Casey Kirk 2010-03-06T05:27:03Z 2010-03-06T05:27:03Z

Close to 10,000 people gathered at the California Museum on Thursday for the first "Day at the Museum" to get a little bit of pampering and a lot of empowerment. The star-studded event was part of first lady Maria Shriver's annual The Women's Conference in honor of Women's History Month. The day included exhibits, presentations, speeches and tours of the museum. "Today is the most successful day [at the museum] in all of California's history," Shriver told the audience. The day began early with a meet-and-greet session in the museum's lobby with Shriver, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass, and other female legislators, mayors and district attorneys.

Casey Kirk 2010-03-06T05:27:03Z Casey Kirk 2010-01-21T00:43:13Z 2010-01-21T00:43:13Z

How donations are helping relief efforts:   Latest update from the American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom: * This is already the largest single-country personnel deployment in global Red Cross history. The number of emergency response teams in or en route to Haiti equals those that responded to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami – an emergency that spanned 14 countries. * It is clear that what took minutes to destroy will take many years and the collective support from governments and relief agencies across the world to help mend. The American Red Cross is working in close coordination with other responding organizations and will undoubtedly collaborate on joint, long-term recovery project

Casey Kirk 2010-01-21T00:43:13Z Casey Kirk 2010-01-20T07:08:31Z 2010-01-20T07:08:31Z

In response to the recent 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti, the United States has reacted quickly to raise funds and send assistance. There are organizations across the country providing assistance and Sacramentans are also responding quickly to the devastated country's call for help. On Friday, Jan. 15 Sutter Health Systems announced that it will be donating $1.25 million to Haiti relief. The majority ($1 million) of the donation will go towards Doctors Without Borders and the rest will be used to fund medical supplies and fill cargo boxes with supplies. Another large company, has made it easy for customers to donate by setting up collection boxes at check stands throughout the company

Casey Kirk 2010-01-20T07:08:31Z Casey Kirk 2009-12-05T03:37:21Z 2009-12-05T03:37:21Z

About 60 community members gathered at the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services last night to make the holidays a little bit brighter for Oak Park's children.   The Oak Park Neighborhood Association has collected 300 toys for its Oak Park Toy Give-Away, which began Nov. 22 and will continue until Dec. 18. "Imagine knowing that you may not receive a gift...Kids everywhere look forward to the thrill of opening gifts and we want to make sure that kids in Oak Park get to experience the excitement," said board member Michael Boyd, "Even more importantly, we want them to know they live in a community that cares about them; a community that values them, and a community that will help them."

Casey Kirk 2009-12-05T03:37:21Z Casey Kirk 2009-12-03T23:41:10Z 2009-12-03T23:41:10Z

Please join The Sacramento Press on Saturday for a day of fun and helping the community.  Bring new or used sports equipment and gain free admission to The Carnival at St. Rose plus a chance to win tickets to the December 6 Kings game.      WHAT:  The Sacramento Press sponsors a drive to collect new or used sports equipment   WHO:  Proceeds benefit Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (www.sfbs.org)   WHERE:  The Carnival at St. Rose, 7th and K Sts., Sacramento   WHEN:  10 a.m. – noon on Saturday, December 5   WHY:  Underprivileged children gain equipment to play athletics   HOW:  Donation of new or used sports equipment gains free admission to the carnival   MORE:  Dona

Casey Kirk 2009-12-03T23:41:10Z Casey Kirk 2009-12-03T21:39:42Z 2009-12-03T21:39:42Z

 Below is the second series of photographs taken by David Roberts during his bike rides around Sacramento    

Casey Kirk 2009-12-03T21:39:42Z Casey Kirk 2009-12-01T02:45:39Z 2009-12-01T02:45:39Z

 Below are images from photographer David Roberts, taken during his bike rides around Sacramento.                     Check back for more from his series of photographs

Casey Kirk 2009-12-01T02:45:39Z Casey Kirk 2009-11-28T21:59:47Z 2009-11-28T21:59:47Z

The Sacramento Press at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services' 2009 Run to Feed the Hungry  we and had the pleasure of meeting thousands of run participants that morning. Whether it was to support SFBFS, get exercise, spend time with loved ones, or a combination of all of those reasons, here are some of them.  We asked visitors that stopped by our booth to let us know, why did you Run to Feed the Hungry? Nikki Carlson, Sacramento "We participated as a way to feel like we gave something back to those who go without during the holidays in our community. It's a small gesture, but it ends up making a big difference! And It made us feel great the whole day!" Darcy Smith, Sacramento "To run

Casey Kirk 2009-11-28T21:59:47Z Casey Kirk 2009-11-27T23:51:17Z 2009-11-27T23:51:17Z

  Continued from Part 1  As participants near the finish, bystanders cheer them on and hold signs of support and thanks Kevin Johnson hangs out on the sidelines as participants complete the race 5K runners and walkers finish the final stretch of Run to Feed the Hungry Supportive onlookers wait for runners to cross the finish line, taken by George Raya  Participants pour Into the end zone of RTFTH, taken by Laura Smith   View from above the sidelines as racers finish, taken by George Raya   10K run participants, taken by Michael Fitzgerald Voyage Home Loans Team Goodness at the Finish Line (left to right): Bus. Dev. Manager Ryan Lucia, Dir. of Customer

Casey Kirk 2009-11-27T23:51:17Z Casey Kirk 2009-11-27T23:28:34Z 2009-11-27T23:28:34Z

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services welcomed around 29,000 participants in their sixteenth annual Run to Feed the Hungry on Thanksgiving Day.  Here are a collection of photos taken by The Sacramento Press along with participants' photos from the run submitted to us.   As the sun comes up Thanksgiving morning, trucks set up the time marks along the race route on the CSU, Sacramento campus SFBFS volunteers prepare the after-party area to re-fuel runners and walkers   Corporate teams/sponsors gather in the crowded VIP tent to have group photos taken Corporate teams have their team photos taken  Teams fuel up with doughnuts, bananas, coffee, and energy bars provided by

Casey Kirk 2009-11-27T23:28:34Z Casey Kirk 2009-11-24T06:25:35Z 2009-11-24T06:25:35Z

With 6,592 turkeys collected, the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 2009 second-annual Turkey Drive will make Thanksgiving for many Sacramento families' a bit brighter. Despite heavy rain and winds, volunteers collected turkeys and directed the lines of cars that pulled up to the food bank Friday. As the rain fell continuously, donors stayed dry in the drive-through drop-off while volunteers retrieved turkeys. "I knew I had to donate this year because there are so many people out of work and struggling just to pay their bills," said Roseville resident Karrin Segur. "Everyone deserves to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families, and shouldn’t have to worry about feeding their fami

Casey Kirk 2009-11-24T06:25:35Z Casey Kirk 2009-10-27T21:11:16Z 2009-10-27T21:11:16Z

