Sacramento hourly wages for retail salespersons improved to two percent above the nationwide average in 2011, according to data recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average hourly rate nationwide was $12.08 as compared to $12.32 in Sacramento. In 2010, Sacramento lagged behind the nationwide rate by two percent. Within California, the average wage was $12.51. Sacramento ranked eleventh out of the state’s 28 metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The Oakland-Fremont-Hayward area was at the top of the scale paying $13.85 while El Centro was lowest at $10.52. Retail salespersons are a notable measure of employment because they comprise the largest single occupation

In a life changing twist of fate, John and Sherry Turk each had a major accident in the same year and became disabled. Rather than letting their disabilities diminish their lives, they quit their jobs and in 1999 opened “Wheelchairs Unlimited” so that they could help others who also had mobility issues. Unfortunately, the Turks had to close their two-person business in 2008 when Sherry was having health concerns. However, in 2009 the husband and wife team re-opened it, changed its name to Turk Enterprises and changed its focus from durable medical equipment to recreational travel mobility. The store is now a retail shop where the Turks sell and service motorized scooters, travel chairs,

Want to get in on the leading edge of a hot new trend in Sacramento? Then join one of the new bocce ball clubs in town. Not only will you be in vogue but you will also be joining a long lineage of bocce players, such as Galileo, da Vinci, Emperor Augustus and the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. The Sacramento Sport & Social Club hosted its first Bocce Ball Tournament Sunday at Sutter’s Landing Park. Fourteen two-player teams competed on the sand-over-asphalt bocce courts. Creative team names, including “Invasion of the Bocce Snatchers,” “The Big LaBocce” and “Erin Go Bocce” added to the casual and fun vibe of the event. Club commissioner Brad Satterwhite says the club has officially been i

The original “Alice in Wonderland” story took place in a strange, nonsensical world. Fairytale Town’s musical version ratchets up the wackiness level by adding a campy disco theme. Talking animals and quirky queens boogie to disco hits from the 1970s while Alice tries to find her way home. The Fairytale Town Troupers opened their fifth season this weekend with “Alice in Boogie Wonderland,” written and directed by John E. Lee. The Elly-award winning troupe offers a theater arts program for actors from ages 5 through 21. Beginners are paired with veterans to learn how to produce live theater. Colorful costumes and dancing brought energy to the “Alice in Boogie Wonderland” opening performan

Rock ’n’ roll lives and breathes! The Saw Doctors exhilarated Thursday night’s crowd at Ace of Spades with their nearly nonstop flow of rollicking rock. A true love fest between the band and the audience made for a special night. The Irish musicians made their first-ever stop in Sacramento on their 25-city tour. Although the crowd was small, the fans were fervent followers and sang along with every song. At times, the band turned the vocals over to the audience in mutual admiration. The Saw Doctors have been engaging audiences since their 1986 start. Their single “I Useta Lover” (as in, I Used to Love Her) topped the Irish charts in 1990 and has the distinction of being the bestselling s