Facing a dramatic toy shortage,The Salvation Army of Sacramento has announced a partnership with the Sacramento Metro Chamber for an eleventh-hour push to receive new, unwrapped toys this week. The Metro Chamber reached out to many of its members to help donate to the Salvation Army Toy Drive or to host a donation bin at their business location. A couple of member businesses responded in a big way: Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Bank of America has agreed to participate as a toy drop-off site in eight bank locations throughout the Sacramento region, through Friday, Dec. 18. Further, Wells Fargo Northern California Foundation is making a donation of $5,000 to The Salvation Army to help s

Sacramento's mid-town area has its very own winery, Revolution Wines. The winery is a unique place, offering a great courtyard and a wine tasting bar. Both the bar area and the courtyard have bistro tables where you can enjoy a bottle of wine or just a glass. On Friday, December 18, 2009, Revolution Wines is also hosting an incredible band, Counter Intelligence. Counter Intelligence is a local band, with members from around the Sacramento area. Although tecnically a jazz band, they play songs we all know and love.  Covered songs include: Hard Day's Night, Ease Back and Moondance.  Counter Intelligence plays a mix of danceable songs and those that you can sit back and relax to. Revolution

A little over two months ago, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts chose Sacramento over 27 other cities as the first partner for the "Any Given Child" program. The program, which promotes arts education, will be developed in Sacramento over the next two years before rolling out nationwide. Mayor Kevin Johnson emailed the following survey regarding participation in the Any Given Child program: In October, the Kennedy Center announced that it would pilot its Any Given Child program here in Sacramento with the goal of providing access and equity in arts in education to all students. Since then, we've been hard at work focusing on this welcome opportunity to expand arts opport

Mayor Kevin Johnson said Tuesday he will start searching for buyers for Downtown Plaza within weeks, after Westfield Group announced its willingness to sell the struggling plaza. After the holidays, Johnson will start talking to "big developers" and investment groups who understand the plaza's role in revitalizing downtown. Potential buyers could include people interested in developing a new downtown arena at that site, he said. "Westfield has agreed to step aside, and, if necessary, sell its interests in Downtown Plaza," Johnson said during his weekly press conference Tuesday morning. "That could be very monumental for the downtown corridor. The big news is Westfield is no longer willin

Individuals wishing to purchase a $5 raffle ticket to win a $25,000 diamond ring have just two weeks left. Rogers Jewelry Co. and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) have tickets available now through December 30, 2009. In June, nearly 1,000 individuals participated in the first annual Race for the Rock, a text message-based scavenger hunt via bicycle through downtown Sacramento. Participants answered historical clues and tracked down hidden information in hopes of uncovering the amazing prize. The event’s entry fee benefited programs at SFBFS. The winners of Race for the Rock went home with a 1.5 carat diamond ring. Within weeks of the event, the winning couple decided to dona

Westfield Group has agreed to sell Downtown Plaza, Mayor Kevin Johnson announced Tuesday morning. The city has been pressing Westfield to invest in the plaza for nearly 12 years. Since August, Johnson has been pushing the shopping mall owner to make good on its promise to invest at least $120 million in the under-performing plaza. The alternative, he said at the time, was for Westfield to sell the plaza. Unwilling to invest that much, Westfield decided to sell, Johnson said. But the mayor and city staff must now find a buyer who can agree on a price with Westfield. "Westfield has agreed to step aside, and, if necessary, sell its interests in Downtown Plaza," Johnson said during his week

'Twas two weeks before Christmas, when all through the town Not a citizen was stirred up, because it was unknown That their money was being given away then and there By town leaders pretending that no one would care ..." Happy Holidays, District Three. What's on your wish list this gift giving season? Safe sidewalks glisten and visions of street bumps dance in your heads? A life-saving stop sign, cross walk or street lighting fires the Yuletide dreams? How far would $100,000 go in your neighborhood? To be in on the holiday fun, contact your City Council member before the Tuesday, December 15th Council meeting and tell them how you want $100,000 spent -- or not. Handy contact info is

            SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Near 100 people rallied in front of the Capitol on Monday, opposing a new pesticide containing methyl iodide that could potentially be used at strawberry farms statewide. The group - made up of farm laborers from around the state, local activists and consumers - marched from Caesar Chavez Park to the south Capitol steps, carrying signs and chanting slogans characterizing the chemical as a “poison.” Methyl iodide, which would be used as a fumigant sprayed onto field soil, is still awaiting approval by state pesticide officials before it can be sold or used in California. Organizers of the rally have said the chemical could be “one of the most dangerous pesticides in use,” adding that it i

During these tough economic times it is refreshing to see a company not only donate money but continue leading the way in ensuring that important non profit services are not interrupted in their communities. A service company, Waste Connections, is embedded in their neighborhoods and has been supporting more than fifteen local charities for many years. Their grass-roots outreach has proven to be the most effective and cost efficient. It works! Many local nonprofits have been struggling in this downturn to stay afloat and Waste Connections has come to their aid - very quietly, but consistently. Government agencies, local governments, please take note. Local grass-roots efforts are the most