Run to Feed the Hungry 2009 Race Zones/Areas   How Do I Exit My Neighborhood During Our Race? We encourage you to avoid driving in your neighborhood between 8:40 am – 10:20 am. If you must drive, please allow us to provide you with the following instructions so that you may safely and efficiently leave your neighborhood. Area 1 – Use “D” Street and head to the corner of 39th St & McKinley Blvd. A police officer will guide you across McKinley Blvd. to “C” Street once there is a gap in runners. Take a left turn, only, once you reach “C” Street. (Note: runners will arrive at the corner of 39th & McKinley Blvd. at approximately 9:05am). Area 2 – Take “H” St. to 36th Street. Go right –

Casey Kirk 2009-10-27T21:11:16Z Casey Kirk 2009-10-26T23:33:15Z 2009-10-26T23:33:15Z

Most people probably wouldn't just give away a $25,000 ring without thinking twice about it. But Andrea Stirling and AJ Elftmann did. In June, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) hosted a text message scavenger hunt, "The Race for the Rock," which led 1,000 Sacramentans around the city following a series of clues leading to the ring. The race raised more than $4000 for the food bank. The "Hearts on Fire" ring, donated by Rogers Jewelers, was eventually found by long-time Sacramento residents and couple, Stirling and Elftmann. The timing of their win was made even more special since they were still celebrating Elftmann's two-year remission from Hodgkins Lymphoma just a couple m

Casey Kirk 2009-10-26T23:33:15Z Casey Kirk 2009-10-09T05:06:25Z 2009-10-09T05:06:25Z

Get ready Second Saturday, there’s a new gallery in town. Bridge to Art, KLSC Studio and AIM HIGHER are coming together on Second Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of a 10,000-square-foot collaborative gallery, the “U20 Artist Studio Club”. “With this particular location at U and 20 streets, you can truly have it all: great artworks in huge spaces, free parking, very good restaurants, easy freeway access and no mobbed congestion feeling. We call it a breathable fine art experience,” said Kevin Santos-Coy of KLSC Studio. The daylong celebration will feature live music, art from children's group "KidzArt" and more than 200 original landscape, abstract, figurative and architecture pa

Casey Kirk 2009-10-09T05:06:25Z Casey Kirk 2009-10-05T05:23:41Z 2009-10-05T05:23:41Z

Sacramentans were given a taste of glamor and high fashion rarely seen in our city on Friday night. The 2009 Capital Fashion Awards were held at The Park Ultra Lounge, where the nightclub was transformed into a runway showing off fall collections for Sacramento's top designers. "There are so many other events for different genres but not any for fashion ... so we decided to do something different," said Richard Hallmarq, a local designer who coordinated the event along with six others from the local beauty and fashion industries. The group got together and chose 13 judges that work in the local fashion, beauty and media industries. The judges were given paper ballots with each category

Casey Kirk 2009-10-05T05:23:41Z Casey Kirk 2009-10-01T22:03:51Z 2009-10-01T22:03:51Z

Joanne Neft is on a mission to change the poor eating habits common in many households today. "We're eating really inappropriately," she explained to dinner guests at her home this past week. She pinpoints Americans' "inappropriate" eating habits to the cause of many problems. "We eat subsidized food because it's cheap, forgetting the huge price we pay for the resulting obesity, diabetes, cancer, and coronary problems. Americans pay a high price for cheap food." She is currently self-employed and owns a couple of commercial properties but these days she is putting most of her energy and passion into a crusade against poor eating habits found in the form of a cookbook. Neft and her clos

Casey Kirk 2009-10-01T22:03:51Z Casey Kirk 2009-09-15T03:17:52Z 2009-09-15T03:17:52Z

As part of Air Force Week, the California Capital Air Show invaded Mather Airport over the weekend for two days of power and patriotism. "It is an exclusive honor to be selected to host Air Force Week and we are one of the only civilian airshows in the country to do so with our partners Travis Air Force Base and Beale," said Abby Lacheur, the "air-tern" (intern) to California Capital Air Show executive director. When the air show first began five years ago, it consisted of only static displays of aircraft. Throughout the past few years, organizers added actual air demonstrations and it has since grown to the massive event it is today. The audience of around 100,000 people per day was t

Casey Kirk 2009-09-15T03:17:52Z Casey Kirk 2009-09-12T03:20:56Z 2009-09-12T03:20:56Z

Members of the Regional Food System Collaborative (RFC) turned their attention again Thursday morning to improving the region's food system. The gathering, hosted by Valley Vision, couldn't have been held at a more fitting location. While colleagues gathered inside the Sacramento Food Bank, the hungry lined up outside to receive bags of free food. Attendees came from local organizations that have a stake in our food system and share common goals: improving our eating habits and the way the local food system functions. The discussion was facilitated by Valley Vision's Bill Mueller and the group of more than 50 broke into three subgroups to put their plans for change into action. The coll

Casey Kirk 2009-09-12T03:20:56Z Casey Kirk 2009-08-24T02:17:53Z 2009-08-24T02:17:53Z

To call them simply “firefighters” is an understatement. The men of Station 6 of the Sacramento Fire Department in Oak Park do more than put out fires. Out of more than 20 stations within the Sacramento Fire Department, the station is the busiest. Year after year, the station has also been ranked as one of the busiest in the nation. During their time at the house, firefighters are on-call to respond to a wide range of calls. Many are legitimate life-threatening emergencies, but a number of them don’t necessarily warrant a 9-1-1 response. A faked seizure, a man unconscious in the bushes covered with ants and foaming at the mouth, a woman who claimed she had been assaulted by six men and a

Casey Kirk 2009-08-24T02:17:53Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-29T04:46:31Z 2009-07-29T04:46:31Z

Krazy Mary's Boutique is bringing fashion and philanthropy together this weekend. This Saturday, Aug. 1, from 3 until 8 p.m. the ladies of the trendy boutique and its sister store Sugar Shack will be hosting an awareness and pre-sale event to help bring attention to the popular eco-friendly shoe line's charitable efforts. Started in 2006, the TOMS footwear line began when founder Blake Mycoskie visited Argentina and was struck by the amount of people who didn't have something that many people take for granted: shoes. He decided to redesign the "alpargatas," the flat moccasin-like shoes typically worn by locals, and started his "One for One" program that donates one pair of shoes to a chi

Casey Kirk 2009-07-29T04:46:31Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-28T04:08:00Z 2009-07-28T04:08:00Z

