rd Street (I Street to J Street, to two-way)-- completed
J Street (30th Street to Alhambra Boulevard, to two-way)
9th Street (E Street to I Street, to two-way)-- in progress
10th Street (E Street to I Street, to two-way)-- in progress

Have any of these projects improved your commute or "neighborhood livability"? Do you see these as valuable changes? Will the project on 9th and 10th streets improve your daily commute in any way? How do you feel about the city converting sections of one-way streets to two-way?

Trivia Night!

2009-02-17T23:26:44Z

It was a simple enough plan: Attend every trivia night possible in one week.

I called around to every bar I could think of and compiled a list of those that offer a trivia night. I found four locations in town (Streets of London, Bonn Lair, Whiskey Wild, The Depot), made a schedule, and embarked on my mission.

The first stop was Streets of London on Sunday, then Whiskey Wild on Tuesday, Wednesday night at The Depot, and finally Bonn Lair on Sunday. I had no idea what to expect and hoped for the best.

As it turned out I had a great time, despite the realization that my catalog of semi-useless knowledge is missing a few pages. One difficult aspect of the games is choosing a clever team name. Each bar offers its own unique take on the basic trivia format and a good time for the attendants. If I missed any places that offer trivia please let us know!

Streets of London- Sunday 9 p.m. 18th and J

If you want a table, arrive an hour early as the place fills quickly. The night is hosted by the man in the chili pepper shirt, ten year trivia veteran Ken Koch. The rules are simple -- six person teams, no cheating, no shouting answers aloud, and, Ken's answers are always correct.

Questions are read by Ken in rapid succession. He does not use a microphone, and at times is difficult to hear, but he will repeat questions as needed. The game moves at a quick pace; scores were counted and prizes handed out by 10:20 p.m., making Streets the fastest trivia night by far. First place receives a $30 gift card to the bar, second place a $15 gift card, and third place has the choice between porn and a bad movie.

Question Format and Categories

30 questions, 1 round

Format- Multiple Choice, Matching, Anagrams, Short Answer, Survey

Categories- Sports, Movies, Current Events, Geography, Music, etc

Whiskey Wild- Tuesday 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 19th and Q

Though not very popular, Whiskey Wild's trivia night is a lot of fun. There is a six person per team limit and only one rule -- no cheating. The game is hosted by Nicki (also known as Know-it-All Nicki). She keeps a casual atmosphere and has fun with the contestants while reading the questions. She uses a microphone and gives plenty of time between questions to discuss the answer with your teammates.

Bonus points are offered for random things such as guessing Nicki's favorite color or singing karaoke. The game lasts until about 11:15 p.m. There are three rounds of questions, each with its own theme, and prizes are given to the winners of each round (T-shirts, buttons, etc). Overall winners receive a $25 gift card to the bar. The bar offers $2 domestic beers during trivia.

Question Format and Categories

7 questions per round, 3 themed rounds

Format- All questions are multiple choice

Categories- Each round has a theme (Valentine's Day, etc), questions chosen at random by the host

The Depot- Wednesday 9 p.m. 20th and K

The place gets packed and seats are hard to find unless you arrive at least 15 minutes early. The Depot is a video bar and they utilize their televisions well, showing the questions on screen and offering a video round each week. The rules are the same as Streets' and the game moves along fairly quickly. Host Christopher Scott uses a microphone and keeps the night lively and fun. Questions are fairly difficult and interesting. Plan for the game to last until 11:20. First place wins a gift card to the bar, second and third receive a round of drinks.

Question Format and Categories

5-6 questions per round, word association round, 6 themed rounds

Format- Short answer, Word association, Music videos, Thesaurus

Categories- Geography, TV, Music, World culture, Movies, Pop culture

Bonn Lair- Sunday 8:30 p.m. 36th and J

Also a packed house. Arrive an hour early to find seating. Teams are limited to four people and there is but one rule -- no use of electronic devices. Susan hosts trivia and does not use a microphone, although it would be helpful. Many of the contestants were loud and disruptive, making it difficult to hear the questions and slowing the progression of the game down quite a bit. The game finished around 11:15, nearly three hours after it began. The questions were more difficult than Whiskey Wild but not as hard as Streets or The Depot. First place wins a $20 gift card to the bar, second and third places win a round of drinks.

