Newest articles on The Sacramento Press

NorCal AIDS Cycle Raises $327,000 for HIV/AIDS Services

2013-05-20T01:42:26Z

Cyclists, crew members, and hundreds of friends and supporters gathered at the State Capitol Sunday, May 19, to welcome home the members of the ninth annual NorCal AIDS Cycle, a 4-day, 330-mile HIV/AIDS cycling fundraiser. The 2013 event raised more than $327,000 for HIV/AIDS services in the Capital region and Northern California—up from $304,000 in 2012.Nearly 4,000 people are living with HIV or AIDS in the eight counties traversed during the four-day ride, with one in four new infections occurring in youth ages 13 to 24. In addition to raising funds to replace diminishing state and federal resources, NorCal AIDS Ride raises awareness of the importance of knowing one’s HIV status to avoid infecting others.

“NCAC is the largest and only organization in the Greater Sacramento region right now that raises much needed funds for the HIV community,” said Emily Rymland, NCAC board president, veteran cyclist, and a nurse practitioner at CARES, one of the NCAC beneficiary organizations. “The need is enormous and imperative. Youth are directly impacted; one in four new infections are in people between the ages of 13 and 24. We have got to get a handle on prevention. There are no longer state dollars for this. It's on us.”

Some 125 cyclists and 75 volunteer crew members rode out from Folsom Lake on Thursday, May 16. The event closed with hundreds of well-wishers gathered to welcome the cyclists riding in for an emotional Closing Ceremony at noon on May 19.

Following an Opening Ceremony at 7 a.m., May 16, Folsom Lake’s Beals Point, NCAC cyclists and mobile crew followed a circuitous, often challenging route through the Sierra foothills and northern Central Valley, ending their first 101-mile day at Gridley, second 100-mile day at Williams, and third 80-mile day at Woodland.

Funds raised by the 2013 ride will provide funding for 11 non-profit HIV/AIDS service organizations in Sacramento and Northern California: CARES Clinic Dental Program, Golden Rule Services, SANE (Safer Alternatives thru Networking and Education), Breaking Barriers, Harm Reduction Services, Sunburst Projects, River City Food Bank, and Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, all of Sacramento; Sierra Foothills AIDS Foundation of Auburn, Calif.; Caring Choices of Chico, Calif.; and Shasta Trinity Tehama HIV Food Bank of Redding, Calif.

Each cyclist raises a minimum of $1,500 and each crew member a minimum of $250. Since its founding in 2005, NCAC has raised more than $1. 5 million total.

One of the things that historically has distinguished Sacramento-based NCAC from other California AIDS rides is its distribution of funds to multiple beneficiary agencies in Sacramento and Northern California. In many cases, NCAC’s contributions have s kept the doors open for small non-profit organizations, including some that are the sole providers of HIV/AIDS services to underserved or remote California communities.

For some small non-profits, such as Sacramento’s Breaking Barriers, NCAC funding has kept the doors open in the face of government budget cuts. Breaking Barriers provides HIV testing and education from a mobile testing van and supportive services such as holiday meals and transportation to medical appointments for people living with HIV. “Every year the ride has grown a little bigger and raised more money,” says Executive Director Craig Spatola. “That alone makes a major impact for HIV/AIDS agencies, some smaller than mine. For us it is literally the difference between paid and unpaid staff.”

The mission of NorCal AIDS Cycle is to support organizations throughout Northern California working to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to care for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in the region through fundraising; to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS, the needs of the community and the benefitting organizations; and to encourage a positive environment for the dignity, quality of life, and acceptance of people affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS. For more information about NorCal AIDS Cycle, visit www.norcalaidscycle.org.

Here are more photos from today:

St. John, West Sacramento, says he is new to biking. They hit head, tail and sideways winds on the way to Sacramento today. He bought his bike in January. "It's been fun to be part of the event, and to raise awareness and money," he said.

Olsen says he rides across the Yolo causeway to West Sacramento everyday to work since 2006. He estimates over that time he's ridden 25,000 - 30,000 miles.

"The hardest part was sitting on the bike for nine hours versus one hour. Being on the bike for that long was the hardest," Olsen said.

The Midway Marvels provided music for the event.

OPEN LETTER TO THE SACRAMENTO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING CRIME, PENSION REFORM, THE BUDGET AND MEASURE U TAX FUNDS

2013-05-19T17:35:25Z

Dear Council Members:

Let me acknowledge the tough job you face addressing the financial challenges our city and our nation faces as we move slowly out of a massive financial melt-down. Adding to our worries are continuing closures of our business, and those in neighboring areas, such as Campbell Soup, Comcast and Coca-Cola to name a few.

Despite tough financial times, this council is poised to make monumental decisions in this budget that will affect quality of life for years to come. In many cases, in well known dangerous areas, your decisions will truly be a matter of life and death.

I have grave concerns about violent crime and police staffing and how we address both in this budget for 2013/2014. I stated during public comments on April 30, 2013, that this proposed budget is intellectually dishonest and council members should consider this factor when approving this budget.

Here is the problem. For Measure U to pass, the council assured citizens the money would go to restore core city services and stressed law enforcement would remain a prominent recipient of Measure U funds. The intellectual dishonesty occurs in this budget when the city manager eliminates 29 funded, yet vacant, positions from the police department and then proposes use of Measure U funds to hire an additional 58 police officers. The scam employed here is plain as day. Measure U funds were intended to grow an already cut-to-the-bone police force, but what the city manager is pulling now feels like a classic case of “bait and switch.”

Let me offer an analogy. If you bought a home after doing a walk-through, you were probably happy with what you saw. You later acquire the keys, enter the home and find all ceiling fans are gone, two hot water heaters have been removed and all of the elegant bathroom fixtures have been replaced with used and worn items. You find a note that reads, “The missing items were not part of the sale.” You would feel you had been swindled; and it is the same feeling when 29 funded police officer positions are cut from the police department and then Measure U funds are applied to hire officers. As a citizen, you just feel government has swindled you again.

Hopefully a council member(s) will stand up for the people who voted for Measure U and for the police officers who are doing a very dangerous job with too few staff members. Everyone knows crime is a major problem - it is why we passed Measure U. The Mayor’s Crime Task Force has not achieved a handle on crime. There is still much work to do. We keep losing kids to crime and prisons. Crime is hurting our local economy and our city’s image. Our crime in Sacramento continues to remind us of racism in a two tiered America. On one tier we still have people of color suffering the horrors of wide-spread crime and poverty. We need at least one councilmember to show leadership and stand up and give voice to this issue.

At council on April 30, I noted that Sacramento has a gang war starting and shootings appear on the rise. We need many-many more police officers on the streets. Think about where we are right now and consider this portion of a 2012 Sacramento Bee article on rising crime numbers:

Police Department staffing has fallen during that same period. The agency hit an all-time high of about 800 sworn officers in 2008. There are now about 650, a decline of almost 20 percent, said police Capt. Mike Bray, who oversees the Criminal Intelligence Unit.

In the most recent round of budget cuts, 16 officers lost their jobs at the end of June. Another 31 vacant positions were axed.

The ongoing erosion of police officers caused proactive policing (crime prevention) to nearly disappear. In the void of a meaningful police presence and the lack of specific street crime suppression efforts it is no wonder Sacramento still feels like the second most violent city in California, behind Oakland.

Now consider the Oakland California experience with police staffing and violent crime. The following is a portion of a 2013 news article about Oakland’s challenges:

The department has struggled to develop a crime plan since July 2010, when the City Council laid off 80 officers in a dispute over job security and pensions. The force declined from roughly 776 officers before the layoffs to a historic low of 611 this March as officers continued to retire and leave.

The shrunken ranks pushed department leadership to prioritize patrol shifts and 911 response - and de-emphasize investigations. Even after a police academy graduated in March that boosted the number of officers, now around 640, all officers in the department work a mandatory overtime shift every 10 days to fill open patrol shifts.

As I expressed to your body on April 30, this council seems locked in an all-or-nothing battle with the police union over a 12% pension contribution. I have no problem with working toward pension reforms and the police union is working towards some solutions (they worked with the city and cleared the way for a new tier of officers to be hired at lower costs). But, I do have a problem with an approach that draws a line in the sand, appears ego driven, reeks of inflexibility and may drive us to a breaking point like that in Oakland. Sure Oakland’s leaders laid off officers in a pension dispute and some may say they courageously “held the line.” But, what was the cost? Look at Oakland now! They did not do their citizens any favor. The city is drowning in crime and they appear desperate to get more officers to work there. Let us not go the way of Oakland. Sacramento’s citizens deserve better.

I know council members face tough choices. But you made policy choices when you dedicated $8.5 million to renovate the Community Center Theater. It was a policy choice when you committed $5 million towards a facility for the Sacramento Ballet. You made numerous policy choices to fund various aspects of different arena deals. When it come to the arts, you don’t mind expressing your values in the budget, but when it comes to giving a voice to improving public safety in our worst crime areas we get smoke-and -mirrors and elusiveness.

Here is a suggestion. Although the 24.4 million we are holding in budget reserve represents 6.6% of the 10% goal we have set, can we really justify not using a small amount of that reserve to keep the 29 funded, yet vacant, positions in the police department. This council shows interest in the arts - now you must show commitment to our kids. We have kids getting shot all the time. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors recently embraced a report by a Sacramento County Blue Ribbon Commission entitled “Report on Disproportionate African American Child Deaths.” The commission found that, “African American children comprised 12% of the child population and 32% of third-party child homicide deaths.” We need a serious commitment from the council to deal with crime.

Based on various information points, preserving the 29 positions in the police department (keeping us at about 615 officers) and adding 58 officers through Measure funds would take us to about 673 officers. While I know we need more officers to properly control crime, getting us near 700 officers is a fair start and it shows your commitment to our kids and it is in keeping with the promise you made to citizens regarding allocations of Measure U funds. If there is another reason to eliminate the 29 position, for example to ensure that no new hires come in at the old higher pay rate, that’s fine but we ought to have a commitment from the city manager and council that the 29 funded positions will be add to the 58 for a total of 87 new hires under the new compensation rate.

In conclusion, there are portions of our city where crime and violence are deplorable. Police protection is one of those things the people cannot do for themselves. It takes government action. There is a great injustice when our leaders look at some of our citizens, particularly those families of color who are experiencing most of the violence and losing kids, and these leaders say we won’t help you right now because we want to save 24.4 million dollars in reserve funds. Why can we not save 22 million and use 2.4 million, or so, for public safety. In your vote on this budget that is what lingers just under the surface of discussions – not doing everything we can to address crime in some communities so we can save a couple of million dollars. Which council member would want their child’s safety to come up on the short end of that policy choice?

Citizens should be able to trust their elected leaders are not being intellectually dishonest with them and they should be confident the safety and security of all citizens are equally important.

Sincerely,
Henry Harry

All members of the council were sent this letter.

14th Annual "Cast & Crew Call" - Make a Movie This Summer!

2013-05-19T16:19:16Z

Join us on Wednesday May 22 at 6 PM sharp for the 14th "Place Called Sacramento Film Festival - Cast & Crew Call". Curious and want to know more?

Professional judges have been reviewing the "PCS" script entries. Each is ten minutes or less, and a family friendly story, with a theme and characters that shed insight on what it is like to live in a place called Sacramento. All are character and dialogue driven but range widely in subject matter. Want to see what has been produced in the past? Go to www.AccessSacramento.org and watch films from the past several years.

Now the 2013 judges have selected ten for production and the writers now evolve into producers, eager to see their film come to life on the big screen at the Crest Theater October 6. But filmmaking is a collaborative art form and requires a team of dedicated actors, technicians, helpers, drivers, "craft services" to feed the crew, make-up artists, location scouts, and more - they need YOU! Many positions require skill, many more require caring people eager to help. From previous feedback, some of the best cast & crew members attended "C&CC" not knowing how they might help. They just were curious about filmmaking and wanted to participate in some way.

On Wednesday night about 200 of these hearty souls gather in the courtyard of the Coloma Center (4623 T Street) and listen to each of the ten writers (now producers), explain their stories, characters and what help they need. After all ten have finished their presentations, the audience is invited to come and meet each filmmaker and offer their help. Additionally, Access Sacramento creates a brief video of each person in attendance with their contact information. These short "video head shots" are edited onto one DVD and each of the ten filmmakers are given a copy for future reference.

By 8:30 PM, each film project has a list of people wanting to help and the summer long film production process has begun. Not all positions are filled by the end of the evening but contacts have been made and casting is usually completed within 2 weeks of the event.

Come join in the fun... if you have background info or photos you want to share, bring them. But most folks just attend to introduce themselves and their interest in making films here in their hometown. Sound like you? Join us Wednesday at 6 PM for the 14th "Cast & Crew Call" and we will "see you in the movies". Further questions? Call 456-8600 ext. 0.

Disclosure: Ron Cooper, Executive Director of Access Sacramento

'Proteges' points way to future of dance

2013-05-18T02:34:36Z

Instead of looking back, as one might do when celebrating a 25th anniversary, Ron Cunningham of the Sacramento Ballet seems always to look forward. The latest ballet company production is Modern Masters Proteges, in which Cunningham invited three former dancers with the Sacramento Ballet to create new works for it. Jared Nelson, a Yuba City native who, after a stint with the local company, has danced for about a dozen years with the Washington Ballet; Ilana Goldman, who danced several seasons in Sacramento before moving on to the Trey McIntyre Project and then to the University of Washington where she’s soon to graduate with an advanced degree; and Amy Seiwert, who became resident choreographer with San Francisco’s Smuin Ballet and formed her own dance company, Imagery, after several years of dancing with the Sacramento Ballet each created a piece for the “Proteges” program.

They point toward the future of contemporary ballet – new and adventurous takes on dance possibilities, but grounded in the classical form. Seiwert, in particular, has been lauded (by the San Francisco Bay Guardian) as “quite possibly ... the Bay Area’s most original dance thinker.” A Cincinnati native, Seiwert gave “I Think of You Often” its world premiere last September in her home town. It’s an easy, elegant dance set at a seaside resort. It uses beach chairs as props (a rarity in more formal dance), and creates a rushing wave upon the shore with a line of female dancers. Music by Swedish pop group Koop accompanies the five movements of the dance, the most impressive of which is a stunning pas de deux featuring Alexandra Cunningham and Stefan Calka in “Strange Love.”

Nelson’s “Cinq Fois Deux (Five Times Two)” opens the program and is perhaps the most traditional dance of the evening (made more classical by its music by Sergei Rachmaninoff). Five couples (Evelyn Turner and Richard Porter, Alexandra Cunningham and Christopher Nachtrab, Ave Chatterson and Stefan Calka, Maggie Rupp and Mate Szentes, and Lauryn Winterhalder and Oliver Adams) begin the dance in darkness in an elegant tableau, then break off and dance – each given fine, classical turns in the spotlight – before ending the piece again in tableau.

Goldman’s “Elusive” is credited “in collaboration with the dancers,” and it is truly an ensemble piece. Based in today’s society, it’s about the eternal search for that ideal, unattainable goal. With people running here and there, in packs and small groups yet always appearing alone, it’s a meditation on the difficulty of making personal connections. Alexandra Cunningham and Stefan Calka are the main pair in Goldman’s vision. Calka sees Cunningham in the distance, calls to her and chases after her, ultimately losing her in the mass of humanity. He continues to search and gets rare glimpses but contact remains elusive. (Calka will dance the part tonight but will be replaced by Christopher Nachtrab for Saturday and Sunday performances.

The program also includes the delightful “The Professionals,” a satire on the dancer’s life, created by company member Rex Wheeler and first performed here May 25, 2011. It is a hilarious look at what may or may not go on inside the dancer’s studio during a typical work day. There are several excellent comic turns in the piece, particularly the sleepy-until-caffeinated “Coffee Girl” danced by Evelyn Turner, the headphone head case “Choreographer” danced by Alex Stewart, and “The Trouble Makers,” featuring Oliver Adams, Christopher Nachtrab and Mate Szentes. Ron Cunningham has a humorous walk-on part as “The Director.”

“Modern Masters” continues at St. Francis High School Performing Arts Center, 5900 Elvas Ave. through Sunday. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $45 and are available at the door. For more information, go to www.sacballet.org.

The ballet company has two other programs in quick succession. “Beer & Ballet,” which was reviewed here recently, continues May 23, 24 and 26 at the Sacramento Ballet Studios, 1631 K St. The dances on this program were created by members of the dance troupe to be performed by their peers, and they display a creative talent that’s equal to the artistic and athletic abilities they show as dancers. Tickets are $35 and include drinks. For more information, call (916) 552-5800, ext. 2, or go online at the address above. “Highlights,” a collaboration between the ballet company and Found Space Theatrical Productions will be presented on May 25 and 29 at the ballet studios. Half dance from the repertory of Sacramento Ballet and half musical theater from the folks who staged the wickedly witty “At the Ballet” fundraisers, “Highlights” is a multi-faceted entertainment featuring singers, actors and dancers. Tickets are $30 and include refreshments. For more information: (916) 552-5800, ext. 2 or www.sacballet.org.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

New films: Star Trek Into Darkness (2 opinions), Kon-Tiki, At Any Price

2013-05-17T20:08:27Z

Multiple bold explorers and a proxy for Monsanto

While the big buzz this week will be focused squarely on the latest entry in the decades-long Star Trek franchise, there are also a couple of smaller, counter-programming opportunities, one of which is oddly related to Star Trek. There’s also a second opinion included in today’s column on the Star Trek movie itself, but be warned in advance: Malcolm’s comments contain a character spoiler (although many viewers probably know this particular detail already).

Star Trek Into Darkness
Directed by J. J. Abrams

When the last “Star Trek” movie came out, I strongly praised its balancing act in terms of respecting the canon and the knowledge of the fans, while still offering a fresh take in what was both a reboot of the original series and a prequel to it. The new film continues and, if anything, actually manages to walk that same tightrope while narrowing the rope even further. And it’s still an impressive act.

That’s not to say you’ll necessarily love the outcome, as it’s more of a non-stop action film than we’ve seen before. Every crisis is a crisis related to fighting, war, explosions, etc. – with only the briefest of considerations of the “Prime Directive” and certainly no long and drawn out diplomatic disagreements. In short, it’s back and it’s big, and it’s very well put together, but it also has a different tone to it than many fans of the original series might prefer.That said, I liked it. For me it’

more about revisiting the cast of characters than worrying too much about what particular scrape they’re going to warp/transport/squeeze their way out this time around. And where the last film gave us back the original crew in almost loving detail, the new film throws in a bunch of other similarly preserved and respected references. J. J. Abrams may be happy to admit that he never enjoyed “Star Trek” while growing up, but it’s clear he’s come to love it since then – and we can only hope that attention to detail and respect for the source material translates into similar work as he helms the new “Star Wars” outing.

But J. J. Abrams also comes with his own drawbacks – most notably his great affinity for lens flare. Early on there’s enough to be a reminder - “Hey folks – don’t forget this is a J. J. Abrams film!” But later there are times when the screen goes bright and you just wish he was sitting in the row in front of you so you could slap him across the back of the head every time it happens – “Hey J. J. – we didn’t forget!”

The single best development of the new series here is the addition to the cast of the excellent Benedict Cumberbatch, who is a familiar face to many although new enough to some to produce some awkward moments. In a recent interview, David Letterman asked him if this was his first big film and Cumberbatch looked a little uncomfortable for a moment and perhaps avoided the urge to rattle off a list (“The Hobbit,” “War Horse,” Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “Atonement,” etc.). Although much of his almost cult status with a core group of fans comes from his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the British TV series “Sherlock” – where he’s brilliant enough that when you’re not wishing you could slap J. J. Abrams, you might wish you could slap the American TV executive who felt the need to remake the series for the American market.

All in all it’s a neat movie. It also has fun with some neat reversals of fortune that will amuse and perhaps amaze the true Trekkies without causing too much confusion in the newbies. It’s like a wonderfully constructed inside joke that you don’t actually need to be an insider to get. And, as part of its ongoing balancing act, it manages to bring the series to where it needs to be for logical progression. That’s a pretty clever package.

A second opinion by Malcolm Maclachlan: POSSIBLE CHARACTER SPOILER AHEAD!

When it comes to mass-market American pop culture, “Star Trek” is the standard-bearer for nerds. With its high regard for intellect, uncanny ability to predict consumer electronics decades in the future, and elevation of Spock as it’s unquestioned most popular character (not to mention its endless conventions and spin-offs), it has become cultural shorthand for nerd ascendance.

But watching “Into Darkness,” I can’t help thinking the nerds lost and the jocks won. It’s entertaining alright. But there’s something kind of wrong about watching Spock fistfight with Khan across hover-barges. Taken as a whole, it’s loud, fast and not especially cerebral.

Of course, Spock and Khan (who came from the same era as Chaka Khan) are the two most fun characters by far. In a reboot that has most of the principles playing caricatures of themselves (especially Doc, Scotty and Chekov), Zachary Quinto’s Spock impression is uncanny. And yes, that recent commercial pairing him with Leonard Nimoy was brilliant (I think it was advertising a car or something).

Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Khan has nothing to do with Ricardo Mantalban’s vaguely ethnic space marauder, and that’s fine. Besides being perhaps the only actor ever to play Sherlock Holmes who has a more ridiculous name than Sherlock Holmes, Cumberbatch has a tendency to quietly steal movies. Here he does it loudly. My only objection comes to the way his character was written. The earlier Khan mainly conquered with his intellect. This one not only casually take out squads of Klingons and other assorted baddies with fists and phasers, he also makes too many mental lapses for someone with a supposedly stratospheric IQ. But he’s got to lose somehow.

Meanwhile, I don’t especially like how they’ve made Spock all weepy and emotional compared to the original series. He’s basically a stand-in for men who can’t express their feelings. I find the Spock-Uhuru romance kind of annoying and unbelievable (especially since Quinto recently came out as gay, to a collective cultural shrug and lucrative endorsements that would have happened anyway).

Of course, “Star Trek” was always more about respecting smartness than actually being smart. Its scientific lapses are legendary. Some of the ones here: I can roll with cold fusion, but why does such a device need to be hand-delivered? Why would you bother to chase a spaceship through a debris field when you could just hover above and take it out? Why bother making the Enterprise such an all-terrain vehicle? Why don’t other bodies reject the Khan super-cells (you’ll see on all scores).

Kon-Tiki
Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg

In one of those coincidences I dig so much, “Star Trek” opens in Sacramento in the same week as “Kon-Tiki.” And for all of the “Boldly going where no man has gone before” sentiment of “Star Trek,” sometimes it can be just as bold to go where you think someone has gone before.

In the late 1930’s, Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl and his wife Liv were living with and studying native Polynesians. At that time, the accepted wisdom was that Polynesia had first been populated from the West, from Asia. But Heyerdahl came to realize that the winds and currents came from the East, and even local legends referred to “Tiki” bringing the people from the East.

A decade later, after WWII, Heyerdahl was trying to publish his theory with no success when it became clear that the only way anybody would respect the idea was to prove that it would have been possible for ancient Incans/Peruvians to travel to Polynesia on the types of rafts they were capable of building at that time. And so, with very little support and even less in the way of backup plans or safety features, he and a small group of like-minded adventurers drifted away from the Peruvian coast, at the mercy of the winds and currents.
In that post-war period, Heyerdahl’s crazy enterprise was credited with rekindling an interest in exploration and some even said it helped with undertakings like space exploration – which of course rings us back to “Star Trek.” As school kids growing up in England in the 1970’s, we were still reading about the Kon-Tiki expedition and Heyerdahl’s other undertakings, as well as the various other groups that attempted the same trip.

He didn’t prove his theory, but he did prove the possibility of it – and researchers still debate the same origin question, albeit now through other means like DNA analysis, which suggests that people came from both directions at different times. Interestingly, for film lovers, as well as writing a book, Heyerdahl also directed a documentary about the trip (and the filming is a feature of the current narrative re-telling of the story), winning the Academy Award in 1951.

At Any Price
Directed by Ramin Bahrani

“At Any Price” is reminiscent of the recent “Promised Land,” in that it tries to tell a character-based story as a mask for teaching us about a politically charged practice. In “Promised Land” the topic was fracking and in “At Any Price” it’s the kind of GMO-based modern farming dominated by Monsanto. Here, Monsanto is replaced by “Liberty Seeds,” although it’s not hard to spot the real villain.

Dennis Quaid plays Henry Whipple, a third generation farmer who also sells for Liberty Seeds. His younger son Dean (Zac Efron) has little interest in the farm, hoping instead to become a racecar driver. And that’s the basic dynamic behind the father-son story that sits in front of the political message of the film.

In another interesting coincidence, I watched this film within a couple of days of reading a news story that focused on the same underlying issue depicted, namely that the folks at the fictional Liberty Seeds and the actual Monsanto prohibit farmers from engaging in the age-old practice of taking seeds from their own crop as the basis for next year’s planting. The companies have copyrighted the DNA in the seeds and, in order to maximize profits, require farmers to agree to always buy new seed stock. Henry explains this in the movie to Dean’s friend, who asks if it’s like the issue of “bootlegging DVD’s.” To which Henry replies “Except these guys didn’t just copyright movies, they copyrighted life.” Almost that same phrase was in the news story about millions of farmers suing Monsanto, with an official (from memory, I think it was an Indian Government official) referring to the ridiculousness of Monsanto “patenting life.”

Unfortunately, the movie is also similar to “promised Land” in that in trying to do two things at once, neither film is very good – although they certainly serve a purpose in terms of delivering a message that many will approve of (and other won’t) that some may not hear any other way.

The other interesting and useful aspect of the film is the way it shows, briefly, the nature of modern farming outside of the issue of GMO’s. Henry Whipple doesn’t farm the same way that his father did – although he reminisces about the days of hard work in the fields, and the simplicity of it as he realizes how complicated the business has become. But he’s a farmer who can sit back in his enclosed, air conditioned tractor cab, not touching the controls, as the tractor is driven by a computer that’s downloading information from a satellite feed that’s providing information about soil temperature, moisture, and other variables and adjusting the delivery of fertilizers, irrigations, etc. accordingly.

It would be a neat film to take kids to, to introduce to some of these topics except that the family story tacked on top both violent and sexual. All of which leaves the film without much of an audience.

Ask the County Law Librarian: Serving Divorce Papers on Incarcerated Spouse

2013-05-17T16:17:38Z

Q. I filed divorce papers months ago. We don’t have kids. When I served my husband, I found out he doesn’t live at his address any more. It turns out he’s now in jail. I’m not sure what to do next and I don’t have copies of my paperwork any more. How do I finish up my divorce? Anne

A. Dear Anne,

Unfortunately it sounds like you still have a lot of work to do to get the divorce done. Before you can really get started, you will need to get your husband served. And before you can do that, you will need copies of your paperwork.

You can get copies of all the paperwork you have filed by visiting the courthouse where you filed them. In Sacramento, for family law cases, that is the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse (3341 Power Inn Road). You will need to serve him with:

A copy of ALL the papers you filed with the court (except for any fee waiver papers you may have filed — these are confidential).
A blank Response — Marriage (Form FL-120)
If you had kids, you would also need to serve a blank Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) (Form FL-105/GC-120).
Declaration of Disclosure (Form FL-140) – you must serve this within 60 days, so if you can, it will save time to serve it now.

Luckily, if he’s incarcerated in California, he should be relatively easy to find and serve. If he is in a county jail, call the county sheriff to find the phone number and address. If he is in state prison, you can find him using the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Inmate Locator. If he’s in federal prison, use the Federal Bureau of Prison's Inmate Locator database.

Once you know where he is located, call the facility and ask who on their staff is assigned to serve the documents on prisoners. Send the following to that person:

two copies of all documents
the Proof of Service form
a self-addressed stamped envelope
a cover letter asking that your husband be personally served and that the “Proof of Service” be completed and sent back to you.

If you have a hearing date (unlikely this early in the case), tell them the date, department, and time of the hearing.

Once they serve your husband, they will return the signed Proof of Service in the self-addressed stamped envelope, and you can file it in court.

After that, your next step depends on what your husband does. Once he’s served, he has 30 days to file a written response. If he does not, you can ask the court for a default judgment. If he does, the process is a bit different.

You can find out more by using the excellent California Courts Self-Help site’s divorce section. It has step-by-step instructions for each phase of the case, and links to the forms you will need. You may also be interested in the self-help book How to Do Your Own Divorce in California, which has instructions, samples, and related information about the process.

Best of luck!

Do you have a question for the County Law Librarian? Just email sacpress@saclaw.org. If your question is selected your answer will appear in next Thursday's column. Even if your question isn't selected, though, I will still respond within two weeks.

Coral Henning, Director
@coralh & @saclawlibrarian
www.saclaw.org

Pedestrian safety advocates to address city council regarding need for traffic light at 58th & Fruitridge

2013-05-17T16:11:08Z

On Tuesday, May 21st, WALKSacramento and West Campus High School students will speak at the City Council meeting in support of installing a traffic light at the intersection of 58th Street & Fruitridge Road. As reported on last week, this intersection is used as a crosswalk by West Campus students who walk or take the city bus to school. Spanning four lanes of traffic going at speeds of 40-50 miles per hour, the crosswalk's only safety feature is a set of white lines painted on the ground.

Among the student speakers are Siena Antolin, a West Campus junior who uses the crosswalk on a daily basis and Genelyn Silva, a senior who lives just three blocks from the intersection. Both were friends with 16 year old Michelle Murigi who lost her life crossing that intersection over a year ago. Also speaking will be Michelle's mother, Mary Murigi, who is adament about seeing real safety measures implemented at the crosswalk. "I would pay for the traffic light myself if I could," says Mary. "I wouldn't want any other mother to experience the pain that I have experienced by losing Michelle."

The support of the community if very important to this cause so all are encouraged to attend. The meeting starts at 6 pm and will be held on the first floor of the new City Hall building.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Local brew festival embraces quality over quantity

2013-05-17T15:32:30Z

We live in fast times and everybody knows it; from the fast food that’s slowly killing us and speed dating, to the instant gratification the younger generations seek and even the older ones in their pursuit of eternal youth and instant “beauty,” via nips and tucks. If all this, “fast,” has you worn down, maybe it’s time to slow your roll and head over to the 14th Annual West Coast Brew Festival.

The West Coast Brew Festival may be the largest such festival in Northern California outside of San Francisco, but its humble roots, born and grew from 350 attendees some 14 years ago, have slowly evolved into a must-attend experience event for any serious beer lover in Northern California. On May 18th , the 14th annual West Coast Brew Festival is expected to sell out, again, drawing some 3,000 beer drinkers to Miller Park on the breez, slow banks of the Sacramento River.

The West Coast Brew Festival is part of a larger, national movement to embrace and support microbreweries that produce craft brews as opposed to low-quality, rushed and low-variety beer. As the name implies, the festival features craft brews from Washington, Oregon and California, hence, West Coast, which also possesses the connotation of being laid-back, especially when compared to our Eastern seaboard brothers and sisters.

Prior to the festival, event organizers host a sanctioned, double-blind, commercial craft completion. Certified beer judges evaluate the brews and when the tally is counted, the top micros receive kudos and ribbons covering 18 categories from Light Lagers to Strong Ales and Ciders. Awards are given out to the top three in each category. Festival goers should keep their eyes open for booths sporting a big red, white or blue ribbon.

A few local breweries fared very well, including two first place ribbons for New Helvetia’s, Rough and Ready (Amber Ale), as well as their stout, Homeland, and a second place ribbon for the English Pale Ale. Other regional breweries taking ribbons include Tahoe City’s, American Pale Ale, River City’s India Pale Ale, American River’s American Brown Ale, San Francisco’s 21st Amendment for Black IPA, Loomis Basin’s Robust Porter and Old Hangtown, (Placerville), placed its Mineshaft in the American Stout division.

This event is so well attended that two years ago in 2011, Raley Field cancelled and rescheduled their brew fest after finding out, by yours truly, that the West Coast was scheduled on the same day as theirs. This year, Raley Field hosts their brew fest June 7. You will not sprawl out with your friends and sit on grass, by the river, with great food and live rock ‘n; roll or find free bike security. You’ll be under the upper deck on a cement slab, but I digress.

Miller Park is home to the Sacramento Marina and is well shaded by giant trees and as Sacramento heads into summer, locals know 100 degree May days are common making the Delta Breeze one of this towns best friends.
Attendees of the 14th Annual West Coast Brew Festival are encouraged to purchase their tickets online today before 10pm PDT to guarantee admittance as well as save $5 off the door price of $40. Designated drivers’ tickets are $5 and come with two soda vouchers. The event is permitted for 3,000 attendees and is expected to sell out as it has for the past 7 years in a row; early arrival is highly recommended. Ice chests are not allowed but there will be ample on-site food vendors serving Mexican, BBQ and hot dogs. Local fourth generation cigar company, Casillas Cigar, will have their signature Cuban-seed, hand rolled cigars.

The festival officially starts at high noon with a VIP tasting for those forking out about one hundred bucks. For the rest of the brew lovers, gates open at 1pm and the event officially shuts down at 5pm; much of the great beer will be gone by 4pm and the blue ribbon winners will most likely be empty by 3:30.

Well behaved dogs are welcome but must be leashed. The Sacramento Police Department will have uniformed officers on-site. There is no parking nearby but people as far out as East Sacrament and South Land Park commonly cruise bicycles in groups. Last year the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates came out to help secure bicycles with their mobile locker room, however this year, it appears that that they are scheduled to work at the Davis Double Century. But you just never know; beer and bicycle folk are some of the most persevering people, but regardless, if you ride your bike, bring your lock otherwise, car-people will have a good mile to walk – just follow the traffic control police and countless thousands of others as they meander up the levee to the 14th Annual West Coast Brew Festival.
Miller Park is located about one mile south of Old Sacramento and rests West of Front Street off the Western dead end of Broadway. Once you get there, you’ll be forced to slow down and you’ll probably like it.

7 YEARS OF PHOTOS and information about how a tokenless brewfest works..

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Che Perez has covered special events and festivals throughout Northern California since 2004. He has volunteered at the West Coast Brew Fest, beginning in 2006 and enjoys assisting the founder promote his event.

'Taste, Review & Brew' at New Helvetia Brewing Company

2013-05-17T14:55:55Z

The Sacramento craft beer industry is growing more robust by the year, becoming a facet of the city that residents can take pride in – and visitors should take note of. Rubicon and Sudwerk helped put us on the map, and now new microbreweries such as Ruhstaller, Knee Deep, Track 7 and New Helvetia are working to enrich our scene, with the potential to make it a defining characteristic of the city. Chase down your farm-to-fork dinner with a local brew – what’s not to love?

Whether you are an über beer nerd, or simply love a cold one on a hot Sacramento day, our Sacramento Beer Writer wants to help you get the most out of your brew experiences. Join us at New Helvetia Brewing Company, 1730 Broadway, at 6:30 p.m. on May 29 for “Taste, Review and Brew,” when we’ll cover all the bases of beer. Food will be provided courtesy of Broderick’s.

First, you’ve got to know how to drink it. During the free tasting, New Helvetia brewmaster Brian Cofresi will talk you through the nuances of a stout, a lager and an IPA, and how to judge each beer as you drink it.

“First, ask yourself, ‘is this beer in my all-time top ten favorite beers?’ Then, how well does the beer you’re evaluating fit into the classic style it’s supposed to be. So if you’re drinking a Vienna-style beer, how close does it actually come to that classic style? Third, I’ll go back and re-taste the beer to see if there are any nuances or complexities that I may have overlooked in the initial taste.”

Think you can handle that? Cofresi will be on hand to tell you what all of this looks like – or, more appropriately, what it tastes like – during the tasting.

Tyler Martin pours all of his free time into Sac-On-Tap, an in-progress informational site designed to inform craft beer lovers when and where they can find their favorite beers.

According to Martin, “The most important thing to remember when reviewing a beer is the type you’re drinking. You need to have an understanding of how the beer is supposed to affect your senses to get the most out of it.”

Tim Clark has been running Brew, Ferment, Distill (BFD) for almost three years. A brew hobbyist up until then, he opened his shop because he thought many Sacramentans, including himself, would brew more often if the supplies were made readily available. He’ll bring those supplies to New Helvetia for a tutorial on how to get the best of your homebrewing experience.

“Brewing is artisanal,” says Clark. “You’re basically creating flavors, and there are no wrong answers. Don’t overthink it; don’t trip on it. I find beer to be very forgiving.”

One of our own Sacramento Beer Writers, Patricia Willers, has been putting pen to page on the intricacies of beer for three years. She has been homebrewing for over six.

“When homebrewing, cleanliness is more important than you can imagine,” she advises. “Also, when fermenting, imagine where you would want to be stored if you were aging peacefully- in a dark place with a stable temperature.”

