Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "open2011"

Bonsai Forever Stamps Unveiled

2012-01-25T00:24:53Z

The Capital City Bonsai Association and the Sacramento Bonsai Club hosted the Commemoration of the Introduction of the USPS Forever® Bonsai Stamps at the Iva Gard Shepard Garden and Arts Center.

These five new stamps are forever equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate..

The event was packed for the unveiling.

Art Director and stamp designer Ethel Kessler worked with artist John D. Dawson on the Bonsai stamps. Dawson's art has been featured on previous year's stamps. He was unable to attend the ceremony.

Five common styles of bonsai are featured on these new stamps:
1) a Sierra Juniper in semi-cascade style:

(2) a Trident Maple in informal upright style:

(3) a Black Pine in formal upright style:

(4) an Azalea plant in multiple-trunk style:

(5) a Banyan in cascade style:

During the dedication, Jeffrey C. Lelevich, Postmaster, Sacramento explained that new subjects for stamps and postal stationery are suggested by the US public.

They receive 10,000 proposals, all of different topics, a year.

"This is really a treat to have the post office dedicate their stamp here because the Center is the home of Capital City Bonsai Club" said Edzard Schroeder, Treasurer and Budget Director for the Center.

This Club has four other Bonsai groups associated with it.

Ronald Krause, Sekiyu Kai Bonsai Club, gave everyone a good tip: how to say the word Bonsai:
"give the dog a bone and make him sigh": Bonsai sounds like Bone-sigh.

"Bonsai is a combination of two Japanese words
Bon meaning "shallow tray or pot" and sai meaning "plant or tree". Put them together and you get Bonsai.

Bonsai originated centuries ago and the Japanese perfected the art, says Krause. It's not real clear where it began.

In 1909, the first major exhibit of Bonsai was in London, by a group of Japanese artists.

The earliest presence of Bonsai in the US was in Long Island, NY in 1925. A nurseryman amassed a large collection and gave it to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden a gift of 32 potted plants.

It was a challenge taking care of them and by the 1940s only 11 of them survived.

Krause continues, explaining that it wasn't until after 1945, thanks to WWII, that Bonsai began to grow.

In 1976, to commemorate the US bicentennial, a collection of 53 Bonsai were donated to the people of the United States by the Nippon Association in Tokyo to the National Arboretum.

Krause said he and his brother luckily saw them right after the donation was made. Within two years half of them were dead.

A Japanese Sensei was soon hired to oversee the collection, which now thrives.

"Bonsai is now among the most radically developing leisure pastimes in the US and its popularity grows worldwide," Krause said and then asked "what is the oldest Bonsai club in California?"

The answer is Sacramento Bonsai Club.

Krause says "not only is it the oldest club in California, it's the oldest in the country."

It was founded in 1946.

Sacramento is the only city in the US with four Bonsai clubs.

In 1999 these four clubs joined together to form the Capital City Bonsai Association. It holds its fall show every October at the Iva Gard Shepard Garden and Arts Center in McKinley Park.

Congratulations to the Journalism Open winners!

2011-02-14T08:34:20Z

The results are in and we’re very excited to announce the winners of The Sacramento Press 2011 Journalism Open.

More than 50 community contributors accepted the challenge to commit acts of journalism. In January, 134 entries were submitted, many by writers who are new to The Sacramento Press.

Thank you to those of you who participated and those who helped spread the word about the contest.

There were three Sacramento Press judges who reviewed the entries and determined the winners: Casey Kirk, Recruitment Manager, Brandon Darnell, Copy Editor and Reporter, and Colleen Belcher, Managing Editor.

We were looking for stories with a minimum of two sources, stories that incorporated research and stories that kept us reading. Each winner could only win one prize. Click here to read the complete judging criteria.

Without further ado, the winners are:

Isaac Gonzalez, whose story, “A Towering Challenge,” won first place and $700.

Laura O’Brien, who wrote “Fave moms mag stops presses,” won second place and $500.

Corinna Fish, the third place winner of $200, wrote a two-part story titled “This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land: Looking Back at 50 Years of the Capitol Area Plan” on the Mandella Garden and the history of the Capitol Area Plan.

There were five $100 prizes, which were awarded to Eileen Wilson, who wrote about domestic violence and its lasting effects on children, Deb Belt, Mary Nares, Ron Nabity, who wrote about the heroes of the Red Cross and Brandy Tuzon. Click on each name to see the winning story by that author.

The $350 in photography prizes was divided into four amounts: three $100 prizes and one $50 prize.

The winners, in no particular order, are David Alvarez for his photo of the Sacramento Electronic Music Festival, Marc McLaughlin for his photo of the Professional Bull Riders show at Arco Arena, and Kati Garner for her photo of the Wells Fargo building in the fog. Steven Chea won an honorable mention for his photo of Deerhoof’s drummer playing a show at Harlow’s.

Click here to see the winning photos laid out side by side.

We asked the winners how they felt about winning the competition. Here are some of their responses.

Mary Nares, who wrote about the Crocker Art Museum’s new Education Center, said in an e-mail, “I'm amazed and honored to be selected. I was really impressed with the caliber of the submissions for the Open. I saw some great writing and photography, and the wide range of intriguing topics was inspiring.”

Marc McLaughlin said in an e-mail, “It is always an honor to be rewarded for the work you do. Being able to document our community through photos is something that I am thankful for.”

We were also curious to find out what each winner thought about citizen journalism.

Deb Belt, who wrote about an alley project in Boulevard Park and the controversy it created, said in an e-mail, “Citizen journalism is a new frontier and gives people the power to bring a story to light. It places responsibility in writers' hands to be accurate, fair and ethical and provides support for them. When citizen journalists meet this challenge, they forge new territory.”

Brandy Tuzon is the publisher of the Natomas Buzz and the author of the story on Natomas Unified School District’s fiscal crisis. She said in an e-mail, “I believe independent, citizen journalists are capable of providing some of the best local news coverage in the Sacramento region. We are not sitting at a desk in an office being assigned a beat to cover, instead we are living in the community and experiencing stories first-hand, as they happen.”

David Alvarez said in an e-mail about citizen journalism, “I think it's great. It's the voice of the people that can inspire, make you laugh, let you see life through other people's eyes, make you think or help get an important story to light. As a sole voice or as a voice for many in our community, citizen journalism has its place if nothing else to read another person's perspective.”

Thank you to everyone who entered. We enjoyed meeting new people, like Mama Cobb, hearing new insights, like what current students think about Sacramento High School, and discovering new places, (Firehouse 5), or history (stone sisters houses), and seeing Sacramento and its surrounding areas through many lenses (written or camera).

Another angle on Homelessness in Sacramento

2011-02-01T21:50:37Z

When we moved to Sacramento nine years ago, I was stunned by the beauty of the American river and the abundance of trees in this state capital. I was also surprised by the high number of homeless downtown. Sacramento was not the metropolitan area, I was expecting for a state capital.

In my opinion, Sacramento was a Californian urban area surrounded by suburbs. In a few years, the downtown-Midtown areas became more urban; people moved into lofts and renovated Victorians.

In 2009, Sacramento was labeled a tent city. The little secret about homelessness in this state capital worsened with the mortgage crisis. It was sad. A struggling middle class was losing houses far from downtown. Then they were reduced to find refuge in tents. Homeless and downtown residents live in parallel universes. Through the years and seasons, we share common areas but live parallel lives.

In spring, I took this picture in the midst of garbage. In a back alley, the Bible and the Sunday shoes were put aside. The neatness contrasted with the chaos. Someone tossed them away. And someone else found them and saved them because only he or she could see their real value for someone else.

I felt a mix of graciousness, awareness, kindness, gentleness, tenderness and selflessness. That is why I stopped and took this picture. I wanted to pick up the holy book, but it was not mine to take. It was there for reason. My reason was selfish. I was curious to find a note or anything. A lady did look at me like I’d lost my mind. Yes, sometimes when I find something outside that I can use and like, I take it. I guess she never did. So graciousness is another angle of homelessness. I hope that someone took the Bible and the Sunday shoes.

In summer, we took a bike ride to the river. My plan was to chill in the shade and read in peace. My son was planning to enjoy the freezing-cold water. However, we got there in the middle of a couple's courting rehearsal. I wanted to go farther away, but my son was already in the water. I sat down and watched their little opera. The lady apologized for the scene, and the man moaned at her. I told them that it was cool and they were cute together. And they started arguing about the labeling of their relationship. I knew my peaceful reading had just drowned.

A few minutes later, the lady introduced herself as Kim and her “friend” was Joe. Kim had a sweet, sandy and rocky voice. She had that protective armor that we build when we do not trust anymore. Joe was preaching every one of his sentences with all his strength. Joe, in his 50s, is from Michigan, and Kim, in her 40s, is from California. They are homeless and watch out for each other.

We talked about everything and nothing. Some parts were pure nonsense, but they also shared pure and real wisdom. Joe had a necklace with a wooden cross. His father left him when he was five years old. I could feel his childhood pain in his voice.

Joe told me, “Baby Girl, I will be real with you. Life is hard. You must never worship men. The secret is to love everybody, and the rest will come. I love every motherfucka out here, but the most difficult shit is to love myself. Baby girl, I am rich! God is my father!!” He also made me promise to read Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Kim mothered my son like a loving auntie. She told him to be proud and confident, no matter what others say. Watching her mothering my baby made me realize that I was lucky to share this moment with her.

Next to my son, Kim dropped her armor, and she was soft and fragile. Even my son became aware of her calm and delicate aura. Kim shared that she has four kids who are staying with her mother. She has a drinking problem caused by really violent domestic violence. She has a large scar on her throat. She said “it is hard to be trusted again, but it is harder to trust. It is hard to find a good man that sees you and does not hurt you inside. I need to find myself first”

Kim and Joe were missing their children. They were longing to belong. And they starved to be needed. Beyond their opera characters, I saw glimpses of very deep and powerful persons inside. They were very appreciative of my listening. They were proud to share their wisdom and parenting skills. They were happy that I could see beyond the homelessness. They gave me priceless compliments and blessings that warmed my soul. We whispered to each other words of wisdom and hope.

Kim was dreaming to get back to her children. Joe was dreaming to travel around and be in his children’s lives before he becomes a grandfather. Kim also wished to have a place called home with her children. And Joe also wished to say, “I am going home for dinner.” At the end, we exchanged grateful salutations and blessings.

This winter, I hope that Kim and Joe did find a refugee. I am forever grateful for these two wisdom whisperers.

Firehouse 5 heats up dance community

2011-02-01T17:54:20Z

One can feel the warmth, seeing the steam roll off the windows. Red mood lighting, the pulse of blues music playing in the background, comfy old couches, smooth but funky wood floors, and full length mirrors alongside an antique firefighter’s pole describes a typical scene at Firehouse 5. Their fuel is music, and the dancers in close embrace are the matchsticks.

The building on the edge of downtown that once housed one of Sacramento’s first motorized fire engines has evolved into one of the region’s most eclectic dance venues and hangouts. It’s a place where students come from UC Davis or even Chico so that couples can dance tango, blues or west coast swing, which combines lindy and swing moves from the 1950s with contemporary music such Lady Gaga or the Black Eyed Peas.

“It feels like a club but there is no pressure to have to buy a drink,” said co-owner Dan Printz. Firehouse 5 does not sell alcohol or food. It only offers a chance to dance and make friends. It’s where people who love to dance for hours can get their fix while those who are curious but clueless can practice without being embarrassed.

From the outside, it’s a nondescript gray building, with antique remnants of an old firehouse station that opened in 1913 located on 9th Street between U and V. One can be easily fooled by the subtle exterior, but a walk through the doors reveal this cool, casual, come-as–you-are haven for dancers of all ages to collaborate.

Printz was a jazz musician for many years. In 2006, he found the location when he was helping some of his friends establish a same-sex tango community project. Although that project never came into fruition, the idea for Firehouse 5 was born and refined to include a modern mix of dance forms.

“It started out with (co-owner) Chris Peake and dance partner, Kendra teaching tango classes and branched from there,” Printz said.

Currently, Firehouse 5 offers lessons in salsa, blues dance, west coast swing, traditional Argentine tango and Tango Alternativa, which combines tango moves with electronic music. Except for a salsa class for kids, the instruction is geared to adults. But the venue, which its scuffed wooden floor is popular among the college crowd and many high school students who want to try partner dancing in place that feel more hip than a ballroom.

Sunday is the most popular night. It starts at 7 p.m. with a beginner lesson in blues of West Coast Swing. Then there is a three-hour open dance where novices and veterans move from partner to partner without jealousy or pretense. The DJ alternates a blues numbers with pop hits. Couples dance close blues, west coast swing or whatever hybrid mix of discipline they brought with them. For example, Jay Prabhu was in a dance group in India and then learned west coast swing, then blues at Firehouse 5 to combine them into a unique style.

“I first took the beginner blues class but I didn’t dance afterward. I watched for about two or three lessons till I got the hang of it,” said Prabhu, an engineering student from California State University, Sacramento. “Now, I come here regularly, it’s a needed break especially when I have a Sunday night free.”

There is also a “welcome steal dance” where newcomers are partnered with more experienced dancers who take turns cutting in on each other to welcome the first-timers.

In addition, to regular classes, there are workshops by traveling, top-level dance instructors such as tango innovators Homer and Christina Ladas or Mihai Banulescu, who teaches blues. West Coast Swing, which holds competitions, has been taught by champions such as Ben McHenry, Chuck Brown, Nick Jay, Nick King, and Shane Gomez.

“Our goal is to create a non-profit to promote tango, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, salsa, and blues at this downtown location,” Printz said.

Besides Firehouse 5, Printz also promotes dance events at other venues. The market for tango, and blues dancers overlaps a little but can be very different. By promoting partner dance in general in Sacramento, Printz found a formula that is both good for the community and makes for a livelier dance scene.

Firehouse 5 currently doesn’t offer open salsa dancing. But salsa instructor Nicole Lazo has a devoted following of grownups on Monday nights and kids (ages 6 to 16) on Wednesday evenings. Nicole Lazo is unusual among dance teachers because she started learning to teach the dance just as she was learning it herself from Fahad four years ago.

“I knew from the beginning that I wanted to teach dan ce,” said Lazo, who perfectly looks the part of the long-legged, high-heeled hot salsera – until she carries her six-month old son in a sling while she teaches.

“I was dancing right up until I gave birth,” said Lazo, smiling at her baby. “His first dance was inside me.”

Lazo’s gentle manner makes it easy for newcomers trying to learn to travel on a dance floor at salsa speed. She helps kids get over their inhibitions about dance.

“I teach kids at their own level. They are a great group.”

Jenny McDonald-Fernandez also knows how to connect with kids through body movement – and that made her a fan of Lazo. McDonald-Fernandez, who only has one arm, teaches first grade at Elliott Ranch School in Elk Grove. She started as Lazo’s student and now helps her teach.

“Dance is great for your self-esteem. It helps you become more comfortable with your body and with moving around,” McDonald-Fernandez said. “I’ve taken classes with guys but Nicole taught me how to really move like a woman.”

Starry Night: The Sacramento Ballet's Romeo and Juliet

2011-02-01T07:55:59Z

Carmina Burana was one of the most magical experiences I had ever encountered in my life. The performance by the Sacramento Ballet was not only stunning - it was disarming, provocative and transformative. The drama, the sexuality, the full chorus, the blending of art … it was … like nothing else I had ever seen before.

And … it was performed last year. And won’t be performed for another three, four years.

What to do between then?

Founded in 1954, the Sacramento Ballet claims to be “the only Sacramento arts organization with a company of resident artists.” And yet their world remains such a mystery. With the popularity of The Black Swan, audiences around the world are groping for tidbits of information on the struggles these artists go through as they perfect the dramatization of the most beloved stories ever told.

Who are they? They teach yoga and pilates, they hang out at Hamburger Pattie’s, they are the things they allow us to know from their brief bios.

From the stage, they appear unearthly. No deep breathing to behold, no apparent sweat dripping from their bodies. In performing, they do not giggle, they do not make inappropriate faces, they do not break character. They are living in another world, and we are just thrilled to be allowed in, as dark spectators.

Stefan Calka, one of the Romeos in the upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet, reiterates the dancer's profound creative professionalism in the Sacramento Ballet’s blog, “Prokofiev’s score is wound with such lushness and textural sensations with whips of dissonance that remind you of the tragic story line. Dancing to it is completely rewarding. It is like breathing within water. It’s like being surrounded in a new denser atmosphere. The bass runs resound in the pit of your stomach. The Balcony Pas de Deux sounds how new love feels.”

I recently caught my first “Inside the Director’s Studio” at the Sacramento Ballet company’s headquarters on the corner of K and 17th. It was my first time in the studio, having only peered inside the front doors passing by or watching young dancers pour out of class.

I’m not die-hard, I am just a retired little girl who still wishes to be prima.

The studio smelled of long hours of hard work when I walked in. Not the kind that comes from hard labor or a dingy gym locker room, but just the faintest whiff of focused energy. The dance floor was a shiny black, criss-crossed with scuffs. Menacing.

Once the audience – primarily of middle-aged arts patrons (you know the type) -- had finished shuffling, stomping in and taking their seats in the pliable folding chairs lining the floor, the ensemble drifted in. They did not clunk and clamor, the wooden knocking of their shoes and the force of their drive melted into the back of the room.

A couple of male dancers – the majority of the crew on this “Men of the Sacramento Ballet” themed evening were men, an unusual sight for an art dominated by femininity –quickly sailed through what appeared to be a fight scene. Others doubled their bodies over the east-wall bar, some chatted while stretching and all moved fluidly across the room.

I suppose I expected black leotards and pink tights. What I got was a 2011-version of the cast of RENT. They wore overalls, polo shirts, bandanas, bright colors, shorts, tattoos and tied-dye. They were tall, willowy, short, muscular, curvy and straight.

They looked happy.

They looked thrilled to be here, in this space, performing not just for a mirror, but for an audience of enthusiastic supporters. That’s who waits in lines around the corner for a small studio performance – the supporters. We were the fans and these were the celebrities waiting to shine.

The performance began. It was interactive, with the dancers flying inches from our toes and the artistic directors counting the rhythm in our ears. A technical glitch answered by a joke to fill the air.

The sidelined dancers cooed in admiration during difficult routines.

We were reminded of choreographer George Balanchine’s oft-remarked quote, “Ballet is woman.” Tonight was about the man. The man who takes all of us, not just the swan-woman in the pointe shoes, up to glorious heights, twisting us softly to the floor and bringing us the stars. Our eyes are always on the ballerina, but tonight, it was different.

They floated, they flittered, they threw down and pulled out their swords. (Real. Swords.) They were men being men – competitive and predominate. They were artists displaying a spectrum of emotion and creative sensitivity.

To give an idea on what the male dancers experience every day, Chloe, one of the three Juliets wrote in her Dancers’ Perspectives blog entry, “I can’t believe how strong these Romeos are. They are literally lifting women over their heads the entire day. They get kicked, scratched, torn and bruised by us (all accidental) with no complaints. Ladies hardly ever get hurt because the men are gentleman and experts at what they do.”

The blog, another device in bridging the divide of intrigue, not only includes entries by the dancers explaining their long days of work, but also includes videos from the viewpoint of Romeo. (I watch this video and think somewhere there is a Flip Cam with duct tape and hair follicles strapped to it.) Check out the sequel, taken from tall guy Richard Porter.

But is it enough? Is there something sexy about meeting a ballet dancer in a bar and seeing them act like normal every day people? Not particularly.

On the street, they appear normal, if not amazingly in shape. They work from 9 to 6, just like the rest of us.

But their mystique is what allures us.

When the Queen climbed to the top of the silver disk in Carmina Burana, she was no longer human. When Herr Drosselmeyer delights the children in The Nutcracker, he transports us all. And in Romeo and Juliet, we are swept away as passionate teenagers.

Ballet is not just – I say this as a casual participant – is not just another form of creative art. It is, to be cliché, poetry in motion, the soul finding its voice, its feet, its air to breathe.

Alexandra Cunningham, one of the Juliets wrote this of her partner, “My eyes are closed so I can't predict when Rick will hold my hand or squeeze me - yet despite lacking that particular sense, I can feel Rick's intensity in every other way. While it is weird to not be able to react to his embraces and tugs, the emotional tension in his body fuels and helps me to mentally prepare and ‘awaken’ as Juliet.”

To know the dancers, no matter how long they have been with the Sacramento Ballet corps for years, is to enjoy watching them.

Sacramento's Gem Up For Grabs

2011-02-01T07:54:22Z

We call it the Crown Jewel of Sacramento and are stingy about keeping it polished and protected. It generates an estimated $365,000,000 annually and more visits than Yosemite, yet it is underfunded and undervalued as a regional asset.

The American River Parkway provides our water, improves our air quality and supports diverse wildlife, including some of the last West Coast salmon runs. We go there to rest, recreate and reflect. The 23 mile stretch from Nimbus Dam to the confluence with the Sacramento River is officially designated as a Wild and Scenic River. It is the most heavily used recreation river in California.

TV news crews try to scare us silly when the river rises "near Flood Stage at the bottom of the Tower Bridge!" – just like it does every year. And every year, local media report that funding for the maintenance, health and safety of Sacramento's Jewel is in danger. The regional park system's share of Sacramento County's Discretionary General Fund went from 1.02% in 2005-06 to .36% in 2009-10.

How well do we appreciate and value the American River Parkway that is so central to our lives? What will it take to provide funding that makes the river safe, serene and secure, now and for future generations?

The Save The American River Association (SARA) had concluded that the best way to preserve the American River Parkway is to look at the bigger picture.

In response to devastating budget cuts and the possible dismantling of the Sacramento County Regional Parks and Open Space System by the County Board of Supervisors, SARA formed the Grassroots Working Group (GWG) in mid-2010.

The Group’s goal is to secure adequate, stable, long-term funding for operations, maintenance and expansion of the Regional Parks and Open Space System, which includes the American River Parkway, Cosumnes River Preserve, Deer Creek Hills, Dry Creek Parkway, Sacramento Delta Facilities and the Regional Parks at Mather, Elk Grove and Gibson Ranch.

According to SARA President, Warren V. Truitt, "The popularity of the American River Parkway – some 8,000,000 visits per year – now stresses Parkway capacity, especially during the warmer months. Therefore, SARA is supporting the effort to rescue our entire Regional Parks and Open Space System.”

The guiding vision of the Grassroots Working Group is a safe, accessible, well-maintained system of regional parks, farmland, open space and wild lands, linked by a non-motorized transportation network.

GWG's mission is to identify an appropriate structure to manage our regional parks and open space, coupled with a reliable funding stream for operations, maintenance, and expansion of the system.

In January, the Grassroots Working Group held a fundraiser at Rubicon Brewing Company on one of its “501(c) Wednesdays.” Rubicon's Glynn Phillips created this weekly event to benefit local 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, by donating a portion of the day’s profits.

There is more GWG public outreach planned, with a Community Summit Meeting scheduled for March, 2011. Any planned ballot measures require approval in July 2012 to be on the November 2012 ballot.

To learn more about the Grassroots effort, including governance and funding options being studied, or to make a donation toward a public outreach and education campaign, visit www.sarariverwatch.org and click on the gold Grassroots Process button on the Home Page, or call (916) 482-2551.

http://www.sarariverwatch.org/
http://www.arpf.org
http://www.arnha.org/
http://www.sacbike.org/

Sacramento Roller Racing: A Photo Essay

2011-02-01T07:49:49Z

12 photos from the January 9th and 23rd Savage Sprints Roller Races.

[text below is from: http://sacvalleyvelodrome.org/?p=109]

Press Release – Savage Sprints Fundraiser for Sacramento Valley Velodrome
January 18, 2011

Press Release

SAVAGE SPRINTS FUNDRAISER FOR SACRAMENTO VALLEY VELODROME

The Sacramento Valley Velodrome Association is holding a series of stationary bike races, or Roller Races, to raise awareness and funds to build an outdoor bicycle racing track called a velodrome in the greater Sacramento area.

Supporters are hopeful considering the strong support from the local bike community and area businesses. “After a solid turnout of more than 100 supporters and 40 race participants at our first event, the momentum is building for a velodrome in the Sacramento area,” says organizer, Dean Alleger. “Our next event on January 23rd has also attracted Team USA World Cup sprinter, Kevin Mansker.”

Free racing will take place every other Sunday starting at 4pm on January 9th at Hot Italian Pizza & Panini Bar. The fastest 20 men and 20 women will be guaranteed entry to the Championships on March 20th, which include cash prizes and merchandise.

Chic for Change – Becoming a Force in the Community

2011-02-01T07:32:58Z

I live in the ‘burbs and I can get to feeling pretty isolated from my neighbors. Okay, I have that feeling a lot of the time. It’s mostly my own fault – I don’t always make the effort because I’m kinda shy and different… I don’t always know where to start. Give me the right setting and a reason to chat, well that definitely helps. I’ve discovered one such setting and no, it’s not a support group (though I could probably use one of those). It’s a new shop near El Camino and Fulton called Chic for Change.

Teshala Paradiso, who everyone calls “Tesh,” is working to realize a vision that came to her during a year-long turn with a very serious illness. She described how on one particularly bad day, “I was laying in bed and thought, ‘If I ever get better, what would I do next?’ I knew I wanted to do something more." She continues explaining, "I liked to shop, loved thrift stores and had a great interest in building community, and this idea formed.” Tesh, who is married with two young children, realized her vision on January 3, 2011 by opening a unique high-end second hand store, which just so happens to be large enough to also serve as a community gathering place.

Chic for Change also benefits several local area nonprofits. 20% of every purchase goes directly to either Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center, or Wildlife Care Association. The customer gets to choose which one. It works like this: you purchase $40 worth of items; $10 of your purchase goes to one of the three nonprofits, providing each with a steady stream of financial support. But this is about more than just money.

Tesh explains that she wants Chic for Change, “…to be a place where people can come and get nice things they can afford and at the same time support their community - and also as a place where people can socialize, collaborate and build friendships.” The large store encourages this by having a homey area with a couch, chairs, coffee table, and pillows providing an area for customers to sit and chat, wait for a slower shopping partner, or enjoy a mocha from the coffee bar, which will soon offer a full menu of espresso drinks.

I went in for a visit myself last Saturday afternoon. I walked into a large store with high ceilings, still a bit sparse and still a work in progress but looking visually appealing. Toward the back of the store, local singer/songwriter Christian DeWild and percussionist Mike Pavisch played a two-hour set for customers while the store offered free refreshments, a 50% off clothes sale, and a big discount on the cost of a Disaster Survival Skills class.

While others shopped, I kicked back on the couch with my coffee, turkey sandwich roll and brownie and listened to Christian’s ear-pleasing, gravelly roots-rock sound. I did a little shopping too, picking up a nice Crate and Barrel tablecloth for $5, a set of three heavy duty stainless steel pots and pans for $20, a nice Fossil handbag for $10 and, of course, some clothes. A huge calendar behind the counter provided sale dates, classes and special events such as fundraisers, and said I wanted my donation to go to Wildlife Care Association (I do some volunteer fundraising for them, and this is how I found out about the store).

Chic for Change aims to be a higher end thrift store with reasonable prices. To accomplish this, Tesh has to be a little picky bit about the items sold in the store. Those that can’t be sold are donated back to the partnering nonprofits, especially the Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center who benefits from clothing, blankets, linens, furniture and kitchen items and more. As put so very well by Ms. Paradiso, “There is no reason for any of us to stand alone.”

About the nonprofits:

Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center (SAEHC) - This program started as a family shelter back in 1972 and now serves over 500 homeless people. Their website explains, “SAEHC runs one of only two shelters in Sacramento that accepts two-parent households, single fathers, and sons over the age of 14.” They also recently received funding to start a program for homeless seniors. Their goal is to help these struggling families and individuals to learn the tools needed to become more self-reliant.

Wildlife Care Association (WCA) –For the past 29 years, WCA has been providing medical and rehabilitation services to over 6,000 injured, ill, orphaned, injured and displaced wild animals each year. Hundreds of baby birds fill the nursery every spring but critters are brought in year-around to the facility, which recently located to McClellan Park. Once the animals have recovered or have grown and learned to fend for themselves, they are released back into the wild, giving them a second chance at life.

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) – Since 1977, CASA has trained volunteers to advocate for foster children in the juvenile court system. These children only end up in court as a result of having been abused, neglected or abandoned and in the child welfare system. The volunteer gets to know the child and helps to avoid any additional trauma by ensuring that each child has a voice in the system. The CASA volunteer works closely with the child to understand, for example, does the child want to be reunited with his or her parents, or would she prefer to stay in foster care or to be adopted, and then speaks up for them in court, ensuring the child's needs and wishes are heard.

Natomas School District's Future Hinges On Proposed Tax Extensions

2011-02-01T07:04:32Z

Natomas Unified School District officials probably know better than any other in California the importance of Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed tax extensions.

Voter approval in June has the power to pull this small Sacramento-area district of 10,000+ students back from the brink of bankruptcy. If the proposition fails, state funding to K-12 education could be cut 6 percent – or more – and two local legislators are poised to introduce legislation in the coming weeks that would empower the state to take over the cash-strapped school district in Natomas.

While school districts statewide will be equally impacted if Gov. Brown's propositions fail to pass, Natomas Unified will financially be out of time. The question is: Can the community, more specifically California voters, save the school district from bankruptcy?

“The process of a state takeover has begun,” said Bruce Roberts, Natomas school board president.

The Natomas Unified School District has 13 schools and is home to four independent charter schools which have, in part, contributed to a decline in enrollment at its traditional campuses. The district's history of controversial budgeting practices, coupled with the collapse of the housing market and ongoing cuts to funding at the state level have created what some have described as a “perfect storm” in Natomas education.

State education code requires school districts show a balanced budget three years out and when Natomas Unified failed to do so for the 2011-12 school year, Sacramento County superintendent David Gordon started bankruptcy proceedings. Despite recent concessions by its employees – in the form of layoffs, increased class sizes, furlough days and pay cuts that balanced the budget for 2011-12 – Natomas Unified coffers cannot sustain the district into 2012-13 with its current proposed budget. Gordon fears the school district will be crippled if Gov. Brown's proposed five-year tax extensions are not approved by voters.

“I keep emphasizing to the district they have to be prepared and plan ahead,” Gordon said. “It is difficult to stay solvent if you do it for one year and just squeak by.”

Gordon knows going back to the bargaining table so soon after striking a deal is not easy, but says Natomas Unified has to budget for “automatic inflators” such as annual step and column pay raises and insurance premium increases in 2012-13. The school district, he said, also needs a contingency plan in the event tax extensions are not approved for the 2011-12 school year. The teachers union expects to resume contract negotiations in February and the classified employees union is scheduled to be at the table in March.

“The county assured the Natomas Teachers' Association that state receivership would be avoided if teachers contributed 7.9% to the budget deficit,” teachers' union president Cynthia Connell said. “The community which rallied together to urge teachers to take these cuts must finally understand that teachers cannot save this district; they've been misled to believe we can.”

In recent years, Natomas Unified has laid off dozens of employees. The school district has also reduced funding for athletics, cut stipends for extracurricular activity advisers, eliminated summer school programs, discontinued all school busing except for special education students, closed all elementary school libraries and one school.

Parent groups and the Natomas community have rallied in response to support their neighborhood schools. Fundraisers are held to pay for school supplies, equipment and field trips. Most recently, enough money was raised to temporarily reopen some school libraries for limited use. Natomas Unified superintendent Bobbie Plough is moving forward with plans to renegotiate agreements with the charter schools and earlier this month hosted a community meeting to generate additional fundraising ideas.

“I’m glad that our teachers and classified employees made generous concessions this year, but we need to fix our long-term budget problem to prevent a state takeover,” said Ryan Herche, a Natomas resident and former school board candidate who attended the meeting. “We can raise new revenue by opening school property for advertising and applying for grants.”

Herche, who repeatedly called for an audit of Natomas Unified accounting during his campaign for school board last year, believes the school district can save money by changing its competitive bidding process and by using district employees, instead of contractors, when it proves more cost effective.

“Doing business 'the way we've always done it' has caused a fair share of our financial woes,” added Connell. “It is going to take changes in policies and practices at the district and board level to turn around the years-old practice of deficit spending.”

Work toward a balanced multi-year budget continues at the school district level. Meanwhile Assemblyman Richard Pan, District 5, and Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, District 9, plan to jointly introduce a spot bill in February that would authorize a state takeover of Natomas Unified. Pan said the legislation is a placeholder that will be enacted only if necessary to keep the school district solvent.

“We would like to avoid a state takeover,” said Pan, a Natomas resident with two young children. “We also don't want the district to go under. I am hopeful that is not going to happen.”

Pan and Natomas Unified plan to hold a town hall meeting Feb. 17 about the state budget, the proposed tax extensions and the assemblyman's role in the state receivership process. Even if the district manages to make more budget cuts for 2012-13, parent volunteers like Scott Dosick, who serves on the school district's budget advisory and bond oversight committees, say they understand the depth of the school district's financial woes and what would come with a state takeover – more layoffs, larger class sizes, school closures and negative impacts on the community. They also know the future of Natomas Unified likely hinges on whether Gov. Brown's proposed tax extensions will be passed or voted down.

“That would represent a cut of $3.5 to $4 million dollars for the Natomas Unified School District,” said Dosick. “This would be beyond catastrophic – I don't even know what word to use.”

Great Jazz and Great Jazz Venue at the Mondavi Center

2011-02-01T07:02:39Z

You step into the room and are immediately transported from small town Northern California to a big town high end night club. Large paintings of jazz musicians line the walls. The room is filled with tables for four where individuals converse and sip their drinks. Over the stage is more jazz themed art.

The house lighting dims. The stage lighting rises. Gary Vercelli introduces the performers and the evening’s show commences. The audience is about to treated to another evening of great jazz.

Gary Vercelli

This is the experience created by the Capitol Radio Studio Jazz Series - a three show series now in its’ second year.

The room is the Vanderhoef Studio Theatre the smaller of the two performance halls at the Mondavi Center. Rob Tocalino, Director of Marketing at Mondavi was pleased to hear my impression of the venue. “This is exactly the feeling we are trying to create” he said.

The art work is by noted Grass Valley artist E. J Gould. He has created the works as part of his Jazzart project. Besides the six paintings along the walls Gould creates a new set of paintings above the stage relating to the performers for each show.

Tocalino works with Jeremy Ganter, Associate Executive Director & Director of Programming and Don Roth, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Mondavi and their staff to select artists for the series. All three are big fans of jazz with lots of expertise in the field. They look for excellence - artists they have been excited about listening to from recordings and some who they think needs to be seen in the market. Part of it is logistics - one group this year had never appeared in the US. They try to present a broad spectrum of jazz each season.

This season opened with Delfeayo Marsalis Octet, a nod to more traditional jazz.

From the program:

Like his equally virtuosic siblings Branford, Wynton, and Jason, Delfeayo Marsalis carries forward the musical tradition of jazz and the spirit of New Orleans with passion. Evoking trombone legends like J.J. Johnson, while at the same time asserting himself as one of the freshest modern voices on the instrument, this Grammy-winning producer and devoted educator displays a compelling talent for straight-ahead composition on his latest album, Minions’ Dominion. Click here to hear a sample of Delfeayo Marsalis’ music.

The second show of the season Tord Gustavsen and Solveig Slettahjell “Natt I Bethlehem” represented the globalization of jazz.

The program described them thus: Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen has established himself as an heir to jazz legends like Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. Solveig Slettahjell is a strikingly talented vocalist little known on this side of the Atlantic. The two collaborated with trumpeter Sjur Miljeteig on Natt I Bethlehem, a meditatively beautiful Christmas album recorded live in the Nativity church in Bethlehem.

While they were performing music that had been recorded, Trocalino stated that Gustavsen’s performance was different each night. Trocalino described him as an established young leader in jazz.

It was at one of these performances that I discovered the Capitol Radio Studio Jazz Series. My impression of the show: Tord Gustavsen dazzled the audience with his performance on the piano. Solveig Slettahjell's ethereal voice was perfect. Sjur Miljeteig's breathy trumpet was the crowning touch. The fact that a lot of the words were in Norwegian and some Swedish did not detract but in fact increased the enjoyment of the music. This jazz is very accessible. The carols sung in English were not only beautiful but performed in a way that it is unlikely you have ever heard before. Click here to hear samples of their music.

There is one more chance to enjoy one of the Capitol Radio Studio Jazz Series performances this week. The last in the series is more of the pop side of jazz. Vijay Iyer Historicity Trio will be appearing Vanderhoef Studio Theatre jazz club February 2-5 at 8:00 pm.

From the Mondavi promotion: Vijay Iyer’s Grammy-nominated album Historicity was roundly praised as the top jazz recording of 2009 by The New York Times, Village Voice, and Los Angeles Times, among other publications. The New Yorker has called him one of “today’s most important pianists…extravagantly gifted.” His trio performances can feature an astonishing set of covers, including works by Leonard Bernstein, Stevie Wonder, and Andrew Hill transformed by his signature, percussive style.

Click here for more information and to listen to a sample of Viajy Iyer's music.

Capitol Radio Studio Jazz Series

Vijay Iyer Historicity Trio

February 2-5 at 8:00 pm.

Tickets

Vercelli photo: Capitol Public Radio E.J. Gould photo: E.J. Gould website Artists photos: Mondavi Center

SCC: What's The Reason?

2011-02-01T06:51:12Z

What’s The Reason?
By Shani Lee
Sacramento Press Open 2011

It’s a tale as old as time. The school needs computers, or books right? I can remember that being said time and time again as far back as elementary school. Well in this economy it’s the adults who need some help at school. Students at Sacramento City College are from a wide variety of backgrounds, & races, and create an even more diverse group of professionals. Did you know that a group of SCC’s film students won the 2011 Winterfest Sacramento Film & Music festival? Seeing first hand the passion of these students in every aspect is amazing, and encouraging. In such tough economic times it’s good to see people eager to achieve their professional goals. By doing so each emerging entrepreneur will be resuscitating our economy.

Students taking the MIDI class are composers, songwriters, filmmakers, rappers, singers, producers, or just love music. Professor Knable and his students have been directly hit by continued budget cuts in SCC’s Introduction to MIDI (Reasons) courses are working with an old version of Reasons; Reasons4 which was released in 2007. The newest version, Reasons5 was released in 2010, and will only cost $3500 to purchase for all of the classroom instructional computers. The Final Cut (Film) editing class on the other hand; is working with the newest version of Final Cut, but they seem to be the lucky ones. This is only because their professor “Is the Mac Certified Pro Trainer, and the school has a contract to be a training center, so he automatically gets the newest version to teach” (DonCarlos S., SCC MIDI & Final Cut student). Many students have this benefit and also experience the disappointment of this disadvantage. “In my film class (Final Cut) I’m lucky to be learning the newest version. I wish it were the same story for my Reasons class.” (DonCarlos S., SCC MIDI & Final Cut student).

While learning the old version of Reasons, the students get the overall picture of how the application works and allows creativity using simulated “real” instruments, or a synthesizer. However they are not equipped to compete creatively with those learning the most current version. We have to give our community a fighting chance when vying for jobs creating music, soundtracks, stage plays, musical scores, and even better teaching the art of music to our youth in this technical day in age. So let’s support our Sacramento City Panthers and get them the programs they need to realize their goals and stimulate our local economy.

“I feel like it’s imperative that we learn and have practical experience with the most current version. I mean why would I want a degree and still not be able to compete with all of my counterparts in the industry?” (Fidel C., SCC MIDI & Final Cut student).

Rescue From the Bermuda Triangle

2011-02-01T06:48:44Z

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 oldest son...with special needs the looks turn into stares and elevate to "you must like to gamble" looks, and "how irresponsible" looks, especially when my boys were younger.

The looks and stares I can handle, it's when people forget to fix their mute button and add comments to those stares that I have a hard time remembering my mute button works just fine.

To add another level of pain to this soup and salad combo is when all of it comes from a totally unexpected source, a friend. When something painful like this comes from a friend it's worse than if it came from family in a way. Family is family, you're stuck with them whether you like them or not. A friend is a friend because you share a common respect for one another...at least that's the way I see it.

So when a friend says something so shockingly hurtful it knocks this chick-a-dee for a loop. That respect and trust you thought was there is gone and maybe it's just me but I feel like I'm swimming in the Bermuda Triangle without a life jacket. Between the seconds the comment is made and the moment something comes out of my mouth, thoughts are racing through my mind like "what the hell just happened?!?!"..."wait, where am I?!?!" Then something really profound squeaks out like "uhhhh...what???" Of course the moment I race out of there I snap out of my state of shock and my mind is flooded with witty, well said, intelligent come-backs. But it's too late. As far as I'm concerned my "friend" has no idea who I am nor will they ever.

After days of mourning and dodging...the "friend" takes me by complete surprise and offers one of the most heartfelt apologies I've ever heard. My "friend" was completely taken over by emotion delivering the apology...it was gut-wrenching. After I left they realized how what they had said could be so painful. They too had an "uhhhh..." moment. When in fact they were taken aback by the fact that we share a a huge common belief...having a child with special needs is one of the greatest gifts a person could ever receive. So few people receive this gift, so it is to be treasured.

It's not just our commonalities we share that I call this person my friend, it is because of the brutally raw apology I call this person my friend. It takes a lot of, well guts, guts and more guts to right a wrong such as what I just shared with you, and I can't even tell you how important that is to me. I could have easily marked this instance as another introduction to one more ignorant comment...but instead it introduced me to a truly unique individual.

The whole purpose of me sharing this particular experience with you is this...March 21, 2011 marks the annual return of World Down Syndrome Day. Thousands of people will join this celebratory movement worldwide in numerous ways by showing their support of people with Down syndrome; be it in the news, at their school, on the street corner, on their t-shirt, their Facebook status, etc...

My son, Ty and I have one simple request of you on World Down Syndrome Day...be aware that your language can effect those around you, be it intentional or not. Make a concentrated effort to make those around you with or without Down syndrome or another type of intellectual disability FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES. Our hope is that your one day of thoughtfulness will turn into two, then three, then who knows how many. The sky is the limit!

Find out more about World Down Syndrome Day on their website www.worlddownsyndromeday.org or join the Event on Facebook.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

To read more curious thoughts by myself and Ty, visit our blog www.tysadventures.wordpress.com

Sacramento Electronic Music Festival 2011

2011-02-01T05:59:58Z

The Sacramento Electronic Music Festival (SEMF) 2011 held at the Townhouse Lounge on 21st Street had its third day of local, regional and international talent showcased on Saturday night. I showed up a little early and was greeted by Adam Saake organizer of the event. Adam, Clay Nutting and Tais Arises did an extraordinary job of putting on this 3 day event.

(Adam Saake said let there be SEMF)

Both floors of the Townhouse were used for SEMF. Each floor had DJ and lighting stations and a bar was fully equipped on both floors as well. Tais Arises was on hand as well announcing acts and getting the crowd into the show.

I attended the show on Saturday and heard good things about the Thursday and Friday showings. Several sponsors helped with the production of the show; One Solution, Submerge Magazine, Phonoselect Records, Documentary Foundation, Downtown Grid, Arceo Graphix, HOT ITALIAN, Skip's Music, Root Music and MobBase.

Hearts + Horses started off the evening on the first floor. As the 3 member band started their set people began moving closer to watch them play. They played their set and as they finished it left the crowd wanting more but with so many artists at hand they could only play so long. Hearts + Horses got the audience warmed up.

(Hearts + Horses)

Adam Saake took the mike after Hearts + Horses finished their set on the ground floor. “Coming up is another artist that I was a huge fan of years ago. I’m very excited he’s here.” Adam continued, “He’s about to go on very shortly so please stick around. He’s coming out and then we’ll have a short break down here. Paper Pistols will then go on upstairs and then Seventh Swami down here before we go upstairs for the rest of the show. “He then gave a shout out to some sponsors and acknowledged the DJs. I met one of them upstairs Miguel Francis but did not get the names of the others.

Chachi Jones took the stage and after experiencing some technical difficulties he began his one man show. His music showed a wide range of electronic usage to make some really neat sounds. I sat down on the floor to enjoy his sounds. Saake sitting next to me at one point said “You’re watching history.” That sounded like a pretty good review and summation to me.

(Chachi Jones)

Upstairs, Paper Pistols began setting up as Tais came on and encouraged the audience to get closer to the stage. “Okay guys let’s get ready here move on up. If we can have at least 7 people to come up. We have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… 6… and 7.” He continued, “Could get 10, if you 3 right there, I see you looking at me. If you come up to the front we can get Paper Pistols started. That’s what I’m talking about, we came to party tonight. This is the Sacramento Electronic Music Festival, last day; make some noise for my man Paper Pistols.”

(Tais Arises)

Paper Pistols began their set with a synthesized robotic voice explaining electronic music, electronic experimental music to be more exact. The voice ended by saying “This is paper pistols, this is paper pistols, this is paper pistols …” It continued repeating the same phrase over and over until the music began. People began bobbing their heads as rhythmic drums and sounds played. Other body parts began to move after instead of only the head after a minute or so.

(Paper Pistols)

The last live performance downstairs followed the Pistols’ set. Seventh Swami played on the ground floor. Another one man show, Seventh Swami played to a growing audience. At one point Swami asked if a particular person was in the audience and asked her to step forward. As she came to the front he had one question to ask her. He knelt on one knee and asked the girl if he would marry him. She said no! Just kidding she said yes, very romantic.

(Swami proposes in the middle of his set)

The rest of the evening’s live performances were upstairs. Tais welcomed everybody to the main stage and introduced Two Playa Game and later Tha Fruitbat. Tais is always out there trying to get the audience to participate and always comes through.

I started to move to the front of the stage where I stayed for the rest of the evening. “How many of you all know who Dusty Brown is? Make some noise,” said Tais. A lot of noise came back. Dusty Brown took to the stage. Dusty Brown was a nice break and enjoyed the guitar sounds. Jessica Brown’s voice as always is a great pleasure to hear. As they were finishing up their set the floor seemed to be moving. Crowd appreciation was well received by the Dusty Brown gang as they performed a great set.

(Jessica Brown of Dusty Brown)

“All the way from Toronto, let me hear your Sacramento energy as they make their way on to the stage and rock you all,” Tais announced before Bonjay took the stage. Adam also took the time to thank all the performers from the evening.

Bonjay made up of Alanna Stuart (vocals) and Pho (beats & effects) took to the stage. At one point Alanna said “It’s great to share my first time in California with you guys tonight. Our next tune is from our new cd Broughtupsy.” They performed a phenomenal set. I could feel the audience swaying to the beats of Pho and beautiful soulful voice of Alanna Stuart. “Sacramento we love you already!” Alanna was enjoying the audience reaction and the audience was enjoying Bonjay. They finished their set by performing “Gimmee Gimmee”.

(Bonjay)

The New Humans ended the night and the festival by making their second appearance on SEMF. New Humans have developed quite a following and they are one of the premier music groups in the area. The four member group brought their energy to the stage and energized the audience. Their equipment takes up a lot of stage space but they use every inch to perform for their fans. If there was anybody on the second floor listening to the New Humans for the first time for sure they would become fans after their energetic set.

(Scott Simpson from The New Humans)

DJs continued spinning and dancers continued to move to the beat after the New Humans left the stage. The 2nd Annual Sacramento Electronic Music Festival was a success. I’m sure the show organizers are already planning next year’s show. SEMF staff needs to be congratulated for another successful fest. It’s all about music and it’s all about having fun. Sacramento Electronic Music Festival was a lot of fun and there was a lot of fabulous music.

Photos: David Alvarez

When Love Hurts

2011-02-01T04:00:06Z

Children are caught in the cross fire of domestic abuse every day in the Sacramento region, and throughout California. According to Sacramento-based WEAVE Inc., nearly one in every three women will experience abuse at some time in their lives – abuse that is defined as between intimate partners, where one partner is using physical or emotional abuse to gain power or control.

