Review

Best selling author Kim Edwards speaks as part of CA Lectures circuit

2011-01-23T00:48:03Z

Widely acclaimed author of “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” and more recently ”The Lake of Dreams” Kim Edwards spoke at the Crest Theatre on Thursday as the fourth author of the California Lectures’ 2010-2011 season. Her work has been praised for its wit, humanism and realistic settings as well her innate ability to transport her reader to exotic locales and accept them implicitly in the story.
Her second and most recent novel, “The Lake of Dreams,” came fast on the heels of the breakout success she achieved with her freshman effort, “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter,” which spent an awesome 122 weeks on the New York Times Best-seller List, 20 of which were spent at number one.
The lecture, which was more of an interview, comprised of the guest, Edwards, her interviewer, noted author Susan Kelly-Dewitt, two chairs, a sparse table and two goblets filled with water. Both had soft, lilting voices that floated over the audience with their talk.
While the discussion covered a large part of her sudden success with her first novel, Kelly-Dewitt also brought the discussion around to her first collection of short stories, the highly acclaimed “The Secrets of a Fire King,” and, in more detail, her recent January release “The Lake of Dreams.”
The story centers on Lucy Jarrett, who returns to her childhood home in the fictional Lake of Dreams, N.Y. to find that her brother is attempting to erect high-end real estate, and she reignites a relationship with her first boyfriend. The twist comes when, haunted by her father’s untimely death during her youth, that she discovers a hidden note and, with it, family secrets.
The story is made more timely, also, by the use of one of the characters seeing the 1910 occurrence of Haley’s Comet, something that Edwards says made her think about it as a “a really interesting way to tie an intergenerational novel together.”
“Haley’s Comet comes every 76 years,” she said, discussing how she was able to link it to the passing of the comet in 1986. “It’s about the span of a human life, roughly speaking. I felt it could really work.”
The latter was the main focus of the evening, with Edwards displaying her intricate and detailed knowledge of everything from stained glass to blown glass, from concentric circles in a historical sense to the importance of personal letters throughout time.
As a writer that plays with thematic imagery, her work can be seen as prosaic in its descriptive flare and ability to conjure a vivid scene in the reader’s head with only words. Not only this, but she lets the story work for itself, and through it adds layers without creating kinks.
“As a writer, I think that the imagery of a piece, of a story, or a novel has to be organic to that story,” Edwards said, “I never really set up thinking, ‘I’m going to use water imagery,’ because if I do that, I found for myself that it just really takes the life out of the story. With this book, once I understand the imagery is coming from the story, I try to work with it.”
Throughout the evening Kelly-Dewitt had passages picked out for Edwards to read. Her tone of voice was soft and lyrical and matched the feeling and density of her prose. While the book is not difficult to pick up, a shortsighted reader might miss the simple calligraphy of words Edwards knits her stories with.
The California Lectures series will continue with Amy Bloom on Feb. 23 and Terry McMillan on March 24. For more information, visit here.

Capitol Bowl has its third annual "Big Lebowski" party

2010-08-31T03:52:43Z

What do a marmot, nihilists and bowling all have in common?

If you thought of the 1998 Coen Brothers cult classic “The Big Lebowski," you must have remembered how the protagonist encountered all those things.

Capitol Bowl celebrated its third annual “Big Lebowski” party with a quiz about the movie, bowling, white Russians and a viewing of the movie on the lanes.

“If it has something to do with ‘The Big Lebowski,’ and it’s in the area, I’m here, man,” Dude impersonator Jeremy Johnston, 35, said.

A recurring locale in the movie is a Los Angeles bowling alley where the protagonist, the Dude, and his friends/bowling partners practice. The constant theme of bowling is present throughout the movie, and was what motivated Capitol Bowl to take on the task.

“A party with bowling is a natural fit,” employee Chris White said. “It’s just a celebration of being with your friends and having fun and not worrying about the big things in life.”

Capitol Bowl is one of the only bowling alleys to host a “Big Lebowski” bowling party in northern California. Many other celebrations of the movie can be found throughout the state, including costume parties in art galleries or even, as Capitol Bowl did two years ago to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the film’s release, a silent auction for charity.

Anders Ek, 32, decided to come dressed as Walter Sobchak. He said he has seen the movie at least 20 times. “What’s not to love?” he asked.