Whether you fancy yourself an expert, or are a novice just dipping a toe into the craft beer pool, come over to New Helvetia on May 29. Have a beer, eat some food, mingle with our experts – and most importantly, get ready for a summer filled with delicious brews made right here in Sacramento, or perhaps your very own home.

Tickets are $20 presale online and $25 at the door, though we can’t guarantee day-of availability. One ticket gets you:

through the door and in a seat
a tasting courtesy of New Helvetia
a brew tutorial courtesy of BFD
a slider and fries courtesy of Broderick’s

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Concerts in the Park 2013

2013-05-17T06:19:27Z

This past Friday I attended my first Concerts in the Park of the year. The evening was spent with great friends, family and a full evening of phenomenal musical performances.

I could hear I'm Dirty Too playing from a block away before arriving at Cesar Chavez Plaza. I hurriedly made my way to the park entrance on 10th and I streets. My hurry was to no avail as I had to wait in a long line for 15 minutes for security to check everyone coming in.

Once inside I noticed a thirst had been built up so I got in line to purchase some drink tickets. After a short wait in line I got a drink and walked around the park.

Several food trucks and specialty food stations lined the park near 9th and J streets. Like last year Cesar Chavez Plaza had a large crowd that grew by the minute as the evening progressed.

Besides the many food trucks the Gypsy truck, a boutique on wheels, had many outfits and accessories available for buyers. The Gypsy mobile boutique is a black truck that's easily recognizable and participates at many events. Visit the boutique at Concerts in the Park or at their one year Gypsy celebration being held on Saturday, May 18 at the Truck Farm located at C Street between 14th and 15th.

As I walked around the park I could hear Zac Brown playing the guitar as he sang some tunes from their The Downhill Dive CD while Jess Gowrie delivered a raw and energetic beat on the drums. The Sacramento duo also perform with other bands but on Friday night they played as I’m Dirty Too and opened the second week of Concerts in the Park.

Dogfood, who played CIP last year returned to deliver another outstanding performance. Skyler Michael, Matt Harris and J.T. Reed brought a healthy doze of high energy to the stage playing original and cover songs. I particularly enjoyed their rendition of “Miss You” by the Rolling Stones.

Bad boy and often misunderstood Jonny Craig was joined on stage by Blake Abbe y, James Cavern, Jessie Brune and Zack Kampf. Craig's soulful voice continues to amaze and the crowd was treated to a great set.

The former Dance Gavin Dance singer also just recently released a video for his “The Lives We Live” single. Craig, after rehab (in 2012), appears to have a better outlook, looked very relaxed and treated the CIP crowd with his soulful lyrics and vocal range.

Craig's Tweeter account (@jonnycraig4L) has a profile note that summarizes his current state that says, “I am more insane sober than i ever was fucked up and i just found out for the first time in 27 years... im not black..”

Returning from last year and headlining the second CIP of the year was Middle Class Rut.

Once they took the stage there was no denying they're a good party band. What other band have you ever seen that brings their own keg to the stage?

Well the keg actually served as a drum as Zack Lopez and Sean Stockham were supported by some amazing backup players.

By the time MC Rut came on stage the park was packed. Fans of all ages made their way toward the front of the stage as MC Rut's music made the crowd jump up and down, dance and shout in approval.

MC Rut will be on tour across the country and will also be playing in London. The boys have been pretty busy and recently released a video “Aunt Betty” that's on their Pick Up Your Head album to be released on June 25. The video is a bit messed up but looks like they had fun making it.

CIP continues to be a great showcase for local artists. Come out every Friday from now until July 26 (except July 5) to catch your local favorites play at Cesar Chavez Plaza. This year's schedule features returning bands and DJs. The lineup for Friday, May 17 features DJ Whores, Live Manikins, Rasar, Syncro and Arden Park Roots.

Editor's Note: Ride RT to Concerts in the Park by jumping off at the stop on I and 9th streets. Sacramento Regional Transit supports The Sacramento Press and local journalism.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Film Review: Trek darkness shines

2013-05-17T05:12:31Z

“Star Trek: Into Darkness” film review by Gary Chew

Maintaining linkage with itself has to be one of the underlying secrets of success for the durable “Star Trek” franchise. The linkage with all the star trekking from its outset when Gene Roddenberry got the space fable launched in 1966 to the very motion picture that's just been released (“Star Trek: Into Darkness”) makes it clear its genesis was in broadcast television.

The Trek characters continue, even if they are now younger and played by others who, in many instances, weren't yet born when the series began. At present, we remain in the prequel mode of this enduring future of which Jim Kirk and Mr. Spock --- as well as the rest of the star ship Enterprise crew --- serve well the importance of justice, loyalty and honor whether it be in deep space or on a dusty street in a lonesome, desert town with two hombres facing-off with six shooters instead of phasers.

Since we're talking sci-fi, the connections made forward and backward in time are more easily, yet cleverly employed to keep “Star Trek” up to at least Warp speed. (That, in spite of the fact that “Into Darkness” introduces a new space ship that makes the Enterprise look like a toy and can go faster than the Enterprise in all its “warpiness.” Wow!

Director J. J. Abrams gives us more of Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock. The other, long-running likeable, familiar characters are also well cast. Most of the fresh Trek faces resemble the Shatners and Nimoys, etc., from those thrilling star dates of yesteryear --- thus keeping many talented people in the movie business employed and all the world's beloved Trekkies stoked, entertained and full of popcorn.

Yet another role is added to this 2013 “Star Trek.” that shows up as the character's younger self; I won't spoil you with the specifics. What's fun watching this new adventure is that (thanks to the conceit of time travel) scriptwriters Robert Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof have drawn from an earlier “Star Trek” and reversed characters' lines in scenes that stage similarly to the other film. For example: what Kirk says to Spock in one movie is, almost word for word, the same thing that Spock say to Kirk in the other “Star Trek.” It's another savvy feat to keep veteran Trekkies on board with the new, younger actors, while giving new fans a nice, big, fat sci-fi story to enjoy. After seeing it, the latter day fan can watch the older “Star Trek” and join in on the neat knowledge about what's been flip-flopped in the scriptwriting.

By the way, it's difficult to write about all this without spoiling it for the old Trekkies or the new Trekkies.

Shouts outs for the new film again go to Pine and Quinto. Other significant performances come from Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Weller and Bruce Greenwood.

Since seeing the new film, I've watched the earlier “Star Trek” feature that connects most to the new release; and in all candor I must say that this latest edition makes the older film look like a slow freight chugging into the Neutral Zone. Although occasional “down screen” blurry, unfocused items in some scenes are a slight annoyance, you have no choice but to watch fast with deep interest while viewing “Into Darkness.”

Unlike my old Trekkie friend, Mike Lazar of Sacramento, I haven't watched every “Star Trek” TV episode or, for that matter, all the feature films; but “Into Darkness,” bests the bunch I've seen, which includes the 2009 debut of Pine and Quinto. I award the new “Star Trek” 3 point 5 stars … and for myself, 5 stars for figuring out a way to tell you all you really need to know about this stunningly visual 3-D movie with nary spoiler.

Intern on the Street: Paintbrush in one hand, cocktail in the other

2013-05-16T21:55:58Z

I felt a little out of my element when I entered the fancier-than-I’m-used-to Piatti Ristorante in Fair Oaks Monday night. Being a poor college kid 250 miles from home and immediate family, the opportunity to experience the finer things in life does not come around very often. But something else had brought me to this restaurant other than the cuisine and luxurious ambiance.

It was Sip and Paint night.

I’ve recently taken up painting in my free time as an escape from the various stress-inducing deadlines of my senior year at Sacramento State. I’m also twenty-one, so the combination of cocktails and painting seemed to suit me pretty well. I decided to step out of the cave that is my apartment into the bright spring sunlight, and try to meet some people.

Aimee Rebmann – a wonderful lady who is composed of sunshine and enthusiasm – started her business, Creative Juices, almost two years ago. Now she instructs a wide range of ages, from children learning their primary colors to adults just looking for a fun hobby, on how to release their inner artists.

According to Rebmann, she once asked a young boy in her class what he had learned about art. “I learned that no one can make art like me,” he stated matter-of-factly. Moved by the young boy’s words, she felt confident that teaching art was her passion in life.

As the 6:00 p.m. start time drew near, I started to worry that this was not the most appropriate event for a college student. I was the youngest student by at least 20 years, and I was beginning to feel a little out of place. Then coincidence reared its (enormous) head, when the mother and daughter pair at my table struck up a conversation with me. We soon realized that our families came from the small town, Shafter, in Southern California. A friend of the two women, also at our table, had roots just a few miles north.

Introductions had been made, and drinks had been ordered. We were each given a small, workable canvas with a minimal outline sketch of the scene we would be painting that night, a beach sunset with palm trees. Rebmann gave each of us a plate with various acrylic paint puddles and four paintbrushes. The painting and sipping began.

The lesson was soothing, but pulsated with energy (probably fueled in small part by the booze). Throughout the entire instruction, Rebmann kept a nice pace and often walked around the room to see how everyone was progressing. She offered tips that I found extremely helpful, like how to mix paint colors on the canvas instead of on the palette, and the other students in the class could not stop gushing about how much fun they were having. Four hours (that felt like 30 minutes) later, our masterpieces were complete.

My initial reservations regarding my age could not have been more wrong. I never knew I could have so much fun with a group of ladies across the generational divide. I left the restaurant that night having made priceless connections with some great Sacramento natives, a couple of whom had roots in the same tiny city that I do.

Most of my classmates had never picked up a paintbrush before, or hadn’t done so in many years. Even I, with a small amount of painting experience, was able to learn a lot from Rebmann’s instructions. This type of atmosphere would be perfect for a couple’s first date, too, since there was no opportunity for awkward lulls in conversation.

Rebmann partners with various restaurants to host her lessons approximately eight times a month. She charges a $45 fee to attend her Sip and Paint events, and the instruction is well worth the cost, in my opinion. She provides the canvas, all the paint you need, brushes, and a priceless lesson on how to paint a masterpiece. Since the events are held in restaurants, food and drink are readily available for ordering, though not included in the ticket price. Rebmann also offers private events and discounts on groups with over 20 members.

You can register for the events through Rebmann’s Creative Juices website on the Calendar page. My experience with Sip and Paint was definitely a night to remember, and I’m very excited to go again in the future.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Sacramento Old City Association forum on McKinley Village development

2013-05-16T19:28:26Z

The Sacramento Old City Association is organizing a public forum on Mckinley Village on June 8 at the Midtown Village Cafe. The Sacramento Press will be live streaming and blogging the event. To get emailed when the action kicks off, register here:

I sent SOCA Chair (and Sac Press Elite Contributor and all-star commenter) William Burg a few questions about the event and its goals. His response are below.

SP: Why did SOCA decide to do a forum on McKinley Village?
WB: Our mission statement is based on achieving balanced and harmonious relationships among residential, commercial and employment uses. Change happens whether we like it or not, but engaged citizens can direct change in positive ways. SOCA was involved with citywide planning and development issues many times over its 41 year history, including the original "Centrage" plan, a fight led by a young attorney and neighborhood activist named Steve Cohn. This forum about McKinley Village is a return to an old issue, within the context of a new generation.

SP: What do you hope to accomplish?
WB: To date, the two meetings held by the developer with community groups were separate, with central city groups in one meeting and East Sacramento groups in another. The Preservation Roundtable is a public forum, intended to educate and engage the wider community, and hopefully form a broader consensus. Communication between stakeholders encourages consensus through mutual understanding--between the developer and the neighborhoods, but also between the two neighborhoods, and with city government.

SP: There as been heated conversation about the development in the articles we've published so far. How can do you plan to keep the forum civil and informative?
WB: The developers involved with this project are not outsiders, they are our neighbors, with an office on 30th Street right where Midtown and East Sacramento connect. This is a forum, not just a one-sided presentation. If all participants feel empowered and comfortable, more civil discussion is likelier to occur. A forum is about debate, and differences of opinion will most certainly exist. But a forum where parties can address each other as equals and neighbors, rather than a top-down approach or from a position of anonymity, encourages civility through mutual understanding.

The Roundtable is held at Midtown Village Cafe, a neighborhood coffee shop. The cafe setting promotes informal conversation during the breaks, and that informality helps break down barriers. Instead of simply being a speaker on a podium, separate from the audience, that speaker becomes just another neighbor you're talking with over a cup of coffee.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Sacramento Antique Faire's psychedelic friend [sponsored]

2013-05-15T22:55:48Z

Oakland native John Favors has been selling antiques at the Sacramento Antique Faire since its grand opening in 2005. Many vendors, fair-goers, and friends refer to him as the “hippie jewelry guy,” because of his wild past and findings.

His booth captures the radical period of the late 60’s with protest-biker jewelry, reminiscent of props seen in the cult classic “Easy Rider.” His collection of paintings are also rich with depictions of psychedelic landscapes and beatnik culture.

Favors, 61, hitchhiked to Oregon during the early seventies to become a Christian hippie pastor. He did that for 10 years and it was then that he noticed a knack for finding and selling random jewelry he found in Oregon, especially within the folk and hippie culture that was blooming at the time.

“I dealt in things that people didn’t appreciate,” Favors said. “I found a bracelet back then for a quarter and ended up selling it for 200 dollars.”

Favors went back and forth between Oregon and California in a 1955 Dodge van with no floorboards, picking and selling things to make a living.

After retiring as a pastor, he got into liquidating homes, helping homeowners dispose or redistribute items in their house by selling them. Favors eventually starting his own liquidation business which he continues to run today. He’s currently liquidating a 100-year-old house that he says is filled with antiques and odd knick-knacks, which for Favors, is like finding treasure.

Favors has always gravitated toward folk and hippie art. His various findings can be found at his booth, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” a title adopted from a classic 70’s spaghetti western.

But Favor’s findings aren't just limited to 60’s counter-culture, he has sold a wide range of folk art as well, like a bronze statue from 1400’s Japan of a leopard eating an alligator, a 200-year old carved head from Japan and a wood statue carved by a street artist in Oakland.

The Sacramento Antique Faire is Favors’ favorite spot, and he makes the trek from Oakland to Sacramento religiously.

“It’s not like some other fairs which are so massive in size that people get tired just walking around,” Favors said. “ When I bring my stuff here every second Saturday, people will come back and decide whether they want to make that final decision to purchase something, rather than getting lost browsing.”

Favors’ dedication to the faire since day one is mainly because of his respect for marketplace director, Marylon Rose.

“She really treats her dealers incredibly. She works it and I like to support people who work hard,” he said. “She’s got to make everyone happy and she does it in such a pleasant way.”

To see some of Favor’s radical finds, check out his booth every second Saturday at the Sacramento Antique Faire.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post from an advertising partner of The Sacramento Press. Interested in getting a sponsored event on The Sac Press? Email advertising@sacramentopress.com

PAC-12 rowers to compete this Sunday [sponsored]

2013-05-15T22:42:25Z

Top rowers from around the United States will be competing in the Pac-12 Rowing Championships to be held at the Sac State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma this Sunday, May 19th.

The championship will host top student athletes from around the country, most of whom practice twice per day. Last year five Pac-12 teams made it to the NCAA championships, a number the conference is hoping to exceed this year.

The men representing the Washington Huskies, ranked number one in a U.S. Rowing Coaches Association (USRC) poll, will be defending their title for the fourth consecutive year. Hot on their heels are the Stanford Cardinals and California Golden Bears, ranked four and and six, respectively.

For the women, it’s our own California Golden Bears, currently ranked second, looking to reclaim their Pac-12 crown for the fifth year in a row. They’re biggest competitor will be the top-tier USC Trojans, ranked number one this year.

More information on the competing teams can be found on the Pac-12 website. Need to brush up on your lingo? Listen to a breakdown of terms from the coaches themselves here.

The competition kicks off at 9 a.m., and parking can be found at Nimbus Flat State Park for $10. Sacramento’s own Belly Boys will also be playing live at the event.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: this is a sponsored post from an advertising partner of The Sacramento Press. Interested in getting a sponsored event on The Sac Press? Email advertising@sacramentopress.com

Pet of the Week- Poppy

2013-05-15T21:51:59Z

Little Poppy wants to sit in your lap!

Great little dog (who just went on a mobile adoption event and did GREAT!) He is a three-year-old Chihuahua.

He enjoys being held or curled up in your lap; Also enjoys car rides and walks.

Poppy came from a home that kept him outside and he barked when he was ignored. His ideal home will keep him in the house with another dog and some entertainment! He loves people and would prefer to be around them.

Adoption Fee: $100 (Includes spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip and license)

Sacramento SPCA
6201 Florin Perkins Rd
Sacramento, CA 95828

Créateur designs, hair and makeup

2013-05-15T19:23:55Z

This month's Second Saturday Art Walk in Midtown included a Créateur Hair and Fashion press party show at Hot Italian.

The fashion affair was a mixer to present the work of fashion, hair and makeup artists Yennie Zhou, Nikki Tran and Ling Chan. The mixer also served to introduce the upcoming May 18 Créateur Hair and Fashion Show.

Two models wearing Zhou's designs showcased not only her designs but also the artistry of the “Nikki+Ling” collaboration. The pairing will be featuring futuristic designs, fantasy hair and makeup at Friday's fashion show.

Several representatives, designers and photographers from Sacramento Fashion Week attended the mixer. A video showing the much anticipated, and recently released, 2013 Sacramento Fashion Show on DVD played in the background.

At the event, Duane Ram, representing DMR Productions shared that designer Saul Latvanen might be featuring his men's collection at the event. That information was confirmed on Monday.

The Créateur Hair and Fashion show will be held at the Marriott Courtyard located at 1782 Tribute Road. The event will include a fashion show and a fantasy hair and makeup quick demo. Designers will also be available for a meet and greet where guests will have the unique opportunity to learn more about the hair, makeup and fashion designers.

Tickets are still available for the May 18 event but are expected to sell out. Log on to the Créateur Hair and Fashion Show for further details.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Live chat with the writer of 'I hate Sacramento'

2013-05-15T18:03:46Z

Our editor Jared Goyette will be sitting down with Thomas Dodson at Bows and Arrows on Wednesday afternoon, May 19, for a live chat.

Dodson recently posted an op-ed professing his love for our city, telling the haters to either get proactive or move on.

Our readers weighed in onsite and via twitter.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

RCI: McKinley Village will complement surrounding neighborhoods, add to city

2013-05-15T16:07:37Z

Update: The Sacramento Old City Association is organizing a public forum on Mckinley Village for June 8 at the Midtown Village Cafe. The Sacramento Press is an official sponsor and will will be live streaming and blogging the event.

After Midtown and East Sacramento neighborhood associations have expressed concerns about the McKinley Village project proposed for vacant land near Sutter’s Landing Park, developer Riverview Capital Investments pushed back in a recent interview. They made their case for what they see as a "21 Century Urban Village" that will provide the city with much needed urban infill development while fitting in well with surrounding area.

"I feel like we're honoring the amenities and the feel of the adjacent neighborhoods," said Jan Burch, vice president with the Placemaking Group, who is working as a consultant for RCI. "We love (the neighborhoods), we think they're great and we think our project fits right into that and compliments it."

The 328-home, $130 million development is planned for a 48-acre lot of grassy, empty land that is bordered by the railroad and Business 80. The city’s former landfill, Sutter's Landing Park, sits across the freeway to the north, while East Sacramento and McKinley Park are to the south. RCI is owned by well-kown developer and former politico Phil Angelides.

We featured the plans for for McKinley Village in February, and the East Sacramento Preservation Committee followed with a critical op-ed in March. We also sent a reporter to a meeting of the Marshall Park Neighborhood association this month, which was largely opposed to the project.

An important journalist note on balance: Since we documented the opposition in Midtown in our last post, what follows here is the developer’s response to many of the questioned raised. It draws from interviews with RCI staff and a Frequently Asked Questions sheet and a brochure RCI have been distributing in the community. We will continue to cover both sides of the story as it progresses. Next up is a public forum on the develpment being put on by the Sacramento Old City Association on Saturday morning, June 8 at Midtown Village Cafe - we'll post the details as soon as they are available.

TRAFFIC

At the Midtown community meeting, some residents were worried that the additional homes would cause traffic congestion in their neighbor – a concern that was also voiced in East Sacramento.

Norris said that the plans has been scaled back since the development was first proposed in 2006, which means the traffic impact should also be lower.

The current plans have 15 69 fewer units that the 2006 proposal and other items included in the last proposal – a church, pre-school and stores – have all been left out.

A traffic study RCI commissioned in 2006 estimated that the development would generate 5,300 car trips, and RCI expects that will be reduced to about 3,100, which will split between a Midtown entrance on A and 28th Street and the East Sacramento entrance at Elvas Avenue.

In 2006 the city called for minor adjustments to mitigate meditate for the extra traffic (the elimination of some on street parking and a turning lane on Alhambra), and Norris expects there will be less required this time around. RCI will work with neighborhood if any issues do arise.

"If there is an impact, we're willing to work with folks in the area,” she said.

School District

Some Midtown residents questioned what school district children from McKinley Village would attend, as it is within Twin Rivers School District but much closer to Sac City Unified Schools ( only four blocks from Theodore Judah Elementary School and only seven blocks from Sutter Middle School).
.
While residents could apply for district transfers, any money from developer fees or taxes would go to Twin Rivers.

Norris said that Riverview believes it makes more practical sense for the development to be part of Sac City Unified. For that to occur, the boards of both districts would have to agree. Riverview has contacted the districts and is preparing to present to the Twin Rivers school board, though an exact date has yet to be set.

Flooding

Another issue raised by the Marshall Park Neighborhood Association was flooding. On this note, Norris pointed out that the steep hill running along the southern side of the site is not a levee (as some had suggested), but a berm, or a raised hill built for a railroad track. The development itself is protected by the same levees that protect East Sacramento and Midtown.

There will be floodgates that cut off the two entrance and exit points on either side of the berm, allowing it to serve as makeshift levee in the (extremely unlikely but still scary) event that the levees fail.

Type of homes

The 328-homes in the development will all be single family and two stories, and are expected to sell from $300,000 to $600,000 plus range.

Renderings are still in the works, but Norris said they are looking at tudor, craftsman and mediterranean styles. They are studying the architecture of nearby neighborhoods for inspiration.

"We're going around and looking at the surrounding homes," she said. "We really want them to fit in."

According to the RCI’s FAQ sheet, homes will range in size from approximately 1,250 square feet with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms to approximately 2,500 square feet with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Some of the homes will feature an option for second units, and others will have a master bedroom on the ground floor, which should appeal to elderly or disabled homeowners.

The question sheet also indicates that, “Homes with front porches and strong entries will face the street
and common greens, with garages either set back off the street or facing allies or interior courtyard.”

Green space, bikes, acxes

McKinley Village will include 2.9 acres of park land, which will require that RCI pay maintenance fees to the Park and Recreation Department. There will be over 2,000 trees and an additional 3.26 arches of common green space.

McKinley Village Illustrative

A bike-pedestrian tunnel will give residents bike access to Sutter’s Landing Park, the American River Bike Trail and Midtown. A ten-foot wide sidewalk, meant for bicyclists and pedestrians, extends throughout the development, and there is bike access to McKinley Park via an undercrossing of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

“A huge part of the lifestyle for this part of town is walking, biking and jogging – being outside,” Burch said. “I think this development, with all the accesses, encourages that.”

Infill development

Burch also says the project is an example of the type of urban infill development that many urbanists support. ~~and many grid residents support~~ . Better to build in the city where people are close to their work, the logic goes, rather than to continue to expand the suburbs.

“You're not commuting for long trips on freeways - you can live within a mile of where you work, so you can ride your bike, take public transportation, or use your car and take two minutes, “ Burch said. “You can walk to the store, get to know everyone in the neighborhood. It's a way of life.”

Across the country, urban development can be difficult to pull off because of neighborhood opposition, particularly near established and well-off areas, a trend documented by Reuters columnist Felix Salmon in a recent blog post on the opposition to New York City’s bike share program and why the nation's population density is in decline. In that sense, McKinley Village’s asset - it’s proximity to well-off and attractive urban neighborhoods - is also its biggest challenge, and one of the primary reasons the site has never been developed. But, with the economy on the rebound, and central city real estate the most valuable in the region, RCI obviously decided it worth the trouble to try again. Time will tell whether their luck is better in 2013 than it was in 2006.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

4th Annual Vida de Oro Folk Art Festival

2013-05-15T06:45:41Z

Families enjoyed a Mother's Day celebration at the 4th Annual Vida de Oro Folk Art Festival. The festival was held at the Good: Street Food + Design Market building located at 1409 Del Paso Blvd.

Vida de Oro (which means “golden life”) was a free, family-friendly event held Saturday, May 11. This was the first year that the event was held at this venue.

Artists, vendors and performers were on hand to help celebrate the event.

The Good warehouse building has a high ceiling, and for most of the day it helped keep things somewhat cool, bringing relief from the hot weather. Delicious food and drinks were sold at the back of the building, providing a picnic-type setting.

Vendors and artists offered merchandise suitable for collection, and visitors looking for a Mother's Day present had many delightful choices.

Children watched performances and participated in hands-on activities. Angela James had a table to sell handmade musical instruments used by her Fenix Drum and Dance Company. James also provided craft materials for children to create their own artwork.

Artist Rob-O had a couple tables set up for guests who wanted to create their own sugar skulls, enhancing the market experience for both young and old. Many of Rob-O's creations were in the same area, giving art collectors the opportunity to purchase his renowned traditional Dia de los Muertos art.

Two other well-known artists had tables next to each other. Both artists shared their art experience with guests. Felipe Dávalos, an artist and author whose work has been published by National Geographic, sat next to Juanishi V. Orosco, one of the founders of the Royal Chicano Air Force, aka Rebel Chicano Art Front.

Both internationally known artists remain busy. Dávalos has spent the past 15 years living in Sacramento. Orosco has spent most of his life in Sacramento and continues to create bigger-than-life-size murals.

Most Sacramentans have seen Orosco’s work and yet don’t know it. His art, along with the work of other RCAF members, can be seen at the Southside Park amphitheater. If you ever walk from Old Sacramento to the Downtown Mall Plaza and take the tunnel that connects them, then you have seen his work. Orosco and the RCAF created the colorful mural that lines the tunnel. When you exit the connecting tunnel, you’ll see other Orosco murals on the plaza walls.

Orosco shared that he became interested in art at an early age. “I remember when I was around 10 years old, my older brother used to draw cartoons and I wanted to draw like him. I would practice and practice until one day I was as good as he was,” said Orosco. His love for art continued, and he made it a life goal to learn as much as he could about art and artists. His influences include Diego Rivera, Michelangelo, Dali and others.

Orosco takes pride in his work and his face shows that as he speaks about his murals and growing up in the Sacramento area. Other murals he's created appear up and down the Western United States, from San Diego, to Idaho, to California and to a new project in Oregon. When asked what keeps him going he quickly and enthusiastically answered, “Murals!”

Since 1969 the RCAF art collective and Orosco have been a part of the Sacramento art scene and it's great to see artists as committed to their trade as he is. “I'm not as young as I once was but creating murals makes me feel young,” said Orosco.

Other artists and performers scheduled to attend included photographer Frederick Romero and Gillermina “Mina” Perez.

Performances during the event included dancers from the Miktlantekuhtli Azteca Dance Troupe, Ballet Folklórico de Beamer, Cheyenne Danner, Summer Lynn, Folklórico Latino de Woodland and the Yemaya Dance Troupe.

Other performers included trick roper, whip master and Vida de Oro Festival Promotions Director James Barrera. I have seen Barrera's rope and whip tricks at other venues, including the World Music Festival and Festival de la Familia.

Singers Arieana and Pete Vidales, Carlos Lastra, Rose and Cecelia Marin, and Melissa Cobian rounded off the wonderfully entertaining performances.

The festival allowed local artisans and performers from the Del Paso area the opportunity to showcase their work and show what's available in the community. The festival also gave out-of-town artists, performers and vendors the opportunity to feature their talent.

Vida de Oro, a nonprofit arts and publishing organization, put together a well-rounded event in this family-friendly venue. Festival founders Adrian and Mina Perez and Barrera continue to promote cultural arts and entertainment in Sacramento through events and their online publication.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Barton Gallery robbery suspect in custody, police need your help

2013-05-15T06:20:09Z

UPDATE - On May 15, 2013, Knecht was charged with two additional counts of burglary. Detectives recovered additional stolen property from Knecht’s home taken during two separate burglaries to the same location. The Burglaries were to a closed business in the 800 block of 57th Street that occurred on May 4, 2013 and May 8, 2013 in the early morning hours. Most all property was recovered.

Burglary Suspect Caught

The Sacramento Police Department has arrested 43-year-old Gregory Knecht for multiple counts of burglary to businesses in a specific area of Sacramento.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at 4:28 p.m., Sacramento Police detectives executed a search warrant at Knecht’s residence on the 1500 block of J Street. During the search of the suspect’s home, stolen property from multiple burglaries was recovered.

Detectives believe Knecht is responsible for at least four burglaries to businesses that have occurred between May 4, 2013 and May 10, 2013 in the following areas:

On May 4, 2013 at approximately 10:28 p.m., 1800 block of J Street
On May 6, 2013 at approximately 2:11 a.m., 1700 block of I Street
On May 8, 2013 at approximately 1:50 a.m., 1700 block of I Street
On May 10, 2013 at approximately 11:39 p.m., 1700 block of I Street

This continues to be an active and ongoing investigation. Detectives believe Knecht is possibly related to additional burglaries that have occurred in the area.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact the dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Disclosure: This is a direct repost from the SacPD press release.

Cast & Crew Call - Make a Movie This Summer - 14th "Place Called Sacramento" Film Project

2013-05-15T05:11:11Z

For the 14th year, Access Sacramento launches “A Place Called Sacramento” (PCS), a scriptwriting and short film production project for local writers and producers. PCS challenges local scriptwriters to write ten-minute scripts about the people, places, and events that make our community such a unique place to live (entry guidelines on-line at www.AccessSacramento.org). The PCS production format is unique to Sacramento. All PCS scripts entered are reviewed by local professionals and ten are selected. All ages are welcomed to get involved - both experienced filmmakers and newbies are welcome to attend.

These ten scriptwriter/producers are introduced to actors and production teams at The PCS “Cast and Crew Call” Wednesday, May 22, 2013. Production teams are formed and production commences. The teams are formed at 6 PM in the "backyard" of the Coloma Community Center 4623 T Street. Bring pictures, background information, resumes, or just bring yourself and friends.

Finally, friends gather at the 1:00 PM World Premiere to a packed house at the CREST Theatre on Sunday, October 6, 2013. To view the films completed for the 2012 & previous PCS film festivals, go to the web site www.AccessSacramento.org or www.AccessLocal.tv

In the thirteen years of PCS, 129 short films have been created. Access Sacramento is a nonprofit, using community media tools and training, to improve local communications in Sacramento County. With our television studio, radio and television production equipment, media lab, mobile production truck, and other gear, we train volunteers and share their work on cable radio and television channels 17 & 18.

2013 TIMELINE FOR PCS EVENTS AND DEADLINES

PCS Script Writing Deadline & Judging… April 15 - May 17
Cast and Crew Call… Wednesday May 22 (6:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
Join hundreds of interested cast and crewmembers to meet the ten screenwriters and hear their stories. You can help make a movie this summer! Actors present create a PCS “audition tape”.
2013 PCS World Premiere… Sunday October 6, 2013 (1:00 PM)
All completed films premiere on the Big Screen at the Crest. Invite your family, friends and strangers you want to impress… a great show about a great place called - Sacramento!

CONTACT: Ron Cooper, Executive Director
Access Sacramento
4623 T Street, Suite A
Sacramento, CA. 95819
(916) 456-8600 #112
www.AccessSacramento.org

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Ron Cooper, Executive Director of Access Sacramento

Attempted Abduction- Police seek your help

2013-05-15T04:42:05Z

Help Us Identify

The Sacramento Police Department is seeking the community's assistance in identifying a suspect.

On Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at 3:55 p.m., an eleven-year-old female was walking in the area of Honor Parkway and Bill Bean Circle when she was approached by a black SUV. The unknown driver pulled to the side of the road, stepped out of his vehicle, and told her to get in. The child ran off and later reported the incident to her family. The suspect is described as a black male in his 20s with dark blue eyes and long black hair.

Officers responded and checked the area, canvased for witnesses and searched for potential video surveillance footage.

Felony Assault Investigators were assigned to the case and have been working with the victim and her family. A Sacramento Police Department sketch artist worked with the eleven- year-old to create a composite of the suspect. (See attached)

The Sacramento Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department are in communication and are investigating two separate incidents to determine any possible connection.

The Sacramento Police Department is asking the community for any information regarding this incident and to also remind your children of a few important safety tips:

There is safety in numbers - avoid walking alone to and from school

Avoid short cuts - walk only in safe areas
Never go into a stranger's home or car
If approached or followed by a car, do not approach the car or speak to those inside - run and seek help
Remain alert to surroundings
Always report suspicious behavior

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this investigation to contact the Communications Center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Disclosure: This is a direct repost from the SacPD press release.

Tyler, the Creator, and Earl Sweatshirt coming to Ace of Spades

2013-05-15T03:29:55Z

This Friday I will be checking out Tyler, the Creator, and Earl Sweatshirt at Ace of Spades. These rappers come from the provocative Los Angeles hip-hop collective, Odd Future. Tyler works on music, artwork, and clothing designs for for the group, clearly defining the group’s “swag.” Check out "Rusty" by Tyler, the Creator, featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Domo Genesis performing on Late Night with David Letterman!

Tickets can be purchased online or at The Beat on J and 17th, Armadillo Music in Davis or any Dimple Records store in Sacramento. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to purchase your tickets early because this show may sell out and get excited to hear some dope beats at Ace of Spades!

Check out my Instagram: @torikobayashi for daily outfit inspirations and twitter: toraaae to hear more about the latest happenings in Sacramento!

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

CSER Quarterly Economic Report-Q1 2013

2013-05-14T23:59:13Z

The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) has released the Q1 2013 Quarterly Economic Report--supplied to you through SACTO's member benefits.

The Quarterly Economic Report provides an overview of the health and performance of the Sacramento Region's economy along with an update to the Sacramento Region Business Confidence Index, a collaborative project with the Sacramento Business Journal to measure business sentiment.

Previous editions of this report are available on the CSER website (strategiceconomicresearch.org).

FIRST QUARTER REPORT - April 2013

Click to view

Positive job growth in the Sacramento Region moved up again in the first quarter of 2013

The six-county Sacramento Region posted an uptick in annual job growth at the end of the first quarter of 2013. Preliminary data show that payroll employment at establishments in the Region increased by 1.7 percent between March 2012 and 2013, equating to a net gain of 14,200 jobs. Following a major rebound in economic performance which peaked in June 2012, job growth dropped off in the Region through December 2012. Since that point, job growth started moving up again, reaching levels slightly higher than at the same point in the previous year. At the end of the first quarter, regional job growth placed notably below the statewide average, but came in just above the national average. Four of the Sacramento Region’s five largest sectors posted positive annual job growth in March 2013. The Professional & Business Services sector saw the most robust growth at 6.7 percent—a large portion of the gains in this sector came from the temporary or job placement services component, but a notable share of jobs was also created through the professional services segment. The generally improving economic conditions coupled with rising consumer sentiment is reflected in the Trade, Transportation, & Utilities sector which grew by 3.7 percent in March 2013 and is dominated by retail trade activities. The Educational & Health Services sector posted positive annual job growth for the 28th straight month (1.7 percent in March 2013) due to continued expansion of health care activities. While the Leisure & Hospitality sector has maintained positive annual job growth for over two years, the rate of growth has varied substantially with volatility created by the inconsistent regional recovery, which is required to support the major restaurants and bars and entertainment components. The most recent data shows annual job growth in this sector moving back up to 1.5 percent. Sacramento’s largest sector, Government, has experienced consistent negative job growth for 46 straight months with the latest data showing an annual growth rate of -0.8 percent. Recent losses have primarily fallen within the local government segment. The public sector is hampering overall economic performance substantially with most of the Sacramento Region’s large private sector industries adding jobs at fairly healthy rates.