The cycle of violence, which includes a tension phase, explosion, and a honeymoon period often repeat until, ultimately, someone is damaged beyond repair.
Enter Juliani Cardenas.

Juliani Cardenas is a name that every Californian has come to recognize.

An unfortunate four-year old who unwittingly graces the spotlight with his megawatt, missing-tooth smile, thanks to Jose Esteban Rodriguez’ abusive behavior and desire to control an ex girlfriend.

But Rodriquez is just one of many abusers to make headlines, and there are many more whom we will never hear about at all.

According to Sergeant Brian Dean, of the Folsom Police Department, most domestic abuse goes unreported.
“When we arrive at domestic violence calls, the person will frequently tell us this has happened before, but that he or she didn’t report it,” he said.

There are several reasons that abuse might go unreported. Sergeant Dean explained the victim might be afraid of retribution, or feel like he or she deserves the abuse. Also, the abuser might be the main breadwinner in the family.
“Frequently the violence goes unreported because the likelihood is that one of the parties is going to go to jail,” Sergeant Dean said.

Would Juliani be safely ensconced in his family home if Tabitha Cardenas, Juliani’s mother, had reported the abusive behavior?

According to statements from Amparo Cardenas, Juliani’s grandmother, Rodriguez’ three-year relationship with her daughter was “tumultuous due to his possessiveness and jealousy.”

Though Tabitha Cardenas had broken things off with Rodriguez, he continued to drive by the home – stalking behavior that must have raised red flags for the family.
Possessiveness and jealousy seem to be prime catalysts in the abuser’s arsenal of anger.

Jennifer Sanders, a petite blonde whose tired appearance ages her by 10 years, though she’s only in her mid 30s, knows how abusive a jealous lover can be. Married in 1992, Sanders’ husband, now divorced, kidnapped her at gunpoint, tortured her, and spirited her away to his mother’s home for three days.

While Sanders’ husband went to prison for his crime, the horrific night he abducted her was the first time he’d been caught, but was not the first time he displayed jealousy with his feet, fists and firearms.

The marriage was a dangerous one right from the start.
“I had a daughter from another marriage, she was five years old in 1992,” Sanders explained. “Not long ago my daughter asked me, ‘mom, do you remember when he would tie you up and make me go sit in the closet’? Everyone was afraid of him,” Sanders admitted.
When Sanders’ husband went to prison – just a three-year term, according to Sanders’, because of the fact that she was a drug addict, her husband still exerted control.
“He would keep me on the phone, from prison, practically all day and night. I would have to beg him to let me get off the phone long enough to give my daughter a bath, or to walk to the store to buy food,” Sanders said. “He made me move in to an apartment across the street from his mother, and God help anyone (male) who made eye contact with me.”

Sanders said she was too scared to reach out for help. “Everyone was so afraid of him; the whole family was,” she said.

Mona Iki, a 28 year old plump-cheeked and smiling young woman, was a victim of domestic abuse as well. She knew her husband, now divorced, was abusive when she met him.
“He had just gotten out of prison for beating another girl, but I thought I could save him,” she said. “It started slow; manhandling me, grabbing me, but it eventually progressed to full-blown punches.”

Iki said her husband was paranoid; always thought she was cheating on him.

“If we were going anywhere, I would have to look down. He would sometimes think I had a man in the house – he would frequently search. There was just no winning with him,” she said.

Today Iki’s ex husband is in prison for beating yet another woman.

Abuse is frequently repeated; a familial pattern or cycle from both the victim and perpetrator’s perspective. According to Nancy Atchley, pastor and executive director for Powerhouse Ministries, the cycle of abuse frequently begins in childhood.

“Usually trauma begins as a small child. Those people (victims) usually select partners who are abusers as well,” Atchley said. “Usually their self image is low, and often they are dealing with pain and trauma in their lives by self medicating with drugs or alcohol.”

Atchley believes that for abusers, the cycle frequently begins in the childhood home as well.

“It’s a big problem with our youth. Some young men have a father in prison, and have seen violence growing up. A lot of our men are insecure, as well,” Atchley said. “They want to be respected, and that comes out in dominating ways.”
Powerhouse offers programs that teach youth about appropriate and acceptable behavior.

“At our ‘Love on the Backseat’ event, we talk about domestic abuse, teen pregnancy – a lot of parents don’t talk to them,” Atchley said. “For some kids, this is the only sanity in their lives.”

With programs offered through organizations like Powerhouse Ministries, Women Escaping a Violent Environment (WEAVE), and drug and alcohol treatment programs, situations like little Juliani’s might be prevented.
But for now, the Patterson community holds its collective breath and waits – for a sign, a clue, or God forbid, something even worse.

Annual Winter Wine & Food Fest helps grant 100 wishes to local children

2011-02-01T03:14:06Z

Saturday, the Make-a-Wish Foundation Sacramento and Northeastern California chapter hosted the elegant 23rd Annual Winter Wine & Food Fest, featuring tasting from 120 regional wineries, breweries and restaurants.

The event also offered live music by classic cover band Over the Edge Band, a silent auction hosted by Dave Thompson from MIX 96 and a VIP live auction. The proceeds from sponsors, auction items and ticket sales will help grant wishes to local children “with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”

This year, the Make-A-Wish Foundation Sacramento and Northeastern California chapter will grant approximately 230 wishes. The goal of the event was to raise approximately $500,000, enough funds to grant about 100 wishes for local children.

“Final numbers aren’t in yet,” newly appointed Director of Development Lea Ann Carlisle said. “But we are very happy with the way things went and (we are) feeling positive about the results.

“Make-A-Wish grants wishes to every medically eligible child” she added. “We won’t turn anyone away. So if more were referred to us, we would seek out other funding to make sure it happens. (The) average cash cost of a wish is about $5,000, so we also seek donors who will ‘adopt’ a wish.”

Held at the Sacramento Convention Center, the fest is the regional organization’s largest fundraising and wish-granting event. With several loyal supports and a few new organizers this year, including Carlisle and Make-a-Wish’s new regional CEO, Kennan Bridge, there was a new style and aura to the historic event, which included a red carpet and “star-studded” interior design, which “ ties into what we do, because our children are stars,” according to Carlisle.

Many area vendors and sponsors collaborated to make the event a success. Supporters included the board of directors, chairs and volunteers, as well as local business owners and working participants who donated their time for the good cause.

One such volunteer vender was Bassil Kamas, a massage therapist from Fair Oaks. Next to several of the wineries and other vendors at the event, Kamas set up his massage chair, where he offered deep-tissue and neck and shoulder massages for more than 30 attendees.

“I got involved because I always like to give back to the community, and what better way to do it through reputable charity events?” Kamas said.

“You really see the best of people in their association for Make-A-Wish,” Carlisle said. “We have a lot of supporters who have been touched by a wish themselves or family members who have been touched by a wish. So many people are touched by our mission and personally experience the magic that we provide.”

Inspired by her life-enhancing story, this year’s Winter Wine & Food Fest planning committee chose to honor 2011 Wish Ambassador Samanatha Louie, who was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia as an infant. Despite several food allergies, her dream has been to learn to be a chef. As a Make-a-Wish Foundation grantee, Louie was able to fulfill this dream by giving her the opportunity to take cooking classes in Italy.

“My expectations don’t include anything special, I am just happy that I have a special chance to have a wish,” she wrote in the event program. “Life is sometimes a hard struggle, but this wish made my life happier. I wanted to be a chef for a long time, but I’m allergic to so many foods … Cooking in Italy makes me even happier, and cooking with my family in Italy is the best thing that could ever happen to me.”

Many of these 100 wishes will be made at the newly built “Wishing Place” at the Make-a-Wish facility in Natomas, one of three Wishing Places in the United States, and the only Wishing Place on the West Coast.

Since the facility was built 14 months ago, about 85 percent of children referred to Make-a-Wish visit the Wishing Place, a magical room filled with stars. Once there, the children are given a coin and key and then make one of several kinds of wishes that include: “I want to be…,” “I want to meet…,” “I wish to have…,” “I wish to go…” and “I wish to give…,” where children can wish to give a gift to a loved one.

“(It’s) amazing that in this economy, with all the challenges people are facing, how it takes children to remind us what really matters,” Carlisle said.

You can learn about future Make-a-Wish events and ways to help grant more wishes by visiting: www.makeawish-sacto.org/

"Bring Out the Barrel" : El Dorado Wineries

2011-02-01T02:32:18Z

El Dorado County, our neighbor to the east, is picturesque and varied. The landscape climbs from the valley floor through the foothills and all the way over the Sierra Nevadas to South Lake Tahoe.

Camino, on Highway 50 just east of Placerville, is famous for the Apple Hill fruit growers, a plethora of Christmas tree farms, and one of the most successful wine regions in California.

Each January, the El Dorado Winery Association presents “Bring Out the Barrel,” an opportunity for visitors to taste their new wine before it is bottled, blended or aged.

This year, 26 of the region’s 50-plus wineries opened their cellars to hundreds of guests. Tickets for the two-day event sold out early, and the flow of wine enthusiasts along the winding two-lane roads was steady despite the rain on Sunday.

The wineries range from Coloma in the north to Mt. Aukum, Pleasant Valley, Fair Play and Somerset in the southern part of the county. We heard glowing reports of wines from all of these places, but we were only able to visit a few cellars in Camino and one in Pleasant Valley on our trip.

As I know almost nothing about wine (yes, I’m one of those “…but I know what I like!” people), I was delighted to find that each cellar was staffed by patient and friendly folks who were happy to educate me. They were not only knowledgeable, but also clearly passionate about the wines they make and sell.

Barrel tasting is apparently a sort of gambling adventure. The wine in its young and brash state can whisper a promise or perhaps make a swaggering boast about its future in the bottle, but can it tell the truth? A wine lover has to decide how much to trust the youngster and can invest in wine futures if they dare. Not all wineries sell futures, but many do.

A late-season 2010 Zinfandel is drawn from the barrel at Lava Cap

I found that some of the barrel wines were a little rough – tasty enough, but lacking the smoothness I associate with good wine. Yet when the vintners poured the same varietal or blend from a few seasons past, the relationship was evident. All grown up, that gangly Lava Cap Rocky Dawn Zinfandel was transformed into a sophisticated sip.

Staff educate as they pour (above and below)

Of course, as the designated driver on our excursion, I swallowed not more than a couple of ounces of wine over the course of five wineries and four hours. But by the end, I was able to actually taste those rich fruit or floral tones, to appreciate the finish of a subtle Sangiovese (Jodar) paired with an artisan cheese, and to hear a wine called “impudent” without smirking behind my hand.

Wine and romance: Anthony Elges and Amy Arias traveled from Reno for the event.

While the barrel tastings serve to introduce the new wine to future investors and individuals, the winemakers are also keenly interested in introducing new wine drinkers to their products.

At Lava Cap Winery I met Adam Sonnenberg, an intern from Sacramento State University who is assisting the winery in developing a more robust social media marketing campaign to attract the 21- to 30-year-old demographic to the world of wine. Sonnenberg, seeming barely of drinking age himself, was drawn to the internship opportunity after taking a class in wine tourism.

We followed several fellow tasters as we toured the Carson Road wineries. One trio from Pleasanton had come for the barrel tasting event in 2009, and they were on their second day of exploration. They suggested some favorite wineries and wines, and photographer Kati Garner discovered a fellow fan of Narrow Gate's Chocolate Splash.

Bruce and Clairice Boom left the snow of their Pollock Pines home to take part in the event. They belong to two different wine clubs and were thoroughly enjoying themselves. We chatted over miniature cups of vegetable soup from one of the many local caterers assisting in the event.

“This is such a fun event, and educational too,” Bruce Boom explained. He said he and his wife had several wineries on their “must-visit” list, and they were eager to share their tips for making the most of our day.

On their recommendation, we visited the Madrona winery, and I was delighted to find a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bread, cheese, and a 2009 Chardonnay at Jodar Winery

While most of the participating wineries offered food or cheese pairings with their selections, it was the pumpkin bisque soup from the Illuminaire winery that won my heart, along with the unusual Amador Pinotage I tasted there.

The El Dorado wine region covers more than 2,220 acres, and the 5,200 tons of wine grapes produced in 2009 were valued at $5.9 million by the association. This makes wine one of the county’s most important industries.

As early as 1870, the El Dorado region was the second-largest producer of wine in California. The unique microclimates of hillsides oriented to full sun, partial shade and every other possible combination of soil, sun and water have enabled the cultivation of nearly 50 varieties of grape. The top six varietals (in terms of tons of grapes produced) are Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Chardonnay.

The El Dorado Winery Association succeeded in its mission to educate the uninformed and to bring new wine drinkers into the fold. I plan to spend much of the next year learning more about wine, and I will certainly make it a point to attend “Bring Out the Barrel” 2012.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Just think of the money he'll make!

2011-02-01T01:11:08Z

As I got ready to lay my head down on the pillow for the evening, I started wondering what my son would be doing when he grew up. With all his talent, the possibilities were endless. Visions of grandeur were dancing in my head.

He’ll be running down that 300-foot dark-green pasture – picking them up and putting them down, crossing white line after white line. They say he’s lightning-fast. Great hands, quick feet. No one can catch him, and Lord knows they’ve tried. A natural. A definite “blue-chipper,” they whisper in the stands.

But what about the beating he’ll take? Being hammered game after game after game. It takes a toll, you know. I know he has pads on, but so does everyone else. Their job is to hit him as hard and as viciously as they possibly can – put him on the ground so he thinks about it next the time he comes their way. A lot of guys hobble and limp around for the rest of their lives. This is starting to not sound so good.

He’s also got a real “live arm.” That, along with his great hand-eye coordination, should give him a chance. He’s always loved the smell of freshly clipped grass inside a diamond, surrounded by 47,000 cheering loyalists. Ever since he saw Reggie back in the day, he thought about following in his footsteps. Maybe it was the way you could see every one of them. Their mistakes, their glory – every position clearly defined. But it was still a team sport – one person could not win it all by himself.

But what if he gets stuck in the minor leagues? He could be riding a bus – day in and day out, week in and week out, year after year. I guess it’s one way to see the country.

And what if he hurts his arm? He could be a has-been before he even starts. Players have come and gone before him by the truckloads. Overnight sensations turned one-year wonders. Some never had a chance to endure a sophomore slump, let alone a three or four-year career.

Career? If I’d told my Dad that my career would last three or four years, he would have signed me up with the French Foreign Legion. Right then, no questions asked.

Did I tell you he’s got a great jump shot? He can drive past his buddies on the way to the hoop at any time. Nothing can stop him. If they do, he just pulls up and drains one in their faces. Great hands and a great defender. He can pick your pocket quicker and slicker than a New York City street thief. He even shoots free throws like his father’s idol, Rick Barry.

Would he be strong enough or tall enough? He’s quick, but it’s because he’s small. If his jumper was not falling, how many lay-ups would be soundly rejected into the fifth row of the arena? He’ll be going against bigger bodies game in and game out, enduring constant pounding of chest against chest or chest against back. It’s a long and tedious season. What if he’s the 12th man? Would he by OK with riding the pine?

And if all that wasn't enough, you should see him on the motocross track. He’s the first one out of the gate, and holds it wide-open all the way to the first turn. He’s not afraid of crashing. He hits every jump like he’s Evel Knievel. Nac nacs, tabletops and one-footer tail whips are all in his repertoire. The kid gets more air than Travis Pastrana in his prime. The balance, the attitude, the fearlessness – he’s a natural on two wheels.

But have you seen those guys when they crash? Oh my goodness! He’s not a crash-test dummy. Some of those guys don’t get up after a bad fall. One bad crash could end – not only his career, but maybe his life. Who is going to stand by his side when he needs to be rolled to the doctor in his vegetative state?

Too many decisions. Too much could go wrong.

Did I tell you he is smart also?

You see, my son has not even been conceived yet. He will be someday, but not yet.

I've got a lot of great ideas on what I want him to become, but that's not what's truly important. If we raise him correctly, he can make his own decisions on what he likes or doesn't like, what he wants to do or not to do.

You see, that is the question, but it’s up to him to answer it.

Tree Advocates Stress Need For Discussion, Accountability

2011-02-01T01:08:51Z

There has been an enthusiastic debate simmering in the Curtis Park neighborhood for quite some time now. The topic of discussion: heritage trees in development zones and their proposed removal. But through the passionate exchanges from local residents and the developer of the project, cooler heads express the need for civility. I learned this while speaking candidly with two citizens working hard behind the scenes on this hot-button topic over the weekend.

Patrick Soluri, Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association president, gave me the CliffsNotes version of information from years of hearings, public meetings, press releases and e-mails from neighborhood advocates.

In a nutshell: The Petrovich Development Company, owners of the former rail yards adjacent to 24th Street, plan to develop the 72-acre site and want to remove all trees on the property in efforts to clean toxins left over from years of industrial use. Neighbors around the development have voiced concerns over losing what they deem to be irreplaceable heritage oak trees on the site.

As these things tend to go, emotions became intense, promises made in good faith for whatever reason were not kept, and people’s wires have become frayed. “That’s when the notices went up on Portola Way,” Soluri said. “The letters said the trees were coming down. I thought we were going to have another discussion with the developer. For whatever reason, it didn’t happen. The neighbors became concerned.”

Fielding the concerns of neighborhood activists with their passionate beliefs and trying to find common ground to find a realistic compromise is no small task. But while the Petrovich Development Company and the SCNA have historically had a somewhat contentious relationship, Soluri said he is open for fostering a continuous and mutually respectful dialogue.

“Discussion helps.“ Soluri repeatedly said. “It gets us into the process and helps to keep the neighborhood informed. And it promotes accountability with any concessions we may achieve. If we compromise, it’s important that the terms of the compromise are followed through by those promised them. We want to make sure that happens.”

Dan Airola, a certified wildlife biologist and Curtis Park resident, pointed out that “Down the line, we’re looking at losing these trees for other reasons, too.” Final plot lines for the proposed development have yet to be drawn, and trees that pass any toxicity testing may still have a date with a chainsaw if they are in the middle of a future intersection. “But even more remarkable than the age or size of these trees is the number of migratory birds I’ve observed in these trees: much more than in the surrounding areas.”

Airola produced his own study, which claimed that the number of migratory birds using the trees slated for removal is many times higher than in the trees in populated areas. Airola said that in some cases the bird density is 38 times greater in these heritage trees that other similar areas. The reasons why these trees in particular are more dense than other requires further study, but Airola said he is unsure how any developer can replace this environment pound-for-pound without the luxury of time, a luxury the birds may not be able to afford.

“Some trees have to go.” Airola freely admitted. “The nature of the toxicity is such that no amount of cleaning can be effective without removing some trees. But any tree that can be saved should be saved. It’s a quality-of-life issue.”

While providing me with a tour of the development border, Airola’s passion for the trees’ preservation was apparent. However, so was his willingness to concede that at the end of the day a mutually beneficial compromise with the developer would still be a favorable result from this community activism.

“As soon as the permits are approved, we’ll probably lose more trees,” he said. “But if we can get some accountability on some of these concessions, then maybe we can save something irreplaceable for the future generations. Let’s get people out, let’s activate people, have a dialogue and hash this issue out.”

I was able to speak briefly with Phillip Harvey, vice president of development for the Petrovich Development Company, about finding common ground with the locals.

“We are beholden to several safety regulations in order to certify that the earth is free of toxins,” he said. “Despite rumors to the contrary, we cannot simply vacuum up the dirt around the trunks of the trees and call them safe. That’s just not how it works. However, we have been working with City Councilman (Jay) Schenirer toward moving to a conclusion on this issue, and we’re looking forward to putting this matter behind us.”

Citizens will get another chance to have to their say and hear arguments from both sides an what could be the penultimate hearing on this matter at 9 a.m. Friday at the historic City Hall, second floor, 915 I St.

For more information visit:

http://www.sierra2.org/SierraCurtisNeighborhoodAssociation/Advocacy/CurtisParkVillage/tabid/80/Default.aspx

http://www.petrovichdevelopment.com/

The Arena - How It Can Work

2011-02-01T00:57:54Z

If you have lived in Sacramento for any length of time, you will know that Arco Arena (excuse me, Power Balance Pavilion) is on borrowed time. Though it is only 25 years old, the arena was built "on the cheap" - a short term solution for the Sacramento Kings while the city could figure out a long-term solution. Well, my friends... that day is here. The City Council is trying to devise a way to pay for a $600 million arena in a faltering economy. No small feat, but it's not impossible.

What's Wrong With Arco
Arco Arena, while acceptable for many fans - is not acceptable by modern standards. Several notable event promoters such as ~~Beyonce and~~ the NCAA March Madness tournament committee have gone as far as tell us they will never play in Sacramento again. The concourse is narrow, luxury suites are few, and simply stated, the place is a barn compared to other cities. Arco is a hard sell to any basketball player who is used to playing in newer facilities - the Maloofs do what they can, but if we want the Kings to attract talent - we have to offer more than the incredible nightlife of Old Sacramento.

Who's Paying: How it Would Work
Estimates at building an arena vary, but $600 million is the most common number to the costs involved. The Maloofs have already stated they will lease for 30 years at $300million. That's half. Naming rights can fetch up to $60million. $240 million can be paid through a tourism tax. Yes... a tax.

Before you put on the brakes, let's take a visit to Orlando. Orlando used to play in a similar arena to Sacramento - it was built in 1989 and just wasn't meeting the needs of today's fans. They passed a tourism tax on hotels and rental cars to help pay for the new arena which was just opened. Taxpayers are technically paying for it - but not those who live there. When you as a Sacramento resident visit Orlando, your vacation dollars help pay for this arena. For Orlando residents, it's practically a free arena.

Think it can't happen in California? Think again. The San Franciso 49ers' new stadium in Santa Clara is being financed through a tourism tax as well. Tourism taxes are quite popular in most cities, yet Sacramento has not capitalized on it.

Who Would Get The Revenue From the Arena?
In Orlando, The City of Orlando collects revenue from non-NBA games, while the Magic get all the NBA games. There's no reason a similar deal can't be struck here. The Maloofs still benefit because they could have a better facility to draw NBA talent and can sell more luxury boxes to corporate sponsors; however the city of Sacramento doesn't lose out on revenue at the other 200 events a year. What's more, a better facility means an instant attendance boost and a major selling point to attracting (and retaining) NBA talent.

Traffic
A new arena downtown in the railyard would be built near light rail and right off the freeway. It's more centrally located for many, including most who live south of the city and on the 50 corridor, where they would drive 10 less minutes than Arco. Traffic was a concern for AT&T Park in San Francisco as well, and they have handled it very well.

The Natomas issue
I realize a new arena downtown will be a major blow to Natomas. Many restaurants in the area rely on this regular traffic to drive business. However this may be our last chance at building an arena. If the Natomas crowd puts up a public fight on the arena, it could kill the whole project - and bring down the Kings with it. Natomas is a strong community… there is no reason they can't concentrate on building a theme park or another large facility on Arco land. Please support the arena, no matter where it's built.

Money that Could Be Spent Elsewhere
I have heard quite a few cries about an arena for billionaires being built, while it could be better spent on homeless, police, or schools. I would argue that without an arena and without the Kings, I honestly doubt Sacramento will magically lose these problems. In fact, without the Arena and the Kings, I would argue this city would be far less desirable for businesses to move to - for the lack of entertainment would make Sacramento undesirable.

I ask all of Sacramento to give this one a shot. If it comes to a tourism tax, what do we have to lose? You may come up with some reason why you don't like it, but you have to see the bigger picture... is it really worth losing the Kings over? Is it really worth not having a major venue for first-class entertainment in Sacramento? Let's not cut off our nose in spite of our face - we have a great opportunity to cement this city for generations. Let's get it done!

You Don't Know...

2011-02-01T00:32:46Z

How do you remember your high school years? Some of us, myself included, would not go back even if our lives depended on it. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with a group of current high school students. I walked away feeling a mixture of exhilaration and inspiration. Despite the gloomy headlines, I felt a glimmer of hope for our nation’s future.

The impetus for this little sit-down was a conversation I recently had with my seventeen year-old son and his girlfriend Ebony. I had been fishing for good ideas for an article. In response to my question they both immediately replied, “You need to come to Sac High.” When I asked why, Ebony responded “Because they’re always writing articles about our school, but no one comes and talks to us, the students, to see what we think and feel.” Since my son is a man of few words, Ebony continued to elaborate why she felt so strongly about this issue. By the end of this conversation they had me convinced, this was a great idea.
So after a few confused attempts on my part, I sat down with Ebony and a few of her classmates on an overcast Friday afternoon.

All of them seniors, each came to attend Sac High for a number of different reasons. Chris, 18, chose Sac High, after he moved here from Oakland, because he wanted to attend a school that was strong in academics and had a competitive basketball team. Jaylyn, 18, attends Sac High because it’s her home school and her family has always attended. Canoe, 18, who moved here from Wisconsin after her sophomore year, liked the idea that Sac High was identified as a College Prep High School. Janelle, 17, chose Sac High on her own because she wasn’t convinced that her home high school would give her a great education. Her mother had reservations over concerns for Janelle’s safety, but was convinced after attending an Open House at Sac High. Ebony, 18, came to attend Sac High because her older brother, who graduated two years ahead of her, earned a 0.5 GPA his freshman year at their home school. Their father, who graduated from Sac High in 1982, decided to transfer his son to his alma mater where he was able to maintain a GPA of 3.0. After that Ebony’s dad decided that Ebony and her younger brother would attend Sac High as well.

Before I had even asked a question Jaylyn, Janelle and Ebony were sharing vivid memories of attending Sacramento Unified School Board Meetings their freshman year in support of Sac High. They are still struck by comments made by some of the opponents of Sac High becoming a Charter School.

“Going to the board meetings were really emotional because people were saying things like, ‘All the kids that go to Sac High are bad kids and they’re never going to be anything,’” Janelle recalled.

Ebony jumped in to share, “Some of the people were blatantly racist, they called us niggers and spics,” she went on, “but what made us look good is we didn’t get outraged, we didn’t scream, we just sat there and listened professionally.”

“We came in charter buses filled with students dressed in purple,” Jaylyn shared, “…and we had former students that were successful come to share…there was nothing they [opponents] could object to.”

When I ask how much they understand about the controversy surrounding Sacramento Charter High School Jaylyn, begins “They feel that we pick only the highest students…but it’s not really like that, the application is to get you ready for what you’re going to be doing later on during college…they don’t say ‘You’re denied.’ they accept everyone.”

“To add on to that,” Janelle chimes in, “They felt that our campus was too large for so few students, they felt we didn’t deserve all of this land to ourselves…they wanted to trade our campus with West Campus.” Ebony piped in, “They have even less students than we do.”
Chris shared, “At one point they wanted to split our campus with another high school.” Currently Sac High shares the campus with a middle school and an adult school.
An issue that came up repeatedly is the stereotypes that Sac High is up against.

“They say it’s ghetto, it’s in Oak Park, but I thought that too until I went here,” says Ebony.

Jaylyn went on, “I grew up in Oak Park schools (practically) my whole life…They think it’s as bad as Compton back in the day. To be honest I feel safe…everybody knows each other here…they’re like ‘Oh you go to Sac High? Do you know my little cousin or my daughter?’” she wrapped up with, “You don’t know until you come here.”

Janelle summarized it this way, “The students who come to Sac High, want to come to Sac High, and they want to become something, and the teachers who come to Sac High, want to come to Sac High and they want us to become somebody, and they help us become somebody.” She elaborated, “When I came here I was a decent student. Since coming to Sac High I’ve applied to Harvard and Stanford…I found out I got a full-ride today. I ran around the whole school to the teachers, because they share the joy with you. If I was in other schools I wouldn’t have ran around to teachers and even students (yelling the news).”
“When I came here I wasn’t a superb student,” Jaylyn intoned, “unlike her, I was average. So when I received my first scholarship to Menlo University, I told Ms. Stark and she screamed for joy and grabbed me by my wrist and dragged me around the school. Because when I came here I was a bad student or a delinquent… So basically she saw a creation that she made.”

Chris shares, “At other schools I hear them say how they have to do it all by themselves. At Sac High it’s mandatory to get help. A lot of people say how stressful it is to apply for college…Lot’s of times me and my friends sat down and looked through the papers together and we just work through it together.”

Both Jaylyn and Janelle participate in the Link Crew, an organization that many campuses have adopted. The Link Crew connects successful upper classmen with incoming freshmen to be mentored.

“We help them understand that Sac High is going to push you, and we’re going to push you even further,” Janelle says.”

Jaylyn shares “Two upper classmen are assigned eleven freshmen…When they come with the excuses we can say, ‘I already know, I’ve been there, done that. I just said that three years ago.’”

“We went to a convention and we got to talk with Link Crews from other campuses, and I realized how much our Link Crew does. We go to their advisory class every Tuesday, we check their grades, we give them advice,” Janelle continues, “Sometimes I feel like I’m being mean, but I know it’s not me being mean, it’s me caring.”
“Other schools shared that they only see their freshmen passing in the halls or at random,” offers Jaylyn, “Even though, they have an entire class period devoted to Link Crew. I had a freshman that was ready to give up, so we developed a system where if her GPA drops below 3.0 she owes me candy, if it’s above I owe her. We’re able to develop those personal relationships.”

“One thing that I noticed is that Link Crew gets it in their heads that freshman year does count,” Ebony goes on, “When you’re doing that cumulative GPA your senior year you’re not saying, ‘Oh no, I shouldn’t have messed up freshman year.’”

Canoe was not as forthcoming as the other students and had to be encouraged to speak up. When I asked how she would describe her relationship with her teachers she said, “Oh they’re very helpful. For example, when I went to Mr. Slakey for help on an essay even though he had a stack of essays in front of him, he stopped and helped me with my essay.”

One refrain I heard repeated is that everyone at Sac High is a family. Even if you’ve never had a teacher’s class you can still approach them and ask for help.

Janelle volunteers, “It’s not just the faculty, it’s the St. Hope staff. They’re always on campus, they know us by name, they ask about our grades.”

One of the Sac High experiences that had a huge impact on Janelle is a Back to School Night she attended with her mother. Her teacher, Mr. Ross, said ‘Janelle’s a great student, but she doesn’t try.’ She went on, “I thought, ‘How can I have an A if I don’t try?’ I didn’t understand what he meant until this year. I was failing Calculus, so I had to try. The teachers here, I don’t want to say they’re tough on you but they’re honest. That will always stay in my head. Mr. Ross has personally touched my life by saying that.”
“A lot of people talk about the long hours at Sac High,” Chris says, “It passes quickly though, everyone that’s gone on to college says the long classes prepared them…some of their lectures are shorter than our classes. We take so many notes at Sac High, AP class or not…they’re going to base the test off of those notes, so if you don’t study it’s going to make you study.”

Jaylyn and Chris shared that as students, they’ve learned to hold each other accountable, “We literally have all of our classes together, so we’ll text each other to remind us to complete all of our homework.” Jaylyn goes on, “Ebony taught me to start out strong to give myself a good foundation.”

“Sac High definitely emphasizes accountability,” Janelle says. She begins to say “Own it, Fix it, Learn from it,” and the others enthusiastically join in. “They definitely make you accountable for your stuff, but they will help you.”
Chris shared that he found himself using one of the study skills he’d learned in school on his SAT and ACT. “I knew I didn’t have to do it but I found myself trying to justify my answers. I was surprised at my scores, that actually worked.”

A lesson that stands out for some of them is that Mr. Ross, a chemistry teacher, has the periodic table taped to his floor. He had them stand on the table as elements, when they became a different element they had to explain why. They shared, “The teachers here mix things up [teaching styles] so everyone has the opportunity to learn differently.”
Chris remembers, “I told my chemistry teacher that all sciences are not my thing, and that when I go home I play basketball to relieve stress. She told me to leave my flashcards on the baseline and every time I shot a basket run to the baseline and read a flashcard… surprisingly it worked. I passed honors Chemistry.”

These young people had shared so enthusiastically throughout this interview that by the time I asked “What do you wish people knew about Sac High?” I knew I would get an earful.

Right away Janelle says, “I wish people would come to Sac high for a week and experience it with an open mind.” They go on to address the school uniform issue. All of them came to like wearing uniforms for the convenience. “A month into your freshman year you realize the only thing you have to worry about is, ‘Did I wash on the weekend?’”

“I wish that people knew that people here not only want to better themselves,” Janelle enthuses, “they want to better those around them. We go to do our community service hours and our teachers show up to do it with us.”
Once prompted, Canoe shares, “I noticed that when students leave, they end up coming back,” she laughs.
“I probably would have been successful at other schools, but Sac High pushed me beyond my limits,” concludes Janelle.

Jaylyn pipes in, “My advisor Mr. Sullivan knows I want to be a lawyer, so when I have an opinion he debates me to make me justify my opinion. He says I need to start preparing now.”

My final question was what they would change about Sac High. Jaylyn acknowledges that the only thing that she would change would probably be that students be allowed to accessorize their uniforms more. The others agree that Sac High has been so responsive to students needs over the years that they can’t think of anything major that needs to be changed. “They don’t hold our hands but they definitely guide us. They make sure we’re doing it for ourselves.”

When I direct the question toward Canoe she opens up that, “To be honest when I first came here I wished that there was more diversity here,” she goes on, “Now, I blend in. I realize I have at least one thing in common with every other person.”

That prompts a discussion of how accepting the Sac High community is of all types of people. So I bring up the topic of bullying. What follows is one of the most touching parts of the interview for me. Janelle volunteers, “I’ll just bring it up. I like girls. In the news there’s been stories about people committing suicide when they go off to college, because they’re bullied because they’re gay…at Sac High you don’t get bullied, you don’t lose friends over it, it’s like, it is what it is, it’s okay, that’s who you are…Freshman year I was scared to be who I was …because I still had a young mind, I thought there was something wrong with me…[here] they definitely teach you to embrace yourself and embrace others.”

On the topic of bullying as a whole they agree that there’s very little, because the students tend to address it themselves, putting pressure on the bully to knock it off. “Students have character here to stick up for people.” When I asked how they felt about how the staff responded to bullying Jaylyn replied, “Because we handle it, it doesn’t [usually] even get to them. When we can’t handle it they [the staff] will set a[those involved] down and address it.”
As I concluded the interview my younger son, who will be an entering freshman this fall at Sac High spoke up to ask, “How do you guys think the Quick Look-up every week helps you?” He was referring to the weekly grade report that students have to have signed every Tuesday. Everyone agreed that the accountability this brought helped them stay focused. But more than that they shared how the Quick Look-up has inspired friendly competitions within the school that have made learning fun. “They add a little friendly competition to it,” Chris says, “So whichever class has the best grades or haven’t been sent to the office for the previous month, the next month, every Friday they get to wear jeans.”

Ebony laughs, “The Seniors win a lot.”

Janelle adds seriously, “They definitely teach us that in order to be successful you have to enjoy what you’re doing.”
“I get excited for Tuesdays,” Jaylyn enthuses, “not only do I get to see if I made progress, but afterward I get to meet with my freshmen to see how they’re doing.”

As we’re concluding the interview, their conversations turn to the after school activities they might have missed or need to get to. I left feeling as if I didn’t have the time to thank them properly for stopping for a moment to open their hearts to me in this way. Walking away, my head is reeling and I’m feeling just the tiniest bit overwhelmed. I feel the burden to make sure their voices are heard.

As adults we each have our own positions for our own reasons. That’s fine, but we can’t lose sight of the fact that a teen has a finite amount of time to experience high school. It’s easy to feel like we have years or generations to fix our societal issues. The reality is for our children, their foundations are being built right now, they won’t get a do-over. I can’t tell you what to take away from this article, I just ask that you sincerely hear their voices, and you respond with the respect and actions that they deserve.

Can Open Access to Municipal Data Work in Sacramento?

2011-02-01T00:17:51Z

The Greater London Authority has created a website called London Datastore. I learned of the GLA and the London Datastore in article in one of the January Time magazines titled “London: Turning Access into Apps” by Mark Halper. The article is part of a series titled “Intelligent Cities.”

It was this specific article that started me thinking. Although London, England, is a very different city from Sacramento in so many ways, would this open access to municipal government data work in Sacramento?

The GLA (a cross-borough agency) has directed all London government agencies and civil servants to dump all their data into the Datastore. The data is then available to citizens and groups to mine through for free.

Many of the apps (short for applications for the non techie) created simply make life easier, such as better bike routes, underground schedules, traffic routes, etc.

The ones that caught my eye were the ones that created more open government. Two cited in the article were Open Knowledge Foundation, which has created a site called WhereDoesMyMoneyGo.org, and Pushrod Ltd., which built OpenlyLocal.com. One of the direct financial gains is the reduction in the cost of government contracts when the data is public.

This begs the question: Would citizen access to municipal data in Sacramento help prevent such things as the very costly building and utility department scandals? These and other legal problems for the city occurred while Ray Kerridge was city manager. Many city residents consider Kerridge as notoriously restrictive of citizen access to any information, including municipal data.

Former city manager Kerridge and former council member Hammond Photo: Bento

The Time article actually starts with a quote from London Mayor Boris Johnson: "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."

As far as Sacramento is concerned, would there be resistance to opening city data to citizens? I can easily imagine there would be. Just to begin with, this involves change, including one of the most difficult, change of culture. It also has the potential to expose employees who are not doing their job.

Would the city of Sacramento do this voluntarily? I believe the initiative to do this would have to come from the mayor and City Council. Do any of them have the intestinal fortitude to push this much more open government, let alone find enough support for majority approval?

Mayor Johnson Photo: Darnell

Council members Cohn and Fong Photo: Darnell

Could this change be forced on the city? The initiative is a very powerful force in California. I am certainly not an expert on citizen initiatives and do not know if it could be used in this application. I am clear that there are forces within and outside that government that, for their own interests, would fight voter approval. (See building department scandals above.)

And finally, are there citizens and groups that would acquire this data and make positive use of it? I would answer unequivocally yes. There are groups and citizens that already use data now available, demand data under the freedom of information act and sue for data that have stopped or greatly altered major projects and policies. One example is changes to the construction of HOV lanes on US 50. Citizens reviewing data from the city parking division ended the practice of charging for visitor permits for residential parking permit areas.

There is also the financial incentive. While some techies might create apps from data for the fun of it, others would create apps that provide greater convenience to sell at what the market will bear. Undoubtably others would use the data to reduce the cost of government and therefore fees and taxes.

I would encourage SacPress readers to read the Time series online and learn how cities, big and not-so-big, are using their government data to improve the lives of their residents and make their governments accountable and think about what would work in Sacramento.

PART 2 - This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land: Looking Back at 50 Years of the Capitol Area Plan

2011-01-31T23:13:54Z

(Read Part 1 here, or click on the green Storyline tab)

When CADA issued a Request for Proposals to private developers in 2000, the subsequent fight between RMCG advocates and CADA ended in 2004 with the RMCG’s destruction and two new gardens, one built as part of Fremont Mews and one built near Southside Park. A full account of the final protracted battle—especially regarding the lawsuits, the soil remediation issue, and the garden advocates’ organizing strategies—is still lacking, but the contested details of those years are not covered here. Instead, two of CADA’s tactics during this period are reconsidered in light of the evidence presented thus far: one, their presentation of the block’s 1997 housing designation as historically consistent and absolutely immutable, and two, their slippery use of the term “public.”

Not long after issuing the RFP, CADA disseminated a brochure entitled “Striking a Balance: CADA and the Mandella Gardens,” which stated:

“For a quarter century the State of California has owned Site 13…the land has been designated on the Capitol Area land use plan for residential use. CADA is proposing that the site be developed consistent with this long-established Plan…urban open space will be retained and housing and potential mixed use development can occur just as always intended.”

The CAP is perfectly capable of shifting buildings and uses from one site to another—and it has done so countless times. The 1997 introduction explicitly stated, “variances in these designations have continuously occurred throughout the plan implementation.” And the planned uses for block 286 have morphed almost as often as the gardens were threatened. The 1960 CAP created the true blight in the first place by razing the existing housing in order to give state workers a view of Fremont Park on their lunch break. Various configurations of parking, office buildings, ownership housing, rental housing, and retail (remember the grocery store proposal?) have been revised multiple times over the past fifty years. In Traci Sinclair’s 2000 Sacramento News & Review article about the RMCG, CADA Development Director Tom Kigar stated, “This site has always been seen as a residential site.” Besides being ironic, since the block was obviously seen as residential before the state destroyed the homes, this statement is also not true, as evidenced by five decades of assorted proposed uses.

The frequent redesignations could be seen as evidence of the CAP’s agility in meeting changing conditions, and indeed, the 1977 and 1997 CAPs boast endlessly about their flexibility. But all that shifting also shows that nothing prohibited the CAP from reclassifying any block—what never shifted was the designation of a mere half-block to permanent garden space. Why? Mark Francis’s article quoted several CADA officials as saying, “‘I do not see state authorities going for permanent gardens; it is a highly valuable piece of property’…‘the moment can still happen when the space will have to be developed’ as a result of rising real estate values.” The white-hot real estate market of the early 2000s was the tipping point for the RMCG’s demise, though at the time, CADA rarely mentioned housing demand, instead emphasizing downtown’s need for affordable housing. Of course no one is opposed to affordable housing, but it is not mutually exclusive with a half-block of affordable food.

CADA also used the term public disingenuously in different ways. In “Striking a Balance,” CADA claimed that it was “as good stewards of public land that we pursue the responsible intended use of this land.” Such a claim omits how the state forced the block to become public land in the first place. And as shown, by definition the agency would not pursue anything but housing development—it does not exist to provide holistic stewardship of all possible public land uses. Moreover, pro-development arguments at the time painted the gardeners as selfishly clinging to taxpayers’ land for the sake of a private playground. Yet CADA’s solution to the problem of a group supposedly claiming exclusive rights to public land, as a “good steward” of that public land, was to sell the site to a private developer so it could be turned into private housing.

“Striking a Balance” also claimed that CADA was requiring “nearly one-half acre of public open space be a component” of the RFP responses, and CADA has made much of the so-called replacement gardens that are now managed by the city. It is true that many people prefer the new gardens, and many more people have no opinion at all. But the Fremont Community Garden and the new Southside Community Garden do not actually replace the RMCG, nor are they truly public. Obviously, the OSCG has never been replaced (except by parking, until the CAP once again shifted its use), and the RMCG’s scores of fruit trees have never been replaced. Most significantly, the RMCG was genuinely public. The fence was unlocked from dawn until dusk seven days a week, there were ample community beds, and there were community events and celebrations regularly.

Neither the Fremont Community Garden nor the new Southside Community Garden is open to the public. Anyone may apply to rent a plot, but that is equivalent to other membership-based private buildings (e.g., fitness centers), not equivalent to public institutions (e.g., libraries). If community gardens are defined as strictly places where plants are grown, than the RMCG has been replaced, square foot for square foot. But if community gardens are defined as by-the-public-for-the-public communities, then the loss is unquantifiable. It can be rebuilt, but not replaced.

The impossibility of replacement raises a difficult question. Each version of the CAP has claimed its flexibility permitted responsiveness to changing conditions. Soon after the Fremont Mews was built, conditions did in fact change: the housing market tanked, and green chic and the recession have raised community gardens’ cachet again. But those particular community gardens on that particular block, those gardens that were on our land and were open to all of us, are gone forever. Was it worth it? It’s a question to keep in mind for all future development projects, especially in view of the CAP’s legacy for downtown.

The 1960 CAP’s authors did not care that its implementation would destroy the community on block 286, because they did not see a community worthy of continued existence—they only saw a chunk of real estate that could be captured, renamed and rebuilt to serve the state’s purposes and the city’s image. The community then challenged the state’s imposition of its will on the neighborhood by salvaging the wreckage of their “monumental seat of government” and developing it into productive green space for everybody.

The 1977 CAP positioned itself as righting the wrongs of the 1960 CAP—although it certainly was not planning to give the original residents their homes back—but both versions never questioned their legitimacy in imposing the state’s vision, however virtuous, without the community’s consent or approval. The 1977 CAP declared, “There must be a ‘Capitol Community’ espirit which grows out of the physical environment,” but refused to acknowledge the community which had organically grown out of, and in spirited response to, the state’s annihilation of the physical environment.

The 1997 CAP continued the legacy of ignoring the community-created development and presenting the state’s capricious whims—allegedly validated by selectively solicited public opinion and urban planning trends—as the only way to develop a vibrant, viable downtown. Shielded by the threadbare histories of Capitol Area redevelopment, CADA obscured the issue of public space to justify state-led development.

Ultimately, the state has always justified the CAP through its self-defined mandate. The 1977 CAP author argued “the plan couldn’t fulfill its mandate without using [block 286] for housing.” CADA repeatedly cited its legislative mandate in their quest to destroy the gardens. The CAP’s legacy is the state’s unwavering indifference to the community it purported to develop, all the while insisting that it was dutifully pursuing the public good. The people constitute the public, however, not the state. For the past fifty years, the people’s mandate has yet to be fulfilled in any version of the CAP.

If you have more information about block 286’s history since 1950, please consider sharing it in the comments or donating it to the Ron Mandella Community Garden Archives at CSUS.

Thanks to Judge Lloyd Connelly, Mark Francis, Tom Kigar, Bill Maynard, Judy Michalowski, Evan Tucker, and Barry Wasserman for their assistance with researching this article.

Special thanks to the staff and volunteers at: The Center for Sacramento History, the State Library, the State Archives, and the Sacramento Special Collections and University Archives at CSUS.

Dedicated to my mom, Nancy Fish (7/13/1950-1/18/2011).

1966 Meeting Minutes of the State Public Works Board

California State Archives: DOF - Exec. Office Records - Deputy Director (1965-1966) R157.40

Jordon Condemnation

California State Archives: State Land Deeds 62-759

Bozaich Condemnation

California State Archives: State Land Deeds 62-179

"Striking a Balance" Brochure

CADA brochure, CADA Public Relations 2000-2003, Box 4, MSS 2005/06, Ron Mandella Community Garden records, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, The Library, California State University, Sacramento.

Volunteers are 'heart and soul' of Red Cross

2011-01-31T23:13:32Z

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to the smell of smoke and the sound of a shrieking alarm - your home is on fire! You and your family safely hurry out of the house as the fire department arrives. Standing in the street in your pajamas, you huddle with your family as the tragedy sinks in. Even if the fire was extinguished quickly, your home is probably not inhabitable. Your food, clothing and furniture are damaged by fire, smoke or water. As you begin to ponder your next steps, you are introduced to volunteers who warm you with a blanket and talk to you about food and clothing allowances, temporary lodging and emotional support.

Where did these helpers come from?

The American Red Cross is widely known for preparedness and response to large disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the Haiti earthquake. A lesser-known fact is the Red Cross also provides around-the-clock response services for smaller local disasters that impact individuals and families. A Disaster Action Team or DAT provides these response services.

The Capital Region Chapter of the American Red Cross is headquartered in Sacramento and supports 11 counties in Northern California. Capital Region Chapter Chief Executive Officer, Dawn Lindblom, said, “People are most surprised to hear about the single family house fires that we respond to on a daily basis. Here, at our chapter, we respond to something on average every 21 hours.”

In the Sacramento area, five Disaster Action Teams rotate weekly responsibility for responding to house and apartment fires, local flooding or other events that displace people. Each Sacramento-area DAT consists of 10-12 volunteers: a captain, co-captain and team members. DAT members receive training and are available on-call 24 hours a day; they often respond to events in the middle of the night.

A Red Cross Disaster Action Team is usually notified by first-responders when assistance might be needed. The DAT captain will contact the other team members and meet at the event as soon as possible. Upon arrival, the team members will find the impacted people and assess the level of need. The support options are designed to provide necessary relief for the first 72 hours after the disaster. Based on need, up to three days of lodging may be provided as well as food and clothing vouchers. DAT volunteers will arrange replacement of lost medications and give stuffed animals to young children to provide comfort. Mental health services are also offered for those suffering the anguish of the event.

Elbie Diggs, a warehouse worker in Woodland, learned about the Red Cross years ago when he was eight years old. He was staying at a motel in West Sacramento with his mother and sister when a fire broke out. Red Cross volunteers helped his family after the fire.

