Today, the Sacramento History Museum announced its participation in Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families,  the Department of Defense and more than 1,500 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2012.  “We are proud to participate in the third annual Blue Star Museums program again this year,” said Historic Old Sacramento Foundation Deputy Director Kristina Swanson. “We are happy provide an opportunity for our nation’s service members and their families to connect with our national treasures.  It is our way of giving back to military fa

Coinciding with the 39th Annual Sacramento Music Festival happening over Memorial Day weekend in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum will offer jazz musicians performing inside the Museum, aboard popular weekend excursion train rides and even complimentary admission to event badge holders. With several music venues located in close proximity to the Railroad Museum and a special free Children’s Stage and activity area just outside the Museum in the “1849 Scene,” a visit to the Railroad Museum extends the weekend enjoyment for all ages. Inside the Museum, visitors will be treated to live entertainment in the Roundhouse performed by various banjo musicians all four days as f

Just in time for summer!  In addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long.   And while all the 29 participating local museums offer a wealth of experiences just waiting to be explored, a few museums offer specially-designed activities and programs perfect for inspiring and engaging children during the more leisurely summer months.  Outlined below is a sampling of available summer programs and activities coordinated by local museums: Four-Day Aerospace Summer Camp at the Aero

With early summer budding all around us, wedding planning is heating up, too!  Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa invites brides, couples and event planners to a complimentary “Bridal Open House” on Sunday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. where they will enjoy tasty appetizers and refreshments while touring the gorgeous site.  For more, call 916-482-6111 or visit www.ardenhills.net.   

It’s time to celebrate Sacramento-style when the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation presents “Rollin’ on the River” on Thursday evening, June 14, 2012.  Honoring Sacramento restauranteur Lina Fat and saluting the 100th birthday of the iconic I Street bridge, the festive event begins with a VIP Reception at the Sacramento History Museum followed by a memorable and spirited river cruise aboard the Empress Hornblower. As the Empress Hornblower cruises down the Sacramento River, adult-only guests will enjoy scrumptious food, 1850s-style gambling, and a champagne toast saluting the I Street bridge when cruising underneath the local icon.  This festive fundraising event will also include a sil

Bursting with flavor and packed with natural goodness, everything is coming up berries at the next “Live With the Chef” cooking class at Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa on Wednesday evening, May 16, beginning at 6 p.m. Talented Chef Rina will demonstrate special cooking techniques and share secrets for incorporating fresh blackberries, raspberries and strawberries into dishes to create low calorie but high impact recipes that maximize the flavor and nutrition of every meal. This special monthly cooking class is focused on incorporating fresh ingredients designed for a healthy and well balanced diet. You're invited to join this ongoing adult cooking series - couples are welcome, too! Due to

Continuing a popular series of interactive and fun “Hands on History” activities, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park will present a special “Hands on History: How Did John Sutter Expect to Make Money?” event on Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fort visitors will learn how John Sutter engaged in a number of business ventures in an effort to achieve financial success.  In fact, Sutter even gave away land and a start in the ranching business to any family that could make it to California!  On this special day, Fort guests will receive replica pages of original Fort ledgers -- including the famous John Bidwell ledger -- that show what items were for sale and at what price in the early d

The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park (SHP) are now recruiting adults (18 or older) who are interested in volunteering this summer to help communicate the West’s fascinating heritage of railroading and the California Gold Rush. The volunteer orientation will begin on Saturday, June 23, but interested volunteers must apply and be interviewed in advance. Volunteer applications are being accepted now through Monday, June 4, and involved community members are encouraged to get involved in this worthwhile program.    Anyone who has ever visited the California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento SHP has undoubtedly crossed paths with a docent. Dressed

Exactly how far will parents, families and the community go to support local kids?  That question will be answered later this month when the Loomis Unified School District, ultra-marathoner Greg Bomhoff and the “Go the Distance” team present a 24-Hour Run, Team Relay and two Family Fun Runs that begin with activities on Thursday, May 24, at 8:50 a.m. and continue through Friday, May 25, ending at 8:50 a.m.  While the series of events will kick-off at Franklin School in Loomis, special health and fitness activities and spirited rallies will be happening at all seven elementary schools in the Loomis School District.  As background, two years ago Greg Bomhoff created a local sensation when h

Known for incredibly fast, exciting and suspense-filled competitions, a number of local swim athletes have their eye on competing in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials June 25-July 2 in Omaha, Nebraska, in hopes of representing the United States at the upcoming London Olympic Games.    In fact, four local swimmers who have trained at Arden Hills are already qualified to attend the USA Swimming Olympic Trials and three others are headed soon to qualifying meets.  The community at large is encouraged to keep watch and cheer on a number of talented local swimmers, including: Randall Bal -- a graduate of Stanford University in 2003, Bal qualified for the Olympics trials cut a couple of years

Calling all local artists...as part of an ongoing “Arts in the Parks” effort, Northern California artists -- of all ages and skill levels -- are invited to participate in a special “open air” painting event on the grounds of Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park.  The State Indian Museum and California State Parks present a special “Plein Air Day” on Saturday, May 12 beginning at 10 a.m.  Free to participate and to watch the mesmerizing artistry-in-action, the day is designed as an opportunity for the community to embrace nature, support the arts and appreciate the beauty of the historic, park-like setting.   Interested artists are encouraged to register early and the first 25 artists to regi

