What or whom are you influenced by when you are looking for a new product? It might be commercials, television shows, or maybe if you are like millions of other people around the world, you are influenced by bloggers. Gone are the days when you only read ads in the Sunday newspaper, or watch commercials on the television. Today many of us are being swayed commercially by social media, the internet, and other digital mediums. In fact, according to Marketing Charts.com, nearly 50% of blog readers say they purchase products mentioned in the blogs they read on a daily basis. That is quite powerful when you put it in perspective. So what about here locally? What kind of power and influence do

The nerves, pressure and tension could be cut with a knife during the “American Idol” auditions at Arden Fair Mall. Seventeen-year-old Sam Cracraft drove from Vallejo early this morning to ensure his place in line. “I feel like I am going to throw up,” Cracraft said. “I have never sung in front of anyone before.” Cracraft didn’t throw up, and in fact did very well, singing a song by The Script while playing his guitar (that he only just learned to play this year). When asked how he would feel if he didn’t make it, he replied, “if I don’t, it means I am not ready, and that’s OK with me. I will keep practicing.” Chantel Robinson, 24, from Natomas said she is here to win. “I know the jud

It was a who's who of legendary rock n roll music on Monday night at Pearl on the River in Sacramento.  Starship's Mickey Thomas and the legendary Mickey Dolenz from the Monkees graced Sacramento fans with a patio jam.  Handfuls of fans crammed into the gorgeous eatery to sip on vino from various local wineries including Frank Family Vineyards, while listening to the nostalgic music of an era gone by.  Dolenz is in town cutting a tribute album with songs from Carole King at Gigatone Records for the my record fantasy contest.     

Dozens of people showed up today in a peaceful demonstration to protest the police shooting of a pregnant cow at the California State Fair. Many say that this tragic incident could have been avoided and in fact should never have happened at all. The cow was shot 11 times and killed Tuesday just before gates were to open in front of vendors like Carolyn Hadin, who videotaped the entire incident on her cell phone. Hadin said she has likely been permanently traumatized by the shooting and fears she will have trouble sleeping for some time. The cow was scheduled to give birth to her calf in public view, but Jennifer Fearing, the California senior state director for the Humane Society, said

The primary election night results showed no clear winner in the heated District 7 City Council race, and now county officials are saying there will "likely be a runoff" between Chin and Fong. The two candidates will now face another four and a half months of campaigning to win the coveted council seat.   Chin and Fong both have strong ties to the community. Fong, a retired law enforcement officer, and Chin, the former county planning commissioner, feel it’s those ties that will show a diverse support network to fuel them both toward November.   “That’s what I’m most proud of," Chin said. "I got all types of different people, different communities.”     He said he is aware of naysa