Another year and Christmas has come and gone. Relatives are heading home, the piles of leftovers get smaller with each meal and in just a matter of days it will be time to vacuum up those little green needles and say goodbye to this year’s Christmas tree. Each year, tens of thousands of trees are purchased in the Sacramento area. While they can be thrown out in garbage cans or taken to landfills, the city of Sacramento and a few other local programs are offering easy and convenient ways for people to recycle their once bright and beautiful living room centerpieces. Recycling your Christmas tree will not only keep landfills from overflowing, but will also allow what’s remaining to be reuse

Using seasonal ingredients, robust liquors and festive garnishes, bars across Midtown are preparing to fight the bitter cold by adding some new innovative concoctions and classic holiday favorites to their menus. Designed to warm the belly and lift the spirits, here’s a look at some of Sacramento’s tastiest winter cocktails. Shady Lady Saloon 1409 R St. Hot Buttered Rum $8 1 pound softened butter ½ pound brown sugar ½ pound super fine white sugar 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground cardamom 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons ground clove 1 ½ ounces dark rum Hot water (enough water to fill an Irish coffee glass or mug) Mix that by h

Drivers and passersby heading down I Street Saturday afternoon got a quick glimpse of Christmas frivolity as about 30 adult men and women dressed in Santa Claus attire met up outside the Sacramento County Jail to kick off the city’s sixth annual SantaCon. SantaCon, an event that originated in 1994 in San Francisco as a big holiday prank, has now become an international tradition, taking place in many of the world’s major cities, including New York, London and Tokyo. Adults come together dressed in beards, wigs, long stockings and, of course, the classic red Santa suit, and hit the streets and the bars to revel in each other’s shenanigans and company. “In the literal sense, it’s a pub cra

For many of us, winter spells hibernation. A lot of staying under the covers, accompanied by wine and movies. Sure we get some stretching in while reaching for the snooze button, or maybe a little cardio jumping over that puddle. Most of us enjoy doing a little activity each day, but, unfortunately, will be faced with rain clouds, brisk winds and short days during the next couple of months. Strolling the park outdoors, walking to the store, or even walking to work, aren’t ideal options in the freezing temperatures and wet streets. One solution to the winter funk can be found right here in Sacramento, with XOSO Co-Ed Sport and Social League – a league that includes outdoor and indoor kic

The bleachers of Mills Middle School in Rancho Cordova filled up Saturday afternoon as over 300 people--families, students, and dance enthusiasts--turned out to watch dancers from all over the United States take to the floor in the first ever Sac Hop Competition. Drawing in over 32 break-dancing crews and individual performers, the event was split into two different parts: the one-on-one all styles and the three-on-three B-Boy competition, each giving the dancers their chance to showcase their physical talent, creative freedom and support for hip-hop culture. After seven hours and three rounds of dance and elimination, Seattle-based dancer Macco took the title for the individual contest,