Sacramento’s Sizzling Sirens heated up Shady Lady Saloon Sunday night. For their one-year anniversary show, the six-person burlesque troupe took the stage for an hour and a half of flirtatious numbers and plenty of naughtiness. Attendees, who were encouraged to dress in '20s-themed attire, were decked out in suspenders, fedoras, sequined flapper dresses, pearls and pin curl. The bar's authentic saloon decor was more than fitting for a Cabaret show. The celebration started at 9 p.m., and a sexy jazz performance by The Harley White Jr. Orchestra  set the sultry mood for the evening, further set by the Saloon's dim lighting. The spotlight went to the corner stage, where the sirens took tur

Casey Kirk 2009-07-28T04:08:00Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-25T05:05:58Z 2009-07-25T05:05:58Z

Mark Winne, author of Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty, opened Thursday morning’s Sacramento Region Food Collaborative (RFC) conference with a powerful message of hope. “The loss of land, hunger, insecurity, obesity are real…but so is the opportunity for change," he said. The guest list for the four-hour brainstorm session, coordinated by Valley Vision, included more than 70 movers and shakers in the food and urban agriculture industry plus representatives from congress and environmental agencies. Held in TV station KVIE’s community room, Winne began the collaborative by asking the audience for general feedback, both positive and negative, on the state of

Casey Kirk 2009-07-25T05:05:58Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-24T03:17:18Z 2009-07-24T03:17:18Z

On Wednesday night around 40 urban agriculture advocates, gardeners and Sacramento residents gathered at the Sacramento chapter of the American Institute of Architects to discuss a subject that has been on many Sacramentans' minds lately. This month's topic for the 4th Wednesday Urban Design Alliance (UDA) Design Dialogue was "Design Challenges in Urban Agriculture." Those who attended were divided into groups for an interactive workshop that involved designing a faux-garden despite a list of challenges given to them. While mulling over the different scenarios and solutions, participants snacked on fresh fruits provided by Soil Born farm, appropriate fare given the night's theme. Bill Ma

Casey Kirk 2009-07-24T03:17:18Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-23T04:59:06Z 2009-07-23T04:59:06Z

Claimed to be a "design revolution in the making" by its creators, the Launch design and music festival is coming to the Greens Hotel this weekend for a collision of great music and even greater fashion. Michael Hargis of Vhcle and Adam Saake, who has been helping Hargis organize, have been tirelessly promoting for the past few months, passing out fliers all over Sacramento and at events like Concert in the Park and Design Downtown block party. The main coordinator of the event, Michael Hargis, said that it's hard to tell how many people will purchase tickets the day of the event but 150 tickets have been pre-sold and there is a guestlist with around 150 additional people on it. They hav

Casey Kirk 2009-07-23T04:59:06Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-22T03:14:17Z 2009-07-22T03:14:17Z

In June, East Sac Yoga Studio became a part of ESEA Skincare and Salon (East Sac Endermologie and Aesthetics), . Owner Joe Tafoya decided to bring the two together so that customers could receive all services in one convenient location. Patrons of the salon can receive skim smoothing microcurrent treatments, LED light therapy, LPG Endermologie, sauna pods, skin needling and acupuncture. Yogis can choose from classes including Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Power Yoga, Restorative, Baptice and Yoga for All, which teaches yoga to all skill levels. Discussing Joe Tafoya's résumé in the skincare industry is a story in itself. The founder of ESEA Skincare and Salon is somewhat of a skincare g

Casey Kirk 2009-07-22T03:14:17Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-20T05:48:06Z 2009-07-20T05:48:06Z

While high-fashion style and sexy are likely the last things that come to mind when thinking about Del Paso Boulevard, the “I Hella Love Fashion” fashion show hosted at the trendy Greens Hotel can only be summed up by those words. Coordinated by Noelle Tavares of the clothing line Faedrah’s and sponsored by Vitamin Water and Skin Deep Finishing Institute, the open space formerly occupied by Article Salon and Boutique was transformed Saturday night into a runway showcasing some of Sacramento’s most talented designers. Models raced around backstage to receive last-minute touch-ups on their hair and makeup and took practice struts down the runway until the final minutes before the show. A

Casey Kirk 2009-07-20T05:48:06Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-20T05:47:05Z 2009-07-20T05:47:05Z

All photos taken by Paula Aguirre Backstage at the Greens Hotel Vitamin Water runway Royal Highness Brown Skin Designs Brown Skin Designs Brown Skin Designs Brown Skin Designs Brown Skin Designs Brown Skin Designs Brown Skin Designs     La Voice La Voice La Voice La Voice La Voice La Voice Royal Highness Royal Highness Royal Highness   Royal Highness   Backseat Clothing Yeoman Organics

Casey Kirk 2009-07-20T05:47:05Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-20T04:51:56Z 2009-07-20T04:51:56Z

The fliers and advertisements promised big things: “Local arts, crafts and fashion vendors will descend upon K Street, transforming downtown Sacramento into a bustling creative district.” On Saturday, Sacramento News and Review hosted the inaugural Third Saturday Creative Block Party and nudged K Street in the right direction. Despite the scorching heat, more than 40 aspiring clothing and jewelry designers, artists and local businesses set up shop along K Street. “I think it’s wonderful of SN&R to have done this…it brings life to the downtown area. We’re so happy to be here,” said Ginger Wong, president of Transformations Makeup Institute, did makeup, hair and glitter tattoos. Both asp

Casey Kirk 2009-07-20T04:51:56Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-20T04:50:47Z 2009-07-20T04:50:47Z

All photos taken by Paula Aguirre   Meshugga Chic Vintage Clothing Insurgent Arts of Paul Imagine Musical Charis performing on main stage on 10th Street Atelier's sidewalk shop Tammy Valles of Transformations Makeup Institute   ICUP Comedy Troupe and audience participant Biodegradable water bottles from Green Sol Juli's Jewels   Palm reader Linda Austin Candy Glass magnets by Christie Vicars Candy Glass tiles by Christie Vicars Sacramento News & Review Newsstand Project Magic Salon Glitter tattoo by Transformations Audience/News 10 watching ICUP's performance Just Beecauze by Erlinda Cobb

Casey Kirk 2009-07-20T04:50:47Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-17T06:25:09Z 2009-07-17T06:25:09Z

Just a few short years ago, Sacramento and fashion were rarely put in the same sentence. Before trendy boutiques and salons dotted the streets of the downtown grid, Sacramento was lacking in the fashion department to say the least. It seems that in the past few years, Sacramento has stepped it up. While there’s definitely still room for improvement, the majority of local stylists, boutique associates and residents asked seem to agree that their beloved city has potential and is (slowly) moving on up. Victoria Archulet, a sales associate at Franco Ferrini who previously worked at Madame Butterfly, said, “The Sacramento fashion scene is huge despite what many people think…[It’s] anything

Casey Kirk 2009-07-17T06:25:09Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-16T06:30:50Z 2009-07-16T06:30:50Z

