On Friday I had the opportunity to attend the Structures 2010 event hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal. I have come to enjoy attending the periodic varied themed events hosted by the BizJournal as they attract a generous mix of professionals. Friday’s event however was of particular interest. In recent years the event has celebrated local accomplishments in the building industry, sometimes highlighting developments in green building or public-private partnerships. This year however the BizJournal chose a more dour topic, the recession. Gone were the cavalier attitudes of “sitting out the recession” present at many business events. The panel assembled by the BizJournal was transparen

 On April 30th the InAlliance, a local non-profit serving the developmentally disabled, is holding its 8th Annual Celebrity Chef Challenge.  The event is a no-holds-barred, Iron Chef-esque competition of the best known Sacramento area chefs and restaurants.  While looking over the list of entrants there was a single standout competitor: Cakegrrl.  While the name might sound more like an online identity than a chef, Cakegrrl is no stranger to the Sacramento food scene.  When she visited Sacramento for a single day in 2003, it was love at first sight, and since moving here in 2004 Cakegrrl (also known as Kristy Devaney) has been a big hit both online and off.  A chronic blogger who posts re

If you have been reading about communication and marketing tools over the past couple of years you are aware of the proliferation of new devices and platforms for marketing to and establishing community with existing and prospective customers.  Studies continue to show that growing numbers of people are adopting the use of social networking and micro-blogging platforms for personal use and to “follow” or “fan” their favorite businesses.  Social media will continue to grow and offer businesses perhaps the greatest value in time and investment to reach customers and successfully track the results of their efforts.  Read this: your business needs a presence in social media. As growing number

There have been recent reports online regarding the use of social media by small businesses.  As fast as social media has gained in popularity, businesses have expanded their use of it.  It appears as though most social media users are okay with this.   Many businesses have given it a try while others have found too difficult a platform.  Some local perspective about Sacramento Press readers and thieir expectations on social media would be valuable to the local business community.  Please, share your perspective with us.  What do you like from the small businesses you follow?  Who locally is doing a great job using social networking?  What advice do you have for those considering

  *   You have likely heard the old joke that lab rats are being replaced by lawyers because the lab workers do not get emotionally attached to lawyers.  Or the one about a thousand lawyers being chained together at the bottom of the ocean being a “good start”.  As these jokes (and the hundreds of others) show, lawyers have a bad reputation.  Personally, I have never had the need for one and only know a few, and I have worked pretty hard at maintaining the status quo on both of those points.  It seemed to me that lawyers are for people who live near secret toxic waste dumpsites.  Recently, my work helping small businesses with marketing led me to a local Law Firm and Real Estate compan

Thanks Barry for featuring a story about the less heard of Fair Oaks Theatre Festival. My wife and I took in an enjoyable night recently in the Village that involved a show. The quaintness of the Village and the intimate theater make for a great combination. I am glad to see them get some attention.

Great write up Jane. These panelist should provide us with a unique angle on how social media is changing the way art is created, promoted, sold, and celebrated.

Thanks for sharing this David. My wife and I enjoy when we can take in the great Second Saturday festivities in midtown. I had no idea that this great Third Saturday events were being organized. Let's make every day a great day to visit Sacramento! Great Job Adam Saake and TAIS. What a great way to treat local Sacramento small businesses to some great exposure.

I applaud the Sacramento Press in it's continued efforts to improve itself as a platform for ALL who wish to be heard and to listen to others in the community. As a occasional writer and commenter on the site, I am impressed by your continued efforts to improve accessibility to the conversation, as well as the quality of the conversation itself. It can be a painstaking process, especially when you have the likes of those who piss on your writings under the pseudonym of dead presidents. What happened to Bbbmer is a bummer. Perhaps he/ she can refine their habits and return as a more responsible community member. Cheers to you Geoff for making yourself the scapegoat and openly publishing the actions of the site. We will continue to watch and hold accountable as you all proceed with your refining process. Thank you for your gift to the community.

BloodSource is a first rate organization. I myself was hospitalized for surgery late last year. While I did not receive any blood during my emergency procedure, it would have never crossed my mind that it may not be available. This is because of the diligence of the folks at BloodSource. They collect blood all throughout the Central Valley and supply units and plasma not only to area residents, but to other major cities that have shortages, and to troops overseas. For about an hour of your time you really can save 3 lives. Thank you for your story Emily.