Question Format and Categories

20 questions per round, 2 rounds

Format- Short answer, Multiple choice, Lists (e.g., 5 countries that start with L), Sketch

Categories- 80's music, Sports, Geography, TV, Movies, Current events, Pop culture, History

Sacramento's Catch Phrase

2009-02-17T04:25:44Z

“Every good chef has a catch phrase.”
Spoken by the philosopher, Chowder (actually a show on the Cartoon Network), this phrase says a lot in a small amount of space. Every popular…anything, needs a catch phrase to be known. TV chefs, sitcoms, sports announcers, and especially politicians seem to feel the need to utilize a catch phrase.

Think about it—

“Going, going, gone!”
“Boom!”
“Bam!”
“Hanging Chad”
“Flip Flopped (switch suffix to preference)”
“Read My Lips”
“Change”
“The City of Brotherly Love”

The list goes on.

Sacramento, thanks primarily to our new mayor Kevin Johnson, has a catch phrase as well. You may know what I’m talking about. It isn’t very positive and suggests that Sacramento has few distinguishing characteristics. It is “put Sacramento on the map.”

It worked great for KJ when he ran for mayor. It was a highly successful political slogan that I have heard countless Sacramentans utter since the election, and it helped propel him into office. Unfortunately it has become adopted by people as our city’s slogan, or catch phrase.

I resent the phrase. It assumes that Sacramento, as it now stands, doesn’t belong “on the map,” and that we need something spectacular (that KJ can apparently offer) in order to give the city credibility.

Truthfully, Sacramento is already great city. We have a lot to offer to residents and visitors alike. We house the capitol building of a state that influences the entire world. We have great weather and an excellent geographical location. We also have a pretty solid nightlife and many great daytime activities in town and nearby.

So I make my plea: give Sacramento a new catch phrase. Make it something that we can take pride in. Something that tells non-Sacramentans why we deserve recognition for what we already are. Think of this transitional process that Sacramento is undergoing as “redefining” period, but don’t assume that Sacramento isn’t already “on the map.” I’ve seen it in the United States atlas. I swear.

Governor Celebrates Lincoln's 200th Birthday

2009-02-14T00:30:53Z

February 12th marked the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States. Governor Schwarzenegger and Mayor Kevin Johnson were the featured speakers at The California Museum's celebration event.

An Abraham Lincoln impersonator led the educational program, giving a chronological history of his personal life and political career to an audience of elementary school children and students from Sacramento High. He finished the segment with a question and answer period.

Governor Schwarzenegger then took the podium to a round of applause with Mayor Johnson standing by his side. After complementing the Mayor's tie, he saluted Lincoln, stating, "President Lincoln is an inspiration for me and so many people like me who have made the American dream a reality. He was a dreamer and a leader with fierce determination. And, two hundred years later he lives on through his message of equality for all and his preservation of our nation's unity under the greatest of pressure."

The Governor proudly announced that The California Museum will be hosting an exhibit titled, "With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition." The exhibit opened yesterday at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. and will make its only west coast stop in Sacramento from June 24 through Aug. 22.

It will display items such as the bible he and President Obama used during their inaugurations, the chair from his private study, and the contents of his pockets the night he was assassinated.

Mayor Johnson followed the Governor and reiterated the importance of Lincoln's legacy, as well as the upcoming museum exhibit. He praised the nation as a whole, stating, "This is a great time for our country. We have an African American president, an African American mayor, and we have a governor who was not born on our soil."

After the Mayor's speech, Honest Abe took the stage again to recite a portion of the Gettysburg Address to a standing audience.

Following the celebration, Gov. Schwarzenegger fielded questions from the press concerning the state's budget situation.

When asked about cuts in education, he responded, "We will cut as little as possible," insinuating that there will be at least some cuts. He also explained that he has received threats of a recall if some aspects (he did not specify) are not adjusted, but that the legislature is close to approving the final draft.

Museum Day = Huge Success

2009-02-08T04:43:15Z

Today was the 11th annual Museum Day in the Sacramento area. 26 museums opened their doors to the public free of charge (although several of the attractions are always free entry).

I checked the Sacramento Association of Museums' website for participating locations and directions. My date and I decided on 3 museums we wanted to visit, careful to follow the recommendations of the website for overcrowded locations, and left downtown in my roommate's car.

Our first stop was the Aerospace Museum of California located at McClellan Park off Watt Ave. North. I was very excited about this stop because they allow museum-goers to tour the aircraft. It was awe-inspiring to be allowed to walk through, under, and even simply stand near these enormous pieces of machinery.

