Newest articles on The Sacramento Press written by Midtown George

A photo essay of the candlelight vigil held to mourn the death of Security Guard Leroy (Pops) Fisher.

2009-09-25T16:03:02Z

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.

Capital Crossroads donates $8,000 to Saddle Pals

2009-09-01T03:53:45Z

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 Saddle Pals’ website is:http://www.ucpsacto.org/saddle

“We appreciate the hard work and support of Capital Crossroads Gay Rodeo Association. This is the second year in a row that they have been able to raise money in support of UCP’s Saddle Pals program. This achievement speaks volumes to their determination to support the community and organizations providing program and services for children and adults living with development disabilities.” said Doug Bergman, President/CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento.

Sam Van Galder, Rodeo Director for the 2009 Sierra Stampede Rodeo and Festival, said “This year, the Association and its hard working members and volunteers have overcome many challenges to produce one of the best rodeos ever for Sacramento.”

The purpose of Capital Crossroads Gay Rodeo Association is to promote the sport of rodeo, the Western lifestyle and culture. SCCGRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Capital Crossroads is a member association of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). The IGRA has 28 member associations spread throughout the United States and Canada.

Capital Crossroads’ 10th Sierra Stampede Rodeo and Festival is set for June 11-13, 2010.

Darrell Steinberg honored with Serna Award

2009-08-26T01:42:55Z

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 original funding for the UFW Foundation came from leftover campaign funds Serna bequeathed to the United Farm Workers Union.

Attending the event were many members of Serna's extended family. Also in attendance were many veteran supporters of the United Farm Workers Union who had worked side-by-side with Serna. Many members of the State Legislature and Capitol staffers were also in attendance.

Among the speakers participating in the program was civic leader and developer Angelo Tsakopoulos. He reminisced about meeting Serna for the first time when they were teenagers working in the fields harvesting peaches in Acampo, near Lodi. He went on to say, "How great this country is where the son of a farm worker can become a college professor." A humorous moment ensued when Tsakopoulos added, in deference to Mayor Kevin Johnson who was in attendance, "Excuse me if I say this Mr. Mayor, but I think to be a professor is a higher calling than being a mayor."

Also addressing the audience were Serna's son Phillip Serna, future candidate for the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and his daughter Lisa Serna-Mayorga, a member of Johnson's staff. A video tribute to Serna was also shown.

Following the video tribute, Arturo S. Rodriguez, Board President of the UFW Foundation, spoke about the support Serna gave to the Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union. Next, Rodriguez praised Steinberg for continuing Serna's work. Steinberg was honored by being presented with the UFW Foundation Serna Civic Participation Award. The award celebrates the principles of social justice, community activism, visionary leadership, and cultural diversity that Serna embodied as a community activist, teacher and local elected official. In his remarks, Steinberg said, "Receiving this award has special meaning to me because 17 years ago, Joe Serna was my mentor."

The Serna Civi Participation award presented to Darrell Steinberg was specially boxed bottles of United Farm Workers Union wine, Black Eagle. In accepting the award, Steinberg stated he will not drink the wine until his bill, SB 789, California Employee Free Choice Act for Farm Workers, is passed.

For more information about the UFW Foundation, please visit the web site at UFWFoundation.org.

Rainbow Chamber of Commerce elects new officers

2009-08-20T19:44:24Z

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; Steven Walker, Vice-President; Stephanie Slage, Secretary; and Jason Russell, Treasurer. Elected as Members at Large to the Board of Directors were: Brian Bentzen, Gerald Filice, Roy Guira, Dr. Darrick Lawson, and Bonnie Osborn.

The public is invited to join for the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce for its Annual Installation Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Radisson Hotel, 500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento.

The evening's Master of Ceremonies will be Guy Farris of News10’s "Sacramento & Co." program. Proceeds will benefit the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides college scholarships to LGBT students and supports other LGBT and charitable causes.

For more information, and to order tickets to the Installation Dinner, visit the Rainbow Chamber's website at rainbowchamber.com.

NAG agrees to pay rental fee

2009-08-19T22:59:25Z

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 Services Department alerted the NAG that the Hart Center would no longer be available as a location for meetings. The city could not afford to keep the Center open after 5:00 p.m., unless there is a paid reservation for the meeting room.

The Neighborhood Services Department had been hosting the meetings. If the NAG wanted to continue to meet at its usual date and time, the NAG would have to pay for a rental fee for use of the meeting room, at a charge of $35 - $75 per hour.

When the issue came up on the agenda there was general discussion as to why the NAG met on Mondays, to allow interested parties to attend the Tuesday night City Council meetings, and/or Commission meetings held on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The NAG has been meeting at the same location and date for 15 years, therefore there was no support for moving the location, or changing the date of the meetings.

When Director of Neighborhood Services, Vincene Jones, asked for suggestions for a solution, offers came from around the room from neighborhood associations, businesses and City Councilmember Steve Cohn to cover the rental fee for a monthly meeting. Enough pledges were received to cover six months of rental fees. Sacramento Press offered to cover six months of rental fees.