Questions on the quiz ranged from things like the color of the Dude’s friend Walter’s bowling ball to the name of an obscure street sign in the movie.

New Dimensions Learning Academy hosts "Queen of New York" poet Tantra

2010-08-30T04:01:52Z

It’s always amazing to see the real power of words.

The words — the way they can fill a room with sound and fury and electricity, all from someone speaking a certain way. All from poetry.

The New Dimensions Learning Academy on 35th and Broadway hosts such talents and was graced by the presence of the award-winning “Queen of New York,” Tantra Zawadi, who performed some of her spoken word Saturday.

The academy holds an open mic night every last Saturday of the month, and this particular night multiple artists hit the stage with rhythmic energy, syllabic
enigmas and profound social commentary.

“I feel like this is a place that I can come to live, you know?” attendee Maurice Sanders, 21, said.

The host and founder of the academy, Terry Moore, opened the events by introducing the night’s band, Ear Candy. They played in between sets and also performed with house singer Chris J, who sang soulful ballads of his own pen.

“We’ve never missed a night!” Moore said.

Local poet and performer NSAA (pronounced en-sah-ah) spoke in quick rhythmic spurts as he talked about skin color, neighborly love and music.

The academy also hosts multiple youth groups, many of which perform on the stage. The poetry night is one of the only in Sacramento to be open to all ages.

“People bring their kids,” Moore said. “The kids get a good education. It’s intellectual. They can develop their skills by hearing and performing.”

Zawadi sat in the audience throughout the show, watching and applauding the other acts. She wore her hair in tight braids, colored alternately gold and red. She wore a ring in her nose. She had an elegance around her. In short, Zawadi was cool.

Most of the poems she performed were all from her new book, “Gathered at My Sky: Life Poems,” and a part of the proceeds go toward the Zimbabwe-based Girl Child Network Worldwide.

“It’s such a blessing to share this work with you, knowing that these words are traveling to the motherland and creating change in the lives of others,” Zawadi said during her performance.

All pictures by Maxwell McKee:

1 & 2. Tantra

3. Chris J & Ear Candy

Old Ironsides hosts Beach Boys tribute

2010-08-09T04:03:01Z

Surf music rang from Old Ironsides Saturday night as local bands took the stage to present a tribute concert in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Beach Boys’ inception.

The first band to hit the stage was concert promoter Jerry Perry’s son and his band, On Display, with “Then I Kissed Her.” It was the band’s first night in front of a crowd — they stumbled a bit, but at the end of the song applause rang out all the louder.

The bill focused on showcasing different interpretations of the Beach Boys’ work, many focusing on Brian Wilson’s credits more than other contributors like Mike Love.

A highlights of the night included a great solo performance by local heavy-hitter Aaron King (sans the Imperials), who covered two songs from 1966’s Pet Sounds: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times.”

“I didn’t want to bring the band down for just two songs,” King said before the show. “Jerry said, ‘I’m putting together this show. Do you want to be a part of it?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, tell me when and where!’”

Another nice call on Perry’s part was getting the Free Badge Serenaders. Their amazing onstage antics with a washboard, cowbells, slide whistle, kazoo and banjo earned them laughs and shouts as they trumped through “Heroes and Villains” and “I’m Waiting for the Day.”

An interesting part of the night was that not all of the songs covered were written or performed by the Beach Boys. For instance, the Free Badge Serenaders covered the Jan and Dean hit “Surf City,” which was written by Brian Wilson. Later in the evening, David Houston, with a gorgeous three-piece string section, covered “Miserlou,” a song that any Quentin Tarentino fan would recognize as the opening music to “Pulp Fiction.”

“I like that they played a lot more esoteric stuff,” Tom Blaze, 52, said. “I didn’t expect the kind of music I knew about, not just Top 40, you know?”

The night was marked by multiple cheers from the audience as they recognized songs as they were being played, many people singing along. The singing seemed to become more boisterous as the night wore on.

“I love this song!” Michelle Varner, 27, cried. “‘Help me, Rhonda, help me get her outta my heart!’”

For more information about future events at Old Ironsides, visit their calendar.

Margaret and Aimee Crocker come alive!