We wandered the premises for nearly 2 hours. Sitting beside several of the planes were ex-military gentlemen who actually worked with these aircraft while they were in operation. These men volunteer their time to offer in depth information concerning the planes and their histories. Many of them also help to restore these planes from the poor condition in which they often arrive at the museum.

The prize of the museum, in my opinion, was the pristine F-14 Tomcat, the plane featured in a small production titled Top Gun, starring a minor actor named Tom Cruise. It sat in the back of the lot with its wings contracted, inconspicuous, yet with an air of superiority.

On the way out we grabbed some tasty nachos and ate amongst dozens of other hungry museum guests. We drove up the road a bit with hopes of checking out the Discovery Museum Science and Space Center. We parked easily and had high hopes of entering quickly, but our hopes were dashed as we caught a glimpse of the immense line formed outisde the museum. Rather than wait an hour or more to enter, we decided to move on to our third destination--the Museum of Medical History in East Sacramento.

This was a choice of my date as I tend to become queasy when faced with frightful medical equipment. It was surprisingly fun. They have one of less than 20 "Iron Lung" machines on display across the country. The machine was popular in the 1930's-50's as a treatment for polio victims who lost the use of their diaphragm and required breathing assistance. (See picture above.)

The museum contained horrifying photographs of diseases, old medical equipment, explanations of medical knowledge, and bookshelves filled with medical encyclopedias and digests dating back to the late 1800's. Our favorite series was a 3-volume medical digest discussing the mysteries of sex, printed in 1918.

We finished the day by returning downtown and visiting The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts on 10th and O St., also home to the "California Hall of Fame." Photographs and descriptions of women who influenced the history of California filled the top floor of this beautiful new museum.

The main floor houses the "Hall of Fame" and various items and descriptions of California history. The most intriguing exhibit at the museum details the WWII detainment of Japanese Americans in camps across the west coast. A speaker was present telling stories of her mother who was a forced resident of one of these camps.

Transporting attendants between museums was an intricate series of buses which ran regularly all day. Normally I would have utilized this service, but I took advantage of my roommate's absence to enjoy the luxuries of a personal vehicle.

This was a wonderful event. It exceeded my expectations and was run very efficiently by the volunteers at each site. I learned much about Sacramento and the services this city has to offer. If you were unable to attend this year, I highly recommend making a special effort to make it out next year.

Congratulations to the Sacramento Association of Museums for the success of this spectacular event!

The Sacramento...Who?

2009-02-04T03:40:11Z

Last Saturday, as a friend and I wandered around the enormous shopping center in Roseville called "The Fountains," we came across a familiar face. It was Brad Miller of the Sacramento Kings. I wanted to say hello, but he was with his wife and daughter so I decided to leave him to his own business.

This encounter, brief as it was, caused me to reflect on Sacramento's forgotten franchise. I have lived in Sacramento for 20 years and for as long as I can remember this team has been the celebrated identity of our city. People loved this team. I've even seen tattoos bearing the Kings emblem on the skin of die-hard fans.

Nowadays, you might be hard pressed to see someone in town wearing a Kings jersey. So what happened?

The NBA season is beyond its halfway point and the Kings are terrible. They are struggling to win games and sell tickets. According to basketballreference.com, this year marks the lowest attendance numbers since 1988 with a mere 12,000 per game average (70% capacity). I can hardly tell it is basketball season with the lack of enthusiasm in our city.

I checked the NBA standings and was disheartened by what I discovered. The Kings have a record of 11-39 and are listed as the third worst team in the league. The only teams with worse records are the Oklahoma Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers.

This is a far cry from the days of Mike Bibby, Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber, and head coach Rick Adelman. For those nostalgic fans, this Friday, Feb. 6, the Kings will retire jersey number 4 in honor of Chris Webber. Tickets are still available for the game against the Utah Jazz

But do we care? Does anybody feel a sense of sorrow that the former flagship of this city -- the basketball team that helped put Sacramento "on the map" -- has deteriorated into its current state?

Do the Kings matter anymore?

Downtown's Used Bookstores

2009-01-29T02:37:46Z

In an era that has seen the rise of mega-bookstores and online book retail giants, three used bookstores in downtown Sacramento have managed to stand their ground. Beers Book Center, Time Tested Books, and The Book Collector continue to offer the same product they have for years--used books and a knowledgeable staff eager to answer any questions their customers might ask.