California posted 2.1 percent annual job growth in March 2013 with a net increase of 302,800 jobs. This rate of growth exceeded the national average and placed the state sixth among all states, falling behind North Dakota, Utah, Texas, Colorado, and Idaho. California’s job growth basically flattened out in June 2012 after showing consistent improvement since shifting back to positive territory in the summer of 2010. Job growth at the national level was slightly lower in March 2013 than at the same point in the previous year. The most recent data show that, nationally, the number of jobs on payrolls increased by 1.5 percent in the past year, reflecting an increase of nearly 2 million jobs. Two of Sacramento’s neighboring markets, the SF Bay Area and Solano, both outpaced the state and the nation in March 2013 with annual job growth of 2.9 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively. The SF Bay Area posted an annual increase of 82,900 jobs with the gains essentially split equally across the San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and East Bay sub-markets. The Solano market saw a gain of 3,300 jobs in the past 12 months. Stockton’s March 2013 annual job growth rate came in at the same level as the Sacramento Region, 1.7 percent, with a 3,200-job increase.

Annual Job Growth

Major Sector Annual Job Gains and Losses

Seven of the Sacramento Region's major sectors added jobs in the past year

Most of the major sectors in the Sacramento Region added jobs over the 12 months ending March 2013. Three of the Region’s largest sectors topped the list—Professional & Business Services; Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; and Educational & Health Services—posting a combined gain of 14,500 jobs (nearly 91 percent of the net private sector increase). Manufacturing and Leisure & Hospitality also posted annual gains in excess of 1,000 jobs each. The two sectors that were decimated by the housing downturn—Construction and Financial Activities—added 500 jobs each over the 12 months ending March 2013, demonstrating the early stages of recovery for Sacramento’s housing market. Only three sectors shed jobs in the past year including the large Government sector along with two of the smaller private sector industries, Other Services and Information. These three sectors posted a total annual decline of 4,400 jobs. With an overall net gain of 14,200 jobs, the Sacramento Region saw total Nonfarm employment reach 864,900 in March 2013. The Region is clearly beginning to make up some of the significant job losses it absorbed during the recession and is now tracking at year 2002 employment levels.

California also posted annual job losses in only three major sectors. Most of the losses occurred in the public sector, primarily in the local government component. Of note, the Manufacturing sector lost jobs statewide in the past 12 months, while the Sacramento Region saw a moderate gain in this sector. The small Mining & Logging sector also lost jobs on an annual basis in the state. The greatest annual gains were posted in California’s Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality sectors. The SF Bay Area saw the largest annual job increases in the Professional & Business Services sector while losses were confined to the Manufacturing; Other Services; and Government sectors. Only four sectors posted job gains between March 2012 and 2013 in the Stockton market with Trade, Transportation, & Utilities leading the pack. Three sectors lost jobs over the past year in Stockton including Educational & Health Services; Manufacturing; and Government. Job gains in the Solano market were dominated by the Construction and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities sectors while Government was the only sector to shed jobs in the past 12 months.

ABOUT CSER

The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) is an economic research and consulting group specializing in applied research and strategy development in the regional economics and economic development fields.

www.strategiceconomicresearch.org

CSER is grateful for the support of the Signature Underwriter, UC Davis Health System, and Supporting Underwriters of the Quarterly Report, Cushman & Wakefield, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Sacramento Works, Weintraub Tobin and Wells Fargo.

Disclosure: This story has been posted by Ryan Sharp, Director of the Center for Strategic Economic Research

NorCal AIDS Cycle opening and closing ceremonies show support for bicyclists

2013-05-14T23:55:10Z

The NorCal AIDS Cycle, a four-day, 330-mile bike ride, is being held this week in Sacramento and the surrounding areas. This excursion’s purpose is to raise funds and awareness for the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.

The opening and closing ceremonies are free and open to the public, and they provide an opportunity for the community to show their support for these athletes and their cause. Friends and supporters can send the 200-some riders off at 6:30 a.m. on May 16th at Folsom Lake’s Beals Point. The bicyclists will then depart on the circuitous, often challenging bike route through the foothills and valley. The closing ceremony will occur at the State Capitol after crossing Sacramento’s Tower Bridge at 11:30 a.m. on May 19th. Musical entertainment will be provided by Midway Marvels.

NorCal AIDS Cycle (NCAC) funds for the HIV community in the Greater Sacramento region, focusing on prevention methods. The funds raised through the bicyclists’ pledges will go to 11 non-profit HIV/AIDS service organizations in Northern California.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Pacific Rim Street Fest brings Asian culture, cuisine

2013-05-14T23:54:49Z

The streets of Old Sacramento will be soon be alive with Asian culture and cuisine. The Pacific Rim Street Fest is returning on May 19th for its 11th annual event.

The festival began in 1992 in response to restaurateur Frank Fat’s dream to celebrate the diversity and richness of the Asian Pacific community in Sacramento. This year’s festival theme is “Shoes of Asia and the Pacific.” Attendees will receive a punch card at the information booth which will be used in a shoe scavenger hunt. Pictures of various shoes will be hanging among the vendor booths, and guests can get their card punched after finding each shoe picture. Guests who find all ten shoes will be entered into a raffle.

Continuing with the shoe theme, a preview of a Macy’s footwear fashion show will be shown on stage at the Downtown Plaza at noon, and the show itself will be held at Macy’s at 1:00 p.m.

The four stages in the Downtown Plaza will host various acts throughout the day including martial arts demonstrations, a dance performance by KMA Filipino Cultural Dance, musical performances from the Davis Chinese School and Davis Korean School, and traditional drumming by Sacramento Taiko Dan. Some of the performers includ

Cultures represented at the festival include Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese, Hawaiian, Indian, and more. More than 100 vendor booths will feature authentic Asian food as well as a variety of arts and crafts.

The festival will be held in Old Sacramento and the Downtown Plaza on Sunday, May 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Yelp's 'Passport to East Sacramento' in full swing

2013-05-14T23:54:34Z

Yelp Sacramento is hosting a celebration highlighting the large variety of small businesses that call East Sacramento their home. Lasting from May 12th through May 19th, ‘Passport to East Sacramento’ offers several discounts and giveaways sponsored by local businesses.

The week-long event is free to attend, but guests must RSVP to the nighttime events through Yelp’s event site. Evening events are specially designed for the 21+ crowd and include free food and wine tasting. The following events are still available for RSVP.

Wednesday, May 15th, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary will host a parking lot soiree, featuring endless complimentary beers, free wine tastings, music, and the company of the furry-faced little guys. The $10 entry fee includes all of these activities, and 100 percent of proceeds go to Happy Tails.

Saturday, May 18th, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Yelp’s final event will feature a collaborative celebration of three businesses: SPARKLE, Krazy Mary’s, and Pink House. This event will offer complimentary drinks and food, a fashion show, wine tastings, massages from Rooted Massage, special discounts, music, and more. The three adjoining businesses will also be taking donations for Happy Tails at the door.

For the daytime crowd, various businesses in East Sacramento will be offering discounts, including free yoga classes, complimentary coffee with the purchase of coffee beans, and tons more deals. Anyone in attendance will receive these deals after “checking in” to the business via Yelp.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Crime Blotter- Sunday, May 12, 2013

2013-05-14T23:47:12Z

Sunday, May 12, 2013

ELMHURST- Disturbance, 6000 block of S Street, 5:50 p.m.
Officers were dispatched to a disturbance of two people in a parking lot and one was armed with a gun. The subject with the gun fled on foot and the other subject fled in a vehicle. Officers arrived in the area and contacted the subject the fled on foot. He was found to have a loaded gun and ammunition on his person. He was taken into custody and the second subject involved fled prior to police arrival. The second subject was later identified and contacted.

MIDTOWN- Disturbance, 30th Street/K Street, 10:36 p.m.
Employees of a business reported a subject disturbing customers. The subject was identified and found to be in possession of controlled substances and ultimately arrested. Paul Skapinok, 30, was booked into county jail.

MIDTOWN- Robbery, 2800 block of J Street, 1:27 a.m.
Victim was approached by four unknown subjects. The subjects assaulted the victim and went through his pockets taking his money and phone. The victim was also sprayed with pepper spray. The suspects were described as four men with one man wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and another wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt.

DOWNTOWN- Robbery, 4th Street/Capital Mall, 1915,
A victim just left an ATM and was heading to the bus station when he was robbed at knifepoint of his ID and money in his pocket. A report was taken of the incident and money from CARES program allowed him to get a ticket back to San Francisco.. Suspect was described as an 18-year-old black man with light skin and a goatee. He was wearing a white t-shirt, grey shorts, white hat and riding a red and white bike.

Disclosure: Crime blotter information is excerpted from the Sacramento Police Department Dailies.

Green school retrofit provides real-world lab for students at Grant Union High School

2013-05-14T23:04:21Z

AP Environmental Science students are exploring the gym at Grant Union High School--and they’re shooting lasers at the ceiling.

Handheld laser distance meters are just one of a few specialty tools Pacific Gas & Electric energy specialist Keith Smith is teaching the students to use. The lasers allow them to measure distance from each lighting fixture to the floor of the gym.

The class is taking baseline measurements as part of a larger project to make the gym at Grant High School dramatically brighter, thanks to a $10,000 Bright Ideas grant to the Twin Rivers Unified School District from the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

Greenwise Joint Venture and the U.C. Davis’ California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) pledged in-kind support for the project.

THE PROBLEM
Grant Union High School was built in 1932, and the current gym (rebuilt after a fire in 1969) is now nearly 40 years old. The environmental science students were horrified to learn the switch used to turn the lights on and off is controlled by a key… and the key was lost years ago, which means that lights have been left running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

A U.C. Berkeley study warns that 73 percent of California schools are more than 25 years old, and they are starting to fall apart (California’s K-12 Educational Infrastructure Investments). Retrofitting these facilities could make a significant dent in maintenance and utility costs as well as in the greenhouse gas emissions produced by aging structures.

With help from Smith, and Twin Rivers Unified Facilities Manager Tim Bonds, students evaluated the school’s utility bills and calculated the average cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to keep the lights on. Students estimate that lighting in just the gym alone costs the school district $14,000 each year.

THE SOLUTION
Lighting retrofits provide a great opportunity for schools to cut costs. Lighting represents approximately 20 percent of electricity use in a K-12 facility and typically does not require major structural changes to buildings.

The CLTC is helping the District evaluate and select new lighting technology for the gym. Over the summer the District will install the lighting; when students return to class in the fall, they should notice a lighter, brighter gym.

A new group of AP environmental science students will be able to tell the school district just how much brighter. The fall class will measure the amount of light produced by new lighting technology and evaluate the retrofit’s impact on lighting quality, utility costs and the school’s carbon footprint.

“Monitoring and evaluating energy savings from the lighting retrofit provides a real-life learning laboratory,” said teacher Arron White. “I hope this encourages students to consider the possibilities of 21st century ‘green’ careers.”

Greenwise Joint Venture is helping the class develop a communications plan to educate and engage the Grant Union High School students, faculty and parents about energy efficiency. Students will present their findings to the Twin Rivers Unified School Board at the project’s end.

The District pledged to invest cost savings from this retrofit in other energy saving measures. With the student’s help, they will not only have a clear picture of these savings, but will have demonstrated the effectiveness of new low-energy lighting technologies in the Sacramento region.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Liz is the engagement organizer for Greenwise Joint Venture. With a background in communications, online technology and community organizing, she’s passionate about using her “nerd skills” to inspire engagement in green initiatives.

'A Day on the Farm' at Soil Born Farms

2013-05-14T20:05:52Z

On rich farmland along the American River and tucked next to Hagan Park is Soil Born Farms, the site of the fifth annual “Day on the Farm.” The May 19 event is billed as an opportunity to “Learn, Eat and Celebrate!” and will feature a fresh farm stand, cooking classes, farms tours, farm animals, plant sale, nature walks, live music, workshops, food, and arts and crafts.

At the event, participants can experience Soil Born Farms, which produces certified organic produce for local farm stands, restaurants and grocery stores. Soil Born Farms Urban Agriculture and Education Project was started in 2000 to connect urbanites with healthy, local food. Soil Born Farms also offers experiential farm, gardening and cooking education, and provides healthy food access programs for the community in partnership with schools and other agencies.

Native American flutist and Grammy Award winner Mary Youngblood is scheduled to perform at Day on the Farm. Local startup Nicolas'Garden will also launch its app for healthy eating at the event.

Day on the Farm is sponsored by the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op and will be held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Soil Born Farms. The farm is located at 2140 Chase Drive. Parking will be at Cordova High, Cordova Community Center and Hagan Park, though walking and bicycling are encouraged. Event admission is $5 or free for kids 2 years and under.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Opinion: 'Conversations with the wind,' or 'Bicycle Tourism'

2013-05-14T18:57:05Z

I am a bicycle commuter. And I'm kind of self-righteous about it. Meaning, when I get my fat ass up in the morning and I know it would be easier and (sometimes) faster for me to hop in my car and drive the 3 miles to work (and even park for free), but instead I get on that bicycle and pedal, I strongly perceive myself as doing the right thing – the best thing for myself and for my community. On top of providing much needed exercise, it increases pedestrian visibility (and interaction) while simultaneously decreasing single passenger vehicle traffic visibility (and noise, pollution, potential fatalities, etc.), related phenomena that I perceive as extremely important to the overall psychological and emotional health of our society, and wish would be given more credence in discussions of policy. More people should be riding bikes to work and other places, with their kids, with racks and saddle bags carrying stuff, and it upsets me when this reality doesn't come manifest, like, right now. I'm spitting mad that we have lazily allowed automobile dependence to make us less bikey! but you know what, I KNOW. I know that you live farther away from work than three miles, and I know that you have kids that I don't have and it's annoyingly time consuming and possibly stressful to worry about them on bikes, much less yourself. We've created convenience that we did not anticipate would eventually become the same unhealthy addiction that plagues us. I know. and so, I offer words of encouragement in the form of this rambling proselytization for the church of Bicycle Tourism.

We, three of us, landed in Joshua Tree National Park in the dark (indeed, driving a polluting honda, but a smaller newer one), and quickly set to sleep for morning embarkation. come morn, we strapped bags and tents on top of stuffed and heavy panniers, parked the car for the week, and off we went. I hit a wall after just ten miles. It was apparent that my piddly 6 miles a day in no way prepared me for such a thing as bicycle touring. I am a city cycler and I am out of shape. Pain and numbness came and went in my nether regions and in my hands. (note: Padding. need more padding at handgrips and/or gloves for long rides)

We rode that first day 65 miles all the way through the main road in the park. Painfully slow uphill climbs (breath, breath, one pedal at a time, keep the rhythm, choo choo. note: get new front gear cassette that has that third "granny" gear) gave way to frighteningly long and steep downhills (muscles tight, brakes constantly engaged, note: wear helmet... who am I kidding, I can't wear a helmet) and slowly, but surely, Joshua Tree made an impression on our senses as we cruised by at 17 miles per hour (35 down the hills!) The Mojave Desert's "indicator species" Joshua Trees dwindled into The Colorado Desert's warmer, lower elevation and the frosted Cholla and ganglilly attractive Cotillo as we descended into the valleys at the southern end of the park. I was happy to find that the cottonwood campground, although filled with the ever-present RVs of America's Adventurous Elderly (AAE), had an unoccupied group site right near the entrance, into which our exhaustion could collapse. Remote and now into nighttime, It was obvious that no group was coming, so we set up camp (and dug into one of several simple tasty meals I was grateful to my companions for always quickly preparing. dried refried beans, dried hummus, cheese, a stick of salami, nuts, snacks... we did good on the camping food). I indicated that we took the group site on the pay envelope, containing just the normal campsite amount, and slid it into the lockbox. This was the first of many minor transgressions (and accompanying exhaustion-exacerbated paranoia) we undertook in the course of our trip, our fears assuaged by the eventually obvious apathy or nonexistence of hypothetical authority figures. We camped half of our six nights on land in and around those desert cities that was not intended for camping. Although I suppose in the desert, one can meander miles into the nature and find a great spot for a tent and not be bothered, like, ever. The spaces between cacti and plants wide enough for a loaded bike, and the ground hard and flat enough to roll it on. (note: NEVER forget a patch kit and stick pump)

Day two put us 50 miles through the manmade freakish Salton Sea (aka Salton Sewer aka Salton Stink, desert agricultural return watershed hypernutritionalizes algal blooms in that already saline water, killing off the man-stocked masses of fish and even birds, all that detritus settling into the anaerobic bottom water which when surfaces, Pee Yew!) and on the S22 to lovely Borrego Springs (a bumpy road broken over time by heavy vehicles, towing ATVs of all sorts, out to myriad ATV dirt racecourses snaking through the compromised wilderness. Recreational Vehicling at it's Vroomiest.) All in all the sort of expansive wild west debauchery that made me reflect; on the one hand, we on our bikes were able to be out on our fun and fulfilling tour purely by the grace of the cement paths put there by the growth of the same human desert occupation and vehicular proliferation soring my senses. Pure hypocrisy for me to curse its existence. But on the other self-aggrandizing hand (shaking itself) we embraced our coolness (the only bicycle tourists we saw the entire time, not to be confused with the slews of colorfully spandexed old men on very expensive and lightweight bikes) and cynically wondered how many hundreds of years (the intellectual revolution hopefully gaining momentum by then), maybe just one or two, until gone will be the endangered Palm Canyon big horned sheep, and the rest of the complex and delicate desert ecosystems in that area, until we're down to that final parasitic human species that will putter around the wasteland in ATVs for a bit before finally retreating to the urban centers where it belongs (and where bioengineers will be working on newer and more drought resistant species, yay!)

We would have conversations whilst riding, the three of us, on lonelier stretches of road when we didn't have to fall into single file formation for cars to pass, or when the wider shoulders allowed. Bike Party! Sometimes, I would turn back to my pedaling, and my instinct would be to increase my pace, and I would slowly pull away, the conversation of my companions fading into what I whimsically regarded as my ongoing, mostly one-sided conversation with the wind. You see, one can only have a conversation with the wind when they get up to the wind's speed. At walking paces, the wind's a stranger, except in those unreliable instances when the wind really wants to be heard and gets loud enough for the slow to listen. In a car, one must contend with the road noise and the engine noise, but the wind, she talks there, sure. But it's really on a bike, at wind speed, when you shove your face at her and she gets to talking, that you really get an earful, filling your mind with white noise and natural nonsense.

It was on that fourth day, wherein we rode a total of 70 miles, out of the ATV theme park and through the desert towns of Coachella Valley, that I really embraced what was happening (aside from RVs taking over the world!) I was feeling stronger from the couple days of exercise; When I started riding, my crotch and hands would numb after several miles, but it would be less severe, and easier to put out of mind. I'm not sure if my muscles were gaining strength and calluses, or if my mind was retraining nerves in anticipation of repetitive painful activity, but the riding was feeling easier. I would notice brief breaks for consuming food and water would replenish waning energy, and I would find moments when I felt like I could pedal forever. I realized there was something of a system to all this work, and so I give you my

Amateur Bicycle Tourist’s Rules of the Road:

1) KEEP RIDING. IT GETS EASIER. you WILL get to that destination, however far away, even if you have hours left to ride, and it already hurts and you just want to stop and cry and have a beer and a TV show. Even if you have to walk for a couple miles because it hurts that bad, go ahead and walk a bit, and then Keep Riding. In the long term, you keeping riding will just make every single time you get back on a bike more familiar and more fun and less like work. The pain will be lessened the stronger your bicycle muscles get, and that pain and numbness will be less each time and go away more quickly. I noticed I would hit a point each day, after pain had come and settled, and miles had passed, where I would feel like I had hit a stride, and I was letting my mind wander as I just pedaled and took in the views, and I no longer thought about the immediacy of what I was doing, or how many miles were left to our destination. I just existed in a pedaling state, and it was nice. I was free (and what exercise!) I think that might sum up the allure of long bicycle trips and long runs for people in that sort of shape; that moment where you are comfortable and your mind and body feel good, and you're still moving... you're a well-oiled machine in its preferred state.

2) LISTEN TO YOUR BODY AS YOU KEEP RIDING (except for the part that tells you stop because it hurts too much). Be mindful of caloric intake and hydration effecting your energy levels and mood. I know I live most of my life eating more calories than I burn off, not really doing too much continual exercise to warrant the eating, and sometimes I think I eat because it's mealtime or I’m bored and not because my body is sending me signals to intake nutrients. It's amazing how good salt and fat and water taste when your body needs those nutrients to continue working. I remember moments of numbing pain and wanting to quit as I slowly creaked up a hill, and then stopping to eat and drink, and then quickly feeling my body invigorate, energy improved, mood happy and optimistic.

3) DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE CARS, they will probably not hit you. Even the most blurry eyed and moronic driver will notice the bicycle mass on the shoulder, and hold fast to the instinct to drive over as much as possible to avoid hitting it. You can't escape the stress inherent in large vehicles zooming mere feet or inches past your pedaling meditation, any one of which could just graze you and send you toppling, or worse. But you must not freak out. A bicycle tourist will sometimes need to ride amongst town traffic or on skinny two lane roads with too many cars on them. So, just focus and keep your line. Give yourself enough shoulder, but not too much. You'll be fine. I recommend riding with a defensive confidence (which might sometimes feel like angry desperation; go with it).

4) KEEP RIDING. IT GETS EVEN EASIER. The day after arriving back home, I willingly, easily, and with only mild gluteal numbnation, rode the 20 miles from Broderick to Woodland for Yolo County jury duty. In contrast to the touring I had just done, this felt easy and fun, and much less like the work that this same trip would have been in previous times when I was not riding regularly. PS. when riding to Woodland, avoid the Google Maps directed Road 126 to 124 path (part of which, a gravel road), and just stay on the ample-shouldered albeit moderately trafficked main Old River Road. PPS. Sacramento, please do a corporate merger with West Sacramento so that we can inject some reason into the region and I can attend jury duty in the downtown near which I deliberately live.

A further bit of advice would be to upgrade your gear as you learn what you don't like about your current gear. I'll let you figure that out. pack layers, pack light. keep your tires inflated. padded seats are great, but I think it's safe to warn that an unfit tuchus will numb and hurt no matter what seat you're using, until, of course, you keep riding and get that area stronger. and some padded shorts.

We finished off the tour with another 47 miles in two days, 232 total, and then gladly hitched a lift the remaining 20 miles up a hellish hill back to the car. “We have paniers, you can trust us.” And then we were done. ate fast food on the way home. I’m trying to hold on to the memories of that majestic desert feeling, and those serene pedaling moments in between the workouts. I dreamed of the desert for a couple days after. But all things end, and here I am at home. at the screens. comfortable. and trying not only to keep up the commuting the six miles to work and back, but to also get myself out there on the bike more often, visible, on the shoulder, working those pedals like I don't care how far away my destination. Ride to the grocery store. Ride to the friend’s house. soon I’ll do the trail to folsom again. Must plan some more Bicycle Touring. And, maybe you can go do that too, eh? Come on. Ride your bike. Get a Bike. It only gets easier.

Disclosure: songwriter at bebraveboldrobot.com, and homeowner in Broderick, one mile and an entire county from our urban center – Just me, urging you to ride that bike more.

GODAI: Choral Music Summoning the Five Ancient Elements

2013-05-14T17:46:50Z

Celebrating its fifth anniversary season, the Vocal Art Ensemble of Davis summons a musical invocation of the Japanese Godai --
the “Five Great” elements that create our world: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Void.

Transcendent a capella singing, instrumentals and dance unleash one by one the solid and the fluid, the passionate and the wise, and the intangible energy that connects us all.

Welcoming back a rich roster of past guest artists, VAE forges powerhouse favorites with enticing new discoveries in a program shaped by characteristic depth of emotion and attention to detail.

Experience the tide of elemental forces expressed in music, dance, and poetry!

Friday, May 24, 2013 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
2620 Capitol Ave., Sacramento

Saturday, May 25, 2013 7:30pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis
27074 Patwin Rd., Davis

Sunday, May 26, 2013 4:00pm
Davis United Methodist Church
1620 Anderson Rd., Davis

Suggested donation: $6-20. For more information, please visit www.vae.trug.com .

Disclosure: Jeanine McElwain sings alto/mezzo with Vocal Art Ensemble and assists the group with concert publicity.

Hometown orchestrator Matt Castle happy to be part of STC's 'Princess' diary

2013-05-14T17:23:51Z

For Matt Castle, a New York-based jack of all musical trades whose work can currently be heard in Sacramento Theatre Company’s lauded world-premiere production of “A Little Princess” (extended through the evening of May 19), taking on the task of orchestrating Eric Rockwell’s score was a multi-layered labor of love.

Not only did it allow Castle, a Sacramento native now living in New York, the opportunity to participate in the gifting of his hometown with an original musical adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved novel, but it provided yet another project on which he and husband Frank Galgano could collaborate – further establishing the duo’s reputation as go-to guys for musical theater orchestrations.

“When Eric came to me and Frank, we were happy to be asked,” said Castle during a rehearsal break from his current gig as the musical director/pianist for the Fiasco Theatre production of “Into the Woods” at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, N.J. “It’s definitely a big deal for Sacramento Theatre Company to be creating a new musical. It’s a huge endeavor.”

“We talked with him and the other two authors (lyricist Margaret Rose and book writer William J. Brooke), discussed the space available, and once we had the choice of instruments set (harp, cello, clarinet/flute/piccolo, piano/synthesizer, percussion), we went to work.”

Castle said he likens the work he and Galgano accomplish to what one sees on “reveal-happy” reality shows. “You get the parameters from those in charge, and then you have to balance your work between utility and design and cost. It’s a wonderful process – it uses your whole brain.”

What followed were an exchange of ideas and digital files between Castle and Galgano, and the other members of the creative team that also included Sacramento Theatre Director Executive Producing Director Michael Laun, who oversaw Equity principal auditions in New York this past October. The 18-member cast – led by Jerry Lee, Josh Powell, Michael De Souza and Deborah Tranelli – first gathered for a read-through in February, with rehearsals starting in earnest a month later.

“We understood very well the style of Eric’s score, Margaret’s lyrics and William’s book,” Castle said. “Our primary challenge as orchestrators – and what we had no way f knowing – was the tone and style of the production itself. We hoped to orchestrate with a design that will last for the life of the show, something that fits with the play as written. We didn’t know Michael Laun’s work as a director, we hadn’t seen set sketches or costume sketches. We were, after all, on the other side of the country.”

“One thing we did to help bridge the distance after scoring the first song, was orchestrate what was essentially a karaoke track so the other designers could hear a soundscape. We sent it out to the design team to help them imagine a jumping-off place.”

The feedback from Rockwell was more than positive, said Castle.

“He said some very gracious and complimentary things about our work on the show,” he said. “He said we took what he wrote and lifted it to a new, higher level. We couldn’t ask for a better compliment than that.”

Despite the kudos the creative team was trading, a certain amount of anxiety comes with the opening of every world premiere. They needn’t have worried; local reviewers were extremely generous, tossing out superlatives like Mardi Gras doubloons.

“Exquisite score,” proclaimed The Sacramento Bee. “This show has everything one could want to make it a hit,” said The Davis Enterprise. “The music, by composer Eric Rockwell, is one of the stronger aspects of ‘A Little Princess.’ And just about everyone in the large cast ... sings well,” broadcast Capital Public Radio.

“It turned out much better than I ever hoped it would,” said Castle, who said he tends to avoid embracing expectations. “I guess that’s a benefit of enjoying the unknown as I do. I don’t have to meet an expectation; I just go forward doing the best I can, enjoying it as it happens. I don’t often feel disappointed because I go in with high hopes, with open eyes, and an open heart. Part of the reason I feel successful – and my standard of success is based on what I’m doing, if the work I’m doing today better than what I was doing yesterday – is that I feel very happy about what I’m doing.”

Castle’s positive attitude and willingness to explore the unknown have served him well in an industry where knowing too much can often dampen a performer’s creative spark before it has a chance to catch fire. His never-say-die spirit was evident even as a University of Pacific Conservatory of Music student, said Professor Sue Eskridge, who served as Castle’s mentor and collaborator during his matriculation and subsequent tenure as head of the school’s summer enrichment program, which facilitated musical theater training for juvenile artists.

“Matt’s the only perfect person I know,” said the now-retired Eskridge, “not that I'm biased. He truly does come close to perfect. During the 10 years he was artistic director for SEP, he wrote the shows, directed the shows, did everything, including playing the piano. I think I called myself the program director. I created it and raised bundles of money so he could make it wonderful, which he did. But he was the artistic genius. Yes, I am quite biased, but it is all true.”

“Since I first met Sue she fully expected me to go to New York and take over ‘Phantom,’” laughed Castle. “But it’s easier for some else to say than saying it about yourself. That’s not how my ambition functions. Since my first involvement in theater as a sophomore in high school, I subconsciously felt that pull until my mid-20s. Then it took a little time to feel ready.”

After a few months of study with Fair Oaks-based vocal coach Jackie Victorino, Castle said it was time to head east.

“There was nothing left but to jump in and try to do my best and see if it would work out,” Castle said.

When Castle decided to make the move in the fall of 2000, he confesses to going in blind.

“I can honestly say I moved to New York City without one expectation of what it would be like,” said Castle. “I knew I couldn’t predict it, couldn’t even imagine it. I’ve never been a five-year plan person – it’s just not my style. I enjoy the unknown, and the adventure of what that means. I went to New York to make an identity for myself as an actor, and knew exactly two people in the entire city. I had no idea how it all works. I had a headshot and a résumé, but didn’t know where to go to find where auditions are. Plus, I had no professional training as an actor – all my training was in music. I learned it all on the job.”

Call it luck, call it talent – or a combination of both – but Castle found a modicum of success right off the bat.

“Then September 11th came, and the job market changed overnight,” said Castle of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers. “Those with Broadway jobs had to take jobs out of town; people at the top of the food chain changed. I had such a slight foothold that I was completely bumped – I did what I had to do, and that included going to temp agencies and taking clerical tests.”

But Castle never had to trade in the calluses built up over years of playing the piano for paper cuts garnered from daylong sessions of filing legal folders thanks to a job offer playing for rehearsals at New York University.

“I began playing more, and getting musical-direction jobs,” said Castle. “And I was still auditioning from time to time. That led to work as a musician-actor combination, which is how I got to understudy Eric Rockwell in ‘The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)’ off-Broadway. He didn’t want to do the show eight times a week, and the producers allowed him to sit out three days a week and I was going on every matinee in his place, as well as occasionally for the other male lead.”

In 2006, Castle made it to Broadway as a cast member in the Tony Award-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” an experience he hopes to repeat.

Soon thereafter he and Galgano discovered one another and thus began their personal and professional partnership.

“Frank comes to music as a singer,” said Castle of the duo’s approach to orchestration. “His knowledge comes from recording other people’s orchestrations. He’s recorded more than 100 Broadway shows instrument by instrument. His training reminds me of how orchestrators trained before computers.”

“I often do the nuts-and-bolts work, the technical side. He maintains the broader, stylistic, overall view of what we do. Sometimes he does the forest and I do the trees. Other times, he does the fun aspects, and I do the detail work. For me, the nuts-and-bolts stuff is fun so we both have jobs suited to our personalities.”

In just a few short years of working together, Frank and I are becoming known as a creative team,” said Castle, who said the couple’s professional teaming has happily tipped the scale of his creative endeavors in favor of orchestration work.

“In the past eight or nine years, a lot of what I’ve been doing has been musical direction, with some orchestration,” said Castle. “Now orchestration is a bigger piece of what I do, and that’s partly because it’s something Frank and I can do together – something we can do better together.”

Together for more than four years now, the couple made it official a year-and-a-half ago.

“We have both been actors, but Frank doesn’t act that often anymore, so I guess for me it’s not so much about changing focus than switching my work balance a bit,” Castle said. “I’m very happy with the current balance – happier than before. It’s a silly thing to say, but it’s true. It’s more enjoyable because I get to do it with my husband.”

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: The world premiere production of "A Little Princess," a new musical by Eric Rockwell (composer), Margaret Rose (lyricist) and William J. Brooke (book)

WHERE: Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H St., Sacramento, Calif.

WHEN: Plays through May 19, with performances at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday,12:30 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday

WHO: Directed by Michael Laun; orchestrated by Matt Castle and Frank Galgano; with musical acompaniment by Erik Daniells (conductor/piano), Elaine Lord (percussion), Alex Winter (cello), John Doolittle (reeds), Beverly Wesner Hoehn (harp); featuring Lauren Metzinger/Alyssa Middleton (Sara Crewe), Jerry Lee (Captain Crewe, Sara's father), Josh Powell (Tom Carrisford), Michael De Souza (Ram Dass), Deborah Tranelli (Miss Minchin), Tyler Wipfli (Mariete), Tori Johnson/Emma Vance (Becky), Martha Omiyo Kight (Amelia), Meghan Greene/Abbey Williams-Campbell (Lavinia), Devon Hayakawa/Christine Miyashiro (Ermengarde), Courtney Shannon/Jordan Taylor (Betsy), Sydney Christofferson/Ana Riley-Portal (Ruth), Kiki Burns/Bella Bagatelos (Jessie), Angel Marie/Jillie Kate Randle (Lottie), Jeffrey Lloyd Heatherly (Constable), Blair Leatherwood (teacher), Carol Miranda (cook), Kayla Berghoff (maid), Courtney Shannon/Jordan Taylor (beggar girl), David McDaniel (beggar), Kayla Beghoff, Kailey Diggs, Jeffery Lloyd Heatherly, Blair Leatherwood, David McDaniel, Carol Miranda (other servants and Londoners)

HOW MUCH: $15-$38 (discounts for students, seniors, and groups available)

FOR MORE INFO: (916) 443-6722; www.sactheatre.org

Police Blotter- weekend edition, Friday May 10 & Saturday May 11

2013-05-14T00:26:11Z

Friday, May 10, 2013

MIDTOWN- Vehicle Tampering, 2400 block of C Street, 8:07 p.m.
Jared Bathe, 28, was taken into custody after officers responded to reports he was attempting to break into a parked vehicle. Bathe was booked into jail after officers observed him entering a vehicle for the believed purpose of theft.
FLORIN- Bicycle Stop, 4300 block of Stockton Blvd, 12:16 a.m.
Ryan King, 34, was arrested for possession of narcotics after leading officers on a foot pursuit in the area. King was also charged with resisting arrest and violation of his probation.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

MIDTOWN- Theft, 3100 block of Folsom Blvd, 12:37 p.m.
A subject was inside a store, selected and grabbed three cell phones and then ran out the door. The suspect was described as a Hispanic or white man, 28-32 years old, 6', 180 pounds, bald wearing a flannel shirt. He was seen driving away in gold Chevy pick-up with a broken driver's side window.
OAK PARK- Assault, San Jose Way / 4th Ave, 1:34 p.m.
Victims were approached by four suspects that drove up in a car. The suspects made a statement relating to a gang and fired at the victims. One female victim was struck multiple times and a second male victim was shot in the lower body. A third male victim was also shot at. The victims were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Investigation into the gang related incident is in progress.
FLORIN/FRUITRIDGE INDUSTRIAL PARK- Shots Fired, 8500 block of Thys Ct, 11:48 p.m.
A caller from inside the store reported that someone was trying to break into the business. Officers were dispatched to the possible robbery and that a firearm may have been involved. Officers arrived, began to approach and could hear multiple shots being fired inside the business. Additional units came to the scene as well as SSD air unit. The initial caller (suspect) opened the rollup door with a gun in hand and surrendered without incident. The business was checked and no other subjects were inside. No injuries occurred. The robbery was unfounded and subject exhibiting irrationality was arrested. Keith Lovato, 56 was booked into county jail for felony gross negligent discharge of a firearm.
SOUTH OAK PARK- Assault, 3500 block of 19th Ave, 2:30 a.m.
Officers responded to a report of a stabbing. A known suspect stabbed the victim due to an ongoing feud. The victim was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The suspect was not located. Investigation is in progress.
FLORIN- Subject Stop, 4300 block of Stockton Blvd, 1:55 a.m.
Officers contacted and arrested parolee-at-large, Roger Crawford. Crawford, 47, was booked into county jail.
OAK PARK- Subject Stop, Stockton Blvd / Broadway, 11:39 a.m.
Officers contacted and arrested Samuel Lincoln, 48, for an outstanding warrant.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Crime blotter information is excerpted from the Sacramento Police Department Dailies.

Whole Earth Festival: Photos

2013-05-14T00:13:51Z

The Whole Earth Festival was held for the 43rd time on the UC Davis campus over the weekend of May 10-12, 2013.

Vendors, artists, performers, cooks, and the general public were part of an inspiring and fun event that highlighted the experience of the wholeness of the earth.

From the Whole Earth Festival website .

“Whole Earth Festival was born when an art class taught by Jose Arguelles had an “Art Happening” on the University of California, Davis campus in 1969. The students used art to involve visitors in the ultimate goal of learning about activism, wellness, and the environment. Whole Earth Festival aims to ignite passion, propel creativity, and leave visitors with inspiration.