2010-07-24T00:26:42Z

If you happened to be at the Central Library last Thursday, you might have noticed two women walking through in Victorian-era dresses.

Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with the space-time continuum. The Central Library has been hosting a series of historical presentations for its 2010 events.

“I always enjoy these type of things,” Joy Farrow, 66, said. “I hope they have others!”

Historian Judy Eitzen and local actress Connie Clark presented their impersonations of Margaret and Aimee Crocker in front of an audience of about 30. The reenactment was put on to commemorate the October opening of the Crocker Art Museum’s new educational wing.

At the very start, Eitzen composed herself as a proper Victorian woman. She also underlined that she had been raised on very little and worked hard to get everything she had. She gave factual accounts, more figures than feelings of the time, and kept the people interested with her wild tales of living in the mid-19th century.

“One has responsibility to give back to the community,” Eitzen said as Margaret. “Consequently, we had determined that we would provide ourselves and our community with a place where art and culture could be appreciated.”

After she talked about both her and husband Edwin Crocker’s lives, she introduced her daughter, Aimee Crocker. The young woman slowly descended the stairs and glided into the room with a huge smile and a smirk that suggested she wasn’t anything like her mama.

Clark presented Aimee’s story, telling thrilling tales of harems, Spanish lovers and her infamous pet snake, Kaa.

“My life has been very long and varied,” Clark said as Aimee. “I look back at it and I think, I would do it again. I would crowd in still more things, still more places, still more women. More men.”

With a trusty grin throughout the performance and a sly wink, she continually denounced her mother’s affinity for proper ladies.

The Central Library will have more events like this throughout the year. For more information, visit here.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra play Sacramento

2010-07-18T07:27:09Z

The sounds of brass, woodwind, percussion and piano could be heard Thursday at the Community Center Theatre as the famed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its live set.

The show, which lasted about two hours, boasted 19 musicians playing for about 825 people. The set covered number one hits written by artists ranging from Armstrong to Ellington to, of course, Miller.

Band leader Larry O’Brien, who happened to turn 77 the night of the concert, was in full form, moving about the stage with snapping fingers and a jovial shoulder bop.

“I feel very comfortable up there,” he said backstage before the show. “I feel that we have a great product that the people love. Music like this is not around today, it’s very rare.”

The production boasted excellently assembled arrangements, some of them conceived by pianist Ron Mills. Numerous Big-Band hits were played throughout the night including “Little Brown Jug,” “String of Pearls” and the very first song to ever have a gold record, “Chatanooga Choo-Choo,” which featured vocalists Brian Hemstock and Kate Rafferty.

“That’s our time!” concert-goer Marjorie Werry, 87, said. “That’s our generation and that’s our music!”

Throughout the sets, different musicians of the band stepped forward to take solos, notably Damian Sanchez on tenor saxophone and Kevin Sheehan on the clarinet. Another fantastic piece was the drum solo at the end of the show during the final song, when O’Brien spurred the audience into crying, “Turn the drummer loose!” for “The Bugle Call Rag,” featuring drummer Brent Marquez.

The crowd seemed to applaud when each song started, many recognizing the tune from just the first two or three bars.

“I love Glenn Miller music,” Elaine Mason, 73, said. “I love that they came to Sacramento!”

The band dedicated three songs throughout the night, the first being “American Patrol” to all of the veterans in the audience, then played “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” dedicated to the soldiers overseas.

The last was a beautiful orchestration of “America the Beautiful,” dedicated to the country itself. In the middle of the song, a man at the back of the theatre stood up and began singing the words, after which multiple people joined in. By the end of the number, dry eyes were difficult to find in the auditorium.

The most exciting part of the evening came near the performance’s last leg, a gut-busting, powerful, brassy rendition of “In the Mood,” an old Miller standard. After the memorable opening bars of the tune, a huge applause went up from the audience.

For more information, visit here.

All pictures by Maxwell McKee

Sac Japanese Film Festival presents "Memories of Matsuko"

2010-07-13T02:16:35Z

The Sacramento Japanese Film Festival closed its run of Japanese cinema Sunday with Tetsuya Nakashima’s “Memories of Matsuko,” a brilliant and terrible film that told the life story of a woman named Matsuko, played by Miki Nakatani, destined for sadness and exile.