Move over, Jonas Brothers. There’s a new boy-band in town and they’re determined to save the souls of Sacramentans. The off-Broadway musical hit "Altar Boyz" opened last Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Pavilion and kept the audience laughing and toe-tapping the entire 90 minutes. The comedic story of five Catholic boy-band members, as passionate about saving souls as they are about their clothes being glitzy, will run through Sunday. The group leader Matthew (Devin DeSantis), "sensitive" Mark (Jamison Scott), street-smart Luke (Ryan Nearhoff), "Latin lover" Juan (Andres Quintero) and the Jewish, yarmulke-sporting Abraham (Tim Dolan) are a talented cast that keep the audience laughing,

Casey Kirk 2009-07-16T06:30:50Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-13T04:22:42Z 2009-07-13T04:22:42Z

The longest-running musical to hit New York stages in years is coming to the California Music Theatre. Opening Tuesday for one week only, the "Altar Boyz" are ready to serenade the audience and entertain Sacramento for 90 minutes of high energy comedy. Based on the book by Kevin Del Aguila, the musical comedy tells the story of Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham, five small-town Catholic boys hoping to make it big in the musical world. After playing for bingo halls and youth groups, the boy band sets its sights on New York. The ups and downs of their journey are told through a series of songs, dance routines and hold-your-stomach hilarious scenes. “I think the show is funny because

Casey Kirk 2009-07-13T04:22:42Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-13T03:55:45Z 2009-07-13T03:55:45Z

In a celebration of Urban Agriculture Day, Slow Food Sacramento hosted a series of workshops and tours throughout the day Saturday to benefit Sacramento Hunger Coalition and Sacramento Area Community Garden Coalition (SACGC). For $25, ticket holders were able to choose from an itinerary of workshops, tours and movie screenings after either touring Soil Born Farm or cycling around town on the "What's 'Growing' On" Bike Tour. The morning cycling tour led roughly 25 cyclists on a 10-mile guided trek around local community gardens, starting at Southside Community Garden and making stops at McClatchy Park Farm Stand, David Lubin School Garden and the Sacramento Food Bank's garden along with

Casey Kirk 2009-07-13T03:55:45Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-10T03:12:56Z 2009-07-10T03:12:56Z

If you're planning out your stops for the upcoming Second Saturday Art Walk, head for the alley in the center of 18th and 19th Streets and I and J. From 6 -10 p.m., BridgetoArt.com, KLSC Studios and Doolittle Properties are packing a musical and art overload into the open space. The idea for the festival was first conceived when longtime high school friends Kevin Santos-Coy of Bridge to Art and KLSC and Jeffrey Doolitte of Doolittle Properties met at Weatherstone Coffee about a year and a half ago. The conversation turned to the congestion of the streets and how nice it would be to have an open area for artists to perform. Inspired, Doolittle immediately offered up his own back lot. Aft

Casey Kirk 2009-07-10T03:12:56Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-01T06:06:27Z 2009-07-01T06:06:27Z

The California Auto Museum (formerly the Towe Auto Museum) couldn't have chosen a better time to unveil their Carved Elegance: Woodies, Wheels, and Waves auto exhibit. With summer well underway, it's the perfect time to check out the exhibit which features a collection of wooden automobiles, also called "Woodies," reminiscent of California summer days spent surfing and lounging on the beach. Today Woodies are prized pieces in car collections and are famous for the exquisite craftsmanship on the wooden panels of the cars. The cars were the ideal mode of transportation for surfers who could tow their boards on top of the them. The surf culture-themed exhibit opens Thursday, July 2 and the

Casey Kirk 2009-07-01T06:06:27Z Casey Kirk 2009-07-01T05:20:41Z 2009-07-01T05:20:41Z

How does one possibly describe the beauty of spending nearly three weeks in some of California's national parks? Local journalist Reed Parsell wrote about it. His travel guide, Fodor's in Focus: Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, was released last month. After spending 20 days hiking and exploring three of California's national parks last summer, he approached previous pieces written by Fodor's writers, updated them and added his own take on the parks. Parsell says roughly 70 percent of the book is new material written by him. "I think it was a good move for Fodor's to focus on these three popular parks in a user-friendly, pocket-size format," he said. "It allowed me to

Casey Kirk 2009-07-01T05:20:41Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-30T22:42:14Z 2009-06-30T22:42:14Z

  Family and friends are asking for help from anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Lawrence Dinkins Jr.  Dinkins, a poet who performed during Sunday's In the Flow jazz festival, was last seen on 17th and Broadway Sunday evening wearing a "Tuskegee Airmen" shirt, dark pants and a cap.   His abandoned car was found nearby, unlocked with windows rolled down and several of his possessions inside but family and friends have been unable to contact or locate him. The Sacramento Police Department is also looking for him but no further information is currently available.  A picture of Dinkins is attached and if anyone has any information, please contact the Sacramento Police Depart

Casey Kirk 2009-06-30T22:42:14Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-29T02:04:12Z 2009-06-29T02:04:12Z

The second annual In the Flow jazz festival brought music and art fans out to Broadway's hub with more than 30 bands, poetry readings and live painting. For $20, ticket holders were given wristbands that allowed entrance into all of the weekend's shows, which spanned five different venues along Broadway. For those who weren't wearing wristbands, several free performances were hosted at Records, Java Lounge and Records. The back-to-back schedules at the venues allowed for a constant stream of activity, and if ticket holders didn’t like one performance, they could walk down the street to the next one. The goal of the festival was to "showcase all of the different kinds of jazz you'll find

Casey Kirk 2009-06-29T02:04:12Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-28T00:50:26Z 2009-06-28T00:50:26Z

Hoards of people walked and pedaled up to North B Street Saturday morning. Volunteers were more than ready for them, tools in hand, prepared to repair their bikes as part of Cycle 4 Hope’s monthly “Homeless Outreach Day.” Founded by Shawn Holiday in 2008, Cycles 4 Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides free bike repairs for the homeless. It operates entirely on donated bicycle materials and the help of volunteers. “The number one thing that I have learned is that a bicycle helps a homeless person not feel homeless," Holiday said. "It gives them the opportunity to be at par with everyone else. It helps them forget the bad situation they are in.” After Holiday spent a morning down

Casey Kirk 2009-06-28T00:50:26Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-27T00:39:08Z 2009-06-27T00:39:08Z

Sacramento jazz fans, get ready. The second annual In the Flow jazz festival starts Friday and will be invading four venues on downtown's Broadway. Last year's festival was held on the patio of True Love Coffeehouse. This weekend, Beatnik Studios, The Comedy Spot, R5 Records and Java Lounge are opening their doors for three days of live jazz performances. "Sacramento has an incredible jazz scene. We have great players with great, original ideas that span all things jazz and beyond," said Ross Hammond, the main coordinator of the festival. The idea for the festival was dreamt up during a coffee outing with Hammond, jazz musician Byron Blackburn and some of their friends. They wanted to h