Following the United Nations declaration of “Earth Day” in 1970, the third “Art Happening” in 1971 was renamed “Whole Earth.” Later, Whole Earth Festival was sponsored by the Associated Student’s Experimental College, and has since become a self-sustaining unit.”

I attended the Sunday afternoon festivities and was able to experience a wide range of the people and activities that have been the hallmark of the festival for the past 42 years. In addition, I watched the closing ceremonies as Sunny brought the weekend to an end.
Here are pictures of the events, people, and activities that I experienced.

Angels, and faeries, oh my!

Vendors lined the four sides of the UC Davis Quad, showing off food, jewelry, arts, and crafts.

Colorful animals abound.

A stong theme of the weekend was awareness and education about a 'whole earth' approach to living.

Jesters, and tricksters.

Young angels at play.

The public writhed in time to the music of the Tempest, a Celtic rock band.

Tempest band lead.

People were led in a circle dance by Tempest.

Dad, why is everyone going in a circle?

A round of unison clapping and singing by the audience and Tempest.

There were wild folks and

and young innocent folks.

Sunny starting the closing ceremonies.

Sunny with a photograph of Jose, the original inspiration for the Whole Earth Festival.

Closing the event.

Even guests from Bhutan were in attendance to chant and sing the festival to a close.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

California Montessori Project - Capitol Campus annual Art, Wine, Beer & Cheese Fundraiser

2013-05-13T20:19:05Z

California Montessori Project (CMP) Capitol Campus is a Montessori public charter school in its twelfth year of providing education to Kindergarten through 8th grade students in Sacramento. We are a non-profit organization serving the educational needs of over 300 students. Our mission is to offer a high quality, tuition-free, Montessori educational program to every child in California. A Montessori education enables students to develop themselves to their fullest capacity as competent, happy, productive individuals and contributors to a better society. This is achieved through a heavy commitment from the community: parents, teachers, community groups, and most importantly, the individual child.

Come to the California Montessori Project Capitol Campus 6th annual Art, Wine, Beer & Cheese Fundraising Event. The Event will be held Saturday, May 18th from 6pm to 9pm at the Old Fuller Building in Downtown Sacramento. Student art will be available for viewing and purchase while people enjoy wine, beer and appetizers from local vendors. A variety of local products and services will be up for auction in an effort to raise money to support our amazing Montessori-based art program that exposes students to various artistic techniques, allowing them to create and explore each method in their own way. Our hope is to continue expanding our art program and add additional support to our enrichment activities for the students. Our goal for this event is to raise $10,000. Please come out and help us make this event a success.

Come out and learn some Salsa Dancing moves by Del Campo Dance Studio, dance or just mingle to DJ Rock Bottom's music or just come out and bid on some of our great Silent Auction items! Wine tasting, beer tasting, food tasting and so much more. You don't want to miss this event.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Interview with Rock Museum Curator Dennis Newhall

2013-05-13T18:57:43Z

Dennis Newhall has been the organizer and curator of the Sacramento Rock and Radio Museum since 2000. The museum, which houses a wealth of local concert memorabilia, only opens for the public on Second Saturdays. It's located at 911 20th Street, next door to what used to be a hot local band venue called the Oasis Ballroom. Dennis himself played a role in the local music and radio scene, working for radio stations KZAP, KSFM and KROY. The museum showcases his vast collection of concert posters and donated memorabilia of mainly the 1960s through 1980s, but also includes later artifacts. On Saturday night, May 11, Dennis and I did a video interview for SacTV.com about the museum and how it has attracted large crowds of over a thousand people at one time.

The museum is fairly spaceous and might only take a few minutes to walk through if you were not concentrating on the displays. But since there's a story behind every framed picture, it's possible to spend hours at the museum recalling memories about shows, artists, venues and radio stations. Dennis has also put together a database of as many Sacramento concerts as possible to document local history. He found the information from ticket stubs, posters, publications and going through the records of the Memorial Auditorium. "The fantastic but unachievable goal," Dennis says in the interview, "is to have everything documented."

Almost every major act besides the Beatles visited Sacramento in the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, one of the first shows the Rolling Stones ever did on their first American tour in 1964 was at Memorial Auditorium. The Stones, who kicked off another tour last week and played in the Bay Area, visited Sacramento four times over a two year span between 1964 and 1966, including the infamous Dec. 3, 1965 show in which the show ended early due to Keith Richards getting shocked. Huffington Post quoted Richards last week as saying "my most spectacular moment was in Sacramento."

Even for people who did not grow up in the region, the museum can trigger memories and conversations about rock history. The concert posters reveal many things about how society has changed, both musically as well as the cost of ticket prices. Many shows in the sixties, for example, cost no more than three dollars. Historians may be interested to know that the Beach Boys recorded a live album at Memorial Auditorium in the early sixties, which was not an era known for live concert recordings. According to Dennis, Sacramento was the band's biggest town for shows at the time, which is why they visited the River City so frequently.

As far as the local music scene, Dennis says the New Breed gained a lot of attention in the sixties. Their bassist, Timothy B. Schmit, went on to join the Eagles and eventually Ringo Starr's All-Star Band. "Pretty much in 65 and 66 the New Breed was regarded as the best local band by far," Dennis confirms. "They had some records produced that were on the air that should have been hits had they not been on small labels without much clout." One of the band's notable achievements was learning and performing the Beatles' entire Help! album the week it came out in 1965.

SacTV also captured a video tour of the museum that highlights many posters and radio logos, including the famous KZAP logo with an orange cat. Walking through the halls of this museum reminds Sacramentans that the city has been visited by many legends including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Doors. Bay Area concert promoter Bill Graham began doing big rock shows more frequently when the Cal Expo Amphitheatre opened in the 1980s. In many ways the museum is a reminder that Sacramento has been a part of music history for decades, which may even be of interest to diehard rock historians throughout Northern California.

Disclosure: Alex Cosper owns SacTV.com and posts in partnership with The Sacramento Press.

Help sought finding teen last seen on American River Drive

2013-05-13T15:22:45Z

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department is asking the public's help in finding a teenage girl who has been missing since Thursday morning.

The family of 15-year-old Daria Clarke – the Rio Americano High School freshman known as "Dasha" who was last seen near the school about 10 a.m. Thursday – thinks she may have been lured away by someone she met online, her mother, Margie Clarke, said.

On Sunday, friends and family members gathered at the Clarke home in a show of support.

On Thursday, Daria Clarke went to algebra class and was also seen on campus about 10 a.m. But when her mother arrived back at school to pick her up at 12:30 p.m., she was nowhere to be found, her mother said.

The 15-year-old does not carry a cellphone. Supporters have distributed leaflets in the American River Drive area near the school.

Daria Clarke, 15, was last seen in the 4500 block of American River Drive about 10 a.m. She is considered at risk because of mental health issues and because she may be in the company of people who could endanger her welfare, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.

Clarke is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray leggings.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at (916) 874-5115.

Disclosure: My family has lived near the Clarke family, since Dasha was a small child. Just trying to be neighborly a get the word out.

Pepper bringing their branded Reggae on a Redbull to Ace of Spades.

2013-05-13T06:18:10Z

Three surfing buddies band together with a common vision – making great captivating music that will have fans dancing all night. This collaborative formed Pepper in 1997 in Hawaii.

Pepper is a ska punk band with an island Reggae groove. They safely blend the two into their music. Pepper calls it “mixing pure shock and awe rock with their mellow island roots.”

They are playing in Sacramento this Thursday, at the world famous Ace of Spades night club 1417 R street.

Last word from Ace of Spades box office is that the show has been sold out, but there might still be some lingering tewnty-dollar tickets available at these locations: Dimple Records, The Beat and Armadillo Music.

Come ready to dance and get a workout. Doors open at 7:00 pm May 16, 2013.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Firefighters stumble on house fire in Oak Park while on another call, save family

2013-05-12T16:25:50Z

Firefighters stumbled upon a house fire while leaving a medical call in Oak Park early Sunday morning, and got the family out the home before it was destroyed in the flames.

A firefighter crew was leaving a medical call when they noticed a column of smoke down the street, and arrived at the corner of 21st and 34th Streets to find a fire in a detached garage spreading to two homes, according to Sacramento City Fire Battalion Chief Craig Wiedenhoeft.

Firefighters evacuated both homes. The house on the corner was gutted by the flames, but a neighbors house only sustained damage to the attic, Wiedenhoeft said.

The Red Cross arrived to help the families find a place to stay.

Neighbor Rowland Etsy was awoken by the sound of the firetrucks, and walked aside to see the house on the corner covered in flames. He said five people lived in the home, and all had gotten out safely.

“"I've seen fires before but that was the first time I saw a fire engulf (a house) like that. You could tell it was a bad fire. They lost everything in that house."

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Charlie Fuller, Condo Casanova, is outmatched in “Moving Mountains”

2013-05-11T20:20:16Z

Who says life and love end at some arbitrary age? Not Charlie Fuller who, at 67 and much to his proper daughter Elaine’s embarrassment, has not yet “clicked off.” EMH Productions is happy to bring a light romantic comedy to the stage to end the series of shows dealing with love and relationships, ranging from the incomprehensible (“My Fellow Creatures”) to the darkly tragic (“Liar”) and the tragically funny (“Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead”). “Moving Mountains” by Lawrence Roman, is a light romantic comedy playing Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 pm. and 7:00 p.m. through May 19th at Sacramento’s Geery Theatre at 2130 L Street.

"Imagine a man, his name is Charlie, he's 67 and he is becoming the Casanova of the condo complex that he lives in. He chases the neighboring divorcees and widows and he seduces their psyches, urging them to see themselves as beautiful and vital, to start moving mountains in their lives." ~ Beth Ruyak, “Insight." Listen to the entire interview here.

“Moving Mountains” is the story of Charlie Fuller (Lonon Smith), a retired insurance man turned Neighborhood Casanova on the beaches of Santa Monica. Charlie has his share of friends with benefits but it’s not until a new neighbor, Polly Adamson (Scarlet O’Connor) moves in that he remembers what it truly means to fall in love. With some romantic entanglements from his daughter Elaine (Elise Hodge) romping through his apartment with Polly’s son Robert (Sean Williams), her nephew Mark (Corey Morris), and his lady friends (Deborah Shalhoub and Adriana Marmo), this romantic comedy reminds us all it’s never too late to love, laugh and live. In the end, just as Charlie advises Elaine, we all "need human skin to touch, breath to sense, someone to talk to in the middle of the night" - - and someone to love.

Get a sneak preview here

Lonon Smith gives us his take on Charlie, “Charlie is a part of the first cohort of Boomers. He's left wing. Left wing for the '60s was acid, psychedelic music, protest, sex after the pill, more dope than God could grow, and riots in the street that mocked authority while being thrown out of the house back home for being communists. Charlie partied hearty and got laid a lot before he got married. So now he's in senior housing, a widower, and he likes his daughter but she can be in the way. He still carries with him the times that shaped him. Yes, Charlie likes women. He just likes women. But who he beds may be more selective. And, yes, he makes no demands, which makes it easier for them to make none in return, until he meets Polly that is . . .”

“Moving Mountains” resonates with people of all ages, including its much younger directors, E. Hodge and Amy Kelly. “When I first read this play, what struck me wasn't the farce of it so much as the beauty in the message. I love that such a timeless piece of writing can remind us to not be so narrow and to see beyond our own limitation. My cast teases me about being a baby, and while I am coming on middle age, I no more feel it than someone at 67 feels their age,” said Hodge.” While Kelly reminds us, “You can leave the theatre without a heavy heart, that there are pieces out there that remind you that love prevails, that feelings and romance don't dissipate as you grow older. This show inspired me to move mountains that have been in my life for ages. We hope it inspires you to move some of your own.” Catch this fun, romantic romp with a guy who always has a chilled bottle of champagne on hand and a wickedly fun woman with a witty comeback.

EMH Productions is also proud to support the Sacramento Senior Safe House with raffle ticket sales at each performance of “Moving Mountains.” The Senior Safe House provides safe harbor to seniors in need in a six-bedroom facility. Please join us in helping to house seniors in need of support.

Photos courtesy of West Ramsey Photography

Video courtesy of Eric Baldwin

THE BASICS

WHAT: "Moving Mountains" by Lawrence Roman

WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. until May 19

WHERE: The Geery Theatre, 2130 L St., midtown Sacramento

WHO: Featuring Lonon Smith, Scarlet O'Connor, Elise Hodge, Corey Morris, Sean Williams, Adriana Marmo, Deborah Shalhoub. Directed by E. Hodge and Amy Kelly and produced by Elise Marie Hodge and Peggi Wood.

TICKETS: emhpros.weebly.com

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Peggi Wood is a minimalist writer and theatre producer. She does not receive monetary compensation for her work with the Actor's Theatre of Sacramento, Stories on Stage, Celebration Arts or EMH Productions.

Fashion at Sacramento City College

2013-05-11T09:53:41Z

Vintage fashion costumes adorned the entrance to Sacramento City College's campus' Student Center. The SCC City Fashion Club presented an enchanting evening of fashion on Wednesday night, May 8.

The Spring 2013 Fashion Show featured a classwork runway and designs by seven student designers.

Excitement and anticipation were apparent backstage as models and designers worked on last-minute details. Also backstage were beauty and esthetician school representatives from Paul Mitchell.

Faculty members Lynne Giovannetti and Jean Winchell represented the fashion club and managed the activity backstage and at the door.

Giovannetti, Applied Apparel Studies Program professor, shared some information on the City Fashion Club. “The club is open to students throughout the campus. You don't have to be a fashion student to be a member,” said Giovannetti and continued, “They have a faculty advisor who is Jean Winchell.”

Giovannetti indicated that the club's aim is to have a showing at the end of every semester. The shows' goal is to show what students learn in beginning to advanced classes during the semester of the showing. “In December we'll do another show, so we'll have something for every semester and the fashion club will be the ones who put it on.”

SCC offers several associate degrees and certificates for students wishing to study the different aspects of the fashion industry.

In order to keep up with vintage and current trends, Giovannetti said, “Our fashion program has been around for over 40 years. It just keeps changing. It changes to conform to the industry around every five years. We take a good look at the program and then we retool all the degrees and courses to match what's going on in the industry so we stay up to date.”

Winchell, an adjunct professor who teaches stretch fashion courses and is a figure skating costume designer, quoted the club's mission: “to share our love of fashion with the world in order to create a fashion-conscious campus where you can feel free to be daring and shock the halls with your fashion!”

Many of the concepts learned in stretch classes, Winchell noted, went into the design and construction of the fashion showed.

Winchell's enthusiasm was apparent as she described new equipment used at SCC. “We just got some new sergers about a year ago so that every student has the opportunity to sit down with an exceptional sewing machine,” said Winchell. She continued, “Getting these sergers was very fortunate, the students are going crazy. The one thing that this program really teaches is that the students here are taught to design and then construct the complete project.”

Once on the runway, student designers exhibited their passion as models paraded beautifully constructed fashion.

Student designers Crystal Gill, Sinan Dunlap, Temperance Bonner, Marcy Millet, KB Yang, Kaysy Xaynhalath, Ulysses Gonzalez and the fashion department classwork showcased an array of designs.

The Spring Fashion Show included fashion for men, women and children. Imaginative formal; casual, activewear; wedding; and urban styles graced the runway.

Each designer showcased their passion for fashion and incorporated what they've learned at SCC, while their individual creativity brought their designs to life and the delight of the audience. The City Fashion Club will soon be preparing for a show in December 2013.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Frill Seeker: Local love from Bows and Arrows

2013-05-11T04:04:17Z

This past Tuesday, May 7, I had the pleasure of meeting with Trisha Rhomberg, co-owner of Bows and Arrows, to do a shoot on the latest merchandise hitting the floor. I’ve always checked out Bows and Arrows for the variety of vintage, handmade and new items. I loved the funky eclectic vibe of the shop; you walk in and see stuff that is truly unique. When talking about personal style Trisha said, “Fashion should be fun … I was sick of being concerned about trends and what others thought about what I wore, I like to dress to have fun!” It reminded me of how everyone follows a trend, or tries to avoid the trend, when fashion shouldn’t be about trends, but be a form of self-expression. Fashion has always been an outlet for creativity, and a way to evoke my personality – it’s something I see through Trisha's jewelry designs.

Outfit: lace top: Bows and Arrows, and handmade necklace by Trisha Rhomberg from Bows and Arrows.

I loved the enthusiasm Trisha has for her store, as well as for fashion. She designs and hand-makes her own dainty jewelry pieces sold in the shop. She upcycles random pieces and turns them into the perfect statement accessory to add to your outfit.

Outfit: crop top: Bows and Arrows, jellyfish leggings: Bows and Arrows, lip necklace: Madam Butterfly, layered necklace: Vivid Venus from Bows and Arrows, watch: Marc Jacobs, shoes: Cuffs.

They also have a ton of fun leggings hitting their floor. My favorites were the jellyfish graphic and white-fringed ones I posed in, with a crop top with “OUI!” printed in hot pink with hand-drawn mushrooms on the side. I loved this crop top so much that I bought it! It’s perfect to throw on with everything I wore on the shoot, whether it was leggings or shorts. Crops are so versatile for me. I also liked wearing the black leggings with white fringe embellishment going down the leg; they felt very flapper girl in legging form.

Outfit: crop top: Bows and Arrows, fringe leggings: Bows and Arrows, necklace: Bows and Arrows, shoes: Dolce Vita.

Bows and Arrows is also a café, art gallery and venue, on top of having a retail function. They will be hosting “Nerd Night” on Wednesday, May 15, dedicated to playing games of all kinds where you can enjoy drinks, good food and popsicles served in the café. Be sure to check out their events; there’s always fun things happening, from art shows to live music (be sure to check the links)!

Accessories: silver cuff: Bows and Arrows, alien ring (that I purchased): Bows and Arrows, necklace: Bows and Arrows by Vivid Venus.

If you liked what you saw above, check out their store at 1815 19th St., or online. Be sure to check out more fashion inspiration and local love on my Instagram account: @torikobayashi and blog: frillseeking.

Disclosure: If you have any questions or concerns you can e-mail me at vrkobayashi@ucdavis.edu

PHOTOS: Code Pink vs NRA supporters on Capitol Mall

2013-05-11T00:13:11Z

An anti-gun protest organized by the liberal advocacy group CodePink took place in Downtown Sacramento afternoon, drawing a counter protest from gun rights advocates.

Mother’s Against NRA and other anti-gun supporters gathered in front of the Five-Fifty-Five building on Capitol Mall, and were met on the sidewalk by National Rifle Association supporters.

Attendees stated that it was tense until the police stepped in and made the NRA group step back. Officers maintained a police line to keep the groups separated.

“I’m here because the shootings need to stop; I’m here working on this every single day,” said CodePink supporter Amanda Wilcox.

"This not an NRA issue," said NRA supporter Philip Olding "This is a freedom issue. This is a 2nd amendment issue."

CodePink had a permit for their protest, and members were allowed to utilize amplified sound. The NRA counter-protestors did not have a permit, but were allowed to stay.

Code Pink supporters took their turn at the microphone, and after a few chants and songs they ended their protest and dispersed. Officers held a police line until the protesters were safely out of the area, then allowed NRA’ers to disperse.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

New film : The Great Gatsby (x3)

2013-05-10T20:57:18Z

The Great Gatsby (x3)

1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
1974 film by Jack Clayton
2013 film by Baz Luhrmann

There have been four theatrical film adaptations of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the earliest of which was made in 1926, only a year after the manuscript was completed (and which is now lost). Other than the latest version by Baz Luhrmann, the only version easily found for comparison purposes is Jack Clayton’s 1974 film, with a screenplay adapted by Francis Ford Coppola.

In anticipation of the press screening of Luhrmann’s film, I downloaded and re-read the novel in the break between last Sunday’s East Coast feed of “Game of Thrones” and the West Coast feed of “Mad Men.” That timing is significant, because Clayton’s film is 144 minutes long, Luhrmann’s is 143 minutes long, and the book can be read in the same amount of time – so watching a film version may make some lazy students of English happy, but it won’t save them much time. I also re-watched the 1974 film.

It’s a short novel to begin with, with only approximately 200 pages organized into 9 chapters, which would make for a fairly simple screenplay adaptation if length was the only issue. However, the story in the novel is being told to the reader by Nick Carraway, who is essentially Fitzgerald’s proxy, who describes in great detail the lives of material excess enjoyed by wealthy residents of Long Island, NY in 1922.

Carraway is a young man from the Midwest who has decided to try his luck as a bond trader in New York. He rents a small cottage in the up and coming “new money” town of West Egg (Fitzgerald’s substitute for Great Neck, NY) and he has a cousin, Daisy, who married into “old money” and who lives with her inattentive husband Tom Buchanan in tonier East Egg (Manhasset, NY) across the bay. As luck would have it, his cottage sits next to the vast mansion and estate of the mysterious Jay Gatsby, a man with a murky past and a strong interest in Daisy.

In a sense, it’s a somewhat delayed coming of age novel but it’s one that would result in a significant amount of voice-over narration (by Carraway) if it was filmed directly from the novel – and that becomes one of the primary difficulties in adapting it for the screen.

In the 1974 Coppola adaptation, this is addressed by taking many of the scenes that Carraway describes in the novel, some of which have previously been described to him by other characters, and simply lets the viewer watch them unfold directly. But it goes further than that by expanding on others, such as a series of romantic encounters shot with enough backlighting and four-point starburst effects for a dozen contemporary Harmony Hairspray commercials (“Is she, or isn’t she…?”). These aren’t just stylistic issues, as these are events and developments that Carraway, our witness and storyteller, couldn’t have seen.

In Lurhmann’s 2013 film, he and co-screenwriter Craig Pearce create a completely fabricated device that attempts to make the Carraway narration work without simply having it be disembodied voice-over. They do this by having Carraway write the story under the supervision of a doctor, during a later stay in an institution. The problem now being that, while it somehow justifies the idea of Carraway telling us the story after the fact, it also inherently changes that character and attributes health issues to him that aren’t in the novel.

The other most obvious difference between the two films is their general style and tone. Clayton’s film is slow and deliberate, with a soundtrack that occasionally borders on what one might expect in the horror genre, but it attempts to accurately capture the period in terms of popular music and wardrobe choices. Luhrmann’s film is an eye-candy montage of excess, with everything shown bigger and better and faster, and with a blend of music that’s packaged for independent sale and somewhat more suited to a rave than a party with a ‘Roaring 20’s’ theme. For example, in the new film, any scene that involves driving a car is like a live action version of “Speed Racer” – and it drops accurate depictions of details from the novel (types of cars and dogs, for example) whenever something cuter or glitzier is possible.

I’m not opposed to what Luhrmann was trying to accomplish here – it’s fun and loud and bold. But it’s also an over the top depiction of a time and place that was already over the top. Indeed, much of Fitzgerald’s descriptions are intended to convey the excesses he himself witnessed in that time and place. And while it’s calmer and more staid, the 1974 film gives a clear impression of wealth and the yawning gulf of socio-economic distances. From a narrative perspective, we’re told that the outrageous parties Gatsby throws are largely an attempt to lure Daisy – and Daisy seems more likely to find her way to one of the 1974 parties than one of the 2013 parties. Luhrmann’s film is like “Downton Abbey” as if shot to be a spring break special for MTV.

That said, there are also some remarkable similarities, with the new film at times feeling more like an adaptation of the earlier film than as an independent adaptation of the book. Chief amongst these similarities is the depiction of the area between the ritzy Long Island communities and Manhattan – the area around Wilson’s Garage, where the road and the train tracks come together in an almost post-apocalyptic environment, born by the consumption around it.

Despite being a short novel, as described earlier, the films both jettison material in pursuit of other goals. The romance in the 1974 film and the partying in the 2013 film both result in other storylines and characters being lost. The earlier film limits a separate romance between Carraway and Daisy’s professional golfer friend Jordan Baker and the newer film essentially ignores that story altogether, with both outcomes shifting the story away from Carraway (who spends much of that summer in the book away from the other characters) and more towards Gatsby. The 1974 film loses much of Gatsby’s backstory, including a mentor that shaped his future life and persona, and the 2013 film drops most of the last chapter of the book, including the appearance of Gatsby’s father, truncating much of the end of the story.

If I could wave a magic film wand, I’d probably attempt a mashup of some kind between the two projects – perhaps the period style and visual elements of the earlier film, with the cast and exuberance of the new film. There are some odd comparisons between the two films that are, at times, counter-intuitive. For example, the 1974 film has a more mature tone to it, and Robert Redford as Gatsby and Mia Farrow as Daisy seem older than the characters in the book – Coppola even moved the story forward slightly by saying that eight years had passed since earlier events in the story, rather than five. The new film has a much younger air to it, with Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby and Carey Mulligan as Daisy – but DiCaprio is actually older than Redford was in 1974, which is coincidentally the year that DiCaprio was born. Mulligan seems a closer fit, agewise, to Daisy than the slightly older Farrow and Sam Waterstone as 1974’s Nick Carraway has a fresher feel to him than an older Tobey Maguire in the same role in the 2013 film. Bruce Dern played an appropriately mean-spirited Tom Buchanan in 1974, but Joel Edgerton has more of the novel’s description of Tom’s physicality in the new film. And, in perhaps the oddest piece of cast trivia, Daisy’s (Mia Farrow) young daughter is played (briefly) by Patsy Kensit in the 1974 film, and Kensit later played Mia Farrow in a television movie about Farrow’s own ill-fated love life.

There’s a stability and pacing in the earlier film that borders on the ponderous (if you watch it, go and make a sandwich as the opening title sequence plays itself out ad nauseum) – compared to a frenetic energy and visual abundance in the new film that’s made even more profound by the availability of 3D screenings. The new film is like an uneven patchwork of heavy-handedness and deft accuracy. On the one hand, we’re given a short Tom Buchanan speech on white supremacy while he’s closely surrounded by black servants (the servants are white in the 1974 film), on the other we’re given a Gatsby mansion styled closely on photographs of the houses thought to have been visited by Fitzgerald that inspired the descriptions in the novel. The new film also appears to change the ethnicity of another key character, shows a pivotal scene in great detail despite it not being witnessed by Carraway, and has a secondary character seemingly mispronounce Kaiser Wilhelm’s name (despite it being DiCaprio’s own middle name). And, on the topic of pronunciation, DiCaprio’s delivers Gatsby signature phrase “old sport” to rhyme with “Colbert Report” in a manner that simply grows tedious over time.

All of which leads me to say that I’m glad I watched the new film, and I even enjoyed watching it on the level of eye candy and as a visual exercise, but I don’t especially like it as an adaptation. It transforms the Nick Carraway character and drops too much of the original story to be considered an accurate telling of the story. The 1974 film also drops some of the details, but to a lesser extent, but it’s also a flatter version of the story. Watching both films and re-reading the book, all within a week, primarily caused me to appreciate the book more – it’s a short story told in a manner that simply works better on the page, where narration works perfectly, than on the screen. Perhaps re-reading the book is a mistake if one simply wants to enjoy either film.

That’s not to say it can’t be adapted well, and there at least two adaptations that are either lost or hard to find and another television movie that I haven’t seen, but these two adaptations each lose something in the translation. It’s material I’d still like to see others have a go at – I could imagine, for example, Sofia Coppola creating a film that might exist somewhere in the middle of what we’ve seen so far, with perhaps a better balance of elements. I’d certainly enjoy watching her, or others, try.

I hate Sacramento

2013-05-10T19:43:17Z

There is nowhere else in the world I want to live but Sacramento, Calif. Bold statement? Not for me. Let me explain why.

Two recent life events have reopened my eyes as to why this place is unique. I’ll get to those in a minute, but first it’s important I define Sacramento. When I say Sacramento, I think of one place: the grid. That’s the area from Old Sacramento on the west to Interstate 80 Business on the east, and from the American River to the north to the WX Freeway on the south.

It’s a roughly 900-square block area that contains world-class food, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, art, recreation and businesses. It also has acres of parks, a beach (no, I’m not telling you where), miles of bike lanes – oh, and it just happens to be the center of power for the state of California. Which just happens to be the most influential state in the United States. Which just happens to be the most influential country on Earth. Which just happens to be the most influential planet in the galaxy. So, one could argue that Sacramento is the center of the galaxy. Think about it.

That is, to me, Sacramento. If you live in one of the beige stucco boxes off the grid, you may or may not hate your life. And you might as well go live in Omaha, Tallahassee, Spokane or anywhere else that worships at the altar of car-centric strip malls.

But I digress.

Fresh perspective
About six months ago, I started dating someone from Nashville, Tenn. During that time, she’s visited Sacramento about a half-dozen times. And what do we do while she’s here? Well, some of that is none of your business. But the rest of the time, we’re out living. That means walking, bicycling, eating, recreating, patronizing the arts, etc. I’ve been introducing her to all of the great things Sacramento has to offer. Through those introductions, I’ve seen this place through fresh eyes. It’s offered me fresh perspective.

Damn, Sacramento rocks.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have also had the great fortune to spend time in Dubai, London, Paris and San Francisco. In each of those cities I have had a blast. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t? But, and you knew there was a but, they are not Sacramento – not by a long shot. Yes, they have more art, restaurants, skyscrapers, people, businesses, attractions, etc. – they’re supposed to. With all of that "greatness" comes more congestion, crime, smog and other challenges.

Mad love to Dubai, London, Paris and San Francisco. I will visit again. And again. I appreciate them – perhaps most for the perspective they have given me. You know that unique perspective that only comes from travel. Sacramento is still on the short end of the teeter-totter. We have room to grow. And grow we will, in a positive way.

The first five years
My first visit to Sacramento was in 2000. I remember it vividly for some reason, a surprise even to me. My mother-in-law-to-be picked my future wife and I up at Sacramento International Airport. We drove south on I-5, exited onto J street, then drove down to Fleet Feet at the corner of 20th. I remember the blight. I remember the conversation. That’s when it happened – I instantly hated this fucking cow town.

I was told not to go downtown. I was told that’s where the crime happens. I was told that’s where the homeless people live. I was told there is nothing to do. I was told there is no parking (which seems ironic since there is nothing to do). I was told zombies crawl into windows and steal babies. OK, maybe not that last part. But you get the point.

I believed it – all of it. And when I finally moved to Sacramento in 2004, I avoided downtown as much as possible. I lived in suburbia and rarely soiled my SUV by driving it on the grid. I attended the occasional Broadway show or business networking happy hour. Other than that, I left the dirty people alone.

The page turns
When my wife and I separated in 2009, my life changed. I could write (and I have) volumes about the personal evolution, but what is important in this narrative is that I landed on the grid. In my haste to find a place to live, I stumbled upon a short-term lease. I thought, “How bad could living downtown be for a couple of months?” I mean, I could always go find a new stucco box in the 'burbs later.

Holy shit. Talk about fate. You have to remember, I had lived in Sacramento for five years, but never taken a walk on the grid. I had no idea. Well, I did, but it was tainted (see zombie brain eaters above).

And walked I did. Having no family within 3,000 miles and no friends, I turned to the grid for entertainment, engagement and enlightenment. I found it all.

I challenge everyone to get out of their car (a frightening proposition, to be sure), and just walk. Look at the homes. Go into the stores. Eat in the restaurants. Talk to strangers. You will see why this is a spectacular and special place. It’s all right at your fingertips – everything you could want. It’s walkable and bikeable, unlike Dubai, London, Paris and San Francisco. So, there.

What about the homeless issue?
Yep. Sacramento has become the regional dumping ground for the mentally ill and chemically dependent. It is also home to the volunteer vagrants. But what of it? Other than the occasional brief and uncomfortable encounter with a panhandler, and the time I have volunteered at Loaves and Fishes, I have had zero interactions with homeless on the grid.

Is this an issue that needs to be addressed? You bet your ass it does. Is it a serious problem? Yep. Is it a black eye? Sure. But are these people dangerous criminals who want to rob me and eat my brains? Nah.

What about the parking problems?
You have got to be kidding me. Finding a parking spot in Sacramento is easier than finding a tattoo parlor or hair salon. I know, I know, I know … we Americans feel a sense of asphalt entitlement when it comes to parking. We’ll wait three minutes in our SUVs for a car to pull out of a spot at the mall instead of instantly parking 10 spots further away. If I can’t throw a football from my parking space to the door of Target, it’s a goddamn Greek tragedy.

The farthest I have ever parked away from anything in Sacramento is three blocks. Ever.

But don’t they give a bunch of tickets downtown?
Yep. There are these things called meters. Within seconds of when they expire, a crack team of Israeli-trained soldiers descends from black helicopters and places a $52 ticket under your windshield wiper. Well, sometimes it seems like that. But in actuality, we have parking enforcement. They, and I know this is hard for some people to understand, enforce parking regulations. If you park where you are supposed to, when you are supposed to, you will avoid feeling their wrath. So, let’s get mad at others when we screw up, shall we?

What about the crime?
What crime? You mean you left your purse on the front seat of your car and someone stole it? Holy shit. Alert the ATF. That’s called a crime of opportunity, Junior. Show me one violent crime report that shows downtown is a dangerous place. One.

People know their neighbors downtown. There’s none of that driving up to your garage, remotely opening the door, pulling in, closing the door... and never talking to a damn person. You see these people. You say hi. Again, I know this is scary. But give it a chance.

Fin
To bring this diatribe to a conclusion, let me just say that I’m here to stay. I’m building a life and a business in downtown Sacramento. I love the lifestyle. I love not driving my car for days at a time (when is the last time you can say you did that?). I love the food. I love the people. I love the energy. I love the art. And I love the opportunity. Sacramento is going places.

So, if you don’t like Sacramento, ask yourself how you experience this city. If you bash it from afar, deriding its evils, I challenge you to roll around in it for a while. Come spend some time on the grid.

If you’re one of the long-time Sacramentans who constantly complains about our city, ask yourself exactly what it is you hate about Sacramento ... and what you are doing to fix it. Because if you do not like where you live, you have two options: change it or move. If neither of those options appeal to you and you just want to sit idly by and complain, please stop. Do us all a favor and just be quiet while the grownups enjoy all that Sacramento is, and work hard to fix its ills.

Thanks.

Join artilce author Thomas Dodson and Sac Press editor Jared Goyette for a luch and conversation about this article on Wenesday at noon at Bows and Arrows.

Disclosure: Thomas Dodson, a native of South Carolina, is a social media producer who works with public and private-sector clients around the world. You can learn more by visiting his website, www.thomasdodson.com.

VIDEO: CORE Dance Collective gives a bike inspired performance at the Crocker

2013-05-10T16:04:14Z

Sacramento bike enthusiasts had a full day yesterday, with the Capitol Bike Fest at Fremont Park followed by the Crocker Art Museum’s monthly Art Mix – which was all about bikes.

Art Mix/Chain Reaction featured a Kustom Bike Show by Ted Florez, Lauren Cole Norton’s spoken word, and a bicycle-themed mural created by Danielle Fodor. Sacramento Press reader (and proud bicyclist) Dan Allison sent us this clip of the CORE Dance Collective’s bike-inspired performance:

There are bike events nearly every day during May is Bike Month. Get the latest on their calendar.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Opinion: 58th & Fruitridge, the neglect in South Sacramento

2013-05-10T11:12:38Z

Two blocks south of West Campus High School is the intersection of 58th Street and Fruitridge Road. As the school has no operating school bus system, many West Campus students walk or take the city bus to class which means they must cross the intersection to get to school.

The intersection spans four lanes of traffic coming from both directions with the only safety net for these kids being white dashed lines painted on the ground. There are no traffic lights, stop signs, or pedestrian medians despite the amount of foot traffic before and after school. To top it all off, the frequency of bus stops on Fruitridge results in poor visibility for drivers making the intersection of 58th and Fruitridge a perfect storm for disaster.

It wasn't until 16 year old Michelle Murigi was killed after being struck by a car on January 19th of 2012 that the city of Sacramento felt enough pressure from citizens to agree to reconsider the safety needs of this low income area.

Almost a year since Michelle's untimely death, there has yet to be any changes to the deadly crosswalk.

Five of Michelle's friends and classmates have started a petition to demand a traffic signal at the intersection of 58th and Fruitridge. " We are looking to ensure safety for current and future pedestrians", says Siena Anotlin, a junior at West Campus High School. Fruitridge Road is amongst the most deadly in Sacramento.

To sign the petion, click on this link: http://www.change.org/petitions/city-of-sacramento-california-install-a-traffic-light-at-58th-street-and-fruitridge-road

Below is a short documentary about the intersection:

Disclosure: I am the filmmaker of the linked documentary.

'The Great DiCaprio,' starring Baz Luhrmann

2013-05-10T06:13:01Z

“The Great Gatsby,” a film review by Gary Chew

The most salient point in F. Scott Fitzgerald's great novel, “The Great Gatsby,” comes when Nick Carraway admonishes Jay Gatsby: “You can't repeat the past.”

