Mayor Kevin Johnson will be hosting an Election Night Results Viewing Party on Tuesday night, and is inviting all Sacramento voters to join him in watching the results. Johnson, who has campaigned for President Obama in the key swing states of Nevada, North Carolina, and Florida, says the viewing party will allow Sacramentans of all political stripes to gather together to watch the returns in this historic election.  "This is a critical election for our nation, our state, and our city," said Johnson. "We're hoping for a record turnout, and I'd lke to welcome any Sacramento citizen who has cast their ballot to watch it being counted with us, no matter who you are supporting." Here are t

Mayor Kevin Johnson traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota last Friday to speak before the Democratic National Committee's Platform Committee, which is charged with drafting the party's stance on key issues facing the nation. The platform will be voted on by Democratic delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte in September, which Johnson also will attend. With his remarks, Mayor Johnson represented the Democratic mayors of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the national organization that represents the city's leaders.  Mayor Johnson spoke on a variety of issues, including public safety, education, and infrastructure.  Below are excerpts from his remarks made on Friday: "U.S.

President Obama recently signed a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the policy that for the past 17 years has prohibited gay individuals from serving openly in the military. The repeal will take effect in September. Democratic Assemblyman Roger Dickinson made a public statement expressing his support of President Obama’s decision to overturn DODT. “Members of our military are serving four or five tours of duty, repeatedly putting their lives on the line to serve our country. These heroic men and women who courageously fight to protect us should not be forced to hide their identities,” he said. The Sacramento Press asked citizens at Capital Park to share their thoughts on the repeal of

Mother Ruby Muhammad is proof that it's never too late to do anything. An orphan who met her father when she was a teenager, Muhammad joined the Nation of Islam at age 49 and learned to read at 60. Sacramento's oldest supercentenarian at age 112, Muhammad will perform songs and tell stories about her life March 7 at the Imani Community Church. The first-time performer will be joined for the one-night-only performance by her friend, playwright and vocalist Suzanne Brooks, and Brooks' band, The Jazz Generation. The show is tentatively called "I Believe I Can Fly," after Muhammad's favorite song, written by R. Kelly. It also aligns with her positive outlook and her belief that if she had wi

Looking for a way to hold history in your hand? Former presidents Bush, Carter and Clinton, as well as President Obama, will appear at the Sierra 2 Center on Sunday -- on buttons, badges and posters. They are all part of a political collectible show and sale put on by the Northern California Chapter of American Political Items Collectors. The APIC, a nonprofit that began in 1945, has more than 2,000 members and 19 regional chapters. Northern California's chapter has about 300 members, said Adam Gottlieb, the chapter's president. Gottlieb has been collecting political memorabilia since he was 11, starting with a Teddy Roosevelt button from 1904. Gottlieb, 45, said Roosevelt memorabilia m

The green movement is in full swing these days. President Obama and his Administration are talking green jobs every day. The environmental movement is enjoying its day in the sun as the nation embraces green principles. Businesses such as Wal-Mart and Starbucks have implemented some sort of green practices. And, we even have Planet Green, the television station dedicated to teaching America how to live and build green.   Earlier this year, I launched Ubuntu Green www.ubuntugreen.org, a non-profit focused on building sustainable and equitable communities. I was particularly concerned with the impact of the green movement on urban centers, low income families and communities of color. It be

Upon Mayor Kevin Johnson's invitation, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan came to Sacramento Thursday to discuss his views on charter schools and education reform. He also met with Sacramento legislators, students and teachers, before answering questions in a town hall forum. A little after 5 p.m., Johnson introduced Duncan to a public audience who gathered inside Sacramento's Central Library. In a five-minute speech, he outlined Duncan's resume as a Harvard graduate and superintendent of Chicago's Public Schools. "I'm more excited about the state and the potential of what we can do in this country with the leadership of President Obama and U.S. Secretary Arne Duncan," Johnson said.

Last night, President Barack Obama gave a powerful speech to our nation. He told the Joint Session of Congress that we're not a nation of quitters, and implored us to maintain our confidence during these troubled economic times. As I noted on the Larry King Live Show last night, President Obama's themes of acting boldly to confront the serious challenges our nation faces with a new era of responsibility, accountability, and cooperation is exactly what we're trying to do in Sacramento, albeit on a smaller scale. This afternoon, I built on the President's remarks when I delivered the "State of the City" address to the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce at California State University, Sacramento

 Saturday Today was my first day in DC and you can feel the electricity and excitement in the air. As the city readies itself for this historic occasion and incredible event, people are beginning to stream into the nation’s capital. I attended the US Conference of Mayors and the highlight was listening to Rahm Imanuel. He issued a challenge to us Mayors. His most poignant comment was when he said, “We are currently facing the most difficult times our generation has seen. We cannot squander this opportunity.” He went on to talk about the stimulus package and how they were going to act fast, bring transparency to government and hold us all accountable. I completely understood what he meant.

