Newest articles on The Sacramento Press written by Nicholas Walsh

A peek into The Sacramento Press office

2009-06-08T22:36:06Z

Ever wonder what other peoples' desks look like? Well at The Sacramento Press most people have a Kings bobble head on their desk because my wife decided she no longer needed them in our shed.

The Sacramento Press gives away two ipod shuffles this week

2009-06-06T21:38:15Z

The Sacramento Press is giving away two ipod shuffles.

Here are the rules of the game.

1. Read the article on the Crocker Art Museum's new wing by Suzanne Hurt posted here on sacramentopress.com 06/05/09.

2. Join the conversation by posting a comment on the article.

3. Invite your friends who are not yet community contributers to sign up for sacramentopress.com [free]. You can use email, phone calls, twitter, facebook or any other social network to ask people to sign up and to vote for you. The votes can be from any community contributer new or old but recruiting helps. One vote per community contributer.

4. Now ask them post a comment in the same article and use your sacramentopress.com screen name at the end of the comment.
Example: I have taken my kids to the Crocker Art Museum for years and I feel it is an important part of there cultural development. [Matt Kennedy]
Matt Kennedy just got a vote.

5. The person who gets the most votes wins two ipod shuffles. One for you and one for a very happy friend.

6. Contest begins 06/06/09 and ends 06/12/09 @ noon. The winner will be announced on sacramentopress.com

California state park closures, Sutter's Fort, Governors Mansion could be in trouble.

2009-06-01T05:04:24Z

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting state park spending by $70 million and that would require state parks that do not cover there own costs to be closed.

220 of 279 state parks would be closed if this proposal was put into place including Sutter’s Fort, the State Capitol Museum, the Leland Stanford Mansion, the California Indian Museum & Cultural Center, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the Governor’s Mansion.

sofa photos from The Sacramento Press and Entreprini Tweetup (part four)

2009-05-31T04:03:53Z

Final batch of photos from The Sacramento Press Tweetup.

sofa photos from The Sacramento Press and Entreprini Tweetup (part three)

2009-05-31T03:53:02Z

Sofa photos from The Sacramento Press and Entreprini Tweetup (part two)

2009-05-29T05:20:44Z

Photos taken at The Sacramento Press and Entreprini Tweetup.

Sofa photos from The Sacramento Press and Entreprini Tweetup (part one)

2009-05-29T05:07:08Z

Photos taken at The Sacramento Press and Entreprini Tweetup.

Classic Sacramento radio station stickers

2009-04-26T04:29:28Z

My wife and I spent our Saturday afternoon cleaning out the shed in our back yard. During this process I discovered the sticker collection she got while attending concerts in Sacramento in the middle to late 1980's.

I really enjoyed seeing the dated graphic design and trying to guess what music these stations might have played.

KZAP info

FM 102 info

KROY 97 wikipedia

KPOP info

More on Sacramento radio at http://www.playlistresearch.com/sacramentoradio.htm

Do you remember any of these stations? What staions are missing that were huge during the 80's in Sacramento?

The man on the streets

2009-04-20T21:56:11Z

We have a position at SacPress called a "shucker" that is part of our marketing department. There seems to be lots of questions about what it is they do so I would like to answer a few questions.

Does the biker ride their own bike? No we customize the bicycle and trailer. We work closely with Signs By Tomorrow building custom wraps and marketing panels for each specific bike.

Do they get paid to ride the bike? Yes, but riding is only part of the job. Shuckers also interact with the public while answering questions and introducing people to SacPress. They also communicate with our editorial staff and report breaking news.

What kind of trailer is that? It is a B.O.B trailer

How many miles does the biker travel in a day? We have been recording this number and currently we average about 25-30 miles a day.

Sacramento Zoo Earth Fest wrap up

2009-04-05T01:42:12Z

Today 2500-3000 people attended Earth Fest at the Sacramento Zoo in perfect Spring weather. " I think its activity creating activity, the animals are a huge draw but when you add all the live music and vendors its great for families" said Marisa Hicks Sacramento Zoo Marketing Coordinator.

We gave out 750 reusable grocery bags, stickers and postcards to the public by spinning are gameshow inspired prize wheel. Our booth was visited by the Zoo's very own mascot, Gus the green tree frog, who with one spin walked away with a SacPress bag. It was great to meet so many enthusiastic kids, parents and visitors so excited about the special events put on at the Sacramento Zoo.