Making sure to abide by that admonition had to be what Baz Luhrmann was up to when he co-wrote and directed the Fitzgerald classic now opening across the nation. Although the story takes place as the twenties roared, this “Gatsby” has much that makes it seem as though it's actually 2013 and a grand, splashy embellishment of “Gatsbys” of the past.

That's because of the film's visual effects of recent vintage. Not only are the lavish parties thrown by Gatsby and the entire film in 3D, but Luhrmann's parade of spectacle-engorged scenes, sets, effects, costumes and crowds seem never to cease. He didn't pull out the stops as far as they’ll go when making the picture; he threw them away.

Ironically, with all the stuff Luhrmann has so cleverly created for us to see, I caught 3 or 4 jump cuts in the film … not glaringly obvious, but I did especially see DiCaprio suddenly be in a different position from one split second to the next when the camera angle changes but the same scene goes forward.

Watching the film so closely, for those reasons, I came out of the screening with a bit of a 3D headache. If you've seen Luhrmann's earlier, well-received film, “Moulin Rouge,” there must be a notion in your head about what this Australian filmmaker has done for and, mostly, to the fabricated East and West Egg, Long Island, where the narrative is mostly set.

I would like to think that if Fitzgerald saw all the films and TV shows that draw from his iconic novel, he might think Luhrmann has gone a little overboard with the jazzy, tragic story of urbane elitists who hover even higher than mere bourgeois Americans ... not long before the crash of '29.

Should you not yet know, marital infidelity is the vehicle by which “Gatsby” is told. Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) is obsessively in love with Daisy (Carey Mulligan), who is married to Tom (Joel Edgerton). Nick (Tobey Maguire) rents the modest cottage on Gatsby’s elaborate estate. Middle-class Nick is a cousin of the very well-off Daisy. Gatsby persuades Nick to cover for him and act as go-between for his covert resumption of the love affair with Daisy that ended five years earlier when Gatsby left for World War I and Daisy had yet to meet then marry Tom.

Tom is also having an illicit liaison with a poor man's wife, which allows Fitzgerald to invest his story with some of the plight of lower-class Americans and minorities.

The film is not sexy … or maybe I should say that Luhrmann hasn't made it sexy. In that regard, the script is as Fitzgerald intended.

The casting is fine. As with the “Gatsby” of Robert Redford, the character of Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki), fetches and intrigues. I prefer Mulligan as Daisy to Mia Farrow's turn in that role with Redford. Tobey Maguire is slightly goofy as Nick. Sam Waterston's "Nick" is hard to beat in the tamer “Gatsby” production of the early ‘70s. Edgerton as Tom is appropriately menacing but again, Bruce Dern will be, for me, the better actor playing Daisy's coarse, arrogant spouse.

DiCaprio has turned in one of his pretty good performances here. He looks as upper-class as Redford did, and more outwardly emotional in the lead.

My difficulty also lies with part of the story of “The Great Gatsby," even though I think Fitzgerald's novel is superlative. However … the stretch of the ritzy hotel room confrontation between Gatsby and Tom has always struck me as ringing not so true. Both men are vying to ultimately possess Daisy. Their verbal exhanges come off a bit silly sounding and uncharacteristic of powerful, wealthy gentlemen who control lots of people and things. There seems to be nothing clever of either in the stand-off.

Luhrmann's take on the penthouse row in the summer heat high above New York City doesn't delete the silly from the scene, which also seems long.

Since one of the novel's greatest strengths is the author's on-the-page turn of phrase, what's best about "The Great Gatsby" available for translation to the screen that also remains, is its deep sense of tragedy and the obvious fact that money ... and as George Carlin would put it, “stuff,” most likely, by themselves, won't bring happiness to those who have leisure, comfort and opulence “to the nines.”

With a five as tops, this old sport gives “The Great Gatsby” --- vintage 2013 --- an insubstanial three.

Copyright © 2013 by Gary Chew. All rights reserved.

.”

'Beer & Ballet' -- I'll drink to that

2013-05-10T05:25:14Z

Besides giving you the opportunity to sip an adult beverage and sit hardly more than inches from the dancers, the Sacramento Ballet's "Beer & Ballet" lets you see how creative these dancers are at making dance, not just doing it.

All the pieces on the program are new works created by members of the troupe, and, for the most part, they show a solid command of dance vocabulary and syntax and a maturity of style.

"Beer & Ballet" opens Saturday after a couple of recent private performances, one of which I saw for review. Of the 11 dances, there probably are half a dozen really fine ones.

Take, for example, the wonderful duet "Scars Never Seen" created by Nicole Haskins and danced by Ava Chatterson and Stefan Calka; "The Boxer," in which choreographer Alex Stewart brings unity to a long and intricate musical score by repetition and echoes of movements; "Euphemism," in which Christopher Nachtrab delivers a big production (11 dancers) in four movements to music by Demetri Shostakovich.

Alysia Chang creates a signature move -- an arm brought around the body to rest the hand upon the opposite hip -- in "Black Tin Box." Alex Biber moves three couples (Amanda Peet and Rex Wheeler, Alexandra Cunningham and Alex Stewart, and Julia Feldman and Christopher Nachtrab) through phases of emotional attachment, from innocent, almost chaste, to playful, then serious and studied in "Different Relations."

Rex Wheeler has created two dances on the program and his work is very impressive. In other works, he has shown humor and a modern mind set upon classical ballet. In these, he shows a strong, serious side. In "Cradle," he bases the dance on a specific movement of cradling the partner from the first pas de deux of "Swan Lake." Lauryn Winterholder and Stefan Calka dance this very intimate duet. In "7th Symphony," Wheeler moves 15 dancers through an impressively designed dance.

Less satisfying dances, at least to me, were one called "Someone You'd Admire," whose movements seemed obvious and whose ending was a bit abrupt, and "The Orchard," an adequate but uninspiring solo piece. None of the dances is bad, and all illustrate how the choreographers play on and play up the strengths of their fellow dancers.

"Beer & Ballet" opens at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Sacramento Ballet Studio, 1631 K St. Other performances (those not already sold out) will be at 7 p.m. May 23 and 24 and 2 p.m. May 26 and June 2. Tickets to each performance are $35, available through the Sacramento Ballet Box Office at (916) 552-5800, ext. 2, or through the company's website, www.sacballet.org.

Run for your Lives Sacramento

2013-05-10T04:21:42Z

Are you looking to start off your Mother's Day weekend with some fun-filled obstacle running and zombies? This Saturday, May 11th, you can do this and much more. The Run For Your Lives 5K run is coming to Northern California for the first time. Not only will you enjoy the fun of running through and sliding down various obstacles, but you will do so while being chased by bloody, hungry zombies.

Whether you would like to sign up as a runner or volunteer to become a zombie yourself, stop by and check it out. Enjoy a day of zombies, food trucks, and obstacles. Running or being a zombie not your thing? Then show up and check out the Apocalypse Party for games, music, food and vendors. Best of all, spectator passes are free.

For more information on registering as a runner or a zombie volunteer, check the website.

The race is taking place at 24736 E. Highway 20 ,Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423. There is a 10$ parking fee.

Custom brews are “en pointe” at the Beer & Ballet

2013-05-09T23:17:10Z

Tutus and brews are meeting again for the Beer & Ballet program at the Sacramento Ballet.

The yearly program combines an informal look at the intricacy of ballet with the laid-back atmosphere of a quiet lounge. Many of the ballet company’s biggest fans discovered their love of dance through these personal performances.

The performance pieces were choreographed by the dancers themselves, and sponsor Ruhstaller will be providing the beer.

The Sacramento Ballet dancers will perform live at the Sacramento Ballet Studios on May 23rd and 24th at 7:00 p.m. There will also be a matinee show on May 26th at 2:00 p.m. Beer and Ballet continues into the first week of June, but ticket availability is limited.

The admission price of $35 includes two drink tickets. In addition to beer, wine and soda will be served. People interested in attending can call the Sacramento Ballet to reserve their seats.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: The Sacramento Ballet supports The Sacramento Press and local journalism.

Sacramento Hunger Coalition presents inaugural Hunger Action Week, May 20-24

2013-05-09T23:13:01Z

More than 120,000 people in the Sacramento community do not know where their next meal will be coming from, says Eileen Thomas, Executive Director at River City Food Bank. The Sacramento Hunger Coalition aims to remedy this situation, and they will be presenting the inaugural Hunger Action Week from May 20th to May 24th. The organization will hold an event on each day of the week to bring attention to the hunger issues on local and statewide levels.

Monday, May 20th
River City Food Bank will host a Senior Hunger Panel at their facility from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Senior hunger experts will discuss the food insecurity crisis for senior citizens in California.

Tuesday, May 21st
The Sacramento Hunger Coalition will hold a screening of the documentary ‘A Place at the Table’ at the Crest Theatre at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a panel of community leaders and advocates for ending hunger that will be moderated by Capital Public Radio.

Wednesday, May 22nd
Wednesday is Hunger Action Day, the California Hunger Action Coalition’s annual event that joins food justice advocates on the steps of the Capitol for a sit-in. People who experience hunger, homelessness or poverty will be attending to raise awareness, as well as legislators proposing bills aimed at these groups.

Thursday, May 23rd
At 10:00 a.m., the Alchemist Community Development Corporation will host a visit to the Florin Farmers’ Market. Policy and change-makers in the community will be able to experience what it can be like to purchase food through the CalFresh (previously food stamps) program. Participants can also purchase food for donation to the River City Food Bank.

Friday, May 24th
Hunger Action Week will be rounded out by an early morning event at Luther Burbank High School. This event focuses on the free breakfast programs at the Sacramento City Unified School District schools.

All five events are free to attend, and donations will be accepted at the film screening on Wednesday. For more information about Hunger Action Week, visit Sacramento Housing Alliance’s website.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Walk for Wishes returns to Raley Field

2013-05-09T23:04:21Z

The Make-a-Wish Foundation’s Walk for Wishes is returning to Sacramento for its 14th annual fundraising event.

Make-a-Wish seeks to help children in need make their wishes come true. This year’s Walk for Wishes will be held at Raley field. Local Wish Kids Noah and Zoe will be leading the parade, which kicks off a day of family-friendly activities.

Noah is a typical twelve-year-old boy who enjoys sports and outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. He has also been fighting leukemia for three years. When Make-a-Wish asked Noah what his one true wish would be, he did not hesitate: he wanted to go to New York City. During his trip to the Big Apple, Noah, an avid Yankee’s fan, plans on seeing a game as well as visiting Ground Zero, the Bronx Zoo and Central Park.

Five-year-old Zoe’s wish was to be princess for a day. Zoe, like Noah, is battling leukemia. The Northeastern California Make-a-Wish foundation granted its 4,000th wish when it gave Zoe her dream of royalty for a day. She received her day of pampering in 2012, and she will join Noah at this year’s Walk for Wishes as a Walk Ambassador.

To show support for Noah, Zoe, and other local children in need, Walk for Wishes participants can register through the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s website. People can also sponsor certain walkers or give general donations to the foundation.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Ask the County Law Librarian - Motion to Compel Responses to Interrogatories

2013-05-09T21:48:35Z

Q. I am the plaintiff in a motor vehicle personal injury case in Sacramento Superior Court. I went to your wonderful Civil Self-Help Center, which helped me get started with my complaint, and I want to thank you for offering that service! I also attended the Discovery Class on a Thursday, where the staff attorney explained all about the discovery process, and a Discovery Lab the next Thursday, where, again with the help of the staff attorney, I drafted some Interrogatories, and served them on the defendant. The problem now is she won’t answer them. What do I do?

Georgette

A. Thank you very much for your kind words about the Civil Self-Help Center, Georgette! For those of you that don’t know, the Sacramento County Public Law Library’s Civil Self-Help Center (CSHC) is intended to assist unrepresented persons who have chosen to pursue or defend a civil lawsuit in the Sacramento Superior Court. The CSHC provides workshops and individual assistance with a variety of civil legal issues. To receive a one-on-one appointment, you must be present in the Law Library at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, to be entered into a random drawing to determine the order in which we evaluate your case. If an appointment is appropriate, it will be made for later in that day.

Back to your problem, Georgette--if an opposing party fails to respond to your Form or Special Interrogatories, or a Request for Production, you may file a “Motion to Compel” a response. Before filing your motion, however, the California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 2016.040 requires you to try and “meet and confer” with the opposing counsel or self-represented party. This typically means sending a letter that informs the opposing counsel or self-represented party that the deadline to respond has passed, and providing him or her a reasonable time to respond, after which you would file a motion to compel responses. A reasonable time could be two weeks, or longer if the interrogatories or request for production is or are particularly complicated. The “meet and confer” requirement is your opportunity to demonstrate to the court that you are making a “reasonable and good faith attempt at an informal resolution.” CCP § 2016.040.

Since there are no pre-printed Judicial Council forms for motions to compel responses, you must draft them yourself. Motions must be typed on 28-line pleading paper and follow a specific format. Luckily, we have a Step-by-Step Guide on our website with a down-loadable template of the motion that complies with all of the court’s formatting rules!

The first step is to select the date of the hearing on your motion. You can select whatever date is convenient for you as long as it meets two very important statutory requirements: the filing deadline and the service deadline. Your Motion to Compel Responses must be filed with the court at least sixteen court days before the hearing. CCP § 1005. Court days are Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays.

Prior to filing the motion with the court, all other attorneys or self-represented parties must be served with a copy of the motion. This means that someone over the age of 18 who is not a party in the case must either personally deliver or mail (by first class) the attorney for the party or the self-represented party a copy of the motion and related documents.

If the motion is personally served, the service must be at least sixteen court days prior to the date of the motion, the same as the minimum filing deadline. If the motion is served by first-class mail additional time is added, depending on where the mail originates and where it is sent. CCP §1005. If the documents are mailed from California to California, five calendar days are added after the sixteen court days. Calendar days include weekends and holidays, but if the final day lands on a weekend or holiday, it is rolled over to the next court day. Luckily, our Step-by-Step Guide includes a calendar and detailed instructions on how to calculate court and calendar days to meet the filing and service deadlines.

At this time there is a $60 filing fee for filing a motion, unless your fees were waived. Current fees are available on the Sacramento County Superior Court’s website.

If opposing counsel or self-represented party opposes your motion, he or she may serve and file an opposition at least nine court days prior to your motion date. No fee is required to file an opposition. You may choose to serve and file a reply to the opposition at least five court days prior to the motion. No fee is required to file a reply.

If you still need help even after reading the Step-by-Step Guide, Georgette, please feel free to come to the Law Library at 8:25 a.m. for the lottery for CSHC appointments. We’d be happy to help you!

Coral Henning, Director
@coralh & @saclawlibrarian
www.saclaw.org

A Lot Like Birds Recording New Album in Portland, OR

2013-05-09T20:35:19Z

Sacramento's own post-hardcore outfit, A Lot Like Birds, is off on the road today to record their third full-length album with Producer Kris Crummett (Sleeping With Sirens, Dance Gavin Dance) at Interlace Studios in Portland, OR. For the last year or so the band has been slaving away at their rehearsal space at House of Hits in Sacramento, in-between touring the US and Europe, to lay the groundwork for their latest project which according to the band, is to be their most ambitious release to date.

"It's gonna be nuts," says drummer Joseph Arrington, stating that the band is both very excited and very stressed about the culmination of their journey on this new record. "We have 10 songs written [and] we still have to write one song in-studio."

In choosing the location and producer for the new as yet untitled album, the band reasoned that "[Kris has] become a good friend of ours. He's as excited about this project as we are. He's got great drum sounds, knows how to get the best takes, killer with tones and vocals and goes the extra mile. He is ridiculous." (The six-piece band recorded their last release, Conversation Piece, with Crummett which helped to generate quite the buzz around the band, building off of their debute release, Plan B).

And if the ridiculousness of Kris' workflow coupled with the band's outstanding writing and musicianship wasn't enough to set things off just by itself, they've outlined a special alliance with the famed Oakland String Metal band, Judgment Day; who will be providing string arrangements throughout the entire album.

I don't know about you... but excited doesn't quite cover it.

SGMC Second Saturday ABBA Sing-A-Thon - May 11

2013-05-09T19:05:56Z

The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus will participate in Second Saturday festivities with a Sing-A-Thon on Saturday, May 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors will get a preview of the group’s upcoming summer show, ExtrABBAganza, a celebration of the 1970s pop sensation ABBA, June 7-8, at the Crest Theatre.

Saturday’s Sing-A-Thon is free and open to the public at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1700 L St. A donation to support the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus would be greatly appreciated.

Steven Johnson, the group’s artistic director, says the Second Saturday Sing-A-Thon is intended to help raise the visibility of the chorus and of Sacramento arts and culture as well as to raise funds to enable the chorus to put on future shows in larger venues such as the Crest.

For more information about the Second Saturday Sing-A-Thon or on how to support the chorus, e-mail sgmcinfo@gmail.com

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: I have been a singing member of SGMC since 1988.

Sacramento Tech Week starts Friday

2013-05-09T18:57:17Z

Are you looking for something to spice up your Mother’s Day week? Sacramento Tech Week, a city-wide collaboration between startups, think tanks and coworking spaces, starts on Friday, May 10th.

Sponsored by SacStarts, Upstart Sacramento, Hacker Lab, SARTA and the Urban Hive, tech week aims to offer a little bit of everything. There are a ton of events lined up throughout the week, so you’ll have to pick and choose.

Friday, May 10th 4-6 p.m.
You can ease into the week at Startup Happy Hour at Streets of London on J Street. Stop by and chat with local techies over a drink and fear not, nametags are not required.

Saturday, May 11th 9 a.m.
Check out the third installation of Barcamp Sacramento at the Urban Hive, at no cost. Organized by Adam Kalsey and comprised of “technology and geek culture,” BarCamp welcomes speakers on any subject. Show up and sign up to give a talk, or just listen in.

Monday, May 13th 6:00 p.m.
SARTA’s monthly meetup and mixer, Beer and Geeks, coincides with tech week this month. According to SARTA’s Laura Good, it’s for more than just geeks – beer lovers and geek lovers are welcome too.

Wednesday, May 15th 8:45 a.m.
Lean Startups: Radical New Ways to Build Your Business Faster and Launch Your Idea Stronger – the name might be a mouthful, but the concept is simple. Startup success isn’t random, and the seminar’s purpose is to unearth the path from startup to full-fledged company – the emphasis being on when to retool your ideas and how to find your market (before you run out of cash).

Thursday, May 16th 6:30 p.m.
SacRuby is a monthly meetup focused on ruby programming language, and the group will be holding a mini hackathon at Hacker Lab in honor of Sacramento Tech Week. Teams will have to work fast, with only four hours to put together a working prototype before putting it to an audience vote. Not a programmer? Thought ruby was just a gem? No problem – all skill sets are welcome.

Friday, May 17th 8:00 a.m.
If you missed the last TEDxSacramento Salon, make sure to catch their Morning Salon at the Guild Theatre. TEDx is all about sharing ideas. There will be live speakers as well as video TED talks, snacks and ideas flowing freely. Organizer Brandon Weber of the Urban Hive said that, while this final Salon will have more of a tech focus, the speakers will appeal to a broad audience – including those without a background in tech or development.

That’s just a small dose of what’s in store. Hacker Lab has even more for the tech-saavy, Sacramento Social Media Club will offer its advice on PR for startups, and SARTA is hosting a total of six events throughout the week. Visit the Sacramento Tech Week website for a full list of events, details, and ticket information.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Bicycles and Brew: Pedal to your next Beer

2013-05-09T10:13:03Z

If you live in the Sacramento area, there is a good chance you have ridden your bike while commuting or for pleasure, and you have probably indulged in some locally made craft beer. Living in an area with an abundance of beautiful weather and locations to feed an appetite only increases the chance you have combined outdoor recreation with beer and cuisine. In honor of springtime in the Sacramento valley, why not hop on your bike and explore what’s brewing near you.

Biking and Beer offers a perfect yin and yang experience between the indoor and the outdoor, the intimate conversation that sharing a freshly poured pint encourages, and the freedom gained through traveling on a bicycle. Not only that, but you get to burn off all those calories you put on after indulging yourself, so it truly is a win-win situation. Now, I am in no way advocating riding a bicycle while under the influence. However, after making more than a few bicycle trips to Berryessa Brewing Company in Winters, and recently stopping by the Davis Beer Shoppe to taste a highly recommended Belgium pale ale, I can say without hesitation that moderate beer consumption followed by a bike ride puts one’s mind in a state of ultimate relaxation and well being. If you are looking to explore some new scenery and up for a quick train ride before you get on your bike, the Amtrak capital corridor train provides daily service between Davis and Sacramento for only $9. I recently hopped on a Sacramento bound train from Davis with my 1976 Schwinn Varsity in tow, and in fifteen minutes I had arrived at the Sacramento rail yards, and within short biking distance to a number of local breweries and pubs.

Whether you are in Sacramento, Davis, or another local destination, you can ride your bike to a plethora of places for exercise and the company of good friends and beer. Sacramento has already been dubbed “Americas Farm to Fork Capital,” and is experiencing a local brew movement as well with more craft breweries expected to open in the coming year. Some spots currently worth checking out in and around downtown include, Rubicon Brewery, River City Brewing, Hoppy Brewing Company, New Helvetia Brewing, Track 7, The Shack, Firestone Public House, Pangaea Two Brews Café and many other great locations. Davis is already known as a bike town and it continues to host locations with great beer on draft. Davis boasts the Davis Beer Shoppe, University of Beer, Sudwerk Restaurant and Brewery, Village Pizza & Grill, and The Graduate. The Davis Food Co-op, which already offers a stellar selection of locally and foreign made beer in cans and bottles, is now offering beer on tap to be enjoyed outside on their lovely patio. Pints of beer at the Co-op are currently $4.99 and cider is $5.99. You are also welcome to bring your own pint glass. Have you ever had beer on tap at a grocery store? I sure have not. Also looking ahead, a new Sacramento brewery is rumored to open in early 2014 called the “Big Sexy Brewing Company,” which, according to its Facebook page, is looking to secure a location within a few miles of Sacramento.

It appears that the craft beer movement is showing no signs of slowing down, so why not enjoy the beer renaissance on a bike, take in the breeze, and support your local community. I promise you will not regret it.

Sacramento Police K9 Bodie retires early

2013-05-09T02:27:57Z

Sacramento Police K9 Bodie is retiring after three years of devoted service as a result of injuries sustained during a critical incident.

Bodie is one of only two Sacramento Police canines that have been shot in the line of duty. Bodie has gone above and beyond the call of duty while serving the Sacramento community and will now proudly be the first ever honorary Sacramento Police reserve K9.

In November of 2010 Officer Randy Van Dusen began training K9 Bodie. K9 Bodie is a German Shepherd dog that was imported from Germany for police work. After two months of training that included obedience, agility, search and suspect apprehension, Bodie was certified as a police canine. Bodie was certified for narcotics detection as well as article searching and tracking. Bodie was one of the Police Department's canines that assisted the SWAT team during warrant services and high risk entries and searches.

Bodie and his handler have received multiple recognitions. Most recently in April of this year, they were awarded the 911 Heroes Award presented by 911 for Kids.

Bodie is an extremely friendly dog and his hard work ethic will be missed among his K9 partners.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up .

Disclosure: This is a direct repost from the SacPD press release.

First harvest at Hock Farm

2013-05-09T00:08:45Z

Is it true that when something becomes mainstream that it’s just not cool anymore? In this case I hope not—because the latest player to jump into the farm-to-fork pool is the most mainstream and recognizable of Sacramento restaurateurs, the Paragary Restaurant Group, with it’s new venture, Hock Farm Craft & Provisions (1415 L Street).

According to the menu, Hock Farm is a “celebration” of John Sutter’s original agricultural settlement, the farming tradition of the Sacramento region, and the current self-designation of the city as the “Farm to Fork Capital”. They have even gone so far as to print a map on the back of the menu, highlighting Sacramento County with it’s surrounding environs and a list of purveyors that Hock Farm works with.

Located in the former Spataro, the room is now wide open and airy, with exposed concrete, plywood booths and comfy pillows. The noise level was perfect early on, but later in the evening as the room filled, I had to shout to speak to the person immediately to my right. With the restaurant’s prime location across the street from Capitol Park, I hope that street seating arrives soon for some people watching during happy hour.

Speaking of happy hour, my friends and I arrived just a few minutes before six, and I was able to order one of the inexpensive choices of refreshing beverages. I rather enjoyed my 70’s-era white wine spritzer ($5), but if you prefer a refreshing beer on a hot summer evening, there is an assortment of canned beer ($3). Hock Farm also features wines “freshly poured from the keg” --I had the J Pinot Gris with my dinner, which was light and crisp ($8).

The menu is divided up into sections for easy choosing. “Bites”—appetizers and bar snacks are all around $5. We sampled the “dressed egg”—basically a deviled egg—nice, but I like salty stuff so I could’ve gone for just a tad more of the caper and anchovy that were listed ingredients on the menu. The caramel corn with candied bacon was a sweet and savory treat. My favorite was the chicken liver mousse, served with a dollop of orange marmalade and crispy toast.

The roasted beet salad was cool and refreshing, with butter lettuce, golden and red beets, grapefruit and a light vinaigrette ($8). Perfect for the warm weather but the salad could’ve benefitted from a few grains of salt. From the “small plates” menu, I was tempted by the country pork terrine served with chow chow ($8), but got sidetracked by sliders stuffed with pork braised in orange pop ($9). The pronounced orange flavor may have been from orange zest rather than artificial orange Fanta soda, but if you like pulled pork sandwiches, this might be for you.

The pizza was somewhere in between a Neapolitan pie and a traditional American pizza. The crust was slightly puffy, topped with a tangy red sauce and fennel sausage that was the highlight of this pie ($12). Besides pizza, Hock Farm has a few specialty dishes coming out of their wood-fired oven. Some fire roasted asparagus with lemon and breadcrumbs was enticing ($5), and there were meatier offerings like pork belly and egg with greens ($12) and a couple of bivalve dishes—mussels and chorizo ($12) and pork shoulder with clams served with papas bravas ($19).

The entrees, while more mainstream, were the clear standouts. We shared the spring vegetable fettuccine—green noodles mixed with asparagus, baby artichokes, fava beans, spring onion, herbs with a touch of lemon ($16). The noodles were soft and chewy and the tender vegetables rounded out the dish. We also sampled the roasted half-chicken. Not a dish I order in restaurants very often, but it’s a great barometer of kitchen prowess. This one was blanketed in crispy chicken skin—the kind that rarely makes it out of the kitchen at my house-- and had super juicy, tender and flavorful meat on the inside. I was also pleasantly surprised by the wilted dandelion greens and shaved radish underneath. We were a bit confused by the "crouton", a large hunk of bread that was parked underneath the chicken, but it sopped up the juices nicely.

There were only a couple of choices for dessert, so we tried the chocolate and caramel tart. A crisp crust was filled with gooey caramel and topped with a layer of soft dark chocolate. It would have been nice to have a digestif to accompany our sweet but there was none on offer and the attending bartender had nothing to suggest.

Hock Farm brings some additional life downtown and has gotten off to a pretty good start. I hope that they are able to settle in and provide the kind of homey and relaxing atmosphere that has become so popular at Sacramento's other successful farm-to-fork restaurants, Magpie and Hook and Ladder.

Kaleidoscope fashion

2013-05-08T22:50:56Z

Psychedelic forms viewed through a kaleidoscope have fascinated me since childhood. With kaleidoscope images in the back of my mind I attended the American River College “Kaleidoscope 2013” fashion show held on May 3.

The American River College's 12th Annual Fashion Show brought 12 student designers to the campus' Black Box Theater stage for three showings. The air conditioned theater also served as a relief from the heat outside.

Stunning children, men and women's designs captivated the audience during each of the three fashion runway shows.

A production with so many designers and shows had to have many volunteers to make things move smoothly. ARC students and faculty worked hard to accomplish this as they worked backstage, on and offstage. Many of the volunteers, designers and models had only a few hours of sleep the night before, and many had been on campus since 7 a.m.

After the first runway show, Joanna Durkee, one of the show directors, shared a few thoughts about the fashion show. “The first show I think went well,” said Durkee as she prepared for the second show.

“The designers showed really well. It was very eclectic as it included children's, evening, resort and elegant fashion. You had something from every style,” continued Durkee. The show director also has experience as a designer and has participated at various fashion shows in Sacramento including including this year's Sacramento Fashion Week with her Niv Elliot line.

When asked about challenges and rewards for the ARC fashion show Durkee said, “I think the biggest challenge is the amount of people I have to work with because we have 100 models, 12 designers and three shows you have to organize. The most fun I've experienced is seeing it in person. Before the first show I was really nervous but as soon as the first set of girls hit the runway things changed. Everything came together and it was great, the music worked well and the outfits looked fantastic.”

Besides the 12 designers who showcased their talent, alumnus guest designer Michael Kouri was invited to share his “Forever Yours” line shown at this year's Sacramento Fashion Week. Ruchi Shah provided accessories for Kouri's line.

Kouri's dramatic designs set the stage as each ARC designer showed four or more pieces during their runway show.

A panel of judges was on hand for the early show and collaborated to vote in several categories. As they watched the morning runway show they could be seen talking to each other as each of the designers showcased their line. Before the second showing they also had a chance to speak with each of the designers.

Carolyn Keys' “Lil Madam” collection was the only children's line on exhibit. Adorable little girls walked down the runway in beautiful floral-patterned dresses. Wearing their “Sunday best” the little models drew audible compliments from the audience. The boy escorts stepped back slightly allowing the “Lil Madam” collection models to pose and show a true kaleidoscope display.

Each designer was inspired by different elements, styles and eras. Alexandra Kastner's showed her debut collection “Mod Me Up.” The collection was inspired by the '60s boxy mod look. The Brazilian native showed six bright one and two-piece outfits to showcase her talent.

Lisbeth Contreras showed a collection of day and evening casual wear. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Contreras' collection was simple yet elegant, contemporary yet vintage, creating a diversified look.

Bright floral patterns adorned most of Svetlana Nalobina's “A Step Into Summer” collection. Nalobina's '70s inspired collection encompassed that decade's retro style look. The Russian native used bold floral prints to embellish each of her designs, creating a sophisticated style.

Tiffany Hagewood's “Mod-ish” brought five sleeveless one-piece dresses to the runway. Inspired by the '60s London Mod movement Hagewood's black, white and teal collection was quite enticing. Her vintage collection included contemporary touches giving the always stylish '60s an update for today's look.

The audience was thrilled to see Venice Ousley's collection “Incogneetah” as Michael Jackson's song “Thriller” was used to introduce her line. Ousley's alluring collection contained camouflage and cheetah prints. These elements, along with bright black and red colors, created a seductive look.

“Gods and Monsters” by Syu Martin brought a dark beauty to the stage. Martin's designs showcased her conspicuous Gothic Lolita style that separated her collection from most others. Martin's “You can be beautiful on the outside but be a monster inside” collection had the Japanese fashion pop-culture style that has become popular with today's youth. Martin's Prince Noir collection has won awards at the SacAnime fashion shows.

With 26 years of fashion construction and design experience, AnHa Tran showcased her colorful collection “Break Away.” Tran's collection, with its many colorful garments, reminded me of birds of paradise. Her elegant line was beautifully accentuated with very colorful and fashionable headwear and accessories.

The only men's collection showcased at the Kaleidoscope Fashion Show belonged to designer Saul Latvanen. Entitled “The Same Boy You've Always Known," Latvanen's designs were elegantly edgy and high-end couture Latvanen displayed a collection at last year's ARC fashion show and two of his garments from that show were displayed on last Saturday's red carpet. He also participated in last year's Sacramento Fashion Week.

Having met Latvanen before, I remembered he had mentioned he was going to be working on a men's line, and that this was the first time he'd shown a full men's collection. “My inspiration was 'The Same Boy You've Always Known' which is a new menswear fashion style but with different fabrics. For example, the models will be wearing lace, which is a feminine fabric but in this case I'm making it very masculine at the same time,” said Latvanen as he described his collection. The designer ended by saying, “Technically the collection is 1970s inspired while at the same time exhibiting an edgier couture men style..”

Dure Arshad’s “Diamonds in the Sky” collection brought a set of sleeveless and beautifully stylish wear to the runway. The collection of dresses ranged from outfits that could be work for a night on the town or to a formal event. Ar shad’s couture collection was very feminine, elegant and included meticulous patterns on each dress.

“La Beaute” was Helen Romero's line. The Romero collection was inspired by a Victorian elegance combined with a modern look. The black and white collection included fine and precise detail. Romero's designs were accentuated with precise hand stitching on her collection.

Kristin Huss brought delightful splendor to the stage with her “Echos of Morning” collection, inspired by the tragic loss of her mother to cancer. Huss wanted to create something beautiful in her honor. Huss' beautiful form-fitting collection was brilliant and paid honorable homage to her mom.

Collaboration vs Competition: Can We Do Both?

2013-05-08T20:49:16Z

This one is short and sweet and for the entrepreneurs out there who still believe you have to choose between profit and good works. You don’t have to choose. In fact, consider it may be shortsighted to favor one over another, and downright irresponsible if you still think that what is most valuable is profit for the sake of financial preeminence.

What is valuable today is what innovates, and shifts the game forward in ways that advances causes, lives, understanding, and human achievement in ways that radically changes the fabric of our experiences. What is valuable is good for most and healthy for all, as in it doesn’t hurt or disrupt other people, animals, the earth, or the future.

What is valuable is sustainable, and enriching, and filled with byproducts that could never be created had we never had the intention of efficiently using our resources for the long haul in the first place; we would have been too busy planning for the expensive weekend getaway and never noticed how our values were shifting.

It is easy to get lost and lose sight of how opposite collaboration and competition are, how since we’re on the C’s, how easy it is to believe that competition for profit is healthy. But it, absent some more valuable intention, is just killing our game for the sake of the hunt, when what we need to be doing is deciding who we are and digging in. Compete yes, but do so for the shared benefit of all.

Are we collaborators, or are we competitors?

Can we be both? Can a company thrive financially, even dominate if it holds others up as it grows and expands? Or is collaboration a dilution to power and leverage? I'd like to think Sacramento is the kind of town where its people, business leaders, and entrepreneurs see collaboration as a first order of priority. I try to do my part.

If we take away the game of profitability, would we miss the sport? Or would we come to know the true value of being and doing in ways that also lifts others up? Absent the bloodshed of competition, we might only have each other to fall back on. Where would our profit be then? Where would our values be then?

Might more of us move more often toward both the greater good and the high mountains if we held each other equal to ourselves?

What do you think?

Disclosure: As a media company owner and writer, I am intrigued by the notion that we can build financially successful enterprise by pointing that enterprise at game-changing intent to do better for each other and the world.

IGOR’S Back!

2013-05-08T19:25:40Z

Making a special appearance this Memorial Day, “Igor the Jazz Cowboy” will return to Sacramento for this one-of-a-kind exclusive performance. A star from decades of concerts at the “Sacramento Music Festival,” this show is not related to the festival and will feature the best of all Igor’s talent. His music includes the roots of Americana, from New Orleans to Arizona’s cowboys and beyond.

Igor will team up with local comedy magician John Heinen, and together for the first time they will perform at the gorgeous campus of Sacramento’s Unitarian Universalist Society, located near Fair Oaks Boulevard between Howe Ave and Fulton Ave at 2425 Sierra Blvd. The admission price of $15, children under 12 admitted free, includes three completely different shows that will delight the entire family.

As a member of the renowned Grammy Award-winning “New Christy Minstrels” in 1970, Igor says, “Being a part of this group and participating in the May 2002 PBS Special at Carnegie Mellon University ‘This Land Is Your Land: The Folk Years’ was probably the highlight of my career.” The show was hosted by the “Smothers Brothers” and featured “a sensational lineup of … the most popular (folk music) acts around.”

The talented and popular John Heinen, comedian, magician and “mind reader” brought unique, hilarious, jaw-dropping entertainment to hundreds of audiences for 22 years. After one show, E. Reagan Wisham noted, “A fresh mix of laughter and dazzling magic … A tremendous show beyond belief.”

Igor Glenn is also a three-time winner of the classic TV game program “The Gong Show,” which aired on NBC in the 1970s and 1980s. He says these shows were probably his most embarrassing and bizarre appearances. “At one point we all had to do the ‘Worm Dance’ so he, actress Jaye P. Morgan and others lay down on the floor and squirmed around like worms!”

