On the evening of September 23rd, the Midtown community gathered near 20th and K Streets for a candlelight vigil to mourn the death of Security Guard Leroy (Pops) Fisher.  All photos by Nathan Feldman.

On August 28, 2009, Sacramento’s Capital Crossroads Gay Rodeo Association (SCCGRA) presented Saddle Pals, a program of the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento, with a check for $8,000. The presentation took place at the W-Bar Ranch in Elverta, CA. Saddle Pals was selected to be the beneficiary of funds raised at by Capital Crossroads 9th Sierra Stampede Rodeo and Festival, held June 5-7, 2009. Saddle Pals is a therapeutic horsemanship program that provides services to children and adults with physical or developmental disabilities. Established in 1993, the program is accredited through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). For additional information Sa

On Tuesday, at the Citizen Hotel in downtown Sacramento, a benefit reception was held for the UFW Foundation Joe Serna Civic Participation Fund. The event was a salute to the life and work of former Mayor Joe Serna, Jr. and honored Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg for his work on behalf of farm workers. In addition, the event was held to recognize and support the work of the UFW Foundation. The UFW Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to empower and improve the lives of farm workers and other low-income and migrant workers through civic engagement, community education, research, and implementation and enforcement of equitable public policy. The o

On Tuesday evening at the Le Rivage Hotel, the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce held an election of officers and members of the Board of Directors. Founded in 2002, the Rainbow Chamber, with its 264 members, is one of Northern California's fastest growing Chambers. The Rainbow Chamber serves to promote the Sacramento LGBT business community and its supporters. In addition, the Chamber is also committed to enhancing the awareness of political and social issues that face the LGBT community each day. The Rainbow Chamber also encourages involvement in charitable causes such as WEAVE, CARES, and Breaking Barriers, to name a few. The newly elected officers are: Fred Palmer, President; S

On Monday night, the city’s budget crisis came close to altering the date and location of the monthly meeting of the Area 1 Neighborhood Advisory Group (NAG). The NAG meets in the evening, 6:15 – 8:30 p.m., on the third Monday of each month at the Ethel MacLeod Hart Center, a community center administered by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The attendees are representatives from neighborhood associations, businesses, and citizen-activists. They all assemble in the Center’s Redwood Room to hear city officials speak on issues relating to city policies and services, developers present building plans, and other issues of interest. Due to the city's budget crisis, the Neighborhood

On Monday evening March 23rd,  at the Doubletree Hotel, 200 guests attended  the 17th Annual Lambda Awards. The annual event, a fundraiser for the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Community Center, is held to celebrate those who support the LBGT community and nurture the community’s dreams of equality.  A spirited live auction started the evening’s events. The evening turned serious when Lester Neblett, the Executive Director of the Center, addressed the assembled guests and talked about the needed services provided by the Center. The primary purpose of the event was to raise funds to continue to finance and expand the Center’s mental health services program.   Awards were presented to organizat

  On Monday, December 8th, the Urban Forest Services Committee, a standing committee of the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission, will meet. The Committee provides policy recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission on issues relating to the City’s urban forest. On the agenda for the meeting is a proposed ordinance change that would shift responsibility for hearing tree removal appeals. Currently, the Parks and Recreation Commission hears tree removal appeals. A property owner wishing to remove a protected heritage tree must apply to the City for a permit. Permits affecting heritage tree requires the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department to hold a public hearing. An

Sacramento is the City of Trees.  Earlier this year, the City's Urban Forest Services Division was transferred from the Department of Parks & Recreation to the Transportation Department.  Responsibility for trees in parks and on private property remain under the jurisdiction of Parks & Recreation.  Responsibility for 'street trees' was transferred because the thought was since Transportation oversees streets (parking; sidewalks, etc.) the Department should also have jurisdiction over 'street trees'.   Appeals of granting or denying permits to cutdown heritage trees still remain with the Parks & Recreation Commission. With the reorganization of Urban Forest Services to the Transportation