The next first Saturday event will be California Celebration on May 2nd

The Sacramento Zoo holds Earth Fest today

2009-04-04T14:23:29Z

We will be updating this storyline at The Sacramento Zoo during Earth Fest today from 9:00-4:00. Sign up to become a community contributer and recieve a free reusabe SacPress grocery bag.

You can also follow our day on Twitter @sacramentopress

We started with a 5:00 AM wake up call and began staging the materials in the office to be loaded up and sent over to the Zoo. The Zoo is projecting about 5,000 people will attend, should be a great day to ride your bike or bring your family down to be part of this great event.

Second Saturday 03/14/09

2009-03-15T04:49:34Z

This Second Saturday we set up shop at Bike Kitchen for the evening of Mochii yogurt, cold beers, good people and a super fun band, The Poplollys! We did a little meet and greet, gave away our reusable grocery bags, stickers and fantastic Mochii yogurt from our friend Marc Otero!

Its is very interesting to hear people talk about there experience with the site just four months after launch. I met a few community contributers and a couple familiar faces from the local media world. With the weather teasing like its Spring people were out and about this Second Saturday and I hope you stopped by and said hello!

Twitter milestone

2009-02-02T05:53:38Z

We have broken a milestone on twitter.com, 1000 people following our every tweet! If you are wondering how that compares to others go to twitter.com and search for "Sacramento". We are the number one tweet and in the second position are the Sacramento Kings with nearly half the followers.

This is not a quick article to boast our accomplishments, I write about how we market this company to the Sacramento community and twitter is a very important tool in our department. We use lots of social networking sites to reach out to our readers but as twitter grows its numbers its becoming a very unique tool. We use it to push content out, begin conversations, recruit readers and writers, hold contests, live blog on breaking news and many other uses.

Follow our tweets here

Sample sale tomorrow @ De Veres

2009-01-31T02:50:43Z

A great opportunity to save money on snowboard gearfrom 08/09 will be at De Veres bar (16th and L st) tomorrow. Come by around 1:00 and save lots of coin by purchasing next years gear at super low prices. Reps from 686, Official, and many other vendors blowing out there samples from the recent trade show season.

The first 25 people in the door get a free Official beanie!

See you there!

Look what I saw today

2009-01-21T02:15:07Z

So I was riding my bike down 19th and as I passed the Safeway I noticed a spoke card on the rear wheel of a bike that was locked to a small tree. Seems pretty normal, but in my world its a bit more interesting. We created green stickers a little while back, and a few of the people who work at sacpress have them on their bikes like spoke cards, just for fun. So to see this extend outside of our small staff is so neat!

The interesting part is I have know idea who this bike belonged to, a complete win in my world. As we use the "bicycle" more and more in our marketing its fun to see the cycling community embrace what it is we are doing.

Hold'em up high

2009-01-05T20:51:35Z

People always have signage at protests and rallies so we produced large signs to add to the mix. We thought it would be fun to try and drive content by giving people a reminder the conversation can continue online.

In the future we intend on bring these signs to locations as news is breaking.

The Governor uses twitter to help pass the budget

2008-12-31T01:29:55Z

As my discussion about our marketing campaign continues I will also point out locals using the same tools and take a closer look at how and what they are achieving.

Read a neat piece on mashable.com below

http://mashable.com/2008/12/30/california-budget-crisis/

The Governor both use this tool to push out policy and breaking news about the administration. This tool was also used by President Elect Obama in his bid for the White House.

twitter.com/schwarzenegger

Online marketing tool or distraction? Twitter about it!

2008-12-27T02:10:19Z

Many people have opinions about twitter.com and I am trying to find out if anyone on sacpress.com also uses twitter?

We use it as part of an online marketing campaign and to highlight workshops and events. I was honestly a little hesitant to use this tool but after 239 followers and many many direct messages I am really interested in this medium.

Alley # 2

2008-12-23T16:31:47Z

So my favorite picture is the paint splatters that have created art by covering up another form of art. Funny how that works.

Ok so name this alley way. The first one to correctly name the cross streets gets a reusable sacpress.com grocery bag.

After closer inspection, the details prove beautiful

2008-12-10T21:49:19Z

I have always loved the alleyways in the central city and wanted to document the amazing gems that lived just a few steps of the beaten path. The original shot is from the main road and the following are some of the items I chose to shoot. I plan to repeat this process for many streets in the central city. After this first post I will not name the street and I would love to see if the community here on sacpress.com can figure out were each weeks post comes from.