Known as North America’s most popular train museum, the California State Railroad Museum is gearing up for a weekend of -- separate but festive -- celebratory activities on May 11, 12 & 13, don’t miss the rail-related fun! Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet -- Friday Evening, May 11 Closed to the public but deserving of the community’s widespread recognition, approximately 600 volunteers will be honored at an Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet for collectively dedicating nearly 130,000 hours of service to the California State Railroad Museum in 2011.  In fact, since the Museum’s 1976 inception, volunteers have contributed more than two million hours of service. National Train Day --

Community Against Sexual Harm (CASH) will be holding an evening benefit this Thursday, May 3, from 6-9 p.m. at the Antigua Cantina and Grill, 723 K Street in Sacramento. CASH is non-profit organization that not only provides assistance for victims of sexual exploitation, sex trafficking and prostitution, but also offers hope for the victims' futures. CASH is the only agency whose mission is to serve adult victims of sexual exploitation in Sacramento. CASH staff, many of whom are former sex industry workers themselves, and volunteers, provide, amongst other services, outreach, peer counseling, support groups, food, clothing, and housing assistance. In addition to helping former victims, CA

In addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long.  In May, many of the 28 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are proud to showcase a variety of upcoming artistic exhibits, events and activities, including: Sacramento’s I Street Bridge Photo Display at the Sacramento History Museum -- Continues Through December In honor of the 100th anniversary of the completion of Sacramento’s I Street bridge, the Sacramento History Museum is showcasing a special exhibit of phot

Beginning on Saturday, May 12, and continuing on the second Saturday each month, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP) with support from Friends of Sutter’s Fort (FOSF) is proud to present a fun and interactive new program titled “Scouts at the Fort.”   Designed to help Girl Scouts earn their “Playing the Past” skill building badges, docents and staff at Sutter’s Fort will help students re-create and experience daily life in the mid-1800s.   Initially developed by a dedicated 10-year old docent at Sutter’s Fort SHP who is also an active Girl Scout, the specially designed program lasts from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and includes hands-on crafts and activities such as toy making, daily chores

Lights, Camera, Action! The California State Railroad Museum is proud to host the first  “Trains & Tripods Photo Workshop & Lighting Seminar” for 2012.  “Trains & Tripods” is a popular two-part program that includes an optional seminar on existing light photography and a unique photographers-only photo shooting session inside the visually-enticing museum before it opens to the public for the day. Amateur photographers of all skill levels can choose to attend one or both of the activities. Conducted by former Sacramento Bee photographer and Canon USA consultant Dave Henry, the fast-paced and information-packed lighting seminar is scheduled for Friday evening with the “bring your own tripo

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the completion of Sacramento’s I Street bridge, the Sacramento History Museum in Old Sacramento will unveil a special exhibit showcasing photographs of the beloved bridge on Saturday, April 28, 2012.   This Sacramento landmark was built by the Southern Pacific in 1912 with contributions by Sacramento and Yolo counties.  A true engineering accomplishment in its day, this bridge was built to last.  In fact, the first train to cross the bridge did so on April 29, 1912, and train travel on the bridge continues to this day.  The Sacramento History Museum invites the community to visit the photo display and learn more about the history of this enduring land

Versatile and delicious, cooking with mushrooms adds flavor and flair to many gourmet dishes and everyday meals, too.  At the next “Live With the Chef” cooking class at Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa on Wednesday, April 18 beginning at 6 p.m., talented Chef Rina will demonstrate special cooking techniques and share secrets for incorporating mushrooms to create low calorie but high impact recipes that maximize the flavor and nutrition of every meal. This special monthly cooking class is focused on incorporating fresh ingredients designed for a healthy and well balanced diet. You're invited to join this ongoing and popular adult cooking series - couples are welcome, too! Space is limited, so

To the delight of local foodies, wine enthusiasts and the community in general, the 10th Annual Grape Escape is scheduled for Saturday, June 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Park in downtown Sacramento.  The popular Grape Escape celebration is the region’s premiere food and wine event that showcases varietals from 60 regional wineries and 40 local restaurants. This annual culinary event provides a rare opportunity for attendees to sip wine from the eight wine regions in the greater Sacramento area while enjoying delicious food samples from Sacramento’s top restaurants. The Grape Escape event first started in 2002 with 700 attendees and 55 participating restaurants and wineries.  This s

Celebrate Earth Day 2012 by visiting and/or supporting a California State Park on Sunday, April 22!  Operated by California State Parks, the (always free) California State Capitol Museum invites visitors to the State Capitol to step back in time to 1899-1917 to experience “Living History” in action and learn about California’s pressing issues during the turn of the 20th century.  From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and with the help of dedicated volunteers, staff and docents in period attire portraying Governors Henry Gage, George Pardee, James Gillett and Hiram Johnson and their wives, State Capitol visitors will see re-enactments of important events from past governors and their respective admini