On January 4 of this year, Elbie was preparing dinner in his Woodland apartment for himself and his twin six-month-old daughters. He saw flames in the ceiling of his bathroom and immediately carried his girls outside. In a telephone interview Elbie said, “It was extremely terrifying. But the Red Cross was a great support. I really appreciate what they did for me. If it wasn’t for them, we would have really been stuck out in the cold.” Red Cross DAT volunteers arranged temporary lodging, food and clothing allowances for him and his girls. “The Red Cross, they’re volunteers. So they came out, and they didn’t have to do anything they did. I felt blessed. It could have been worse,” he said. A faulty ventilation fan was the cause of the fire that destroyed the building.

Clarksburg resident Kathy Hunn volunteered for the Red Cross immediately after Hurricane Katrina devastated many of the southern states of the country. She attended training classes and was deployed to Biloxi, Mississippi for three weeks. After returning home, she volunteered to serve local needs as a DAT member and team captain. Hunn said, “Everybody who gets involved with the Red Cross is there because they want to help people. Almost to a person, you’ll ask them, ‘Why are you here?’ and that’s their response. That’s a real draw for working in the Red Cross.” Hunn continues to serve as a Disaster Action Team member and has expanded her work into other Red Cross services. “I love doing what I’m doing. I love working with the people that I have a chance to work with, from the volunteers all the way up to the paid staff. We have a wonderful group of paid staff,” she said.

Phil Davis is the Director of Emergency Services at the Capital Region Chapter. Davis said, “Volunteers really are the heart and soul of the Red Cross. Nationally, 97% of all Red Cross responders are volunteers. Only 3% are paid staff members. We couldn’t accomplish the mission unless we had the committed and dedicated volunteers that we do. We can’t ever have too many volunteers.” In addition to front-line response services, volunteers often perform very technical and complex jobs, such as computer support, disaster services technology, satellite communications and mental health support.

In addition to the generous gift of time by the volunteers, the Red Cross also depends on donations for financial support. Davis said, “The Red Cross is completely funded through donations and grants. No tax dollars whatsoever come to the Red Cross for services provided. So we do count on corporate donations as well as individual donations to survive.” Davis continued, “Ninety-one cents out of every dollar that is donated ends up assisting clients.” Davis said the remaining 9% is used to cover overhead costs of the organization.

The American Red Cross also provides health and safety education and training, support services to members of the military and their families, and international services.

For anyone considering becoming a volunteer, Hunn advises, “First off, come to the volunteer orientation. That gives you an overview of what’s going on in the Red Cross. There are so many options available…you start taking classes that specialize in what you’d like to do. We’re always looking for more volunteers. There’s always something to do.”

Lindblom added, “We want to make sure that volunteers that come here feel that they’re needed and that they’ve gotten the appropriate training to be able to respond to a disaster, or provide training on how to teach a CPR or First Aid class, or serving military members in the outreach efforts that we do in the community.”

For more information about the Capital Region Chapter of the American Red Cross, call (916) 993-7070 or visit their website.

Photos, video and audio by Ron Nabity.

PART 1 - This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land: Looking Back at 50 Years of the Capitol Area Plan

2011-01-31T23:12:09Z

Fifty years ago last month, the California State Legislature adopted the first version of the Capitol Area Plan (CAP). Revised in 1977 and again in 1997, this document’s incarnations have ordered the acquisition and arrangement of the state’s central city properties in the Capitol Area, a state-defined zone encompassing a sizeable swath of downtown.

The story of Sacramento’s downtown development is convoluted, but the CAP is a key thread throughout that story. To mark its golden anniversary, this retrospective focuses on how the plan affected a specific block: the one enclosed by 14th, 15th, P and Q streets. Once the site of the Ron Mandella and Southside Community Gardens, identified as block 286 in the original plan and known as site 13 during its most notorious period, its contentious history is as misunderstood as the CAP itself.

The first CAP’s local context was the staggering number of Capitol-centric studies and proposals floated throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Like most U.S. urban cores during the 1950s, downtown Sacramento had a tax base seeping out to the suburbs and a residential population that didn’t match televised examples of desirable neighborhoods. Even though the full story of U.S. postwar development is much more complex, for the purpose of putting the CAP in national context, the most important part to know is that massive federal funding incentivized local projects claiming to solve so-called blight. As historian Rebecca Solnit put it, “Blight was the magical word of the era of urban renewal, a word whose invocation justified the destruction of housing, communities and neighborhoods in many American cities.” In the subsidy-soaked wake of the 1945 California Redevelopment Act and the 1949 Federal Housing Act, the Sacramento City Council declared a sixty-block slice of downtown blighted in 1950.

The blight designation galvanized the West End redevelopment, a city-spearheaded project that displaced of thousands of people. The Public Administration Service’s summary of the project, published the year demolition began, gave the principal reason for the human displacement and physical destruction: “the improvements wrought by downtown redevelopment will make the entrance from the West one befitting a city that has a major place among the capital cities of the nation.” (The above photo of Taylor’s Drugstore, taken on the first day of demolishment, is one example of the community’s reaction to the improvements).

The West End was only one facet of the city’s makeover, though, because the state had a stake in downtown’s image too. In 1959 the State Legislature formed a commission charged with producing a master plan for developing “future State buildings in the Capitol area of the City of Sacramento.” The Commission assembled consultants in July of 1960, and they published the California State Capitol Plan (the CAP’s initial title) on December 12, 1960.

The proposed Beaux-Arts state worker supercampus hewed to the vision of Pat Brown’s grandiose California Master Plan. In order to replace the low-income (and multi-ethnic) neighborhoods bordering Capitol Park with interlocking satellite campuses and superblocks, the CAP recommended that the State buy 42 blighted blocks south and east of the Capitol and demolish the existing buildings. The document candidly laid out the state’s intent to leverage both the federal subsidies and the political support for redevelopment, not to improve slum conditions, but to install a postcard-perfect setting for Capitol Park.

The CAP went beyond merely organizing or consolidating existing state property. Instead, it mandated total visual consistency in the Capitol’s environs: “The principal purpose of the plan is to give California a noble and monumental seat of government. This aim cannot be accomplished unless Sacramento becomes a great capital city. Therefore, the plan looks beyond the confines of the Capitol complex, to its approaches and to the surrounding areas.” Within the blighted area, the CAP demarcated and named a second area, in effect doubly damning those neighborhoods. Targeted by both city and state for architectural sanitization, “Capitol Area” residents were left with little recourse.

The CAP recommended the State Legislature act quickly: “Because almost all of the properties now are occupied by relatively low value improvements, the land should be purchased before new development greatly increases its cost. Properties not needed for building sites, parks and plazas by 1980 are to be used for parking lots on an interim basis.” Meaning, the plan’s authors fully expected some blocks to remain vacant for up to twenty years.

Despite its inclusion in the 1950 blight decree, block 286 was still intact ten years later, comprising mostly homes built between 1880 and 1920. The 1960 CAP slated them for replacement with a cafeteria and three office buildings.

Two years after the Plan’s adoption, however, a Capitol Building and Planning Commission’s report showed that land acquisition was not proceeding as planned, and called for more aggressive methods. Under the heading “Emergency Purchases,” the report outlined the barriers to state purchase and the solution:

“Since the adoption of the Capitol plan there have been several proposals by private property owners to place expensive improvements on land which is included in the plan…Several persons have experienced difficulty in selling because of a feeling of uncertainty on the part of potential buyers once they know the property is included in the Capitol plan. The recommended solution to this problem is outright acquisition by the State through a revolving fund established for this purpose. This should be accomplished at the earliest possible date.”

The minutes of the State Public Works Board’s meetings between 1964 and 1967 prove the Board authorized and deployed eminent domain in order to seize the properties on block 286 (a simple definition of eminent domain is when the government compels the sale of private property, in order to build projects ostensibly for public benefit, such as a freeway). With the threat of eminent domain looming, most property owners sold their homes and left. A few property owners remained defiant and held on to their homes until a court issued condemnation orders in 1970, giving the parcels to the state. (The homes pictured above were among the seized properties, and were on a section of the block where the original Southside Community Garden [OSCG] later overlapped with the Ron Mandella Community Garden [RMCG]. The Center for Sacramento History has photographs of nearly every home on the block’s Q street side that the RMCG occupied).

After Reagan became governor, he cut the funding for the building phase of the CAP and leased state office space from the private sector. Both the 1977 and 1997 CAPs claim the leasing program caused the geographic dispersion of state offices. This is not true, since legislators had been complaining about scattered state facilities for decades prior and the 1960 CAP failed to make significant progress on that front. But even if the leasing program had caused state building sprawl, there’s a more salient point: several parcels on block 286 were acquired, some by eminent domain, after Reagan took office in 1967. If his administration didn’t intend to fund development, why did they continue to seize and demolish homes? Neither the 1977 nor 1997 CAPs’ summaries of the 1960 CAP mention eminent domain at all. Nor do they explain why seizure and demolition of residences continued for years after the 1960 CAP’s goals were abandoned and defunded.

Roughly around the same time, a loosely affiliated mix of local residents, college students, and state workers began cultivating the freshly bulldozed block. Various sources trace the earliest garden activity as beginning anywhere from the mid-1960s to 1975. The RMCG’s archived internal documents cite 1971. The Sacramento Bee has published a few different start dates in different articles. The EPA’s Brownfields website says the garden began in the mid-1960s, and the Fremont Community Garden’s webpage says the late 1960s. Judge Lloyd Connelly, who assisted the RMCG when he was on the Sacramento City Council and again during his California Assembly tenure, told me he could not remember when the garden started. The sparse documentation of this chapter of the gardens’ story underscores the importance of rigorous local history.

At the very least, the above photo of unidentified gardeners is dated circa 1973. It seems likely the first lease was brokered between the long-since-defunct Ecology Action Center and the Department of General Services (DGS) in 1974, formalizing the “Terrafirma Garden.” (I was unable to verify whether the OSCG splintered off from Terrafirma, or if it was always separately managed). In an arrangement typical of most 1970s-era community gardens that were started in response to the failure of urban renewal, the lease with DGS was short-term, renewable, and $1 per year.

Both community gardens had been cultivated for at least four years when the 1977 CAP was published, after DGS recommended a complete review in 1973 and Jerry Brown ordered an update in 1975. The revised CAP still focused on state building development, but with the younger Brown’s small-is-beautiful spin. Former State Architect Barry Wasserman, one of the 1977 CAP’s primary authors, described the plan as a “demonstration project” that showed how to “rebuild a part of the city that needed rebuilding in a compassionate, holistic way.”

Despite several paragraphs rhapsodizing about open space, including the possibility that “sites may offer community gardening with plots available to residents and members of the community who want to grow food and flowers,” the 1977 map divvied block 286 into three-quarters housing and one-quarter parking. Though Brown later founded a nonprofit that touted community gardening, during the time he was overhauling his father’s CAP (and living one block away from the gardens), he did not take the opportunity to permanently dedicate the block to community gardening.

I asked Wasserman how the State Architect’s office perceived the Terrafirma Garden, since it preceded the CAP’s revision. He described the garden as a “purely temporary example of what could be” (he also described the planned office buildings as “demonstration buildings,” and noted a separate “demonstration garden” was built nearby, which closed after a few years). When I asked why block 286 was designated as housing, pointing out that the plan did call for community gardens, he replied that housing “was a way to use the land in a way that most supported the principles of the plan.”

Yet the housing designation can only be seen as a subjective decision, since using the block as garden space surely supported the plan’s principles of conservation, diversity and open space (the design of the latter, the plan admonished, “should always be done with people in mind”). Furthermore, disregarding the community-developed site use in favor of state-planned parking and housing—even as a genuinely well-intentioned attempt to restore the block to its pre-1960 CAP use—violated the plan’s principle of community development.
The redesignation notwithstanding, the gardens were still thriving in 1978 when two events transferred the lease to new parties. Ron Mandella, a state worker and founding garden member (pictured here in the Center for Sacramento History image archives), was killed while defending a neighbor from an attacker, and became the namesake for the newly-formed non-profit that took over the garden’s management from the Ecology Action Center.

1978 was also the year the State Legislature created the city-state joint powers agency Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA), to take over implementation of the CAP’s residential projects from DGS. DGS was, by all accounts, as inept at property management as it was at urban design (as Judge Connelly put it, “General Services just dumps all over the city of Sacramento with their architectural standards and projects”). Wasserman summed up the new agency’s dual purpose as “designed to get the state out of the housing business and form a partnership between the state and the city to make the city whole again.” CADA’s primary role has always been to realize the CAP’s housing and retail goals.

From its inception, CADA sought to build over the gardens. When UC Davis professor Mark Francis published his 1987 “Landscape Journal” article comparing how community members and CADA officials perceived the gardens and Fremont Park, many stabs at development had already been made: “The permanency of the two gardens has remained a critical issue for the gardeners…the gardens were referred to by one official as a ‘loose bar of soap,’ since control of the site has been an ongoing issue for the development authority.” CADA succeeded in paving over the OSCG in 1987 for a parking lot, but community organizing efforts thwarted the agency’s continual attempts throughout the 1980s and 1990s to destroy the RMCG. (These attempts were not always for the sake of housing either—Prof. Francis’s article stated, “According to CADA, the site is not a prime location for a new state office building within the next five years, but could be developed for parking or other office-related uses”).

By the time the CAP was revised again in 1997, the RMCG was the oldest and largest local community garden. It had grown from being a community-developed institution to a community in its own right. In addition to long-term partnerships with dozens of community groups, the garden benefited the whole city as downtown’s second-highest oxygen producer. But even while meeting many of the 1997 CAP’s objectives, block 286 was classified as “vacant and underutilized,” and the RMCG was indirectly referred to as an “interim use.” The 1997 CAP slated the block for low density housing (which the plan defined as “less than 35 units per net acre”) and described the site as an “opportunity…to facilitate ownership housing.” The Fremont Mews apartment complex has 119 units on 2.2 acres, and none of them have ever been for sale.

Continued in Part 2.

Hot Italian LEED Certified

2011-01-31T21:33:50Z

Hot Italian, having just been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), held an open house on Saturday and welcomed guests to a self-guided tour. The self-guided tour was held in order for guests to come by and see, touch and feel the green features at Hot Italian.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District had several representatives to answer questions regarding energy efficiency and business services. SMUD representatives that were there spent much of their time helping customer and answering questions. One of them indicated why they were there, “We’re here to talk to people about energy efficiency. We are also here to educate people to see what they can do to conserve energy and talk about some of the programs SMUD offers”. The three representatives on hand were very helpful.

A television screen had a slideshow going that showed pictures of the Hot Italian as it was being built. It was very interesting to see what special construction had to be done to achieve an energy efficient site from its inception. The foundation to roof top is eco-friendly.

As I watched the slideshow Andrea Lepore co-owner of Hot Italian passed by and I asked her a couple of questions. I asked how long they had owned the restaurant and told her that it looked like being energy efficient was part of their plan from the beginning. “We’ve been here for two years. We knew from the beginning we wanted to go green. “Since this was a self-guided tour she pointed out a sign on the wall that read “Riciclato” and had a short description. “We have various signs like this throughout the restaurant. Please feel free to take a tour and follow these signs. Outside back we have a compost vessel make sure you take a look,” Andrea said. I thanked her and started on my self-guided tour.

Reading the sign“Riciclato” it said “Recycled. Bike and Gear Displays constructed from Sierra Pine no-VOC/recycled paper MDF and made locally by 12m Design.” Other environmental material and resource items were the gelato and espresso bar stools made from reclaimed bicycles, storage and collection of recyclables, construction waste management and Dal-Tile in bathrooms and kitchen made from post-industrial recycled material. The LEED was awarded to Hot Italian for their Sustainable Site, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design.

There are 44 businesses that have been LEED Certified in Sacramento County. Hot Italian is the first restaurant in the region and only the third in the State of California to be awarded the LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Some customers were at the restaurant for lunch and a soccer game was playing at one of the screens. The beauty about the eco-friendly restaurant is that most people are oblivious to what’s taking place inside and outside the restaurant when it comes to conservation and going green. For example have you noticed that Hot Italian is close to alternative transportation? Have you noticed the bicycle parking areas around the restaurant? The cycle pods have bicycle parking for 32 bicycles for customers and staff. That equates to being more than 1,000% greater than the LEED requirement. Basically they have ten times as many bicycle parking slots than required.

The site used No-VOC paint by Sherwin-Williams, has water efficient landscaping and uses low flow faucets, toilets and waterless urinals. Solar thermal water heating by Aztec Solar is used for dish washers and sinks. The re-tile in front of the bars are Capri Tile made from recycled rubber and cork. The “Famiglia” tables are made from 95% recycled steel and PaperStone material.

The energy design items mentioned are only but a half of what’s been done at Hot Italian. One other thing I have to mention is their Earth Tub that’s behind the restaurant and most people don’t get a chance to see. It’s a fully enclosed compost container that features power mixing, compost aeration and biofiltration. The compost that it creates is used for community gardens and local farms.

The owners Andrea Lepore and Fabrizio Cercatore continue to work and provide transportation education at their restaurant. One of their walls depicts local bike routes, public transit routes as well as the Sacramento Area Council of Governments 511 phone number for transportation route planning assistance. They’ve made quite an effort to try and encourage people to ride bikes, walk and use the nearby public transportation.

Next time you’re at the Hot Italian enjoying their delicious pizza, gelato and other specialties walk around and view, touch and feel the green features inside and outside the restaurant. What looks like a simple structure design is truly an amazing eco-friendly restaurant. There are many energy and environmental designs that you can see but many more that are hidden from sight. Hot Italian was deservedly awarded the LEED Silver Certification by the United States Green Building Council.

Photos: David Alvarez

Today's the last day to enter the Journalism Open 2011

2011-01-31T21:06:14Z

The procrastination must come to an end. There are only hours left to enter The Sacramento Press Journalism Open 2011.

Entries must be published by 11:59 p.m. You must tag your article open2011.

There are hundreds of dollars in prizes waiting to be doled out to the winners. First place prize is $700, second place is $500 and there are cash prizes for photos, too!

If you would like to have your article copy edited, it must be sent to journalism@sacramentopress.com by 6 p.m. Any articles sent after 6 p.m. will have to be published without copy editing.

One last thing: there are three judges for this year's contest. One of the judges changed from what we announced at the Journalism Open Workshop. David Watts Barton will no longer be judging. The judges are Managing Editor Colleen Belcher, Copy Editor/Reporter Brandon Darnell and Recruiment Manager Casey Kirk.

Check out the splash page for any last minute questions. Below the page are all of the entries we've received so far for the contest.

The clock is ticking. Entries published after 11:59 p.m. will not be counted as part of the contest.

Winners will be announced Monday, Feb. 14 on our site.

Good luck!

Unified Wine & GrapeGrowers Symposium Takes Over Downtown Sacramento

2011-01-31T20:21:33Z

The streets flooded with winemakers, vintners, grape-growers, agricultural manufacturers and wine industry icons as over 12,200 people gathered for the Unified Wine & Grapegrowers Symposium Jan. 25 through 27. This annual event, always held at Sacramento's convention center had it all from tractors to tasting rooms. Sponsored by California Association of Wine Grape Growers this industry event, which is open to the public provides significant industry insight on what's currently happening in the wine industry.

From industry insights to new packaging techniques, it was a fount of information on who the wine market will be aiming at, where wine-drinking trends are going and what kinds of wines we'll be drinking in the next decade. The answers might surprise you!

Here are some industry highlights that the true wine geeks will love/hate:

* Immigration reform conclusions: Either we outsource our labor or we outsource our food production.
* A record-breaking 12,200 industry professionals were in attendance for the "State of the Industry," with some people even seated on the hotel floor.
* Crisis planning is imperative for successful futures: It's not if but when a crisis will happen.
* The "Millennial" market (ages 17 to 34) is the largest growing market in wine and will be increasingly catered to in wine preferences and marketing techniques.
* Muscato wine has seen a 109 percent increase in growth, so prepare to see a lot more sweet, white wines.
* The global market of the future is China, Japan and Korea, large counties with growing middle-class markets with disposable income.
* Merlot is still feeling the horrible effects of the "Sideways” movie incident even seven years later. You'll see less on the shelves and less planted in the ground.

It was nice to see how much of the agricultural "in-the-fields" industry was walking around with iPads and iPhones. Technology has taken all sectors by storm.

So another year passes, and the event gave all of us true wine geeks something to think about: where our grapes are coming from, who they are marketing to, and what we'll be drinking in the coming years.

Sidebar

2011-01-31T20:07:52Z

With his security detail watching the surroundings, Mayor Kevin Johnson answers a question about an earlier incident that involved a reported threat to his safety. To accommodate the media, the Mayor took a momentary break in a day-long series of meetings with the mayors of eight other California cities and several State officials, including Governor Jerry Brown. The "Big 10 Mayors" were in Sacramento in an attempt to keep redevelopment funds from being completely absorbed back into the State budget.

A Happier Hour for K Street?

2011-01-31T18:44:55Z

For some time now, K Street has been wavering between its past life as a Sacramento hot spot and its future as a wilting has-been. The busy street is clearly an institution from 9 to 5, but despite the Crest and the constant stream of events, city planners have been struggling to pull in a real evening crowd.

The news is out that a team of fairytale Bay Area developers has joined forces and created Dive Bar, Pizza Rock and District 30. This nightclub-pizza-bar trio hopes to entice the masses for some good old K Street entertainment and after-hours. But is this Bay Area vibe a bit of a stretch in grabbing the attention of the average Midtown resident? Even worse is the grueling task of convincing the average state worker that, despite ridiculous amounts of overtime, they have the energy for just a few more hours after work. Fun it may be, but it still takes energy.

So how will this all shape up? Will we be pleasantly surprised and find ourselves meeting up on K next Saturday? Or will it all be a blur of good press and hearsay, and we'll be left wondering if it will be yet another Subway? Do the mermaids get a pension?

The future is less predictable than we would hope, but I would have to wager that, at the least, Pizza Rock is here to stay. The rock in Pizza Rock is subtle, drawing in those who know trendy and comforting those who don't. A clean, silver chain holding back the heavy floor-to-ceiling black curtains, a Craftsman toolbox serving as the hostess station, and even the bathrooms are tastefully done, with Japanese-esque red walls, weathered framed mirrors and the city-standard 1930s-era hexagonal tile. The Peterbilt barreling out of the wall above the bar is a bit more than subtle, but you have to expect something outrageous from the creators of Dive Bar.

The pizza was dazzling in a way that had me planning my next visit. Five different types of crust, all of them flawless and the perfect blend of real Italian-style pizza and the American level of toppings that we just can't resist. The food was fresh, fast and reasonably priced.

The old-school music had Midtowners and middle-agers alike tapping their feet along with at least a song or two. The beverages were quality and varied with a full bar, a reasonable wine list, and even Bear Republic's Racer 5, a nice nod to the regional craft beer industry that's becoming more popular each day. On the whole, it's stunning that such a well-balanced pizza place was designed by the same people that created a bar with a 7,500-gallon tank filled with scandalously live mermaids.

Hopefully the next newbies on K Street will follow their lead, thinking of all and excluding none, if only so we can wander down the K Street Mall among friends rather than just passing through it on the way home. Currently, it's a bit too much like a deserted rail corridor, where it would be wholly unsurprising to find someone stripped naked in front of Pizza Rock, warming their clothes on the decorative blue flames that were forgotten at closing that night.

Or is a noon rush all that K Street has left?

Local Blogger Katie Swanberg Lives to Tell the Tale

2011-01-31T16:28:58Z

It’s been almost a year since Katie Swanberg faced off with death. In February 2010, she laid in a coma fighting off a severe case of bacterial meningitis. In a matter of days, the disease ravaged her body and her life as she knew it.

Over the course of 2010 she would have to relearn to walk, eat and live in every sense of the word. Through it all, Swanberg shared her recovery publicly on her blogs, one of which was previously devoted to gardening. Now, as the one-year anniversary of her almost-death draws near, Swanberg calls meningitis the best gift she ever received.

The first thing you notice about Swanberg is her intensity. Her bright blue eyes are vivid with determination. She’s a study in contrasts: small yet steely, vibrant yet reserved.

None of this would come as a surprise to the readers of her raw and impassioned blog. A superhero in a small package, she dispenses hard-won advice while eschewing vanity in favor of honesty. Few would dare to speak aloud many of the thoughts that Swanberg publishes for the public at large. She freely blogs about her battles with depression, self-image, physical recovery and creating a life outside the status quo.

The topics are heavy, but Swanberg isn’t your average emo-blogger looking to air grievances. While many use the Internet as a platform for complaints, Swanberg does the opposite. She refrains from naming names or playing the blame game, instead choosing to celebrate the chance to live a second life on her own terms.

Meningitis didn’t kill her physical body, but it did kill her previous outlook on life.

“My divorce and meningitis were the best gifts I ever received. I used to go along with the status quo. Now I’m not afraid of anything.” She sums up her new philosophy neatly on her blog: “Have the courage to live out loud.”

If her blog is public group therapy, then Swanberg plays the roles of chief patient, group leader and therapist. There is a fine line between introspection and narcissism, and Swanberg herself often jokes, “I’m my own favorite topic.”

She manages the balance by seeing the bigger picture. “I put it all out there for everyone to read: good, bad, ugly and everything in between. It makes some people wonder, but I’m also learning it makes some people feel less alone. If my writing and life stories help someone in some small way, it’s all been worth it.”

When asked if people are taken aback by her openness, Swanberg said, “I feel that a lot of what people present as their life is just a front – you don’t know what they’re dealing with behind closed doors … It’s why people are shocked when marriages end, people break down and scary things happen. I open my doors and invite people to witness my gruesome failures and to share in my triumphs, because we’re all human.”

If her life has taken some complicated turns, her writing philosophy is simple: “I joke that everybody loves a train wreck, but the reality is if you aren’t failing, you’re not taking risks. Most of all, I just want people to know that they aren’t alone in their journey.”

Based on feedback from her readers, it seems like Swanberg is more than hitting the mark. Reader Monica from Garden Faerie said, “People think you're vulnerable if you let down your guard and get real, but I know you have to be strong to be vulnerable … Often when I leave comments, I rethink and edit; with Katie, I just write what's in my heart at that very second. Because she is comfortable being herself, it helps others be comfortable in their own shoes, too. Her strength reignites mine”

Cruelty and bullying on the Internet have received a lot of media coverage, but just as often the opposite is true: Swanberg’s blog is a place of support, challenge and encouragement.

If her dramatic past shapes Swanberg’s zeal for the present, her honesty is the force inspiring people across the country. She’s received many messages from others thanking her for her public bravery.

“It amazes me that people take time out of their day to leave a comment … I hear from people in different ways that my writing and honesty helps them in their own life. Those are the best. It’s always amazing to think that what is a self-help/therapy for me can benefit someone else; it’s why I share what I think/write.”

When asked what the best comment she ever received was, she replied, “Someone said, ‘I came for gardening, I stayed for Katie.’ To date, that is the comment that struck a nerve with me, and one of countless comments that have left a mark on my heart.”

Community Program Explores LGBTQ Bullying in Sacramento

2011-01-31T07:57:05Z

Part 1 - A Local Gay Youth Tells His Story
By Ken Pierce

Note: This is the first of three articles about growing up gay in Sacramento. It is hoped that the reader gains a better insight into the problems facing LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Questioning) youth in our local schools and community.

In the studios of Access Sacramento the evening of January 4, 2011, Mental Health Matters, a monthly program airing on the Comcast Community Channel was taped. The show’s producer, Marilyn Hillerman invited members of Equality Action Now’s, “It Gets Better Sacramento” project to talk about the LGBTQ youth bullying problem which has been so much in the news lately.

On-air program host and Executive Director of Mental Health America of Northern California, Susan Gallagher opened the show by introducing Dr. Katie Polsky, PH. D., Clinical Psychologist and LGBT Specialist.

Dr. Polsky, whose wife is a therapist gave several daunting statistics, “Bullying is commonplace and most people don’t realize how much damage it does to young people. Bullying can affect those who are susceptible to depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as so many other mental health issues. But even more dramatic is the number of suicides or attempted suicides of bullied youth. Four times as many LGBTQ youth attempt suicide relative to their heterosexual counter parts. That’s a huge number.”

Dr. Polsky continued, “In terms of bullying and harassment in schools, 86% of LGBTQ youth report and experience some sort of verbal or sexual harassment in school. 60% of youth report feeling unsafe in their schools. These are remarkable numbers no one should have to experience and these are the issues we are facing as a community and as a nation. It is important that we shed some light on this topic.”

John Wells 18, a Sacramento native and youth advocate and spokesperson for Equality Action Now really put a face to some of the depressing statistics Dr. Polsky stated. Wells spoke of his bullying in school, home life and how he got through it all.

Wells explained. “My parents were not alright with having a gay son and they first tried to deny it, and then they tried to change me. They put me into a Catholic High School. It was really difficult to fit in with friends once I began coming out to them about my being gay. There was a lot of reticule, bullying and lack of support of the people I came in contact with everyday, which put me in a really unsafe mental place. The bullying got so bad there were times I would self-injure myself and I even seriously considered suicide. In the end my parents kicked me out of the house when I turned 18.”

When asked by the moderator how he managed to get through all that depression and bullying Wells said, “A few things helped such as getting myself kicked out of Catholic School and moving to a public school where I joined a Gay-Straight Alliance club. I became close friends with the two senior leaders and in my junior year, became President of the club. Also local organizations like Equality Action Now allowed me to participate in their ‘It Gets Better Sacramento’ project; become their youth spokesperson and since I am taking communications in college now, their Public Relations Director is mentoring me in Media and Public Relations.”

Wells is an exception to the rule when it came to standing up to a bully. He told of an instance in school attending a pep-rally for the football team just before an important game. “I became really pumped up at the rally and excited and didn’t think about how my cheering may seem to others. A guy behind me became very irritated at me because he said I was cheering ‘like a girl’ and ended up punching me in the face in front of everyone.”

“I was hurt and humiliated but all I could do is cry and walk away. I decided to go to the Principal’s office and turn the guy in and he got in serious trouble. Walking away was the right thing to do and turning the guy in helped to identify someone who may have a problem with bullying. In my case the school was very supportive but I know that isn’t always true which is why we need strong legislation such AB-9, the bill Assemblyman Tom Ammiano has introduced to help stop school bullies.”

Smiling into the camera Wells concluded, “It still isn’t easy since I don’t have a job and I am going to be moving in with friends soon but at least I am not homeless like so many LGBT youth and I am going to college hopefully to go into counseling or communications. All-in-all though, it does get better.”

In the next few months you will hear about three other gay activists and a little about their lives growing up gay. By the conclusion of this series the reader should have a better understanding the problems facing LGBT youth here in our own community and how they survive.

Finding freedom in fishnets at the burlesque academy

2011-01-31T07:43:15Z

In a newly designed Midtown studio, dancers of all ages and levels, dressed in their finest fishnets, enter to explore the mystery of sensuality through a modern take on one of history’s most misunderstood yet brazen art forms: burlesque.

Burlesque Fusion dance class, taught every Thursday evening by the Sizzling Sirens burlesque dance troupe, creates an open space to unleash your inner imagination and confidence, all while providing a healthy workout. The potential for personal power and feminine freedom afforded with the dance intrigued me, and I wondered, could this be my new catharsis?

So this January, charged with curiosity, I stepped out of my comfort zone and my usual sweats and plunged into something a little more daring, a mesh menagerie of sensual style: a black brazier, lacy leggings and, for extra icing, green suede boots pulled up to my thighs.

With this outfit I would no longer walk, I would swagger. I would no longer flirt, I would seduce. It’s foreignness sent butterflies to my stomach, a lifetime of reserve suddenly challenged.

Peppering my shyness with some extra sass, I strutted into the plush P Street studio. Feather boas, whips, tassels and velvet and satin costumes saved from the last stage performance draped in the corners. As I was welcomed with a smile, I took off my coat and hat and joined four women spread on the wooden dance floor, along with our instructor Jessica Carter, known on stage as “Meowie Wowie."

Stiletto stems, delicate lace and sparkling jewelry abounded. But somehow, I felt comfortable, invited, cozy. We loosened each limb, climbing over one leg at a time, soft music whispering from the stereo. Once our blood and joints warmed, the intensity heightened, and the smell of sweat and perfume coated the air.

Carter turned up the speakers and handed each of us a cane, black with a white tip. We were about to rock out to the indie grit of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Broadway style. I imagine singer Karen O, a siren in her own right, would approve.

“Gold lion’s gonna tell me where the light is!” Her voice rasped and we brusquely shook hips to the staccato beat.

“Take our hands out of control.” We bent down with our knees above the floor, swaying in an upward movement.

“Take our hands out of control.” Carter slid her hands up her body, over each curve, then encouraged us to do the same.

“In burlesque it’s more freeform. You can do what you want,” she said. “You can touch yourself. Look at yourself in the mirror. Feel your body move.”

Antique rococo mirrors of different sizes framed the walls, and I found myself blushing.

“Inside, outside, I must have done a dozen each…” We circle the cane, inside and outside. “Ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ooh, ahh ohh.”

An invincible combination, the choreography finished off with a sensual slide of our hands down the canes before using it as leverage to push our bodies back up like a cat. We began to cool down, but my heart was still racing. “Thud thud thud.” The room still seemed alive with its own rhythm though the music had stopped.

Stacy Hayden, designer and manger at Deep Art and Yoga, walked in the room to take the next class of the evening.

“When I first heard burlesque, I immediately thought of stepping out of my own usual routines and exploring something new,” she said. “I looked forward to trying something new that would connect me directly to my femininity and sensuality.”

As Hayden and the other students warmed up, Carter joined me after the class to discuss the experience. Our conversation enlightened me on the history and meaning of this elusive art form, and how burlesque not only boosts endorphins but confidence as well.

I enjoyed the fusion of rock, belly dance, hip-hop and modern styles that were integrated in the burlesque. I was not expecting that!

We’re taking some strong elements of burlesque with the movement and fusing it with other elements, different areas of dance and styles of theatricality. It changes from week to week. Sometimes I’m in a Broadway mood, and sometimes I feel jazzy or belly dancy. Sometimes I’m sad and sometimes happy. I try to take the emotion and turn it into choreography.

You’ve said that all the Sirens form a certain personality with her character. Describe "Meowie Wowie’s” personality?

When I first started doing this, I took a workshop with the founder Jay Siren, and she had us stand in front of a mirror and literally do 10 different personalities and listen to music and make faces and learn how to really be comfortable with yourself, and touch yourself.

I think through that you really discover who you are within burlesque, so for me personally, my characters are sexier than I am in real life. They’re more out there and crazy and ready to do whatever I want to do. I’m not a very sexy person in real life. I’m more cute and modest. But when I’m on stage, I want to be sexy. I want to be a woman.

Do you feel that by exploring burlesque, you’re letting out a side of your personality that would otherwise be repressed?

You keep some of it with you, but you also explore the elements that you don’t know are there. And you don’t know they’re there until you do burlesque. Burlesque helps you discover a whole different part of you.

I definitely discovered a bit of that. What do you think your students get out of the class?

As someone who has started here as a student, it’s taught me a completely new sense of confidence and comfortableness with myself. I personally think you are your own worst enemy and you are your own best friend. Burlesque personally helps me feel confident about my body, my personality, myself, and I think that’s really important for women.

I just want to be happy, and who doesn’t want to be happy? What better thing to do for yourself than to give yourself a sexy workout that makes you feel good? I think that students come out of here and think, “Wow, that was interesting,” because people here a lot of the times have never heard of burlesque or have done burlesque, and so this is a totally different world. And we try to keep it like a burlesque clubhouse, like your little place to come play and feel comfortable, and I hope that we do that for people.

Have you experienced any negative reactions to this form of expression?

There’s nothing more that I hate than when someone says something about relating us to stripping, because it’s not stripping. It’s a strip tease, but we try to keep this very classy. Even though burlesque is fairly new to a lot of people, I think that hopefully with more time, they’ll see that there is a theatricality that goes into it. There’s a lot of hard work and dedication, and I don’t think a lot of people know how hard it is to get up on stage. Yeah, you’re taking your clothes off, but you’re dancing and you’re doing a theatrical performance. I hope that with time that people come to accept that it’s an art form.

*****

The burlesque dance class is held every Thursday evening at 2014 P St. Intro classes run from 7 to 8 p.m., and the beginners’ classes run from 8:15 to 9 p.m. Each session costs $15 or $10 for 215 Patients.

Mama Cobb is a Force of Nature: The Godmother of Sacramento Folk Dance

2011-01-31T06:51:53Z

A more appropriate emcee than Mama Cobb could not be found for the Folklorico Latino de Woodland’s 24th Anniversary dance showcase. Aside from the dancers, what a performance she put on. Throughout the course of the evening, she charmed the audience with her stories and insights from her long and storied career.

She spoke sometimes in English, sometimes Spanish and even threw in a few Nahuatel phrases. Nahuatel being the language of the Aztecs. Mama Cobb provided insights into the regional Mexican folk dances, stole a kiss from the feature trick roping cowboy, completed two costume changes, and inspired a new generation of Mexican folk dancers.

As easy as it looked, the audience had no idea about the preparation she made beforehand. At 76 years old, Mrs. Angelbertha Cobb is a show woman to the very end. She arrived at the Woodland Opera House early in the day to observe the dress rehearsal for the show. She made mental notes as to what she would say for the evening’s program.

To the Native American Indians who come to pay their respect, she is ‘Mama Cobb.’ Her colorful vocation encompasses 60-plus years of teaching Mexican and Aztec dance. Mama Cobb began teaching folkdance as a teenager. She did a brief stint as a radio host in her native Mexico, appeared in several Mexican movies, not to mention her work as a bounty hunter for Sacramento bail bonds legend Leonard Padilla. Aside from her life adventures, somewhere, she found time to give birth to 19 children.

Mama Cobb’s mind is as sharp and quick as ever. Her body may have been slowed down by the ravages of age. But that doesn’t stop her from barreling ahead in full education mode. Mama Cobb’s spring calendar is already getting full. Requests for her speaking engagements come from as far as New Mexico. During February and March, she will travel to Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose. She will be back home on March 19th for a presentation at Sacramento’s Southside Park. Throughout the Northern California Mexican folk dance community, she is known as the ‘Godmother of Mexican folk dance.’ Mama Cobb has taught Mexican and Aztec folkdance to literally thousands of children, teenagers and adults in the Sacramento area. Some of the people who were her students make up a who’s who of accomplished Sacramento community leaders, activists, artists and dance folkloristas. They include Tim Quintero, Juanishi Orosco, the late Bishop Gallegos, Yolanda Colosio, Sylvia Romero, Maria Luisa Colmenarez-Garcia and Gloria Rodriguez.

“I believe that her value has been re-established in the last couple of years,” said Paul Cobb, her youngest son. “Recently, she did the Folklorico Latino presentation. She also spoke to Twin Rivers District school children at the Crest Theater on behalf of the Instituto Mazatlan Bellas Arts. She explained the traditions of the Mexican Christmas Posadas and Dias de los Muertos. Before that, she was a guest speaker at the Latino Youth Leadership Conference held at Sacramento State University.”

Today, her grandchildren carry on the Mexican & Aztec folk dance tradition. Richard, Jonah, Dominic and Paul Junior have all danced with the Folklorico Latino de Woodland. Paul Junior also dances with Folklorico Aztlan de Sacramento. This troupe was established in 2004 by Virginia Gray. His father, Paul, is currently assistant director. His mother, Patty, is on the board of directors. His uncle, Eddie, is a special instructor. The matriarch, Mama Cobb, is fittingly enough the cultural advisor. So the project has come full circle. Folklorico Aztlan has truly becoming a family affair.

Even the seemingly indestructible Mama Cobb can’t escape Father Time. Physically, she has definitely slowed down. Still that lightening wit is as sharp as ever. Her quips are expertly timed and intended specifically to ruffle the feathers and open the minds of the more conventional minded folks. Still, she has mellowed in her later years. And she has reflected upon her influence on the latest generation of folk dancers.

Her living room is packed full of family and performance photos, costumes, indigenous artifacts and artwork. During the past several years, Mama Cobb has been parceling out these prized costumes from her extensive wardrobe to the various folk dance groups that come to obtain information and pay homage to this respected elder. Indigenous dancers from all over the state visit her to obtain information on culture, customs and rituals to maintain the Aztec traditions.

“It is better that the dancers can use them for their presentations,” said Mama Cobb. “I hope that the costumes will help motivate them for their shows. This helps the new groups just getting started. Some of the material is old. Some need repair. But if I keep them here, they just will gather dust. I would rather they be worn at performances and ceremonies. I would rather that audiences can see and appreciate them.”

Mama Cobb is a walking, living, breathing history book. Her breath, her very existence is to spread the culture and knowledge of Aztec and Mexican folk dance. She has always been the epitome of the strong, independent woman. The Citrus Heights house that she’s been living in for the past five years, she obtained that on her own. She didn’t ask for help from any of her children. Mama Cob was born in Puebla, Mexico in the Eastern Sierra Madre Mountains. A harsh country not wanted by the ranchers or farmers. An unforgiving land left to the indigenous peoples to eke out a living. Mrs. Cobb is a full-blooded Aztec Indian. She speaks three languages: Spanish, English and Nahuatl. And she will tell you that in her native state, the exploitation of the indigenous people goes on to this day. As a child she studied the local folkdances. A gifted dancer, her family sent her to Mexico City to study. In her teens, she became a folk dance instructor herself. She hosted a radio show and made appearances in Mexican movies. She came to the United States in 1963. At 15, she fell in love with U.S. serviceman, Earl Cobb, a half-breed Comanche. A man who’s first job was killing coyotes for a dollar a tail. By the time she was 19, she bore three sets of twins.

In the early 1960s, she visited the Sacramento area and fell in love with the local history and the people. The Cobb family settled into the midtown area. Shortly afterwards, Earl passed away. She’s been married and widowed twice and a mother of 19 children. Nine with her first husband Earl Cobb. Ten with her second, Baltazar Valdivia, who also passed away. Alone, with a platoon of children to support, she held down multiple jobs. She somehow was always able to make ends meet. Incredibly somehow, she squeezed in the time to found Ballet Quetzalcoatlan Aztec troupe. Later, she created Folklore de Mexicano de Angelbertha Cobb. In all likelihood, the first Mexican folk dance troupe in Sacramento. The troupe performed at events such as the California State Fair, the Camellia Dance Festival, American Indian ceremonies, schools and festivals.

“Senora Cobb has truly been an inspiration and role model to our community,” said Gloria Torres, director for the Sacramento Buena Vista Child Development Center. “When I first met her 35 years ago, she was teaching baila de folklorico along with the traditional Azteca Danza. She inspired so many to continue her legacy. In Sacramento now, we have several Azteca Danza groups that do the traditional ceremonies because of her. She taught me about Dia de los Muertos, Fiesta de Maiz, and Fiesta de Colores. As a young teacher growing up, I never learned this in the classroom. Therefore it was truly a blessing when I met her and learn her ways. When you meet this incredible woman, she will always give you advice, be upfront with you, and lead you onto a good path. Her favorite saying is ‘it is my time now to pass what I have been taught to the next generation.’ She tells us, someday she will be gone, and it is up to all of us to carry on."

Guy is the only one of Mama Cobb’s brood that has not left the nest. In his mid-forties, he is the most delicate of her children. He deals with a severe form of schizophrenia. She ensures that Guy is always taken care of and safe. She will not entertain the thought of having him placed into a mental facility. She does not consider this a burden. It is just part of her motherly duty.

“Wherever she goes, she always has Guy by her side,” said Torres. “She encourages Guy to participate in all the activities wherever she is at. She encourages him to continue his hand beading craft that he loves so much. Guy is so lucky to have a mother like Mrs. Cobb.”

Her career as a dancer, actress and folkdance instructor is well documented. Her resume includes the title -- bounty hunter. For about 15 years on and off, Mama Cobb worked for Leonard Padilla, the well known Sacramento bail bondsman and local political gadfly.

In the 1970’s, Mrs. Cobb’s troupe and a Los Angeles-based group performed in the White House for President Carter. During that same decade, she was one of the original founders for the Comité Patriótico de Mexico de California, under the direction of Zenido Acosta, the Mexican counsel at the time. To this day, Mrs. Cobb is still an active member of the Comité. While in her fifties, Cobb attended what is now known as the California State University, Sacramento. She delighted in challenging her professors’ accounts of Mexican and American Indian history. In 1981, she won an award as the “Hispanic Woman of the Year.” In the late 1990s, she taught cultural history at DQU University and at UC Davis. Just a four years ago, she was as an instructor for Cuahuitle yo Quetzalcoatle Tonatiuh College (CQT) College located on Del Paso Boulevard in Sacramento. She taught a course called “Latino Children and Families." But health issues forced her to give up that position.

Mama Cobb continues on her quest to teach and inspire those around her. Torres recalls a recent presentation when she came to mid-town Sacramento’s Buena Vista Child Development Center. Once again, in full education mode, she sang songs, told her stories, and drummed with the children.

“Senora Cobb is truly my inspiration to teach and to pass on what I have learned from her to my teachers, my family and my children,” said Torres. “I admire her for being such a good mother. It is so important for us to not let this wonderful opportunity go by and when we have the chance to talk to her, spend time with her and learn from her. Because life is too short and we must really embrace her and tell this beautiful person how much we love her and how much she means to us. She has done so on behalf of our community. So Mrs. Cobb, I love you and I thank you for being my friend, my role model, and my mentor.”

# # # #

VegFest 2011

2011-01-31T06:21:11Z

My girlfriend recently finished a 21-day yoga and dietary cleanse at Deep Yoga. While I did not join her on her daily 5:30 a.m. yoga pilgrimages, I went stride for stride with her on the dietary portion of it.

The first week we were allowed fish, but from the second week on we were no longer allowed any animal products. Or corn products. Or wheat products (I cheated here. I wouldn't have made it without soy sauce).

It was not easy for this lifelong omnivore to give up meat, and even harder to give up cheese and grains, but I did, and lost nine pounds in the process.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's over. But I'll also concede that I both look and feel better. There is something to this veggie/vegan lifestyle.

With this in mind, I was pretty amped to check out Vegfest 2011, hosted by the Del Paso Boulevard Partnership at the Artisan building in the Boulevard.

I arrived a little before 1 p.m. to find the Artisan building already teaming with people. A few highlights:

The Loving Hut (formerly Au Lac Veggie)
They had a booth and were giving free samples of their noodles and spring rolls. Easily the most popular sample table, it was hard to even make out where their line began. "Yonder" was my best guess. Everybody who braved the line seemed to be happy they did. "Was it worth it?" I asked an older gentleman wearing a ponytail and scarfing his bowl of noodles. "Absolutely," was his immediate response. I chose not to venture into the abyss, but I will certainly give the restaurant a try sometime soon.

The sweets
Several of the booths offered sweets, and for the most part the vegan sweet offerings were very good. I tried a vegan, gluten-free, organic chocolate from Bicycle Bakery that was delicious. Another table offered a yummy vegan peanut brittle. A third had a solid vegan chocolate chip cookie (relatively; Mrs. Fields need not lose any sleep).

Michael Marks, "Your Produce Man"
The ubiquitous TV personality was on hand to talk about — what else — produce. He was his usual charming self and got the audience involved in his demonstration, giving away books to members of the audience who correctly answered questions. They don't call him The Produce Man for nothing. He was full of tips for preparing and storing your fruits and veggies, like always store your bananas stem-side down, or better yet, hanging. And always rinse your vegetables in ice water. And do you like apples? Keep ‘em in the fridge if you don't want them to get mealy. How you like them apples?

The crowd
All shapes and sizes were in attendance. Of course the hippie tree-hugger crowd was well represented, but it is abundantly clear that vegetarianism and veganism have gone mainstream. Larry Groves of the Del Paso Boulevard Partnership estimated that they had over 1100 folks turn out for the event. "This was our first time doing this event," Groves said. "We were amazed and overwhelmed with the attendance." In conjunction with this, two neighboring businesses, Top Dawg restaurant and The Green Boheme Raw Food Cafe, reported having their busiest days ever.