The film acted as a sort of melting pot of genres, the cinematography being reminiscent of Japanese big-budget cinema and also a touch of Baz Lurhmann thrown in for color and majesty.

“Memories” opens with a young man named Sho, played by Eita, talking about the nature of life and the struggles and dreams of individuals. Spasmodic words flash across the screen throughout the movie, eerily stamping key words like ‘dream,’ ‘love’ and even ‘Wednesday’ into the viewers’ subconscious.

The film tells the story in bitter montages, displaying the hardships and relationships surrounding the title character. Much like “Citizen Kane,” the true identity of the protagonist is difficult to pinpoint, and the two movies draw startling parallels. For instance, both feature a life story within another narrative, both ending with the person in question dying under mysterious circumstances.

The epic nature of the movie is apparent from the stylized opening credits, done as an exact mimic of the famed “Gone With the Wind” credits filled with reddened clouds at dusk and golden letters.

The audience was right along with the characters, engaged in every emotion, reaction and revelation.

“Memories of Matsuko” is not an easy watch. It is a visionary film done by one of the most revolutionary Japanese directors, many say, since Kurosawa. This is a film you will watch and never forget. It is a wonderful, colorful, joyful, awful, honest telling of a humanist story.

MAX’S RATING: A SILENT TEAR, AN INTROSPECTIVE FEELING AND A FRESH APPRECIATION FOR LIFE

Sacramento annual Japanese Film Festival plays Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood"

2010-07-12T06:25:10Z

The 6th annual Japanese Film Festival presented Akira Kurosawa’s “Throne of Blood” on Saturday, a samurai rendition of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”

The film, a modern masterpiece of cinema, tells the story of Taketori Washizu (Toshiro Mifune), a general famous for his defeat of an almost unbeatable assault. The story progresses along the same lines as “Macbeth,” with the general and his best friend, Yoshiteru Miki (Akira Kubo), receiving an ominous fortune involving both of their imminent rises to power. When Washizu’s wife, the Lady Macbeth character Lady Asaji Washizu (Isuzu Yamada), shakes the general’s nerves with deceitful thoughts, the deaths of numerous unsuspecting victims follow, ending with the death of the protagonist.

The film has been hailed as brilliant and genre defying since its release in 1957, and has remained a staple in Japanese cinema. For good reason many call the film one of the best adaptations of Shakespeare’s work.

The festival audience was small and most seemed to know each other. The Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church, which organized the festival, had many of its members in the audience.

Festival director Barbara Kado opened the evening with a short talk about the film. She spoke about its power and effect on audiences since its debut, and how it should be a constant reminder to the watchers of the effects of power and greed.

For more information, visit here.

Central Library's Game Day rocked, skated and special moved.

2010-06-28T01:09:07Z

Seasoned players and passers-by bit their lips and flicked their thumbs playing video games at the Central Library Saturday for a monthly program called Game Day put on by the library’s technical staff.

More than 40 people, kids and adults alike, showed up to play the three games on the roster: Rock Band 2 for the Nintendo Wii and Street Fighter IV and Skate 2 for the Xbox 360.

Last month’s Game Day was a two-on-two team tournament for the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The winning team received two $25 gift cards to Fry’s Electronics.

This month, however, the staff wanted to take the game choice in a different direction, and also to suspend the tournament feel in favor of a more casual feel.

“We wanted something a little more family-oriented,” Library Technology Assistant Antonio Gutierrez said. “

Indeed, these games called to a younger audience than last month’s war simulator. Pairs of kids came in and picked up the Xbox controllers with their parents sitting behind.

“I like it, it’s cool,” Jonny Jayne, 17, said. He was a runner-up in the Modern Warfare 2 tournament last month.

The next Game Day, July 24, will have a sports theme, including titles from FIFA, Madden, and Fight Night.

For more information on events at the Central Library, visit here.

Mondavi hosts L17 Art Center benefit concert

2010-06-21T04:28:54Z

The Mondavi Center hosted a benefit concert for the L17 Community Arts Foundation in Davis Sunday, providing American music and a silent auction whose proceeds went toward the Central Downtown Food Basket.

The concert, “Celebrate America," had plenty of energy from the beginning, and although it slowed a little after intermission, it was a wonderful concert with some amazing talent.