Casey Kirk 2009-06-27T00:39:08Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-25T05:09:36Z 2009-06-25T05:09:36Z

Members of the Sacramento County Historical Society were treated to a guided sneak-peek tour of the Rock and Radio Museum and a talk from music collector Dennis Newhall and Mick Martin of Mick Martin's Blues Party Tuesday night. The museum, packed with Newhall's personal collection, normally only offers tours during Sacramento's Second Saturday Art Walks, but owner Newhall opened his doors to around 30 members as a part of the society's monthly meeting. As an example of one of Sacramento's low points in music and a nod to how far the city has come, the talk opened with a story of the cancellation of Lou Reed's show at the Memorial Auditorium after being oversold by just two rows. While t

Casey Kirk 2009-06-25T05:09:36Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-25T05:02:26Z 2009-06-25T05:02:26Z

The longest-running play in Sacramento theater history is back after a three-year hiatus and is seeking talented singers to fill six roles in the comedic musical revue. Auditions for "Six Women with Brain Death, or Expiring Minds Want to Know" were held Monday and Tuesday night at the Lambda Players Studio Theatre, and hopefuls were asked to bring 32 bars of uptempo comedic song with sheet music and one comedic monologue one to two minutes long. A call went out to experienced actors in their 30s to 50s with backgrounds in the music industry and a strong sense of humor. Callback dates have yet to be determined but will be within the next few weeks, as rehearsals begin in July. The musica

Casey Kirk 2009-06-25T05:02:26Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-22T04:32:10Z 2009-06-22T04:32:10Z

Folsom Middle School's auditorium glistened with rhinestones, spray-on tans and hard bodies Saturday evening. More than 20 men and women entered the eighth annual All-Natural National Gym Association (NGA) Mr./Ms. California Fitness Extravaganza to determine who will go on to compete in NGA's pro national competitions. Johnny "The Motivator" Carrero, owner of Sacramento's Fitness in Mind, hosted the annual event where local and national athletes competed in 10 different divisions for what he calls "pro status." Winners of Saturday's competitions received a Pro Card, which enables them to compete for any NGA competitions. Emceed by April Cabrera, who is a fitness industry professional, t

Casey Kirk 2009-06-22T04:32:10Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-21T03:58:48Z 2009-06-21T03:58:48Z

Guns and needles took over the Sacramento Convention Center Friday. Tattoo guns and needles, that is. The first day of the eighth annual Forever Tattoo’s All American Tattoo Festival kicked off the weekend with the best of the best in the ink industry, tattoo contests and circus-style side performer George the Giant. Sponsored by Tatt life, Tattoo Energy and Budweiser, the festival gave ink fans the chance to peruse and purchase the work of more than 80 tattoo artists from not only the United States but as far as Sweden (Living All Tattoo), Greece (Nico Tattoo) and Italy (Cherry Tattoo). “I usually go to the festivals in San Francisco, but this is the first year I’ve gone to one [in Sac

Casey Kirk 2009-06-21T03:58:48Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-19T04:10:56Z 2009-06-19T04:10:56Z

Despite the sweltering temperatures, it will be Christmas in June this weekend in Old Sacramento. On a 40-city interactive train tour,"Disney's A Christmas Carol" train will be pulling into Old Sacramento Friday through Sunday as a promotion for the upcoming "Disney's A Christmas Carol," which is scheduled to open in November and stars Jim Carrey. Carolers, Christmas decorations and fake snow will transform the train tracks near the California State Railroad Museum into a winter wonderland for families and children of all ages. Those who hop aboard the train will be treated to several different exhibit cars highlighting the making of the movie and featuring props and costumes from the f

Casey Kirk 2009-06-19T04:10:56Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-19T03:12:05Z 2009-06-19T03:12:05Z

Saturday, June 20, men and women will flex their sculpted bods and bulging muscles to compete for what Johnny "The Motivator" Carrero calls "pro-status." This isn't your average bodybuilding competition, however. Carrero, an advocate for drug-free fitness, is holding his annual "all-natural" bodybuilding competition at Folsom Middle School, which hosts the competition every year. "I promote drug-free bodybuilding and show youth and athletes that they can still look fantastic naturally without using steroids or other drugs," Carrero said. Carerro, who's been in the fitness industry since 1993, is a personal trainer and knows firsthand how dangerous drugs like steroids can be. He began us

Casey Kirk 2009-06-19T03:12:05Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-15T02:38:50Z 2009-06-15T02:38:50Z

There was reason Saturday for double celebration at Sacramento's Safetyville USA. It was not only the 12th annual Family Safety and Health Expo, it also marked Safetyville's 25th year of teaching safety and life skills to more than 200,000 children to date. The free event hosted around 3,000 children and their families for a fun-filled day of learning and celebrating. In the middle of the expo, birthday festivities took the main stage and were led by Liz McClatchy, President and CEO of Safetyville Center Incorporated (SCI) and Terry Polvado, Vice President of SCI. Children sang "Happy Birthday" to Safetyville and were introduced to the new and yet-to-be-named mascot of Safetyville, a dog

Casey Kirk 2009-06-15T02:38:50Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-15T02:04:12Z 2009-06-15T02:04:12Z

Art enthusiasts and skateboarders came together Saturday at downtown's A Bitchin' Space Gallery for a night of skating, dance music spun by DJ Chris Martinez and, of course, art. The show, "Boards and Graphics," ran from Friday through Sunday and hosted its reception last night as part of the Second Saturday Art Walk. Curator of the show, gallery owner and skateboarder Gale Hart invited more than 30 artists from around California to participate in hand-painting skate decks, most of them created by Sacramento-based Legend skateboards. "It's really interesting to see the different styles and techniques via the skateboard as a canvas," said Mike Edwards, who attended Saturday's reception.

Casey Kirk 2009-06-15T02:04:12Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-12T21:51:10Z 2009-06-12T21:51:10Z

Gale Hart, owner of the art gallery A Bitchin’ Space, is also a skateboarder and artist. So it makes perfect sense that this Saturday, as part of Downtown’s Second Saturday Art Walk, Hart will be curator of “Boards and Graphics” at her gallery, a showing featuring all things skateboarding. The show, sponsored by Scion, will feature hand-painted skate decks by more than 30 artists from Sacramento, Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Most of the decks featured in the show were made by Sacramento’s own Legend Skateboards and the artists were personally invited to participate in the show by Hart . "[Gale] asked me to participate in this show and my knee-jerk reaction was, 'I'm not a painter' ...