The festive atmosphere
Beer and wine were sold in the Artisan Cafe, which doubled as one of the entrances to the festival. The other entrance was through the Artisan Gallery, which featured live bands and art from local emerging artists on the walls. It all made for a fun, festive ambiance.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention a few lowlights:

The crowd
It was a little too much at times. Combined with the line to get the noodles, the crowd for The Produce Man's presentation got to be prohibitive. I got caught up in the maelstrom, and the crunch of humanity was uncomfortable. They were a victim of their own success.

The "Vegan Nazi"
"To be healthy you have to be vegan" was the mantra of a particular booth barker. "Meat is murder and dairy is worse" was another line I heard. I appreciate the passion, but I could have done without the rhetoric.

Veggie dogs
I love veggie burgers and have even come around on tempeh. I had lunch at Sugar Plum Cafe on Day 14 of the cleanse, and Jess and I split a vegan BLT and a vegan Reuben. I thought they were great, especially the Reuben. That being said, I have never in my life tried a veggie hot dog/sausage that was any good. This sad streak continued, apologies to Top Dawg.

Overall, the highs far outweighed the lows, and the event was a success by almost any measure. It was such a success, in fact, that Mr. Groves says "The Del Paso Boulevard Partnership is looking to host another VegFest later this year, expanding the venue and including cooking classes and more demonstrations."

We'll keep you updated.

Kids in the Kitchen

2011-01-31T05:00:57Z

It’s been two weeks and Pizza Rock has established itself as serving K Street’s nightlife with late-night food and entertainment. This hot spot located between District 30 and Dive Bar is getting many positive reviews for their quick delivery and, of course, Tony’s pizza-throwing skills.

Co-owner Tony Gemignani is reaching out to the younger pizza eaters of Sacramento by offering weekend cooking classes for kids.

What better way to enjoy a gloomy Saturday afternoon than to spend it in the kitchen cooking up some comfort food? Ten children reserved their spots for this week’s cooking class with Jay Sherman, Pizza Rock’s other acclaimed pizza-spinner.

Sherman began the class with a very important cooking rule: Wash your hands before preparing food. The 10 children ran to wash up and hurried back to hammer, knead and flatten their dough.

The boys and girls had their chance to play with dough, attempting to throw the dough in the air and through their legs. All eyes were on Sherman’s dough-spinning flair demonstration. He made it look so easy to spin dough in the air, two at a time, without dropping or breaking the thinly stretched dough.

When their attention began to wander, each child took turns making their own personal pizzas with Sherman’s assistance near the 900-degree wood-fire oven. They spread the thick sauce and decorated their individual pizzas with a variety of healthy toppings, but most kept it simple with a lot of cheese and pepperoni.

“I learned how to make a pizza and have fun with dough,” Brandon Hilton said.

It took no longer than 90 seconds for these gooey cheesy masterpieces to exit the oven. The children enjoyed their hard work by devouring the pizza slices with a messy smile.

“My favorite part was when he threw the dough up and hit the ceiling,” Dylan Bolado said.

In the daytime, Pizza Rock is a relaxed, family-friendly crowd, and the pizza pies are just as mouth-watering no matter what time you are eating.

Susan Hilton, mother of Brandon, enjoyed watching the pizza flipping and eating the “delicious food.”

“This was one of the most incredible experiences we’ve had,” Hilton said. “This has now become our No. 1 favorite restaurant.”

Every Saturday, Pizza Rock will be holding a cooking class for kids to get creative and have fun in the kitchen. Maybe this will inspire kids to help Mom or Dad cook dinner one night, without the complaints.

East Sacramento stone sisters endure

2011-01-31T04:58:32Z

When the Zelda Stone Quarry closed its doors in 1931, it left behind two enduring legacies in East Sacramento: East Portal Park and the “stone sisters” houses.

Peppered through East Sacramento are craftsman bungalows built with large cinder blocks and granite. The cinder blocks are composed of stone excavated over the years from the East Portal pit. Most of these houses were built in the aughts of the last century, and the homes are easy to recognize. They tend to be squarish, have small rooms and the exteriors have rough-hewn, chiseled and buffed blocks. Many of these houses also have granite in the construction and exquisite interior detailing.

Longtime residents of East Sacramento see these homes as significant heritage points.

“They are worth preserving,” said Will Green, president of East Sacramento Preservation. “They are unique and reflect the local history of the East Portal quarry. I’ve seen several such homes in the Louisville and Cincinnati areas built of quarried stones, and they are preserved beautifully. This type of heritage must be kept.”

In April 1931 the quarry closed shop. The Great Depression’s grip tightened on Sacramento and unemployment numbers soared. Homeless camps, or Hoover Towns, sprouted up and the city’s economic gears stalled to a slow grind. The quarry became one of the casualties. The city bought the quarry as parkland by eminent domain. The owners first demanded $18,000, but after a brief tussle over price and the beginning of condemnation proceedings, the company settled for $7,500.

Today the former quarry is East Portal Park, a scooped-out, bowl of lawn nestled deep in the neighborhood on 51st and M streets. From any side you enter the park you start a descent. It’s a natural amphitheater. The flat bottom makes a comfy seat to enjoy Pops in the Park. But this modern, treed venue almost didn’t exist.

The Depression put the kibosh on city park development plans, but President Roosevelt and the Work Progress Administration saved the day. WPA workers leveled much of the quarry, planted trees and framed the park with sidewalks. It was ready to go in 1936.

Four stone maidens still stand around the park today. Two butt up to the northwest corner of the park. These two buildings look suspiciously like they might have been housing for the quarry owners or foremen’s families, but their original function is unclear. They were originally single-story, box-like houses, almost identical to each other.

Some of the homes have undergone extensive additions, but you can always spot the stone maidens because of the distinctive first floors. Tasteful changes that blend well with the neighborhood expand many of the homes vertically.

“When expanding or redesigning, the original architectural style of these historic homes needs to be carefully included,” Green said. “Recently one house at the edge of East Portal Park underwent a remodel and it blends seamlessly with the existing design.”

Two others are located west of the park. These are stately two-story ladies. One of these had a spicy career as a sorority house and many of the original interior features were altered.

For 24 years, Doug and Anna Skewes have been the stewards of the second of these houses.

“It’s a very comfortable home,” Doug said. “The insulation of the stone keeps it warm in the winter and cool in the summer.”

They have kept the exterior in pristine, original condition, adding just a coat of paint. The interior was remodeled to correct 1950s-era changes.

“Most of the original cherry wood features and original wood floor were lost in earlier modernizations,” he said. “But in one room we have an original five-panel door with an antique knob and plate.”

The residence reflects an earlier mode of flood control, with the second floor rising high above the ground. The Skeweses live on the top floor. There is a mystery room on the lower floor.

“A threshold leads up to the room and it has no windows,” he said. “The floor has what appears to be embedded carbon. It’s the size of a wine cellar and there’s no light. It might have been some type of heating or furnace area. There's a rumor that prohibition money is hidden in the house.”

The couple has yet to find the stash.

Perhaps the most exquisitely preserved stone home sits on 43rd and F.

“Remarkably, I’m only the third owner,” Marsha Hartberg said. “The home still has an original Murphy bed, and when we worked on the house, we found gaslight piping in the ceiling. We slightly altered the back porch and found the stones to be a mix of what appeared to be cinder block and solid granite.”

Hartberg’s one-story house has the original interior and exterior detailing. The facade has three different stone cuts and shaping. A river-rock fireplace crowns the living room, and built-ins, wainscoting, picture molding and the original wood floor add priceless touches to the historic home. All remain, unpainted and in excellent condition. It’s in a true turn of the century craftsman.

“Even the windows are original,” Hartberg said of the antique wavy glass that glassblowers produced up until about 1910. “I thought about weatherizing, but I didn’t want to loose the waves or the antique hardware.”

Further original details abound in her home. The porch is “roped” by a single linked iron strand with decorative hooks. Crushed rock and embedded stone inlay add unique details.

Midtown, East Sacramento and Oak Park are just some of the neighborhoods that boast original, last-century jewels. Preservation of these homes is a critical part of city management. The stone maidens of East Sacramento survived into the 21st century. May they see many more centuries to come.

If you can find your house address in the old city directories, you’re on your way to discovering its past. Go to the Central Library’s Sacramento Room to start your search. You can also visit “History of a House” for more information.

Consider Proper Flag Disposal

2011-01-31T04:21:37Z

It may sound cliche, but I love America. Not for what she is, or the thing she’s done, but for what she represents: the idea that we are born free, that every citizen is free to pursue their own path to happiness, and that in this land one is free to speak their mind, whether or not that opinion is popular.

America is more than the earth between its borders. It is hope. Hope that shines like a beacon into the darkest corners of this world, calling to those who want more for their destiny than their homelands can give them. The best and the most determined to succeed from all over the planet come here to learn, to raise their children, and to hope for a better future.

When the brave are called to defend these ideas on battlefields foreign and domestic, they represent themselves with our standard: the flag. This symbol is synonymous with liberty, equality and the promise of a brighter future. Where it flies, free speech is encouraged. When it is present, tyrants flee or die. On the moon and even of the edge of the solar system on our deepest space probes, the Stars and Stripes are boldly represented.

This is why today I am asking that you take a moment and consider proper flag disposal. According to U.S. Flag code, “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” This is to ensure that the flag is never represented in a negative or disrespectful way, such as on top of a trash heap.

You may think it’s propaganda, but to me it is not. I am not beholden to any specific political administration, nor do I believe that the United States is a perfect place. On the contrary, I personally believe that the United States needs a lot of work on multiple fronts, such as true equality for all, the reprioritization of our foreign policies, and closing the gap between those to have much compared to those who have little. But I also believe that the United States and its flag represent humanity’s best hope at one day achieving these goals.

These ideas deserve our respect. This flag represents our dreams and the ongoing efforts to make sure our children live in a better world than we were raised in, in perpetuity. If you ever find a flag in disrepair and whose owner has neglected to give it a proper disposal, consider doing so yourself. I did this myself this weekend when, during a visit to a local private dump in Sacramento, I found an American flag that had been tossed out with the garbage.

When things wear out and lose all usefulness, one throws them away. And while the fabric may be torn, and the colors a little faded from the sun, this flag was still doing its job remarkably well: It still invoked a strong sense of national pride and the promise of a better tomorrow from deep inside me. I could not let this disgrace continue, so I collected the flag and brought it home.

This flag now sits in my garage folded in a triangle. This week I will be contacting the local American Legion Hall to ask for assistance in properly retiring it to the flames. I don’t do this just for those who have died for the flag. I do it because I want to believe that I live in a land where we still respect the freedoms we have in this country and recognize how lucky we are when there are many people in this world who do not have that privilege.

Boz Scaggs at Radisson Ballroom (photos)

2011-01-30T20:09:19Z

On Saturday night the Radisson Hotel was filled with anticipation...and people. Boz Scaggs was in town, ready to play and his fans were ready to listen.

Photos by Ron Nabity

Rock n' roll high school-ers

2011-01-30T19:51:47Z

“Tony Silva rides the bus to see the punk rock bands
   He rides out from BFN and no one understands
  He doesn’t have a car and he’s not old enough to drive
   But seeing punk rock concerts is what keeps Tony alive.”
--“Tony Silva Rides the Bus”, by The Secretions

Despite a bad economy and multiple venue closures this year, punk rock is alive and well among the under-18 crowd.

“There will be times when things get closed down, and it’ll affect the scene negatively, but in the long run, there’s a resilience in Sacramento,” said Craig Usher, who has been going to punk shows since his freshman year of high school.

Usher, now 42 with children, runs a Facebook page cataloguing shows. He said he still prefers all-ages shows to those held in bars, and smaller, sparser shows to massive ones.

“I was drawn to punk rock, in part, because it wasn’t like mass culture rock n’ roll,” he said. “So if I go to a show where I feel like … the focus is on selling stuff rather than expressing yourself, it just doesn’t feel as rewarding to me.”

The tendency of all-ages punk shows to be smaller and more underground also has practical applications.

Alcohol is an essentially a guaranteed moneymaker for 21-and-up shows, but all-ages venues can only sell food and soft drinks. That tends to raise ticket prices, which makes it harder for teen audiences to afford. The smaller the turnout, the less both venue and band earn.

Amber Rose, a booking agent for Citrus Heights bar the Fire Escape, explained that the key to survival is keeping prices low, and planning all-ages shows on nights when school-attending teens can realistically attend.

The Fire Escape also allows patrons to participate in organized moshing, or “circle pits,” which most all-ages venues have forbidden.

“You have to take care of the people that take care of you,” Rose said.

Though the Fire Escape has a full bar, Rose said the underage shows have been profitable. Openings for all-ages shows have been fully booked through April.

“It’s pretty difficult for kids to (play) all-ages (gigs),” Rose said, adding that there are only a handful of dedicated teenage clubs left.

Mickie ‘Rat’ (a psuedonym), bassist for the Sacramento punk band The Secretions, agreed.

“As a legal, profitable business, all-ages venues will always be struggling in Sacramento until they either lower the legal drinking age or the cost of permits for live music venues,” he said in an e-mail interview.

Rat was much more optimistic about private, underground shows, held in improvised venues like garages and basements and funded partially through donations. Although these shows are held in secret, they aren’t hard to find, he said.

“The people who take an active part in the music scene and go to shows always manage to find out where they are,” Rat said. “Bands will always find places to play, whether it’s in a club or someone’s living room.”

The Secretions are a testament to the punk scene’s vitality, as the band recently celebrated its 20th anniversary together. They still practice and hold the occasional private show at Casa de Chaos, a house in Midtown.

“That old house has seen me through a lot of good times and bad times,” Rat said. “It’s a rundown old shack, but I love it.”

The scene is kept alive by people frequently attending shows of all types and paying to get in, he explained.

“Every person who comes to see a show is just as important as the people on stage,” Rat said. “Without an audience, a show is just a lonely rehearsal in a big empty room.”

But the venue, it seems, is secondary to fans, who go primarily for the music and the friendships they make.

“I go to have fun,” said Gavin Mercer, 16-year-old drummer for the fledgling punk band The Carbonites. “It takes out a lot of aggression, too. You can sweat some of your anger out, or your stress or whatever.”

Rose, the Citrus Heights booking agent, would rather have her teenage daughter attend an all-ages punk show, with lots of people around, than a house party.

“These kids go to all these shows, and they all end up becoming friends. It’s kind of like an underground family,” she said.

Nicole Holbein, 17, said she is sentimental about the “family” the punk scene has introduced her to.

“Everyone has the utmost respect and love for what they're doing, and it's such a positive place to be,” she said. “Everyone looks out for each other.”

A Towering Challenge

2011-01-30T16:33:27Z

Bridge maintenance difficulties abundant in Sacramento

It’s no secret to the daily drivers in the Sacramento region that our local roads, freeways and even bridges have some less-than-perfect driving conditions. Any observant motorist can attest to this fact with their own experiences of avoiding potholes, deciphering sometimes illegible road markings, and bracing for strong bumps when crossing gaps between roadway segments.

What may surprise you, however, is the staggering amount of data freely available to the public which, when drawn together, paints a dire portrait for the future of Sacramento roads. In a nutshell: There are many existing problems we know about, not enough money to properly contain these problems in a timely fashion, and not nearly enough funding dedicated for proactive maintenance projects or to build the new infrastructure needed to replace functionally obsolete roads and bridges.

LEARNING FROM HISTORY

There is a fable which says if a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, but if it is placed in cold water that is slowly heated, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death. The same metaphor could ring true for the public’s inability to react to significant changes that occur slowly over time.(1) It could even be said that the I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse of 2007 is a terrific example of this idiom.

The warning signs were visible to those in charge of bridge maintenance and safety in Minnesota. In 1990 the federal government gave the I-35W bridge a rating of “structurally deficient,” mainly because of the significant amount of corrosion in its bearings. In 2001 the University of Minnesota’s civil engineering department released a study highlighting the cracking in cross girders near the ends of the approach spans. Finally, in 2005 the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Bridge Inventory database found signs of fatigue and brought up the possibility of the need to replace the bridge entirely.

Despite all of these warnings, on Aug. 1, 2007, the I-35W bridge fell into the Mississippi River during the evening rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring 145. Officials were either unaware of or grossly unable to fully understand the fragility of the bridge. Despite its impending doom, at the time of the collapse there were over half a million pounds of construction supplies and equipment on the bridge for crews to replace lighting, concrete and guard rails.(2)

OBSERVING WITH OUR EYES

While the roads and bridges in the Sacramento region do not copy the “Truss Arch” design that proved faulty in Minnesota, they do share other commonalities. These include their age, heavy truck use and the same federal rating of being “structurally deficient” in many cases. Perhaps one of the most glaring examples of road fatigue that observers were able to witness with their own eyes until recently was the off-ramp for the Eastbound “W X” Highway 50 to Highway 99 South.

For several years, large makeshift steel braces held up one section of roadway that was separating from the other. Drivers above the bracing could feel a large jolt as they drove over the crumbling “hinge.” This shift in the bridge span also produced a visible change in road elevation between sections. Last summer a construction bid was awarded to a private firm and work began to build a new concrete pylon to provide support to the off-ramp. Finally, near the end of 2010, work was completed and the temporary bracing was removed.(3)

The bump on the roadway still remains and, according to CalTrans, will be smoothed out sometime in the spring when warm weather conditions are more conductive to concrete work. But what of the dozen or so other local bridges that appear to share the same visible road-elevation changes between sections of roadway?

WARNING SIGNS?

Most of the major elevated freeways built in the Downtown Sacramento area were built in the 1960s.(4) They are a mix of bridges and ramps that span over earth, rivers and, in some cases, over other roads. Most have flexible divisions which are designed to allow the road to give and take depending on mitigating factors such as heat, cold and rising tides. These divisions sometimes connect elevated sections back to sections of road that are on improvised mounds of earth. It is at these sections that the careful observer can see astonishing changes in roadway elevation.

The Highway 99 South bump was between two sections that were suspended in the air. In the sections highlighted in this article’s photographs, most of these elevation changes occur between sections that join bridge to earth. But just like the Highway 99 South off-ramp, these sections share the same alarming visible fatigue, and one can be easily left wondering how seriously and with what amount of urgency these problems are being given attention. To eliminate what would otherwise be axle-breaking bumps between road sections, maintenance crews have added more and more asphalt to the road to mitigate the change in road elevation. While this method treats the symptoms, it does little to cure the cause.

Seeking another opinion, I spoke with Sacramento native August Smarkel, a UC Berkeley civil engineering graduate with a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering. He emphasized the importance of following the planned scheduled maintenance as laid out by the original designers of our local roadways, as well as ongoing evaluation of existing condition of the roadway. He noted the difficulties in doing so while working with different gubernatorial administrations beholden to the real-world conditions of their day and complicated annual budgets.

Smarkel also pointed out the significance of proper oversight when dealing with private contractors. One scenario foreseen was a contractor concluding that if one project finished over budget, an incentive would be created to bring the next project under budget to compensate for lost profits. A less-than-ideal contractor may use substandard materials or a lower level of acceptable finish quality to cover previous job losses. The need for independent quality control and responsible project management with open lines of dialogue between designers and construction crews becomes paramount to ensure efficient roadway preservation.

While these may just be the opinions of local observers who lack the thorough knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the responsible governmental entities, it is still an inarguable fact that these bridges are only getting older every day. It is also safe to say that they will require extreme amounts of money and construction work over the next 10 years if they are to continue to be the main arteries that move people and commerce in the capital city.(5)

EXAMPLES OF URGENCY FROM JUST THIS LAST MONTH

In the evening hours of Jan. 19, multiple lanes of Highway 99 South between 12th Avenue and Fruitridge Road were closed so that previously unscheduled roadwork could be done to resurface a bump on the freeway which extended across several bridge decks. According to CalTrans public relations officer Carol Herman, the work was only a temporary fix until more substantial repairs can be done during warmer weather in the upcoming months.

This construction work caused major congestion during the Jan. 20 morning commute, which I can attest to personally. I commute daily from 65th Street and Folsom Boulevard to Norwood via I-80, and pass under Highway 99 South at Highway 50. Normally at 6:45 a.m., the time at which I pass this interchange daily, traffic is fluid. On the morning of the 20th, as per the warnings I heard via multiple traffic reports, I witnessed for myself the parking lot that formed on the adjacent off-ramps. Traffic was unusually congested, until one passed the Highway 99 on-ramps. Within the scope of possibilities outlined in this article, it’s effortless to imagine a future where such inconveniences become a more common occurrence.

LOOKING INTO THE DATA

Being surrounded on two sides by rivers, Sacramento is hugely dependent on our roads and bridges for normal daily life to continue. If one or more of these bridges were ever forced to close entirely for major repair or due to their failure, business in the Sacramento region could slow to a crawl. Another troubling fact is the sheer amount of bridges in the Sacramento region: 472. Many of these bridges are in the rural areas and are important transportation routes critical for the production of agriculture. Every day, on average, over 22 million vehicles travel on them, and, of that, 1.8 million of them are heavy trucks. These heavy trucks are one of the most critical factors in pavement deterioration, as one fully loaded 80,000-pound truck causes as much wear as 10,000 automobiles. Compound that with the fact that heavy truck travel has grown at a 50 percent higher rate than autos in the last 20 years, and you have the recipe for the poor pavement conditions we’re dealing with presently.

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) said as much in its report on road maintenance through 2035. They warn that gasoline taxes have failed to cover less than 20 percent of what the region needs for road maintenance and rehabilitation. Tax revenues have not kept pace with inflation, due in part to corporate fleet reductions and the improved fuel economy of newer vehicles. While the region currently spends over $250 million a year on road maintenance, SACOG estimates that figure will grow to over $1.2 billion a year in just 15 years. Rather than focusing on preventative maintenance, which in the long run is more cost effective and lengthens the life of the of the roadwork, most of the region’s transportation agencies elect to do “quick-and-dirty” deferred maintenance. This only applies “band-aids” to the symptoms of larger problems. In the long run, agencies spend more money and get less favorable results by going this route. In this current climate of reduced tax revenues and our national recession, budget conditions allow for little else but these “patch jobs.”(6)

According to the 2009 National Bridge Inventory, many of the bridges spanning our local waterways are either “structurally deficient” or “functionally obsolete.”(7) Even so, Sacramento County typically only budgets for one bridge repair project annually, and these projects average under $100,000.(8) The lack of proper maintenance eventually gets passed down to the motorist in the form of wear and tear on their vehicles. The average Sacramento motorist will pay an additional $609 annually in added vehicle operating costs due to poor roads. That is a number which is almost twice the average of the rest of the country, and the sixth highest average of regions with populations over 1 million nationwide.

CALTRANS ACKNOWLEDGES CHALLENGES, CITY’S HISTORY OF SAFETY

For the past 84 years, the California State Department of Transportation, CalTrans, has been responsible for over 12,000 bridges. In that time, none of their bridges have collapsed due to neglect. Despite the fact that many bridges are well beyond their design service life, State Bridge Maintenance Engineer Dolores Valls is certain that CalTrans’ aggressive inspection and maintenance program is working in a manner that will allow the bridges to continue to serve the public reliably.

“As the transportation system ages, it will require increased attention, much like a patient reaching middle age needs more frequent visits to the doctor than a teenager to remain healthy,” Valls said via e-mail. “Making sure those structures, including the more than 400 state highway bridges in the greater Sacramento area, continue to provide safe and reliable service requires the ongoing support of the public and the full-time attention of a special unit of 200 trained engineering professionals.”

Even though Director Cindy McKim says that “the state of California’s economic difficulties only make our work more challenging,” CalTrans is confident in the safety and dependably of state bridges. She acknowledges that the current network of bridges is crucial to our economic prosperity, as billions of dollars of commerce depend on their existence. But recently when over $1 billion in funding appropriations were announced, less than $900,000 was allocated to the repair of an existing bridge.(9) A majority of funding is set to be used for the addition of more lanes on existing freeways, the purchasing of buses and light rail trains for local governments, and building traffic control systems to reduce congestion times. $65 million will be spent on parts of the Sacramento River Bridge, but only to add HOV, median and auxiliary lanes on the existing roadway. Hopefully some of that monies goes to ensuring that the “W X” can handle the added weight.

WHAT NOW?

The items covered in this article are not the beginning or the end of the challenges facing the roads and bridges in the greater Sacramento area. The damaging effects of seismic activity, flooding, major accidents with chemical spills, and even the corrosive nature of some bird droppings also deserve a thorough investigation.(10) The continuing commitment of state and federal resources to maintain the ongoing use of our vital passages for commerce and transportation could prove to be the logistical nightmare of the next few decades. Combine the general public’s perceived lack of awareness to the existence of these problems and the current uncertain economic climate in the ongoing global recession, and one is left guessing how much of a priority this can be to those who responsibility it is to ensure proper funding for road safety and operations.

It is important to stress at this point that this information is not meant to sway the reader into blindly adopting one opinion about the current state of local bridges over another. The genesis of this article was simply daily observations by the author. These observations resulted in further research of publicly searchable databases and scrutiny of similar historical events.

It is the only hope of the author that upon the conclusion of reading this article the reader is motivated to do their own research and observation and to come to their own conclusions. If after proper scrutiny the consensus is that our bridges are in good working order and are being managed responsibly, then there is nothing to be concerned about and the motorists of Sacramento can draw comfort from the fact that their roads and bridges are safe.

But if the contrary is true, and it turns out our bridges deserve an immediate increase of funding and attention to fix or replace anything that may be an eminent danger to the public, one can only hope that this compilation of information begins the debate that prevents any incident which otherwise could cause economic and bodily harm.

Footnotes:

(1) http://allaboutfrogs.org/stories/boiled.html
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-35W_Mississippi_River_bridge
(3) http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-update-cal-trans-completes-99-112910,0,2507733.story
(4) Images of America, Sacramento’s Midtown. Arcadia Publishing 2006
(5) http://www.sacog.org/mtp/pdf/MTP2035/Issue%20Papers/Road%20Maintenance.pdf
(6) http://www.city-data.com/bridges/bridges-Sacramento-California.html
(7) Search results from http://nationalbridges.com/
(8) http://www.msa2.saccounty.net/transportation/Pages/BridgeRepair.aspx
(9) http://www.dot.ca.gov/docs/ctcprojectallocationsjanuary2011.pdf
(10) http://rip.trb.org/browse/dproject.asp?n=25523
(*) Google Map Images used following Fair Use under the Permission Guidelines for Google Maps and Google Earth. Permission Guidelines for Google Maps and Google Earth Fair Use Policy: http://www.google.com/permissions/geoguidelines.html

Representatives from CalTrans were forthcoming with information when asked and very helpful in the framing of this article. I invite them to continue the discussion in the comments section below.

Kudos to those who work at answering service centers

2011-01-30T11:07:10Z

Recently I took a job at an answering service call center. I thought it would be easy work. I mean, really how difficult can it be to answer the phone and take and relay messages?

Well, I learned it is not easy seeing how spoiled some of us have become.

A woman calls in for her home warranty company. She is very upset because it is Friday and the contractor assigned is telling her he needs to do additional work and needs authorization to complete the job.

I went to work happy and in good spirits. But my smile turns upside down as the caller begins yelling at me. I continuously apologize and attempt to explain her coverage amount. I explain customer service will open on Monday and she can get authorization to go over the amount on Monday.

She yells, curses and screams, 'What am I supposed to do?" I have to take a shower. I can't take a shower. Get me a manager right now." But she is calling after hours and no manager is available.

As she unleashes her anger and directs it towards she yells, "What do you want me to do? I can't take a shower. I have somewhere to go. Find someone to take care of this." She screams, "What do you suggest I do mam?"

I bite my tongue. The thought that entered my mind was to say, "Mam, boil some hot water pour it in a tub with your cold water and take a warm bubble bath. Heck, light some candles and make the best of a bad situation. You don't have to take a shower. For goodness sake boil water and take a bath"

But to keep my job; I listen to her continuous complaints and listen to her yell and direct her anger towards me.

The power goes out in one neighborhood. A call comes in for a power company. The kind woman, understandably, wants to know why the power is out. She explains she has a medical condition which requires the use of a machine that she needs power for.

I dispatch the call and explain to the caller that a technician is in the area and they are working to resolve the issue. She is thankful for the service and the call is ended.

A second call comes in, from the same area, the man is irate and yelling, 'My power is off, and I can't use my microwave." He begins yelling, cursing and unleashes and directs all his anger towards me. He yells, "I can't use my microwave." I explain a technician has been dispatched.

He yells, "Did you hear me? I can't use my microwave. What am I supposed to do?" I bite my tongue wanting to say, "Sir, the caller before you can't use her breathing machine and you are worried about a microwave?"

But again, I want to keep my job so I suck up the complaint and anger directed towards me.

I took another call. I held my breath when I saw it was for a home warranty company. The caller stated her upstairs bathroom was not working properly and the plumber can't come until Monday.

I exhaled when she then stated, 'Well, I just wanted to let you know. It's not the end of the world. I can use the downstairs bathroom. Please have someone call me on Monday."

I smiled. Prior to her call I wondered, "Is it the end of the world? Heck, the folks I was talking to were down right spoiled and mean.

Another call comes in for a heating and air conditioning company. I tell the caller I will dispatch the call and the technician has two hours to respond.

The caller yells, "I have no heat. And you want me to wait two hours?" I bite my tongue wanting to say 'Sir, grab a blanket bundle up and drink some hot chocolate. It's only two hours."

To work at a call center can be an emotional roller coaster ride. We take hundreds of calls a day.

We take calls from cancer patients having a bad reaction to their chemo. You can hear the fear and love in their voice.

We take calls from family members arranging to have their elderly or hospice family member deceased body picked up. You can hear the pain and love in their voice.

We take calls from women bleeding, in the middle of miscarriages, afraid of losing their child. You can hear the worry and love in their voice.

We take calls from people getting evicted from their apartments or their homes in foreclosure. They are worried about where they will take their children to live. You can hear the sadness and love in their voice.

We take calls from people who can't pay their electric bill and have no lights. They won't have the income to have the lights back on for a month or more. You can hear the concern and love in their voice.

It never ceases to amaze me that the meanest people appear to be those whose complaints are so insignificant in comparison to what so many others are experiencing.

I turned down a job for a telemarketer position. I believe No means No. I would get fired for not doing rebuttals and not trying to convince people to buy something they weren't in the market to buy.

I thought working at an answering service call center would be an easier job since I won't have the pressure of selling people anything. But, I don't know if this is the right job for me. I just keep biting my tongue.

I try not to let the complaints, anger and hostility I receive from callers affect me. I try to leave with the smile I came to work with. But some days it is difficult to leave with a smile.

The good thing is that for every 50 calls from someone irate; there will be that one call of love that overshadows the anger.

Heck, it’s not easy working at an answering service call center when you are low income and see so many spoiled people.

We get paid just enough to make it til our next payday. And often we are a payday away from our electric bill being shut off, or face eviction, or have medical or dental bills that we can't pay the deductable on.

It is not easy answering calls and hearing so many people with genuine concerns and pain. It’s not easy answering calls and some (too many) people appear spoiled and become irate and unreasonable and direct their anger and hostility towards you.

Working at an answering service call center is more difficult than I imagined it would be. But heck, I am thankful to be employed.

This article is to send Kudos to all those who work for an answering service company and to also send Kudos to all those who call in the Spirit of Love making our job easier. Thank you!

Proposed alley project leads to clash of old and new in Midtown

2011-01-29T22:23:44Z

By Debra Belt

It is a small, unkempt patch of land on a dirt alley in Sacramento’s Boulevard Park neighborhood. Yet, the modest site at 2207 C St. is the subject of an intense debate that is expected to heat up as a proposed residential project for the alley lot heads to City Council Feb. 1.

At issue is a single-family home, a modern infill project that has neighbors, preservationists, politicians, architects, the city and the builders deadlocked over the design of the residence and its alley location in one of Sacramento’s oldest neighborhoods. As Midtown’s alley development movement advances, interest in the project is high, and followers say it could set a precedent in residential neighborhoods, for better or for worse, depending upon who is voicing their opinion.

The Boulevard Park Neighborhood Association and some area residents oppose the project because they think it’s too tall, too modern and does not complement surrounding turn-of-the-century homes in the historic neighborhood. They want to the design to be changed or built somewhere else.

The city of Sacramento Planning Division, Design Commission, AIA Central Valley Urban Design Committee and other neighbors support the project, saying the scale of the three-story residence meets city guidelines and that it is a quality design making good use of available space within the Central City. Advocates note that the alley site is 80 feet from the street front, removing it from the immediate context of the neighborhood.

Seeking to balance the strong and numerous views weighing in on the project, City Council member Steve Cohn in December “called up” the project for council review. Cohn said he did so at the request of the neighborhood association and neighbors who live near the proposed project.

“There is concern that the project is too large for the scale of the block, and neighbors are also concerned about the modern design in a neighborhood of traditional older homes,” Cohn said in a telephone interview. “The main issue is that the proposed building is three stories and faces immediate neighbors.”

Before the call-up, the project circulated through the city’s design review process and was approved by city Design Director William Crouch. The Boulevard Park Neighborhood Association and 21 area residents appealed the director’s decision. In response, the city Planning Division generated a 71-page report addressing neighborhood concerns and citing design considerations to “promote creative architectural solutions that acknowledge contextual design issues, yet allow for flexibility and variety of design.”

The project then went to the city Design Commission. After listening to three hours of testimony from both sides, the commission unanimously approved the project.

The call-up is the final step in this lengthy process. Luis Sanchez, senior architect for the city, said in an e-mail that “the City Code is written to allow a call-up by a City Council member whose district the project is in, if it is felt that additional discussion on the project design, and decision by the commission is warranted.”

Sanchez also said City Council has the final say, and the review of the situation starts anew.

“The role of the City Council is to make a determination on the final project design,” he said. “It is reviewed de novo by the City Council.”

Nathan and Erica Cunningham, the couple trying to build the proposed home for themselves and their two daughters, said this approval process has delayed their project for seven months and cost them almost $2,000 in additional fees. They refer to the project as a "modern and progressive” design.

“We are of the school of thought that with new construction on an infill site, let’s not copy or imitate the original surrounding architecture,” said Nathan Cunningham in an e-mail. “Instead, let’s respect this original architecture for what it is, and move forward by designing and building something that reflects how we live in the current century.”

Sanchez said a difference of opinion on what is the most appropriate design for a neighborhood is not unusual.

“The voice of the neighborhood is important, and the design discussion between neighborhood groups, design staff and city agencies is a healthy dialogue for any growing city,” he said.

The debate about how much a neighborhood can influence what landowners build on their private property is as old as Boulevard Park itself. It is, however, one that becomes more fierce as viable lots in Sacramento’s city center dwindle and people look to limited available resources such as alley sites, which have become a buzz topic as the city looks to create a more vibrant, diverse and sustainable city center with its 2030 General Plan.

Bruce Monighan, president of AIA Central Valley, said that Sacramento as a community has talked about infill and alley development for nearly a decade. “If not here on the alleys, when and where will this city allow a new chapter of the American dream?”

Monighan added, “The neighbors are effectively saying that in order to live in their neighborhood, you must look like them. What are we trying to legislate here? He asked. “Is it personal taste?”

The Cunninghams, who specialize in building and renovating homes in Sacramento’s core neighborhoods, said there are only a small number of affordable lots suitable for residential development in the Central City. They said they were lucky to find someone who was willing to sell the alley lot for a reasonable price.

Some residents in Boulevard Park, however, think this neighborhood is not the place to build a modern residence.

“This is a historic residential neighborhood surrounding the property, but the design somehow seeks to make an independent, isolated statement that effectively turns its back on the neighborhood,” wrote residents Lyvonne and Robert Sewell in a letter submitted to city associate planner David Hung.

Jon Marshack, former vice chair of Sacramento’s Design Review and Preservation Board, is strongly opposed to the project. “While this design has numerous laudable features, it is totally out of place within this neighborhood’s historic context,” he wrote in a letter to Sacramento’s Design Director. “I urge you to require that the proposed project be redesigned to respect its historic neighborhood context or relocated to a more appropriate site.”

Of additional concern to the neighbors is that the project is adjacent to the Boulevard Park subdivision, which is the subject of a proposed National Register historic district.

Darby Patterson, the owner of the one house in the neighborhood that is already on the National Register, supports the proposed alley residence.

“This is something new, positive and vibrant,” Patterson said in a telephone interview. “I live in a city and expect to make changes as the city grows. If we all stayed in the same place we would all still be living in Victorians.”

Patterson also said she is tired of absentee ownership, vermin, weeds and graffiti on the alley. “Civilizing the alley sounds good to me.”

At the alley site, the only clues to the neighborhood controversy is the public notice posted on the defunct Earle Plumbing Shop currently occupying the property and the mysterious pieces of lumber “ghosting” the shape and height of the proposed structure, which is designed to be three stories and utilize Cor-ten steel siding on the north side facing an industrial area and the railroad tracks.

Cohn said he has met with the builder of the proposed project and the neighbors and is trying to reach some degree of resolution before the City Council meeting.

“The neighbors propose reducing the residence to two stories or going with a more traditional design,” Cohn said. “The applicant (builder) has proposed to shift the third story four feet to the north to minimize the height, revisit window openings on the east and develop landscaping for more privacy. We have one more meeting before this goes to council and are seeking some agreement.”

Cohn acknowledged the difficulty of the situation.

“You have a young couple with a very clear idea about what they want and it’s at odds with what the neighbors expect,” he said. “We are trying to treat each issue on its own merits and bring the two factions together through dialogue.”

Disclosure statement: Writer Debra Belt is married to Stephen Henry of Henry + Associates, the architect of the proposed alley project.

Sinbad Smashes

2011-01-29T21:30:46Z

Sinbad, the man with his own unique style of comedy, had the packed house at Thunder Valley Resort laughing for an hour and a half Friday night. Sinbad, who has years of stand-up comedy, television and film roles under his belt, made sure the audience knew that being back on the stage was where he belonged.

Sinbad’s stand-up show features stories more than jokes and is largely based on everyone he meets, everything he’s seen and everything he does. Many jokes take unique and hilarious turns as he works them out in his head. Sometimes a joke starts to stagnate just a little and ‘wham’ he pulls a funny face or an appropriate line out of the hat and it soars once again.

Many of the evening’s jokes hit on hot topics: President Obama, the recession, relationships, race and family. However, he also asks the audience, “What can I answer for you?” This question was a way for people to throw a question out and get an impromptu, and often hilarious, response from Sinbad. It was a genuine way for a comic to show just how quick they are on their feet and let the audience know that most of the routine is not planned.

One of the surprising elements of Sinbad’s show was his lack of foul language. Not only was the show clean, it very easily could have been attended by a teenage audience. This type of comedy is rare today and was a refreshing change from other venues and comedians. However, it should be noted that he never gave anything up by not using foul language. Instead, the innuendoes became something the audience worked-on in their own head; this seemed to make many laugh even harder.

Overall it was a fun night with a comedian who is making his way back into the spotlight. The stage is someplace he feels comfortable. As comedians go, he is once again a must see.

Marc McLaughlin is a contributing writer and photographer for the Sacramento Press.

"They Say It's Wonderful" At STC Cabaret Series (And It Is)

2011-01-29T17:20:30Z

The second of this season’s Sacramento Theatre Company Cabaret Series, “They Say It’s Wonderful: Broadway’s Best Love Songs,” opened Thursday night.

Again the lobby of the STC Mainstage Theatre has again been turned into a nice little nightclub with many tables for four.

The program features love songs from the late 1920s to the present. The show opens with “How Long Has This Been Going On” from the1927 show “Rosalie.” The show is long-forgotten, but the song has remained popular over the decades.

After some straightforward love songs such as “Someone to Watch Over Me” (“Oh Kay”) and “On the Street Where You Live” (“My Fair Lady”) the first set turns to fun, funny love songs ending with “Suddenly, Seymour” from “Little Shop of Horrors.”

The second set opens with several songs from popular revivals on Broadway. These include songs from revivals such as “Annie Get Your Gun,” “The King and I” and “The Music Man.” These songs are followed by songs chosen by cast members as some of their favorite Broadway musical love songs. The show ends with love songs from more contemporary shows, including “Lets Hear It for the Boy” (“Footloose”) and ending with “Without Love” from “Hairspray.”

The show was created and directed by STC producing director Michael Laun. The cabaret series allows Laun a major Broadway musical affection-ado to get in front of an audience for a change.

Laun was joined by a STC Cabaret Series regular Kristen Wagner. Wagner has also appeared with Artistic Differences, Runaway Stage and the ever popular Graham-a-rama. She is especially good with “Moment in the Woods” from “Into the Woods.” Wagner and Laun have great fun with “Do You Love Me” from “Fiddler on the Roof.”

All the other performers are new to the STC Cabaret Series, starting with Ian Culity. Culity recently played Jesus in “Refer Madness” at Artistic Differences. He has a great voice and theatrical style. He is especially fun with “Farmer Tan” from “Pump Boys and Dinettes.” Culity and Laun do a great duet with “Agony” from Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.”

Also new to the STC Cabaret Series is Maggie Elizabeth May. May is another shining example of the STC Young Professionals Conservatory. She was in the first year of the YPC and went on to train at the Royal Academy of Music in London, debuting in the West End production of “Sister Act” with Whoopi Goldberg. The 24-year-old has a beautiful voice and really shines on “Someone Like You” from “Jekyll and Hyde” and does a spectacular duet with Abbey Williams-Campbell on “For Good” from “Wicked.”

Williams-Campbell, 15, is another cast member from the STC Young Professionals Conservatory. She has already appeared in “A Christmas Carol,” “ Cinderella” and “Arranged Marriage.” She will appear in the STC Mainstage production of “Brighton Beach Memoirs” in March. Williams-Campbell is wonderful on “Think of Me” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.”

Singing individually, in duets and as a whole cast, the performers in “They Say It’s Wonderful” brought to life nearly 30 love songs from the distant past to contemporary Broadway to an appreciative audience.

Limited run. Shows at 2:00 and 8:00 pm today

More information and tickets

Sac Re-Starts City Mgmt Academy

2011-01-29T08:46:39Z

After a few years of budget-induced hiatus, the city’s Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) revived a noteworthy community program Wednesday night.

The City Management Academy (CMA) http://www.cityofsacramento.org/city-management-academy// is an annual 12-week series of classroom presentations designed to educate community organizers to better understand how our city government operates. Wednesday evening's initial 3-hour session brought 30 eager, newly-appointed members of the "2011 CMA class" to their City Hall conference room home base, and the agenda and process for the next several months of presentations and city facility visits.

With substantial support from a core group of dedicated program alumni (more than 300 have “graduated” since the first class in 1995), and the ever-creative efforts of Vincene Jones and the NSD staff http://www.cityofsacramento.org/ns/ each week's agenda will offer the group access to top-level managers who'll explain & explore the current issues and challenges in various city departments, with the goal of facilitating better lines of communication between those citizens invested in community-issues solutions and the dedicated professionals working within the city administration tasked to do so in these economically challenging times. http://www.cityofsacramento.org/city-management-academy/what-is-it.cfm

Class members represent a mixture of Sacramento's engaged community leaderdship: neighborhood & homeowners association board members, non-profit agency staff, campaign ballot initiative organization leaders, and many others. An enthusiastic vibe from the room certainly indicated a strong level of commitment to active participation in this unique opportunity with access to Sacramento government officials for discussion of the issues and challenges facing the city's future.

**********

CLASS #1: After introductions and opening remarks, the group jumped right into its work with "Governnance Structure & Charter Officers". Candid, engaging presentations by three of Sacramento's city charter department leaders, Interim City Manager Gus Vina, City Clerk Shirley Concolino and Matt Ruyak from the City Attorney’s Office, will hopefully set the tone for subsequent class presentations.

First up was the wry wit of our current Interim City Manager http://www.cityofsacramento.org/cityman/index.html. In the city's recently somewhat of a roller-coaster "CEO" role, the timeliness of Gus Vina's presence was immediately understood by many in the class, since Tuesday's City Council meeting had just included the Council vote to fund a national candidate search process for a replacement for his job. Amidst the Council's atmosphere of presumed (a 5 - 4 vote) "no-confidence", Vina nevertheless said he'd been clear over time how much he does want the permanent position, and is contemplating whether to submit his resume for the job, versus choosing to "pursue other options".

Vina's good humor was evident as he transitioned into an excellent, mostly spin-free overview discussion of the basic structure and format of the city's governing bodies. Having encouraged the room to be candid, direct, and to interrupt wth questions, he comfortably fielded several challenges to some specific info he'd offered. More than a few times he described how much remains challenging in the coming budget cycles around balancing declining revenue while maintaining service levels vital to city residents, workers and businesses.

Never tedious or boring, several on-the-fly decisions kept Vina talking well past the scheduled time, with the class eager in agreement to delay a dinner break & continue the conversation w/ him. Some might see Gus Vina as a huge asset Sacramento could be well wise to avoid losing... among them me.

Shirley Concolino has spent nearly a decade streamlining and updating many operations of the City Clerk's office http://www.cityofsacramento.org/clerk/, often finding creative (and occasionally revenue-generating!) methods to handle staffing cuts while maintaining vital components of the city government's day-to-day workings. She rightfully boasted of various ongoing "green" changes which have substantially reduced the volumes of paper the city must generate in its legally-required documents and forms collection. Our city is on-track for eventual "digital signature" technology which will further reduce waste, and greatly improve turn-around timelines in all sorts of departments and processes. And many of the class were pleased to learn of the very efficient Passport service appointments the Clerk's Office offers, including photos, which are said to much less onerous than what's avalable at the US Post Office a block away!

The City Attorney's Office http://www.cityofsacramento.org/cityattorney// was represented by Matt Ruyak, currently Supervising Deputy City Attorney of the Transactional / Advisory Section, who did an excellent job of describing (to the nearly all non-lawyers in the class) the different aspects of counsel and advice the legal team (approx. 50) provides to a broad array of city government. Several class members were interested in learning more about the CAO's Justice For Neighbors Program, a state-funded pilot project which helps citizens rid neighborhoods of problem properties (tenants and landlords, evictions and foreclosures) through newly streamlined regulations and procedures.

**********

This contributor will offer Sac Press readers a wrap-up from each of the upcoming 11 week’s classes, with information and perspective for citizens (like me!) who are interested in how civic involvement in local government is vital to sustaining quality of life here in Sacramento.

Please follow this storyline for Friday evening articles on each week's class. Announced class topics http://www.cityofsacramento.org/city-management-academy/curriculum-highlights.cfm include public safety, housing & redevelopment, parks & recreation, census redistricting, code & permit compliance, and more. And we're scheduled to visit both the city's 311 Call Center http://www.cityofsacramento.org/generalservices/311/ & Public Safety Center as well.

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY: Mayor Kevin Johnson and his team discuss various of his Sacramento's Vision & Initiatives including: Greenwise http://greenwisesacramento.org/, Steps Forward, STAND UP for Education, For Arts' Sake http://www.forartsake.org/.

Hausu

2011-01-29T06:17:53Z

The Crocker Art Museum was the site for the showing of the Japanese movie Hausu (House). The Japanese cult classic film was shown in the new Crocker Art Auditorium as part of the Thursdays ‘til 9 events. Thursdays ‘til 9, art with a twist, includes Open Art every 4th Thursday of the month.

Hausu was co-presented by Movies on the Big Screen (MOBS) with Robert McKeown on hand. McKeown and DeeAnn Little are the creators of MOBS and have been based in Sacramento since its inception in 2006. MOBS shows documentaries, shorts, indie films and cult films like Hausu.

Just outside the theatre a table was set up by Mr. Lobo and his lovely assistant. They were selling Cinema Insomnia merchandize. I asked him to tell me a little about himself. “I have a syndicated television program called Cinema Insomnia. This runs in 30 or more cities across the country. I’ve done the show for 10 years and host conventional festivals, horror and sci-fi festivals also across the country that’s kind of like my forte.”