The two bookend pieces performed for the 659 attendees were "The Star-Spangled Banner and "God Bless America," both done with superior choral arrangements. The latter was performed by the entire ensemble of vocal talent.

The vocal groups performing ranged from a cappella stylings to more ensemble work, going from a chamber choir to Broadway selections. The acoustics of the Mondavi worked very well for all of them, though the gospel numbers were difficult to hear clearly from improper miking.

The Camellia Symphony Orchestra was strong and to the point, conducted by both Steven Johnson, L17CAF president and phenomenal pianist, and Allan Pollack, a dynamic, brilliant, mad scientist-like performer. The orchestra made their mark clear with the pre-intermission "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin, with Steven Johnson magnificently playing the piano.

The two final pieces, a vibrant and dramatic rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and John Williams’ “1984 Olympic Fanfare”, made an excellent finish.

MAX’S RATING: A CRESCENDO, A DIMINUENDO AND A SALUTE TO THE FLAG

For more information, visit l17arts.com.

Pictures:

1. courtesy of L17CAF

2 & 3. courtesy of Maxwell McKee

Sacramento French Film Festival's opening night

2010-06-21T04:14:43Z

Parlez vous français? Non? That’s OK!

Crowds permeated the lobby of the Crest Theatre Friday as the Sacramento French Film Festival, whose theme this year is "My life is a French film!", celebrated their opening night with an excellent reception and two French-directed films, one short and one feature length.

The film of the night was “A l'Origine (In the Beginning)”, directed by Xavier Giannoli. Based on a true story, it had multiple accents of beauty throughout, including a scene where the protagonist con-man is stuck in a storm, raving like a lunatic in true Learish fashion. The film also played on morality issues, especially the morality of the thief.

Cinematically the film was brilliant as well, and even garnished a Lumiere Award for cinematographer Glynn Speeckaert. The film was also graced with an Étoiles d’Or for best actor François Cluzet, who looks strikingly like Dustin Hoffman, and a César Award for best supporting actress Emmanuelle Devos.

The plot centers around a middle-aged con-man who is always on the move and must continue what he is best at, almost as a drive for survival more than a need for money. When he comes across a town that’s devastated by unemployment, he must make difficult decisions.

The lead, Cluzet in the role of Philippe Miller, shines. His mannerisms fit his role to the letter, providing a palpable arc for the character. The protagonist always leaves the audience asking what he is thinking. While much American cinema is saturated with telling the audience what to think, Giannoli and Cluzet are busy letting the audience decide, making good use of silence in the characters.

The other film of the night was a short by Stéphanie Vasseur entitled "Le Petit Marin," a story told through the eyes of a small nuclear family. To give a synopsis of the plot is to take away from the beauty and complexity of the film, but Vasseur has furthered her mark on humanism and metaphor through "Petit."

MAX’S RATING: A TEAR, A SIGH, AND A FRENCH TRANSLATING APP ON MY IPHONE.

For more information on the Sacramento French Film Festival, visit their website.

Pictures:

1. courtesy of the Sacramento French Film Festival

2. courtesy of Maxwell McKee

Sacramento Art Deco Society lecture

2010-06-20T21:19:36Z

The Sacramento Art Deco Society came together Thursday evening to hear noted Art Deco photographer and historian Randy Juster at the SMUD building.

Only eight people showed up for the more than 200-picture slide show of Art Deco architecture from around the world, but those eight got a wonderfully personal lecture from a man who’s been in the business of photography for 35 years.

“It’s a desire to document things that are endangered,” the 56-year-old said.

The attendees were all welcomed by little cups of sparkling lemonade and halves of Entenmann’s donuts laid out on a folding table. It seemed that everyone knew one another, or were just incredibly gregarious.

Sea Miller, board member and editor of the SADS quarterly publication “Moderne Times”, set up their projector and aged laptop, and, when it seemed the thing would never start, an applause came from the audience when words appeared on the screen.

Juster decided to use a microphone only after a man from the back shouted, “It makes you sexier!”

The slides covered several different countries Juster had visited, including Japan, Australia, British Columbia and New Zealand.

“This may be the only record we have some day,” Juster said

As the slides progressed, you could feel the warmth erupt in the room as the people, most appearing over 60, sighed and watched as architecture from their childhoods showed magnificently on the screen.

