The weather was perfect. The parade grand. And the turn out––astonishing. One of the officers estimated that more than 1500 people came to march around two city blocks. The mayor and his bride smiled. Children ate, grined and giggled. Dogs gazed around in confusion and jokers wore a variety of odd costumes...including a golf cart full of Elvises. Enjoy the photos.

Though it was a sparse crowd, none-the-less the first of several events honoring Harvey Milk, last Tuesday, was exciting, informative, and meaningful. Held at the beautiful California Museum and hosted by The Harvey Milk Foundation, Equality California (EQCA) and the California State LGBT Legislative Caucus, the event focused on a discussion of the FAIR Education Act (SB 48) as well as related issues including peer abuse which is prevalent in some of our schools. The FAIR Education Act authored by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) mandates all California schools to be more inclusive in teaching students about the history and accomplishments LGBT people have in American society. Because o

Equality Action NOW (EAN), a local Sacramento grassroots civil rights organization is hosting their third annual, all-ages, Harvey Milk Day celebration, Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Mulvaney’s Next Door to the B&L, 1215 19th Street, Sacramento. Harvey Milk was a leader in the gay rights movement who was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. This made him the nation’s first openly gay man elected to public office in a major U.S. city. Milk, along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone was assassinated by ousted Supervisor Dan White, November 27, 1978. On October 12, 2009, Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill (SB 572) establishing “Harvey Milk Day”

Verge Center for the Arts has remained a consistent hub of creativity for Sacramento since they first opened their doors as a private art gallery in 2009. In 2010 they expanded into their current space—a 22,000 square foot warehouse in Downtown Sacramento—and organized as a nonprofit. Now home to 30 resident studio artists, plus extensive gallery and event space, Verge continues their mission of exposing Sacramento to the contemporary art and artists of the region. 2011 was a particularly big year for Verge. Among many other achievements, they had a more-than-successful Kickstarter campaign ($9,165 raised on a $7,500 goal!), won the First Place award of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Co

On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people came to support and honor the decision for cars to return to K Street after 42 years. People rallied behind the development and celebrated the change at the Cars on K opening event. Guests seemed to be in consensus that cars returning to K Street was cause for celebration. “K Street is the spine of downtown,” Mayor Kevin Johnson said. “By opening it up, we start to get connected again.” It was all smiles as the first inaugural drive down K Street took place.Over 40 old and new cars paraded down the street while bystanders clapped and cheered as red, white and blue confetti rained down from the tops of surrounding buildings. “I can remember when

Leonard and Rose Padilla have always been trusted as great civic activist in the regional metropolitan area. Beginning with his commitment as a Air Force Chief. And co-currently as of the earlier 70's they have not just peacekeepingly worked in Bondsmen ships, but founded the Lorenzo Patino Law School on J Street between 11th and 12th in Sacramento, California. With my understanding Leonard served the public to finally establishing succinct work patterns performed by him to bring justice to law. Their likes include water skiing and river rafting, picnicking, politicking, and gerrymandering, because they have always lived beside the levee' up the Sacramento River. But what comes first? Whe

Lighting fireworks at the Fourth of July block party is a common tradition in Sacramento, and local firefighters shared tips to make sure those fireworks are used properly so the holiday is a safe one. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Assistant Chief Dale Turner said the two most important safety concerns with fireworks are making sure they are used correctly with adult supervision and that they are used in a safe area away from combustible materials. There should also be 30 feet of pavement, concrete or dirt around fireworks to ensure no fires are started, Sacramento Fire Department Deputy Chief Lloyd Ogan said. He added that only “Safe and Sane” fireworks are legal to use in the

The time to recognize our mothers has come again: Mother’s Day. The Sacramento Press recently took to the streets and asked people how they make their moms feel special on Mother’s Day. Here is what they had to say: Olegario Casas, 39, is an iron worker who lives in Elk Grove. “Two weeks before Mother’s Day, I call my mom, and I send her a card and flowers because she is in Mexico,” Casas said. “I tell her I love her and I miss her and I can’t wait to see her.” Vanessa Young, 28, is a student at Syracuse University, but she comes from East Sacramento. A phone call is important, Young said. “We also go out to lunch, take a walk or go hiking – my mom likes that,” she added. Arturo

In celebration of Black History Month, the Old City Cemetery Committee will be giving a free tour at 10 a.m. on Saturday detailing the fascinating history of African-Americans during the 1800s. Bob LaPerriere will be the main tour guide Saturday along with other members of the committee. “I was involved in starting the Old City Cemetery Committee,” LaPerriere said. “ Now I’m the tour coordinator for this particular tour”. LaPerriere has been giving tours for 25 years. Every year he conducts a tour at the old cemetery, which covers the extensive history of physicians and medicine from the 1800s. This tour celebrating Black History Month is not shown every year. It’s been at least eight

Come along and be a part of the FREE fun at the City of Sacramento’s 2011 Earth Day celebration! Earth dwellers of all ages are invited to come celebrate and learn about our majestic world, and the Sacramento community’s role in helping to make our area a green and even more environmentally friendly city. The Earth Day celebration takes place on Thursday April 21st, at the City Hall Plaza located at 915 I Street, and Cesar Chavez Park located just across tthe street in downtown Sacramento. Our celebration kicks off with lively entertainment at 9 :00 AM with the festivities continuing until 2:00 PM. The green fun includes interactive learning, complete with clean air demonstrations, ring-