Igor’s guitar-, banjo- and bass-playing talent and four-octave vocals have helped him gain worldwide fame, and he has performed throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Australia, Israel and Europe. Along the way he provided professional accompaniment for musicians including John Denver and Benny Goodman. While playing at an outdoor wedding reception after dark, he says he couldn’t see who was present; one number he sang and played was “16 Tons.” Afterward Tennessee Ernie Ford came by and told him how much he had enjoyed the song. At one point, Glenn says, he was at a coffee shop and Marty Robbins walked up, complimented him and expressed how much he enjoyed Igor’s voice.

Established in Sacramento in 1868, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento purchased, built and moved to its present location in 1960, when the Arden Arcade area near Campus Commons, where the society is located, was still considered mostly rural, with lots of new growth and plenty of open farmland. From the beginning, the organization had planned for the facility to be “harmonious with nature, spacious and open to the skies, winds, rains, dews, fogs, mists, stars, and sunlight.” Above all, they wanted an environment conducive to the “soaring of free spirits and the flow of ideas, enhanced by the beauty of the visual arts, of poetry spoken and written, of prose old and new.” The performance will be inside the large main hall, but connected to outdoor areas for enjoying the refreshments and relaxation.

Glenn writes online at the “Senior Correspondent,” March 11, 2013, that “I was born and reared in Alabama. My rural school in Muscle Shoals was supported by a religious group that allowed only a cappella singing: no organ, no piano, etc.” As a child he knew hundreds of songs from memory and started singing them when he was 5 years old. “I learned to sing with “shape note” music. Never heard of shape notes?” writes Glenn, “Shape Note music assigns a syllable to each note with simple shapes representing the notes on the musical scale. Instead of the sounds: do, re, mi … it uses shapes.” He continues, “During high school, I learned to accompany myself on guitar and string bass. My first band featured rockabilly music. My pianist was Donnie Fritts who gained fame as a songwriter for Ray Charles and was a long-time accompanist for Kris Kristofferson.” Later, Glenn performed on the Capitol Mall in Washington, D.C., in front of 800,000 people, and says, "When the sound of applause stopped the silence came in waves and took 10 seconds to reach the stage.”

John Heinen says, “I love to entertain. I love comedy. I love magic.” He wishes that he would have started performing at age 25 instead of 45 and has learned that "if you say something funny to a couple of friends and they laugh it’s a thrill. If you say something funny to 200 people and they laugh it’s a HUGE thrill!" At a convention he was seated next to Harry Blackstone, Jr. John says, “I did a trick for him I learned from a book written by his father, Harry Blackstone, Sr. I’m sure he knew [how the trick worked] but he was very cordial and kindly made no mention of it. [He was] a wonderful magician and a true gentleman.”

When these two popular showmen are placed together on the same stage, anything can happen at this family-friendly event. Add to that the wonderful venue, and this Memorial Day will be a remarkable experience. Taking everyone with you to enjoy the holiday afternoon of fun and laughter will make a big hit.

Disclosure: "For further information, contact the writer at brucemmoulton@gmail.com" My work with the event is on a volunteer basis for the non-profit and I do not receive monetary compensation for this contribution.

Startup of the Month: Nicolas'Garden

2013-05-08T18:35:42Z

There are a lot of exciting things happening in Sacramento right now, including the farm to fork movement, signs of growth in the central city and our ever-evolving art scene. We also have a burgeoning startup community, and small companies are springing up all over the city (and online). In order to help highlight these, The Sacramento Press will be featuring monthly a local startup we think is worth keeping an eye on.

To kick things off, who better to start with than 8-year-old Nicolas Come, who pulled up his chair to the farm to fork to table last November when he pitched his idea at Hacker Lab’s Cereal Hack II.

Nicolas sought to help his friends and other kids get healthy. His product? Nicolas’Garden, an online platform for exchanging healthy recipes and healthy tips for kids and families that includes a gamification component – just to keep things fun.

At Cereal Hack II Nicolas, with the help of his father, Stephane Come, was able to put together a team of five and, though he didn’t take home first prize, Nicolas’Garden was founded in December of last year.

“Feedback from beta users has revealed that while for kids, adults really like the app to find easy-to-make and healthy recipes for the entire family,” said Stephane Come. “Our steps by steps (with pictures), appeals to everyone.”

Six months later, the dedication that brought father and son to Cereal Hack II has yet to wane. They’ve received a bit of seed money, and will launch a mobile app on May 19th at Soil Born Farms open house, A Day on the Farm.

We asked Nicolas and Stephane to tell us a bit more about their product, their journey, how son inspired father (and vice versa), and where they are headed next.

SP: How did you come up with idea for your startup? Was there an “ah-ha” moment?
Nicolas: I was working in the garden with my dad, and he was telling me about all the vegetables we planted and how they are good for you. I told him that I wanted to share this with all my friends online, and their friends. I asked him if we could make a website. He said that I should pitch my idea to a local hackathon and see if some programmers would be interested. I got a team and we won 2nd place. A few days later, a local company called my dad to help us write the mobile app. I’m excited that it is done and that my friends and their friends will be able to use it.

SP: What has been the biggest challenge so far?
Nicolas: We need to provide as many healthy options as possible. We have been working on gathering recipes, but it is slow. Hopefully when we are live and people come to our site, they will want to help us and submit more recipes.

SP: Are there any key individuals outside of your organization that have been of great help to your startup? What has helped you get to where you are right now?
Stephane: There are many wonderful people here in Sacramento willing to help. First, this would have not been possible without the Hacker Lab for hosting the Cereal Hack hackathon. Gina Lujan spearheaded this effort, and it gave us the opportunity to present an idea and get it started. During that weekend, Devon Latzen, Jay Miller and Kathryn Lastufka joined Nicolas’ team and worked under his direction. Next, AppMatrix Inc., a local mobile app provider reached out to us soon thereafter and helped us create the app and the website we have today. Page9 Inc. for the support of the idea and some seed funding. also, Tracy Saville and Drisha Leggitt of Possibility Media have embraced our efforts and are helping promote not only the app, but Nicolas’ vision. And last but not least our energetic Mayor Kevin Johnson for enabling the Farm to Form movement and declaring Sacramento the Capital of Farm to Fork.

SP: What are you most looking forward to for the app launch on the 19th at Soil Born Farms?
Stephane: We can’t wait to meet the kids and their parents and help them find yummy recipes that are easy to make. While somewhat stealth, we have received much interest from local chefs about uploading their recipes on our platform. We are going to make sure healthy foods are fun!

SP: What advice would you share with early stage or new entrepreneurs?
Stephane: I think both efforts can be very challenging. They key is to vet your idea first, have a clear picture of the vision, and being able to mockup a prototype with the resources on hand before going too far and spending much money. The 32-hours at the hackathon enabled us to get to this point and get instant feedback from the judges and the audience. In our case, we were very lucky that both funding and talent came to us, because the people behind it believed in the mission and the potential to help many families.

SP: What advice would you share with early stage or new entrepreneurs?
Stephane: I outlined some advice on the SARTA blog earlier this year, but I would add this – be ready! Be ready to accept that not everyone will like your idea. Be ready to adapt your plan quickly based on what you learn along the way. Be ready for your idea to take longer than planned. Be ready for the ups and downs. Be ready to embrace it!

SP: Stephane, how do you feel about your son’s budding entrepreneurship?
Stephane: When Nicolas was born, I left my day job at a large software company to be with my family each night instead of traveling. My son was my inspiration for entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is a way of life, it’s the “how to” mantra instead of the “why not.” My job as a dad is to prepare my kids to leave the house at age 18. If they can’t be on their own, I failed. Here are a few steps that I believe contributed to Nicolas’ entrepreneurial spirit:

Teach: Teach your kids something new everyday. At home, in nature, at the grocery store, on the soccer field. Every moment can teach us something. Use these moments.
Listen: Listen to your kids and their ideas. Some are silly, some are great, but none are impossible. Don’t ignore what they have to say. They don’t have the same constraint as you do, and that can be a good thing.
Enable: Enable your kids to pursue their imagination. Take the time to be involved, to discuss and participate. Create projects for them. Allow them to fail and allow them to succeed.
Support: Don’t just shut down an idea because you don’t have time. Support it. Find a way to make it happen. They will remember it for a lifetime.

One night I was tired, it was almost time for bed and Nicolas said, “Dad, can we start my company?” I wanted to answer with, “not tonight!”, but what message would that send? Nicolas then picked up my laptop, opened it in front of me and said, “Can you help me now?” That night we only purchased nicolasgarden.com domain, but for Nicolas, we started his company! I will never forget the expression on his face.

SP: What are your thoughts on Sacramento’s startup community? What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the community? What would personally like to see?
Stephane: Just a couple of years ago, the words “startup” and “Sacramento” were seldom used in the same sentence. Today, numerous local and online communities are here to support entrepreneurs and startups. From the Urban Hive, Hacker Lab, SARTA – to name a few – and the hundreds of meetups with volunteers giving their time to help and inspire people, Sacramento is stepping up to the startup scene. The main strength is the momentum going on right now. We need to sustain it and we will see some success stories emerge. On the flipside, Sacramento is a large government town and is still very risk-averse. I’m encouraged to see people and groups rise up like the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy, the UCEA, the Sacramento Angels and a few venture capital firms like Velocity Ventures.

SP: What do you need most right now?
Stephane: RIght now, recipes and outreach are our main currencies. We are looking for trusted users that can contribute healthy recipes to our site and share them with their online friends. As a movement for healthier kids, we are also planning to add features to the app to get people and local communities connected. We are actively looking for sponsorships and/or partnerships to develop these features this year. Help us make Nicolas’Garden not just another app, but a cause kids want to be part of. Help us make a difference. Help us bring back the family around the table and have fun.

SP: Anything you’d like to add?
Stephane: This story is a testament that if you believe you can achieve something great and start with just the first few steps, anything is possible. This was a young boy’s idea with someone telling him that if this was important to him, he needed to take action – and he did. Nicolas and his team would like to thank the local community and everyone participating in enabling Nicolas’ vision.

Got a recipe that might make Nicolas’ cut? Email the recipe and photos to nicolas [at] nicolasgarden.com

Have a startup in mind that you’d like to see featured? Nominate them by sending an email to startup [at] sacramentopress.com. Be sure to include “Startup of the Month” in the subject line.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: This interview has been edited and condensed.

‘Listen to Your Mother’ arrives in Sacramento

2013-05-08T15:26:38Z

On Sunday, May 12, at 7 p.m., 15 local women writers will perform in the Sacramento premiere of “Listen to Your Mother” at the Crest Theatre. A portion of all proceeds will benefit 916 Ink, a local nonprofit organization that is dedicated to increasing the literacy rate of youth in Sacramento. Bring your mother, sister, daughter or friend and spend a Sunday evening listening to stories of motherhood.

It’s certain that one of the stories presented by these women, who are professional writers or bloggers, artists, homemakers, teachers or office workers, is sure to tickle your funny bone and perhaps moisten your eyes, while each will certainly celebrate the complexities of motherhood.

Since its inception in 2010, “Listen to Your Mother” has expanded from one city to 24 in 2013, and is under the leadership of Ann Imig, the organization’s national director. Each city features local readers. The Sacramento show is being produced and directed by Margaret Andrews and Nichole Beaudry.

Andrews has worked as a software developer and technical writer, and is now the writer behind the award-winning humor blog, “Nanny Goats in Panties.” She is also the author of “Sticky Readers: How to Attract a Loyal Blog Audience by Writing More Better.”

Beaudry performed last year in the San Francisco production of “Listen to Your Mother,” is a former English professor, co-founder of Sacramento Bloggers, columnist for “SheKnows” and the writer of the blog, “in these small moments.”

The cast is diverse and includes KCRA’s Emmy Award-winning journalist, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, who also writes the online Olympic blog, “Deirdre’s Diary.” In addition to Fitzpatrick, Andrews and Beaudry, readings will be presented by Tresa Edmunds, Janelle Hanchett, Jill Mansfield, Penny Manson, Laura Meehan, Stephanie Huang Porter, Kim Prior, Lisa Smiley, Roxanne Stellmacher, Emma Wall, Tonya Wertman and Bridgette White.

Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance or $25 if purchased on May 12.

A touch of Tapigami

2013-05-08T06:34:25Z

When I think of the Downtown Plaza I think of a sad abandoned place, a place that quite honestly I try and avoid; it feels heavy like a deep sigh and gray without color. When I discovered that’s where I was headed to interview an artist, I was skeptical yet intrigued. My curiosity peaked when I got to my destination, and enormous perfume and cologne advertisements were all that was there. Then the large glass doors mysteriously open, but the figure that appears is not “the great and powerful Oz”—it is Tre Borden.

Although this is the first time we have met, he greets me with a warm hug that I am glad to accept. As he turns around to enter the space, I notice immediately that I am not in Kansas anymore. The rather large space is warm and young with a creative spirit. Borden is the longtime friend and now managing business partner of Danny Scheible, the artist and mastermind of “tapigami,” the art form he created over eight years ago.

Borden introduces me to Scheible, and we shake hands. They both start to take me around the space (Borden doing most of the talking) and tell me about some of the art and how the space will be set up for their upcoming preview event “Exhibit S” on May 11. Get rid of all your ideas about past gallery spaces—this is not a sterile environment where the curator ignores you until you bring out your pocketbook. In fact, the preview event is to really show appreciation to all that have been involved in the project. We head to the backroom to conduct the interview; scattered around, there are several types of art, all varying in their own stages of development. Borden puts on some music to drown out the constant thumping coming from Forever 21 located next door. Scheible asks me if I want a glass of wine and I decline in order to establish my professionalism.

As we start to talk about how the two met in their Gifted and Talented Education class in second grade, I start to notice how close these two really are. Scheible works his tape and creates as we speak, and although they are both very different, they can sometimes finish each other’s thoughts. We talk about art school, and New York City, and Yale and how they both came back to their hometown of Sacramento and started working together. Growing up, I was raised with the idea that you did not touch the art, and for several different reasons I can see why. Maybe because it was forbidden, I always had the urge to touch the sculptures or paintings, and I have to admit that sometimes when no one was looking I would quickly put a finger on a sculpture or the frame of a painting. Scheible’s art is interactive and he encourages you to touch it, feel it and move it around. It seems like a form of communication for him that allows him to be expressive, but also interact with everyone around him. He explains that tape is the perfect medium because he can take it anywhere, it’s a household product and it is so easy to manipulate.

Scheible gets up for another glass of vino in his little plastic cup and I throw caution to the wind and have a glass, as I figured I held out long enough. Two glasses later I am feeling really inspired. I tell them both that I admire the fact that they are both doing what makes them happy and making a living off it. There are a lot of people that have a true passion, but for whatever reason they don’t pursue their dreams and just continue in the rat race. More often than not, the reason is because of financial obligations. “There is a crossroads and you have to take that leap of faith, I would rather eat ramen while we pursue our dreams then eat steak and be unhappy,” Borden said. Scheible points out a different way of looking at this concept. He says that everything that you buy is something that you pay for (obviously), but that it is all a choice. You choose to have a car payment or a mortgage, etc. I like the idea of being aware of what I buy as a consumer in relation to how it can ultimately affect your happiness. Something that is undeniable is that both men are extremely talented, aware and smart, and that Sacramento is really fortunate they decided to come back. Their view for Sacramento and how it can continue to grow is progressive.

“Fostering creativity in a cultural community is what is going to make people live and stay in your community, and if you don’t do that you are just going to be left behind,” explains Scheible. Communities along with the cities’ decision makers are starting to truly realize the significance that art adds to a community.

“You can move artists into a depressed area for little cost and create wealth,” adds Borden.

We talk about “The Kay” and the Downtown Plaza being so vacant, the empty spaces could be utilized for pop-up shops, dance studios, recording studios, etc. By allowing the otherwise vacant spots to be utilized, there would be a potential for businesses to thrive, hire staff and then pay the desired rent. Scheible and Borden’s upcoming event “Exhibit S” is a really neat concept in which both artists and business will be working together under the same roof. They hope to highlight all the cool and unique things about our amazing little city. Between the art, tech, food and beer scene, things are happening in Sacramento and our little city has quite a bit to offer. Scheible has a notebook full of ideas (that I was not allowed to peek at), and I can’t wait to see what these two are going to do next.

Visit www.tapigami.com for more information.

Pitch me a story at stephania916@gmail.com

Crime Blotter, Weekend Edition, Friday May 3rd to Monday May 7th

2013-05-08T01:12:02Z

Friday, May 3, 2013

MIDTOWN: Suspicious Circumstances, 24th Street/P Street, 10:06 a.m.
The victim reported that a suspicious parcel was delivered to her door. It was determined that the package was in fact sent from a known friend of the victim; however, the item appeared suspicious to her. Officers arrived and determined that there was nothing dangerous regarding the package and the currier was notified for further follow up.
DOWNTOWN: Resisting, 7th Street/F Street, 12:46 a.m.
Parker Caldwell, 24, was taken into custody for resisting arrest after officers contacted him in the area. Witnesses reported seeing Caldwell knocking on doors in the area and he became aggressive upon officers arrival. Caldwell had to be physically restrained and pepper spray was deployed to safely taken him into custody.
OLD SACRAMENTO: Robbery, 1200 block of Front Street, 2:15 a.m.
Officers responded to a report of a robbery. The victim was riding his bicycle when he was approached by multiple subjects. One of the subjects attempted to engage in a brief conversation with the victim. The victim was then physically assaulted and had his bike and other property was taken by the subjects. The victim did not require medical attention and a report was taken.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

FAB FORTIES: Sex Assault Report, 40th Street/ J Street, 2:04 p.m.
Officers responded to a local hospital on a report of a possible sex assault of a minor by a known suspect. The outside agency where the assault occurred was advised and is investigating.
DOWNTOWN: Assault, 900 block of F Street, 7:51 p.m.
Officers responded to an assault call. The suspect got into a fight at a gathering, grabbed a bottle and hit the victim over the head with it. The suspect then grabbed her 5-month old child and ran off. She left her other two children at the scene of the assault. Shantae Taylor, 35, was located, arrested and booked into jail for assault with a deadly weapon. All three children were placed into protective custody.
OAK PARK: Assault, 3400 block of San Jose Way, 7:04 p.m.
Officers were dispatched on a report that a man had just shot at the caller's daughter. The suspect had yelled at the victim for parking her car in front of his residence, pointed a gun at her and fired. The suspect then went back into the house. The suspect would not come out for officers and ultimately HNT [Hostage Negotiation Team] and SWAT responded. The suspect eventually exited the house. Alan Myles, 52, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and felon in possession of a firearm. The victim was not injured.
SOUTHSIDE PARK AREA: Traffic Stop, 5th Street / W Street, 6:11 p.m.
Christian Walker, 28, was contacted and arrested for violation of parole.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

DOWNTOWN: Assault, N. 12th Street /C Street, 11:03 a.m.
Officers responded to an area hospital for a report of an adult male subject that just arrived with a stab wound. Officers arrived, contacted the victim and found that the fight occurred on May 4, 2013. The victim was drinking with several friends, fell asleep and woke up the next morning. The victim was unaware of his injury until someone pointed it out.
MIDTOWN: Subject Stop, 16th Street / Victorian Aly, 2:21 a.m.
Officers contacted a subject who initially gave officers a false name. The subject was ultimately identified as a parolee-at-large out of Colorado. Gilbert Montour, 43, was arrested and booked into county jail.
MIDTOWN: Burglary, 1700 block of I Street, 2:11 a.m.
Officers were dispatched to a report of a burglary. It was found that a witness heard glass breaking and later found the front window to the business was broken. The glass breaking and falling destroyed merchandise that was displayed inside the business. The owner arrived and found that an object had been taken from the display.
DOWNTOWN: Assault, 1300 block of H Street, 12:57 a.m.
Officers were dispatched to a call of a fight. They arrived and found that the victim and suspect got into an argument that became physical. The suspect hit and kicked the victim. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the suspect was arrested for battery. Michael O'Brien, 24, was booked into county jail for felony battery.
GRANT PARK AREA: Disturbance, 20th Street / C Street, 3:25 a.m.
Officers contacted a subject on a disturbance call. Tony Ruark, 47, was contacted and arrested for possession of methamphetamine, violation of probation and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
RICHMOND GROVE: Suspicious Occupied Vehicle, 17th Avenue / Washington Avenue, 11:18 p.m.
Officers contacted and arrested a subject for possession of heroin. Robert Rodriguez, 48, was booked into county jail.
OAK PARK: Arson, 3400 block of San Jose Way, 1:51 a.m.
Police responded at the request of Sacramento Fire for a possible arson. Fire department personnel put out the small fire that was found in the gutter. Sacramento Fire Department will be conducting the arson investigation. No one was injured.

Monday, May 6, 2012

DOWNTOWN: Disturbance, 100 block of Capitol Mall, 11:53 a.m.
Officers responded for a report of a possibly armed subject. Upon officers arrival the involved parties were contacted and a parole search of an associated vehicle was done. A hand gun and narcotics were located and Richard Villegas, 54, was taken into custody for violation of his parole, multiple weapons charges and possession of a narcotics.
COLONIAL HEIGHTS: Suspicious Vehicle, 5500 block of San Francisco Blvd, 8:36 p.m.
Four subjects were arrested when officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call for service. The unoccupied panel truck was determined to be listed as stolen and two subjects related to the vehicle were located. The two subjects were observed leaving the area and ultimately taken into custody. Two additional subjects were located during follow up related to this incident. One of the additional subjects had an active warrant and the other was in possession of narcotics.
TAHOE PARK: Burglary, 2700 block of 63rd Street, 12:55 p.m.
Witnesses reported hearing the sounds of glass breaking and officers observed signs of forced entry into a residence upon arrival. Items were reported to be missing from inside the home and a report was generated. A canvas of the neighborhood was done and this investigation is ongoing.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Excerpts from the Sacramento Police Department's daily logs.

Hundreds of Sacramento County Students Earn State Seals of Biliteracy

2013-05-07T22:27:08Z

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) recognized linguistic accomplishments on May 6, honoring students who attained a high level of proficiency in English plus at least one other language.

SCOE officially presented dozens of students from throughout the county with the California State Seal of Biliteracy, which was established by California Assembly Bill 815. Throughout Sacramento County, a total of more than 280 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy in 2013. It is awarded to seniors who have demonstrated English competency, as well as competency in another language by meeting specific criteria.

"Each of these students met rigorous state criteria and has demonstrated his or her linguistic abilities on examinations, grades and coursework," said David W. Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools. "Being proficient in more than one language will provide these young people with skills needed to be successful in a global economy, build self confidence, and help develop a stronger sense of community."

Students demonstrate English competency by scoring at the "proficient" level or higher on the California Standards Test in English-Language Arts and earning good grades in all high school English classes required for high school graduation. In addition, students must demonstrate competency in another language by taking a four-year course of study in a world language or pass a test such as the Advanced Placement exam.

In addition to English, this year's Seal of Biliteracy recipients in Sacramento County are proficient in ten other languages including: Armenian, French, German, Hmong, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. Several students earned Seals in multiple languages.

The following Sacramento Country school districts collaborated with SCOE to present this year's Seal of Biliteracy program: Center Joint Unified, Folsom Cordova Unified, Galt Joint Union High, River Delta Unified, and Twin Rivers Unified.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Tim Herrera is Communications Director for the Sacramento County Office of Education

Lost art of Mora – 'Sojourner' sculpture vandalized

2013-05-07T22:13:21Z

The local arts community recently discovered that the public artwork 'Sojourner' on 13th and K Street had been vandalized. The sculpture was found pushed off its pedestal on January 6, 2013. The sculpture, a 7ft. Mexican limestone work of art by Master Artist Elizabeth Catlett Mora, was broken into several pieces. Unfortunately the artist cannot repair this treasured work. Catlett died last year on April 2, 2012.

The breaking news originally appeared on the blog "Sacramento Pedestrian Art." At the time, there was very little additional information provided on the developing story. And, by the time this article is published The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) is expected to have updates on the repair and restoration progress. The arts community can visit the SMAC website http://www.sacmetroarts.org/ for updates.

The future home of the sculpture is as yet uncertain. In fact, as told to the Sacramento Observer Newspaper, SMAC is considering a new location for the sculpture once repairs are completed. This is bittersweet, as 'Sojourner' was a mainstay on K street for several years and a staple of downtown public art. The safety of the art is of primary importance.

Relocation may turn out to be the best option in this case, considering the longterm changes the downtown area is undergoing – plans for the new entertainment arena, overhaul construction to reinvigorate K Street, and inevitably the influx of new businesses that will arrive. Yes, downtown will be an even more high traffic area. Yet, the challenging task may be to find a place that will provide suitable exposure of the art to the public while ensuring its protection.

At the core of the incident is preservation of art – its integrity, creation, education and cultural legacy. And, if we look close enough, this is a rare teacheable moment.

It is important to emphasize that art created by an artist that is no longer living possesses truly unquantifiable value. The artist's body of work is considered irreplaceable. Special attention is given to artists who have mastered a lifetime of achievement in contribution to the arts. A Master Artist is considered prolific, exceptional, and celebrated. The presence of 'Sojourner' at the State Capitol speaks volumes – it attests to Catlett's support of arts and culture, both locally and in our region.

Art is a very special gift that crosses ethnicities and languages. It is a derivative of humanity, a record of human experience, a form of communication and serves as a cultural ambassador. I know that Elizabeth Catlett Mora understood these immutable truths of art. The evidence is found in her lifetime of accomplishments and in the body of work she left behind for the world to enjoy.

Sacramento is extremely fortunate to have one of her works displayed.

Sacramento art supporters can breathe a sigh of relief after SMAC's plans to repair the damaged art are underway and the final selection of the conservation expert is completed. Then, we all will anticipate the new installment of 'Sojourner' – a symbol of endurance, strength, pride, heart, beauty and more – that goes beyond mere sentimental value. In fact, it is the proverbial 'steel' of the character in our soul that everyone aspires to embody and exude.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Norm Schriever’s ‘South of Normal’ hits the shelves

2013-05-07T19:56:22Z

Writer and world-traveler Norm Schriever is back in Sacramento, where he first decided to launch his writing career, to promote the release of his second book, 'South of Normal'.

Schriever shared his year-long travelling experience in his first book, Pushups in the Prayer Room, in which he chronicles his visits to six continents and more than 20 countries. According to Schriever, the experience had him out of his comfort zone at all times, but it helped him figure out his purpose in the world. His explanation of the process also gives a sneak peek into his second book.

The first location Schriever visited on this adventure was the sleepy surf town of Tamarindo, Costa Rica. The town made such lasting impressions on him that he later returned and spent a year living there writing his second book, 'South of Normal.'

In 'South of Normal,' Schriever recounts the ups and downs of his year-long “vacation,” addressing the unnerving aspects of living in a third-world country while trying to experience everything the beach town had to offer. Schriever offers insight on his relationships with some of the town’s roughly 500 residents, and how he attempted to cross the bridge from “tourist” to “local.”

The author will be hosting a release party at LowBrau on Saturday, May 11th, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to “celebrate you guys being so awesome!” he said on the event’s Facebook page. There is no admission fee, and 'South of Normal' will be available for purchase that evening.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Whole Earth Festival celebrates mother Earth

2013-05-07T19:49:30Z

UC Davis’ Whole Earth Festival is returning this Mother’s Day weekend. Activities, classes, and performances will be featured at the festival to celebrate the planet.

Going strong since 1969, this yearly event honors the earth and our existence upon it. Yoga classes and standing mediation will target the mind-and body- conscious festival-goers. Entertainment will include daily performances like choral acts and spoken-word poetry. Hula-hoop classes and environmentally friendly workshops (like how to compost) are also on deck.

The festival also aims to be kid-friendly. Alcohol is not allowed on the quad, and an entire section of the festival will be dedicated to children’s activities – including storytime, songwriting lessons, flute-making, arts and crafts, and barefoot yoga.

The Whole Earth Festival will be taking place over Mother’s Day weekend, May 10th-12th, in the UC Davis quad. Activities begin at 12:00 p.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. each day. For the most up-to-date information, you can follow the Whole Earth Festival on Twitter.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

May is Bike Month: Crocker Art Museum celebrates

2013-05-07T19:45:59Z

Give that gas station a rest and hop on your two-wheeler in honor of May is Bike Month. With one week behind us, there is still plenty of time to grease those chains and pump up those tires in celebration of the bike-related activities in our community.

For those of you who like to mix your adventurous and artistic sides, this month’s Art Mix at the Crocker Art Museum is called Chain Reaction, and will feature bike-inspired events on Thursday, May 9th, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

General admission is $10. Students and seniors can attend for $8, kids 7-17 for $5, and children under 6 get in for free. Ride your bike to the event and your admission is half price.

Some of the evening’s events include a Kustom Bike Show by Ted Florez, a preview of the Sacramento Cyclefest, music and spoken word by Lauren Cole Norton, and artist Danielle Fodor creating a bicycle-themed mural.

The Crocker Art Museum’s Art Mix is a monthly event held on the second Thursday of the month. June’s Art Mix, titled Pride! will be held on June 13th, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Oleander is back with Something Beautiful for fans

2013-05-07T19:13:12Z

Once again I am patiently waiting outside Ace of Spades Nightclub on R Street for the doors to open. The excitement I'm holding inside is nauseating. I'm pumped, but there is something that is disturbing me this go-around.

It’s the small crowd that is waiting at the doors at 6:30, something A-typical for this type of show. This is the world famous Ace of Spades. For every assignment that I have requested and accepted at this place, the lines are crazy – by 6:00 p.m. reaching and wrapping around the block.

This was different. The crowd was more like a slow rising sea of people coming from the buildings of downtown, packing Ace of Spades. The pace was steady at mass but metered, coming in one by one, group by group.

The crowd is almost at capacity Everything is subdued. Openers God and Firecracker perform and exit in a blur.

I’m finding it hard to concentrate. I'm excited. Its been over ten years since Oleander has graced the charts with their mainstream hard rock. This is their maiden voyage back into the mayhem. On April 16th they released their new album “Something Beautiful,” packed full of music to keep the mind motivated.

Finally, around 9:45 p.m. they enter the stage and begin playing while being cheered on by almost 1000 adoring fans.The sounds coming from the speakers, intoxicating and thought provoking. The crowd is whistling and cheering, tuned into what was being played, “Something Beautiful.”

Stirred, my mind wants to see Oleander perform my favorite song. The anticipation is breathtaking, until...that familiar tune from my early twenties started to play – “I walk alone.” Instantly, I was mouthing the words to the song in unison with the rest of the crowd without even knowing it. Taken back to 1998, before I had kids – still clawing toward self sufficiency, “trying to trust, strong enough not to be afraid.”

The music of Oleander can trigger feelings and emotions so powerful that a person would have to be in the right frame of mind to put it all together.

Oleander makes “fight back” music – music that listeners could use as a tool to survive. That’s what Oleander does they make tunes about holding on by the tiny hairs, they make music about fighting to stay afloat.

I thank goodness they are back together. It’s about time for some good motivating music and Oleander is the perfect motivational speaker to help channel level-headedness.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Our original Elite Contributors: Alex Cosper

2013-05-07T16:45:43Z

How's your New Year's resolution coming?

Part of The Sacramento Press's New Year's resolution involved some new contributor rankings. We selected six Elite Contributors to pave the way. You've met Barry Wisdom, Nancy Flagg, and Kati Garner already. Now it's time to learn a bit more about Elite Contributor Alex Cosper.

Cosper's posts can almost be timed down to the minute. He posts his column reliably every Monday afternoon, which usually complements work and research he's done for his own company, SacTV, and always incorporates a video interview.

SP: How long have you been with The Sacramento Press?
AC: I've been writing articles for SacPress since April 2012.

SP: How did you get started with The Sac Press?
AC: I was interviewed by The Sac Press when my site SacTV.com was launched in December 2011. Then I had more convervations with people at the site and wound up writing weekly articles.

SP: What issues do you most enjoy covering, and why?
AC: My favorited topic is music, which I think is both a local and national issue. Since I also like to study economics, I explore the conditions for artists and entrepreneurs to have successful careers.

SP: What is the most memorable experience you’ve had covering something for The Sacramento Press?
AC: I enjoy writing about radio since that was my career for a few decades. One of the interview series I did that stands out as historic was when KZAP returned to KDVS. It was one of those events that doesn't happen often and had people examining freeform radio.

SP: What do you enjoy about being a citizen journalist?
AC: I enjoy the idea of community voices coming together on a shared platform. We get a better variety of sources that way. Alllowing writers to do what they do best helps give The Sac Press and its contributors a great community image.

Read up on Alex Cosper's weekly columns here.

Take Mom out this Mother's Day

2013-05-07T16:45:17Z

It's the time of year to honor your Mom and celebrate all she does for you. What better way to do so than to take her out for a fun day on the town? We've compiled some suggestions for you below, but you can always find even more in Sacramento365.com's Holiday Events section.

Treat her to eats:

Mother's Day Brunch at the Hyatt: Hyatt Regency Sacramento; Sun 9:30am-3pm: Treat your mother to a scrumptious buffet featuring omelets made-to-order, a carving station, fresh seafood, and a bountiful dessert selection.
Mother's Day Brunch with Sacramento RiverTrain: Sacramento RiverTrain - West Sacramento; Sun 10am-1pm: Bring Mom, Grandma, Aunt, and friends aboard the RiverTrain for a three-course plated brunch, which will include your choice of main entree.
Mother's Day Brunch at Scribner Bend Vineyards: Scribner Bend Vineyards; Sun 11am-5pm: Enjoy a meal prepared by Rayna's Gourmet Catering which includes salads, quiche, a pancake bar, carving stations, desserts, a glass of sparkling wine, and more.

Unique outings:

East Sacramento Garden Tour: Begins from David Lubin Elementary; Sat & Sun 10am-4pm: Stroll along the tree-lined streets and take in a variety of lush, creative gardens amid the gorgeous architecture of this older Sacramento neighborhood.
CycloFemme: American River Bike Trail; Sun 9am-Noon: Celebrate Mother's Day and ride to encourage women to ride and change the world! Tiny Helmet Big Bikes rides to honor the past, celebrate the present, and empower the future of women in cycling.
Listen to Your Mother: Crest Theatre; Sun 7pm: Take Mom to a show that honors her. Listen to Your Mother, a nationwide live reading series, comes to town featuring a cast of 15 local performers reading their stories of motherhood from the hysterically funny to the soulful and poignant.

For those with little ones:

Marvelous Mother's Day Weekend: Sacramento Children's Museum; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun Noon-5pm: Enjoy free admission for mothers as well as card-making activities in the art room, frame making, and a photo booth.
Mother's Day at Funderland: Funderland Amusement Park; Sun 10am-6pm: Spend Mother's Day enjoying all of the thrills at Funderland. For this special holiday moms get to ride for free.
Mother Nature Day Walk: Effie Yeaw Nature Center; Sun 1:30pm-3pm: See some wild mothers in action and spend some time with Mother Nature this Mother’s Day on this naturalist-led hike.

-------------------------------
As an event partner for The Sacramento Press, Sacramento365.com provides information on activities happening in the Sacramento community. Find these and many more events on Sacramento365.com, the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Alison Kranz is Assistant Editor for Sacramento365.com - the year-round source for Sacramento events.

Farm to Fork: Pull Up a Seat

2013-05-07T13:41:05Z

Is there a place for you at the Farm to Fork table? Certainly any person will be able to participate in the activities planned for throughout the year. There are the farmers markets and farm tours as well as many upcomng food events. Yet there are those who are more interested in taking an active part in the food community, in their own way. Sacramento has several of these individuals who have successfully taken ideas and created their own place at Sacramento's table.

How is that Sacramento's food scene is so easy to get involved in versus other cities? A big part of it has to do with size. If we lived in San Francisco or Los Angeles we would be lost in the noise. Sacramento, while a sizeable city, has a food community where everyone knows each other. Not only that, it's a cooperative community. While there are definitely egos with a bit of competitive spirit, it's all in fun. The farms, restaurants, vendors, and other food folk all come together when the cause is right.

This cooperative support continues when someone not directly involved in the food community comes up with an idea. If the idea is solid enough, it can easily go from idea to fruition with a little help. This is something that has been done over and over again in Sacramento.

Often ideas start out as tiny inspirations. One such inspiration occurred back in August of 2011 when Brian Guido thought about having an event centered around bacon. He brought his idea to Chef Patrick Mulvaney, Mulvaney's B&L, who liked it and pointed him to examples in other cities such as Chicago and Des Moines. The other cities had singular bacon events, but Guido and his partner, Nick Miller, were thinking bigger. Why not a week of showcasing bacon? "That first year was hard," Guido said. "We didn't have any experience putting together a large scale event."

Baconfest 2012 became such a hit that Baconfest 2013 got even bigger. The second year there were rules for participation. The pork belly had to come from a local source, be hormone free, and not be raised in pens. The chefs were also required to cure their own bacon.