The style of Art Deco began between the two World Wars and was popular during the Great Depression, lasting from 1925 to 1940. The style is characterized by bold colors, mostly shades of green and brown, and geometric shapes.

As the show ended, Juster looked out over the small audience. After a pause, he said, “Do you guys wanna see my trip to Japan?”

The powerpoint went on to show more than 50 slides that Juster had on his own computer, and explained each one. The lecture suddenly turned into a big family as Juster went through the slides, an anecdote behind each frame.

As the evening turned to night, the slides ended, and people around started chittering again, talking about the slides, politics and the World Cup.

For more information, visit sacartdeco.org or decopix.com.

Pictures:

1 & 4 courtesy of Maxwell McKee

2,3 & 5 courtesy of Randy Juster

Sesame Street hits Arco Arena

2010-06-19T17:26:03Z

Sesame Street’s live show"1-2-3...Imagine!” had its first audience Friday at Arco Arena. Costumes, music and dancing made children scream and parents laugh as the characters talked about imagination, friendship and home.

Children wearing Sesame Street T-shirtsand carrying Elmo dolls twice their size giggled with glee as their favorite monsters erupted onto the scene including oldies like Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and Elmo, and also had some newer characters from the show’s recent diversification, like Abby Cadabby and Rosita.

The show had plenty of pep and zing, and the performances werebrought together by the human characters that sang, danced and played in the ultra-cool black-light portions of the show that brought the kids in the audience into the deep sea and jungle.

With the addition of multilingual characters on the show, the educational quality and acceptance of all cultures dominated the two hour performance. The very first place the monsters went was Mexico, teaching basic Spanish words to the children through song.

Multiple times during the show, children were encouraged to stand up at their seat and participate in the activity, and sometimes they came right up to the stage and boogied with the characters. The kids joined in dancing to a country number about being a dog and to the jungle rhythms of Africa.

A highlight of the show were the little breaks in between action where the screen behind the muppets was turned on to show other children, much like on the show, talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up and what kind of animal they wish they were.

But honestly, for any adult in the room, the best part of the show was turning around in your seat and seeing all the children’s faces lit up from the action onstage. The joy and happiness in the room was more than palpable.

Sesame Street has been a staple in homes since its first episode in 1969, and the characters are just as accessible to children more than 40 years later.

The show runs from June 18 - 20 with shows at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. For information, visit http://sesamestreetlive.com/shows/1-2-3-imagine-elmo-and-friends

1. Photo courtesy of Sesame Street

2 & 3. Photo courtesy of Maxwell McKee

Mayor Kevin Johnson's Greenwise Meeting

2010-06-16T22:35:22Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson held a second meeting on his Greenwise initiative Tuesday at Sacramento City College detailing his monthly plans through December and highlighting his four major focuses within the project.

The “Four Major Principles” Johnson discussed were regional economy, green jobs, innovative policies and green IQ.

Regional economy was emphasized at the meeting and Johnson said that for this project to work, the entire region, which consists of 6 six counties and 22 cities, must all work together and make the leap simultaneously.

“There are strength in numbers,” he said. “If we look at just one policy for one city, we will not have a competitive advantage. It has to be a region.”

Johnson described his month-to-month layout of how he wants the project to move. It will end in December with a clear and realistic goal, and a final action plan should be written and available by January 2011.

“It’ll be a document that’s bound, something that we feel very proud of,” he said. “We will have all contributed, not one person more than another, all of us collectively will be contributing to this action plan.”

Johnson showcased his five new policy headings, each with a policy team and leader: energy, waste/recycling, water/nature, green building and green/clean tech.

The highlight of the meeting was the 16-year-old special guest, Alec Loorz, a high school student from Los Angeles who travels around the country speaking to students about global warming. He also manages his own online community “Kids VS Global Warming.”

“I believe that we are up to the challenge, but we have to begin now,” he said. “We are the future, but we are more than that. We are here now. We are the present and our voices do make a difference. So let’s now all work together. Who’s with me?”

For more information, visit
www.greenwisesacramento.com and www.kids-vs-global-warming.com

TrailMix.Net Hosts Entomology Exhibit for Kids

2010-06-14T03:34:33Z

Bugs and children go together well, don’t they?

Kids had the perfect opportunity Saturday to find out plenty about insects and arachnids at TrailMix.Net in Old Sacramento.