Beers Book Center, on S and 9th, opened in 1936 and is Sacramento's largest and oldest used bookstore. Jim Naify, owner of Beers, was forced by the city to move from his original location on 14th and J, where the Sacramento Convention Center now resides. He moved into another high traffic location on 15th and L before being pushed out by developers to make way for what is now The Park.

Bill, who preferred that his last name not be used, who has been a part of Beers since 1970. He contributes the store's success to the sheer volume of books sold. Low prices and a quality product have given Beers a solid reputation and customers tend to return regularly to purchase books. The store is constantly purchasing books as well, further strengthening their customer base.

Peter Keat, owner of Time Tested Books on 21st and L, sees the other two stores more as business resources than competition. Collaboration is one key to their success. A business card can be found on the front counter of all three stores containing each business' information.

Richard Hanson, owner of The Book Collector on 24th Street between J and K, agreed. "We don't try to coax business away from the other stores in town." He said he has received many customers who did not know about his store until referred by Time Tested Books.

Because of the nature of the used book business, inventory is random. Hanson views the other stores in town "as an extension of each other." A book can usually be found at one of the three stores and according to Beer's website, "frequent visits can result in some amazing finds."

Another important aspect to Keat’s success has been recognizing changes in business and adapting to the new methods. When the Internet threatened profits, Time Tested Books added an online component, selling through abebooks.com.

Keat was unsure of the effect the Internet would have on his business, but said the potential negative impacts "became a positive. It changed the kinds of books people sought."

The Book Collector pursued the same avenue selling online through abebooks.com. Hanson decided to keep the doors open to his "brick and mortar" building citing his love for the local book community. He views the store as a way of giving back to the community by offering advice to book seekers, friendly conversation, and holding regular readings at the store.

Beers has opted not to utilize the Internet to sell their product. Bill explained, "Books don't stay on our shelves long enough to keep an online inventory."

Even if you are not currently looking to purchase books, you might be interested in some of the events offered by our local used bookstores.

Time Tested Books hosts author signings on a regular basis and recently kicked off a new poetry series, which focuses on Sacramento area artists. Information on upcoming events can be found on their website. The Book Collector also holds regular readings on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. and entry is free.

The owners of all three stores continue to share their passions for literature today. They are always willing to discuss books with anybody who wanders into the shop. If they can't find the book you might be looking for, they will either track it down or refer you to one of the other bookstores in town.

For those of you who prefer rummaging through piles of books trying to find a gem, Sacramento area libraries host book sales, often in the "brown bag" fashion. For a set price (typically $5-$10) you can purchase as many books as you can fit in a brown shopping bag. Sales appear intermittently throughout Sacramento. Check the library's calendar for specific dates.

Used Bookstore Locations

Time Tested Books
1114 21st St.
916-447-5696
http://timetestedbooks.blogspot.com/

The Book Collector
1008 24th St.
916-442-9295
http://midtowngrid.com/directory/view/entry/8

Beers Books
915 S St.
916-442-9475
http://www.beersbooks.com/

Homeless Count 2009

2009-01-26T05:40:37Z

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the Sacramento Department of Human Assistance (DHA) will be conducting the annual Homeless Count from 9 p.m. until midnight. The event relies on volunteers who must attend a 3-hour training prior to the count. Registration is closed, however, as mandatory training sessions were held this weekend.

According to the 2008 Homeless Count report released by the DHA last year, 2,678 people in Sacramento County are homeless on any given night. The count included those living in emergency shelters (730) and transitional housing (682) as well as street dwellers (1,266). Of these, a total of 680 are considered to be "chronically homeless."

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines "chronically homeless" as "an unaccompanied homeless individual with a documented disabling condition who has either been continuously on the street or in an emergency shelter for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years."

As stated, the 2,678 number refers to homeless in Sacramento on any given night. The estimated number of homeless who passed through Sacramento County over the entire year is estimated to be 4,257.

Not included in the official count were those being treated at the Sacramento Mental Health Treatment Center (17), in custody at the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center (378), and those being treated at various drug and alcohol treatment facilities (123).

Information gathered by the count is used to learn about the size of the homeless population in order to better deliver services in efforts to end Sacramento's homeless problem.