I read Mr. Lobo was introducing the film Hausu but was not sure he was going to actually be there. My first thought was that he would appear via video. The place to hold this movie at first appeared to be a strange place to hold it for viewing and pictured a different kind of audience. I asked Mr. Lobo what his function was going to be for the evening. “I’m going to, because it’s the Crocker, do a slightly different way of introducing. We’ll try to be more informational since it will be a Crocker audience,” Mr. Lobo said. He continued, “It is a horror film, but it’s a very artistic film hopefully there’s some crossover. “

Once inside the screen was showing some little known movies that had won awards and would be playing, I believe, at the Guild. Over the loudspeakers punkish type music played and noticed that KDVS was also involved with the Movies on the Big Screen and thought that perhaps that’s where the music came from.

The auditorium began to fill up quick as the film was about to start. Robert McKeown took to the microphone to welcome the audience, “Hello, thank you for coming if you’re not familiar with us we show movies at the Guild on Sundays. We tend to show documentaries, independent films, classics and some cult tittles.” He spoke about future events saying “Coming up in February, at the end of the month it’s the anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Sacramento so we’ll be showing ‘Steamboat Bill Jr.’ and William Burg from the Sacramento Historical Society will be out to talk about Sacramento and steamboats it’s kind of like having our own Steamboat Bill.” Check out the MOBS website for a full schedule and description of future events.

“Introducing the night’s movie,” Robert continued, “rather than me talk about it we have someone here to introduce it, he’s kind of a expert on pop culture and obscure culture, nationally syndicated, late night horror host Mr. Lobo.” Cheers and applause followed before Mr. Lobo appeared on stage.

“Thank you Robert, a big hand for Robert. We have to thank him for bringing here an uncouth guy like myself to a classy place like this. I’m your horror host Mr. Lobo. How many people here know what a horror host is?” Some people raised their hand, Mr. Lobo said “Ok you’re old, you’re very old people.” Someone from the audience called out “Like Elvira”. Mr. Lobo continued” Elvira exactly. Basically in most cases a horror host on television would be sort of like hamburger helper. Hopefully tonight I won’t have to perform that function. But first of all I would like to know how many people in the audience here have seen Hausu.” Several of us raised our hands. One lady remembered the tricky cat. Mr. Lobo’s partner Dixie Dellamorto came out and handed out a prize, a Cinema Insomnia video and a bunch of bananas.

Mr. Lobo recalled when he went to see Hausu. He saw it in San Francisco after a 2 hour drive and they came in about ½ way through it. Mr. Lobo said “Our minds were still blown. We still felt that it was totally worth it to drive 2 hours and pay 12 bucks to see a woman get eaten by a lamp.”

Mr. Lobo proceeded to describe the plot of the movie and what it took to make it. “Nobuhiko Obayashi was an obscure film maker he was much inspired by the French New Wave. He started his own film production. He made experimental films combining animation, experimental animation with live action. He did hand drawing animation and pixelization where he would take a live actor or an object and made it a frame at a time. “

Obayashi was also known to film commercials and one of his popular commercials was a series of ads for Mandom deodorant. Mr. Lobo’s introduction and fun filled facts explained much of what it took to make the movie. Obayashi’s experimentation and foresight as movie director, screenwriter and editor were instrumental in the making of this movie. He is also well known for his commercials on Japanese TV. American actor Charles Bronson was well known for a series of Mandom deodorant commercials.

Mr. Lobo went on to explain that around the time Hausu was coming out they were competing with American films such as Jaws and Carrie. He said “Hausu was not quite as big as Jaws it was a B movie, it was paired with another movie. It was truly a B picture There was an A picture and a B picture. The A picture was with a young couple in a romantic comedy. It was a short fire hit and it was called Hearts in Mud that was the A picture which we are not showing tonight. And the B picture, Mr. Lobo is particularly fond of B pictures, was Hausu or House and in Hausu they even referenced the A movie This kind of solidified him as a sort of popular director he’s made 40 films to date but this, this my friends is Obayashi’s Citizen Kane.”

Just before the movie was about to begin Mr. Lobo to have the audience do the Insomniac Oath. He began. “Repeat after me, all of you, all day. I as initiated member of the sleepless nights of insomnia and the Crocker art museum and Movies on the Big Screen do solemnly swear to watch the movie, the whole movie, and nothing but the movie so help me Mr. Lobo.” He ended with “I’ll like to present to you Hausu.”

The movie is hard to describe. It’s a comedy, it’s horror, it’s dumb, artsy, it’s clever, science fiction and fantasy. It has generated a cult following since it was released back in 1977.

Hausu has been described as a hallucinatory head trip. During the summers Oshare, the main character in the movie, spends her vacation with her father at a large villa. She has several good friends at her school and wants to invite them to join her. As she tries to talk to her father about it, he has a surprise for her. Oshare learns that her father has brought his future wife to meet her. Oshare still cannot let go of the memory of her mom who has been dead for 8 years. She wants nothing to do with the impending marriage and then tries to see if her aunt (her mom’s sister) would allow a visit from Oshare and her friends.

The story becomes more complicated but Oshare and her friends are welcomed at her aunt’s place. The home ends up being in a desolate place where the girls come face to face with evil spirits, bloodthirsty pianos, and a demonic housecat.

Many who showed to watch the film have either seen the movie before or caught parts of it on YouTube. The end of the movie solicited various responses from pure amazement to where somebody said “What did I just watch?”

The evening was a great collaboration between the Crocker Art Museum, Movies on the Big Screen and Mr. Lobo. If you have not made a trip to the Crocker Art Museum I must end by saying that Saturday, January 29, is Sacramento Museum Day. Crocker will be one of the many museums that will have free entry to its museum.

All photos courtesy of Robert McKeown and Movies on the Big Screen

Deerhoof reinvents itself again at Harlow's

2011-01-29T05:47:52Z

The endearing oddballs that make up Deerhoof create music and live performances that have defied all conventions in composition, lifestyle and even a sense of time.

In graduate school, drummer Greg Saunier studied the rules so that he could break them. Ed Rodriguez and John Dieterich learned instruments so they can swap them for other instruments. Singer Satomi Matsuzaki moved from Tokyo to San Francisco as a film student, to eventually trade movies for music. They’ve now traveled the world to find themselves in a place of nostalgia when playing in Northern California, where the band formed in the mid-’90s.

Such was the eccentric climate at Harlow’s Thursday night, where Deerhoof kicked off their 2011 tour in support of their new record, "Deerhoof vs. Evil.”

Opening for Deerhoof, local rockers G.Green engaged the loyal audience with an old-school punk mentality, a female-driven rhythm section, screaming, clapping and a raw rush of adrenaline. Saunier later confessed that members of Deerhoof missed G.Green’s set because of the “incredibly slow service” at the Asian fusion restaurant next door.

“But they sounded great during sound check!” he added.

Deerhoof’s performance explored several new numbers, starting with “Super Duper Rescue Heads” and then “Qui Dorm, Nomes Somia” off of “Deerhoof vs. Evil.”

“This is the first time we’ve played this song,” Matsuzaki said, who got off a plane from her hometown of Tokyo just a few days prior. “And this is our first day on tour!”

The crowd cheered to the point of moshing in the very front, while Matsuzaki’s playful vocals rode over wave of distortion and melodic chaos. She danced methodically to the music, extending her arms and legs with simple, deliberate movements.

While Matsuzaki’s playing emits a more structured and sweet style, Saunier’s head and arms unhinged to the point of severe whiplash.

“I haven’t been head-banging in months, and then suddenly you go up there and you’re gong wild,” he said. “This always happens the first night of every tour. It’s been like this for 16 years. I’m going to wake up with a sore neck tomorrow.”

Saunier explained how Deerhoof reinvents itself with each new year, band lineup, record and song.

“We found each other sort of by accident with nothing in common musically,” he said. “So every time we try to do something, it feels like a stretch. I can never, ever predict what kind of song is going to come next from Ed or John or Satomi, or even from myself!

“I feel like the way I write songs, if you can even use that word ‘write,’ it is so accidental, like the songs seem to come out of nowhere, basically. Something will just pop into my head, and I’m hard-pressed to say that I’m the composer. So it’s always a surprise, and every new song makes us feel like we’re total beginners! Each person is totally confused about what they’re doing. Maybe it is what kind of binds us in a way.”

The title “Deerhoof vs. Evil” sheds light on this philosophy.

“None of us really believes that music is good or that it could ever fight against evil or anything,” Saunier said. “Even more than usual, we didn’t define the style with new album. This time there were no limitations. Part of it was because we had all moved, and we separated from each other a little bit, and you know, you get a taste of freedom…So it makes us feel like we got to invent stuff all over again. No rules! It kind of feels like over the years we take more and more risks in terms of what we allow ourselves to show. A lot of the best moments come from the ones that were the most seemingly impossible to pull off, or the most outside of our comfort zone.”

And so last night’s show was just as unhinged and freeform as its players. The audience members moved and moshed, losing themselves in a maze of complex sounds and playful little experiments.

Longtime fan Erik Norgaard expressed excitement to see one of his favorite bands again, despite some of the “muddy” sound issues.

“On first listen at the show, [the new material] sounded really incredible,” he said.

Just like Saunier, Norgaard said that he “hates genres or describing music in terms of genres.”

“I really like to call it every type of music,” he said. “I think they have such a dynamic sound, and they’re constantly changing, from gritty to pop to gritty to pop again.”

Interwoven with the new songs, they also reverted to some old songs such as “Fresh Born” off of “Offend Maggie.” Before the 2008 album's release, Deerhoof had published the sheet music for the song so that fans could submit their recordings without hearing the band’s version.

In a similar vain, Deerhoof engaged its online audience through a “Global Album Leak,” where each week leading to its Jan. 25 release by Polyvinyl, they dropped a new song via a different blog, based in a different city throughout the globe. This global map in some ways reflects the band’s international identity, which has emerged in the last two years with an increase in worldwide tours and Matsuzaki’s return to Tokyo.

“It’s so much more adventure than I ever dreamed I’d ever have, the places that we’ve seen on planet Earth,” Saunier said. “I never thought I’d go to Istanbul. I never thought I’d go to Moscow. I never thought I’d go to Stockholm or Tokyo or Beijing or Sydney! And if it’s a place that you’ve never been and it’s so remote, it’s so alien, it’s on the other side of the globe. And then you get there, and there’s people singing along — singing your songs, songs that, like I said, just popped into your head one day, and now there’s some Russian person singing it back at you!”

But for now, the band seems happy to be back in California where they first got together. The last time Deerhoof played Sacramento was five years ago at Capital Garage where the Sacramento-based band !!! (Chk Chk Chk) had opened for them, which Saunier referred to as the “irony of ironies.”

As for Thursday night’s show in Sacramento, Saunier said it “felt like a test.”

“Some stuff that works great in the practice space suddenly doesn’t translate to the stage,” he said. “And the stuff that we were absolutely the most nervous and worried about like totally clicked. So what this gave us tonight, in addition to a very supportive audience, a very friendly and a fun night, was a lot of food for thought. We definitely have a lot to chew on before tomorrow night.”

Photos by Steven Chea

Womp Fest 2011

2011-01-29T03:29:12Z

I got my first taste of electronic music, like most of you, in the mid-'90s underground San Francisco rave scene.

You remember the ones. They didn't announce the location (usually a warehouse) until an hour before the party started, or about an hour after the time I now usually go to bed. You'd get there at like 1 a.m. and get loose to some house and trance and German techno (so efficient!) and unz unz unz unz unz unz and not get home ‘til about the time I now usually wake up.

You remember, don't you?

After college I took a long hiatus from the scene, broken up only by occasional (and usually accidental or coerced, or accidentally coerced. Or in Nevada.) forays into the club scene.

I was reintroduced to electronic music in the summer of 2009 when I had the privilege of going to a few electronica-fueled music festivals, Camp Bisco and Trinumeral. My mind was blown, and my passion for the genre rose, phoenixlike, from the ashes.

Let me tell you, they are doing some amazing things with electronic music these days. This ain't your grandma's techno.

Thursday night, Townhouse hosted the opening night of the second annual Sacramento Electronic Music Festival. As an avid fan of the womp womp and the weeooo weeooo, I decided to check it out.

Midtown was draped in an ominous fog as I biked up to the Townhouse. It would have been nice to have noticed that I didn't have my wallet before I locked up my bike, but I guess that just wasn't in the cards.

Midtown was draped in an ominous fog as I biked up to the Townhouse a second time, this time walleted.

"Great electronic music festival weather," I offered to the small throng gathered outside, waiting patiently for admission. (They were letting in about four people at a time so as to ease the pressure on the ticket-takers, including event co-creator Clay Nutting.) Everyone agreed wholeheartedly.

I entered the bar at 8:40 p.m. I left at 1:30 a.m. Some observations/goings-on in the interim:

- Though I am a huge fan of the genre, I am not exactly an expert or an aficionado. Good electronic music for me is something like hardcore pornography was to Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart: I can't define it, but I know it when I see it. And man I saw a lot of it on Thursday night.

- Fernie Fresh kept the downstairs bumping (womping?) along with a slew of other DJs. At times there were as many as three of them manning the booth at once, and the downstairs dance floor was peopled but not overly crowded all night, a nice respite from upstairs, which was elbow-to-elbow for most of the night.

- Pregnant was the first act I caught upstairs. A dude from Placerville, his guitar and a looping machine. I only caught a couple of his tracks, but they were pretty dope. I mean, he's got a ways to go to catch up with my man Zach Deputy, but I enjoyed it.

- When he was done I asked the dude spinning between sets if he had a schedule. "No, not really," he answered. "There's gonna be great music all night, just stick around." Prophetic. And a lot of it came from him. (He dropped "Computer Love" in there at one point. Always a good decision.)

- Thriftcar, from Auburn, was also dope. Two men playing (here’s where my lack of knowledge really comes in) MacBooks and several other things on a table in front of them. And one of them was a more than capable rapper. A friend of theirs mentioned that they "create beats on the fly" which, if true, makes it all the more impressive.

- Local act Sister Crayon is deserving of all the praise they have lavished upon them. And a lot heavier than I thought they'd be. Almost crunching at times.

- I was so fired up by Sister Crayon, and the other acts I'd seen, that I went up to a fellow I thought was organizer Clay Nutting (who I'd met for 30 seconds on the way in) and gushed about what a coup it was for Sacramento to have all this top-notch musical talent in town and how great the festival was for the credibility of the local music scene and yadda yadda yadda. He was also excited and agreed with me on all counts, before apprising me of the fact that he was in no way shape or form Clay Nutting. Turns out he was the Zach, the guitarist for. . .

- Tycho was probably my favorite act of the evening, and not just because of my bull in a china shop-like introduction to their guitarist. Beautiful, ambient melodies, driving beats, soaring, haunting vocals. They were f antastic.

- Daedelus was the headliner, and looked and acted the part. Dressed dapperly in a vintage suit, he came out and brought the house down. By the end of the set he, like the rest of us, was a sweaty disheveled mess with a huge smile on his face.

The best part about Thurday night?

It was only the beginning.

The Sacramento Electronic Music Festival continues Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th. Doors open at 8pm both nights. Info and tickets can be found here.

The Very Funny Daniel Handler at Mondavi

2011-01-29T02:41:56Z

If Daniel Handler had not become a very successful novelist, he could have easily become a stand-up (and sit-down) comedian. Wednesday night’s audience in the Mondavi Center’s Jackson Hall was treated to this side of Mr. Handler and responded enthusiastically.

The event was titled “Daniel Handler: Why Does Lemony Snicket Keep Following Me?” referring to his alter-ego author of the hugely bestselling series of children's books, “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and the movie of the same title based on the first three of the books, staring Jim Carrey. Handler has also written three books for adults: “The Basic Eight,” “Watch your Mouth” and the recently published “Adverbs.”

Handler is also a composer (“The Composer Is Dead”) screenwriter (“Rick” based on Verdi’s “Rigoletto”) and has written for several magazines.

One of the things he is most proud of is that he is an accomplished accordionist. “Best accordionist any one knows,” he said. Before 9/11 he usually traveled with his accordion, a practice he gave up. “Accordion cases resemble the science-fiction writer’s dream bomb.”

Handler started his research for his visit to Davis from “its suburb of San Francisco.” First was the front-page news item from The Bee on the danger of sleeping with pets. (link) That was followed by assaults by carloads of muggers in Davis, including a group of newly arrived Norwegian students. (link) This morphed into assaults by carloads of cats on Norwegians.

It is truly hopeless to try to convey Handler’s humor by repeating his stories and jokes in print. It is his delivery that makes him so funny. He could be said to fall somewhere between Garrison Keillor and Gore Vidal. He is a master of timing, especially the pause. He rivals Jack Benny at his best, including “the look.”

Although Handler is best known for his children’s literature, none of his humor is juvenile. In fact, most of it is very sophisticated. He does not rely on obscenities or sexual innuendo to make the audience laugh, yet during most the evening nearly everyone was laughing constantly.

I must make a confession here. During a Harry Potter dry spell I was encouraged by a magazine article to read “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” I did not make it through the first one. I could not handle another tragedy suffered by the Baudelaire orphans. Yet when Handler read a section from one of the books, it was very funny. I guess I need to go back and listen to the audio books, three of which are read by Handler, the rest by Tim Curry.

After the formal presentation, Handler joined Lucy Corin, UC Davis associate English professor, who moderated the post-performance Q&A. Poor Professor Corin. She could hardly get the questions out from laughing so hard.

Most of the individuals asking questions were from preteen to young college age. Some seemed like they were left a little perplexed by Handler’s answers to their questions. Of course, the audience was laughing the whole time.

The overall audience was well represented from preteens to seniors. A look around Jackson Hall revealed that most everyone was having a great time.

As I stated in the beginning, Daniel Handler, besides being a great children’s novelist, is a great comedian. He deserves a TV comedy special. Are you listening, Comedy Central?

Journey on the #30

2011-01-28T19:50:05Z

For 20-plus years I’ve spent countless hours gazing out the window of the #30 bus commuting between various state jobs located in downtown Sacramento and my East Sacramento home on the other side of the 80 freeway.

Riding the bus gives me a chance to examine the ever-changing downtown landscape with its eclectic mix of old architecture, shops, new modern buildings and restaurants. Through the glass, I watch the seasons unfold from the newly budding or blooming trees to the falling leaves, the shiny rain-drenched pavement and soaked bare branches to the thick tree canopies shielding the sidewalks from scorching heat. My attention drifts from people departing and boarding the bus to a storefront sign, people scurrying about, or a new eye-catching window display. Each day it’s something different.

On my morning ride, the bus zigzags from J Street to L Street. We go past Sutter General Hospital, which has been in construction mode for several years. The Pioneer Congregation Church founded in 1849 sits across from Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. The First Baptist Church, a solid brick building with its Gothic-like stained-glass windows, takes another block before old turn-of-the-century homes line both sides of the street until 20th Street, when new taller buildings lead the way to the heart of downtown.

Unlike suburbia, each house stands apart from the next with no two alike, depicting another era when builders built homes with pride and attention to detail. Some of the homes have columns surrounding expansive porches; others have curved pointed roof lines or rounded windows, but most have a flight of stairs leading to the main entrance of the home. Along the way, I spot Harv’s Car Wash & Detailing Center, where workers gear up to shine the day’s incoming cars. On Thursdays, a long line of people stand across the front of St. John’s Lutheran Church waiting for the opening of the Central Downtown Food Basket to get a bag of groceries.

Before reaching my final destination I usually glance over at Capitol Park, which surrounds California’s Capitol, a timeless jewel in downtown Sacramento. Many rare one-of-a-kind trees have stood in the park for decades, each given its own manicured lawn space much like framed paintings on museum walls.

At 5:15 p.m. when my work day is done, I wait for the #30 bus for my return trip home on 10th and J streets in front of FTC, a skateboard shop where the walls are lined with the latest individually painted skateboards, T-Shirts and shoes designed for the fashionable skateboarder. On a summer day skateboarders practice their jumps outside the shop, where a clock with Fred Mayes written on its face advertising diamonds has been a Sacramento fixture for at least half a century.

Occasionally, I peek into Rodney’s Cigars and Liquors on the corner of 10th and J to see if anything has changed among the randomly displayed items, including piles of cigar boxes, hookah pipes, drink mixers and sunglasses. Rodney’s clientele drifts in and out, some with an unsteady gait content to get their drink or smoke for the day.

The bus usually runs every 15 minutes, but my eagerness to return home is often tempered by the rush-hour traffic inching along J Street. We pass several abandoned stores, one of which is the Sewing Machine, whose sign is still intact but one of many victims of today’s obsolescence. I usually peer inside the beautifully restored Sheraton Hotel, which once housed the Secretary of State offices and now welcomes tourists to lounge and mingle.

Following the block-long Sacramento Convention Center is the Memorial Auditorium, a brick building defined by its massive pillars, which fills an entire city block. Every May after graduation ceremonies take place in the auditorium, I am sure to see thousands of high school students in their caps and gowns gathering around the expansive entrance for a final parting and some memorable photos. On the corner, small groups of regularly appearing peace demonstrators hold anti-war signs.

Once past 16th, the congestion eases up, but the bus stops more frequently to let commuters off. Ahead are many more shops and restaurants, far too many to mention here. Certain landmarks stand out to me as evidence of a vibrant and ever-changing community that takes pride in its historic buildings. The restored P.F. Chang’s restaurant, situated below Gov. Jerry Brown’s loft-style apartment, is a good example of an old building that’s been given a makeover to reflect the Asian cuisine on the ground floor and contemporary living above.

The Beat replaced Newbert Hardware’s seemingly endless stacks and cubbies of miscellaneous useful house implements with neatly arranged second-hand records and CD. I surely miss Newbert’s for all of the useful odds and ends for an old house like mine. There were always two or three knowledgeable old-timers on hand to help customers troubleshoot and locate the exact tool or part needed.

On 19th, the railroad tracks cross J Street. Occasionally a passing train stops the flow of traffic and passengers like me sit and watch people walk in and out of The Old Spaghetti Factory, once an old railroad station. Now customers sitting on antique furniture dine on a variety of pasta dishes.

I’m always amazed by the diversity of shops and buildings that I see as I get closer to home. Drug and office-supply stores, coffee shops, pizza and specialty restaurants, gardening supplies, bridal salons, home lighting, hair and nail salons, a bread store, several delicatessens, a community health clinic and even a Native American Health Center, a camera shop and photo gallery, pubs, florists, candy stores, art supply stores, new and used clothes boutiques, cleaners, copy shop, barber shop, shoe shops, auto body shop, a music store and even a saw-sharpening shop. You name it; it’s on J Street.

Some of my favorite and most memorable places on J Street are now gone, like How Tacky, a fun adult novelty store that leaned a bit toward the offensive. Another great place that carried unique gifts was Art Related Things. It was replaced by Crossings, a loose-fitting clothing store for women, and is now Birkenstock Midtown. La Boulangerie started on 15th and J and introduced Sacramentans to their first taste of assorted French croissants. Nicole’s Restaurant undoubtedly served the best omelets in town, offering about 30 choices of omelets served on long tables where conversations happened with mere strangers. A brick building occupied by Lyon’s Real Estate, Pucci’s Pharmacy and UC Davis is now located where Nicole’s once stood.

Though it can be exciting to see a fresh window display with the arrival of a new place, there is comfort in knowing that some places are still the same. A few shops have remained fixtures on J Street, like Relles Florist, Art Ellis and the Turn Vereine, which served German immigrants and is now home of the annual Oktoberfest. And, even though I’ve traveled this route for many years, occasionally a store that’s been on J Street all along will catch my attention. Recently, my curiosity led me to discover Nobile Saw, another place I could add to my list of favorite shops.

When I retire in the near future I will surely miss riding the #30 bus, but I will still have few reasons to leave the downtown or midtown area of Sacramento.

Cosumnes River Preserve in the Fog

2011-01-28T18:27:46Z

Yesterday morning, in the fog, I drove to Cosumnes River Preserve, about 30 miles south of where I live in Colonial Heights. I really had no idea what I would see.

As I neared the preserve along Bruceville Rd I saw bodies of water and brush. If I hadn't been paying attention, I would've missed a huge gathering of Sandhill Cranes in a foggy field.

I was practically the only person there.

Here are some photos of what I saw:

The link to the preserve is HERE

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Diffusion

2011-01-28T16:04:17Z

Trees and a bench are backlit by diffused light from street lamps in the fog at McKinley Park last night. Sac Press Photo | Kati Garner

Drag Queen Bingo

2011-01-28T08:01:49Z

On every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, a special event takes place at Hamburger Patties. People gather to have dinner and drinks. Some of these same people make it a point to be here on both the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. They all show up to play bingo.

This is not your father’s bingo, oh no, this is Drag Queen Bingo! At around 7 p.m. patrons purchase bingo cards from the front and get ready for Drag Queen Bingo (DQB). A series of games are played and most of the people at Hamburger Patties are here just for that reason (and drinks of course).

Each bingo event supports a charity. This Wednesday’s charity that benefitted from the games was the Vasculitis Foundation (VF). Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels, arteries, veins or capillaries that in turn block passage to blood vessels. Organ and tissue damage can result from lack of blood which may also result in death. Vasculitis can affect young and old and as of now the cause is unknown. Through support, awareness and research VF can help those affected by this heterogeneous group of disorders. VF’s national and international network of contacts, chapters and support groups are available to help.

The Vasculitis Foundation had several volunteers walking around Hamburger Patties helping with Drag Queen Bingo. During the event they passed out informational flyers to those that wanted further information. Volunteers also verified the winning numbers before declaring the winner.

The lovely Felicity Diamond was the hostess and had the crowd involved. Before the games began Felicity walked around Hamburger Patties welcoming the patrons and sat at several tables to pass the time socializing. Felicity was quite funny and entertaining though most of her quotes cannot be printed on a family newspaper.

(Felicity Diamond)

As the games were about to start Felicity announced “You ready to play? Tonight we’re playing for a wonderful charity, the Vasculitis Foundation. Put your hands together for them. Let’s get this party started.” One of the Felicity’s funniest dialogues was regarding the state of Utah. After that initial dialogue Felicity started the Bingo games.

As Felicity was about to call out the first number the place suddenly got quiet for a few seconds. “The first number this evening is in the ‘I’ row, it’s I-17, I-17,” Felicity announced and continued “Our second number is B-16, B-16”. After every number was called Felicity had an amusing anecdote but again, these were not meant for the under 18 crowd. After calling a couple of other numbers Felicity asked “What’s our shot of the night?” As the game was played and after a certain number was called out (B, I, N, G or O 69), one dollar shots were offered.

After other numbers were called someone in the audience yelled “It’s on” announcing they were within one number of calling bingo. I learned about the rules as the game went on. The VF volunteers pointed out audience members who had called “It’s on” and waited to see if that person won. Felicity shouted “Raise your hand if it’s on. The next number is I-21,” “’I legal!” someone from the audience called out.

(Bingo winner with Felicity Diamond)

“The next number is in the ‘O’ row O-64, guess what honey? You can qualify for AARP and also Medicare,” Felicity continued. This is one of the few follow up comments to the number called that can be printed but not as funny as other comments. “The next number is in the G row, G-55, G-55. When I say G-55 you say?” Felicity said and the crowd answered “Not a darnn thing”. Audience participation went on through the night and you could tell which tables had people who were regulars.

Felicity called G-56 and then the first winning bingo number “I-16” someone from the table next to us called out “Bingo!”. “Excuse me, excuse me, wait, this person did not scream out It’s on,” the VF volunteer and others at the table yelled out “Yes she did.” Felicity announced, “Ladies and gentlemen we have a winner. Hold your cards; hold your cards as we verify everything she has.” Someone from the winner’s table said “She’s good for it, she’s good for it” Felicity followed with “and if she’s not good for it guess what happens ladies and gentlemen? When you call a false bingo, I get to spank you! These are some hard rules.”

(Bingo winner gets pelted)

After a winning card was verified the bingo winners selected a prize from a table set up in the front. After selecting the prize, the winner had to walk through Hamburger Patties wearing a red boa scarf and a blonde wig and patrons threw their crumbled up losing bingo cards at them. “Pelt her, pelt her all the way down and back” Felicity chanted.

(Selecting a prize)

A couple of times Felicity had to catch what she was going to say, “Are there children in the house? So sorry” Felicity announced but soon forgot. During the night two false bingos were called and those callers suffered the consequences.

At one point Felicity called out “B-11, when I say B-11 you say?” the quiet response made Felicity ask, “Excuse me, excuse me ladies and gentlemen are we in a golf tournament? Because it sounds like a golf tournament,” and with that audience response became louder.

A good time was had by all. The food and drinks were good, the company was great, the MC was fantastic and everyone seemed to have enjoyed the evening. DQB is a great place to spend an evening with friends. Not only does it offer entertainment and possibly great prices but a charity group is selected each 2nd and 4th Wednesday to benefit from Drag Queen Bingo.

VF posed with Felicity at the end of the evening. VF received $1,367 for their Foundation. Hamburger Patties is a great place to host these bingo nights. They provide a full dinner menu, a bar and in the back there’s also another room that was being partly used for a birthday party that evening.

(Birthday party at Hamburger Patties)

Gather your friends, bring an appetite, support a charity, enjoy some drinks, play some bingo, win some prizes and be ready to have a good time at the next DQB on February 9 at Hamburger Patties.

(Vasculitis Foundation Volunteers)

‘Equus’: Powerful Production from TAAC

2011-01-28T01:30:38Z

The current offering at The Alternative Arts Collective Theatre in Roseville is a remarkably muscular interpretation of ‘Equus’, Peter Shaffer’s groundbreaking 1973 play.

‘Equus’ follows the parallel experiences of two men as they struggle to understand and heal themselves of their inner demons. Thrown together are Alan Strang, a young man who has committed the heinous crime of blinding several horses with a hoof pick, and Martin Dysart, a disillusioned child psychiatrist.

As Alan resists acknowledging and accepting his actions and the inner sexual and religious turmoil which motivates him, Dysart explores his own limitations and the ultimate futility he sees in healing Alan. The psychiatrist comes to believe that by removing the young man’s pain, he will also excise the passion and capacity for worship which had been central to Alan’s experience. The crime was an aberrant expression of something both Dysart and Alan come to see as holy.

Contributing to the story are Hesther Saloman, the magistrate who recognizes Alan’s pain and wisely commends him to the psychiatric hospital and the care of Dysart rather than to prison; Alan’s parents, the ultra-religious Dora and hypocritical, harsh Frank Strang; and Jill Mason, a young woman whose attentions precipitate Alan’s break with rationality and lead to his crime.

The cast is well-rounded, with some familiar faces from the local theater community.

Zack Myers, as Alan Strang, displays just the right amount of adolescent posturing, as when he responds to Dysart’s initial questions by singing television jingles and refusing to speak. As the play develops, Myers reveals Alan's cunning side, yet is passive and vulnerable when the conflicted and disparate relationships with his parents (played by Hazel Stream and Bob Nannini) are introduced.

Myers is convincing in his religious rapture, and in his developing sensual and sexual involvement with the horse Nugget (played by Jacob Woods). His sexual attraction to Jill (Taylor Hill) is less believable, although his nervous awareness of the presence of his God-figure Nugget/Equus is clearly drawn.

Richard Spierto said he has “wanted to play Martin Dysart since the mid 1970’s” when he first discovered the role through the traveling Broadway company, and rejoiced that he is “ finally old enough”.

Dysart is plagued by a nightmare in which he is a priest in ancient Greece responsible for the execution and evisceration of hundreds of children, a task he continues long after he has become sickened by it: he fears ridicule and retribution by his fellow priests if he fails in his duty. Spierto delivers this information with eerie, somewhat detached intensity.

Spierto plays the complex and insecure Dysart with confidence in his dealings with Alan, and with a confessional straightforward manner when speaking with his patient’s parents and with the magistrate (Sandy Phillips). He chooses a whiny petulance in his considerable soliloquies, however, and although this communicates his uncertainty and despair it is uncomfortable and disconcerting.

Phillips is relaxed and comfortable, conveying Saloman as a magistrate with the most humanity of any character onstage. She is genuinely concerned for both the patient and the doctor, and one can easily imagine her tucked up with a cup of tea and a clear conscience.

The stage and lighting design are clever, consisting of a single set with a central raised corral-like space sketched with beams and sparsely set with a bench or two and some hay bales. Spotlights direct the viewer’s attention, necessary as every actor remains onstage throughout the entire duration of the show.

The exceptions are the four horses, barely clad actors wearing horse-head masks designed by Ashley Eigenman and Eileen Beaver. The horses come and go; Nugget as the Equus/God is magnificently sensual and totally non-human.

Director David Garrison is both the artistic director and founder of The Alternative Arts Collective. He has assembled an impressive cast and staff of passionate artists.

The ambitious undertaking from this upstart arts group follows on the heels of the TAAC production of ‘Angels in America’, in two parts; both ‘Millenium Approaches’ and ‘Perestroika’ were ably presented with a local cast.

The upcoming TAAC season is robust with productions of ‘Hamlet’ (with a mostly female cast), David Mamet’s ‘The Cryptogram”, several other well-know works, and an original play by Garrison.

"We choose work that is artistically complex," explained Garrison. "It challenges us, and the audience. You have to work for it.

"Our goal is to be non-competitive; we are interested in unifying the community through art."

Although TAAC is currently housed in an unlikely (and chilly) small theater in Royer Park in Roseville, negotiations have begun to move and expand the collective into a larger and more comfortable venue.

This fresh and energetic company deserves more audience and critical attention than it currently enjoys. Lovers of local theater will not want to miss this final weekend of ‘Equus’, and will want to keep a close eye on TAAC in the coming years.

‘Equus’ plays at the Royer Park Theater this Friday and Saturday, January 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or by contacting TAAC at (916) 538-8013, www.facebook.com/pages/The-Alternative-Arts-Collective or at taactheatre@gmail.com

photos by John Pek/Evek Studios

Sacramento's Alien Invader

2011-01-27T23:22:04Z

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 “Really Good.” Angela, a 30-something woman visiting from the Bay Area stopped to have her photograph taken with the B.F.A.P. She stated that the B.F.A.P. was “Awesome.” When Jamy of Carmichael, age 6, stopped to contribute a dollar to the B.F.A.P. to help repair his crashed spaceship, she was startled, terrified, and thrilled by his excited reaction in gratitude. With the support of her parents, she eventually posed with the B.F.A.P. for a picture.

The B.F.A.P. relates that his body movements are robotic because the gravity here on earth is stronger than on his home planet. At different times of the month his skin color, music box, and clothing change from silver to gold due to mysterious forces from outer space. Because of his alien heritage the B.F.A.P. is unable to speak. Beings from his home planet communicate with sounds that human ears hear as a thin whistle. The B.F.A.P. understands and writes in English. The information for this article was obtained through written questions and answers via email at Bruthafromanotherplanet@yahoo.com. The B.F.A.P. welcomes comments and will respond to questions from anyone who wants to know more about him and his home planet.

The B.F.A.P. is no stranger to Sacramento. He visited the area from 2001-2004 until he was summoned back to his home planet. After a 6 year absence, he missed his friends in Sacramento so much he decided to make the return trip. His spaceship malfunctioned and crash landed in Cesar Chavez park in the spring of 2010. Unfortunately, the B.F.A.P. is stranded until his spaceship is repaired.

When the B.F.A.P. is not meeting old friends and making new ones on the streets of Sacramento, he is busy repairing his spaceship in a top-secret location. Generous supporters often make donations to help him to raise enough funds to repair his spaceship.

When you see the B.F.A.P. make sure to take a moment to enjoy his charming personality. He is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Sactown Rundown - Jan. 27-Feb. 2

2011-01-27T20:06:01Z

It’s hard to say if the ol’ Rundown screening process is easier or harder when there’s a lot going on – but Lord have mercy, is it a big week here in Sactown!

And it’s not just this week either. In addition to last Saturday’s Ra Ra Riot show selling out (as has Friday’s Goapele show), has anyone else noticed that the calendar of concerts at Harlow’s has gone completely berserk in the last couple weeks. Just look at some of the names on deck: Kaki King, ALO, Murder by Death, North Mississippi Allstars, Truth & Salvage Co., Zach Deputy, Young the Giant and Rocky Votolato, just to name a few.

There’s one more that’s not listed: G. Love & Special Sauce make their return on April 13. Stay tuned to Sac Press for a review of his new Avett Brothers-produced album “Fixin’ to Die” and an interview with Mr. Dutton himself.

Let’s get back to this Davis-heavy week (the town, not this reporter), and one of the biggest Tuesdays you’ll ever see…

Sacramento Electronic Music Festival – The second installment of this event at the Townhouse has been covered ad nauseum, so it’s nearly impossible you haven’t heard about it yet. But if not, check it out here. Thursday-Saturday. Townhouse, 1517 21st St. $7 per day/$15 all day pass. www.townhouselounge.com.

Deerhoof – They’re up against night one of the SEMF (or is the SEMF up against them?), but this one is sure to see a ton of heads piling in to see one of those bands that delightfully has no idea what in the hell they’re doing. The janky indie art rock spun by this San Francisco outfit is based on the premise that the four members have actually cracked the formula to just what their music is supposed to be, but they’ve written it and perform it like the soundtrack of the journey it took to get there. There’s almost greater joy in a band that’s happier slapping around guitars and tangling keyboards like a spinning compass in some mythical gumdrop forest in an acid rainstorm, than one who will write more songs about the places we already know about. They’re kicking off their tour this week behind the release of their new record, “Deerhoof vs. Evil.” G. Green flanks. 10 p.m. Thursday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $12. 21+. www.harlows.com. Check out Deerhoof over on Daytrotter.

Lord Huron – San Francisco’s dazzlingly colorful Geographer are the headliners for this show, but it’s Los Angeles’ Lord Huron that might end up stealing the show. Before I’d even heard a note, they were described to me as “Fleet Foxes meets the Local Natives” (that description is enough to make an indie rock fan frolic through the proverbial daisies), and there’s not much better way to describe it. With J. Tillman’s Baroque chamber pop sensibilities and singing guitar riffs clattering with a wall of percussion and an ambient backwash of swirling, fluttering melodies and nature store effects, you can bet their “arrival” isn’t far off. They yield to Geographer with A B & the Sea opening. 8 p.m. Saturday. Odd Fellows Hall, 415 2nd St., Davis. $10 adv/ $12 d.o.s. All ages. www.sophiasthaikitchen.com.

And would you believe that from here on down, ALL of these shows happen on Tuesday…

Social Distortion - “In the first few days (after he died), I was like ‘we’re just gonna end this band now,’” Mike Ness told me back in 2004, discussing the passing of fellow founding Social D member, guitarist Dennis Danell in 2000. “But then I realized, it was too important to him, it was important to me, we started this together. It gave me a new purpose; I decided ‘let’s carry this on out of respect.’” To say that the band has been a revolving door ever since would be an understatement, but the constant has always been the enigmatic Ness, one of the grittiest frontmen in the history of rock and roll, and a man who has cemented Social Distortion’s place as one of the most influential acts not only of punk rock, but rock music period – regardless of who does or does not choose to recognize it. Although the band ushered in a whole generation of punk and rockabilly acts too numerous to mention, the heart of Social D has always been in the blues, playing gritty, gutter-dwelling riffs in the fashion of the most socially maligned rebel bluesmen in history and singing the songs Johnny Cash never got around to singing. They’ve just dished up a new album, “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes,” which debuted last week at #4 on the Billboard charts; the group’s highest first-week post in their 32 year career. Cheers! With Lucero and Chuck Ragan. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Freeborn Hall at UC Davis. All ages. tickets.ucdavis.edu. Check out Social D’s recent session over on Daytrotter.

Dawes – Although they used to go by the name Simon Dawes and identified themselves at the time as more of an alternative rock band, the original incarnation of Dawes really wasn’t, at its heart, that much different than this new Americana delight from Laurel Canyon. Their songs are still just like those dusty trails that somehow lead through the center of a bustling downtown, like if Pizza Rock and Dive Bar had somehow been opened on a non-descript trek in Colusa. Their debut full length “North Hills” is pure gold for anyone who can’t go three days without listening to a Tom Petty record – likewise for anyone who hardly ever listens to Petty, but loves it when he’s on. The jubilantly enjoyable Jonny Corndawg opens, along with Shannon Harney and Friends. 8 p.m. Tuesday. Odd Fellows Hall, 415 2nd St., Davis. $10 adv/$12 d.o.s. All ages. www.sophiasthaikitchen.com. Check out Dawes on Daytrotter here and here; and some Jonny Corndawg for fun.

Clutch – Quick, punch yourself in the crotch repeatedly and don’t stop until you’ve finished pounding a 16 oz. Budweiser. Enjoy that? How is it that Clutch’s hard rock wiles have a similar effect, but it feels so damn good? Lead singer Neil Fallon is like the dark side of Dave Matthews; the one that would have resulted if he’d never kicked the heroin habit (?) and listened to nothing but Faith No More and Led Zeppelin records his whole life. They’re the kind of rock band that appeals to your primal instincts, barreling right past the voice in your mind that says “I don’t like heavy music” and forcing you to let it fly loose, even just for a couple of hours. Who doesn’t need that once in awhile? 8 p.m. Tuesday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $20. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Whew!

Mark Your Calendars - Michael Tobias & the Acidic Swamp Band - It's Tobias' first show in Sac since the release of his labor-of-love debut album, "High & Low." Feb. 4. Naked Lounge, 1111 H St. www.nakedcoffee.net.

If you are planning or promoting a concert in the Sacramento area, or just know of a show you’d like to see featured in the Rundown, shoot me an email.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.

OPINION: Sac to Charge for "Scene Stabilization"

2011-01-26T18:12:01Z

I felt compelled to write this after reading Brandon Darnell’s report on the Sacramento’s City Council’s 5-4 decision in favor of requiring non-resident drivers to foot emergency bills. You can view his article here

I find this to be complete nonsense (not the article, the decision). Especially when reading some of the responses from the City Council and others.

The Fire Chief states that it’s not to bring in revenue, but to recover costs? He’s joking right? What else is this but a new revenue stream? Top that off with the old school mentality of budgeting, especially in a government environment. Towards the end of each fiscal year budgets are reviewed to ensure all monies in the budget are spent. If it appears there will be money left over, it’s spent with no regard to fiscal responsibility. Why? Because then they can claim last years budget was just barely enough and next year they will need a bigger budget to fight increased costs, inflation, etc..

Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said by declining to discuss a confidential memo, authored by the City’s Attorney’s Office, is a way to safeguard the city against potential litigation. I believe not discussing the memo and the comments made by the city council is a perfect recipe for a lawsuit. However, I’m certain by the time this goes to trial they will have figured out a way to charge the public for the City Councils ignorance.

Councilwoman Ashby goes on to say “ . . . There is no free lunch.”. Did she really just say that? Does she not realize how much in taxes people pay to support our government infrastructure? Rather than cut costs cities and states continue to spend money. Why? It goes back to the budget and the “I gotta spend it” mentality along with police and fire unions.

The worst part about this is we will now have yet another contract with another vendor, Fire Recovery USA. Who are these people and why are we going to pay them 17% to handle billing? I’m thinking their friends with someone on the city council. They have to be with people on their team such as:

Greg Schmidt – Developer in and around Sacramento
Rick Benner – Former president of the Sacramento Kings
Kevin Trost - Retired captain for Sacramento Fire
Thorne Auchter – Former director of OSHA under Ronald Reagan

Auchter is the most controversial due to his colorful past. Including his role as CEO for Grace News Network, which landed a U.S. government contract to launch an Arabic language satellite TV news station for Muslim Iraq. You can read more about Auchter here.

Based on Fire Recovery USA’s website it looks like they will be using strong arm tactics. According to their site:

“. . . While there is nothing really different about the way we bill, we do have several interesting recovery techniques in our system. We also have exclusive methods that we've developed during our years of collection experience in other industries that convinces those responsible of their fiscal responsibilities.”

That's so Soprano's. Will those techniques include new ways for individuals to sue the city?

Based on the cast of characters working for Fire Recovery USA, I have to believe they have been the driving force behind this being presented to and approved by the City Council.

Having ranted on about this I just wanted to add that the majority of firemen and policemen go above and beyond in providing services to the community. This is a rant about the Saramento City Council and government in general and should not reflect poorly on those that serve our cities.

Diversity Wedding and Special Events Show

2011-01-26T06:58:05Z

The Citrus Heights Community Center was the site for the Diversity Wedding and Special Events Show this Sunday. This one of a kind wedding event brought dozens of vendors who deal primarily with wedding and special events. Hundreds of visitors came to the event for ideas for planning their own wedding and to watch a fashion show.

This event had many unique characteristics than other wedding shows. Its most unique feature was that it was geared towards the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic diversity of the Sacramento area. The Diversity Wedding and Special Events Show had vendors who specialize in hair and makeup, photography and video among other areas related to weddings and special events.

The event was also a fundraiser for Wish Upon a Wedding. The nonprofit organization is the world’s first in organizing and providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing serious life-threatening or terminal illness situations regardless of sexual orientation. Wish Upon a Wedding offers couples a chance to enjoy a very special day, without them thinking about existing health or other serious issues. There are currently over a dozen chapters throughout the United States with new ones being formed.

Wish Upon a Wedding services couples residing in or wishing to get married within 300 miles of any chapter locations. To see where these chapter are located log on to the Wish Upon a Wedding. You can also become part of their Wish Granting Team by submitting an application located on their site.

The Citrus Heights Community Center had plenty of room to accommodate vendors, a fashion show stage and there were also other rooms that served as workshop sites. I’m sure many readers know how much time and effort it takes to get a wedding together but if you don’t then perhaps a trip to one of these shows can help you with organizing such an event.

Hair and makeup artists were on site to show some of their work and in some cases the fashion show displayed their work. Bridal and event consultants were also on hand and showed attires for such occasions. I had some friends that were married late last year and I recalled they took dancing lessons specifically for their wedding day. There was at least one dance instruction booth that offered such services.

DJ and entertainment booths were also on site. A well know Sacramento DJ; DJ Rated R, was on site as he had teamed up with another DJ and photo studio for a new business enterprise. Sanchez Productions played music during the event and was the primary musical entertainment for the fashion show. Cake and catering are a big part of these types of events and there were several areas where people could pass by and enjoy some samples. Florists, decoration, party rentals, honeymoon, travel, limo services, reception/ceremony site booths were available. Information for everything that you could think of was within feet of each other.

As I waited for a fashion show to begin I spoke with Terri Knapp, an independent consultant, for Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry. She had a table set up to showcase her lovely jewelry. Terri Knapp is based in the Sacramento area and her booth was busy during the event.You can probably find anything and everything under one roof when you attend one of these events.

While waiting for the entertainment and fashion part of the show I spoke with a couple of young ladies who were waiting as well. Pritika, who was going to be getting married sat next to her friend Noreen. Pritika will be getting married on June 25 at the Palazzo La Dolce Vita near Auburn and Garfield. She’s known her fiancé for seven years. Always fond of hearing interesting stories I asked how she met her fiancé and why she was here. “We actually met at this Indian function and we just got to know each other. We began chatting on line, calling each other on the phone and we just hooked up one day.” Pritika said. “We got engaged last June,” Pritika continued “I came just to get some ideas, look at the vendors, get some ideas for decorations, wedding cakes and pretty much everything.” Pritika’s comments pretty much summarized why many of the guests attended the event.

(Pritika and friend Noreen)

The fashion show itself was held and showed many traditional bridal wear dresses and was followed by a show of men’s formalwear and bridesmaid fashion ware. Different culturally inspired outfits were modeled including some Asian bridal wear shown by Miss Asia contestants. African, South Asian and Indian Bridal wear fashions were also displayed. The fashion show ended with Prom and Quinceañera fashion.