"We had a goal to showcase the bounty of food around us as well as the talent of our local chefs," said Guido. "I believe we live in the best culinary region in the United States and, even, the world. We have the ingredients and the talent all right here."

Years of editing cookbooks is what gave inspiration to Ann Rolke to start her Tasty Books series. "I had been getting the Omnivore Books (San Francisco) newsletter and seeing all their events they have with cookbook authors," Rolke said. She also approached Mulvaney because he had an appropriate sized space next to his restaurant. "I wasn't sure if there would be enough interest and I didn't want to have to buy out a restaurant."

Rokle invites a newly published cookbook author to come for a book signing and a meal. Mulvaney adapts recipes from the chosen cookbook and creates a four course dinner. After 70 people attended the first event, Rolke knew she had community interest. "I noticed that there weren't a lot of gourmet related events similar to the kinds you see in Seattle and San Francisco," she said. Rolke believes that our food blogger community has a big part in the current increase of food events. "Bloggers are aware of what is going on in other cities and they get inspired to do similar events here."

That's where Rodney Blackwell's inspiration came from. Blackwell writes Burgerjunkies.com and went to the Denver Burger Battle in 2011. He wondered if it would work in Sacramento. He, like the others, had no experience putting on a huge event. It was after talking to friends and being connected to contacts at the Downtown Partnership that the pieces started to fall into place. The Downtown Partnership helped him to connect to the restaurant owners and chefs. In September 2012 he hosted the Sacramento Burger Battle at Raley Field. It turned out to be one of the best first time events ever, raising over $27,000 for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.

When asked what advice he would give to someone who had an idea he said, "Start talking about it. Talk to friends and contacts to see if they think it is realistic and whether it will gain momentum. If the idea is good enough, others will start helping you to bring it to life."

Amber Stott didn't create an event, she created a charitable organization, the California Food Literacy Center. She knew she wanted to effect change in the food system and didn't feel her blog, Awake at the Whisk , was having quite the impact she was envisioning. "I made a list of what was needed and then took a leap of faith," she said. She also found the local food community support she needed with people pointing her to others that could help. The networking paid off and now September has been named "Food Literacy Month" by the California State Legislature.

"Years ago," says Stott, "I interviewed someone and asked them why they started their business in Sacramento. They told me it was because in Sacramento you could still be somebody." It's the small town feel in a big city that allows people to feel a part of it.

At last Wednesday's discussion, "Farm to Fork: Where's the Teeth?", there were questions from the audience about how they could get involved. The panel and others in the room made it clear. The Farm to Fork message that is being fostered belongs to the people of Sacramento. It shows pride in our region that should be shared with the world. It only takes an idea and talking to the right people that can help to turn that idea into a reality. Anyone can participate, not only by creating a new project, but by helping with others that need the volunteers or support.

There's a place for everyone at Sacramento's Farm to Fork Table. You just need to pull up a seat.

Disclosure: Catherine Enfield writes the blog, Munchie Musings, co-founded SactoMoFo, and created the Sacramento Food Film Festival after an aha moment in August of 2011. Her latest inspiration is "Have an Offal Day", which will take place in late August.

Fallen Police Officers remembered

2013-05-07T03:57:13Z

"Today the people of California pay tribute to 12 men whose names will be engraved on the California Peace Officers' Memorial," said Master of Ceremonies Attorney General Kamala Harris of the State of California. "Their service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten."

"To the honored families who are here today there are no words to match the depth of your loss," Harris said. "But I do want to say 'thank you' on behalf of the people of Save California for supporting our fallen heroes."

Since California became a state, 1500 men and women who gave their lives will always have their names on this memorial.

Officers from all over California came to pay their respect.

In 2012 two officers were honored; Deputy Robert Lee Paris, Jr., Stanislaus Co. Sheriff's Dept. End of Watch: April 12, 2012 and Officer Kenyon M. Youngstrom, California Highway Patrol, Contra Costa. End of Watch; September 5, 2012.

Eight officers from the distant past, going back to 1907, were also honored.

Governor Jerry Brown said he was at the first memorial ceremony 37 years ago."More than anyone else, officers who put their lives on the line everyday exemplify that core of our civilization, which is the willingness to stand for what holds us together, the rule of law," Brown explained. "Sometimes that rule of law has to be enforced sometimes under very tragic circumstances. And that is what we memorialize today."

"To keep our social fabric intact, we honor courage, we honor loyalty and that camaraderie that comes from being in uniform for defending life and property and doing it in a way our law enforcement officers do everyday," Brown said.

Jennifer Grant, surviving daughter of Deputy David Grant, Tuolumne Co. Sheriff's Department, EOW 2004, sang "Can you hear me when I talk to you."

Guest Speaker Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, California Supreme Court, shared with the crowd her husband is a police officer, who happened to be retiring today. She expressed the stress she felt being married to a peace officer.

Commissioner Joe Farrow, California Highway Patrol was the Keynote Speaker.He expressed thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation for the officers who serve and their families.

Farrow suggested people spend quiet time at the memorial. People come to pay their respect to those who gave their lives. He explains he has been at the memorial when school classes visit. He stood quietly by listening to the teachers explaining the significance of this memorial, listening as they describe the names engraved of those before us, our nation's true heroes.

"Almost instinctively, there would be no words spoken," Farrow said. "Even the youngest visitors seemed to understand the magnitude of this place and what it stands for."

Six California State officers have died in the line of duty in 2013.

Here are scenes before the memorial began:

Police on motorcycles and in cars drove around the Capitol Mall

A wave of new music in Sacramento

2013-05-06T22:22:37Z

Sacramento has been off and on the music industry's radar for many years, with its heyday being in the 1980s and 1990s as far as producing national acts. Lately Sacramento seems to be a music market of fresh material that includes national rock band Oleander, local r&b singer-songwriter Carla Fleming and local country/rock singer-songwriter Kally O'Mally.

Each of these new releases has a refreshing sound that contrasts with a controlled corporate era characterized by over-production and redundant formulas. Somehow, Sacramento is helping resolve the problem that today's national hits sound too corporate and predictable.

SacTV.com continues to document local music that stands out as Oleander has just released a new album called Something Beautiful. The title track is the lead-off single and sounds like one of their most catchy melodic songs to date. The humorous VEVO video can be seen on their website and on YouTube. It's their fifth album and their first in nine years.

The band, like many local bands including Deftones, got early airplay on KWOD as far back as the early nineties. They achieved national rock hits such as "Why I'm Here" and "I Walk Alone" in the late nineties. Their current album was recorded over a period of a few years, according to singer Thomas Flowers.

Oleander, now an indie band, is one of a handful of Sacramento artists who gained national attention after several major label signings in the 1990s. Although the 2000s have not produced as many major signings out of Sacramento, there's a sense that the local music scene lives on and fills some of the missing elements from national music.

Songs that tell interesting stories, for example, are hard to find on the charts these days, but the video to Oleander's song "Something Beautiful" reveals the funny story behind the song about how music deals are made. The band's CD release party was May 3 at Ace of Spades. Their website lists shows they have scheduled this summer in Ohio and Indiana.

Another type of music you don't hear much on the charts these days is social commentary music. But Carla Fleming fills the void with her new song called "Weapons Down," which promotes peace. She recently assembled a group of friends to collaborate on the song based on the concept of "take action now." As she explained in a March interview with SacTV, the idea came from seeing too many shootings in the news, specifically in Connecticut last December. The song combines r&b, jazz and other influences while delivering powerful lyrics.

"Weapons Down" is the type of conscious music that many people have been asking for since the seventies but have heard less and less on commercial radio, which is what makes the song so refreshing. It's an ideal track for any radio station that wants to strengthen their connection with the community.

Kally O'Mally, who has crafted a catalog of country/rock storyteller songs, released her new album in February called Easy Money. The title track mixes mandolin with horns. Her unique talent is that she's a multi-instrumentalist. She held her CD release party on May 3 at Fox and Goose.

These examples reflect only a fraction of the excitement going on in Sacramento. Another new release comes from alternative band King Never (www.music.kingnever.com) while Zen Arcadia (www.zenarcadia.com) is currently working on a new album. This year's Sacramento Music Festival on Memorial Day weekend in Old Sac will feature an all-star performance dedicated to Skip's Music owner Skip Maggiora, according to local radio legend Tony Cox.

Disclosure: Alex Cosper owns SacTV.com and posts in partnership with The Sacramento Press.

Elizabeth Studebaker to step down from Midtown Business Association

2013-05-06T19:53:35Z

The executive director of the Midtown Business Association will be stepping down to take a job with the City of San Diego.

Elizabeth Studebaker took the helm art the Midtown Business Association at the beginning of last year. She was a constant presence in the neighborhood and at local events. Her most recent initiatives include a project to improve street lighting and the launch of the Midtown Farmers Market, which has drawn large crowds in its first two weeks.

This is a quick update - we're working on a full story with more details now. The full press release is below.

---

Press release:

Midtown Business Group Seeking New Executive Director

Current Director Accepts Economic Development Position in San Diego

Sacramento, CA – This week, the Midtown Business Association (MBA) Board of Directors will begin a search for a new Executive Director to serve as community advocate, manager and liaison for Midtown property and business owners. The position is responsible to lead all programs, including management of clean and safe programs; marketing and advocacy; and serve as the primary spokesperson for Midtown’s commercial core. The Executive Director works closely with, and takes direction from a 25-member volunteer Board of Directors as well as a seven-member volunteer Board of Directors for the Midtown PBID Corporation.

Executive Director, Elizabeth Studebaker, is stepping down to pursue an opportunity as the new Business Improvement District (BID) Advocate in the City of San Diego’s Economic Development Department. In her new position, she’ll be responsible for supporting 18 BIDs and 20 micro-districts, as well as advocating for policies to improve the economic environment for all small businesses in the City of San Diego.

“Liz has played an integral role in elevating the MBA to a well-known, respected, and effective organization,” stated Beth Hassett, MBA Board of Directors President (Executive Director of WEAVE, Inc.). “Her ability to work with regional, city and community partners has made a significant contribution to the quality of life in Midtown. Without a doubt, Liz will be missed in Sacramento, but the positive impacts of her work will be felt for years to come. Speaking on behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we wish her much success in her next professional endeavor.”

Councilmember Steve Hansen, whose council district includes Midtown noted, “In a short period of time, Liz has strengthened and transformed MBA with her characteristic energy and sense of purpose. She has forged a stronger community between the business and residents through a shared vision of Midtown an eclectic, vibrant, walkable, and bike friendly neighborhood and business district. The City is grateful for her work, and we look forward to continuing this progress with her eventual successor.”

During her 18 month tenure, Studebaker implemented a number of notable changes to improve the MBA and enhance economic development in Midtown, including:

--Successful renewal of the Property Business Improvement District (PBID) in July 2012,
--Increasing Clean & Safe services, including maintenance, litter & graffiti removal, homeless outreach, and lighting installation efforts,
--Restructuring staff and PBID programs for increased efficiency and positive impacts to the district,
--Focusing on advocacy, including parking policy, transportation, and public safety,
--Cultivating relationships with neighborhood associations, city staff, and regional partners,
Improving transparency for the MBA, specifically regarding finances and decision-making,
--Fine-tuning special events to better align with the mission and vision of the MBA, and
--Launching Midtown’s first Farmers Market, held every Saturday from 8am-1pm at 20th & J Streets.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

McClatchy duo wins high school debate ‘Super Bowl’

2013-05-06T17:25:22Z

A C.K. McClatchy High School debate team has won the national Tournament of Champions, becoming the first team ever from a California public high school to win the nation’s top high school debate competition.

McClatchy seniors John Spurlock and Keenan Harris took first place in the policy debate division at the University of Kentucky tournament. In the 42-year history of the Tournament of Champions, no team from a California public high school has ever won. (In 2003, a team from College Preparatory School, a private high school in Oakland, took top honors.)

McClatchy Debate Coach Seth Blackmon compares winning the Tournament of Champions to winning the Super Bowl or the NCAA Basketball finals. “The magnitude of this win cannot be overstated,” he says. “I couldn’t be more proud of these young men.”

Policy debate is considered the most difficult form of debate, as students spend a year researching and arguing one subject. By the time the year concludes, policy debaters have amassed the same amount of research as required by a doctoral dissertation.

This year’s topic was “Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States.”

Unlike private schools with large budgets set aside for debate, McClatchy’s team operates as an after-school program that relies mostly on parent fundraising. To rise to the challenge of the Tournament of Champions, the students dedicated hours and hours of their spare time to research and practice, Blackmon says.

Spurlock will attend UC Berkeley next fall on a debate scholarship. Harris will attend Wake Forest in North Carolina, also on a debate scholarship.

Disclosure: Janet Weeks is the Communications Manager for the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Midtown neighborhood reacts to release of McKinley Village project plans

2013-05-06T14:24:25Z

Update: We spoke with the developer late Monday afternoon and an article on their response is in the works.

After an investment group turned in an application to the city for a new development near Midtown, a local neighborhood group convened on Saturday, May 4, to discuss the impact of the proposed project.

Last Thursday, May 2, the city released Riverview Capital Investments’ final plans for McKinley Village. Under different names and developers, the project had been proposed several times in the past, and last failed in 2006. The current model is a housing development with 328 single-family homes planned to go into 48 acres wedged between Capital City Freeway and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near Sutter’s Landing Park in Sacramento. It was intially presented to neighborhood groups in February.

The proposed $120 million development is adjacent to the Marshall School Park-New Era neighborhood in Midtown, where residents gathered Saturday afternoon to study the latest plans and maps and discuss the potential neighborhood impact.

We’ll speak with Riverview today (a representative said they weren’t available over the weekend) , and they will likely have supporters they can refer us to, but many of the residents in the meeting on Saturday were opposed to the plans.

Their principal concern was traffic. The development will have a vehicle and bicycle path from Sutter’s Landing Park to Midtown, and from C Street and Elvas Avenue to East Sacramento. But residents believe there should be a path for vehicles opened to Alhambra Boulevard to lessen the potentially heavy traffic onto the residential streets. Currently, the developer has the Alhambra opening only for pedestrians and bicycles.

“I’ve seen what a deterrent traffic is to our neighborhood. It’s a very fragile community,” said 20-year resident Al Alvarez. “To have that much traffic come in on 28th Street would be very challenging.”

Other residents echoed support for a development, they say this development could induce traffic congestion on its narrow streets.

“We’ve seen a lot of possibilities for that space. We’re pleased to see residential development, but we’re very concerned about access,” said resident Laura Legrand.

What sets McKinley Village apart from its predecessors is it will only have housing. Neighborhood activist George Raya said that the lack of commercial space means it will cause more traffic issues than previous versions would have.

“This will have nothing. You won’t be able to get a Starbucks,” Raya said. Even for a cup of coffee or to pick up your dry cleaning, you will have to exit.”

Raya and other residents were also concerned about flooding. They say the levee would have to be punched to accommodate McKinley Village. City maps of the California State University-Sacramento levee show that if there was a breach, the plot of land reserved for McKinley Village has the highest risk of flooding in the area.

“It floods. It doesn’t have any drainage. There’s a need to get rid of the wastewater,” Raya said. Like many residents, he said he’s seen the large ponds that develop during the winter rainfall and stay as late as March.

For 25 years, developers have returned to the piece of land to make it into a sustainable community equipped with homes and businesses. In 1988, “Centrage” was supposed to mimic a miniature European city, with space for offices, retail stores, a restaurant, a daycare, a hotel and a lake. Four years later, the city council axed it.

The project was revived again as “Capital City Marketplace” in 1996, with a shopping center including two large stores and 13 smaller stores, restaurants, a hotel, an auto mall and a gas station. A year later, the developer withdrew the application.

Becoming “The Village” in 2006, the project proposed over 400 housing units, retail stores, a park, a church and open space. That died in 2007 when current developer Riverview Capital Investments withdrew the application.

In 2008, the conversation came up again to tweak the 2006 project by mainly decreasing the number of homes. Now what sets McKinley Village apart from its predecessors is it will only have housing.

Some longtime residents have been opposed to the development since it was first proposed and have not changed their mind.

“I have opposed it from the beginning since it was Centrage in the big box. It’s bringing traffic into a Midtown neighborhood and it’s not a Midtown development,” said Jan Maltzan, who’s lived in the neighborhood since 1974.

For resident Michael Murphy, the plan just doesn’t fit in the central city.

“It’s like taking an Elk Grove development and putting it in the middle of Midtown and East Sacramento,” he said.

The proposal will need to be approved by city council before it can go forward. According to the planning division paperwork, home sales are scheduled to begin in spring 2015.

The plans as they were released by the city on Thursday:

McKinley Village Plans

Men in heels raise over $204,000 for WEAVE | PHOTOS

2013-05-05T03:45:31Z

600 specimens of brawny, hairy men (well, some were) donned high heels to walk a mile around the Capitol Mall today. They did it with grace and pain. Some did it fast, some slow. They did it.

They did it to raise awareness about sexual assault against women and raised funds for WEAVE to provide 24-hour services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Here's some photos from the event:

Award winners will be posted when information is received.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Five Buck Discount for Sunday's Show: Nationally Popular Comedy Troupe, the Capitol Steps

2013-05-05T00:20:22Z

The Humor Times has announced a somewhat stealth $5 discount for tickets to see the national-touring, musical/political comedy troupe, the Capitol Steps, tomorrow, Sunday, May 5th, at 6:30pm.

The performance takes place in the Martinique Ballroom of the Clarion Inn, 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento, next to the Arden Fair Mall.

The General Admission tickets are normally $35.00 in advance, $40.00 the day of the show. But the show's presenter, the Humor Times, announced on their website today a $5 discount for "readers of the Humor Times website."

That means show goers will get tickets for $10 less than it will cost them at the door tomorrow. But the website cautions that the discount is a "limited time" offer, and may expire at any time.

Details are at the website. If this link no longer works, it means they ended the discount.

The Capitol Steps have been around since the 80's, began as a side project of actual employees of various Senate and House offices. They say they just wanted to do a Christmas show, but "couldn't find a single wise man or virgin in all of Washington." So they decided to do a full on comedy/musical routine, and have been touring ever since. Their motto is "We put the MOCK in Democracy".

The last time they were in Sacramento was 2011, and they constantly update their act to reflect the day's headlines. So it is bound to be a whole new show.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: David Neely is a longtime fan of both the Capitol Steps and the Humor Times. In fact, he's a sucker for political humor of all kinds, including The Daily Show and the Colbert Report on Comedy Central.

"Master Harold and the Boys" last chance to see what the critics raved about

2013-05-04T06:37:08Z

I had read all the critical acclaim for "Master Harold and the Boys" Athol Fugard's masterpiece of a play set in 1950 apartheid South Africa playing in the Sacramento Theatre Company Pollock Stage. I finally found time to go see it and found out I could barely get a ticket to tonight Friday's show. The show ends this weekend and is well worth seeing.

I saw one of the early productions of the play at the Seattle Repertory Theater in 1984. Not surprising it is the only play I remember from that season.

Michael J. Asberry, Rob Anthony, and Will Block all give outstanding performances. All the more amazing for the 18 year old Block a graduate of the STC Young Professionals Conservatory off to UCLA this fall. His role is usually played by an adult actor that can be convincing as someone much younger.

The full 95 minutes is well paced with Buddy Butler's direction making full use of the very intimate Pollock Stage with everything very up close.

Three final shows this weekend:

Saturday 2 and 8 pm good availablity

Final Show Sunday 2 pm heavily sold

More Info and Tickets

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Bound Together Library opens in Pocket

2013-05-04T02:08:10Z

A new library opened in the Pocket neighborhood of Sacramento yesterday and it’s about the size of a birdhouse.

The Bound Together Library, located in the front yard of a home on Arabella Way between Pocket Road and Warbler Way, offers residents the chance to give a book and take a book as they please.

Following the concepts of the Free Little Library movement, the Bound Together Library was created by JasMin Khoe and Allison Yamamoto as their senior project in the McClatchy High School HISP Program.

Jonathan Louie, a sophomore at McClatchy High School, was an apprentice on the project and plans to make a library for his Eagle Project.

Similar libraries are slated for the future. Jonathan is slated to make one for his Eagle Project on Riverside Court. Two Kennedy High School students will become his apprentices.

Other libraries are planned for Frates Way and Merrill Gardens.

It took all but nine hours for JasMine, Allison, and Jonathan to construct two library structures.

The Friends of the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library sponsored $500 for the project.

A presentation about the Bound Together Library is scheduled for June 19, 2012 at 6:30pm at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Sacramento Ballet's Mondavi show a real "event"

2013-05-03T23:37:56Z

The Sacramento Ballet returned to the Mondavi Center at UC Davis on Thursday to star in one of only a handful of "events" in the inaugural season of the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre's Studio Dance Series. The program, "An Evening of Solos, Duets and Trios," will be repeated at 8 tonight (Friday) and Saturday.

Co-artistic directors Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda have assembled a program of 10 dances representative of the company's breadth and depth. They chose four dances choreographed by the brilliant George Balanchine (from among 18 in the company's repertory); one by former company member Nicole Haskins, currently dancing with the Washington Ballet and recently selected for the prestigious New York Choreographic Competition; one by Bay Area star dancemaker Edwaard Liang; two by wunderkind Trey McIntyre (one created for the Sacramento Ballet); one created for the company by Broadway dancer and New York Times-lauded choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie; and one created by company dancer Stefan Calka.

The dances have all been performed by the company in other programs, but to see them together on a single program is impressive indeed. The dancers have a national reputation for excellence (Balanchine Trust repetiteur John Clifford, who set the four dances, among many others, on the company, calls it one of the strongest -- and perhaps his favorite -- dance troupe "clients"). Sometimes it appears the Sacramento Ballet is more recognized and respected elsewhere than at home. A visit or two to a company performance will surely change that.

The success of "Solos, Duets and Trios" is as simple as one, two, three: diverse dance styles, music ranging from Tschaikovsky and Gershwin to the Partridge Family and the Civil Wars, and incomparable dancing. There is something amazing in each of the pieces. Among the highlights:

The partnering of Alexandra Cunningham and Richard Porter in the excerpt from McIntyre's "Second Before the Ground." The dance soars and so does Cunningham, who seems born to fly, as elegant and at ease in the air as on the ground.
Lauryn Winterholder and Christopher Nachtrab's high spirits and humor in "Tarantella," Balanchine's take on the Italian folk dance said to have been inspired by the frenzied dance seen in people who had been bitten by the poisonous tarantula. As he did with American folk dance in his "Western Sympnony" and Broadway- and Hollywood-style ballroom dancing in "Who Cares" (also on this program), Balanchine combined his grounding in classical ballet with his inspired modern approach to dance.
The physical tension that reflects the emotional turmoil of the couple danced by Ava Chatterson and Stefan Calka in Haskins' "Scars Already Seen," which was created for the company last year. Although it does not in any way "tell" the story of the Civil Wars' tune "Dance Me to the End of Love," it does embody the song's exploration of the Nashville duo's theme of the good, the bad and ugly of interpersonal relationships.
Because of a slight injury to dancer Amanda Peet, she and Cunningham share the female lead in Balanchine's "Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux." The "Tschai Pas," as dancers refer to this demanding piece, is remarkable here for Cunningham's blind leaps into the arms of partner Richard Porter. Such trust (that even when airborn backwards there will be a partner there to catch you) is a hallmark of the company.
Ava Chatterson commands attention in her solo excerpt from Moultrie's "Jazzin'," performed to a song by Ruth Brown, ostensibly about the owner of a used furniture store who would rather sit on her remarkable "seat" than give it away to a man who wants something for nothing. Chatterson's moves are loose but precise and her playful demeanor throughout is perfectly matched to the humor and innuendo of the song.
If Cunningham and Calka need a performance "greatest hits" reel, the pas de deux from Balanchine's "La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker)" and the Fifth Movement from Liang's "Wunderland" should be on it. Cunningham retains a blank-faced stare as the sleepwalker, whether instinctively and believably stepping over obstacles or running, on pointe, backward, in response to her partner's push. Calka, meanwhile, is the epitome of focus in both pieces. In "Sonnambula," he intently concentrates on his partner. She is exclusively the object of his attention. In "Wunderland," Calka's focus is not the focus of a dancer intent on getting the steps right, but the focus of an artist collaborating with the choreographer to create a unique dance experience.
Chatterson and Porter team for a ballroom ballet excerpt from Balanchine's "Who Cares?" Both are long-limbed, have excellent extensions and are elegant and exquisitely costumed in this glittery celebration of the music of George Gershwin.
Lauryn Winterhalder and Rex Wheeler are loose and playful in their innocent flirtation to the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You" excerpt from McIntyre's "Wild Sweet Love." Peet, Nachtrab and Oliver-Paul Adams perform the demanding, synchronous steps of the dance's "Mexican Trio" excerpt. McIntyre created "Wild Sweet Love" for the Sacramento Ballet in 2007.
The show-closer is Calka's impressive "Figures F + L," to music by British minimalist composer Michael Nyman. An insistent violin phrase recurs throughout the piece, and Calka has created a movement that reflects and amplifies the statement. The choreographer also plays off a dancer dynamic in which the women are on pointe and the men sometimes are on demi-pointe (on tip-toe), which puts the guys slightly off-balance while they must help balance their partner who is on pointe. Calka, who created the dance for fellow cast members last year, accomplishes the near-impossible: moving and featuring three couples equally in a complex and satisfying work.

The Sacramento Ballet's "Solos, Duets and Trios" has two more performances at the Mondavi Center's Vanderhoef Studio. Tickets are $38-$42 and available only through the Mondavi Center Ticket Office. Call (866) 754-2787 for more information.

There are other opportunities in the next few weeks to see the Sacramento Ballet in performance. They include "Modern Masters Proteges," May 16-19 at the St. Francis High School Performing Arts Center; "Beer & Ballet," May 24, 26, 30 and June 2 at the Ballet Studio, 1631 K St.; and "Highlights," May 25 (two performances) and May 29 at the dance studio. The program is a collaboration between the ballet company and Found Space Theatre Company, which presents a musical theater fundraiser called "At the Ballet." Among the highlights of "Highlights" is sure to be the hilarious send-up of Beyonce's "Single Ladies." Tickets to the upcoming shows range from $30 to $45. For more information, call the Sacramento Ballet Box Office at (916) 552-5800, ext. 2 or go to www.sacballet.org.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Congressman Ami Bera to Speak May 5 on Spirituality in Politics

2013-05-03T23:16:21Z

U.S. Congressman Dr. Ami Bera will speak at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at The Experience, St. Paul’s, 1430 J St. in Sacramento, about the impact of spirituality in politics.

Bera met earlier this week with a diverse group of faith leaders from the district. “Ami spoke to Washington’s dysfunction but said despite the difficulties he is an optimist,” said Dr. David Thompson, pastor and executive director of The Experience. “He felt that if healing was to come to Washington it would start at the grass roots levels. What was needed was quick wins—action at the local level that everyone could get behind.”

Following a 20-year medical career, Bera was elected in 2012 to represent the 7th Congressional District, an ethnically diverse district encompassing eastern Sacramento and surrounding communities including Elk Grove, Florin, Rosemont, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Murieta, Carmichael, Arden Arcade, Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Gold River, and Folsom. The son of Hindu immigrants from India, Bera was raised in La Palma, California. He has a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the University of California at Irvine, earning his MD there in 1991. He served as Associate Dean for Admissions at the UC Davis School of Medicine and later as the Chief Medical Officer for the County of Sacramento.

Congressman Bera is a Unitarian Universalist, and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He is on the House of Foreign Affairs and the Science, Space and technology committees. He has lived in Elk Grove for 16 years with his wife Janine, who is also a medical doctor. They are proud parents of a 15-year-old daughter, Sydra.

The Experience is a non-profit religious organization dedicated to building bridges between faith communities and meets weekly on Sundays at 4:04 p.m. at St. Paul’s, 1430 J St., Sacramento, CA 95814, for interfaith worship. Each service incorporates elements of at least three faith traditions, as well as a wide variety of musical performances, ranging from show tunes to Christian hymns to Sufi folk music. At least once a month The Experience features a guest who speaks about his or her ethnic heritage and faith tradition. Guest speakers at The Experience have included representatives of Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Church of Latter Day Saints, Science of Mind, Wiccan, and many other philosophical and faith traditions. The organization also is gay-affirming . For more information about The Experience, visit experiencesacramento.org.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Bonnie Osborn is a writer and communications professional assisting The Experience in publicizing its important work to create a peaceful world by celebrating the common good in all faith traditions. She did not receive compensation for this article.

La Lucha ups mental game to push Sac City Rollers higher

2013-05-03T20:18:21Z

If you arrive early at the rink Saturday for the Sac City Rollers latest roller derby bout, you might catch the team's MVP and general manager Trinity Gleckler walking around the track, staring at it, in a kind of silent meditation.

Gleckler, better known by her derby name, "La Lucha ," doesn't study the flat track, but plays out, in her mind's eye, the contest that is about to happen.

"I'm using that as a palette to look at different scenarios and play them out in my head – like, if I get stopped here, this is what's going to happen," she said. "That positive visualization is proven to build confidence. You visualize and set yourself up for success even before you put all eight wheels on the track."

This pre-bout visualization is just one of many mental tricks-of-the-trade that La Lucha has learned since she joined Sac City's all-star team, the Capitol Punishers. (Each franchise in roller derby is called a league, which is made up of different levels of teams, with the best team being the “all star” team. Sac City also has the Folsom Prison Bruisers, a lower level team made up of up-and-coming skaters.)

She started roller derby in 2006. Since then, what started as a hobby has become a serious pursuit. She's gone from team captain, to coach, to general manager, while picking up MVP honors for the last four consecutive years.

La Lucha is a jammer, or the person on the five member team who is the designated scorer and wears two stars on her helmet. A jammer scores by lapping members of the opposing team. The other players, called blockers, have no stars on their helmets and try to stop the opposing jammer while protecting their own. One player, the "pivot," wears a striped helmet and is a blocker who can become jammer during a bout if the jammer passes her a star.

La Lucha's rise through the ranks at Sac City Rollers happened at a time when roller derby itself was growing quickly. She joined after seeing a 2006 A&E reality show about a team in Austin (where the roller derby revival began in the 2000s) and initially, didn't fare well.

"I didn't know what I was doing when I got out there," she said. "I didn't even know how to cross over. I was smaller… I got beat up. It's been a long journey."

But La Lucha is a natural athlete who played soccer in high school and was on her college’s downhill skiing and mountain bike teams. It wasn’t long before her competitive instincts kicked in.

"In 2006, I picked this up as a hobby and I wasn't as dedicated, but then I got this taste of 'Hey, if you cross train and you work on your mental game and you get that taste of competition, not only on the track, but off it, it's so addictive."

As a jammer, you have to be fast, and La Luncha is, but she is also agile, able to "roll off" blockers intent on stopping her (a trick she picked up from soccer). She is also obsessive about the finer details of her technique and plays close attention to her body shape. She races around the track, low to the ground, coming in tight to the curves and then shooting out wide again, with feet apart and weight evenly distributed across her skates to help her keep balance.

You get a sense of her ability to cut through and around blockers in this highlght video. She wears number five:

The mental side of her game evolved as she began to read more about the psychology of sport. When she began, she would run errands before games, listen to loud music to get "hyped up" and would get anxious or stressed before bouts.

No longer – now, she prefers quiet concentration. Adele has replaced hip-hop in La Lucha ’s earphones.

"If you are listening to crazy loud music and your are getting hyped up until the point of competition, you are adding unnecessary stress on your body," she said.

As coach and then GM, La Lucha shared those lessons with her team, and The Sac City Rollers have made strides with La Lucha at the helm. This year is their first season as part of the The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, the sports official governing body – meaning they are now ranked nationally. Sacramento's other team, The Sacred City Derby Girls, is also ranked and a member of WFTDA.

The Sac City Rollers have moved up the ranks quickly – they started the year at 64th, are now at 56th, and are expected to rise again when the rankings are released again.

The Punishers had played exhibition bout Saturday against the Richmond Wrecking Belles, a team from the number four league in the country, The B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls.

It was a physical and fast-paced game. At one point a Wrecking Ball blocker fell flat on her back after a tough hit, and the crowd went silent while the medical staff rushed to her side. There was applause when she got up again after a few minutes, and, with a little help, gingery made her way to the sidelines.

The Wrecking Bells jumped out to a big lead but the Punishers made a few adjustments and started to get traction in the second half. It wasn't enough though and they lost, 258-111. (Read the play by play here).

For La Luncha, the team's slow start was the problem.

"It took a little to get warmed up and into our flow, once we did, we started to come back," she said. "You win some, you loose some, the biggest thing for me is learning from a loss. We need to get in the mind set a little earlier and not react. We need to be proactive instead of reactive."

The Pikes Peak Derby Dames are eight places above Sac City (57th vs 65th) in the WFTDA rankings, and the bout is likely to be a tough one, but that's way La Lucha like it. The challenge of keeping at the top of her game is what drives her to keep training and pushing herself. At 35, with more than six years of skating under her belt, she's a veteran – but has no plans to stop anytime soon.

"It's accountability to be a better person for my team, and to be a better player for my team, and selflessly, I want to play a lot, and I've got to be good to play a lot. I'm an ultra-competitive person in general. I'm pretty intense. Between me and a couple of other girls in the league, we are some of the most competitive people. I thrive on that. I love it."

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Local summer youth theater: Let your kid be a star

2013-05-03T19:43:59Z

The heat has arrived, school is almost out, and soon, kids will be posing the classic question, “What are we doing this summer?”

Answer: Local summer theatre camp.

Imagine a spotlight on a stage, the closed curtain buzzing with the excitement of another opening of another show. The music starts, the curtain opens, the show begins and the on walks a familiar face. It's none other than your kid, projecting with newly acquired skill and bursting with all the talent you knew he or she had.

This vision comes to fruition at the hands of the dedicated, professional acting coaches of the many various Sacramento summer theatre youth programs. Here is a compiled list to help you and your child find the program that is right for you:

On Stage Productions

On Stage Productions, in partnership with the Sacramento Parks and Recreation Department, will be hosting several 5 day long “affordable, unique, and engaging Theatre Arts Summer Camp” sessions, perfect for the 5-11 age range.

Camp will be held at the Coloma Center located on T Street in Sacramento where each group of kids will write, rehearse, and perform original plays.

B Street Theatre

B Street Theatre is a local institute known for their popular children’s series. Their summer camp website playfully asks, “Has your child or teen caught the acting bug?”

If this is true of your child and he or she is between the ages of 6 and 17, then consider enrolling in a summer acting workshop at B Street Theatre.

Sacramento Theatre Company

The Sacramento Theatre Company (STC) calls the Wells Fargo Stage on H Street and 14th home and offers a summer acting camp for kids entering kindergarten through 12th grade.

Each session will include “Improvisation, scene study, voice and movement, stage combat, theatre history, yoga, mask work, playwriting, singing, dancing and more,” according to the STC official website. Certain sessions do, however, offer special attention to musical theatre.

Sutter Street Theatre

Sutter Street Theatre offers a wide variety of programs for kids looking to expand their artistic reach and fill the endless summer days with imagination, improvisation, song, and laughter.

Classes are offered for both musical and performing visual arts covered over three sessions for kids ages 6 to 16. Classes take place Monday through Friday at the Sutter Street Theatre located in Historic Folsom.

Capital Stage

Capital Stage is a respected theatre located in Midtown Sacramento. Their summer workshops are targeted specifically for middle and high school aged actors and actresses “who are continuing their theatre training or discovering a love of theatre for the first time,” according to the Capital Stage website.

Each session, one for middle school and one for high school, will be a “rigorous two-week program in which students will work together to rehearse and perform a short play under the guidance of professional theatre artists,” as told by their website information.

Sessions take place July 22-Aug 3.

Stage Right Productions

If your young one is the type to burst into song, belting it out no matter the setting, then perhaps consider enrolling him or her into Stage Right Productions summer musical theatre camp.

With two age group programs to enroll in, kids as young as 7 and as old as 14 can discover the joy of acting and singing on stage.

If you have a child age 12 or up who would rather not sing, but instead spend time in an intensive acting class, Stage Right also has a session for him or her.

Free Fall Stage

The Free Fall Stage, located in Folsom, CA, is a “community theatre with a spirit of excellence,” as quoted from their official website. The website further quotes the summer theatre program as being an “intense training in the craft for the beginner and up.”

Kids ages 10 and older can be free to be themselves (and more than a few characters) in this summer workshop. Classes begin each day at noon and run until three o’clock.