Hopefully the above statistics have opened some eyes to the source of homelessness. Most are transitional homeless, enduring a difficult time while attempting to improve their lives. This is a forgotten part of our community, often seen as pests or even as a source of fear.

The 2009 count is especially intriguing considering the current state of the economy. Have those living on the fringe of homelessness been pushed over the edge? Will the numbers of homeless increase during 2009? The future will tell, but if we do nothing else, we should remember that there are people sleeping in the streets of Sacramento tonight.

Heat Wave!

2009-01-14T01:44:25Z

Turn off those heaters and bust out the tank tops. Sacramento is experiencing well above average temperatures this week after a long stretch of cold and fog. Yesterday, Jan. 12, 2009, Sacramento recorded a high temperature of 73° F. That crushed the previous high for the same date of 67° F set way back in 1980 (weather.com).

This heat wave raises the question of that dreaded term, Global Warming (or Climate Change, or Green House Effect).

Other questions arise as well: Are we really going to lose San Francisco to the rising ocean levels? Will Sacramento melt in extreme heat this summer? I dare not mention the sad fate of the beloved polar bear. Everyone has their own opinion on the topic, and I am sure many of us have differing views.

Let me know how you all feel. I know I am enjoying this unusually warm winter week, but I ask myself, "Should I feel guilty?"

Sacramento Pipeworks- more than just a climbing gym

2009-01-14T01:35:00Z

Anyone who has driven out of the grid via 16th street has probably noticed a large red brick building lined by cypress trees with a neon sign hanging from the corner. This building is the home of Pipeworks, a fitness center and climbing gym.

Pipeworks is a part of Touchstone Climbing & Fitness, which runs four other gyms in the Bay Area. Touchstone was founded by Mark and Deborah Melvin in 1995 with the opening of Mission Cliffs in San Francisco, setting a standard for future indoor climbing facilities.

Pipeworks opened in Sacramento six years later and continued to set standards by offering full fitness facilities as well as world-class climbing. Upon entering, one might be overwhelmed by the immense 40-foot climbing walls that greet him/her.

But after a short walk around, it becomes obvious that there is something for everyone -- from hardcore climbers to cardio kick-boxers. Yoga lovers are treated to multiple classes per day, six days per week.

All of this is included in the monthly membership fee, as is membership to all Touchstone facilities.

Most members would agree that there is a different social atmosphere in Pipeworks than can be found in any typical corporate gym. I asked the general manager, Vaughn Medford, about this and he agreed, citing the "Golden Rule" as a major contributor. He and his employees treat the gym's visitors just as they would like to be treated.

He explained that there is a personal connection between Pipeworks and its members that doesn't exist at other gyms. There are no forced contracts and they are flexible with members who might have missed a deadline for cancellation, etc.

Member feedback is accepted and sincerely considered. As Vaughn said, "This isn't my gym as much as it is for the people who come here."

This respectful interaction leaks down to the members themselves. The "creepy gym vibe" does not exist at Pipeworks. Certainly every woman who has ever felt the silent stare while working

People respect others' intentions of simply working out or climbing, and conversation remains on the friendly level. People are approachable and encouraging, which definitely helps with new climbers who might feel intimidated by the more experienced.

Pipeworks' focus on the "Golden Rule" extends beyond its property line. Support of the surrounding community is an important aspect of the gym's management. Vaughn explained, "Being involved in our community is one of the four corners of our mission statement."

The gym works with WIND Youth Services (www.windyouth.org) and Mustard Seed School (run by Loaves and Fishes), both programs for homeless and at risk children, inviting them to climb on a regular basis.

The cycling club at Pipeworks collected 30 bikes which were donated to Quinn Cottages, a transitional housing community located across the street from the gym's parking lot. Discounted memberships are also offered to Quinn Cottages and other special groups.

Also important to Pipeworks is the local climbing community. Touchstone works to strengthen this community through competitions which are hosted by each of the five locations. These competitions are free to members and represent a great chance to meet fellow climbers. Free pizza and beer and gear giveaways typically cap the night of a competition.

Pipeworks also hosts meetings of a local climbing advocacy group, CRAGS. CRAGS works to protect nearby climbing sites as well as expand access for climbers in closed locations.

So, next time you pass that large, red brick building, think about stepping inside and asking for a tour. The staff is friendly and eager to answer any questions that you might have. As added incentive, new members can sign up with no initiation fee through the end of January -- a savings of $100. Check it out.