Many raffle drawings were held and some valuable prices were given. Big Al, DJ from KSFM radio, served as MC for the show. Once in a while he got on the microphone to remind people at the event to make sure they filled out their raffle forms. “Make sure you fill out a raffle form that you got as you came in and put it in the box here. We have a lot of great prizes to be given away,” Big Al announced and guests began to fill up the raffle box. Once on stage Big Al had Miss Russia and Miss Fiji representatives select the winning entries.

(KSFM DJ Big Al)

There was too much to describe but if you’re planning a wedding, a sweet 16, quinceañera, bar mitzvah, birthday, prom, cultural or unique event look for the next show to get ideas. The Diversity Wedding and Special Events Show provided everything under one roof. Months of planning and work created a successful event and provided proceeds for Wish Upon a Wedding.

(Quinceañera wear)

From Chile to Sacramento: A right decision 100%

2011-01-26T06:44:11Z

Perhaps this is a story that will not appeal to some readers – it is not an article of complaint or information about crime or a serious accident. This is the simple but entertaining story of a student from a faraway country called Chile, known for the rescue of 33 miners trapped in a mine for almost three months, who decided to come to the United States to study English. Why in Sacramento? Now I will tell you how I came to this city that was completely unknown to me.

Since I left my country, that is the question most the people have asked me. Before I traveled to the United States, had no answer to that question, but now that I have lived here for about three months, I can say that I was not wrong in my choice. Sacramento is a quiet town, full of nature and inhabited by very friendly people.

But the story of how I came to Sacramento is long, and I am going to summarize it in this article. I had about six months to choose the city in which I would study English. I analyzed several options: New York; Seattle; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles and San Francisco, until one day a friend asked me: and Sacramento?

The first thing I said was, "Where is that city? What state?” I was completely ignorant about California. I must admit that the choice did not cause me great excitement. However, I researched, and I was guided by a single point: money. Sacramento was the cheapest option I found.

Since I left Chile, even on the airplane, some people asked me why I had chosen a little-known city. Unfortunately, when most people think about California, they think of Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco, and even believe one of those cities is its capital.

When I started this adventure, I arrived in Los Angeles. I chose to stop over there for a few days because everyone spoke wonders of that city and said I could not miss visiting it.

I was not wrong in the decision, because it was incredible. I met a lot of compatriots who showed me the city and its most famous sites. In those days, I asked myself: Will Sacramento be a city like this? The great movement of the city and the heat made me hesitate for a few minutes on my choice, not because I needed a place like Los Angeles, but because I needed a quieter place. Although I searched for some pictures of Sacramento, I couldn´t imagine the city.

Finally, I came to Sacramento, and I found a pleasant surprise. When I was in the taxi, I could not stop looking at the trees, houses and people on bicycles. At last I felt fresh air. Even though it was summer, the heat was not stifling. And of course, in one second I discovered that I had reached a different place, a city that even though I’d never had heard of it, was the city that I always imagined to study in in the United States.

My first weeks in Sacramento were reconnaissance. The family that received me gave me the necessary information to mobilize – times and prices of tickets for buses and trains. Like any international student, I didn´t arrive with a car in my baggage and often walked. I walked many blocks that, after all, helped me get to know the city.

However, I could not locate north and south. In Chile, we used the Andes to find the cardinal points, as the mountain range covers the whole country (for those who do not know, Chile is long and narrow). The first time I was lost in Sacramento, I thought I should buy a compass. I never did. Weeks later, I understood the system of letters and numbers on the streets that is easy to understand, of course with the help of Google maps.

My first trip in recognition of the city was nice. I won´t lie you about that. I felt a bit of fear, but people I met that day gave me the confidence to begin to practice English. It was amazing how every time that I said, “Sorry, can you repeat that?” They repeated to me the question or response. It was great patience.

I really do not know if I've met good people, because I do not know the experiences of other foreigners in this city. Obviously I can never know all the people in Sacramento to say whether all are good. When I speak of kindness, I mean the people I talked to in the streets asking for directions, even those who work in shops or restaurants. Their attention has been dedicated and efficient.

Some negative situations I've seen in the city have been isolated and, I forget them with the good moments I've lived in this city. I don´t want you to think that I've seen terrible things, but when you're lost at 9 p.m., everything is horrible.

However, I will tell you about a fight between two women at 8:30 a.m. That, to me, was shocking, more so because it was the first day of classes and the first day that I took the bus at the terminal.

These were people who were waiting for the same bus as me, but they reacted in a very violent manner at a minor incident between them. I think if they had said, “Sorry,” everything would have been resolved.

Another violent situation that I saw happened on the train. I think the train is a good object to speak of: There are many stories there, and many are entertaining. I had the misfortune to see a negative one. One afternoon, after school, I took the train to Folsom, and a woman started to insult another other for no reason. Here I think it involved alcohol or other drugs, because the woman´s face was strange. The good thing was the others passengers defended the woman who was attacked and told the woman who started it to get off the train.

However, again I met a elderly lady, and we talked until she got off the train. It was so entertaining that I missed my stop, so I had to backtrack about five stops. It did not bother me because the conversation with the lady was very interesting and enjoyable. She told me about Sacramento and its various qualities.

The negative situations that I saw obviously don’t only not occur Sacramento, but they are part of global society, occurring in all continents, and in some of them occurring more frequently.

Perhaps this is caused by the unequal global society where we constantly see various social injustices that no one can deny or hide. Perhaps many do not agree with me – the world is full of different opinions and, most importantly, they should be shared in order to create discussion and to improve our society.

I will make a separate point in another situation that I really have not liked: the irresponsible use of water. I have seen many people leave the water running. From what I've heard, the unconscious use of water is not only in this city, but in the entire country. I hope that everybody takes awareness of this issue, since in many countries, including mine in the dry season, water is a scarce item.

I'll continue with my story, because what I described above does not at all tarnish my good experience in this city.

The other question people often ask me is, “Do you like Sacramento?” And I answer that I love it. Why? Because it is clean and safe, has a pleasant climate, is very entertaining and has interesting places to visit, has excellent shopping, the people are friendly, you can use a bike and have it carried it on buses and trains, the school where I study is excellent and, most importantly, here I have met people with whom I have become real friends. In conclusion, it is very fun, friendly and welcoming.

Which is my favorite place in Sacramento? That is Old Sacramento, as when I'm there, I go back many years. It's really a magical place. And on the other hand, I love the amount of parks that exist in the city where the children play, other people run or talk on a blanket on the grass. Also, the Capitol is an amazing place to know, since it has an impressive architectural beauty.

Sacramento gave me a pleasant surprise, because I must admit, I hadn´t had high expectations for it. Now, people ask me about California, and the first thing I say is: You have to know Sacramento, since it is a wonderful city where you can relax and have fun. You cannot compare Sacramento to San Francisco, San Diego or Los Angeles, as they are completely different places. Hopefully the international travel agencies can add Sacramento as a city that tourists should visit, but I feel that they have forgotten about it. At least in Chile, they only offer tours to the most famous cities in California. Maybe I will not be a great publicist for the city, but I will keep telling those who ask me: You must know Sacramento, because it is a city that may surprise you.

In the Moment at Fusion Yoga

2011-01-25T20:37:34Z

Now in my 40s, I wake up a little stiff each morning and think about getting older. In the next moment, I am suddenly cooking breakfast, packing lunches, and rushing to take the kids to school.

Amidst this frenzied routine one day, I slammed the car door to the yelping of our four-legged family member, Piggie. Because of my thoughtlessness, poor Piggie was inside the car whimpering with her tail poking out from the doorjamb. Ugh.

How can I be more conscious of my actions and be “in” the moment?

These days, so many people are turning to yoga. Does it really work to pull oneself into the present as well as help with those aches and pains?

Ashtanga. Vinyasa. Power. Knowing where to start can be confusing, and while I’ve taken classes here and there, nothing stuck. Some studios were intimidating and appeared to be for the “in crowd” wearing hip attire and smiles on their bums.

An Internet search brought Fusion Yoga Studio to my attention, and I decided to check out the karma class. It is offered twice a week to make yoga accessible regardless of one’s ability to pay. A donation bowl accompanies each class for voluntary contributions.

It was noon on a Wednesday.

The yoga room was lit by an array of candles on the floor and a few wall sconces. Two palm plants and a framed mirror surrounded the candles against a backdrop of deep crimson. The ceiling and wall to the right were painted black, the wall to the left painted yellow. No windows. It felt like a warm cave.

After a few minutes to settle in, the instructor asked if it was my first visit and whether I had injuries. She then instructed us all how to ujjayi breathe. Seeming to hear my mental queries, she answered with where to put body parts, how to listen to the body and reminded us to breathe.

Learning to connect physical movements with consciousness of the mind is central to the class. The focus is internal, less about a physical goal of having a perfect pose.

Not looking around the class at anyone else nor looking at myself in a mirror, I was focused and, for the first time, I was learning yoga. There are moments of being “in” the moment.

After class, I sat with instructor and owner Lori Moore McCormick.

“You have to be taught to work mentally in your postures,” McCormick said. “You can’t be thinking about your grocery list while trying to do a headstand.”

Fusion instructors have several years of experience and are trained to use language to guide students through yoga postures. The goal of Fusion instructors is “to teach, not just lead … so that one day you won’t need the teacher,” McCormick said.

While this concept seems to run counter to an effective business strategy, the emphasis is on helping students develop an individual awareness of body alignment, mental presence, and well-being, all of which may vary on any given day.

According to McCormick, instructors are also required to be able to teach mixed levels. A class may have a cancer survivor, an athlete recovering from an injury, and another in vibrant health. Fusion serves a diverse clientele.

Bob Enright, 59, cleans the studio in exchange for free yoga classes and has been a patron for the past year.

“I had a bad back,” he said. “Yoga completely cured my back, and it helps me to feel calm, more patient.”

A climber who also works out at Pipeworks, Enright shared his perspective: “Studios can be intimidating, especially for mid-aged men. Some think exercise should be macho. But I tell my friends, ‘No matter what you’re doing as a sport, you do it longer and better with yoga than without yoga.’”

McCormick further explained Fusion’s approach: “We try to tailor the practice to the needs of the individual, rather than try to take set flows regardless of who is in front of the instructors.” Otherwise, people can develop injuries.

Straightforward and knowledgeable, McCormick comes across as down-to-earth without being preachy. Meanwhile, there is a spiritual element to her practice.

“There is no finished down dog,” she said. “Every day one comes to the mat with all that comes with that day. We are all mind, body and spirit. Sometimes people forget that. Depending on what type of day one had at the office or whether there was a death in the family, one’s body may be in a different place.”

Holding firm to her convictions about yoga, McCormick also responds to the needs of her patrons and community. Fusion hosts concerts and wine-tastings in addition to offering yoga instructor trainings and renting out rooms to community groups. Becoming a meeting place is part of the studio’s evolution.

In February, tai chi will be offered for the first time. The studio will host the Nada Brahma Music Ensemble for a night of Indian music on Feb. 12, and kirtan is coming in March.

Getting back to the question: “Does yoga really work?” I think it can, depending on what you bring to the mat and that you keep going back. Certainly, finding a studio or instructor with the right fit makes all the difference. There are more than 20 yoga studios in and around Sacramento to check out!

Fusion Yoga Studio is located at 2310 Fair Oaks Blvd., Suite C2, in Sacramento. Fusion offers a range of classes, from Yoga Basics to Power Flow and other advanced classes. To learn more about the studio, see fusionyogasac.com.

Our children are just numbers to them

2011-01-25T20:10:35Z

“I don't understand why they placed him like they did, when he is clearly not what they say he is.”

At 18 months old, my child was diagnosed as autistic. Like any concerned and loving parent, I immediately began learning about his developmental delay as I gathered all the resources I could to help him. I learned of a frightening statistic; One child in every 166 births will be diagnosed with autism. He began receiving speech and occupational therapy from the Alta Regional Center.

As I watched and participated in his hours of therapy per week, I saw my non-verbal but happy child make progress very slowly. Sometimes the constant mental prodding was just too much, and he would melt down. We would stop for the day, knowing we could try again during the next appointment. No matter the stress he and I underwent, he was still happy, and I was still determined. He would get his chance to receive a proper education; I thought I had done my best by getting him the services he deserved.

At the age of 3, my toddler was set to attend diagnostic preschool in the San Juan Unified School District. I cried the tears of a reluctant yet eager mother as I placed my tyke on the bus for the first time. I saw it as a milestone, and I was relieved because I had helped prepare him for this situation. I trusted in the school and the teachers to help me help my son progress. I asked questions, gave input and collaborated with the school's staff for his Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The staff would test him, bring me the results, and we would discuss what our goals were going to be that year. Anyone with a special needs child can tell you a good amount of thought and time goes into the IEP process.

Fast forward five years. Different school district, same label and same education process. We had continued over the years to ask the questions and develop my son's IEP based on his path and progression. My son was now attending school in the Sacramento City Unified School District, and we had had nothing but good experiences with the district and his teachers. His recent IEP, however, brought something to light that none of us had ever imagined could happen.

“I don't understand why they marked him like they did,” said the school psychologist. “He tested low average, not where they put him.”

I sat across from the psychologist as she explained to me that all this time, he was in the wrong classes. I looked at her as though she had just told me she was Napoleon. Her passion shone through, and my heart sank. During my son's attendance in the San Juan school district, they had mislabeled him. He had tested in the low/average percentile, and they marked him lower with a label of “Intellectual Disability.” Before 2006, this label was known as “MR” or “Mental Retardation.”

Someone in the San Juan district had studied the test results and signed off on the wrong classification.

For the past five years, his classes have been based on this mislabeling. He learned mostly living skills and speech, while academics took somewhat of a backseat. Both of his teachers over the past few years had recognized his intelligence. It was because of this recognition that the most recent IEP had new information. They had retested him, and the scores proved him to be in need of challenges. With this news, we plotted a new course: a new school with a new class – one with the correct curriculum for his current stage of learning.

My son is behind five years in his education because someone in the San Juan school district marked him lower than his test scores. The impersonal nature of the educational system made it easy for whomever marked him, because he or she saw a number for the bottom line – not a child.

He has gone from finger-painting and preschool math to multiplication he has never seen. These jumps occurred in the span of a week. His frustration has meant increased meltdowns and desperation on our part to just help him overcome these hurdles. As a baby, I pushed him gently but firmly to endure the therapy and education placed before him. He took it on as best as he could, and even though it hurt my heart, I knew I was pushing him toward a better future. I lost a lot of sleep making sure he had all the help we could access, but I didn't mind because I knew it would pay off for him. Now, I have to do it again to catch up on everything he has lost due to the person responsible for marking him as something he was not.

I tend to wonder how many other children in this type of situation have fallen through the cracks due to ineptitude. I worry about the carelessness on the part of school officials who depend on mere numbers to place children in special programs. These children have enough challenges as it is without being cheated of a “free appropriate public education.” I know my son is not the first child this has happened to, and unless there is an outcry, he won't be the last.

Any parent with a child in school needs to learn a lesson from our family. If you suspect for even a moment that your child may have special needs, take the reins. Get all the help you can, do all the research, access all the resources. Don't trust the school to tell you what your child is without asking for explanations for every term they use.

When you get that booklet of parent rights, you get to decide what happens. Even if you are overwhelmed, you need to keep asking questions. There is no such thing as too many questions. You will know a school is not for you if your questions annoy the school staff. You need to find a school that is willing and capable of helping the special needs of your family. Find ways to access private testing. There are plenty of programs in your area that have this information. Never assume that the school district possesses the same agenda you do. Request the numbers and e-mail addresses of the staff involved with your child closely, and keep in contact with them often to see to it that your child is making the proper progress.

Take our story to heart and take part in your child's future. Our goal is to help families avoid the situation we are in at this time. The resources we have found in Sacramento and in the state of California are plentiful, even with budget cuts. If this hits as close to home as I believe it will for many of you, find out what is available in your area and contact someone today. Our situation is unfortunate, and our story is not over.

Choral Society Featured on KVIE

2011-01-25T05:48:35Z

It was a Saturday night in Midtown Sacramento: The wine flowed, the crowd laughed and talked, the music played and there was even a little karaoke. The crowd of about 200 people was remarkably diverse, even by Midtown standards. One gent wore a cowboy hat, an 88-year-old lady applauded and a young blond guy in tight jeans got up and belted out show tunes by Cole Porter and Rogers and Hammerstein.

Tenor Evan Brienza sings Cole Porter accompanied by Don Kendrick.

Then everybody watched a television show in appreciative silence.

The occasion for the unusual party was the premiere of the KVIE-produced documentary about the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra. A scene from the documentary is shown above.

The Viewfinder series found a fitting subject for its documentary about the growing interest in choral music in the SCSO. Beginning in April 2009, production of this half-hour program became a labor of love for everyone on both sides of the camera.

Kendrick directed an SCSO ensemble at a summer event.

It has been 15 years since Don Kendrick stepped into the director’s role, bringing his limitless energy and ambitious vision to a struggling Sacramento Symphony Chorus. In 1996, when the Sacramento Symphony went bankrupt, Kendrick created a new kind of musical alliance.

The Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra is unique among the 12,000 community choruses in the United States: It is the only large chorus to have a collective bargaining agreement with its own professional symphony orchestra.

Generally, a large chorus is hired by an orchestra to showcase the music it plays. But in Sacramento, the volunteer singers of the SCSO hire professional musicians to accompany them. In the past 15 years, the SCSO has paid more than $2 million dollars in wages, keeping hundreds of union musicians working.

Saturday’s premiere was an opportunity for the many singers, alumni and friends of the SCSO to view their organization in a new way. Footage of current and recent performances – including the elaborate Orff “Carmina Burana” – was interspersed with photos and film from former tours.

On a trip to China, the group sang Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia” atop the Great Wall; in the Czech Republic and Austria, the churches and cathedrals in every small village became an impromptu stage for a motet.

Throughout the documentary, Kendrick and SCSO President James McCormick are featured discussing their experience. Their unequivocal love of music and passion and loyalty for the chorus comes through loud and clear.

Other members of the SCSO are equally enthusiastic.
James McCormick thanked Patrick McGiff for organizing the sneak preview premiere party.

“This experience has changed my life,” said Patrick McGiff, a tenor who joined the group about 18 months ago. He coordinated the details of the premiere party, which underwent a surprise change of venue at the last minute. “The power of volunteers is unbelievable,” he said.

McGiff also sings in Vox Nova, the men’s choir at Sacred Heart Church, where Kendrick is the director of that choir and of the mixed-voice Scola Cantorum.

“There are so many talents represented in this room” ~~McGill~~ McGiff said, citing the diversity of professions, ages and backgrounds among the 190 volunteer singers. “It is truly a labor of love.”

The documentary will air on the Viewfinder series on KVIE Channel 6 on Wednesday, January 26 at 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, January 30 at 6 p.m.

SCSO will present a their annual fund raising Singathon at Sunrise Mall on Thursday, February 10.

The SCSO season continues with The Verdi Requiem, featuring 193 singers, four world-class soloists, and a full orchestra. Saturday, March 19 at 8:00 p.m. at the Mondavi Center in Davis.

The season concludes with "Easy to Love", a concert of the best of classic Broadway music. Saturday, April 30 at 8:00 p.m. at the Mondavi Center

For more information, please visit the SCSO website at sacramentochoral.com

Sac Press Photos | Kati Garner

UFC Ribbon Cutting at Comcast Folsom Service Center

2011-01-25T03:36:36Z

Comcast had its official Grand Opening Festivities this Saturday at the Broadstone Marketplace. The new Comcast facility is located at 2766 E. Bidwell Street in Folsom. Activities were planned inside and outside the facility for this building dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Grand Opening Festivities, at the Folsom center, featured a reception with food and drinks for customers. A couple of face painters from Lizzie’s Fancy Feet Parties dressed as princesses were on hand as well.

The free event also featured Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters Chad Mendes and Joseph Benavidez. Chad Mendes will be on the fight card for UFC 126 which takes place on Saturday February 5 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Chad will bring his 9-0-0 record to the octagon and will take on Japan’s Michihiro Omigawa. Joseph Benavidez’ next fight will be on March 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey. Benavidez (12-1-0) will go up against Ian Loveland in UFC 128.

(UFC Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Chad Mendes and Joseph Benavidez)

Chad Mendes and Joseph Benavidez are part of Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male and are based in Sacramento. Both fighters gladly signed autographs and posed for photos. These personable young men chatted with new and hard-core fans. Kids and adults waited in line to speak with the fighters and have their picture taken. Although hundreds of 8x11 poster cards were available for autographs some fans brought UFC gloves or other items for signature.

The new office was set up to serve Folsom, El Dorado Hills and Rancho Cordova. During the time I was there several customers who brought back equipment and some purchased new items. I made a call to my home and had one of my kids bring back an old Comcast remote control and they exchanged it.

Inside the new Comcast Service Center Bryan Byrd, Director of Comcast Communications, gave me a tour of the center. One of the first things you will notice is the size of the place. There are stations to test internet speeds, a sitting theatre area, a 3D station station as well as other areas that showcased their products.

As we walked Bryan said "As you can see this is a different concept now. Service Centers used to be strictly a counter and a payment line. Now it’s like in a theatre mode with wooden floors, leather seats and monitors on the walls. This thing is great,” Bryan Byrd explained as he pointed to a billing kiosk sitting against a wall. He continued, “It works like an ATM so if you have a bill you can just pay it here instead of waiting in line with everybody else. You can bypass that, you can scan your bill and put your payments in and pay by cash, check or credit card without waiting with others who want to change service or return equipment. Most people pay through the mail while others like to come in and pay in person especially those that want to pay in cash, so it’s convenient for the customer.”

Comcast has grown from what used to be just a TV cable company and as Byrd explained, “You know Comcast used to have just one product; video. Later you could get video and internet, then it was video, internet and phone. So then we were also a phone company and now we’re the third largest phone company in the country.” Having just bought majority ownership in NBC Universal it looks like Comcast will continue to grow.

(Mendes, Snow Princess, Benavidez)

Another new feature being used by Comcast was explained by one of the workers. A new Xfinity TV app allows you to use an iPad, iPhone and iPod touch to serve as a remote control from anywhere that you have internet connectivity. Percival explained, “Customers can download from the app store. The customer downloads a free app for the iphone and as long as they’re Comcast customers they can access it with their user name and password. They also have on demand capabilities or like in this case if you have it hooked up to a DVR they could record from here. The best thing is you don’t even have to be at home to do this, all you need is a connection.” He went on to explain the many features of the app and indicated that a new app would be coming out in the next few months that will allow you to download to your ipad and watch the programs. It's expected that these services will be available soon on the Android tablet.

Shanda Maloney, Affiliate Marketing Manager, for UFC was on hand to help with the event and filled me in providing some information about the UFC fighters as they continued to sign autographs and pose for pictures. “Both of their fight cards that they’re on are going to be huge, specially the one he’s in on February 5, it’s going to be great,” Shanda said pointing to Chad. I asked how she got involved with the UFC and Shanda indicated she had been recruited while she was a Marketing Manager for another company. When I asked about how often these types of events go she said “Well it’s fairly new for these guys since these guys actually used to fight under a different brand. They used to fight under WEC which is the World Extreme Cagefighting. UFC actually bought WEC a couple of years ago they had their last fight in December and in the same month everything fell under the UFC umbrella. So their next fight that we’ve mentioned will be their first under UFC.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony completed the event. Folsom City Council Members were on hand to help cut the ribbon. Jim “Digger” Williams and his wife Sharon were on hand as was Marc Chan. Williams relayed that he had been married over 50 years to his wife Sharon. Not only had he been married for that period of time but has been involved with the Folsom Rodeo and Folsom’s Chamber of Commerce for just as long. Folsom City Mayor Andy Morin was on hand to tour the facility and say a few words to help open the new store. Rafael Vasquez, Director of Marketing in the California Region also gave a few words.

(Above; UFC fighters, Folsom City Mayor and Comcast Employees. Below: Bryan Byrd)

Rafael Vasquez remarked, “This store was designed with our customers in mind, for this community and to better serve our community. It’s a real cool store where you can test drive the latest Xfinity products like for example Xfinity TV, Xfinity 3D programming and you can also test the fastest speed internet in the market. We have experts on site to better answer your questions and serve our customers. We’re very happy and feel great to be part of this community, once again thank you for coming, thank you to our special guests and please enjoy.”

(Comcast Retail Sales Director Rafael Vasquez)

Folsom Chamber of Commerce Member and Folsom City Mayor, Andy Morin closed the ceremonies. “First of all thank you for inviting me out here and arranging for incredibly beautiful weather out here. Thanks for allowing me to compete for attention with our UFC fighters out here.” He emphasized his thanks for all who attended and for a long relationship with Comcast and other businesses that occupy city storefronts.

(City of Folsom Mayor Andy Morin)

David Lindley's gots licks, jokes.

2011-01-25T02:27:54Z

Friday night, legendary guitarist David Lindley played an early show at Harlow's night club.

I am embarrassed to admit that I hadn't known Mr. Lindley from Adam until a couple weeks ago when I received a note mentioning that Sacramento Press Editor-in-Chief David Watts Barton had suggested me, personally, for coverage.

D.W.B.'s recommendation was good enough for me. The man knows his music (even if he doesn't grok the Grateful Dead: blasphemy where I'm from). I agreed to cover the show without knowing a single thing about Lindley, or having heard a single note of his music.

A cursory glance at the YouTubes produced this, which was all I needed to see before concluding I'd made the right choice.

A cursory glance at his website reinforced the notion. The list of men and women with whom he's collaborated reads like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame co-ed softball team: Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Graham Nash, Warren Zevon, Dolly Parton, Curtis Mayfield, James Taylor. . . I could keep going.

I arrived at Harlow's about 10 minutes after the 7:30 listed start time, having forgotten that even though an 8 p.m. start time means the show will start closer to 8:45 p.m., a 7:30 p.m. start actually means, a 7:30 p.m. start.

When I walked in, Pieta Brown was already on stage, accompanied only by her acoustic guitar and a lone microphone. Harlow’s was fairly packed. With it being an early show, the dance floor was chaired and tabled and fully peopled with folks enjoying the show from the comfort of their seats. A strikingly statuesque brunette, Pieta held the crowd’s rapt attention with her uniquely haunting voice and alt-folk-Americana sensibilities.

As I approached the bar to grab a PBR, I got to take in the second half of her song, "Rolling Down the Track."

At the end of the first entire song that I was privy to, "Closing Time," as the applause died down, a woman's voice rang out from the crowd, "You're awesome!" she said, and the applause rose up again.

"Thank you," the singer responded gratefully, before resuming her set.

She played until 8 p.m. on the button, with each song receiving as enthusiastic applause as could be hoped for from a 98 percent-seated audience. When she left the stage, she received a partial standing ovation, but quite a few of them were multitasking as they headed to the bar or lavatories.

I adjourned to the patio, where I joined a few smokers who were discussing what we'd just seen and, more importantly, what we were about to see.

When I admitted that I'd never seen Lindley in concert, and had only recently found out that he existed at all, one fellow castigated me lightly: "Man, he's a legend. You've never heard Jackson Browne's version of ‘Cocaine’?"

Another gentleman regaled me with a story of catching Jackson Browne at the OG Mountain Aire festival in the early 1980s. I think he said Night Ranger opened.

The consensus was that I was in for a treat.

At 8:18, the man himself took the stage, bracketed on three sides by all manner of stringed instruments. I'm pretty sure one of them was the taken directly from Whoville. A "FloomFloggle," I believe it was called.

I'm pretty sure the only time I'd seen another one was in the “Star Wars” cantina.

He opened with a track that I could only describe as Gaelic classical. He called it an old fife and banjo tune.

At the completion of the first tune, he began a running, quite funny, banter with the crowd.

The dude's got a quirky sense of humor, and it was on display nearly as much as his prodigious musical talent.
"I used to play at Disneyland . . . That's where I learned to drink." he said, pausing to let the thought sink in.
"Underneath the Matterhorn." The audience laughed, and a good-length pause followed.
"Oh shit, what's that smell? People getting high . . . running the Matterhorn," he said, slowly.

He reached to grab his next instrument, this one a fairly traditional guitar.

"Shouldn't have said that," he said with a laugh before beginning his next tune, a masterfully fingerpicked version of Levon Helm's "The Poor old Dirt Farmer."

"I'd like to follow an old Blues tradition, and sing you a drug song" he announced to the crowd before his next tune. "This is a drug many of us know and love . . . Excedrin."

The song was called "Little Green Bottle." The crowd ate it up.

Through the course of the evening, he probably used eight to 10 different guitars (Instruments? I’m not sure if they were all technically guitars), both lap and traditional.

Up next, a song by 1950s Greenwich New York folk quartet The Weavers called "State of Arkansas."

A question shot out from the audience – "Are you still crazy bout your Mercury?" – caused Lindley to go into a stellar Jimmy Stewart impression. (I admit I thought for a second he was giving us a Nixon. They kind of sound alike).

He followed this with, what else, a Ben Harper lap steel track, "Well, Well, Well."

He continued his "If it didn't work so well, I'd wonder where the Hell he comes up with this stuff" set with the Bruce Springsteen classic "Brothers under the Bridge."
It’s a great song, but also a great song to eat a gun to. He astutely chose to lighten the mood on his next ditty, his last of the set.
The next track, "When a Guy Gets Boobs (It don't look so good),” was just what the doctor ordered.

"He's funny as hell," offered the gentleman sitting at the table to my right, and I wasn't gonna argue with him. Even though man boobs are a medical condition, not a laughing matter, and I don't make fun of your gout, do I?

All right, I guess man boobs are kinda funny.

To raucous applause, he left the stage at 9:24 p.m., only to return to stage at . . . 9:24 p.m. He's been around too long to put on airs.

He encored with "Revenge will Come" by Southern California-based singer/songwriter Greg Copeland.

It was an incredibly eclectic and wonderfully performed set, if a bit subdued. And though I generally gravitate toward shows with active dance floors, I was able to more than make up for the lack thereof at the early show with some late night buffoonery at Momo's upstairs. I love Harlow's.

PREVIEW: 2nd Annual Sacramento Electronic Music Festival

2011-01-24T22:58:59Z

If you cruise on over to Daedelus’ website and check out his list of upcoming shows, the Sacramento Electronic Music Festival is not listed.

No cause for panic - he will indeed be there. Plus, the absence of events like an SEMF in the world of “formal” event lists is actually pretty common. What is worth taking notice of is the events that are listed.

A trio of gigs in New York and Washington D.C. alongside Lotus, followed by a buffet of shindigs across the pond at various clubs and festivals.

Oh yeah, there’s one other gig on the Daedelus page that isn’t listed – it’s some little gathering down in the desert we keep hearing about?

While he would have to be considered the most widely known name on the list, this combustive puppeteer of beats from Los Angeles is only one example of the thundering herd of talent assembled by organizers Adam Saake and Clay Nutting for the Second Annual Sacramento Electronic Music Festival.

“It’s gonna be a lot of heads up in the building,” Nutting said, “but that’s what great about this, you get to see an artist like (Daedelus) on a small stage; it’s an intimate setting for a show like this.”

“I know there’s people out there who just don’t understand (electronic music) or who think it’s noise, but it’s about art,” Nutting added. “If you look at it from afar and aren’t really familiar with what they’re doing, you’ll see that they’re in front of a computer, but they’re producing art live in front of you. They create it before the event and they integrate it with art they produce live on stage.

“Each artist integrates their own emotion, just like a painter painting a picture. They’re sharing their art with you; if you’re a true music fan you can appreciate that no matter what your preference is.”

The three-day Second Annual Sacramento Electronic Music Festival begins at the Townhouse on Thursday, January 27 at 9 p.m., and continues on Friday, January 28 at 9 p.m. and Saturday, January 29 at 7 p.m. The Townhouse is located at 1517 21st St. Tickets are $7 for each night, or $15 for a three-day pass, and can be purchased online here. All shows are age 21+.

Among the nearly 30 local (and a few visiting) artists performing at the festival are Daedelus, Little Foxes, New Humans, Sister Crayon, former Command Collective artists Dusty Brown, Tycho and Tha Fruitbat, and several others. See below for the full lineup.

Last year’s inaugural festival at the classic Midtown haunt was overwhelmingly popular, with sellout crowds on both weekend nights. Nutting and Saake expect more of the same for round two (e.g., get your tickets now), but neither is counting their chickens.

“I think that anyone has that concern whenever you’re planning an event; there's that thought of ‘crap, are people going to show up for this?’” Saake said lightheartedly. “You can’t look at your Facebook RSVPs and say ‘oh, we’re good.’”

In formulating the first installment of the event last year, Saake envisioned a gathering reminiscent of the times a decade ago when local electronic artists the Command Collective were routinely rattling the ones and twos together. The festival was intended to serve as a weekend lightning rod for a scene that has been steadily vibrant over the ensuing time, albeit slightly more disjointed.

“For me, it was tapping into the nostalgia of 10 years ago,” Saake said. “It wasn’t huge, but there was a good 10 acts that were making music and doing shows together; there was more of a unity.

“Over the years people have gone their separate ways, but it never really went away. While (the performers of) that original scene were off doing their own thing, there was a whole new batch doing their thing, but it wasn’t a ‘scene.’”

While still holding court at “The ToHo’s” cozy confines, the SEMF is burgeoning into a significant to-do in only its second year, both in terms of local recognition of the event itself, and in terms of the challenge it offers to lingering negative perceptions or pigeonhole assumptions of the electronic music genre.

We don't need to list them, you already know what they are.

Like last year, this year’s event will feature music in both the upstairs and downstairs portions of the Townhouse. Additional visual elements and projections are being added throughout the room – oh yeah, and there’s an app for that.

“Some people don’t necessarily consider artists like New Humans a traditional electronic artist - and I don’t think they do either,” Nutting said. “We have DJs who spin music from that genre, and then you have acts like Sister Crayon who have organic music elements married with electronic effects; we’re really showcasing the breadth of (electronic music).”

“Sometimes there's a perception, and I don’t think it’s accurate, that Sacramento can’t handle some of the bigger acts coming to town, but people don’t give it enough credit,” he added.

“Sure, it might not hack out a huge theatre for a show that could sell out in San Francisco, but bringing that down to a smaller venue, it breeds people’s faith in the community and inspires people, and we see (SEMF) as a platform for that. We see it as a chance to bring more talent to Sac and get people recognizing the great things we’re doing.”

“I have a five-year, ten-year plan I’m going to start putting together for this thing,” said a noticably exuberant Saake, citing events like South by Southwest or the Detroit Electronic Music Festival as massive local economic boons. “I’d love a bigger venue and to be able to bring as many people as we can from all over the state. I’d love to make Sac a destination for this festival, and to make it all ages.”

“I want the lineup to be just nuts,” he added. “I want people to go ‘what the ****, this is crazy!’”

2011 Sacramento Electronic Music Festival Lineup:

THURSDAY 27

Daedelus (Ninja Tune/LA)
Tycho (Ghostly International/SF)
Sister Crayon (Manimal Records)
Thriftcar
Pregnant (TerrorEyes)
Whores (HUMP/Grimey)
Fresh Machine (Who Cares)

FRIDAY 28

LIttle Foxes (ft. Jacob Golden)
Melee Beats
Favors
Boss Magic
Shaun Slaughter (Rough House, Lipstick, D.A.M.B.)
Roger Carpio (Record Club, Rough House)
Taylor Cho
Adam J

SATURDAY 29

The New Humans
Bonjay (Toronto, Ontario)
Dusty Brown
Tha Fruitbat ( Lunaticworks/Samplistic/Daly City Records)
Two Playa Game
Seventh Swami
Paper Pistols
Chachi Jones (Lunaticworks)
hearts + horses
Mike Diamond (Risque)
Sex & Weight (Risque)
My Cousin Vinny (Risque)

Monster Trucks capture Sacramento

2011-01-24T18:44:07Z

Some of the best known trucks in all of Monster Jam - Gravedigger, El Toro Loco, Tropical Thunder, The Patriot, Outlaw and Bounty Hunter gave a crowded house at ARCO Arena a unique mix of noise, speed and adrenaline. Monster Jam spent three wild days at ARCO this past weekend and the fans could not have been more pleased. Not only did these fans cheer for their favorite drivers, but when the stars of the show, the trucks, made their way to the dirt floor the screams were deafening.

Over the years Monster Jam has changed to become much more than just trucks jumping cars, speeding down the track and being loud. Now, Monster Jam is a fully fledged production where thousands of kids rush to the merchandise booths to buy themed hats, remote controlled cars, T-shirts and almost anything else with the logo of their favorite truck. Gravedigger, the most popular truck of the Monster Jam series, is by far the biggest seller out there. No matter where you turned you could see some young kid sporting the distinctly green colors of Gravedigger. As young kids go, this sport is definitely geared toward them and the parents who love to see those kids smile. As the lights in the arena dimmed, and the warning of flying debris given, the trucks revved their mighty and loud engines to the cheers of screaming fans – let the night begin.

Trying to entertain an audience for over two hours with little more than six trucks is not an easy task; especially when the average age at the event is around 9 years old. However, Monster Jam fills the voids between gut wrenching jumps and car smashing routines with mini-races, a car eating dinosaur, a flamboyant emcee and lots of merchandise soliciting. Although the adults may lament the constant merchandise solicitation, the kids don’t seem to care; they are more interested in what is about to come. Even when the trucks were parked, and the emcee was out entertaining, the earplugs were a necessity in the arena do to constant screaming.

As you can imagine, the trucks are big, loud, and each has its own distinctive personality: El Toro Loco is a large orange truck with buffalo horns and teeth whereas Tropical Thunder is much plainer with a simple paint job and a palm tree on the side. However, no matter which truck you hold allegiance too, they all do the same thing: careen over steep jumps at breakneck speeds, smash whatever is in their way and make lots of noise.

Monster Jam may be mostly about the thrill of watching these trucks jump, smash and wreck but it is also about a lot more; this is about giving the children one of the most exciting nights of their young lives. No matter what the age, the children smiled and talked their parent’s ears-off on the way out of the arena. New allegiances were made and old ones cemented in the two hours the trucks entertained the crowd.

VIDEO - The Patriot truck freestyling at Arco Arena.

Marc McLaughlin is a contributing writer and photographer for the Sacramento Press. Photos and video courtesy of Marc McLaughlin.

Backstage Jazz Bistro

2011-01-24T10:39:45Z

The Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) hosted a Dress Rehearsal of the French Flair concert at the Sacramento Community Center Theatre. The rehearsal, called Backstage Jazz Bistro, was held on Friday night and the French Flair concert played on Saturday January 22.

Guests were greeted as they entered the Community Center. A few of us were greeted by Judee Daniels, CFRE, Director of Development for the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra. We were told we could sit anywhere and watch the rehearsal. Somebody mentioned that a good area to sit was around row O. Judee gave more instructions to turn our cell phones off. “Enjoy the performance; you’ll be hearing more about what’s happening back stage. As the performance ends we’ll be making further announcements. Please go right in and enjoy” Judee said and then guests entered the seating area.

Theater seating was open and guests sat all around the theatre. Orchestra members who were rehearsing were dressed in their civvies. Although this was a rehearsal the music was great as always. Maestro Michael Morgan always seems to have a give it his all when conducting and tonight was no different. His enthusiasm flowed through the orchestra and on to the audience.

Two people worked on a piano on stage tuning it for quite a while. On each side and behind the piano other orchestra members tuned their instruments and chatted. The orchestra rehearsed four pieces that were going to be performed the following evening. Jeffrey Kahane, on piano, accompanied the orchestra for a couple of these performances. The rehearsal performances were; Philipe Hersant’s Five Poems of Trakl (making its American Premiere), Claude Debussy’s Iberia, and two Maurice Ravel compositions Piano Concerto in G Major and what’s probably his most famous piece; Bolero.

Orchestra members began to pack their instruments. As I watched them pack it looked like many instruments could be put in different kinds of enclosures that could be carried like backpacks making the transportation of these instruments look easy.

As everything on stage was being put away Marc Feldman, Executive Director and CEO of the SPO came on stage to announce what was to follow the rehearsal. “All welcome to follow me back. I heard some corks popping so I suppose it’s ready.” Marc announced as guests would be partaking in a backstage get together. He continued, “I’m the pied piper you can follow me back, we’ll meet backstage.”

Backstage tables were set up where guests could dine and mingle. I sat with a charming couple from Davis. Behind the stage a soiree included an exclusive performance by Jeff Kahane, dinner prepared by Le Cordon Bleu instructor Stephanie Lamour, and wines selected by Darrell Corti were awaiting.

As guests began to sit for dinner a band played some gay Paris music for our enjoyment. Marc took to the microphone once again “Good evening, or should I say bonsoir? The Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra wanted to invite you backstage to see what it’s like back stage every night.” As the audience laughed he continued “This is a special evening that kicks off a ‘French week’ we’ve been 100 percent French from a program we’ve been doing with the Crocker Museum with impressionist paintings and impressionist music. We have a special honor tonight in that Jeff Kahane, you see we have a piano ready for him right now, is going to, I guess play something French.”

Jeffrey Kahane took to the mike and spoke a few words, “I just want to say that it’s an honor to be here and play some of my favorite music.” The audience backstage started to enjoy some wine and the music being played by Kahane.

Little Charlie Caravan played Parisian music in the background as well as guests lined up for get food provided by French Lady Catering. Marc indicated that one of their SPO members would be joining Little Charlie Caravan to show how versatile the SPO players can be. Ingrid Peters, on violin, joined the band for a couple of jazz bistro tunes.

The Backstage Jazz Bistro event offered many opportunities for Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra aficionados to enjoy an enchanted evening with music they love. It also showed allowed the guests to sit anywhere they wanted to in this beautiful theatre and enjoy a rehearsal where they could talk as the orchestra performed. I enjoyed the way orchestra players chatted amongst themselves and enjoyed watching them play in this informal manner. None of this took away from their rehearsal performance.

Marc Feldman and Judee Daniels were great hosts and went out of their way to ensure everyone had a good time. The food was delicious and the company was great. This was a great event that allowed guests to socialize, enjoy fine food, wine, great company and meet others that are affiliated with the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and meet world renowned musicians.

Fun with Ra Ra Riot, Givers and Pepper Rabbit at Harlow's

2011-01-24T06:33:03Z

Saturday’s animated concert at Harlow’s served as one of many sold-out shows in California for Ra Ra Riot, Givers and Pepper Rabbit. The dark, intimate venue came alive with colorful lights and a clambering crowd of orchestral pop rock fans. At the first beat of sound, the room was flavored with music that could most simply be described as “fun.”

Joining Givers and Ra Ra Riot for the first time on this tour, Los Angeles-based rock duo Pepper Rabbit opened the show with layered organ notes, looping effects and experimental use of unusual rock instruments: clarinet, bells and ukulele. Center stage, the lights glowed atop drummer Luc Laurent’s curls as his percussion pounded in our chests. Vocalist Xander Singh switched seamlessly from scaling keys to tambourine to ukulele throughout the band’s set, which included “Older Brother,” “Babette!” and “None Shall Sleep,” all off of the band’s 2010 album “Beauregard.”

As the bands transitioned and the crowd thickened, members of Lafayette’s Givers also began to set up an assortment of quirky instruments. Travis Sparks, who is visiting from Austin, noticed a second ukulele on the stage. “Another goddamn ukulele. These bands need to get out more,” he said, adding that an increasing number of musicians attract a built-in audience by merely integrating unconventional instruments. Although I'm a fan of the ukulele, there’s something to be said for how sudden ubiquity can dilute the punch of a novel concept.

Nevertheless, Givers, a psychedelic rock band reminiscent of Vampire Weekend, emitted vibrant, almost hyperbolic, vibes and beats. As they broke into the hit “Up Up Up,” the room burst with celebratory thunder and dance. Hearts pounded and long hair flew on stage to the rhythm of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist ~~Christine Peirce’s~~ TIffany Lamson's playful drumming and bell slinging.

“I want to have your baby!” a man screamed from the audience.

“Um. No. That wouldn’t be possible,” ~~Peirce~~ Lamson replied, laughing.

Her sweet lyrics harmonized with guitarist Taylor Guarisco’s vocals as his eyes closed with bliss as he played.

“The show was a lot of fun,” Guarisco said. “All of our songs are kind of like our children, so we love them all. It’s always exciting to see how an audience that doesn’t know our music reacts as we play. I watch their faces as they turn....” He then mimicked the audience’s expressions: faces that transform from bored to ecstatic.

As the stage transitioned for the third time, more people crowded toward the edge of the stage to get a closer look at Syracuse’s Ra Ra Riot, which performed Saturday for the first time with new drummer Kenny Bernard.

Fan Shelee Romo of Woodland said she’s seen Ra Ra Riot about four or five times since the band’s debut.

“They’ve always put on a great show,” she said. “They just feed off each other.”

She screamed loudly as the band emerged on stage to the sound of “Massachusetts.” Singer Wesley Miles, wearing a vintage Star Wars T-shirt, pounded the keys as the band orchestrated wildly to a series of hits from their first full-length album “The Rhumb Line,” including “Too Too Fast” and “Oh, La.”

Ra Ra Riot’s second full-length album, 2010’s “The Orchard," offered a more mature, mellow mood, while still retaining its playful energy with “Boy” and “Kansai.”

"This is the first time the band has felt part of one entire process, from beginning to end," Miles said.

"The Orchard" also features more lead vocals by cellist Alexandra Lawn, whose sultry vocals captivated the audience with "You and I Know."

“I’ve never seen [Lawn] sing solo live like that, so that was exciting,” Romo said. “She has this Stevie Nicks vibe that I love.”

The songs continued with spritely vocals by Miles, harmonized by Lawn and reinforced by the band's baroque rock buoyancy. The band left the stage, and after minutes of cheering, returned with "The Rhumb Line" hits “Ghost Under Rocks” and “Dying Is Fine." During the last few verses, Miles removed his glasses and proceeded to high five several audience members before saying goodnight.

“The show was just great!" Miles said. "We’re glad everyone had fun."

Photos by Steven Chea

Tree Planting In Tahoe Park

2011-01-24T04:27:10Z

The cool January morning was no deterrent to several dozen volunteers who came out for a tree planting event at Tahoe Park Sunday. Representatives from several local civic organizations, along with friends and neighbors from the community, came out to plant several Northern Red Oak, Valley Oak and Willow Oak trees.

Jacobe Caditz from the Sacramento Tree Foundation gave a crash course in Tree Planting 101 before teams were divided and sent off to prearranged locations throughout the park.

“We have a campaign going on right now where we want to plant 5 million more trees in Sacramento in the next 25 years,” Caditz said. “Today’s event is just another of many that’s going to help us reach our goal.”

Sacramento District 6 City Councilmember Kevin McCarty lent a pair of hands and picked up a shovel, helping to plant two trees himself.

“Events like this are just another great thing about our city,” McCarty told volunteers. “It’s a great chance to get out and enjoy your park, talk to your neighbors, and really do something good that’s going to be enjoyed by people for a long time.” Over the past seven years, events like this in Tahoe Park have yielded over 100 new trees, he said.

Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association President Bill Motmans worked through a bad rotator cuff but still managed to contribute and lend a helping hand.

“It was a great effort by all the people who came out today,” he said. “It’s always nice to see different people show up to these things. It’s very rewarding when you see the people show up and really help out.”

Members of the Congregation B'nai Israel, who’s temple is located far beyond the boundaries of the Tahoe Park neighborhood, were also in attendance with a volunteer team.

This event marks the beginning of several volunteer days that will be occurring throughout 2011. Park clean-up days, neighborhood clean-up days, and recycling and safety fairs are in the works over the next few months. Citizens wanting more information are encouraged to visit tahoe-park.org.

For more information about The Sacramento Tree Foundation please visit www.sactree.com

Isaac Gonzalez is a member of the Tahoe Park Neighborhood Association.

Déjà vu

2011-01-24T03:39:07Z

Have you ever had that eerie feeling that you’ve been there, done that? Me too!

