I recently had a question posed to me about "taking sides" after two friends break up. Whom do you give allegiance to? Whoever you have known longer? Whoever wasn't responsible for the breakup? Whoever you have more friends in common with? Some of my best friends have come from a male friend's new relationship. I appreciate it when these relationships last, because then I don't have to choose sides. If the unthinkable happens and they do break up, I have to ask myself these questions: 1. Was I good friends with one of them before they started dating? If so, I have to take into consideration my history with that person. 2. Is one of them really good friends with my husband? I know this q

Farmer Brown will showcase Fairytale Town's friendly barnyard animals at the fifth annual Farms, Friends and Fairytales program on Saturday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This celebration of all-things agriculture features live sheep shearing, wool spinning, a mini-farmer’s market, hands-on art activities and more fun for the whole family. The highlight of the event will be a live old-fashioned sheep shearing. Fairytale Town's twin Babydoll sheep, Reading and Writing, will be sheared, and their wool will then be spun into yarn on a spinning wheel. Children and parents will also learn more about the daily lives of some of Fairytale Town’s rare and miniature animals. Multiple agriculture-

There are a number of lame decisions that you have to make about your life when you break up with (or divorce) your significant other. One of the worst decisions to be made is how you deal with mutual friendships. Most couples have other "couple friends" or mutual single friends that are part of a group. Well, how awkward is it (particularly if the break-up was messy) to continue to hang out with your mutual friends if your ex is there as well. I suppose it is only awkward if you make it awkward, but consider how your friends must feel. Where does their allegiance lie? Are they trying to figure out how to split their time between the two of you separately, but equal? When they host a part

It's coming to that time of year again when people reunite with the outdoors, shedding the winter clothes and holiday pounds in a zest for activities under the sun. While some folks prefer to stay inside, others are ready to lather on the sunscreen. The Sacramento Press hit the streets around McKinley Park, William Land Park and surrounding neighborhoods this Easter weekend to hear what locals consider their favorite outdoor activities. Golden 1 Membership-Relationship Specialist Sarah Jones, 25, said she enjoys walking her three dogs with her husband at McKinley Park because of the exercise for both the dogs and her and her husband. "We will usually do two laps or so. It's good for th

I recently read a blog about comparing ourselves to our friends or society in general and how if affects friendships. I was compelled to think it through and apply the premise to my own life. Do I unconsciously push away relationships because I am too inwardly focused? On the surface, women are the worst offenders, comparing their physical appearance to their friends, celebrities and that other girl who runs by their house each morning (dang, she has a nice body). However, men are just as guilty of competing with their friends and peers for a better car, a better house, a better job, or (gulp) a better-looking girl. Everyone does it. It is human nature. But is this automatic response res

Q: I have been at my current job for nearly a year. I love what I do, but I am still having trouble fitting in with my co-workers. I want to have friends here, but there is little time for talking, and then we all go home. How can I maintain my professionalism but make a friend or two? A: I believe in workplace friendships. I know the lines can blur between professional and personal, but life is personal. Wanting to make a few friends with the people you spend 40+ a week with isn't unusual or against the rules. I encourage to do the one or more of the following:   Get to work a few minutes early and see if you have a few minutes to make small talk with some of the others Ask if anyone

It is February. The month of love. The month of loneliness. Pretty much everyone falls into one of those categories, but I want to remind you that single does not mean alone. Make a point to connect with a friend this Valentine's Day. After all, love is not just intimate, but a feeling we have for people who matter to us. Reach out and schedule coffee, dinner, or a fun night in. Forget gifts. They don't matter in the face of time spent together. Don't get depressed about being alone, but remember to be thankful for what you have, for who you have. Write a love letter to yourself. Remind yourself who you are and what makes you thrive. Make a list of things you have done and things you h

I love Facebook. I didn’t think I would, but I do. Ironically, the person who dragged me kicking and screaming onto the site with promises of more frequent communication as the incentive is one of the people who appears there the least. But, no matter. Within a week of creating my page I found a friend from high school (I wasn’t interested in even looking for very many of them, actually) who had been living in Australia since graduation, and I was hooked! Facebook is my Cheers and I want to go where everyone knows my name. Facebook has become the place I can drop in throughout the week where someone is glad to see me, pretends to be amused by my every witty status update, and offers ch