The little hobby shop that specializes in kids’ outdoor activities played host to Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator at the University of California at Davis Bohart Museum of Entomology. She brought many specimens to examine, learn from and, yes, even feel.

“Don’t worry!” she told the kids. “They don’t bite, and the stick ones only crawl a bunch!”

Lots of children were there, with their parents in just as much awe as they were at the bugs.

“They’re cool!“ Josh De La Rocha, 7, said. “I like the dogface butterfly.”

Yang's passion for insects was obvious, as she showed them off and told how accessible the little buggers are.

“They’re very hands-on,” she said. “You can find them in your back yard and you can hold them and watch them very easily.”

TrailMix.Net’s next activity will be hosted by NorCalBats on June 26. For more information, visit www.trailmix.net.

For more information on the Bohart Museum of Entomology, visit www.bohart.ucdavis.edu.

First R25 Festival

2010-06-07T03:36:27Z

The local R25 art center at 25th and R streets celebrated its first “R25 Festival” over the weekend, hosting puppet shows in Spanish, an enormous necktie collection, and silent and open art auctions.

The complex, opened in 1994 by local artist Dennis Wilkerson, is home to three theaters, a poetry and art center and 14 artists' lofts.

The festival had multiple acts on on a small stage made just for the weekend. Performances included stunning monologues, a folk trio and a local theatre company performing songs from its recent shows.

“I love it that this is a complex filled with art and theatre,“ said Christine Nicholson, a local director. “It has three theaters! In one space! And almost all the time there’s something in every space.”

Ray Tatar, complex facilitator and artistic director of California Stage, said he was excited to show off the art in the complex.

“You have a thriving arts community here,” he said. “The art here really has an interesting range.”

All pictures courtesy of Maxwell McKee

Jackie Greene plays Fairytale Town

2010-06-07T03:31:46Z

Fairytale Town hosted Sacramentan performer Jackie Greene at a fundraiser in their park Friday, the first in a series of such concerts this summer.

The prominent folk rocker sold out the show and entertained the crowd with his original tunes as well as covers of the Grateful Dead. Greene is touring with bassist Phil Lesh of the Dead.

“I love Jackie!” Valerie Sheppard, 52, said. “He has turned me back onto music. Original, just a person that is self-taught, writes music, just awesome.”

The concert benefited Fairytale Town, including its weeklong camps and free-admission days for children with disabilities.

Most of the summer concerts are geared toward children and families, but some, such as a costume ball, are for adults only.

“Adults need time to play!” said Kathy Fleming, executive director of the park.

Other concerts include Mumbo Gumbo on August 11, and Sal Valentino and Ricky Burger on Sept. 9.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org.

Cristo Rey High School's first 4 year graduating class

2010-06-04T07:04:34Z

The first group of students who completed all four years at Cristo Rey High School graduated Tuesday.

Purple and white was the color of the day as 53 students crossed the stage of St. Ignatius' hall, family and friends looking on with pride. Many students will attend prestigious schools, including the University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s and Loyola universities in Chicago.

The Cristo Rey High School, which started in 1996 in Chicago and established a Sacramento facility in 2006, is known for accepting students from lower-income families. The school provides employment programs, which pay for up to half of students' tuition, and financial aid.

Through their jobs, students acquire skills they can apply to their lives.

“It opened my mind,” said Cristian Polanco. “I got a better idea of what I wanted to do with my life,” said the 18-year-old, who received the school’s highest honor, the Mercy-Goodness-Service Award.

Reflecting on what makes Cristo Rey so exceptional, he emphasized the private school's personal touch of the private school and its impact on his life.

“I think the biggest accomplishment was that I was able to learn English,” Polanco said, which he didn't speak before his freshman year at the school.

Every one of the Cristo Rey graduates has been admitted to a college and most have received scholarships or grants.

School spirit ran high among the grads.

“The smallness, the family aspect, everything is great,” said salutatorian Nicholas Ramirez, 18. “We all get along, the teachers are amazing. It’s a great experience overall, I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

As with any graduation, there were words of advice. “It is no longer permitted, to anyone, to be mediocre,” the Rev. John Foley told the students. “No one else is going to miraculously appear to make this world a better place.”