Week one is 10th and Q

You know it when you see it

2008-12-01T00:12:38Z

I was driving home from the farmers market sunday morning with my son and dog packed into the car and I noticed something strange out of the corner of my eye. I was driving down S street towards 15th and this is what I saw this smashed planter on the sidewalk. Sometimes SacPress stickers really really work for a situation.

The empty bottle of beer only makes these pictures tell a better or worse story.

Please add a comment if you know anything about this or saw it as well.

Picture update

2008-11-30T23:52:07Z

Nothing has been done as of 11/30/08

A closer look

2008-11-30T06:44:44Z

Last week we received 750 lbs of flyers dropped off by our design firm, needless to say you will find a few around town. I wanted to give everyone a closer look at the beautiful design and read a little more about our mission and vision.

Check out the designers website here createwithfuel.com

They have done so much work for us and are the driving force behind the "look" of The Sacramento Press. They are local here in Sacramento and take a quick moment to check out there work.

If you are interested in our product and would like some flyers to pass out to friends and family email me

Photo update

2008-11-27T00:42:01Z

Photo credit-

Riverview Media Photography
Tia Gemmell

www.phototia.com

Mayor's inaugural party

2008-11-26T22:02:30Z

While watching Mayor Kevin Johnson speak in clear but emotive language on television, it is clear he is ready to start his new position with a full head of steam.

With the American flag draped behind him he said, "We did it, I'm ready and I know you are too, and that's what it's going to need to take place. Incredible public will amongst the citizens, needs to occur for us to make real change in Sacramento."

After the confetti fell and the people left Memorial Auditorium, Kevin Johnson's personal inaugural party was held at Randy Parygary's new K street venture, Cosmo and Social. I spoke with Parygary and asked how excited he was to have the new mayors inaugural party at his location.

"It's definitely more exciting to have the change of leadership than opening a new place," Parygary said.

When asked if the Johnson administration believes in pumping life back into K street, Parygary responded, "I know Kevin does, there is a lot of excitement about Kevin's election and his energy and what he is bringing to Sacramento and K street is a big part of it."

I went up stairs to Social and enjoyed the food and drinks and watched the crowd swarm our new mayor with hugs, tears and congratulations.

The mood was very upbeat and there was a great deal of optimism both in the crowd and in the candidate. The candidate is facing a tough situation coming into office, hopefully his powerful optimism will translate into bold leadership.

To see more photos from the Inauguration Click Here or click on the green storyline tab on the right.

Bike and product placement

2008-11-24T22:22:02Z

Just a photo update on our new bike and shot or two of tools around town. More to come.

Travis Rice & Red Bull movie premier update

2008-11-15T02:51:35Z

I have friends who went to the Seattle premier and bought tickets for over face value. Scalping at a snowboard video premier only proves the magnitude of this film.

Buy it

The photos are from the product give away and pre movie set up at the Empire Events Center

"Thats it, Thats all" Red Bull movie premier

2008-11-08T05:59:20Z

I was sitting in my car in the parking lot of Empire Events Center and had a familiar burn in my legs and a little head ache coming on. I had just drove down from Tahoe after riding opening day at Boreal. Most night after riding I make some dinner and go to bed but I had been waiting for about a year to see "Thats it, Thats all" the new Red Bull and Travis Rice two year film project shot in HD and 35 mm.

As the event started Arden Park Roots played to an anxious crowd all a buzz about the new season upon us and the chance to see this monumental movie. In the snowboard world videos come out every year and a few always raise the bar but I can not remember a movie ever having so much anticipation for its release.

I will give nothing away about the film except to say it was worth every second of not laying in bed and relaxing after a long day. After the film was over they did a product give away including lift tickets, gear and a hotel package at The Block in South Lake Tahoe. Overall it was a super fun night, great film and tons of people all gathering before another winter is upon us.

You can find the movie released on DVD and itunes so go get a copy.

Media kit production

2008-11-04T01:14:27Z

This project was one of the first for sacpress I managed. To show pictures does not do the finished product its justice in my opinion. With that said here are some pictures and a video from the first press check.

video

Pedal pedal click click marketing

2008-11-03T22:25:18Z

So one night a few months back, I was sitting in traffic on J street and noticed a Chevy Suburban towing a billboard advertising for a soft drink product. I was a little pissed that this vehicle was driving around burning gas and clogging traffic, but it spurred another idea. Build a better way of doing this in a little more responsible way. How do you advertise your product and not annoy people or make them feel like you're creating traffic jams? The solution was to buy an existing product and rework it a little with the help of a signage company.