Q: I am getting married in six months. I asked my three best friends and my sister to be in my wedding. Fortunately, I could make my sister my maid of honor so that I didn't have to deal with friend drama and jealousy. Unfortunately, I am still dealing with drama with my friends. One in particular has not been the ideal bridesmaid. She is extremely opinionated about everything I choose for my wedding, particularly the dresses, and, frankly, it is more of a headache to deal with her than I am interested in. She has been my friend forever, but I am two minutes away from telling her she can just come as a guest. What do I do? A: There is really only one course of action here. She can put up

Q: Let me preface this by saying I am not a catty or jealous girl. However, my husband has begun hanging out semi-regularly with a few of his female co-workers that have been his friends for several years (some before I was in the picture), and it makes me a little uncomfortable. First of all, he never invites me, which is odd, and secondly they are flirty and suggestive when they are around him, and I don't like it. Although some of them are single, a few are married, and I wonder how it makes their husbands feel! How do I let him know the situation makes me uncomfortable without seeming like I am just attacking his female friends? A: First of all, let me just say that this situation s

A Watercolors and Hiking event will be held in Locke, Calif. on Thursday, September 15, 2011 starting at 10:00 a.m. The hike will be led by Martha Esch. Bring the kids and the grandparents; everyone is welcome!  Well-behaved dogs on leashes, okay. This is a mostly level 1.5 mile hike apart from one 20 foot long, somewhat steep, narrow path up a levee hill and some optional off-path routes along the way that are prickly and narrow. Locke artist and art teacher, Martha Esch, will demonstrate easy techniques to painting a quick, lovely, loose watercolor postcard of scenic spots along the hike. Next, participants will begin using watercolor kits, blank postcards and brushes that will be pas

I have had a very surprising past few days. I wanted to share it here because I think what I have experienced has happened to everyone at one point. The surprising part of what I'm about to share, the most shocking part of all came from the most unexpected place; the point of origin! The thing that caused me the most pain ended up surprising me the most and spun my head clean around. Being a Mom of 3 extremely active boys so close in age, I have gotten my fair share of disapproving looks. Looks that speak volumes without any sound like the, "you must need a glass of wine before bed" look, the "what are you crazy?!?!" look and so on. When you add the extra twist of having a son...the oldes

When visiting the downtown/midtown area of Sacramento, be on the lookout for Sacramento’s favorite alien, the Brutha From Another Planet (B.F.A.P.). He can be spotted performing his unique dance moves to his favorite music on his space age music box which includes 70’s and 80’s funk, disco, and dance music from all eras. The B.F.A.P. was named by a group of admirers who first witnessed his funky dance moves. Meeting and greeting the B.F.A.P. is easy. He is very family friendly and is a great crowd pleaser. Youngsters of all ages are delighted and frightened by his robotic dance movements after seeing him frozen in place. Ruben of South Sacramento, age 10, described the B.F.A.P. as “Reall

It’s that time of year again, yes, time to cook a giant bird in the oven. There is a sense of tradition and nostalgia every year, the smell of a home cooked meal and relatives and friends alike come storming through the front door. Thanksgiving is a time of reunions and family tradition. Bring on the wild turkeys, the mashed potatoes, the gravy, the cranberry sauce and biscuits for a massive dinner party. Though most families sit down around a dinner table and pass around plates filled with food, I, on the other hand, never got to experience that tradition until recently. My family never really celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. Someone takes home a frozen slaughtered turkey and throw

Big Idea Theatre opened their latest production, “Dinner with Friends” by David Margulies, this weekend, with a tightly cast group of actors and a little something extra for the audience to think about. The play, set in contemporary East Coast America, revolves around two couples going through the ecstasy of love and the agony of heartache. The first couple, Gabe and Karen, is a perfect pairing of kindred souls, and the other, Tom and Beth, is a volatile combination of miscommunication and loss. The four players of the evening come together as a malleable unit, working off of each other’s slightest affect. The director, Kirk Blackinton, brings a great play to life through four talented a

Sitting on the edge of wonder, it is time to build the sukkah and dine under the stars with the region's young Jewish professionals, leaders, community, family, and friends. It’s harvest time. In Sacramento, perhaps more than many cities or regions around the world, we can very much identify with the spirit of Sukkot. Tomorrow evening, Friday, Sept. 24, join NextDor and PJ Library in Sacramento for a Shabbat Sukkot dinner together! We'll dine outside in the sukkah, learn about Sukkot traditions, shake a few lulavs, and read stories. PJ Library is even providing the food! This event is the evening before NextDor's own big Sukkot dinner, so take advantage of both chances to make friends and