Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Anna Ludwig

Anna Ludwig on "Bucking Trends, William Jessup University Announces Decrease in Tuition For 2009-2010 Academic Year Private University Also Announces New Scholarship Program To Assist Students"

2009-02-06T19:50:22Z

Decreasing student tuition... never seen that before. I don't know how they can afford it, but it's a wonderful thing to do. Really well-written article, Sheila.

Anna Ludwig on "Who paid for which proposition?"

2009-02-05T19:45:56Z

cool.

Anna Ludwig on "Burgers and Brew "

2009-01-29T08:10:16Z

Burgers and Brew is the best restaurant in Davis! Lucky you, Sacramento. Mmm.. avocado tofu burger...

Anna Ludwig on "Cigarettes will make you popular"

2009-01-29T05:34:57Z

Breath of fresh air ;) Chris, nice story. And awesome job lifting spirits on the street. It's the little, albeit carcinogenic, things that count!

Anna Ludwig on "R.E. Graswich opines"

2009-01-29T01:29:33Z

In reference to this part of your article: "the “strong mayor” push that ended today" What happened today? Was the petition rejected or something??

Anna Ludwig on "Seniors learn to sing and act with the Plaids"

2009-01-28T20:45:38Z

What a great experience! If you're performing again, please post the information. I would love to attend.

Anna Ludwig on "Strong Mayor, Weak Ethics?"

2009-01-24T01:45:21Z

I guess that's true. Technically. But KM didn't have to release it to anyone. SHE is Sacramento for Obama AND Sacramentans for Accountable Government. What is Sacramento for Obama's policy about using the database for non-obama issues???

Anna Ludwig on "Strong Mayor, Weak Ethics?"

2009-01-24T01:29:15Z

I just wanted to mention that it's been almost three weeks since I unsubscribed to the Sacramentans for Accountable Government email list, and I haven't received any further messages (I still receive my Obama mail). Full text of the original email: Dear ---, In November, you voted for change -- in our city and in our nation. Now the work begins -- right here in Sacramento -- to change our community into the world-class city it can be. Mark your calendar and join us on Monday, January 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the Grand (1215 J Street, downtown Sacramento, across from the Sheraton), when our new grassroots organization, Sacramentans for Accountable Government, will hold its first meeting. Mayor Kevin Johnson will be there. So please join us and be a part of our effort to bring a more responsive and accountable government to Sacramento. See you on Monday! Sincerely, Kim Mack & your friends at Sacramentans for Accountable Government P.S. -- Check out our new website, www.reformsacramento.com Click here to RSVP Click here to invite a friend This message was intended for: --- You were added to the system January 2, 2009. For more information click here. Update your preferences | Unsubscribe

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area clean-up

2009-01-20T06:35:17Z

In my previous article, I introduced the annual Martin Luther King, Jr, Day of Service. This year, people all over the country took part in more than 12,000 service projects that were organized locally by your friends and neighbors. As for my part, I spent the day the way I'd like to spend any holiday: outside in nature. Only this time I did it with a trash bag in hand.

I joined a great group of people and cleaned up the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area wetlands. You know, that area next to the causeway that’s flooded with water and teeming with migratory birds during the winter months. I often see the birds from the freeway, but was unaware of how accessible the area is to visitors. All you have to do is take the Chiles Road exit off Highway 80, drive over the levee, and you’re there. You can park your car in the lot by the freeway and head off on one of the many trails, or you can enter the scenic 6-mile auto loop to get a view of the wildlife from the comfort of your car.

Our project was to clean up trash between the parking areas at the north and south entrances. It wasn’t hard to fill our black trash bags. Just between my boyfriend and I, we filled three. Two hours later, we took a break for lunch at the nearby fruit stand, and then headed back into the wetlands for the auto tour. There we were met by coots, great egrets, green and cinnamon teals, white-faced ibis, black phoebes, long-billed dowitchers, black-shouldered kites, and even a great-horned owl. I’m sure there were many more I missed or couldn’t identify. The day was a perfect mix of work, sun, and fun. I’ll be sure to visit the Bypass again soon. Thank you, Sarah Warnock, for organizing and leading our project!