The workshop portion starts June 10th and goes through the 23rd. The whole thing wraps up with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances that will take place July 11th through the 28th.

New Star Childrens Theatre

New Star Children’s Theatre is unique in two respects; one is that it is entirely devoted to youth performances during other times of the year, not only in the summer.

The other is that their 2013 summer workshop works not only with youth ages 4 through 17, but also with elderly actors who reside at the Maidu Village Retirement home in Roseville.

Their joint production will be "The Misadventures of Little Red and Goldilocks" and will be performed Saturday July 27th and Sunday July 28th.

Musical Mayhem Kids

This theatre provides another unique scene. The Musical Mayhem Kids of Elk Grove is another theatre reserved just for kids and boasts only musical performances.

This summer, two workshops will take place. One is a tribute to Disney classic songs from the past 50 years, and the other, entitled “Broadway or Bust” will feature songs from past and present Broadway musicals.

Kids of all experience levels, including those with little or no experience, are welcome to enroll. Each program culminates with a free, one night only performance to showcase what the kids have learned.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

New films: Iron Man 3 (two opinions) - Ginger & Rosa - other film news

2013-05-03T19:33:42Z

Iron Man 3
Directed by Shane Black

Malcolm Maclachlan: It’s often that I’ll think more of a flick the day after I see it than when I’m actually watching it. In this case, I like it less. “Iron Man 3” starts out with some compelling ideas and snappy dialogue, but ends up as a typical overstuffed…well, let’s just say towards the end when Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow argue about which one of them is more of a “hot mess,” my answer is “you’re both soaking in it.”

Tony Sheppard: I think we had opposite reactions, or at least opposite post-reaction reactions. I had gone into the film with some fairly specific concerns regarding the storyline and enjoyed the film more than I had expected to and, since watching it, have actually appreciated the overall effort and approach even more as I’ve given it more thought. I do agree that at some point, as with most of these films, the action, explosions, and overall grandiosity of it all reaches a level of overkill, but they’re also catering to folks who rate their films based on the residual level of ringing in their ears.

MM: So let’s start by focusing on the good. Ben Kingsley steals a few scenes as a terrorist leader known as The Mandarin.

TS: Agreed. And there’s far more to this performance than the previews might suggest, on multiple levels.

MM: Plus, the comic relief in the film is often actually funny. Downey is engaging and entertaining as amiable jerk Tony Stark. They also saddle him with anxiety attacks verging on PTSD, which is a lot more interesting and human than that catchphrase-infested coolness of too many action flicks.

TS: Again, agreed. There’s a very interesting method to the way Stark is depicted here – we’re reminded of what a brash <insert bad word here> he used to be and so we’re given more of a character arc than this single film would otherwise have by itself. And the anxiety he experiences seems very real, if not exactly in the way it occurs at least in its presence. We’re too often shown heroes and superheroes who aren’t just strong in one sense, they’re strong in every sense – physically strong, confident, emotionally stable, etc. “Iron Man 3” takes place post-“Avengers” and it’s not an overstatement to say that everything has changed – suddenly we’ve gone from planet saving to universe saving, with wormholes, aliens, ancient gods in the mix, etc. Even the Tony Starks of the world are suddenly brought down to size by all of that.

MM: There are also some interesting ideas around the interplay of terrorism, the media, and the motivations and personas of mass killers. Given that the Mandarin is a bomber who often strikes on U.S. soil, the release of this flick so soon after the Boston Marathon bombing is positively creepy. Toss in drones, oil, the current cultural obsession with bullying, an interaction between two powerful women that doesn’t dissolve into a petty catfight, and you’ve got a lot to work with.

Maybe too much. Some interesting ideas turns into a kitchen sink catch-all. Over time, the focus seems to turn back to Stark’s ennui and midlife crisis, the very same elements that turned “Iron Man 2” into a barely-watchable exercise in daytime television psychology. I’ve never been sold on the onscreen chemistry between Downey and Paltrow, and it feels particularly pallid here.

TS: It’s not just a relative lack of chemistry but I also find myself questioning, at times, why the two characters would even be drawn to each other – but that’s probably a whole different conversation.

As for timing, I thought the same thing last week with “The Company You Keep” and it’s domestic terrorism/protest storyline, as well as the way it told a story about the families of those who choose to take certain actions, for whatever set of reasons they may have.

MM: Meanwhile, while I loved “The Avengers,” going back to a universe of individual heroes feels a bit artificial. I get that Thor is off in Valhalla or someplace, and maybe Bruce Banner/The Hulk is back in hiding. But with a vaguely Middle Eastern terrorist (The Mandarin does seem rather culturally nonspecific, sort of like Ben Kingsley himself) blowing up bombs on U.S. soil and posing a credible threat to the President’s life, are we supposed to believe that Captain America, Black Widow and Hawkeye are just sitting this one out? Of course, it they’d all done cameos, it probably would have cut into Downey’s reported $50 million paycheck.

TS: Now you’re getting at my big concern going into the film. It’s like a story about a guy who makes several of the best friends in the world/universe and who then can’t find anybody to help him move. This is a series of explosions and claimed attacks that is plastered all over the news media – so the other folks would have to be in some kind of silent retreat, comatose, or buying Valhalla timeshares to be out of the picture – and I expected this to completely destroy the story and film for me. But they took an approach which actually made it work despite my misgivings – they made it more like a giant bar fight than a campaign. Stark basically calls this guy out and launches into action without any consultation or plan – it’s a chest-thumping charge (think about it) that doesn’t pause long enough to gather backup. But it’s still a problem they have to overcome every time they revisit one but not all of the gang.

The other part of the film that I particularly liked and which added an element of wide-eyed wonder that these films benefit from but often lose over multiple iterations, is Stark’s involvement with the kid. It has the tone of recent films like “Super 8” but also managed to remind me of “Iron Giant” (iron man falls from the sky, is found by a young boy, the son of a single mom who works in a diner, who helps fix up the iron man and protect him from the folks trying to capture him), which is a desirable association.

MM: “Iron Man 3” does have some fun with Stark creating multiple Iron Man suits. But it also begs the question why people are still driving normal cars and living with the same electrical grid in a world where that kind of power can be mastered. I know I’m probably overanalyzing it, but given the resources both sides have at their disposal, their ambitions seem rather limited.

Then again, superhero movies are about our own limitations and self-obsessions in the first place. I’d even argue that this is embodied, literally, in the hard bodies of Downey, Paltrow (she has a six pack!), Don Cheadle and Guy Pierce. There was a time when Pierce stood out in Hollywood for his near complete lack of body fat, his face always looking like he was headed into a hard wind. Now he’s just another gaunt face in the crossfit-sculpted crowd.

This is aspirational fiction just as much as “The Real Housewives of….” When Downey invokes the catchphrase “I am Iron Man,” it isn’t really about the suit.

TS: Letting your use of “begs the question” slide for the moment, while the multiple suits are fun it takes us deeply into the drone territory you mentioned earlier. We’ve gone from lone hero to clone wars in rapid fashion, except that the suits are generally being operated not by Stark but by his computer sidekick Jarvis (which also undercuts the role, now and in the future, of Cheadle’s character if he could stay home and Jarvis could take care of business).

But despite our disagreement in terms of overall opinion, I think we probably agree about the general direction the film takes – and perhaps I simply like that direction more. Stark/Iron Man is more Wayne/Batman than Kent/Superman – he’s a smart guy with cool stuff and deep pockets. And while we expect to see and enjoy the gadgetry, at some point it has to come back to the decisions he makes and the way he lives with those decisions – he can’t simply fall back on invulnerability. (Interestingly, that’s also the direction the rebooting of the James Bond franchise has taken – more man than machines.) I like my heroes flawed, limited, and vulnerable – not only does it make them aspirational, as you point out, but it helps us to pretend for a moment that they might actually be in jeopardy occasionally.

Ginger & Rosa
Directed by Sally Potter

In about as much of a contrast with this week’s major opening of “Iron Man 3” as possible, “Ginger & Rosa” open in an exclusive engagement at the Tower Theatre. It’s a powerful character study of a girl growing up in the early 60’s in England at a time when world news is dominated by the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Although the title includes both Ginger and Rosa, this a film seen mostly from Ginger’s perspective as their lifelong friendship and inter-dependence begins to be challenged. Ginger is surrounded by instability - in her primary friendship, in her parents on again/off again marriage, and in the perceived threat to the safety of the entire world. The only calm opinions she’s exposed to inadvertently fuel her concerns and she finds it harder and harder to cope.

“Ginger & Rosa” has an interesting and talented cast but this is really Elle Fanning’s film. She takes on the role of Ginger and makes it believable, including in her accent (which isn’t true of all the cast). It’s an emotional role and the heartbreak and struggle she embodies are palpable. This is worth watching for her performance alone in much the same way that “The Iron Lady” was worth watching for Meryl Streep’s Thatcher – and that she can accomplish this as a young teenager is remarkable.

Other film news

As I pointed out earlier in the week, there are some neat films coming to the Crest Theatre, including Shawn Carruth’s “Upstream Color” in a three-day engagement this weekend, a special screening of “Infinity and Chashu Ramen,” a one-night only screening of a tour movie based on the Co-Exist Comedy group (Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and Atheist comedians sharing a stage), and a screening of the Wild and Scenic Film festival – all in the next week. So if any of that sounds appealing, check their website at thecrest.com.

The body as a canvas: Tattoos in the workplace

2013-05-03T19:29:42Z

The cover of this month’s issue of Comstock’s asks, “Are anti-tattoo policies prejudice?” Perhaps the implied questions is, “Are anti-tattoo policies wrong?”

I should say that I do not have any tattoos – not as a result of any particular social stance; only because I am terribly fickle.

These days, I often wonder if I’m not in the minority. A number of my friends sport ink, many of them able to talk at length about the stories behind their art and the life experiences their tattoos represent. Clearly this is something meaningful.

On the other end of the spectrum are the friends with tattooed eyebrows and eyeliner. Not really an emotional connection there, but I suppose it does blend in at the workplace. I’m not sure I’d let anyone near my eye with a needle, though.

A number of tatted-up Sacramentans weighed in for Allen Young’s article, The tattooed professiona l (a good read), as well as local employers wishing to remain anonymous.

“If you are a business owner considering prohibition or restricting piercings and tattoos,” said one such employer, “make sure you have a valid reason and always consider the thoughts, interests and opinions of your employees. Micromanaging them may lead to resentment, management/employee tension and more.”

Fair enough, though instituting a policy that affects current employees isn’t exactly the same as weeding out those with body modification from the applicant pool.

Another employer, again anonymous, had this to say: “Freedom of expression and professionalism collide at the intersection of your world viewpoint and your self image at the expense of others. In other words, it’s not all about you.”

Some Facts

According to Young’s article:

Almost one-half of millennials have at least one tattoo, and about 70 percent of them hide their ink.
careerbuilder.com says, as of 2011, 31 percent of employers are less likely to grant a promotion, based on a visible tattoo.
Sacramento’s Laser Skin Surgery Center has seen the number of tattoo-removal procedures double in the last five years.

“Opinions about body art have grown as diverse as the images themselves,” writes Young. “From snowflakes to swastikas, some people see self-absorption where others see self-empowerment.”

What do you see?

Book Talk: Akashic, local writers and notable events

2013-05-03T15:58:26Z

Small press focus: Akashic Books

Akashic Books is this edgy press that you may or may not have heard of. Akashic published one of my favorite books of all time, “Ruins,” by Achy Obejas. Their noir series is sure to please fans of noir, and I recommend picking up one of the many titles, perhaps beginning with “Boston Noir 2: The Classics” or delving even deeper into the drug noir series, perhaps with “The Heroin Chronicles.”

You might be asking just how good these books are. Well, with contributors like David Foster Wallace, Joyce Carol Oates and Andre Dubus, how can you go wrong with “Boston Noir 2: The Classics?” This collection is divided into three sections: Broken Families where you’ll find “Night-Side” by Joyce Carol Oates and “Surrogate” by Robert B. Parker; Criminal Minds where Dennis Lehane’s “Mushrooms” and Linda Barnes’ “Lucky Penny” can be found; and Voyeurs and Outsiders with offerings like “Townies” by Andre Dubus, an excerpt from “Infinite Jest,” by David Foster Wallace and “At Night” by David Ryan.

Akashic's series of noir anthologies began with “Brooklyn Noir” in 2004. The series includes anthologies covering Wall Street, New Jersey, Boston, Baltimore, Barcelona, Cape Cod, Copenhagen, Delhi, Los Angeles, Miami, Mexico City and even Moscow. No Sacramento on the list. Yet.

In addition to the more traditional noir anthologies featuring works by Joyce Carol Oates, Andre Dubus, David Foster Wallace and many other recognized names, Akashic also publishes its drug chronicles series. Titles include “The Cocaine Chronicles,” “The Speed Chronicles,” “The Heroin Chronicles” and the forthcoming “The Marijuana Chronicles.” These are short literary fiction works that focus on people and place and feature some of the most well-respected and well-known writers, including Sherman Alexie, Beth Lisick and William T. Vollmann.

My copy of "The Heroin Chronicles" was inadvertently borrowed by someone, and I had to borrow another copy from the library. Yep, these books are good.

“American Honor Killings: Desire and Rage Among Men” by David McConnell is a true crime book that explores various cases, including one featuring an episode of Jenny Jones and one that includes the arson of three Sacramento synagogues in 1999. Congregation B’nai Israel’s library contents were destroyed. Congregation Beth Shalom and Knesset Israel Torah Center were the other targets of the brothers McConnell interviewed for “Matson, Mowder, and the Williams Brothers, 1999,” one of several pieces included. Each story re-creates the events surrounding the cases.

* * *

On the local front

Local writer and historical archaeologist Glenn J. Farris is the editor of “So Far From Home: Russians in Early California,” published under Heyday’s California legacy imprint in collaboration with Santa Clara University. In this fascinating book, Farris brings together documents dating back to 1768 and extending to 1951 and Fort Ross’s place in the Cold War.

A wonderful read for those interested in California’s history, this book is sure to find a place on any history buff’s bookshelf. Through letters like the one written to Ivan Aleksandrovich, dated Oct. 14, 1808, readers learn that Alexander Baranov, the chief manager of the Russian American Company, plans to “dispatch a hunting party to the coast of the American New Albion with the Company vessels Mirt Kadiak and Nikolai.”

With chapters like “Russian and Kodiak Deserters, Captives, and Martyrs: Bolcoff, Egorov, and St. Peter the Aleut,” “The Transformation of Fort Ross’s Primary Function from Fur Hunting to Agriculture and Light Industry” and “Botanists on Russian Expeditions to California,” Farris opens a part of history that many may not be aware of. Several animal species were named by or for Russians, including the tiger beetle; the Monterey salamander; the Steller sea cow, sea lion and sea jay; the live oak cluster beetle and the bombardier beetle.

Much of the material included in this 368-page book has not been previously published. Farris received assistance from the Fort Ross Conservancy and drew material - including letters, journal entries and reports - from California, United States and Russian archives, providing readers with a different look into California history.

* * *

The last time we met Sacramento writer Norm Schriever, he’d sold all of his possessions and had moved to the tropics to write. Well, he moved, lived, laughed and wrote. The result is his second book, “South of Normal: My Year in Paradise,” published by Sacramento-area Authority Publishing.

The release party for "South of Normal" is scheduled for May 11 from 5 - 9 p.m. at LowBrau, 1050 20th Street.

* * *

The first book has rolled off the new small press at American River College, Ad Lumen Press. The anthology, "Burning the Little Candle" features works by Lois Ann Abraham, Christian Kiefer, Michael Spurgeon, Traci Gourdine and an introduction by Anthony Swofford. The next book, "Let the Water Hold Me Down," by Michael Spurgeon is scheduled to release on July 1. Books by Jason Sinclair Long and Daniel Rounds are forthcoming.

Cold River Press, the sponsor of the ever-popular twice-monthly poetry series, Poetry With Legs at Shine Cafe, has been quite busy at the press. This local small press recently released books by Davis poets D.R. Wagner and Phillip Larrea. Ask for these books, and other small press books, at your independent book store.

* * *

On the event front

Conference time has begun. Actually, it never really ends, but summer's warmer temperatures seem to equate with the cooler indoor temperatures of writing conferences. As you know, the Sacramento Poetry Center held its annual poetry conference in April.

"Our Life Stories" is another local conference that is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Cosumnes River College. This conference is a wonderful opportunity to take workshops from notable writers and poets. Jeff Knorr, the poet laureate of Sacramento, will present "Crafting Your Poems." Satsuki Ina will present "From A Silk Cocoon: Working with Letters, Diaries, Poetry to Tell the Story through Narrative and Film," and V.S. Chochezi will present "For a Live Audience." A full day of workshops, meeting other writers, lunch and materials runs $35 - $40. This is one of the best conferences in town and welcomes writers of all ages and levels.

SummerWords returns this year on May 30 and runs through June 2. T.C. Boyle is the keynote speaker this year, and a host of workshops and readings are available for $95.

The Community of Writers at Squaw Valley has presented workshops in poetry, prose and screenwriting for more than 40 years. This program begins June 22 and runs through July 15. While registration for this event has closed, you can attend several of the public events held in Squaw Valley. Additionally, you can help raise funds for this event by attending the annual benefit reading at Crocker Art Museum on June 21.

* * *

A reminder that May is short story month. Read many short stories this month. You might want to begin with some from Akashic's anthologies or from other anthologies you might have found. Do you have a favorite short story? A favorite short story author?

* * *

If you have book news (new books; author readings, signings, events; or any other book-related items), please email SacramentoBookTalk@gmail.com.

Big Idea's 'Private Eyes': Who's zoomin' who?

2013-05-03T15:09:48Z

With all of the social media outlets available to theater professionals – arguably one of the Sacramento area's most "vocal" populations now posting, tweeting, webbing and pinning – it's a challenge for those company members charged with "getting the word out" to play it close to their Velcroed vests to avoid spilling "spoilers."

But that's exactly the very thin, gaffer-taped line that director Jouni Kirjola is walking these days as he promotes the Big Idea Theatre production of "Private Eyes," playing April 26 through May 25.

"It's so hard to describe without giving away the secrets," said Kirjola of the show, what playwright Steven Dietz calls a “relationship thriller.” "It's an exploration of relationships and dynamics within relationships, but also of perceptions. Maybe I should just say it's a fast-paced, comedic, dramatic, schizophrenic exploration of deception within relationships."

The title of the play might suggest it’s something of a play noir, about a hard-boiled detective, a leggy lady in distress, a menacing mobster and a gal Friday all in pursuit of some mysterious (albeit valuable) objet d’art. But as Kirjola says, “Private Eyes” is more about betrayal on an emotional level, and how emotions (and the passage of time) can alter one’s recollections and interpretations of the past.

“It has heart, it has emotion, it has sex, it has a lot of comedy – it has a little bit of everything,” said Kirjola, a second-year Big Idea company member whose directorial credits include 2012’s “Moonlight and Magnolias.”

Told in a decidedly non-linear style, and featuring a plot course with more twists and turns than a Formula One race track, it’s a show best seen when fully rested, when one’s eyes aren’t prone to flutter and one’s chin isn’t likely to fall to chest level.

But as much as he’d like audiences to put their faith in him and his cast without a word of preface, he’s aware that in this information age people prefer to take journeys of discovery only after having read the last screen of a text.

For those folks, he offers this hors d'oeuvre of an overview: “Matthew’s wife, Lisa, may be having an affair with Adrian, a British theater director. Or, perhaps, the affair is part of a play being rehearsed. Or could it be Matthew has imagined all of it simply to have something to report to his therapist Frank? And who is the mysterious woman who seems to shadow the others?”

“Nothing is as it seems,” said Kirjola. “That’s part of the fun of it – nothing is certain; it inspires conversations and warrants a second viewing.”

The cast features Bert Andersson as Adrian, Kristine David as Lisa, Dan Featherston as Matthew, Nina Collins as the “mysterious woman,” and Big Idea company member Gregory Smith as Frank.

Kirjola credits his actors for tackling the play's admittedly steep peak, and for reaching the rarefied air of its summit.

“The script is extremely complex,” said Kirjola. “It has so many different layers. There are alternate realities, flashbacks told out of order. But each of the actors has truly delivered not only an understanding of the show itself, but of each of the characters. And that’s important because each character should have a soul, and be relatable to the audience somehow. The cast has really delivered that heart and soul.”

Kirjola discovered the play during one of Big Idea’s regular confabs when the company’s upcoming season is mapped out, and its members decide who is going to take on directorial duties.

“I just latched onto it,” said the Placerville native. “It was my favorite show out of all the plays we read. I pushed hard for it with my intention of directing it. Every actor in the show gets to play every emotion, so it’s a fun story to tell. I just got super excited about it.”

“Though I’m more of an actor than a director, this play really spoke to me,” continued Kirjola (“Arcadia”). “Even when I’m directing, I come to a play as an actor and will help my cast discover their characters. There’s so much going on with this script in particular, so I worked with each actor on points of humanity, and tried to engender a sense of fun during the process. I encourage them to try new things, and to join them in that process is definitely fun for me.”

Just as his cast has done, Kirjola said he hopes Sacramento-area audiences will take the leap with him to discover all that “Private Eyes” has to offer.

“Even my friends are cautious about seeing new shows because they’ve seen so much bad theater,” said Kirjola. “But this is an incredibly engaging show, and I think people – even those who don’t like theater, or have been bored by plays in the past – might be surprised at how entertaining it is.”

“Everyone has been lied to or deceived. We’re all 'private eyes' throughout the show; we’re all trying to put all of the loose ends together and solve the mystery. That, in itself, makes ‘Private Eyes’ an extremely rewarding and exciting – and fun – adventure.”

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT: The Big Idea Theatre production of Steven Dietz's "Private Eyes"

WHEN: April 26 through May 25, 2013, with performances at 8 p.m. April 26 and 27, May 2 through 4, May 9 through 11, May 16 through 18, May 23 through 25

WHERE: Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, Calif.

WHO: Directed by Jouni Kirjola; featuring Bert Andersson (Adrian), Kristine David (Lisa), Dan Featherston (Matthew), Gregory Smith (Frank), "Mysterious Woman" (Nina Collins)

HOW MUCH: $14-$16 (online); $18-$20 (at the door); $10 "Thrifty Thursday" tickets available May 2, 9, 17, 24

MORE INFO: Call (916) 960-3036; www.bigideatheatre.com

Kaleidoscope fashion

2013-05-03T09:14:14Z

American River College's Fashion Department will hold a gala fashion show this Friday, May 3.

Up-and-coming designers will be featuring creative fashion for women, men and children.

The 12th Annual Fashion Show will feature 12 designers with unique collections. Designers have been preparing for the show since before a casting call that took place in early April.

The May 3 event has three fashion shows and each shows differs in price depending on the time of the event. Show times are 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Student discounts apply for a limited time. A note from the ARC Facebook shows a discount code for ARC students when they use promo code: ARCSTUDENT.

The spring show is called “Kaleidoscope.” Designers showcasing their fashionable wear and their collection will be:

Dure Arshad, Collection: “Cloudwalk”
Lisbeth Conteras, Collection: “Wonderland”
Tiffany Hagewood, Collection:: ”(to be named)”
Kristen Huss, Collection: “Echos of Mom”
Alexandra Kastner, Collection: “Mod Me Up”
Carolyn Keys, Collection: “Lil Madam”
Syu Martin, Collection: ”Gods & Monsters”
Svetlana Nalobina, Collection: “(to be named)”
Venice Ousley, Collection: “Incognita”
Saul Ramirez, Collection: “The Same Boy You’ve Always Known”
Helen Romero, Collection: “La Beaute”
Anha Tran, Collection: “Resilience The Courage to Come Back”

Several of these designers have experience showing their lines at different venues.

ARC recently announced that alum designer Nolan Kouri (aka Michael Kouri) would also be presenting a special collection. The Kouri collection will feature accessories by local designer Ruchi Shah. A Kouri collection was featured at this year's Sacramento Fashion Week.

ARC is located at 4700 College Oak Drive and parking will be available in Lot D. Log on to the ARC website and their Facebook page to learn more about the event.

Minor League Baseball: Thankfully, not the big leagues

2013-05-03T04:10:26Z

Watching the Sacramento River Cats isn’t like going to a Giants or A’s game – and that’s a good thing.

There’s nothing like the minor leagues, especially at the AAA level played by the hometown River Cats. Players in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) are as close to the Big Leagues and that big time money and fame as you can get. Fans in Sacramento waited more than 20 years for professional baseball to return before the Cats arrived in 2000, and were rewarded with being the top farm club for a franchise that’s a mere 100 miles away. That means you can watch a River Cats player at cozy Raley Field, then follow him to the highest level once he hits Oakland. Another local bonus is that Stockton is home of Oakland’s Single A team.

So sit back, or wander around the grandstand of beautiful Raley Field on a perfect summer night with a beer and bag of peanuts in hand, keeping a few things in mind:

Did the River Cats win? Who cares!
While it’s a lot of fun to see the River Cats play well and pound the opposition, especially if you’re an Oakland A’s fan, that’s not really the point of the minor leagues. There’s just too much player movement during the course of a minor league season to realize any sort of “team” concept. Feel blessed that in Sacramento the A’s organization of “Money Ball” fame yearly provides us with quality players. Fans have responded by making Sacramento one of the minor’s top draws. But does it really matter if they win or lose? Not really. What matters most are the almost 200 former River Cats players dotting MLB rosters. That group includes an American League Cy Young Award that went to Barry Zito, two AL Rookie of the Year winners – Eric Hinske and Bobby Crosby – as well as numerous others who have put together impressive careers, including Andre Ethier, Mark Ellis, Gio Gonzalez, Mark Belhorn, Eric Byrnes, Nick Swisher, and Hudson Street, to name just a few. You go to games at Raley Field so you can proudly say “I saw him when . . . “, not to watch a victory. Frankly, the players aren’t focused on if they win or lose – except maybe pitchers who carry that won/loss record everywhere they go. Players at Raley Field to generally fall into one of these categories:

A’s Prospects
Players for any minor league team are put there by the organization they represent, and the organization’s purpose is to prepare a player for the next step. Hungry prospects are the reason the minors are so exciting, and have a completely different vibe than the MLB. Last season was fantastic for both A’s and River Cats fans. Several of the players that helped lead the A’s to their magical AL West title run made a pit stop or two here at some point. The minors are essentially a numbers game, with too many good players for an MLB roster that is capped at 25 during the regular season.

One example: This year Sacramento has been able to again see pitcher Dan Straily, Oakland’s No. 2-rated prospect, who led all of professional baseball in strikeouts last year. Straily, however, is the A’s No. 6 starter in a five-man rotation, and as a result gets regularly yanked between the two teams. In 2012, Straily was with the A’s from mid-August on, and helped win some big games. He started this season with Oakland, beat the Houston Astros on April 6 – striking out 11 in less than seven innings – then was shipped back to Sacramento the next day when starter Bartolo Colon came off the disabled list. On April 29, he was back up to start against the Angels in what turned out to be an epic 10-8, 19-inning A’s win that was decided when former River Cat Brandon Moss hit a walk-off homer. Such is life in the minor leagues. Sacramento fans certainly benefit from that bumpy road to stardom.

River Cats fans will see a stadium full of talent all season. There are five first-round draft picks on the River Cats roster – veteran infielder Jemile Weeks, who already has 850 at bats in the majors, (brother of Milwaukee’s Rickie Weeks), outfielder Michael Choice, utility player Grant Green, and pitchers Sonny Gray and James Simmons.

Don’t Just Focus on the River Cats
Every team in the PCL playing in Sacramento has a major league organization feeding them players. Fresno (San Francisco Giants), Albuquerque (Los Angeles Dodgers), and Reno (Arizona Diamondbacks) are just a few of the more popular examples. Those teams will all come through Sacramento during 2013. For fans of the parent club, it’s a rare chance to see stars before they become stars. It’s no wonder Raley Field is packed with Giants fans every time the Fresno Grizzlies arrive. Many still remember Buster Posey playing here with Fresno (and in Stockton in 2009) the spring he went on to lead the Giants to a 2010 World Series title, earning Rookie of the Year in the process. Angels’ phenom Mike Trout played a series in Reno last year before he was called up, where he had an MVP-caliber season. And, as a Dodgers fan, I still not-so-fondly remember the time Brandon Belt made a 2011 weekend appearance for Fresno here where he couldn’t buy a base hit. Then a couple of days later, after being called up, he thumped the Dodgers with a home run and a couple of RBIs. Earlier this season, I caught a noon game at Raley Field and saw Arizona’s top-rated prospect, Tyler Skaggs, pitch against the River Cats. Those moments make watching the minor leagues a unique experience.

Thank the River Cats for making it easy to keep track of all the top PCL prospects, through the free program handed out at Raley Field each game. The program includes a list of every PCL team and top 10 prospects. Oakland’s top-rated prospect, by the way, is Addison Russell, who’s playing up the road in Stockton. Look for him in Sacramento soon.

Veteran Players
Every level of the minors will benefit during the season from a veteran player or two appearing in a few games, usually because of an injury rehab assignment. Second-year sensation Yoenis Cespedes, coming off a hand injury, played three games for the River Cats in late April and hit a 3-run homer. The Sunday after his rehab assignment ended, Cespedes hit a huge home run keying an Oakland victory. Keep on top of who’s rehabbing and you can often see an elite player, both pitchers and position players, in Sacramento.

Then there are the guys looking for that last shot with an organization before calling it a career. F.P. Santangelo, who grew up in Sacramento, was with several teams during his career – including the Giants and Dodgers. He finished with the River Cats and is now an announcer for the Washington Nationals. And who can forget the colorful Manny Ramirez, a sure Hall of Famer if not for a pesky PED problem, playing a number of games for the River Cats last season while trying to make a comeback. Oakland later released Manny before he played for the A’s, and he was last seen playing this spring in a Taiwanese league.

You Can’t Beat the View
With a capacity of about 14,000, Raley Field is one of the larger AAA parks (Reno’s capacity, in comparison, is 9,100). However, that’s still 30,000 seats less than an average MLB ballpark, yet virtually every seat at Raley would cost you at least a hundred bucks at AT&T in San Francisco. Plus, the view’s much better. Whether you’re in a seat, lounging on the grass, or walking around, you’re extremely close to the players. Getting one to toss you a ball or securing an autograph, especially if you’re a kid, is easy. At a recent sparsely attended day game, one young girl sitting along the dugout with her father went home with four baseballs.

The seat attendants at a Rivers Cats game are very accommodating about allowing folks to move into empty seats, especially past the halfway point of a ballgame. Attendants were much stricter at a game I attended in Reno earlier this year. Then again, the Reno Aces charge $10 for a general admission seat, as opposed to Sacramento’s $8, but Reno has tables along the stadium concourse facing the action where you can comfortably place a beer or food while watching the game. That means you’re not anchored to your seat and you feel freer to move around the ballpark. That’s a great idea I wish Raley Field would adopt.

The Sacramento River Cats and Raley Field are now a vital part of our region’s landscape. It’s impossible to think of a Sacramento summer without taking in a minor league ballgame. We’ve got the weather, a great ballpark, and an organization that believes in stocking a strong minor league system. Take advantage, and you’ll enjoy watching the MLB up the road even more.

Help Sacramento Sheriff detectives locate a suspect who shot a 10 year-old boy

2013-05-03T00:55:24Z

Help Identify this Shooting Suspect

Sheriff's detectives are looking for the public's assistance to identify a man responsible for shooting a 10 year-old boy two weeks ago. The suspect (see attached composite sketch) is described as a Hispanic male, between 20-30 years of age. He is believed to possibly have a scar on the side of his forehead.

On April 20, 2013 at approximately 11:15 p.m., the 10 year-old victim was standing with friends in front of a residence in the 6300 block of Whitecliff Way in North Highlands. A black vehicle with several occupants drove up to the victim, and one of the occupants said something to the juveniles standing outside the home. The suspect, a passenger in the vehicle, then produced a handgun and began firing, striking the victim multiple times. The victim was transported to a hospital, and is expected to survive his injuries.

The motive for this shooting remains under investigation. Anyone believing they know the identity of the person depicted in this sketch, or having any information regarding this incident, is asked to contact the Sheriff's Detective Bureau at (916) 874-5070. Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com, by texting to 274637 (CRIMES) and entering the keyword SSD, or by calling (916) 874-TIPS.

Sergeant Jason Ramos,
Sheriff's Spokesman

Disclosure: This is a direct re post from the Sacramento Sheriff's Department press release

Ask the County Law Librarian - Parking a Commercial Vehicle

2013-05-02T22:04:16Z

Q. I am self-employed and use a cargo van for my business. The van is painted all white and used only by me. Would my van be considered a "commercial vehicle" and am I allowed to legally park in Sacramento County on the street of my house (residential parking)? Thanks for your time!

-Deborah

A. Since this is a two-part question, let’s start with the first order of business: determining if your van is considered a commercial vehicle. First, check your vehicle’s registration to see whether it’s registered as ‘automobile’ or ‘commercial.’ Depending on the make, model, and features of your van, the DMV may consider it ‘commercial’ regardless of whether you’re using it as a passenger car or a business car. If it’s registered as ‘automobile’ then it’s your choice whether to register it as a ‘commercial’ (a designation that comes with special plates, additional fees, and additional parking options). Because this is a law librarian column and not that of someone authorized to interpret the law, I’ll provide you with California’s definitions of a commercial vehicle and let you decide if your cargo van falls into this category.

According to Section 260(a) of the California Vehicle Code, “a ‘commercial vehicle’ is a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.”

Section 260 of the Vehicle Code also includes a few other subsections that further refine the definition: "(b) Passenger vehicles and house cars that are not used for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit are not commercial vehicles. This subdivision shall not apply to Chapter 4(commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3; (c) Any vanpool vehicle is not a commercial vehicle; (d) The definition of a commercial vehicle in this section does not apply to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) of Division 6." You can read the code online at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html

Consulting another source, the California Commercial Drivers' Handbook, we find that a commercial motor vehicle is “a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles designed or used for either the transportation of persons for compensation or property and:

•Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
•Tows any vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
•Tows more than one vehicle or a trailer bus.
•Has three or more axles (excludes three axle vehicles weighing 6,000 pounds or less gross).
•Is any vehicle (bus, farm labor vehicle, general public paratransit vehicle, etc.) designed, used, or maintained to carry more than 10 passengers including the driver, for hire or profit, or is used by any nonprofit organization or group.
•Transports hazardous materials requiring placarding.*
•Transports hazardous wastes (Health and Safety Code §§25115 and 25117).*

Once you decide which category- automobile or commercial- best describes your cargo van, we can then look at Sacramento’s County and City Codes to determine whether residential parking is legal for you, based on your van’s official designation, size, and weight. The Sacramento County Code’s Title 10 governs Vehicles and Traffic, so it seems like the best place to start our research. Narrowing it down even further, to Chapter 10.24 Parking Regulations, and Chapter 10.30: Preferential Residential Permit Parking Program, you can find all the ordinances regulating parking in the county. You’ll want to read these chapters carefully to determine what’s OK for your situation.

Depending on where you live within Sacramento County, you may need to also consult the City Code, particularly Chapter 10.24: Size, Weight, and Load Restrictions; Chapter 10.36: Stopping, Standing, and Parking; and Chapter 10.48: Residential Permit Parking Program. You will especially want to study Section 10.36.120: Parking Commercial Vehicles in Residential District, which prohibits the parking of commercial vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 pounds (manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight) in certain residential areas.
If you’re still in doubt, we’d recommend contacting the DMV for automobile/commercial questions and Sacramento County Code Enforcement for local parking regulation inquiries.

Coral Henning, Director
@coralh & @saclawlibrarian
www.saclaw.org

Local youth reach out for Mental Health Month

2013-05-02T21:06:37Z

May is Mental Health Month, and the Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) tasked local middle school children with opening discussion on the topic with their youth PSA contest, “Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think.”

Seven students from Arden Middle School created a short public service announcement that attempts to break the stigma surrounding the various forms of mental illness which, according to the DBHS, affects one in five children. The 30-second PSA will air between May 2nd and May 27th on local television stations.

From May 13th through May 17th, an art display along the outside of the governor’s office at the State Capitol will feature local artists who support mental health awareness. On May 23rd, Mental Health America of Northern California will be holding the Consumer Speaks Conference at the Holiday Inn Sacramento-Capitol Plaza from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event will feature several speakers discussing the recovery processes for mental illness patients, as well as free workshops, entertainment, lunch, and prizes.

For information beyond Mental Health Month, StopStigmaSacramento.org aims to educate the public on how to reduce stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness, and provides sources for support. People wanting to learn more about this issue can also visit StopStigmaSacramento’s Facebook and Twitter pages.