This may be repeated in the future, citizens stepping forward to cover costs that were once paid by the city.

Annual Lambda Awards Presented

2009-03-25T06:53:42Z

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 organizations and individuals whose integrity, outstanding leadership, courage in the face of adversity, tireless efforts, encouragement, and financial support have helped build a strong and viable LGBT community. Honorees included Wells Fargo; the Sacramento Police Department; the President of the Stonewall Democratic Club, Ed Bennett; community activist Pam Whiteley; for arts and culture, Cheer San Francisco, the LGBT-identified cheerleading team; former State Senator Sheila Kuehl; and youth leader, Montana Skylar Hull. The keynote speaker was Assemblymember John Perez, chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus and the first LGBT person of color elected to the State Legislature.

The evening’s award presenters were equally impressive: Assemblymember Dave Jones; President of the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, Fred Palmer; the Crocker Art Museum’s Associate Director and Chief Curator, Scott A. Shields; and County Supervisor Roger Dickinson. When Police Chief Rick Braziel accepted the Building Bridges Award for the Police Department, he was given a standing ovation as were many of the evening's honorees.

A loud cheer was heard when it was announced that the evening’s event raised $25,000.

Proposed Ordinance Change for Tree Appeals

2008-12-08T00:59:36Z

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. Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the director may appeal the decision to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The proposed ordinance change would shift responsibility for those appeals to the City of Sacramento Planning Commission.

The expressed reason for this change is to consolidate under the Planning Commission all decisions related to the review and approval process of development projects. At times, decisions regarding tree removals
related to development projects have been appealed to the Parks and Recreation Commission. This change would assure no potential decisions conflicts will arise between the two Commissions.

The ordinance change is being proposed by the Development Services Department to ensure no development project will be stalled because a protected heritage tree stands in the way of progress. This action by city administrators is in conflict with Sacramento’s proud heritage as the City of Trees. Our City’s bountiful urban forest did not just happen overnight. For over a hundred years the community has planted, natured and protected trees. Now our protected trees large canopy trees are in danger of disappearing because many of today’s development projects lack any setback. The Parks and Recreation Commission understands that trees need space to grow. The Planning Commission has a history of approving development projects unfavorable to large canopy trees. The proposed ordinance change for tree appeals needs to be rejected.

Please attend the public meeting of the Urban Forest Services Committee. The meeting will be held Monday, December 8th, in the New City Hall, 915 I Street, Room 2121. The meeting is on the second floor. Please be sure to bring a picture ID for the security check.

If you cannot attend, please email a letter opposing the ordinance change to:
City Manager Ray Kerridge at RKerridge@cityofsacrament.org
Mayor Kevin Johnson at mayor@cityofsacramento.org.

Proposal for the Creation of a Urban Forest Services (Trees) Commission

2008-11-22T01:43:38Z

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 Department, I believe now more than ever is the time to finally create a City Trees Commission.

A little history: In 1992, Wolfe Mason Associates prepared the City of Sacramento Urban Forest Management Plan. This 1992 Plan was the first to advocate creation a new advisory group to implement the Urban Forest Management Plan.

Twelve years later, in 2004, Robert Tate Associates in their Sacramento Tree Services Best Management Practices Review and Report also called for the creation of a strong and well-recognized citizen advisory group to aid in setting policy, provide checks and balances, and advocate for the urban forest.

in 2006, the City Council adopted the Urban Forest Services Best Management Practices Implementation Plan. Once again, the creation of a Citizen’s Advisory Group on Trees was included in the plan.

The Parks and Recreation Commission's Urban Forest Services Committee has in a limited capacity served as a citizen advisory group as called for in the Wolfe Mason Report and the Tate Report. The Tate Report, papers 34 and 35, enumerated quite clearly the duties and responsibilities of a citizen advisory group (Trees Commission):

Advise the Mayor, City Council, and appropriate City departments on urban forestry concerns.
Review of project plans for major publicly sponsored developments, civic improvements, and changes to public right-of-way relative to their projected impact on trees and make recommendations regarding these projects to the Mayor, City Council and appropriate City Departments.
Encourage early and continuous public participation in urban forestry projects and programs.
Facilitate the cooperative interaction of tree-related activities within the City among various city, state and federal agencies, as well as among businesses, non-profit groups, and the public.
Provide a regular forum, according to an establish, publicized agenda, of scheduled topics for public discussion of urban forestry issues.
Assist with the development of policies that affect trees.
Ensure the effective implementation and administration of the Urban Forest Best Management Practices Plan.
Assist and support public education efforts on the value and benefits of the urban forest.
Identify and support procurement of adequate funding, especially alternative funding opportunities, and staffing to ensure that the needs of the urban forest are effectively addressed.
Actively advocate and champion the commitment of adequate resources for tree programs.
Monitor and annually report on the state of the urban forest.
Hear tree appeals regarding street trees, Parks and Recreation Commission would continue to hear tree appeals for trees located in City parks.

What are your thoughts? Should the City of Sacramento create a Trees Commission? If you agree we should, would you be willing to help?