For more information on they Yolo Bypass, check out these sites:

http://www.sacramentoriver.org/access_site.php?access_site_id=153

http://www.yolobasin.org/popup_photo.cfm?photo=YBFMap.jpg (map)

King Day of Service 2009

2009-01-19T00:50:16Z

"A day on, not a day off"

There seems to be no shortage of bad news these days. From local and national budget crises to home foreclosures and job loss, our country and communities are falling on hard times. But we here in the central valley do have one reason to smile. While the rest of the country is experiencing record-cold winters, we have sunny skies and warm days. Spring seems to have come early to Sacramento.

Tomorrow is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which means no mail, no school, and, for many of us, no work. But did you know MLK Day is also a national day of service? We have holidays that celebrate our country, our families, and the past and present service of our military, but MLK Day of Service is an opportunity to help our neighbors and strengthen our communities. To nature, spring means renewal and a fresh start after the harsh winter. Let's join the weather and celebrate spring early this year by coming together to renew the American spirit in our communities. Tomorrow's 64 and sunny forecast should help us all celebrate this year's MLK theme, "a day on, not a day off."

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Volunteer with an organized service project. Last year 500,000 people across the country participated, a record. We can set a new record this year, perhaps even doubling the participation. Here are some great websites for finding local events: http://www.handsonsacto.org and http://usaservice.org/content/home

Take a walk around your neighborhood and pick up any trash you see. You can still volunteer without joining a group and make a difference in your local community.

Give to a local food bank. Drop off items in those bins at the grocery store, or visit the national food bank website, http://feedingamerica.org.

Give items to charity. With spring comes spring-cleaning. Clean out a closet and give your unwanted items to a local charity. This website, http://www.thethriftshopper.com will help you find a local thrift store. And no need to sift out for-profit stores, because only charity-driven stores are listed. Do you have larger items that aren't accepted by thrift stores? Donate these items through http://www.freecycle.org and give them to a local family.

If you are too busy or unable to volunteer, the wallet also works. You can easily donate a few dollars to a charity you believe in. This is especially important these days as a bad economy means less philanthropy. Some of the best-rated charities (in terms of money management) are listed here http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html. Do you listen to/watch public radio/tv? NPR and PBS always need your support. Visit http://www.npr.org and http://www.pbs.org for single or monthly contributions.

Call, write, or visit a friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while. You can renew a friendship or lift a friend's spirits. There are a lot of grandparents out there who would love to chat.

If you have any suggestions, please share them in a comment. What are your plans for MLK Day?

Anna Ludwig on "Strong Mayor, Weak Ethics?"

2009-01-13T00:01:44Z

Hey, I got that email from Kim Mack - Sacramentans for Accountable Government and I was not happy. A link on the email (I think it was "edit preferences") showed they had my name, phone number, and email address, and that they got it from "Friends of Obama." I attempted to complain about it on the Obama website, but their contact page now pushes to change.gov. I went so far as to try to change my privacy settings on that website, but couldn't find the option. The privacy policy itself only mentions third parties in reference to pixel tags (for tracking use/receipt of web pages and emails). "These files enable us or these third parties to recognize a unique cookie on your Web browser, which in turn enables us to learn which advertisements bring users to our website and to deliver advertising targeted to your interests. The information that is collected and shared using these pixel tags and similar technology is anonymous and not personally identifiable." "We configure our list server software to refuse to divulge the email addresses of our list subscribers to anyone other than those whom we authorize." Evidently they authorized Kim Mack to use my email address... Questionable.

Anna Ludwig on "2008 Top 13 ground level ozone exceedence locations in Sacramento region"

2009-01-12T17:54:44Z

is O3 bad for humans, as well as the environment? i.e. should i worry about going outside on high ozone days?

Anna Ludwig on "Aves: A Celebration of Birds in Art"

2009-01-09T22:08:40Z

Thanks for the article. I just started to bird watch actively (take pictures and look them up during and after my walks). I will definitely try to make it to the show.

Anna Ludwig on "New Year's at the newest urban center: 10th and J"

2008-12-31T17:53:48Z

those pictures are beautiful!