Casey Kirk 2009-06-12T21:51:10Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-11T01:50:29Z 2009-06-11T01:50:29Z

This Saturday, Safetyville USA will be celebrating 25 years of promoting safety and accident prevention to the community's families and children. Held in combination with the 12th annual Safety and Health Expo held at Safetyville every year, this year's expo is sure to be extra special. More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the free event throughout the day. The expo will run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and birthday festivities are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., when a birthday cake will be served with ice cream to children. Afterward, Safetyville will unveil their new mascot to the public. The mock-city's dignitaries, former mayor and citizens-of-the-year will be on hand to partake

Casey Kirk 2009-06-11T01:50:29Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-10T02:14:53Z 2009-06-10T02:14:53Z

Jeff Pooler and Matthew Jones have just about done it all in the restaurant industry. They have a combined experience of over 35 years in the business and have held positions as everything from chefs to managers and owners. With enough experience to go at it alone, Pooler and Jones decided to combine their dining expertise and take it to the next level. In late April, the talented duo opened Sacramento’s newest waterfront dining locale, Pearl on the River. “I’ve always wanted to open my own restaurant and [experience] helps tremendously," Pooler said. "I love coming to work, and every day is fun for me." The pair met through the Paragary Restaurant Group several years back, but that doe

Casey Kirk 2009-06-10T02:14:53Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-08T01:52:06Z 2009-06-08T01:52:06Z

Foodies and wine enthusiasts united Saturday at Cesar Chavez Park for Raley's and Seventh Annual Grape Escape, presented by Raley's and Bel Air for an evening of drinking and munching. For $40 in advance and $50 at the door, ticket-holders took part in a three-hour taste marathon, sampling cabs, chards and merlots from more than 50 top wineries from six counties in Northern California and gourmet appetizers from Sacramento’s favorite eateries. Award-winning wineries like San Joaquin’s Van Ruiten winery (voted Wall Street Journal’s Best Zin) and Calaveras County’s Twisted Oak winery (Gold Medal winner from the Riverside International Wine Competition) set up shop along with brewery favori

Casey Kirk 2009-06-08T01:52:06Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-08T01:45:26Z 2009-06-08T01:45:26Z

  "Every woman and every client should be a muse ... a lot of women don't know the power in their own beauty." From that idea, owner and stylist Marci Landgraf (pictured) came up with the name for Muse Salon and Hair Boutique, which opened Tuesday and joined a string of eateries and bars on the thriving R Street corridor. When the space became available, Landgraf says she jumped at the opportunity and echoes the sentiment of other business owners on the corridor who believe that the growing strip is a great location for business, especially being in such close proximity to one another. "More business brings more business," said Landgraf. Muse's walls are bare and the decor is simple w

Casey Kirk 2009-06-08T01:45:26Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-05T01:06:11Z 2009-06-05T01:06:11Z

 On Wednesday night, members of the VIBE foundation's Youth Leadership Board met at their 3,000 square-foot future lounge site, a building donated to them by the Sacramento Housing Redevelopment Agency, to discuss their recent accomplishments and funding plans. The youth lounge, which is scheduled to open in August, aims to provide a safe and fun environment conducive to the success of its youth members. In addition to after-school tutoring, the lounge will offer a game area and career center with a network of resources to help teens find jobs, internships and apprenticeships. VIBE is an all-volunteer organization, and the entirety of its fundraising efforts have been conducted by the VI

Casey Kirk 2009-06-05T01:06:11Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-01T05:49:41Z 2009-06-01T05:49:41Z

Despite resident complaints from previous festivals, last-minute scrambling for permits, and tow-away zones on almost every residential street surrounding, Midfest 2009 turned out to be a success. The free two-day festival, held at Midtown’s Marshall Park, was a collision of art, food and entertainment and offered entertainment for all ages. “[Midfest] was held in a great location and wasn’t too crowded. I really like that it went on the whole weekend and there were so many different types of entertainment for everyone,” said Nikki Carlson, a stylist from Land Park’s Artisan Salon who attended Midfest. The festival was sponsored by the Midtown Business Association, who manned many of th

Casey Kirk 2009-06-01T05:49:41Z Casey Kirk 2009-06-01T03:21:56Z 2009-06-01T03:21:56Z

Clouds of hairspray were being shot every which way, cameras were flashing and frantic girls and boys were scrambling around a tightly-packed room to line up for preliminary judging. This was the scene in the backroom of Barcode Nightclub at the finale round of the Hair Games 2009 charity fundraiser last night. The chosen recipient of funds for this year is Auburn-based Village Care International (VCI), an organization focused on empowering African widows and around 30,000 orphans that have become victims of the AIDS/HIV pandemic. Beginning on April 25 and continuing for four consecutive Saturdays, 12 top salons from around the Sacramento region have been competing in four separate semi

Casey Kirk 2009-06-01T03:21:56Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-28T23:53:32Z 2009-05-28T23:53:32Z

“What brings you to Broadway?” Greg Taylor, president of Sacramento’s Urban Design Alliance (UDA), posed this question to city planners, residents, professors and employees that attended a dialogue about Downtown’s popular Broadway held at the American Institute of Architects on Wednesday evening. Taylor answered his own question by saying that Broadway has “great urban character, great bones and great food.” Many agreed that food is Broadway’s main attraction, with popular eateries like Tower Café and Pancake Circus dotting the strip. One woman said that Broadway is a place she feels safe to spend time after hours. Others chimed in that they enjoy perusing specialty shops like R5 Reco

Casey Kirk 2009-05-28T23:53:32Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-28T06:58:04Z 2009-05-28T06:58:04Z

"We're here to fight! Day and night! For our basic human rights!" That was just one of the chants shouted by both the disabled and their caretakers and supporters on their march from the U.S. Bank Building to the Capitol for today's sixth annual Disability Capitol Action Day. Coordinated by the Disability Action Coalition, the gathering of more than 2,000 people was held on the 10th anniversary of the Olmstead Court Decision, a landmark case involving plaintiffs Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson that set a precedent of helping the disabled to live in community settings as opposed to confined in homes and institutions. Despite being highly functioning and capable of living in a community, bo

Casey Kirk 2009-05-28T06:58:04Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-22T07:55:51Z 2009-05-22T07:55:51Z

Spandex and helmet-wearing cyclists dominated the Capitol as they circulated from booth to booth after valeting their bikes at BikeFest 2009. As part of a monthlong celebration of bicyclists and Bike to Work Day on Thursday, bike vendors, transit companies and biking teams from around the area set up shop on the steps of the Capitol to inform and encourage both avid and potential cyclists of the benefits of biking and how to get involved in Sacramento's growing bike scene. "Bike Fest is a great way to promote health and wellness in the community and I'm always happy to see so many cyclists adding up their miles...," said Jennifer Lemos, a representative for Sacramento County Parks and Re

Casey Kirk 2009-05-22T07:55:51Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-21T04:52:43Z 2009-05-21T04:52:43Z