A sweeping proposal to cut costs at government agencies statewide could cut into the retirement benefits of new city employees in Sacramento, according to the initiative’s author. The proposal, which would tighten employees' retirement benefits, comes from the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility. Citrus Heights accountant Marcia Fritz, the proposal's author, wrote in an e-mail that the initiative’s rules would apply to new Sacramento city employees and all other new government personnel starting July 1, 2011. She said she aims to put the proposal on the November 2010 ballot. The initiative states that benefits for current public employees would not change. Raising funds for

This year, 28,500 Sacramento residents participated in the event, raising over $800,000 to support programs at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Your participation in the Run to Feed the Hungry helps families in need via our various programs including: -Food assitance -Clothing -Mother Baby Program -Adult Education -Women’s Wisdom Art These programs and services are made possible because of contributions from supporters like you. To find out more information about Run to Feed the Hungry, including fundraising deadlines, category 
winners or to look up your finish time, please visit www.runtofeedthehungry.com. We appreciate and welcome any feedback and ideas from race participant

Thursday at the Blue Room Nightclub (inside the Cap City Hotel) heats up the night with "Hot Blues" music from talents like the Band           " Black Cat Bone" who play the blues with the best.  Then there is Fretea Davis who is presently singing in clubs all over town, we have the singing/guitar talents of Justin DeGuzman, and the comedy of Chris Lange and Carlos Rodriquez.... Oh, and don't miss "Cuba" Live on stage. Cheap drinks...Good fun....Great Music! There is an Open Mic from 7 to 8pm Come out and try your hand on stage! Sponsored by the Sacramento Entertainment Agency www.sactotalent.com Regular show is at 8pm...cover is Only $5 and it is 17 & over Karaoke after! Blue Room Nig

  The chance of a person being killed by a police officer because he or she has a mental illness may rise due to budget cuts, lack of proper treatment and the police being unaware that the person suffers from a mental illness. If you need to call the police on a loved one or someone you know who has a mental illness because of erratic or psychotic behavior, let the police know that he or she suffers from a mental illness. According to the Sacramento Bee, Giat Van Truong, a 35-year-old man who suffers from schizophrenia was shot to death while becoming violent with the arresting police officer. According to Sheriff Sgt. Tim Curran, the arresting officer was unaware that Giat was mentally

Downtown's Crest Theater will screen A Christmas Story, the retro comedy classic based on Jean Shepherd's novel, in the third annual Christmas Story at the Crest event Saturday, December 19.  Beginning at noon, guests will enjoy several tables of home-baked sweets and hot chocolate in the lobby of the gorgeous art deco theater, while awaiting their turn to meet a real-bearded Santa, available to take gift requests and photos with hopeful children and adults.  The film begins at 1 p.m.  Ten dollar tickets will benefit Jesuit High School. For the uniquely uninitiated, A Christmas Story is the campy cult classic about 1940's school kid, Ralphie Parker, who wants nothing more than for Santa t

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

  El Dorado Hills, Calif. — December 11, 2009 —A variety of free holiday events will take place at El Dorado Hills Town Center throughout December. The charming European-style shopping center is just 30 minutes from downtown Sacramento and features photos with Santa, a Santa Run Parade, free musical theatre performances and numerous entertainment opportunities at unique restaurants and Regal’s IMAX theatre. On Saturday, Dec. 19 from noon to 3 p.m., there will be photos with Santa, and then every weekend until Christmas, there will be musical performances by El Dorado Musical Theatre. Finally, the holiday season will culminate with the El Dorado Hills Firefighters’ Association’s Santa Ru

This year's Christmas Party Extravaganza feels more like Sacramento Fashion Week!  The Party will showcase fashion trends from a range of local designers. Come check them out on December 17th at Niello Audi dealership! Victor Louis will be there featuring his recent couture designs... See what's all the rage this holiday season in cocktail and evening gowns from Britt Steele... Michael Greene & Co. will complement couture with ornaments of a very luxurious nature... Find out the hottest hair styles from Allure Salon and Spa... Fashion Show presented by A&A Music Events. A front seat at the show is included in the Party ticket price. Visit Christmas Party Extravaganza online for m

What: Review of Blow Up, a music and fashion show. Where: Clubhouse 24. Punchline: Pay no attention to the timid man behind the curtain. It was raining Saturday night in Midtown. Not drizzling, raining. It was coming down so hard that any heads of hair not beneath an umbrella or the hood of a raincoat had that fresh-from-the-shower look. Meanwhile, on the sidewalk outside Clubhouse 24, a newly opened party space at 24th and J Street, there was some kind of sculpture/assemblage in the form of a tree. Christmas tree bulbs the size of disco balls decorated its branches, and it was on fire. Well, more accurately, it had been rigged with a large propane tank so that flames shot out of metal

  At 6’9 and 250 lbs, it is amazing that Big Easy Lofton made it across the zip line. Big Easy Lofton and his friend and teammate Flight Time Lang of the Harlem Globetrotters were recently on the Emmy award-winning CBS television show, “The Amazing Race.” One of their challenges was to cross a zip line suspended over water. In an interview with both Flight Time and Big Easy, Big Easy said the challenge was “exhausting.” He told me that he was told the zip line was tested, but just never tested for someone of his size. Luckily, his strength and athletic ability allowed him to finish. Flight Time and Big Easy finished fourth in the race that premiered the season final on December 6, 2009.