When I woke up this morning, I started rummaging through my closet, not really knowing what I was looking for, and had a ah-ha moment as soon as I saw my old Magic 8 Ball. Don’t ask me why. I just did. Like I’d done this all before. You know, like I was psychic or something.

Because I was still feeling a little strange, I then did the darndest thing! I told my wife, Ruth, we were heading to the Berkeley Psychic Institute Fair in Sacramento. You’re not going to believe her response. She said, “I know, silly, you’ve been talking about it all week in your sleep.” Really? And I thought I’d never even heard of the place!

That’s when I woke up and realized it was all just a dream. But I knew what I had to do: go check out this psychic fair and see if they could give me an answer. So, I grabbed my trusty Magic 8 Ball, donned my purple shirt and sandals, and headed out the door. (I know, I’m stylin’.)

The Berkeley Psychic Institute (also known as BPI) is a religious organization dealing with psychic development, founded in 1973 by former Scientologist and Rosicrucian Lewis S. Bostwick in Berkeley, Calif. It is also the workshop of the seminary of the Church of the Divine Man.

They are still based in Northern California, with locations in Berkeley, Mountain View, Sacramento and Santa Rosa. Each location holds free monthly fairs, inviting the public to visit and see what it’s all about.

BPI offers a number of programs that teach the art of psychic reading, helping you fine-tune your sixth sense through meditation and increasing your ability to perform psychic readings on others.

Not only does BPI offer courses for enhancing one’s psychic ability, they also have courses about the profession in general, like clairvoyant training, trance medium clinics and spiritual healing clinics.

When Ruth and I arrived at the Sacramento fair, we were greeted by director Bill Raven. He explained that they offered free spiritual healings as well as a myriad of psychic readings for a nominal fee. Choices include readings about career, family, past lives, palm reading and a whole lot more.

Ruth and I decided on a family reading, and while we were waiting we met Joe and Julia Heath (pictured above with Bill Raven). Julia had readings in the past, but this was Joe’s first time. Joe was one of the few other men waiting for a reading, so I thought for sure Julia had dragged him into this, and was surprised to learn Joe wanted to come for his birthday.

While we didn’t experience a spiritual healing ourselves, we were lucky enough to watch as Julia was given one by Bill himself. He explained that he utilizes three beings for his healings: Jerry (with a light blue aura), Cherie (a woman from the 1700s who worked on a farm in France) and Ulan (a Hawaiian shaman who provides amusement).

Bill appeared to be pushing Julia’s aura around while he explained that she could receive a healing on the energy field around her body on a specific problem or just have a general “cleansing.” These healings do not involve physical contact. He added that an aura healing heals your energy, and then you heal your body. As he finished, he asked Julia how she felt and she said she felt warm all over.

Ruth has always believed in psychics, and I do too. Sort of. I would just like some facts to back it up. A psychic named Michelle performed our family reading and started by asking a few questions about whether there was anything specific we would like to know. She quickly zeroed in on two of our kids. Ruth believed she was quite accurate in her descriptions and, in fact, Michelle did tell us the age of one of the kids. However, I believe somebody could have guessed the answers by our discussions prior to and during the reading.

So is all this real? Can people read and heal your aura? Read your palms to reveal your future? I don’t know the answer, but I know what does: my trusty Magic 8 Ball! I gave it a go and got the following response: “Reply hazy, try again.” Dammit! I think they must’ve really messed with my aura because my Magic 8 Ball has stopped working.

All in all, we had a good time and met some nice people. If you get a chance, head over to BPI and check it out for yourself. The next fair is Feb. 26 and 27.

Do you believe?

Photos by Randy Miramontez.
Randy Miramontez is a contributing writer and photographer with The Sacramento Press.

Juvenile Hall Tour Focuses On Services, Challenges

2011-01-24T03:12:05Z

The Sacramento County Probation Department held an open house event at their juvenile hall Saturday afternoon. The facility, originally built in 1964, recently underwent an impressive renovation and 210-bed expansion to bring it up to current standards. The new state-of-the-art design allows officials to use an “Evidence-Based Curriculum,” which focuses on improving the quality of life not only for the inmates but hopefully for the surrounding communities as well.

On an average day the probation department says there are over 200 inmates in the facility, with an average length of stay of 24 days. Of that population, about three quarters are boys and the rest are girls. The typical juvenile offender under the county’s supervision in this building is 16 years old. Over 260 probation officers and other agency staff oversee the day-to-day operations at the hall.

The probation department places an emphasis on reducing recidivism and building positive social skills in its inmates. Juveniles are offered classes on anger control, conflict management and moral reasoning.
Educational opportunities for the incarcerated include year-round schooling on site, GED programs and a link to furthering their education after release at Sacramento City College. Offenders with children are encouraged to take part in the “Baby Elmo Project,” a 10-week intervention program intended to improve the parent-child relationship while the youth is in custody.

When speaking with Don Meyer, the chief probation officer for Sacramento County, one begins to see that this model for incarceration is a product of the conditions at this time.

“Because of ongoing delays in the court system, some of our inmates can spend up to three years or more in this facility,” Meyer said. “It’s important to make sure that, during that time, the individuals are receiving an appropriate education and the social training they need so that when they reenter the community they’re poised to become a positive member of society and less likely to reoffend.”

The future of these programs is uncertain in these tough economic times, and current funding could suffer large cutbacks if the vehicle license fee (VLF) rolls back to pre-fiscal emergency levels. Currently the probation department relies on the VLF for half its juvenile hall funding. Gov. Jerry Brown has said he plans to hold a special election to ask voters to keep the current VLF fees at their current rate through 2016. Without voter approval, funding from this source will expire in June of this year, forcing up to four units of the recently remodeled juvenile hall to close entirely.

For the time being, the Sacramento County Probation Department intends to continue to work with members of the community and officials from various governmental and private agencies to provide a suitable detention facility for minors in Sacramento. Navigating the difficulties that come from working within the confines of reduced annual budgets has been the norm for at least the past three years. In that time, the department has seen a 37 percent reduction in staffing. They have also had to deal with the closing of both the County Boys Ranch and the Neighborhood Alternative Center, another proactive program with a focus on crime prevention. Hopefully any further cuts, if enacted, do not come at the price of reduced public safety.

More information about the Sacramento County Probation Department can be found at www.probation.saccounty.net.

Jackson's Dream Room

2011-01-23T09:57:27Z

Kids grow up watching and participating in sports. Many, at an early age, begin participating in individual and team sports. There’s no greater joy for most parents than to see their children run around and enjoy playing and being involved in sports.

It’s been my experience to note that young children remember things that we as adults easily forget. I remember taking one of my sons to a Giant’s game when he was a small child. My son was wearing a cap from the opposing team (Dodgers) and one of the vendors shouted as we were entering the ballpark “Programs, programs, get your programs!” After seeing my child he shouted “No bottles, no cans, no Dodger fans!” At first I didn’t think much of it but my son later told me he felt very bad and took what the man said to heart.

As a child I remember going to a soccer game at an almost full stadium and having a most memorable and enjoyable time. To this day I remember the smell of junk food, the lights, the players and that my favorite team won the game. It’s one of those memories I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

This Wednesday I attended the Sacramento Kings game against the Portland Trailblazers. The game was like no other this year (besides watching them lose). This was the first professional basketball game for a little boy named Jackson. When I met him he appeared very happy as he waited just beyond the curtains that separate the lower level seats from the southeast entrance. He kept looking inside to view what was going on the court as his parents waited for others to join them. Perhaps this will eventually be an event that Jackson will remember for a long time.

(Jennifer Richards, Jackson, Lance and Hayley Grant)

Other people were coming to the game specifically to join the Sweet Dreams Foundation to their first official fundraiser to create a dream room for Jackson. The Sweet Dreams Foundation was established to try and change the quality of life for children who have been diagnosed with a life threatening disease. Sweet Dreams tries to do this by creating a dream room for the child. Children that benefit from this cannot live a normal life and the Sweet Dreams Foundation takes the time to get to know the child’s needs and wants to create an atmosphere for them that eases the pain and aids their healing process.

Jennifer Richards, President of Sweet Dreams Foundation and Interior Designer related Jackson’s story. In the spring of 2009 Jackson’s parents, Hayley and Lance Grant, noticed a severe change in their son Jackson. He started moving slowly, wanting to be held all the time and the little light in his eyes began to fade. They went to the pediatrician and were given antibiotics to clear up any infections. Jackson awoke the next morning to his left eye swollen shut. After their visit to Mercy Folsom ER they were informed that their son had leukemia and needed to be immediately transferred by ambulance to UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Jackson has endured a lot from lumbar punctures, bone marrow biopsies and intensive chemotherapy. His parent's say "His strength and patience through this has been truly amazing. No child should ever go through this; no parent should have to watch while their child fights for their life!" Jackson and his parents have undergone big changes during the last couple of years. Now, however, Jackson is in remission and is currently leukemia free. Jackson continues a less intensive chemotherapy treatment every day.

The process to build Jackson’s room has already begun. Jennifer meets with Jackson and his family and tries to find what Jackson likes to do. This will in turn allow the Sweet Dreams Foundation to partner with sponsors and design a room that Jackson will enjoy and share that joy with family and friends.

Current sponsors that help in the process are Caviar Crew Construction, Zimmerman Re Roofing, Email Direct, PIIB Insurance, Silva Electric, River City Paper, Cornell Group and Randy and Kinsey Davis.

Last year a dream room was designed and created for Aimee Milota by gathering information as to what she liked and what her family thought. Her story is as heart wrenching as Jackson’s. The tenacity of these children to prevail is a fine example of the will to survive. What these children go through makes those around them, I believe, realize that there’s much we can learn from these kids. They help put things into perspective and help us realize how precious life is.

Jackson is a real gem and enjoys sports. His dream, as far as his room goes, is to have an Auburn University (where his dad attended) football and basketball room. The Sweet Dreams Foundation is looking forward to creating this dream room, giving Jackson a room where he can pass a football to his favorite player, Auburn Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton.

Jackson also enjoys shooting baskets from his bed and enjoys watching movies. A plan is being worked on that would give him a comfortable place to watch movies with his family when he isn't feeling too well.

The sponsors involved in the process will help in the creation of Jackson’s dream room. Besides the sponsors, individuals become involved by attending events that contribute to meeting their objective. Wednesday’s Kings game allowed Jackson, family, friends, sponsors and supporters to enjoy a game with Jackson.

Traffic moving towards ARCO was slow on Highway 50 going west as was Interstate 5 going north all this made getting to the game for a pre-game event a little hard. Some of the sponsors as well as Jackson were scheduled to be on the court to high five the Kings and watch them warm-up courtside. Traffic and other circumstances prevented the pre-game events from taking place as expected.

The excitement of a little 4 year old child however could not be contained and Jackson patiently waited for things to get settled before taking his seat. I watched him as he kept looking towards the court as we waited behind the curtains that separate the court seating area from the entrance/vendor halls. His enthusiasm became a little more apparent as I told him that there was a Kings player by the name of Jackson (Darnell).

Once sitting down Jackson was able to enjoy the game with family, friends and guests. The game itself was exciting but the Kings ended up losing in overtime. It was heartbreak of a game.

After the game “Pooh” Jeter held a question and answer session with fans. Jackson was given the opportunity to meet Pooh and pose for pictures. Pooh graciously met with Jackson and held him as they posed. This was a great ending to his day. The poor kid was tired but at the same time glowing. I couldn’t help but admire Jackson and at the same time I couldn’t help but admire his parents. My hat goes off to Mr. and Mrs. Grant and all who are like them, for all the work they do for their children. All their work is worth it and they do anything and everything for their children, for their family and for love.

(Pooh Jeter holding Jackson as his mom enjoys the meeting)

Jackson seemed to have had quite a day; a day I’m sure that will be very memorable. Things turned out well and it was great to meet Jackson and see him enjoy the game with family and friends. He’s a great little kid, very likeable and a personality full of sunshine.

(Jackson with new pal Pooh Jeter)

“Fire and Passion of Tango” Sizzles

2011-01-22T19:52:12Z

Argentine Tango is one of the most electrifying of dance traditions, and Tango Buenos Aires presents it with blazing artistry.

The company performed on Thursday at the Sacramento Convention Center theater, the third performance in the Community Concert series. Tango Buenos Aires has been touring internationally for more than 20 years, entertaining, educating and amazing audiences with its interpretation of this cultural treasure.

For nearly 200 years, Tango has been danced in Argentina. It is a dance of romance, but it is not your grandmother’s hearts-and-flowers romance. Tango is fire, heat and sensuality expressed in athleticism and muscular grace to compelling, visceral music. This is not a dance for the faint of heart, or the prim and proper.

All of the elements of Tango were beautifully represented by the company of 10 dancers and five musicians. Against a stark backdrop and using minimal props – a few scattered chairs and tables sketching a tango salon, the orchestra silhouetted behind the dancers – a classic story of desire, betrayal, revenge and great passion kept the audience fully engaged for nearly two hours.

The dancers are totally engaged with one another, dancing so closely that there often seems to be one body with four swiftly moving feet.

The men prowled with animal grace, costumed in loosely fitted 1930s-style suits, their hair shiny with pomade and their expressions smoldering.

The women epitomize slinky sensuality, in an array of simple but decidedly sexy dresses, most slit to hip and worn with stiletto heels. There is a lot of leg displayed in the Tango, as the women are dipped and swirled around the floor. Lifts and splits and spins abound.

But the most startling feature of the dance is the lightning-fast footwork by both partners. Dazzling intertwining lifts and kicks send shiny shoes around and behind and between the flying feet of the dancers, in split-second timing.

If the synchronicity of the pair faltered even by a hair, the results could be devastating – dancers would kick one another with those deadly pointed shoes in some very tender spots and fall to the floor in an agony of embarrassment and broken bones.

Tango Buenos Aires’ choreography by Susana Rojo is stunning. In a series of 20 dances interspersed with five numbers performed by the orchestra alone, a complete ballet-style story in Tango is created.

“Fire and Passion of Tango” tells the story of Cynthia and her partner, Damian; of their friends and of the dangerous Mauricio, the man who Cynthia pursues until he finally seduces and leaves her. Damien avenges her in an all-male dance reminiscent of a “West Side Story” gang fight, and eventually Cynthia and Damien are reunited.

The music was also phenomenal. Award-winning musical director Emilio Kauderer has composed and compiled a wonderful score. The musicians evoked the authentic spirit of Tango music, rendering tunes both haunting and exciting.

The piano, standing bass, violin and guitar were lovely, but it was the bandoneon that took the audience directly to the salons of Buenos Aires. This relative of the concertina accordion has a surprisingly versatile sound and was ably played by Martin Sued.

Tango is currently among the most popular classes taught in dance studios around the world and enjoys an enthusiastic following in Sacramento. Tango Buenos Aires made the entire audience understand why.

For more information on tango, including opportunities to see performances and take lessons, visit sactango.com.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

All-Star Bartenders in Sacramento - Ryan Seng, The Grange

2011-01-22T19:06:16Z

"You've tried Ryan Seng's Drinks, right? I mean, YOU of all people have tasted the things he's doing down at Grange, right?" These are the sentiments that were repeated to me continuously as I got into this cocktail series. Seng hosts a bar that is not only fun to drink at, but creates a cocktail tasting experience as well.

From working at New York establishments that are now showcased at the New York Times to the corporate world of bartending and waiting tables, Seng has quite a storied past working his way up the ranks. However, it was his new family that brought this Midwesterner to California, and that's when the cocktailing really began. From working with Patrick Mulvaney to Kurt Spataro, Chevy's to Il Fornaio, he's got a story for all types, and with it brings a wealth of knowledge to his customers.

He concocts drinks such as Tusk – a Boar Bacon simple syrup Manhattan with a garnish of candied bacon. Sinful. I know most people are getting over the bacon craze, but for those die-hard bacon and bourbon lovers (me), there's nothing better. This delivers savory, sweet, smooth and satisfying.

Another soon-to-hit classic began in the world of beer cocktails, making a twist on a recipe that he found, Seng crafted a salted-honey beer cocktail made with Hendrick's gin and finished with a pilsner. So honed in his craft, he's far more than just the pretty face and quick hands at the bar, but also has a palette to match. Which is why he was choosen to go to Kentucky's famous Woodford Reserve and help select and create the bourbon that is the showcase to many a foodie dinner under Chef Michael Tuohy.

Unlike many of his peers' drinks, Seng's drinks don't sock you in the face (Tusk being an exception). I'm personally a fan of a drink that whips your head around, but there's a subtle complexity that accompanies all the drinks Seng makes that no doubt comes from is New York Art School background. You can taste and see the layers of flavor that are created when drinking at his bar. He's not just an artist of the bar, but also of the canvas. Seng showcases his work at downtown hot spot Shady Lady Saloon on the wall (it's hard to miss all those beautiful...colors), but to catch his work on the Web, go to ryanseng.com.

The Sacramento Press: How did you get your start in bartending?

Ryan Seng: I started bartending for my parents when I was about six. We, my three brothers and sister, would wake up my folks with Bloody Marys. I remember we would put a lot of effort into the drinks, good rimmers, garnishes, etc. After that, I started making my own drinks in New York City when I was a waiter. Then I moved to California and eventually started making drinks at Il Forniao, Spataro and Shady Lady.

SP: What's your favorite drink/cocktail?

RS: I would say my favorite drink is the Sazerac or the Manhattan. Not only because they are terrific when done right, and there are so many variations of them, they also create a great structure to experiment with.

SP: To you, what's the difference between a mixologist and a bartender?

RS: Mixologist = cocktologist. Honestly, these terms kind of bother me. There are some great bartenders who can create an atmosphere that is electric and invigorating, but they cannot mix a drink. Then there are really talented "mixologists" who are just straight A-holes. I guess what I am always looking for is both, minus the A-hole part.

SP: What is the next big thing to watch for in drinking/cocktails/mixed drinks?

RS: The next big thing is probably people making more and more of their products: bitters, vermouth, liquors –breaking down everything that goes into the drink and making a personal stamp. Blowing glasses, building a still…

SP: What's your signature recipe cocktail??

RS: My signature drink right now is the "Scratch Manhattan." I make it with our Grange Woodford house blend, a bourbon I got to go to Kentucky to blend. Then bitters I made in cooperation with Del Rio Farms. Suzanne picked some bitter plants for me to infuse with high-proof spirits and dried cherries. Then I made a vermouth out of pomegranate seeds, brandy, zinfandel and herbs – served up with cured dried cherries.

SP: What's the best way to get a bartender's attention?

RS: Just like everyone, I have never really enjoyed this process of getting a bartender's attention. I would say just stand there and try to make eye contact, and don't take it personal if we cannot get to you fast enough, It takes more effort to ignore someone than it does to serve them. I'm older, and I usually avoid places that are that busy.

SP: Where do you drink?

RS: I like drinking at the Shady Lady. I also enjoy going out to the new bars all over Sacramento and San Francisco to see new techniques and cool drinks being made.

Celtic Crossroads World Fusion Tour

2011-01-22T10:44:03Z

Celtic Crossroads embarked on their much anticipated World Fusion Tour. The tour began last week in Texas. Two performances in Florida followed and then the group made their way to Sacramento. They have a tour bus that will be their home for the next couple of months and will also serve as their mode of transportation. They drove the bus from Gainesville Florida to Sacramento. The bus was parked in front of Harlow’s on J Street as people began entering the night club Thursday night.

Their aggressively scheduled tour brings them to the West Coast for the first time. Other tours dates are scheduled in the Midwest before they take a couple of weeks off. Celtic Crossroads will resume their tour on the East Coast and perform in what seems like a nightly performance from February 16 to the end of March.

EMK (Eamon Crosby, Michael McClintock, Kevin Crosby) production brought Celtic Crossroads to their first California trip. The stage for the evening’s performance unfortunately was not large enough to accommodate the dancers that are part of the performance. I met Kevin at the club where he showed his hospitality and talked about their trip from Florida. He’s described as a manager who manages everything behind the scenes and goes on the road taking the show to new markets. Kevin was a bit nervous but in good spirits. He pointed out the night’s performance was sort of like how the Celtic Crossroads first started; doing street performances.

(Michael McClintock)

The guys that make up EMK appear more like family than a production business. As Michael puts it “Eamon thinks up the mess, Kevin cleans up the mess and I try my best to make it look good.” They’ve traveled more than 7,000 miles to bring their show to the west coast.

Traditional, ancient and authentic styles of Irish music were performed on stage. Besides the traditional songs other pieces influenced by world music were also played. Amy McAllister introduced one of these non traditional songs, an Irish/American work song that told a story saying, “This next song is called Crooked Jack; it’s a song about a man who left Ireland in search of work. He found some work on a mine but unfortunately he broke his back and warns us that there’s more to life than work.” The song was an introduction to the many world influences that come into play in the music they perform.

(Amy McAllister)

It was truly amazing to see these young people perform and the enthusiasm they brought to the stage. They’re very talented individuals who play various instruments each and together they bring great a great masterpiece full of audio and visual stimulation to the senses.

“My brother-in-law is here tonight” announced James who played guitar, he continued “This next set I have to dedicate to them.” He spoke about one of the instruments that’s indigenous to the country that being the harp. James went on to introduce one of their songs played by Amy McAllister. “Originally the harp that was used in Irish music was a wee instrument,” James said “wee being small and it was called a clarsach and it be played on the knee that’s how small it was, but tonight we have the beast! So we’re going to have Amy start us off with wee tune of Ireland”. Many of their musical pieces were led by an introduction either introducing the instrument being played, its relevance to Ireland or to the story it told which I think helped the audience (or at least me) understand and appreciate the song better.

Uilleann pipes have a history that goes back to the late 17th century and now it’s a bellows blown bagpipe. One of the songs that featured the uilleann pipes was introduced “the name uilleann pipe is derived from 'Uille' the Irish for ‘elbow’ because they are bellows or elbow-driven rather than mouth-blown as is the case with bag pipes.”

The bodhrán is a traditional folk drum of Ireland and was fantastically played by Diarmaid Hurley. Besides the Uilleann pipes and the boldrán, fiddles, accordions, guitars, tenor banjo, wooden flute, the Irish tin whistle, harp, mandola and other instruments were used to bring life to their performances.

(Diarmaid Hurley playing the bodhrán)

Michael McClintock, musical director and performer introduced a song with non-Irish influence. “The next piece is not a traditional piece at all; it’s from Eastern Europe, from the gypsies,” Michael said. “It features the same instruments you find in traditional Irish music but the approach is very different. These gypsies would spend half the year in Europe and move to Ireland. It has the same rhythmic pattern you find in Irish music but it’s mixed in with all this emotional kind of crying and wailing and stuff, it’s all mashed together.” Crossroads moved on and played "Czardas" which is part of their repertoire now.

Isaac Alderson introduced some of the other members of Celtic Crossroads. He began by saying “The group is from Ireland, is based in Ireland and most of the players live in Ireland. However there are some people like myself who are not from Ireland, in fact I’m from Chicago.” Somebody from the audience yelled “go Bears”. Isaac continued, “Some other international players are also on stage Michael who you just heard on the violin was born in Ireland but grew up in Melbourne Australia where he currently lives. This man on banjo whose name is Jonas Fromseire he hails from the lovely country of Denmark and he’s going to take us into the next tune. Written by a banjo player from Ireland Jerry O’Connor called the Celtic Cajun Blues and Jonas is just the man to work his magic.” Jonas proceeded to start a foot stomping, knee slapping piece.

(Isaac Alderson)

Isaac continued, “Jonas here by the way for those of you who don’t know is like the Jimi Hendrix of banjo players. If anybody has any lighter fluid bring it up now.” Jonas then started another international kind of mix called "Czar of Munster" which was a fast paced banjo playing piece that mixed Irish traditional music with a touch of a few other European styles.

(Jonas Fromseier)

Other songs followed and at one time they also played "Orange Blossom Special" to show the audience how well they played this American tune. A lovely piece sung by Amy while playing the harp was also a favorite "With or Without You" by U2. Fleur was one of the last pieces they played.

There was a short performance with Marcus Donnelly performing a couple of dances. Some of his dance performances can be viewed on YouTube as well as seeing other musicians and dancers that were not on the Sacramento tour or could not take the stage.

(Marcus Donnelly)

Michael soon announced “We have come to the end of our show here in Sacramento. When we’re done come talk to us, have a drink, come see us then.”

After playing Fleur they received a standing ovation and the enthusiasm of the crowd was rewarded as they came back on stage and played one last tune.

After the show I was able to sit with Michael McClintock and ask him some questions.

Question: Is this the first time you’ve been to Sacramento?

Michael McClintock: Yes it certainly is. We really haven’t been on the West Coast much at all but we’ve spent a lot of time on the East Coast and in the very early days on the West Coast.

Q: We’ve been having some really nice weather lately so you guys came at the right time

MM: It’s really beautiful. We actually got snowed in New York and in Charlotte as well, flights were cancelled and everything. We thought we weren’t going to be able to start the tour.

Q: So James has family up here in Northern California right?

MM: Actually his wife is from Northern California. They lived in Dublin for 10 years.

Q: How often do you guys travel?

MM: We spend about 3 or 4 months of the year on the road. It’s quite a lot sometimes. We live in a huge bus parked out front.

Q: How do you like touring?

MM: It’s a lot of fun, maybe too much fun. We’ve had a pretty intense couple of days; we just drove up from Florida, from southern Florida. But it’s been a good bonding experience we got a very good crew. They’ve been my best friends; it makes things run more smoothly.

Q: Is there anything you do not like about touring?

MM: You miss people at home. If not for Facebook we wouldn’t keep up with people at home. I miss people at home that’s about the only real downside. The other downside is that you might meet somebody on tour and become friends and then you don’t see them again until maybe the next time we tour. That’s a little bit sad. Other than that there’s big pluses and big minuses.

Q: Have you ever been to Fresno (their next tour stop)? You guys are doing something with PBS down there right?

MM: Yeah the showing in Fresno is quite a large show, well larger than this anyway. Generally, like in the East Coast, we’re playing in front of large audiences a thousand or more per performance. One thousand up to 3 thousand fans usually show up for the Crossroads performances. But it’s time to explore the west coast. We’re kind of looking to explore more places.

Q: After April are you going to still be touring?

MM: After April I think we’ll be going home for a month or two and might come back to do some summer festivals in Ireland and Europe. But we will tour the first couple of months of the year here in America.

Q: How would you compare the audiences that you play for? I mean how would you compare the audiences in Europe to those in the U.S.? Or is there much of a difference?

MM: Not really. In Ireland I guess it’s a different type of audience it’s an audience that already knows the type of music we play. So we’re not introducing any new ideas so I mean it’s basically the same though. It’s pretty universal, the music that we play, you don’t need to know it at an intellectual level. You just kick back and enjoy it.

Q: Would you like to say anything to the Sacramento audience, your fans?

MM: If anybody in Sacramento would like to check us out we’ve just dipped out toe in the water here and when we come back next time it will be all guns blazing, dancers, singers, bigger band than this. So if you want to come and see us it will be one hell of a show.

I thanked Michael for his time and for bringing his music to Sacramento. This was a spectacular show and one that allowed for an intimate performance. Since a big part of the show includes many dance routines it was unfortunate that the Sacramento audience was not able to experience that. Marcus did give us a wonderful taste with the dances he was able to show us. In the future we’d love to see Celtic Crossroads come back to Sacramento and perform for our multi-cultural community.

Celtic Crossroads is a fantastic group that brings Irish soul music that makes you want to clap your hands, sing along and stomp your feet. It plays to your heart and just makes you want to move. As Michael said “just kick back and enjoy it.”

Nibblers at the Crocker

2011-01-22T01:58:47Z

Did you know that the Crocker Art Museum, as part of its recent 125,000-square-foot addition, added a 260-seat auditorium?

Not content with being the oldest (and arguably the awesomest) art museum west of the Mississippi, the Crocker is also now a pretty sweet little music venue to boot.

The museum is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for its aptly named "Thursdays 'Til 9" program. The third Thursday of every month has been pegged "Playlist," a concert series that "highlights local, regional and national performers from musical genres as diverse as blues, reggae, indie, folk, country, bluegrass, rock, hip hop, world music and everything in between." (http://crockerartmuseum.org/learn-do/thursdays-til-9)

This week’s "Playlist" featured local funk/soul stalwarts The Nibblers.

The auditorium where they played is super-intimate, located off an alcove adjacent to the two-story atrium and Mulvaney-operated Crocker Cafe.

Many of the concertgoers had taken an early, farm-to-fork dinner in the lovely new space, enjoying a selection of wine, beer and even cocktails as they did so. Beverages are not allowed in the auditorium itself, but you could make out the music from the tables nearest the venue, if you were so inclined.

If you've never seen The Nibblers, you are missing out on something of a local treasure. In my nearly 11 months in town, I've caught them four times. The ubiquitous funk mavens played a great set at Cesar Chavez Friday Night Concerts in the Park, routinely tear it up on Second Saturday, more than held their own opening for Trombone Shorty at Harlow’s (no small feat), and I heard they played some mean guerrilla-style sets at High Sierra Music Fest.

They took the stage at 7:10 to raucous applause, which was soon followed by a sheer silence as the eight band members took their places on stage. For a moment, it took on the feel of a collegiate lecture hall or small symphonic performance. Lead singer Hans Eberbach broke up the the briefly awkward silence: "The chairs are bolted down, I checked, but that doesn't mean you can't get up and dance."

This was greeted with responding cheers, which carried right into the first song, "Love." Many fans danced in the aisles and the open walkways on either side of the plush red seats.

Several times during the set, the stage was rushed by precocious young fans.

Like, 3-year-olds.

The musicians embraced their young fans. "The Nibblers: good for kids, too," Eberbach joked.

It was a typically great Nibblers set – high-energy, straightforward New Orleans soul featuring some searing horn solos and funky beats.
They closed their first set with a rollicking "song about math," entitled "638." The song is actually about a racehorse, and the crowd pleaser invokes the fans to participate with a "Giddy up, giddy up now" call and response. Giddy up indeed.

At a bit after 8 p.m., they left the stage and implored the crowd to go check out some art during the intermission.

It is a museum, after all.

I, and many others in the crowd, adjourned upstairs to take in some culture with our, uh, culture.

After about 15 minutes, the museum speakers rang with the announcement that the band was about to return to the stage.

Unfortunately, I was not nearly ready to leave the gallery.

The third floor of the Crocker is up there with my very favorite spots in Sacramento. A quick list off the top of my head? The back patio at the Zebra, the right-field lawn at Raley Field, Harlow's, my bedroom and the third floor of the Crocker.

There's my Sacramento Mount Rushmore.

So I didn't return to the show, choosing instead to spend some more time with San Francisco's Norman Irving (I could spend an hour looking at his "My World and Yours . . . And the Gods Created the World in their own Image " by itself), Carmel's Clayton Pinkerton and my absolute favorite, San Francisco's (again!) Edwin Deakin, among others.

I doubt I was missed. They had to know they might lose a few of us when they sent us out there. . .

Upcoming “Thursday Til 9 “events can be found here.

Dive Bar Grand Opening

2011-01-21T05:58:29Z

On Wednesday night, Dive Bar held its grand opening.
The "New K Street" has been covered ad nauseum here and (and here and here and here. . . .) and elsewhere.

George Karpaty's new "entertainment complex" is big news, and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, so I put on my press hat, my dance pants and my shiniest shirt and headed over.

The block was already bumping when I arrived a little before 8 p.m. I went to Dive Bar first, but my contact was nowhere to be found, the mermaids had yet to arrive and the bar was seatless. I decided to to take my leave and begin my night with a beer at the pizza "joint" next door.

Pizza Rock was bustling. The huge dining room was close to packed, and a handful of people were gathered by the host desk awaiting their tables. There were, however, a couple open seats at the long curved bar. I chose one directly underneath the grill of the Peterbilt DJ booth and made myself comfortable.

I am pleased to report that they have 24 oz PBR tallboys (In Wisconsin they call em silos!) for the relatively reasonable price of $4 apiece. Well, $4.40 with tax. Look, I ended up paying $11 for two of em with tip. Like I said, relatively.

I spent a little over an hour at Pizza Rock, taking in the scene and the end of the Kings overtime loss to the Trail Blazers. Some impressions:

– The truck/DJ booth and Sistine Chapel-esque ceiling art are as gaudy, cartoonish and over-the-top ridiculous as they sound. The room is like an Ed Hardy wet dream, which makes sense, seeing as chef Tony Gemignani teamed up with the ubiquitous graphic designer on a line of Ed Hardy pizza boxes. Seriously. That being said, the space is huge, open and comfortable in spite of itself.

– The food looks and smells terrific. (My girlfriend is currently doing a 21-day yoga cleanse, and as a show of solidarity, I am trying to follow her mostly vegetable diet. Except when Korean tacos are involved). The chef became the first American to win The World Pizza Cup competition in Naples, Italy, in 2007. The White anchovy and prosciutto de Pomodorini pizzas were eaten on either side of me, and they both looked outstanding getting rave reviews from their owners. Manny, a recent transplant from Hoboken, described the latter as an "off-the-hook Jersey-style pizza." The meatballs also looked phenomenal. These 21 days can't end soon enough.

– Mayor Kevin Johnson was in the building, and he gave the pizza a thumbs-up.

– In accordance with the name of the place, the music was kind of awesome. Skynyrd, Beastie Boys, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, Nirvana, Faith No More, 311, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Dynamite Hack . . . They were all over the map, and I had several, "Hey, this song!" moments. Good stuff.

– A fellow next to me ordered a Malibu and pineapple for his lady friend, and after receiving the drink he asked the bartender to add a little more Malibu, and the barkeep gladly did so. A nice sign.

After the Kings game ended (badly), I headed back over to Dive Bar. Some impressions:

– Mermaids. They are there, swimming around, and it's kind of awesome.

– How awesome will it be six months from now?

– They turned away a few people who were under-dressed. Don't let the name fool you, this Dive Bar has a dress code.

– I think this spot, more than the other two, will have to find its identity. It's not really a lounge, not really a dance club, certainly not a dive bar. Dance music, mermaids, TVs with sports playing, patterned carpeting, no food, bottle service, $300 "booths" that are just couches against the wall.

– Someone offered that it is just a place to go for the people who can't get in to District 30.

– This proved prophetic, as it filled up as soon as a huge line of people who had been waiting to get into D30 were turned way, with apologies and passes to return at a later date.

– They should have called it "Overflow."

– It opens at noon, but doesn't serve food. We'll see how long that lasts.

After being rebuked in my initial attempt to gain entry to District 30, I was able to sneak in on my way out. (Not really, I got to speaking with the manager, who let me in on the caveat that I not take any pictures). A few very brief observations:

– The floor around the main dance floor is kind of bouncy.

– This will succeed. George Karpaty knows his nightclubs. It's everything you might expect from the guy behind Ruby Skye: clean, slick, cool, great sound, comfortable booths, full of beautiful people and at least one professional athlete.

All in all, the “New K Street” left a pretty good first impression. Karpaty knows night clubs, and Gemignani knows pizzas. I've got every confidence in Pizza Rock and District 30 being successes. As long as that happens, Overflow should be fine, too.

A Big Idea: Compleat Female Stage Beauty

2011-01-21T02:40:42Z

It is the year 1661 in England, and the lovely Desdemona lies sleeping in her bed, long golden locks draping over white linen. She awakens slowly to the sound of her lover. “Othello, is that you?” she asks sleepily. Othello, a masculine Moor, approaches her, intent to kill in his heart. He grabs a beaded pillow, and in a few moments, suffocates the damsel to death.

Gasps of terror turn to laughter as Desdemona jumps up from her deathbed, takes off a wig of flowing curls, and reveals the man behind Shakespeare’s lead lady – Ned Kynaston, the theatre’s greatest male portrayer of female roles in London.

“Oh, but the play is not over!” he says. The audience cheering, he falls elegantly onto the bed. Later, backstage, Kynaston and his company of actors try desperately to deal with the startling news that women are now allowed on the stage, a reality that threatens Kynaston’s career and identity.

However, the audience is actually witnessing a play within a play, “Compleat Female Stage Beauty,” and Ned Kynaston is performed by actor Benjamin Ismail.

“Compleat Female Stage Beauty,” written by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Brian Harrower, will run until Feb. 5 at the intimate Big Idea Theatre in Sacramento. The play is a timeless, comical and tragic story about the impact of gender in society and how to find our true selves; we must dare to remove our “masks.” The play stars company members Ismail as Kynaston and Kristine David as his rival, the first female stage actress: Margaret Hughes.

Ismail first came across the script for this play in 2004 as a student at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas.

"When I found it, I thought, ‘Oh my god! I have to do this someday!’ ” he said.

As a theater major with an emphasis in directing, Ismail proposed the play to his school, but the department declined because of the expense of the costumes.

Ten years later, Ismail finally gets to play what he considers to be the role of a lifetime.

“The script itself is just brilliant. The journey and the arc that Hatcher has written into it is a dream role.” he said. “I not only get to play Kynaston...but I get to play two Shakespeare roles that I would never get to play in real life because I’m not black, and I’m not a woman, so I get to play Othello and Desdemona.”

As a company member at Big Idea Theatre, Ismail had the chance to pitch three shows for the upcoming season.

“It was the first thing on the table,” he said.

But even then, it took a lot of campaigning to win the support of the theater.

“It’s a monster of a show. There are so many scene changes, so many costume changes and there’s so much going on, and we have a really small theatre here,” said Harrower, the director. “But it was such a good script, and I thought it was a really important story to tell.”

Five weeks and several lighting tricks later, the company managed to create a historic proscenium space, purchase 30 Restoration-era costumes on a budget of $500, and premiere the play to a receptive audience.

“That was kind of one of the challenges of making this piece, making sure that all of those elements were treated well and were given their full birth,” Harrower said. “It’s a very complete play. The first 45 minutes are almost completely a comedy. Then the next hour is a really serious drama and at the end it still manages to come out very redemptive.”

After finally playing the character that’s been in his pocket for more than six years, Ismail said that putting on the show has been quite an emotional journey.

“It’s quite a process for me,” he said. “I start getting ready for the show at 4:30 every day to start at 8, because I have to get everything pretty to be a woman or whatever...During rehearsals I’d get so into it that when the scene would be over, I just couldn’t shake it...I’m still discovering new things in the show. It has been hard to leave (Kynaston) at the theater, but I relish that."

Ismail added that it's not just his character that's layered with emotions, but the rest of the cast as well.

"All of the characters have so much going on underneath the surface," he siad. "This show is very much about putting on a show whether or not you’re on stage.”

“Without what we do, who are we?” is a common question being asked throughout the play. Ismail said it’s a question he’s asked himself daily.

“Coming out in the south was a great experience for me,” he said sarcastically. “And I had to learn that lesson very quickly, that we’re not always what we do because, you know, I don’t have to be a stereotype. Kynaston doesn’t have to be a stereotype. We’re just people. No matter where we come from, we’re all people, and we’ve got that in common. ‘Why do we do the things that we do?’ That’s what every character is asking in this show.”

Performances of “Compleat Female Stage Beauty” are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. (Jan. 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, Feb. 4, 5) and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. (Jan. 16, 23, 30).

Councilmember steps in to save Heritage Trees

2011-01-21T00:36:34Z

The Friday, January 21st hearing at which development firm Petrovich Development planned to request a permit from the City of Sacramento to remove Heritage Trees from his Curtis Park Village site has been cancelled until a future date. The postponement is the result of a meeting arranged between Sacramento Councilmember Jay Schenirer and members of the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association (SCNA) on the evening of January 19th.

Representatives of SCNA’s Neighborhood Concerns Committee who attended the meeting are encouraged about what transpired, and feel that what was agreed upon and what is still being discussed amounts to good news for trees at the future site of the development project on the Union Pacific Railyard. Councilmember Schenirer’s meeting between representatives of SCNA’s Neighborhood Concerns Committee and Petrovich Development occurred less than two days before a contentious hearing on a permit for the developer to remove 57 Heritage Trees from the site for the purpose of completing the removal of toxic soil.

Under Schenirer’s leadership, the developer and community representatives agreed to the following four points, all of which
will be developed into enforceable measures.

First, where the presence of toxic contamination does not require it, Heritage Trees and non-heritage trees will not be cut, although some of those trees will have to be cut later for roads and other development. This will save as many trees as possible, but allows for complete remediation of the site.

Second, the Grand Legacy Valley Oak, which is outside the area known to be toxic, will not be removed unless contamination is found.

Third, SCNA will participate with Sacramento City staff and others in developing appropriate mitigation for the loss of those Heritage Trees that must be removed.

Fourth, the City’s hearing on the developer’s application for a permit to remove Heritage Trees is postponed until February 4, 2011. This is a tentative postponement, and provides time for all parties to reach agreement on the specific details of the above points.

Assuming agreement by all, SCNA will not oppose the tree removal permit.

SCNA is appreciative of the new Councilmember’s leadership in this matter that is so close to the heart of many Curtis Park residents.
The neighborhood association is cautiously optimistic that a resolution is forthcoming. SCNA thanks all those who offered phone calls and emails in support of the preservation of the trees, and thanks Councilmember Schenirer and Petrovich Development for their roles in this effort.

Sactown Rundown - Jan. 20-26

2011-01-20T19:58:59Z

Sac Press Reporter #1: “Coachella is overrated”

Sac Press Reporter #2: “Never having been, I cannot speak intelligently to that contention, but definitely doesn't stir my fancy.”

Sac Press Reporter #1: “Since when has that stopped you?”

Touche!

Drool seems to be filling the gutters from Sacramento all the way down to SoCal over the unveiling of the Coachella lineup, which features the usual diet of indie rock, electro tweak jocks, and a couple jam bands just for fun. And for some reason, Kanye West is a main headliner.

Do you like fishsticks?

Not that we specifically care about the Coachella lineup here at Sac Press – but the impact on our local calendar from some bands who may throw us a gig since they’re already in California that weekend, now that is a different story. Stay tuned to this space for any upcoming local concert announcements from participants of the 2011 LookHowCoolIAm festival.

Now, on to more important matters…

Ra Ra Riot – If you read enough reviews and clips about Syracuse, NY’s Ra Ra Riot, there’s a word that will keep coming up: “Think.” Exactly when did that become a bad thing? You’re going to have to put a little thought into things if you’re going to be an indie rock band with a string section and not let it play out like some absurd collaboration put together for a Grammy broadcast that sounds like a deaf guy playing musical Legos. They’ve been compared to Polyphonic Spree (minus the cult thing) and even more heavily to Vampire Weekend, but if you want to hear what it sounds like when Ra Ra Riot isn’t thinking too much, check out their trio of Daytrotter sessions here, here and here; it’ll give you a sense of what this bouncy outfit is all about when they take the thinking caps off and put on the rock star cups. Givers and Pepper Rabbit join up. 9 p.m. Saturday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $15. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Neil Diamond Tribute Show – The Sunday morning after Jerry Perry’s Neil Young tribute show back at Harlow’s, I was over at R15 watching football and chatting with a few randoms at the bar. I told one of them that we had gone to see a Neil Young tribute show the night before, and he started singing “Cherry, Cherry” in response. I like bloody marys too much to throw the one I was drinking at him. Plus, I paid $6 for it. I’d like to find that guy and tell him that if he’s that tuned in to Neil Diamond, his time has come. Even if you think that Neil Diamond is the cheesiest performer on the planet, you can safely bet that you’ve heard several of his songs, be they originals (“Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” “America”) or covers of Neil songs (“I’m a Believer,” “Red Red Wine”) and enjoyed them without even knowing that he was the one who sang them. Or, maybe you became a fan by watching “Saving Silverman.” Either way, don’t you think a whole bar “bah bah BAH!” singalong will be well worth it? Neil turns 70 on Monday, and Perry had rounded up a few friends to celebrate their favorite songs of the legendary performer: Sal Valentino, Kepi Ghoulie, The Freebadge Serenaders, Gerald Pease (of Bucho), Hans Ebberbach (of The Nibblers), Brian Rogers (of Izabella), Richard March, The Blue Diamonds, Ol' Cotton Dreary, Vinny's Vipers, Jem & Scout, and Jeff Clark. 8 p.m. Saturday. Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St. $10. 21+. www.theoldironsides.com.

Pets CD Release Show – A couple of years ago, Pets were the “next big thing” in Sactown; and just as quickly, they seemed to slip below the radar, although the duo of Allison Jones and Derek Fieth never left town. Guess what, they’re back! With dual guitars, drum machine and more loops than your average children’s cereal, Pets sludged-up, fuzz-coated and sassy (the Allison songs, that is) breed of head-twisting indie garage rock is hard to look past, even for the doubters who think they could do what they do in their own garage and do it better. Try it some time, see if you can pull it in this fashion. Their new CD “Ready the Rifles” is now out and ready to be picked up, and they’re celebrating it with Kepi Ghoulie Band and Dog Party. 8 p.m. Friday. Luigi’s Fun Garden, 1050 K St. (MARRS Building). 21+. Facebook event page.

A Lot Like Birds – Far be it for the Rundown to ignore a band with songs called “How I Parted the Red Sea” and “Ted Bundy’s Thanksgiving Dinner;” do you want to carve or should I? And don’t ask about the cranberry sauce. Kurt Travis of local thrash mainstays Dance Gavin Dance is now a full-fledged member of this raucous post hardcore outfit, and they’ll be holding court at Midtown’s newest all age venue with Not to Reason Why, Early States, Dreaded Diamond, and the Cryptics. 7 p.m. Friday. The Refuge, 1723 L St. $5. All ages. Facebook event page.

Typhoon – Like the Fleet Foxes relegated to a diet of Van Morrison records spread with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Funk and forced to play on instruments found in the trash behind bus stops (Mumlers fans, take notice), this juggernaut of an indie rock band brings their oddly funky and occasionally dingy brand of classically tinged garage pop to Davis, kicking off a four concert set at Odd Fellows Hall, put on by the same folks who provide Sophia’s Thai Kitchen’s consistently awesome summer patio concert series. Stay tuned to the rundown for more on this series, which runs through February 22. With AgesandAges, Brainstorm and Elders. 8 p.m. Saturday. Odd Fellows Hall, 415 2nd St., Davis. $10 adv/$12 d.o.s. All ages. www.sophiasthaikitchen.com.

Mark Your Calendars – February 1 – Holy cow, is this going to be a huge night in this area. Yep, it’s a Tuesday, but if you’re at home watching TV, you’re going to miss all three of these shows: Social Distortion at Freeborn Hall in Davis, Dawes at Odd Fellows Hall in Davis, or Clutch at Harlow’s. To quote Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: “You must choose, but choose wisely.”

If you are planning or promoting a concert in the Sacramento area, or just know of a show you’d like to see featured in the Rundown, shoot me an email.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.

"Dancing in the River City" Dazzles

2011-01-20T00:33:14Z

Are you a fan of “Dancing with the Stars”? Do you enjoy glitzy Broadway musicals or old movies with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire? Do graceful dancers in tuxedos and swirly sequined dresses make you swoon?

U.S Women's Standard Champions Citabria Phillips, left, and Zoe Balfour perform in the evening show.

It was all that and more when ballroom dancers from around the world gathered in Sacramento on Sunday. The Ballroom of Sacramento hosted the third annual Dancing in the River City Same-Sex Dance Competition, followed by an evening dance show.

This year’s show was “Over the Rainbow in the River City,” and featured performances by The Dancing Dorothys, the Vima Vice Squad, the Magical Marionettes and many of the star performers from the afternoon competition.

Heintje Soriano and David Estrada dance to a number from "Wicked".

Loosely based on a "Wizard of Oz" theme, the show played to a capacity crowd. During intermission, and after the show, the floor was opened for public dancing, and the audience members were quick to take the floor and try out their moves.

The dancers in the show obviously love to perform, and their numbers were technically challenging, beautifully staged and very
creative. The costumes were fabulous, and the audience clapped and cheered each dance. It was a dance spectacular worthy of a much larger audience.

Photon; Photis Pishiaras and Ron Jenkins, second place Men's Standard.

The Vice Squad channels Dorothy.