Laughter, awe and high-pitched squeals of excitement made the 21st annual State Scientist Day seem more like a carnival than a day of teaching science lessons and experiments to more than 2,000 elementary school students.  However, education is exactly what was taking place.   The California Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS) sponsored the event on Thursday on the west steps of the Capitol. Third and sixth graders from about 30 elementary schools showed up to participate in hands-on science experiments teaching them about conservation, plants, oil spills and other earth-related and science lessons.   "This is our way of giving back to the community... especially now, schools a

Casey Kirk 2009-05-21T04:52:43Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-19T22:21:23Z 2009-05-19T22:21:23Z

 On Wednesday, May 14, Hot Italian gave out free slices of pizza. On Sunday, May 17, Chipotle gave out free burritos during a four-hour period. And through the end of the month, Lucca Restaurant and Bar is giving out dessert with a purchase of any entree and Morgan's Bar & Grill will be selling Pabst Blue Ribbon for only a buck and pitchers for $5. But wait...there's a catch. All of these offers are only valid if you arrive at the eatery or bar via bicycle. As part of Bike Month, local businesses have come together to encourage riding on two wheels instead of driving on four. The month is about to end but cyclists still have a chance to don their helmets and partake in the festivities; o

Casey Kirk 2009-05-19T22:21:23Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-18T20:52:14Z 2009-05-18T20:52:14Z

R Street can thank Philippe Masoud and Derar Zawaydeh for contributing to the new blast of life that has been pumped into it in recent days. After successfully opening Burgers and Brew on the corridor, the business partners opened frozen yogurt spot Top This late last week. The pair are also the owners of Sacramento's Crepeville and the first Burgers and Brew in Davis, widely popular among the area's college students. They have been behind similar eat-and-drink places in San Francisco as well but have sold them to members of their family. The two businesses are right next door to each other, which Masoud explains is an advantage. There is a walkway between the two space, and if needed w

Casey Kirk 2009-05-18T20:52:14Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-17T22:58:34Z 2009-05-17T22:58:34Z

On Friday night, the stage came to life with "Children of Light," a Greek drama about Elektra (Brittaleigha Baskerville), the daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra (Janis Stevens, who also directed). The play is writer Rick Foster's somewhat modernized take on Elektra's story of love, power and murder and he has injected just enough modern wit and sarcasm so that the audience can connect with the play, which is set in ancient Greece. The story of Elektra and her family has been told by the Greeks for centuries and it is Euripides' version that most interested Foster. He explores her loyalty to her father as she plots the murder of her mother (the Queen), who murdered Elektra'

Casey Kirk 2009-05-17T22:58:34Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-17T22:48:21Z 2009-05-17T22:48:21Z

Despite a smaller turnout than last year, the fifth annual Japanese Movies at the Crest Film Festival had a great turnout this weekend at the two-day event. The festivities were kicked off with a showing of Love and Honor on Friday evening. The winner of three Japanese Academy Awards in 2007, the film pleased the audience with a drama about two samurais that go head-to-head. Saturday's lineup opened with a black-and-white docu-drama filmed in 1951, Go for Broke!, which stars actual Nisei (second generation Japanese-American) soldiers from World War II. At intermission, Nisei war veteran James Iso took the stage to give commentary about both the movie and his own experiences during the w

Casey Kirk 2009-05-17T22:48:21Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-16T23:48:41Z 2009-05-16T23:48:41Z

After opening their doors in early April, the owners of the already popular Shady Lady Saloon have finally received their much-anticipated live-music performance permit. Delayed because of the job loss of the city official who was handling the process, the saloon is more than ready to host bands and will do just that starting Sunday, May 17. Reminiscent of the early 1900s speakeasies and jazz era, some nights will feature hits from the 1920s and 1930s, but music won’t be limited to just that time period. The saloon aims to have a variety of “down beats” as well as jazz. Tonight a DJ will be spinning songs from the beginning of the 20th century and Sunday a four-piece band will take the

Casey Kirk 2009-05-16T23:48:41Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-15T19:21:19Z 2009-05-15T19:21:19Z

Photography, music and great food and drinks from popular local joints will collide on Saturday, May 16 at Beatnik Studios during their “Boobie Bash” breast cancer fundraiser.  “I belong to a networking group, and the president introduced me to Katie [Erickson], who was looking for a venue to do this event,” said Wes Davis, co-owner of Beatnik Studios, a photography studio in downtown Sacramento. Erickson is a participant in the upcoming Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which will take place in San Francisco on July 11 and 12.  The walk has a goal of each walker raising $1,800 for the “Avon Breast Cancer Crusade,” and Erickson is on her own personal crusade to raise even more than that.   

Casey Kirk 2009-05-15T19:21:19Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-13T22:57:46Z 2009-05-13T22:57:46Z

This weekend a little piece of the huge Japanese culture will be brought to Sacramento during the 5th Annual Japanese Movies at the Crest film festival. The two-day festival, first started in 2005, will screen one film on Friday, May 15 and four others on Saturday, May 16. The event is being sponsored by the Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church (SJUMC) and will be featuring a variety of films, spanning not only the decades but the genres as well, from an award-winning anime film to a PBS World War II documentary. "[The festival] started because Japanese film is an international influence in cinema and the best of current Japanese films are not screened in Sacramento, " said Barbar

Casey Kirk 2009-05-13T22:57:46Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-13T02:58:45Z 2009-05-13T02:58:45Z

While strolling down K Street, some might have noticed a change to one of midtown’s favorite gathering spots. True Love coffeehouse has shut down and is now the Jasmine Café. First opened in 2001 by music man Kevin Seconds and his wife Allyson, the former True Love coffeehouse opened up on J Street before moving to K Street in 2006, positioning itself with nearby bars and eateries such as Golden Bear and Rick’s Dessert Diner. The coffeehouse then moved upstairs to Sanad’s Mediterranean Deli and closed up shop along with the deli a few weeks ago. There is much speculation about the reasons for the closure and the current owner believes it was mainly “paperwork” issues but others believe i

Casey Kirk 2009-05-13T02:58:45Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-11T06:13:02Z 2009-05-11T06:13:02Z

Before opening to the general public, Old Sacramento's western-themed River City Saloon hosted two preview parties late last week for two nights of wild wild fun. The saloon officially opened its doors on Saturday, May 9. On Thursday, the Saloon hosted an open house with 25-cent beer and free appetizers. The next night was an invite-only soiree for friends, family, and neighboring businesses. The cash registers were ringing and the bartenders got plenty of practice in preparation for business in coming days. The parties, held in the evening, were aimed mainly at the over 21 but patrons of all ages showed up to sample their bar and menu offerings. While the first night of business was rat

Casey Kirk 2009-05-11T06:13:02Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-11T05:04:47Z 2009-05-11T05:04:47Z