Valedictorian Tasvir Kaur Singh reminded her peers of the good times: a famed rock-paper-scissors match, a “Hamlet” dance, and the school’s boy band. She ended her talk on a loving note.

“You will all do amazing things, whether you believe it or not,” she said. “How do I know? Because you are a group of people that do not give up. What I ask of each and every one of you is to never give up, no matter where life might lead you. Believe in us and believe in yourselves.”

Tower Cafe Turns 20

2010-04-21T20:43:29Z

The corner of Broadway and 16th has always provided Sacramento with a sense of identity with its majestic theatre and beautiful garden. But the biggest highlight of the grounds is the Tower Cafe that will, on Earth Day, 2010, turn 20.

The restaurant was opened by owner Jim Seyman, 60, on April 22, 1990 as a coffee shop intended for people to come and socialize, but with the aid of worldly kitsch, a progressive award winning menu and a patio filled with flora and fauna, the Tower has come to represent one of Sacramento’s greatest local and tourist spots.

The menu has entrees ranging from carnitas rojas, a spectacular combination of pulled pork, colorful tortilla shells, and a chile relleno, to Irish beef stew to Florentine raviolis, served with a delicious white wine sauce and cherry tomatoes. With new specials every week, the Tower Cafe has seen cuisine from a multitude of countries. The Tower also boasts a wide array of bakery sweets, and is known for their impressive dessert case.

“I like the lemon tart and the chocolate cream pie,” Mike Darning says, a regular who’s been coming to the cafe since it opened. “I love the color and the travel posters.”

The insides of Tower look like an international garage sale seeker’s paradise, with relics and posters that hail from every part of the globe, from statues of Mexican skeletal depictions to Indian portraiture of shamans to a wooden custom made life-size komodo dragon. Every corner you glance at would show something that you hadn’t noticed before, even a frequent patron.

“They come from all over the world,” Seyman says. “They’re acquired through some traveling and from friends and various people I’ve met that are importers.”

The Tower Cafe is also host to numerous accolades from Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News & Review and third party reviewers as well as their 2009 Zagat rating. They show with pride multiple commendations for their signature custard French toast, a recipe conceived by the owner’s disillusionment with the ordinary breakfast entree.

“Growing up, we had French toast only occasionally, and there wasn’t much to it,” Seyman says. “The idea didn’t come from anywhere but my head. I thought that if the bread was nice and thick and was soaked well enough, it would bring the fluids together in a custard-like way that might be very, very good.”

After a tumultuous time of unrest and issues with the space that was the original setting of Tower Records in 1946, Seyman sought a way to bring a new idea to the complex. When he leased the site in February of 1989, he began with the idea of a coffee shop more designed for socializing.

“It was a place for people to be where they could engage in ideas and life stories,” Seyman says, “and I wanted the concept of doing something reflective of a global village.”

The grounds before ‘89 were atrocious. The theatre was in disrepair and “there was moss growing out of the cracks.” Seyman planted numerous trees and shrubbery throughout the property that would eventually blossom into the elegant garden that exists today, not to mention the palm trees that greet patrons in the parking lot.

“You can see all the plants, everything out there coming to life, especially the Japanese Maple,” Ruben Rebeles says, a waiter who has worked at the Tower for 13 years.

The Tower is also known for its philanthropic endeavors. Jim has donated to charities such as Loaves and Fishes, St. Hope and just recently to the efforts in earthquake-torn Haiti. Included on the wall of plaques are ones of recognition from the Salvation Army and Sacramento High School’s former Visual and Performing Arts Center.

“I advertise very, very little,” Seyman says. “I use the money that would go to that and look at inner city schools. There are different kinds of programs that I support.”

Seyman also feels that his cafe is only part of a larger picture concerning the Tower complex. Speaking about the idea of “symbiosis” in the combination of “the theatre, the cafe, the record store, a video store.”

“That was in part the uniqueness of the corner, you can’t find that uniqueness somewhere else.” Seyman says. “It’s so rare, especially today. It’s a setting that’s so unusual, it isn’t contrived.”

Seyman says that every day is Earth Day at the Tower Cafe.

“It’s a celebration of culture, Earth and all the natural elements that you can put around a dining experience.”

The Tower Cafe is located at 1518 Broadway, (916) 441-0222.