As we previously reported, Sacramento's "Tasty Books" cookbook event series launched last week. Mulvaney's B&L hosted the dinner, featuring author Cheryl Sternman Rule. Pictured below are scenes from the event, including some of the outstanding courses inspired by the author's cookbook, Ripe: A Fresh, Colorful Approach to Fruits and Vegetables. Cheryl Sternman Rule is currently working on her next book, Yogurt Culture. You can read more about this award-winning author by visiting CherylSternmanRule.com. Dawn Balzarano is a local freelance food photographer, blogging at KitchenTravels.com.

Sacramento's food renaissance continues with the launching of "Tasty Books," a new series of cookbook events produced by local food writer, cookbook author, and editor Ann Martin Rolke. Rolke was inspired to create the series when she realized there were very few events of this type in the Sacramento area. Says Rolke, “I wanted to organize events like those I love to attend in other cities – author talks, signings, tastings, and dinners.” Tasty Books will host quarterly meet-the-author dinners with Mulvaney's B&L, in addition to smaller talks and tastings throughout the Sacramento area. The inaugural event will be held on Wednesday, February 27. Cookbook author Cheryl Sternman Rule will

Celebrated author Anne Lamott spoke on Friday night as the third and final speaker in the Fall 2012 Moon Lecture Series at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Lamott spoke on her newest book, “Help, Thanks, Wow,” and becoming a Christian in her 30s, something she really, really didn’t want to do, she explained. The best-selling author, professor, lecturer, political activist, mother and grandmother has devoted her life to sharing her knowledge. For years, Lamott has taught writing courses, given lectures and travelled around the country simply trying to help others live their lives more happily and peacefully. For nearly an hour Lamott cracked jokes about bantering denominations, growing

The Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park (SHP) is proud to host historian and author Dr. Catherine Millard on Saturday, September 22 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Visitor's Center.  Dr. Millard will be on-site to speak about the challenges facing many state parks and sign copies of her new book titled The Dismantling of America’s History.  Dr. Millard is the author of 14 history-related books and has worked as a scholar and researcher at the Library of Congress for the past 22 years.  In her new book, Dr. Millard addresses the legacy and enduring impact of the Governor's Mansion SHP and other valuable historic landmarks in jeopardy and their immeasurable contribution to the social, natura

Award-winning British children's book author Caroline Lawrence will be visiting the Del Paso Heights Library (920 Grand Avenue in North Sacramento) on Wednesday, April 25. She will be attending the Friends of the Library meeting and potluck beginning at noon, which is open to anyone interested in supporting the library. A book talk follows at 1:30pm. Later that day, she will be visiting the McClatchy Library (at 22nd & U Streets downtown) 6:30-7:30pm for another lively discussion. All events are free. Ms. Lawrence is the author of the juvenile historical fiction series Roman Mysteries, which has been made into a CBBC TV series in the UK. The thrilling book series has won several awards a

Long before Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar existed, co-owner Taro Arai was an 11-year-old paperboy with big dreams. He saved $6,000 over five years to move his family from Japan to the United States. Arai wrote and published his first book, “Abundance: Finding the American Dream in a Japanese Kitchen,” in hopes that he will inspire other Japanese youths. The book is set to be released Wednesday and combines his family’s history with recipes for some of Mikuni's customers’ favorite dishes. “It’s not just a recipe book,” Arai said. “It has my life story in it.” The book’s 12 chapters tell different stages of Arai’s life and include recipes named to coincide with their themes.

A few weeks ago, I saw Richard St.Ofle read from his book No Wolf (the waygoing compromise) at Luna’s Café on 16th street. St.Ofle had just wrapped up writing and promoting the book, and the reading was a way of, in St.Ofle’s words “celebrating, in advance, the break I’m going to be taking”. Well, that break didn’t last very long, St.Ofle just announced the release of the accompanying audio book, to what is already an ambitious project that includes a soundtrack by Montreal musician August Hell, and a really cool marketing campaign where readers were encouraged to send in photos of them reading the book. The audio book was recorded by another notorious Sacramento busy-body, Robby Moncrie

Despite nationally known speakers Sarah Palin and Howard Dean headlining the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Perspectives 2010 forum, it was the lesser-known speakers who had a greater effect on the audience. Terrence McNamara, a Sacramentan in the construction industry, said he found management consultant and author Marcus Buckingham to be the most interesting. “I’ve been coming to this for seven years, and it’s always the speaker you’re not interested in seeing who has the biggest impact,” he said. Buckingham offered his views on dealing with strengths and weaknesses. Traditionally, Buckingham said, people tend to think that weaknesses need to be worked on. According to Buckingham, howeve

SACRAMENTO, CA (Sept 11) – The publishing world always seeks new, young authors, songwriters, poets and journalists. On Sept 11, young writers, in grades 6-12, from throughout Sacramento, surrounding counties and potentially the bay area (if they’d like to make the drive) will gather with published authors, book industry professionals, and university professors at an innovative workshop specifically designed to help young writers fulfill their dreams and launch their careers.     Capitol City Young Writers Writers “Meet the Author” workshop takes place Saturday, September 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Sacramento Bee’s small auditorium, 2131 Q St., in Sacramento, CA. Aspiring young write

Who:  Author Marci Bridgeford and Sierra Forever Families What:  Launch Party and opportunity to meet Sierra Forever Families Where:  Antiquite Maison Privee located at 2114 P Street, Sacramento, California When:  July 29, 2010 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Why:  Celebrate “Zachary’s Story” to show new ways of looking at old stereotypes that can accompany adoption and blended families and replace them with feelings of self worth, power, love of self and family. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Sierra Forever Families. Background “Zachary’s Story” is a conversation between a mother and child that celebrates the joy of being an adoptive family. The book was released by AuthorHouse p

Master Barber Shop was established in 1958 and was acquired by Earlie D. and Mary Brown in December of 1974. During that time, the shop was located on Stockton Blvd. and 7th Ave. Since those early days, Master Barber & Beauty Shop, has had several locations. Each location being better than the last. In 1989, sons Rodney and Marichal, joined the family business. The late owner and master barber, Earlie D. Brown, established business in the hair industry in the mid 1940's with Brown's Barber Shop (two locations, San Francisco and Marin City). What started out as nothing more than a dream and a dime and a nail in his pocket has turned into a family business. He died in February 1998. Mary Br