Summer is months away but organizers of Solano County’s only free community-wide Juneteenth Celebration are already planning the 23rd annual event scheduled for Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 11-6 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in downtown Vallejo. The celebration was recently named one of the top five community events in 2010 by the Vallejo Times-Herald. The event theme for the historic observance is “Creating healthy communities through education and empowerment.” Organizers say the celebration will focus on self-development and making informed choices by providing access to a variety of community resources and services that help families live better. “This event is about celebrating th

  Child’s Christmas in Wales is a new work, at least on the West Coast.  It was commissioned in 2003 for a mixed choir, soloists, and chamber symphony in New Jersey. Matthew Harris comes to us this Sunday with a composing track record as long as Santas beard, and with the kudos that come from doing much more with his choral scores than anyone ever expects. So I found out by Googling “Matthew Harris Composer”.  I asked two of the Chanteuses, who are also in the Camerata, how they liked the work.  They were excited, and now so am I. went to his website to check things out.  He is quite modest about commissions for choral works. There are plenty of them, and serious choral directors say it

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Old Sacramento, what with Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, stepping out onto the Shasta House balcony for readings of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” and all. Volunteer actors from the Old Sacramento Living History Program played the roles of Clemens, Santa Claus, and an anonymous sleeper roused awake by the loud crash of Santa’s sleigh in the holiday production “Theater of Lights.” The quaint historic portion of K Street between Second and Front streets became the audience floor as a theatrical light show was presented from the balconies of buildings on either side Saturday night. Production and inspiration for this event beg

It’s afterschool at Grant Union High School and the crowd goes wild! No it is not Grant’s Friday night football game and no the crowd is not at Grant’s football field either. Just before the thanksgiving break Grant’s auditorium is packed with not just any students of Grant but the Hmong students of Grant and their family, friends and other Hmong within the community.   In celebrations to Hmong New Year, Grant’s Hmong Club hosted their 4th annual Hmong New Year event which was opened to the community at Grant’s soccer field and in the auditorium Nov. 17. Grant Union High School is well-known for their football team, but what you may not realize is that Grant is a really diverse public

Aimee’s September Dream celebration benefiting the Sweet Dreams Foundation was held on Saturday, September 25, 2010. Carriage House Gardens in Citrus Heights hosted the event. This fun filled celebration commemorated the completion of Aimee’s Dream Room (see Sacramento Press story on 8/30/10 for more infomation). A luau celebration featuring Island food, musical entertainment and Polynesian Fire Dancers were on hand to liven up the evening. A Silent Auction was also held and several items also went to other high bidders as the auction was about to close. Aimee, along with her siblings and friends enjoyed the evening running around and playing in the garden areas. Once the Polynesian dan

Francis House of Sacramento is announcing its 40th Anniversary Party to be held at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Friday October 29, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. This event celebrating 40 years of serving the homeless and poor of Sacramento County will include a four-course dinner and fine wines served by the best restaurants and caterers in the city. The dinner will be followed by a dance featuring the popular band, Mumbo Gumbo. Forty years is a long time for a faith-based non-profit to survive, however Francis House of Sacramento is not just any non-profit. The organization sees that over 30,000 men, women, and children each year receives personal attention for their problems. The most

Mayor Kevin Johnson gave full endorsement of the 47th annual Sacramento Greek Festival on Friday, its opening day. In his address to festival-goers, Johnson shared his appreciation of the great music, art and food provided by the Greek community over the course of the weekend’s festivities, which took place at the Sacramento Convention Center. “It’s all about the gyros for me,” Johnson said. “We’ve got a lot of great Greek restaurants in Sacramento, but what’s neat about this event is that they all come here.” With more than 10,000 people attending the three-day event, Johnson clearly isn’t the only Sacramentan in support of celebrating all things Greek. Chefs from some of the best Gree

 Whimsical ceramic characters that wink as you walk by, domestic and exotic animals who allow you to pet them, a fairy who paints a glittering swan on your face, and musicians whose songs are brand new each time they perform. These are only some of the imaginative artists and activities that await kids and adults at the 4th Annual CurtisFest on Saturday, September 11th. Presented by the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA), Curtis Fest will be held from 10am until 4pm in Curtis Park, an eighteen-acre parcel of ground surrounded by quaint bungalows and shaded by heritage trees. CurtisFest was established in 2007 to give local artists a venue at which to exhibit and sell their work

One big fat Greek festival offers all you need for Hellenistic acculturation. Fortunately for Sacramentans, the Sacramento Convention Center will host the 47th annual Sacramento Greek Festival this weekend to make this possible. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church’s Mike Dariotis has been involved in the event for 15 years and said his favorite part of the weekend is, first, the food; second, the folk dancing and then of course working together with the church community and fellow parishioners. In recent years, the event has served around 10,000 people over the course of the three-day festival. So what is it about this event that brings both Greek and non-Greeks out? The answer is simple

It wasn’t hard to find the Japanese bazaar’s location. Once within a few blocks of the Buddhist Church of downtown Sacramento, one could simply follow the mouthwatering aroma of teriyaki chicken rising from the barbecues. A tent canopy lined with lanterns was stretched over the Buddhist church’s parking lot. This makeshift construction presented a nomadic food court of delicious proportions. Booths with games and food lined the area’s perimeter as rows of tables and chairs filled in the center. A stage sat prominently in the large outdoor area in view of hundreds of spectating diners. Hundreds more made there way slowly through crowds of hungry people, drawn out to the bazaar by their app