Out of this came a bike trailer and bicycle with custom made "wraps". PLease look at the photographs and notice the complete custom build for the trailer.

This piece will be zig-zagging around town, in bike lanes when possible, and burning zero gas. Pedal Power!

In addition, you can get an introduction flyer from the cyclist if you would like to learn more about The Sacramento Press.

Ledges

2008-10-30T20:26:22Z

Here is a closer look at the ledges all waxed up and well skated. Some people look at waxed ledges as ugly but I see them and know that tons of people have had a great time skateboarding.

Laptop computers

2008-10-30T19:59:55Z

So this is a more interesting piece. The laptop computers are used in a couple of different ways. The original concept was to use them as a direct mail piece and the idea grew as a gorilla marketing piece as well. The photo of boxes are all full of the computers and are being sent out to the Southside park neighborhood.

As well we have placed them on park benches, coffee shop tables, and tons of other random spots. As they are placed in random locations the idea is to find them in places you wouldn't usually find a laptop. Hanging from a tree branch, inside a free newspaper stand and so on. Be on the look out and maybe you'll find a few.

Lastly if you have any suggestions for creative marketing ideas please comment on the storyline.

Stickers and buttons

2008-10-30T19:43:06Z

Here are few examples of our stickers and buttons. Basic marketing piece but trust me this storyline will get more creative in the next few articles.

Marketing in communities

2008-10-30T19:18:10Z

In my efforts to market our product I took many things into account including sustainability, person to person contact, responsibility and creativity. Our vision as a company is to truly be part of a community while reporting the news. With that said we are doing a lot of our marketing at ground level, passing out grocery bags at farmers markets, meeting neighbors one by one and truly being part of a neighborhood.

We are also doing a few creative campaigns using less than traditional tools. I hope you look forward to seeing us in your community. If you see our work and love it or think we can improve please feel free to comment and join the conversation.

The hole in the fence

2008-10-26T02:40:58Z

I took photos of it today and I am emailing the city. Anyone know more about how long this has been like this?

Interstate 5 Bridge Banks

2008-10-26T02:34:17Z

This is another skate spot in Southside Park that is really crazy. The walking bridge from SSP to West Sac has these concrete angled blocks that you can skate but it is not the easiest because you have to do a little skip ollie to get up to the transition. Its just a really quick movement. They are spread out across the bridge and can be really fun to skate. Plus it seems extra sketchy because there is a 60 foot drop onto I5 on the other side.

The reality is that the bridge is about 6 ft wide on top so your not actually close to the edge at all but it just feels weird. The views are also amazing and just a great spot to stand and watch the traffic run through Sacramento.

Official/FTC/Nike SB Skate contest April 6th 2008

2008-10-21T04:42:27Z

I was flipping through channels on TV this week end while I was watching my son and I stumbled upon the last leg of the AST Dew Tour on NBC. This is one of the larger action sports contest series in the country, right up there with the X Games. They have everything from FMX to BMX and skateboarding. What caught me was that it is a horrible format and incorrect portrayal of what skateboarding really is. Its like watching beer league softball and wondering what all the rage is about Major League Baseball?

To get more to the point Thrasher Magazine has put on skate contests at real "street" locations in the past and the guys from FTC (skateshop on J street) took that concept and held a contest at Roosevelt park. Ray Maldonado won the check at the end of the day and from the video you can watch linked below, it sure looked like a fun day inn southside park. The video was filmed and edited by Alan Hannon.

Check out the video

Photo of the famous skateboard spot

2008-10-16T02:21:21Z

Here are a few pictures of one of the famous spots. One way it is used is to put a table down the stairs and skate the tables edges. The other spots most commonly skated are the ledges at the front by the stairs and as a manual pad. Here is an example of a manny pad.

Video update

2008-10-15T23:20:28Z

Brandon Biebel's video part from Fully Flared.

The following video link shows all sorts of footage of Brandon skating and if you skip to 1:14 in the video you will see Brandon skateboarding in Roosevelt Park.

Click the following link and enjoy the video.

Skateboarding in Roosevelt Park

Skateboard history in Southside Park

2008-10-15T19:44:20Z

There are classic spots such as "The Carlsbad Gap", "Love Park" and "EMB" that live on in skateboard infamy and who knew one was located in Roosevelt Park in Sacramento. There is a rich history of skateboarding in Sacramento and I am going to write a storyline about what I know best, skateboarding.

Have you seen them in the park? Do they bother you or do you enjoy seeing people skateboarding in the park ?