Roughly 75 people gathered at 40 Acres Art Gallery in Oak Park to watch the Jan. 20 inauguration of Barack Obama. Doors opened at 8 a.m. and the available chairs were filled quickly. Jan. 20 also marked the first day of the new exhibit, "African American Currents: Contemporary Art from the Bank of America Collection," at the gallery. Kim Curry-Evans, gallery director, couldn't think of a better way to celebrate a new exhibition and a new president. "It just so happens this exhibition this is the first day for the show, so I thought, what better way to celebrate history by opening our gallery doors early so people could come be a part of this," Curry-Evans said. "I mean I don't want to d

Minutes before the change in power at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, a crowd of people gathered at A Touch A' Class on the corner of Stockton Blvd. and 14th Avenue. People were enthusiastically watching the flat screen TV's, and at 9 a.m. a few collectively said, "the Government is ours." Amidst the diverse crowd, a sense of pride emanated from the dozens filling the bar. The historic moment was shared by young and old as everyone in the bar glued their eyes to one of the screens, cheering, hugging, and crying. Party organizer Sandi Burden-Bradley felt exceptionally proud and politically moved for the first time in her thirty years of voting. "I'm on top of th

The sun was barely peaking over the parking garage across 15th Street when several dozen people trickled in to R15, the restaurant bar adjacent to Cafe Bernardo in downtown Sacramento. They had come to see history being made, and perhaps have some red, white and blue pancakes. Or a Bloody Mary. But regardless of the form their breakfast took, the celebrants were clear on their focus: The inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Watching the several flat screen TVs hanging around the high-ceilinged room, and in turn watched by a camera crew from Channel 31’s Good Morning, Sacramento, the celebrants were bright-eyed and attentive as the events from Was

Dad's Kitchen in Land Park, great place.  Tuesday moring about 20 neighbors of all ages gathered to watch the Presidential inauguration.  At times it seemed as though I had flashed back to Berkeley in the '70s.  There was an activist "feel" to the room and I suspect that most of the guests were experienced at holding a hand-lettered sign with a political message.  But this was a small gathering of 21st century Sacramentans intent on celebrating a world changing event over coffee or other beverage.  There were cheers for Dianne Feinstein, our M.C., and cheers for Aretha Franklin (our group was a good demographic for her; many of us remember when "Respect" was released).  Aretha energized th

Tuesday, January 21, 2009, Barack Hussein Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States. Mr. Obama is the first U.S. president who was born in a former sovereign kingdom. That is Hawaii, the 50th state. He is the first President to spend a substantial portion of his childhood outside of the contiguous 48 states. He is the first President to have a surname of African origin. Obama is a Luo name and associated with Kenya, Tanzania and other nations. His first and middle names are Arabic. His perspective and his background may set him apart from past Chief Executives. His education, ideals, political skills and commitment to this country certainly bring him into the circle of pat

Sure, you could sit at home and watch it on TV. But this is the Inauguration of a new and different president, and this president, more than most, is about community. So, you wanna be with people on this historic day, no? Someplace where you don’t need to wrap your head in wool to enjoy it? The TVs will be on everywhere - what would a Sacramento bar be like without a TV? - but if you want a place where they’re celebrating, we’ve got a short list for you to check out. Keep in mind that most of these places will be offering drink and food specials, but we’ll leave it to you to find out what they are. Here are a few places in town where you can watch the inaugural live - coverage begins at

The Sacramento Bee showcased on its homepage Saturday a feature article on the growing popularity of the haircut sported by the soon-to-be Chief Executive. The Bee reported that Obama's barber is known only as Zariff and says the cut costs $21. The reporter then visited numerous barbers in Sacramento to get comments from cutters about the cut. Yes, indeed, customers have come in to ask for some Barack barbering. Since I needed a haircut for the local Inaugural festivities, I went to my barber, Master Barber Melton, who cuts hair in a shop a few doors down from a Starbucks. Isn't anyplace a few doors down from a Starbucks? He said that customers have come in asking for the Obama cut. It'

This New Year is undoubtedly the most important New Year of my life, on account of growth in areas including politics, relationships and spirituality.  The ball drop was amazing.  It proved to this town, this country, EVEN THIS WORLD, that Sacramento can be happy and show solidarity if only given an outlet.  More importantly, we proved it to ourselves. We have a new President, may God help him keep his promises. We have a new Mayor, and as with Mr. Obama, may youth and charisma be proven tools for changes that are greatly needed.  I have a reinvigorated  love and respect for my family.  May fortune continue to shine upon them, for they are truly brave. May you and yours be as lucky an

Am I the only one? Okay. So I know what I am about to write may not have anything to do with Southside Park, or downtown. I don’t have a story about flooding on 9th and J Street, nor can I write about an old abandoned building that is scheduled for demolition in a few days time. I can, however, right about something that is truly going to affect everyone in this town and towns all across this nation. On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, millions of people will exercise the “hard-fought-for” right to vote for the President of the United States. I can’t control the excitement I feel inside. I have voted for a president four times in my life and only one of my guys won (two consecutive terms). Thi