It was a packed house at the screening of "Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story" on Friday night with almost 200 people in attendance at the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation in Elk Grove. The audience was visibly moved during the documentary, which tells the story of Watura "Wat" Misaka, the first ever person of color to be drafted into the NBA in 1947. Many tears were wiped away as filmmakers Bruce and Christine Johnson showed Misaka's story of overcoming racial tension through the use of interviews, actual footage from his basketball games, and commentary from friends, family, and big sports names. New York sportscaster Spencer Ross, Wat's brother Tastumi, and Paul Osaki, Exective Dire

Casey Kirk 2009-05-11T05:04:47Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-08T03:15:23Z 2009-05-08T03:15:23Z

In an effort to shed light on the often-unnoticed positive efforts of Sacramento's youth, the City of Sacramento and Fox 40 News have created a "Youth of the Month" program and will announce their first award early next week. "Basically, it was seen that there’s always news value with youth and in the mainstream sometimes it's not always of positive images,” said Hindolo Brima, Public Information Officer for Sacramento Parks and Recreation and the Office of Youth Development, “But we all know there’s a lot of youth helping to make the city a better place and need to remind people that youth are contributing to the city." The collaboration is a part of the Sacramento Office of Youth Devel

Casey Kirk 2009-05-08T03:15:23Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-07T00:51:41Z 2009-05-07T00:51:41Z

 Watura "Wat" Misaka's name might not register on even the greatest sport buff's radar, but he certainly holds a prestigious place in the history of the National Basketball Association as the first person of color to be drafted into the NBA. Husband and wife producer team Bruce and Christine Johnson are doing their part to shed some much-deserved spotlight on Misaka with their documentary, "Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story." "Sports really do transcend...this is a great story of this person who triumphed and broke down barriers with such grace. I think it also teaches us to look at what problems still exist and how we can transcend them," said Christine. Presented by the Sacramento Asi

Casey Kirk 2009-05-07T00:51:41Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-04T03:31:35Z 2009-05-04T03:31:35Z

The first two weekends of the Hair Games 2009 charity fundraiser have come to an end, and you can almost cut the tension with a pair of shears. Barcode Nightclub held the first week's competition and drummed up excitement with a performance by students from Citrus Heights' Jerry Lee Beauty College, who decked out their models and dancers in unconventional wedding gowns and not-so-traditional wedding-day hairstyles. Following the brides' performance was a face-off between Salons Within and downtown Space 07 Salon. In a flurry of insane hair and using an arsenal of hairspray and dye, Salons Within took the stage first with a Barbie doll-themed show. The audience was given a rendition of Ch

Casey Kirk 2009-05-04T03:31:35Z Casey Kirk 2009-05-02T00:23:43Z 2009-05-02T00:23:43Z

The Park Ultra Lounge is kicking off summer in high style. This year's "Designer Fashion Series" began on April 16 and will continue every Thursday night until June 11. Every week, local designers, boutiques, and salons will take the stage in a parade of couture, great hair and makeup and sass. Held on The Park's outdoor patio area and makeshift runway area, the first three weeks of the Series have had a great turnout with barely any breathing room surrounding the runway as the models strutted their stuff. Now in its third year, the past two years—when it was previously called "Spring Fashion Series"—have been directed mainly toward local boutiques before the addition of designers this y

Casey Kirk 2009-05-02T00:23:43Z Casey Kirk 2009-04-29T19:30:57Z 2009-04-29T19:30:57Z

Commemorating the victory of the Mexican troops over the French army, Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of The Battle of Puebla in 1862. During the French-Mexican war, an outnumbered Mexican militia battled, and conquered, the French forces. Many often mistake the Mexican Holiday for the country's Independence Day, which actually takes place on September 16. While May 5 is an especially important day in Mexico, Sacramento undeniably knows how to celebrate the holiday. Check below for a guide to the city's Cinco de Mayo celebrations going on next week. Zocalo Cinco de Mayo Block Party A five-day partying binge, Zocalo will be hosting a different fiesta everyday. The schedule is as follows:

Casey Kirk 2009-04-29T19:30:57Z Casey Kirk 2009-04-25T01:57:59Z 2009-04-25T01:57:59Z

It was a sea of tie dye and bell bottoms at Sacramento’s Susan G. Komen Survivor Reception Thursday night. The feeling of unity and empowerment filled the room as breast cancer survivors turned back time with a 60s- and 70s-themed party. Over 100 men and women who registered for Sacramento‘s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure showed up to the celebration thrown in their honor. Attendees enjoyed appetizers from Magpie Catering and were treated to a performance of “Turn Back Time” by a Cher look-alike while they ate dinner. The evening’s hosts were Patti Teale, the Committee Chair for the Komen Sacramento Race for the Cure who also serves as the Volunteer Director, and Ann Yoshimoto, also a

Casey Kirk 2009-04-25T01:57:59Z Casey Kirk 2009-04-23T20:15:25Z 2009-04-23T20:15:25Z

In a fusion of music, lights and hair design, 12 of Sacramento's top salons will be putting their styling talents on display in a month-long competition to raise funds for Village Care International (VCI). Hair Games 2009 begins Saturday, April 25, at 11 p.m. with its first semi-final round and will continue the next three Saturdays. The semi-finalists' fates will then be decided in a final competition to determine the "style champion" on May 30. The event is being coordinated by the owner of Granite Bay's Bella Toscana Salon, Jo Ann Baumert, and Maly's salon product distributor, Patty Neher. Salons from all around the Sacramento area will be participating in the Games, including Rosevil

Casey Kirk 2009-04-23T20:15:25Z Casey Kirk 2009-04-23T00:45:49Z 2009-04-23T00:45:49Z

In a celebration of life and the fight against breast cancer, survivors that will be participating in Sacramento's Susan G. Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure on May 9 have been extended invites to the Breast Cancer Survivor Reception. This year's event will be held Thursday, April 23 at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento and around 100 to 200 people are expected to attend. The 60s and 70s-themed gala will take place from 6 until 8 p.m., and the evening's coordinators have a fun-filled night planned for attendees. Emceed by KCRA's news anchor Edie Lambert, guests will be dined and entertained by a DJ spinning music from the decades. A speaker from Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA), a n

Casey Kirk 2009-04-23T00:45:49Z Casey Kirk 2009-04-17T20:51:02Z 2009-04-17T20:51:02Z

During the Sacramento Police Department’s crosswalk operation early Thursday, 18 citations were handed out to law-breaking motorists. Intersections targeted downtown were 30th and Q, Alhambra and F, and J and 17th Streets.  The drivers caught during the sting-like operation were given citations and will be paying around $150 or more for their mistakes, with the fine amounts varying depending on the driver’s past citations and driving history. Conducted in a sting-like manner, police officers crossed crosswalks throughout the city’s intersections while dressed in plain clothes.  Waiting for unsuspecting drivers, patrol cars and motorcycle officers were stationed at various streets to keep

Casey Kirk 2009-04-17T20:51:02Z