2010 Gay Games gold medalists and U.S. Men's Latin Champions; Jose Comoda, left, and Chris Phan.

Sunny Williams, left, and Heather Brockett are the Women's Latin Champions. Also seen in photo at top of article.

Mitch and Misha; Misha Belfer, left and Mitchel Kibel took the ~~Show Dance~~ Men's A Standard title.

The tireless energy and enthusiasm of the performers was inspiring, especially as most of them had been dancing all day
long. The show was the culmination of a very demanding day of high-level competition.

The North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association (NASSPDA) 2011 California State titles were awarded in the day-long competition.

Competitors included several current and former world, European and national champions, and competitors from “So You Think You Can Dance.” Local dancers from beginner status through professional instructors showed off their best moves to an appreciative audience.

Four years ago, a group of same-sex dancers in Sacramento created a partnership, raising funds to send dancers to the international Gay Games, an Olympics-style competition of 35 different sports. By organizing the annual Dancing in the River City competition and dance shows, the group was able to sponsor 10 dancers to the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany.
Cindy Mills has been dancing for eight years and has seen the same-sex dance phenomenon grow with every event.

“Ballroom dancing takes years to master, and the level of dancing in Sacramento is getting higher all the time,” she said.

“We (U.S. dancers) did very well in Cologne. U.S. dancers are finally starting to catch up with European dancers who have had structured same-sex ballroom for far longer,” Mills continued.

Mills won gold and silver medals in Cologne with her Latin dance partner, Elly Bishop. Mills and her partner of 25 years, Annette Wegesend, are instrumental in organizing and producing this annual dance event.

She said she hopes to send even more dancers to the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland. Proceeds from the annual competition and show go to fund that endeavor.

Dancing With Pride, the same-sex dance instruction program at The Ballroom, is led by Robbie Tristan, a three-time world champion with European titles and Gay Games gold medals to his credit.

Robbie Tristan, instructor, during a performance.

Tristan with Ginny Cunningham, Latin Equality ChaCha winners.

With his former dance partner, Robbie won world champion titles for the Standard, Latin and Show Dance categories.
Robbie retains his Hungarian accent and his European charm. He danced throughout the competition with a variety of partners, squiring many of his students in Pro-Am events.

Throughout the day, a total of 72 heats were danced and judged by a five-member panel of international judges.

Categories included international standard dances, international Latin dances, and awards for formation team dances and showdances. Also included were equality dances, which are open to traditional role and reverse-role dancers as well as to same-sex couples.

Mother and daughter team Samantha Gossett and Ruanna Gossett took first place in West Coast Swing.

The Women’s Standard winners were Citabria Phillips and Zoe Balfour (photo at top of page), the current U.S. standard
champions (a title they have held for five years running). They were ranked fifth in the world overall at the 2010 Gay Games, and they teach and coach aspiring dancers in Oakland. They announced that this was their final competition together and received an award of appreciation from the event organizers.

The Men’s Standard winners were ~~Ron Jenkins and Potis Pishiaris, also Gay Games competitors. The San Francisco team compete and perform as “Photon.”~~ Misha Belfer and Mitch Kibel from Denver.

The Women’s Latin title belongs to San Franciscans Sunny Wiiliams and Heather Brockett. They won silver medals at the 2010 Gay Games.

In the Men’s Latin competition, the title was once again awarded to 2009 California State winners Chris Phan and Jose Comoda of San Francisco.

“Standard” dances include Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. “Latin” dances include the Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive.

Also awarded was the California State title for a formation team dance. The Sacramento team of 16 student dancers, The Sugar Tucks, performed a beautifully choreographed West Coast Swing number.

The Show Dance event included performances by three top male teams and was won by the Denver team of Mitch Kibel and Misha Belfer. They were the first same-sex couple to compete on “So You Think You Can Dance,” giving positive national exposure to the world of same-sex dance.

Same-sex ballroom dancing, long known as “Equality Dancing” in Europe, has come out of the closet in the United States in recent years and is now an extremely popular activity.

Ballroom dancing at the competitive level requires athleticism, dedication, grace and lots of time spent on the practice floor,
but anyone who enjoys dance will find it invigorating and rewarding.

Estrada and Soriano display their versatility in this number.

There are many different programs and types of dancing, from the recently popularized Argentine Tango to Salsa and Country Western. Local dance clubs like Faces and Badlands host lessons and special dance nights. Check local calendars for details.

Information on same-sex ballroom dance in Sacramento is available through dancingintherivercity.com (click on Dancing with Pride).

For more information on NAASPDA, visit nasspda.org.

The next major California event will be the USA Championship, held at the annual April Follies at Just Dance Studio in Oakland.
The competition, dinner and show are scheduled for April 30.
Information is available at aprilfollies.com or (415) 971-0410.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Martin Luther King Day

2011-01-19T07:38:57Z

"Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."

- Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Stockholm, Sweden, December 11, 1964.

The words of Martin Luther King, Jr. continue to inspire decades after his departure.

Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration was a day to remember one of America’s greatest heroes. Monday commemorated the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s Holiday.

Marches throughout the United States took place in honor of King. Sacramento residents participated in their own 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. march. Two groups embarked on the march, one departing from the Oak Park Community Center and the other from Grant High School and both met at the Sacramento’s Convention Center.

(Marchers approaching the Sacramento Convention Center)

An estimated crowd of 10,000 participated and enjoyed the celebration. Inside the Convention Center community and educational booths handed out information related to the holiday. A job fair and expo were also held in the Convention Center.

(Roger Dickinson, Darrell Steinberg)

The birth, life and Martin Luther King's dream were celebrated at the Convention Center downtown and a few blocks away the Crocker Art Museum also celebrated the legacy of King.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Crocker was celebrated through inspirational tours based on his teachings. Consumnes River College Contemporary Gospel Choir performed at the museum as well.

(View of new wing from the second floor)

A hands-on art making project took place on the ground floor of the museum and down the hall at the Crocker Auditorium a film "Martin Luther King: Legacy of a Dream" was screened depicting highlights of King’s involvement in the Civil Rights movement.

This was my first visit to the new Crocker Art Museum and I was very overwhelmed by the size of the new wing as well as to the number of exhibits throughout the three floors of art displays. I was also able to enjoy a guided tour led by a Crocker art museum docent. Debbie led a small group through various exhibits in the second and third floors of the museum as well as a visit through the older section of the museum.

Besides the personable and very knowledgeable docents of the museum many high school student volunteers participated in this event. Other volunteers also help the museum run smoothly and they all go through vigorous training.

Seeing the many young people participates in the march and at the Crocker it seems that the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. will continue.

As I write this I heard on the radio that a potentially lethal bomb had been found along a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade route in Spokane, Washington. The parade route was changed to avoid the device and no-one was hurt as the bomb squad disabled it without incident. I don’t know what to make of this but will follow that story to see what comes out of it.

The Crocker Art Museum expansion has not been only its physical growth but many community events will also be held to give exposure to the art of Sacramento and its community. Besides special events Studio Art Programs, films, concerts, dance and member receptions are being planned year round. Lectures and symposia, talks, tours and educational programs for teachers and students also take place throughout the year. Log on their website to find out more about hours, admission fees, events and museum membership.

(View from Crocker Art Museum)

One final reminder; on Saturday February 6, the Crocker Art and other museums will hold the annual Sacramento Museum Day. On this day you can visit several museums free of charge however many of these museums will be packed so plan accordingly.

Immaculate Taco

2011-01-19T05:13:35Z

The taco is the world’s most perfect food. Fact.

Personally, I think the taco is the single most perfect thing, food or otherwise, in the universe. I'm willing to bend on this stance, but I don't expect to. Feel free to nominate something else, but it has to be a physical thing. I will not accept "love" or "a summer's day" as viable submissions.

Some have called me taco-obsessed. And, if getting 50 tacos mailed to me in New York from California on dry ice for my first collegiate care package makes me obsessed, then, well, maybe.

If picking up a duffel bag full of tacos and burritos during a 45 minute layover at SFO is wrong, I don't want to be right.

The point is, since I discovered that there were trucks in Los Angeles and Portland serving tacos made with Korean-style barbecue meats, I have wanted desperately to have a Korean taco place of my own.

Korean barbecue lends itself perfectly to tacos, as there are a lot of similarities between Mexican and Korean foods. Obviously, the spices are different, but both cuisines are known for their flavorful, tender meats served with spicy, pickled vegetables.

Beef and pork bul gogi are perfect stand-ins for carne asada and al pastor. Korean spicy slaw and kimchi are equally adept stand-ins for the ubiquitous pickled jalepeños and carrots of your favorite taqueria.

When I heard that GoGi’s Korean Barbecue was opening at the former Park to Go stand at 15th and L streets, I was absolutely giddy. Finally! A Korean taqueria to call my own!

I got a chance to sample its goods this morning before it opened to the public, and I was not disappointed.

There are four different fillings for the tacos: beef short rib, chicken, spicy pork and tofu. I sampled one of each of the meat offerings. And then I "sampled" two more of the beef ones. They are really good.

The soft corn tortillas are brimming with meats that are juicy, sweet, salty and as tender as can be. All the tacos are topped with a crunchy, spicy slaw made with cabbage, carrots, onions and sriracha. There are bottles of the rooster sauce on the counter for those of us who want a little (or a lot) more kick.

I also sampled the house-made lemonade, which is sweet without being cloying and has a tart tang to it. A good, but not great, offering.
All of the tacos are $2, and burritos go for $5.

This week only, your first taco is free.

There is a strong possibility (dead certainty) that I will go back tomorrow for lunch.

Orgone and Zuhg > Monday

2011-01-19T02:47:47Z

Harlow's Nightclub was at the center of a perfect storm Monday.

Headliner Orgone brought in a decent crowd of folks looking forward to a unique brand of SoCal soulpowerfunk. Local reggae act Zuhg opened the show, bringing a sizable and impassioned young fan base looking forward to high-energy NorCal Jazzreggaejamrock.

Many of those who came for Zuhg weren't all that familiar with Orgone.

Most of those who came to see Orgone weren't all that familiar with Zuhg.

The beauty of this scenario is that if one were to draw a Venn diagram representative of the people who would like each of these acts, it would be very close to a single circle.

What ended up happening was the crowd for both acts was about half newbies getting caught up in the groove, looking around excitedly as if to get confirmation that what they were seeing was, in fact, this dope, and half die-hards, singing along to their favorites, answering the newbies’ glances with knowing nods, giving confirmation: Oh yeah, they are this dope.

It made for easily the best Monday night crowd, and show, I've ever seen at Harlow's. Inspired booking by my man Brian McKenna.

Zuhg took the stage about 8:45, opening with "Up to no good." In it's first incarnation, Zuhg featured one sax player, two drummers, two guitarists and a bassist.

These six members would remain on stage for the entirety of the set, but they were far from alone.

For their second song, the horn-heavy, bouncy reggae cut "Nothing You Can Do," off their 2010 EP “Fish Tank,” they were joined on stage by two more sax players. They made good use of the horn section as they came to a cacophonous crescendo interlude (reminiscent of the interlude in the Beatles classic "A Day in the Life") before going back into NYCD.

For their next song, they were joined on stage by a fourth sax player, although he did not stay long, preferring to take his horn with him into the crowd. I think the song they were playing at the time was called "Personality." I know it was a crunchy-ass jam.

A few more highlights of the Zuhg set included a cover of Jimmy Hendrix's "Let me stand next to your fire," and a twisted version of the "Inspector Gadget" soundtrack for which the band brought out an MC to spit hot fire. (Inspector MadSpit?).

The band then played a couple more tracks off the “Fish Tank” EP, "Dreams" and "Sexual." For these, the last member of the band, Charlie, a long-haired beatboxer who has mastered the art of dubby womp wompitty womp womp beatboxing, joined the musicians already on the stage.

He really got to stretch out his Wompboxing on their last song of the evening. I didn't catch the name of the song, but at one point, to the absolute delight of the audience, the exquisitely mustachioed fourth sax man went to his knees on the dance floor and leaned back till his shoulders were on the ground while belting out a mean solo.

The dude wearing a monkey and a sarong was especially stoked by the performance.

They left the stage to raucous applause a little after 9:30 p.m.

At 10 on the button, Orgone took the stage.

Orgone, which one of my buddies described, I think aptly, as "West-Coast Galactic" also had a three-man horn section, theirs featuring a trombone, trumpet and either a flute or a sax, depending on what the moment called for.

A keyboard, bass, guitar and two drummers rounded out the group as it was composed for the first song of the evening, “A WOT,” an instrumental jam off of the 2008 album “Killion Floor” featuring an epic flute solo.

The eight-piece became nine on its second song of the evening, a rollicking "Do your thing," from the same album, that brought the already-amped crowd to new heights. Newly arrived vocalist ~~Fanny Franklin~~ Sy Smith implored the audience: "If you feel like you wanna scream, and screaming is your thing . . . then scream."

The audience felt like screaming.

~~Fanny~~ Smith dedicated the next song, "Nassau," from, you guessed it, “Killion Floor,” to Chris, "Cool Chris," the aforementioned saronged-and-monkeyed audience member.
The track offered several members of the band a chance to show off their chops as ~~Fanny~~ Smith sang: "Listen to the drummer, he's gonna play a funky beat. . . . Listen to the bass player, he's gonna make you move your feet."

“Nassau” ended with an epic solo by the stand-up percussionist just violating the bongo, snare, cowbell and . . . more cowbell.

Prescription filled.

They continued to mine their 2008 album with the bluesy "Who Knows Who," went elsewhere for "Ain't No Use," before returning for another instrumental jam, "Hambone."

Miss ~~Franklin~~ Smith returned for the ode to all things '70s, "Welcome Back." (J.J says Dyno-mite!).

~~Fanny~~ Smith was a dancing, singing ode to the '70s personified with her giant red-tinged Afro, purple print shirt referencing said Afro, shiny gold skirt, purple fishnet stockings, pink belt and heels.

"Make sure to head over to the mercy table after the show: You might get someone's number," she announced before the next song. "Like Sergio. Sergio is known to give it up."

The next song? "Give it Up."

Orgone closed with another track off “Killion,” "I get lifted," ("Speaking of getting high") and a cover of the funkadelic classic, “Cosmic Slop.”

At 11:12 p.m., Orgone left the stage, only to return at 11:14 to raucous applause.

The musicians encored with "Do Your Thing" into "Honky," which turned into an extended instrumental jam featuring another epic flute solo. It's a rare (awesome) set that is bookended with searing flute solos, but then Orgone is a rare band.

It was a fantastic show featuring no less than 20 musicians between the two bands, and it was played in front of a packed and super-amped-up crowd. It was hard to believe it was a Monday night in Sacramento.

Cut that meat!

2011-01-19T00:45:30Z

If God did not intend for us to eat animals, then why did he make them out of meat? - John Cleese.

In a given year, the average American consumes 73.6 pounds of poultry, 62.4 pounds of beef, 46.5 pounds of pork and 16.1 pounds of shellfish. (visualeconomics.com)

That adds up to almost 200 pounds of animal flesh consumed, per person, per year.

And really, those numbers are skewed by the rapidly growing number of vegetarians and (groan) vegans who are running around these days, averaging zeros across the board. If you are afflicted with vegetarianism, and for some reason the quote at the top didn't send you running, feel free to stop reading now.

As for the rest of us, if you're like me, it's probably easy for you to disconnect the meat from the animal. It's a steak, not Bessie. It's a rack of lamb, not one of Mary's flock. It's bacon, not Wilbur.

Or at least it was easy for me to make the disconnect, until I attended Taylor's Kitchen Butchering 101 class on Saturday.

Taught by Taylor's owner and Head Butcher Danny Johnson, the class is a comprehensive introductory lesson in all things meat.

Johnson is an old-school butcher. He knew he wanted to be a butcher from the time he was a kid and went to butchering school in Oregon straight out of high school, where he learned his art under trial by fire. "Basically, I paid $100 a month to work in a shop 40 or 50 hours a week, butchering every kind of animal you can imagine," he said.

Taylor's Market continues the proud tradition of the neighborhood butcher shop.

"We're a dying breed," Johnson said. "As far as breaking down whole animals, we're just about the only one's doing it (in Sacramento)."
His butchering classes, which were featured last year in a Time Magazine article, are offered in the dining room of Taylor's Kitchen and limited to just 25 students. Saturday's class was sold out.

Class began with Johnson presenting an assortment of seafood. Dungeness crab (don't buy it out of tanks unless you know how long it's been there), scallops (make sure they haven't been soaked in phosphate), prawns (don't get them if they are farm-raised in China) and Atlantic salmon (the best is farmed in Scotland) are just a few of the sea creatures about which he dropped knowledge.

His general rules regarding seafood are to, whenever possible, buy fresh ("I won't eat frozen seafood"), always smell the product before buying ("If the fishmonger won't let you smell it, leave.") and always find out where you're product is coming from.

Next, Johnson brought out the poultry. He completely broke down two whole chickens, one into pieces, and other he de-boned and butterflied with the skin on. The speed and skill with which he breaks down the birds is a sight to behold.

He is a big proponent of buying your chickens whole and doing the butchering yourself as a way to save money. It was this portion of the tutorial that will probably prove the most useful for the home cook. We discussed the merits of different providers (don't buy Tyson, do buy Mary's) and whether buying "organic" is worth the added expense (no).

Third up was the whole lamb. This is where the class, for me, went from tutorial to exhibition. It's also where the hacksaw, which had been hanging seductively from a light fixture on the wall behind Johnson, joined the party.

If you have any questions as to whether or not you are a carnivore, this portion of the class should answer them.

I imagine it would have been mortifying for your average vegan to watch the man hacksawing his way through the sheep corpse. I found it to be absolutely captivating.

As he broke down the lamb (dismembered the carcass?) he went over the different grades of product (prime, choice, select, et cetera).

Batting cleanup was half of a hog. As a pork lover, this may have been my favorite portion of the course. Watching a pig get broken down into spare ribs, baby backs, pork belly (bacon!), butt (carnitas!), rib end pork chops, picnic shoulder and more was almost a spiritual experience.

Last, but certainly not least, was the beef. When they brought out the Harris Ranch beef chuck, the excitement in the air was palpable.
In order to make his first cut, Danny had to lean up onto the table and brace the animal’s leg under his thigh. At this point, the class, which had been barraging the butcher with questions for the better part of three hours, fell nearly silent – rendered speechless by his masterful knife work and the sheer size and beauty of the beef.

As he deftly broke the behemoth portion of steer down to a roast, he spoke of "true" dry aging, the merits of grinding your own beef (there is a whole lot of leeway when it comes to what can legally go into "ground beef") and a thing called "beef bacon" that sounds too good to be true.

At the end of class, we were treated to a light lunch of chili and cornbread muffins, which we ate while excitedly discussing what we'd just seen and learned.

As John, who owns La Cocina Economica in Chico and had received the class as a gift from his wife, put it, "To me, this is art."

I would highly recommend this class for anyone who eats meat on a regular basis. Not only do you learn butchering techniques you can use in the home and tricks for finding the best product for the best price, but you gain a respect and understanding for where your meat comes from that can only be acquired by seeing it firsthand.

I won't ever look at my dinner in the same way.

A list of upcoming classes and events at Taylor's can be found here.

Thousands March in Honor of Martin Luther King

2011-01-18T21:58:09Z

10,000 honored Dr. Kings Dream on Monday, Jan. 17.2011 in Sacramento.

Thousands in our community marched today from two locations honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It took 30 minutes for the mass of marchers to pass by me as they made a right hand turn from Sutterville Rd. (above) onto Sacramento City College as they made their way to the Convention Center downtown. They formed at Oak Park Community Center.

These marchers, coming from Grant High School, marched south on North 12th St as they travelled to the Convention Center downtown.

Democratic Senate leader Darrell Steinberg and Democratic Assemblyman Roger Dickinson took part in the event.

Hundreds participated in a job fair at the convention center.

The Crocker Art Museum commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with inspirational tours based on King's teachings, gospel music performances by Cosumnes River College Contemporary Gospel Choir, screenings of Martin Luther King: Legacy of a Dream and a reading of Faith Ringgold's "My Dream of Martin Luther King" followed by a hands-on art making project.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDPTF) issued a clarion call to prayer in order to honor his spiritual legacy and his work as a prominent leader in the civil rights movement.

Shemida Jade Lowe watches the parade along North 12th wearing Dr. King's prison number when he was incarcerated after his bus boycott arrest in Alabama, February 22, 1956.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Harlem Globetrotters – so much more than basketball

2011-01-18T20:43:28Z

Before tipoff you had a smoke machine introduction, a choreographed dance routine, a head couch riling-up the audience, trick shots and amazing dunks – now that is the way to start a game of basketball. The Globetrotters bring more of a sense of purpose in the first five minutes of being on the floor than many sports do the entire night. Although you know the night is choreographed, it’s obvious that it is about the kids and about making those kids believe in who they are.

For 85 years the Globetrotters have brought their fast-paced, high-flying and antic filled game to the world and what a world it is. As approximately 5000 thousand young kids and their families packed Arco Arena, the Harlem Globetrotters strutted their stuff up and down the court to their delight. Without a doubt, it will be a night that many will never forget.

As the game started it was obvious that the 10 minutes quarters were anything but 10 minutes. Numerous times the clocked stop so the refs and players, especially Special K, could banter back and forth. With players being sent for time-outs, running around and playing numerous games on the court, other than basketball, 10 minutes usually stretched to 25 or more.

Although the Globetrotters put on a tremendous show, their off-court charitable contributions are by far their brightest accomplishment. The organization sends players and/or the entire team to hospitals, charity events, schools and local media events to drum-up support for charitable causes. Many times these players make a direct and lasting impact on the kids they touch; for that reason the team is known as the “Ambassadors of Goodwill.” This title has earned them a place in the heart of many families and is the real reason they are so successful.

Marc McLaughlin is a contributing writer and photographer for the Sacramento Press. Photos courtesy of Marc McLaughlin.

Stick 'em Up!: Sizzling Sirens perform a criminal cabaret at Harlow's

2011-01-18T18:37:50Z

Sizzle. Serenade. Seduce.

Puffs of neon smoke cloud my eyes as I slide through the bustling doorway of Harlow’s Sunday night. The room brims with burlesque bombshells of all ages, men in fedoras, pin stripes, faux-leather collars. A woman wearing crimson nurses a gimlet, no ice. Next to her, a man dressed as the late Hunter S. Thompson bumps me with his long cigarette holder while he tucks it nonchalantly behind his ear. He pays no notice as he urges his eyes through the clamoring crowd in anticipation of “Stick ‘em Up!: A Criminal Cabaret,” Harlow’s first show of the year by Sacramento’s only burlesque troupe “Sizzling Sirens.”

The Sizzling Sirens, founded in 2008 by Jessica Swanson who is known by her stage name “Jay Siren,” produces a provocative form of modern cabaret rooted in theatrical satire and imagination.

Opening the evening, the accompanying ensemble Harley White Jr. Orchestra entertains the restless crowd with lively jazz and swing numbers. ~~White Jr.~~ Peter ~~Perry~~ Petty croons into the microphone, what is obviously a toupee grazing his glasses. The trumpet player slides the ball mute from the horn’s mouth, and the percussion comes to a closing crash.

Suddenly the room quiets. Behind the sheer curtain, synchronized silhouettes to the shadow of a gun mark the start of the show.
“Jay Siren,” approaches the stage in jet-black fishnets, a corset and a lace garter. Without chagrin, the confident lead siren introduces the first criminal act of the evening - “Burglary.”

Veteran siren “Shauni Fatale” emerges in a white feather boa to the sound of “The Stripper.” She saunters behind a silk screen while stripping, revealing the diamond tassels that cover each breast. As the crowd cheers, the music smoothly shifts to the Pink Panther theme song. An intruder in black leather played by “Jay Siren” sneaks slyly into the scene and steels Fatale’s diamond thong that drapes over the screen.

The inspiration for this criminal concept came to Swanson last fall after dressing as a sexy cop for Halloween.

“I had way too much fun in the role,” she said, “So I decided to bring my sirens in on the action and produce a law enforcement and crime themed cabaret.” During one of the Sizzling Sirens weekly meetings, Swanson presented the troupe with a full list of penal code violations and “told them to go for it!”

The night’s performance sends me on an expedition through more than 17 scandalous violations: “Public Intoxication,” “Seduction,” “Unlawful Firearms,” “Bribery and Corruption,” “Robbery,” “Money Laundering,” “Illegal Dumping,” “Mayhem,” “Coercion,” “Kidnapping,” “Corporal Punishment,” “Booby Traps,” “Attempts to Kill,” “Illegal Narcotics” and “Indecent Exposure.”

In “Bribery and Corruption”, “Lucinda Buttons” personifies the ancient goddess of justice. Her eyes blinded by golden beads and balancing a scale, the siren soon shifts from statuesque to seductress. She hypnotizes the audience with each sway of her hips, which sends tassels and gold flying. Hunter S. Thompson bumps me again with his cigarette holder, his eyes transfixed on the stage.

For Buttons, “it’s about embracing your femininity and taking hold of your sexuality…letting that feeling of being sexy empower you.”

“I was that girl that got embarrassed buying underwear,” she said. “Never thought I’d be here taking my clothes off... Thankfully burlesque is more theatrical. I have done some drama, so it works for me.”

In “Public Intoxication”, “Tenacity Jane,” dressed in a flowing golden dress commands the stage with her sultry voice, the band behind her.

“…I can tell if it's truth or lies when you've got bourbon in your eyes,” she purrs.

She then pins up her skirt to a garter, unfastens her halter, and in a blink, exposes glittering tassels before sprawling upside down across the velvet chair like a cat.

“When I am on stage, I'm strangely calm, which I think comes with the confidence in knowing I am a part of a select group of truly amazing women,” “Tenacity Jane” said. “We are different ages, sizes, come from different backgrounds, but we all share something that brings us together and makes us, in a very real way, sisters.”

There's an intermission, which is between two dominatrix dreams, and the intoxicated audience moves to the photo booth, the bar and the dance floor where they sway to the orchestra. As we near twilight, however, I notice the crowd begins to dwindle.

But the night is still young for the rest of us, and the show, crime by crime, commences.

In the humorous finale, “Indecent Exposure”, Tenacity Jane’s character, clad in an exaggerated man mask, slouches in a cinema, pants around the ankles, bathing in popcorn and public indecency. Laughter, like dynamite, detonates throughout the audience as two cops played by “Jay Siren” and “Alijah Dresden” heavy-handedly lay down the law.

“When we all bust out laughing, we know we are on to something,” Tenacity Jane said. “We love to celebrate our sensuality and silliness, audacity and freedom. Anything can happen on stage, and usually does. Being there feels magical.”

As magic makes its way to the final end, I think how the long list of criminal acts could mean a life sentence for the sizzling sirens. But, for some reason, it doesn’t quite feel like punishment.

The next installment of the burlesque siren show series will be a comedic casino, cabaret show “Lets Get Lucky!” on Thursday, March 3 at Harlow’s.

Photos by David Alvarez

Biggest, Baddest, Bike Show in America

2011-01-18T05:52:29Z

Billed as the "Biggest, Baddest, Bike Show in America" the Easyriders Bike Show Tour came to town this weekend. Custom bikes, specialty motorcycle merchandise, live music, door prize giveaways, fashion and stunt shows were part of this annual event.

(Easy Rider motorcycle)

The roar of hundreds of motorcycles could be heard Saturday and Sunday all around Sacramento. The ever increasing popularity of the Easyriders Bike Show Tour could be seen and heard all around the downtown area.

(Front of Sacramento Convention Center)

The line to the ticket box office was long and it stretched halfway around the block. Once inside vendor stations spread throughout the exhibition halls. Over 500 motorcycles were going to be exhibited through the weekend as well.

(Box Office line)

This year a kids play area and an autograph signing station were provided. Charlie Hunnam who plays Jackson “Jax” Teller on the Sons of Anarchy TV show was present to sign autographs. Hunnam was only present on Saturday but was on hand for several hours.
Special performances were scheduled for each day of the show. World famous bike builder Paul Yaffe was available to meet with guests. Kendall Johnson and The Limpnickie Lot known as "The Next Generation of Custom bike builders" were also available during the weekend shows.

A stunt show by Jason Pullin was scheduled on Saturday and Sunday with two or more performances a day. The Easyriders Roadware Fashion Show graced the stage with the presence of the Purrfect Angels.

(Purrfect Angelz)

Live music was also performed by Renegade and Jeff Watson. Dozens of vendors provided food, drinks as well as merchandize, samples and information about many products and services.

(Renegade)

Charlie Hunnam, “Jax” on the TV show "Sons of Anarchy" joined the Easyriders 2011 Bike Show Tour. A loud cheer was heard as Charlie entered the autograph area. Actually, the Purrfect Angelz were about to start one of their shows as the cheering was heard. Lisa Ligon, creator and choreographe of the Angelz heard the cheers and commented; "Jax is in the house y’all." From the time Charlie Hunnam showed up until it was time for him to leave a line of fans waited in line to get his autograph and have pictures taken with him. Charlie attended the show on Saturday and was a big hit with the fans.

(Charlie Hunnman "Jax" on Sons of Anarchy with fan)

Geico Insurance and Dennis Kirk presented this annual Sacramento event at the Convention Center. Dennis Kirk is known for perhaps being the world's largest retailer of aftermarket parts and accessories for motorcycles snowmobiles, ATVs and PWCs.

Custom bike builders were able to showcase their bikes and attracted the attention of young and old. There were also door prizes and at least one Harley Davidson bike was being given away. Vendors selling accessories and clothing also occupied many booths as did insurance and legal services vendors.

The Purrfect Angelz performed in several Easyriders Roadware Fashion Shows modeling various Easyriders outfits. The Purrfect Angelz is always a popular attraction and they were available for autographs and pictures. Their 2011 calendar seemed to have sold out as usual. Lisa Ligon gave some information on the Purrfect Angelz saying "We're based in Los Angeles, there are 46 of us entertaining our hearts out." Four of the Angelz performed at the event, Lisa went on to say "The louder you guys are the more we shake it up on the stage up here." Cheers followed and they did their best to entertain the audience.

Voting ballots were given as you entered the display area and there were also voting areas inside the Convention Center. Awards were given for Best of Show, Antique/Old School, Specialty, Modified Stock, Radical, Best Paint and other categories.

(1913 Pope bike)

The Easyriders Bike Show Tour is an annual event that has made it a point to be part of the Sacramento scene. Their shows continue to be popular in Sacramento and several pre-event shows are held at Harley Davidson dealerships from Folsom to Vacaville and other places in between. The Easyriders’ website contains links to the many events scheduled and other helpful sites.

Sutter Steel is Rising

2011-01-17T21:06:30Z

During a foggy morning, a construction worker walks along a steel beam two stories above ground level. Work is in progress on The Anderson Lucchetti Women’s and Children’s Center. This expansion of Sutter General Hospital will be a 242-bed, nine story building that will provide innovative technology in a patient-focused environment. It also will feature a life-saving helistop near Capitol Freeway, which will allow helicopters to transport severely injured and sick patients for treatment, mostly newborn and pediatric patients.

Anderson Lucchetti Women’s and Children’s Center will provide the highest level of neonatal and pediatric intensive care services, pediatric cardiac care, pediatric neurosurgery services, pediatric cancer services, and high-risk and conventional maternity services to families in 27 counties.
A freestanding, three-story skywalk will connect the Anderson Lucchetti Women’s and Children’s Center with the Ose Adams Medical Pavilion.
The Anderson Lucchetti Women’s and Children’s Center is named in honor of the generous donation from the Anderson Lucchetti family. At $18 million, the Anderson Lucchetti contribution ranks as the single largest gift from an individual family to a capital campaign in the greater Sacramento area.

Construction crews have begun installing case arms for the new spanning structure that will eventually connect Sutter General Hospital to the Women’s and Children’s Center.

The expansion project is right next to Biba's Restaurant at Capitol and 29th St.

SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Mayhem at Doubletree

2011-01-17T19:58:48Z

AK Promotions put a little fight into Sacramento with an International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) Muay Thai Kickboxing card that made you want to shadowbox your way home.

The Doubletree hotel may have seen its fair share of events in the past, but probably not too many that included a thousand screaming fans, a Budweiser bonanza of beer and twenty-eight fighters thirsting for their chance to take the ring. The thousand or so attendees swirled around the ballroom like a calm wind before a storm, eagerly awaiting the start to the mayhem and the chance to see their fighter enter the ring.

In Muay Thai both the fighters and fans respect the discipline and the traditions, paying homage to the sport and the culture with every bout. From the traditional headwear to the prayer rituals, the fighters make the ring a sanctuary as well as a battlefield. This is a sport where hundreds or thousands of fans from all walks of life can come together, watch men fight with hands, knees and feet and still not fight themselves. At one point an audience members yelled the name of his friend, a losing opponent, and then made a derogatory comment about the winner. The losing fighter stood on the ring and said, “We don’t do that, no, we don’t do that.” In a world of professional athletes being arrested, disrespecting fans and yelling at their coaches, it is nice to see a sport that emphasizes respect among its followers and athletes alike.

With the prerequisite introductions, singing of the anthem and show-girls walks over, the stage was set for the fights to begin; and there would be plenty of action to go around. With fourteen different fight cards, three of which were title fights, the action was endless (a list of the bouts will follow below). Even the fights that were billed as ‘build-up’ fights were exciting and eventful. At the end of each fight the opponents would shake hands and/or hug and again show that, although brutal, this is a sport of respect and not violence.

All in all, it was a great way to spend an evening; watching fourteen fantastic matches with a thousand screaming fans behind you. There were cool people, great fights and an atmosphere of aggression that was tempered with respect and calm. As the fighters left with their trophies or title belts and an ample amount of bruises, the audience cheered and laughed with each other. After photographing three title bouts in boxing and four UFC title matches that was a site not expected. Hats-off to Johnny Davis and the people at AK Promotions, as well as the IKF, for putting on an evening that encompassed a blend of action and Thai culture at the same time.

BOUTS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE (winners are in BOLD)

RED CORNER             WEIGHT CLASS               BLUE CORNER
Daniel Hernandez                   147-153                    Marlo Custodio
Rich Davis 215.1-+                           Frank Tapla
Robert Gomez                      153.1-159 Kevin Rodas
Hugo Dominguez                    220-225                Xavier Vigney
Jesus Sosa                              142.1-147                       Josh Sandiego
Steve Clacken                          147.1-153                        Kevin Bee
Ed Abasolo                               153.1-159                        Fred Estrada
Cliff Smith                                 179.1-186                        Christian Johnson
Daniel Hodges                 Welterweight Title    Anthony Gonzales
Josh Kretschmann   Super Welterweight Title          Jon Pryor
Arturus Barkauskas                142.1-147                     Anthony Acosta
Ray Pena                                  186.1-195                       Brandon Horton
Ron Jacildo                              127.1-132                       Anthony Aruelio
Manuel Mancha            Super Heavyweight Title         John Hurny

VIDEO shows scenes from the heaveyweight fight and may be considered violent by some.

Marc McLaughlin is a contributing writer and photographer for the Sacramento Press. Photography and video supplied by Marc McLaughlin

WinterFEST highlights regional documentaries

2011-01-17T04:46:53Z

The 12th annual Sacramento Film & Music Festival and first ever WinterFEST kicked off Saturday at the historic Crest Theatre. The festival runs through Martin Luther King Day on Monday, when winners of the audience choice awards will be announced.

Although the festival is largely international in scope, with 31 films representing nine countries, the focus this winter has largely been on documentaries from Northern California, such as Saturday’s “Painting Bolinas”, Sunday's "My Brother Mike" and Monday’s documentary feature “Sowing the Seeds of Justice,” about Cruz Reynoso, California's first Chicano Supreme Court Justice and member of the UC Davis law faculty.

“With the dates coinciding with the MLK holiday, the ability to put on a full day on Monday of social justice, politics and peace-related documentaries was just a neat thing to be able to do,” festival co-director Anthony Sheppard said.

Organizers receive several hundred film submissions through withoutabox.com, and they choose between one and 10 of them to screen, Sheppard said. This year’s large pool of films included films from 20 to 30 film schools, including international programs and all the major U.S. film schools. Several of these short student films opened the festival.

“Painting Bolinas,” a deeply personal piece by first-time filmmaker Wendy Elkin, is about the coastal town of Bolinas, hidden about 10 miles north of Stinson Beach, and one of the town’s most misunderstood yet cherished characters. It illustrates the day-to-day life of eccentric painter Peter Lee, an accomplished artist in his own way, who chooses to live in relative poverty and squalor while opening his makeshift house to the homeless. While the artist’s disposition is that of a scotch-drinking, hilariously profane 90-year-old sailor, his free spirit and love for life emerge through his happy and colorful paintings, which depict the landscape, people and many dogs that make Bolinas.

Elkin said she began visiting the artist, and one visit eventually transformed into 65 hours of footage, edited down to an 87-minute documentary.

“There were several reasons I made this film,” Elkin said during the post-screening Q&A. “I feel that Peter is a character that everyone can learn things from. It’s also my hope that people would see him not only as an incredible artist but also as an American folk hero.”

The audience responded with enthusiasm to the documentary and the soundtrack, which features a song written specially for the film by Elkin’s son-in-law, George Mohler.

“It really captured the spirit of the film and exactly what I wanted to portray,” Elkin said.

As the film closes in with a panorama of the beautiful, fluid Bolinas coast line, Mohler’s lyrics reinforce much of the meaning of the film: “It’s a twisted road that leads to the California sun./ Paint it on a postcard, send it via Highway 1.”

Music is a large part of the festival itself, with its music video programs and daily live performances. Festival sponsor Yogurtagogo served several flavors of yogurt in the lobby Saturday while local musician Andrew Heringer performed.

“I think this festival is such a cool thing to have happening,” Heringer said. “I respect anyone who can set up something like this and get people involved and have a showcase for art and movies.”

The audience returned to the screen for the narrative feature of the day, “Boy Wonder,” preceded by a series of films submitted to the “Pitch Sacramento” film competition, short local films subject to audience voting. The winning films and prizes will be announced during the festival after-party Monday at 7:15 p.m. in the Parlare Euro Lounge.

“Boy Wonder” is an intense yet humanizing psychological thriller about a Brooklyn boy who witnesses the vicious murder of his mother. He is the comic book-inspired hero, a disciplined, straight-A student by day, a tough hero seeking revenge on his mother’s killer by night. The film, which took filmmaker Michael Morrissey roughly 10 years to complete, evokes distorted perceptions of morality and redemption.

“[Boy Wonder] held my attention up to the final twist at the end, O'Henry style,” Sacramentan Patricia Valentine said. “I loved it.”

This was exactly the reaction Morrissey predicted.

Monday’s film screenings include several social justice documentaries in honor of Martin Luther King Day, including “Lost Harmony,” “Atomic Mom” and “Sowing the Seeds of Justice.”

For the complete schedule, visit sacfilm.com.

PBR - 40 bulls and the crazy men who ride them

2011-01-16T22:05:27Z

Arco Arena (soon to be Power Balance Pavilion) was transformed into a dirt arena for the 2011 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Sacramento Invitational on Friday and Saturday night.

The first thing newcomers to the PBR must know is that you do not refer to this as a rodeo. No, as Jack Carnefix told me, “rodeos have a few bull rides but mostly include things like mutton busting, calf roping and pole bending.” He continued with, “this two-day event is just bull riding – no gimmicks.”

As the night began a group of men came-out to the floor and traced the letters PBR with gasoline. As the fireworks burst and flames shot from the flame guns, the traced letters came to life with fire. With music blaring and the atmosphere of a popular rock concert the riders were introduced one-by-one. Then, as if it were the Rolling Stones themselves, the top five riders from last year were introduced. You quickly realized that this was not just bull riding, this was a full-fledged show.

As a newcomer myself to the PBR I read the ‘daysheet’ which shows the riders and their associated bulls for the evening. While reading through it I could not help but laugh at some of the names the bulls sported: Straight Whiskey, Stubby, Despicable Me, Little Hummer and Tighty Whitey just to name a few. At that point I was wondering whether I should cheer for the rider or the bull.

That question was soon answered as the announcer told the audience that cheering for the bull was encouraged as this is a sport that pits the best bulls against the crazy men who ride them. It is important to note that the better the bull, the better the rider’s score will be if he makes it past eight seconds (there are not many who do). The panel of four judges grades both the bull and the rider on a 25-point scale. Once the scores are in they are tallied and divided by two – this then becomes the final score (anything over an 80 is excellent). So, if you cheer for the rider or the bull the end result is the same – a better score.

Another common misconception of PBR is that the clowns wear make-up and dance like lunatics around the arena. This again is more of a rodeo tradition and not the PBR. In today’s PBR the clown is called a bullfighter and to become one is a serious task. Each bullfighter must be voted in by the PBR riders themselves each year and have a serious workout routine. There are no wigs, no clown outfits and no silly antics – these guys are there to protect the riders and the riders alone.

The one exception to this rule is Flint Rasmussen. Flint dresses in fun, but not clown-like, clothes, wear face make-up and a silly hat. He is there for the entertainment factor and he does it well. During breaks in action, a rider down or bull problems (they don’t always cooperate) he dances to popular tunes, sings traditional era songs and runs into the stands to harass fans while making a general clown out of himself (in a fun way).

As the night progressed one rider after another mounted a mean-spirited bull and took their turn at history. Some made the cut while others left the bull prancing proud with a win for itself. With more falling-off than staying on, it was an exciting night of bull riding. At the end of the night it was Renato Nunes, the 2010 world-champion, who took the title with an exceptional last ride. What was more amazing is that he did it while nursing a broken hand.

At the end of the night there is no doubt that many of these riders, if not all, will walk away with bumps and bruises. However, as long as they all walk away then it is a good night; and tonight, they all walked away with little more than a broken ego.

Marc McLaughlin is a contributing writer and photgrapher for the Sacramento Press. All photos and video courtesy of Marc McLaughlin.

Easyriders Bike Show Tour

2011-01-16T20:35:34Z

This is not a news story. It is not even opinion so much as it is a few words to accompany the photos attached to them. If the old saying has any truth, each shot is worth 1,000 words.

The Easyriders Bike Show Tour traditionally makes its annual Sacramento pilgrimage this time of year and unlike last year, the weather did not present any hindrance to the literally thousands of motorcyclists who parked their bikes on J Street and on every other street around the Sacramento Convention Center. Although the show caters to all motorcycle enthusiasts, the vast majority of those in attendance hold allegiance to one brand in particular – Harley Davidson.

As one might expect, the majority of the megabuck customs displayed inside the convention center reflect that allegiance. Those who know the culture, know; and those who do not, do not, but regardless of one’s level of acquaintance with this lifestyle, it is perfectly clear to anyone who happened to be downtown on January 15th and 16th that there is a huge commitment of both time and money to our “hobby.”

Although I am admittedly a Harley aficionado, it does not mean my entire life revolves around them. But at the same time, other aspects of my life neatly dovetail into what can be viewed as a serendipitous opportunity to express my art in terms of my passion. I do not create the custom painted and chrome plated works that were on display yesterday and today, but I can and do create the words and pictures that document them. Yesterday was one big Kodak moment and a few of the results of that moment can be viewed here.

Art has no bounds…

Skating returns to Iceland Ice Rink

2011-01-16T06:59:28Z

Skating has returned to Del Paso Boulevard

Iceland Ice Skating Rink re-opened today to skaters for the first time since burning down in March 2010.

“Such a journey from March until now,” said Terrie Kerth, whose family built the rink in the late 1930s. “So many volunteers who have helped, so many people who care about skating and thanks to them, we’re open.”

“Still lots of work to do, but we can skate.”

Iceland has played host to ice-skating, ice hockey, and ice shows. Former President and California Governor Ronald Regan skated at the facility, as did former boxer Max Baer.

The facility burned down last March following a private party, but the primary structure remained intact.

Since the fire, the Kerth family hosted numerous community cleanup days to clear and retrofit the facility. An ongoing drive has also been underway selling custom etched glass blocks to be used in the reconstruction of the facility.

“We’re selling etched glass blocks to go back on the front of the rink to raise money to put a roof on and to fill in where the bleachers used to be with 400-yards of gravel and put concrete on top of that,” said Terrie.

Iceland’s reopening appeared to on track until Councilmember Sandy Sheedy requested the matter be reviewed by the City Council last month. A compromise was eventually reached, and the council unanimously approved the special use permit.

“We get three years to put a roof back on, and during that time we can petition to extend,” said Terrie.

“We have to raise a lot of money. It will probably be the biggest infrastructure project in North Sacramento in maybe forever to get the roof back on.”

After finally being able to reopen the rink, Terrie was able to put things in perspective, particularly the rink’s impact on Del Paso Boulevard.

“This is a place to come and have fun, and I think that’s very important,” said Terrie.

Visit www.icelandrestoration.com for more information about the rink and how to donate.

Be sure to view Kati Garner's article and Iceland Memories for some great pictures.

HOURS

Located at 1430 Del Paso Blvd, Sac, CA (enter in back on Edgewater)

Weekends and Holidays: 10am to 5pm

Weekdays: 2pm to 5pm.

PRICES

Adults: $8.00

Kids: $5.00

Skate Rental: $2.00

Thursday Night Jazz and Wine at Arden Hills

2011-01-16T05:40:43Z

The Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa held their first Thursday Night Jazz and Wine event of the year. This event is being held on the second Thursday of the month and features wine tasting and live music.

The event at Arden Hills Resort was held in the Mangos Lounge. The lounge is a members only gathering spot that includes a bar, two game tables, a big screen TV, several eating tables and a large fireplace with a sitting area.

Several families were on hand to enjoy the evening as well as other resort members and guests. The big screen and another television at the bar played the Philadelphia Flyers vs. the Boston Bruins game and later the Edmonton Oilers faced off against the San Jose Sharks.

The Michael David Winery of Lodi presented four wines for tasting during the event. I started with the sole white wine provided a 2009 Seven Heavenly Chardonnay. The Chardonnay was full bodied, balanced and creamy. I was told that it opens with a crème brulee like bouquet. Complimentary appetizers were provided by Arden Hills.

A field blend of Rhone Varietals grown in the Lodi Appellation these grapes were used in the making of a delicious 2008 Incognito Rouge. This was my favorite wine of the evening but not being a wine connoisseur I will leave expert analysis to the wine specialists.

Seven Deadly Zinz is the flagship Zinfandel of the Michael David Winery a unique blend wine created by the Phillips brothers. This Zinfandel had a rich, full-bodied, and succulent taste. I ended the wine tasting with their Petite Petit. This medium bodied wine was dry and smooth. This wine was a mix of Petite Sirah (85%) and Petit Verdot (15%). I believe that a wine tasting road trip to the Michael David Winery in Lodi will be on my list of things to do this spring. Visit their winery for information in the comfort of your home by visiting their website.

The musical entertainment for the evening was provided by the New World Jazz Project. The group is made up of Niall McGuinness on sax, flute, percussion, and various other instruments, Garett Grow playing the electric piano, Kyle Rothchild on bass and Eric Finkelstein on drums. During the evening I found that wine tasting and jazz go great together.

The band is based out of South Lake Tahoe California. Members of the band were quite personable and mixed well with the audience. Their blend of music was well mixed and included many instrumental pieces as well as some with vocals.

A short break ensued in between songs. An announcement was made that a drawing was taking place for their MBI prize. “Ladies and gentlemen as you know a contest for membership referral has been going on. Tonight we’re doing a drawing for a $1000 Arden Hills gift card,” the announcer said. The winner had to be present to win and as the name was being pulled a drum roll ensued but the person whose name was pulled was not present. A second name was pulled. “The winner is … Carolyn Lynch” it was announced. Unfortunately she was not there either. “I’m her husband can I claim the prize?” asked an audience member. The announcer said “Yes, since you’re on the same account” and thus the prize was claimed.

The New World Jazz Project continued to perform many well known tunes as well as some of their original compositions. They also took requests as they played. The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” and Bill Withers' “Ain’t no Sunshine” were a couple of the requests. One of my favorites from the evening was an original composition entitled “Wait a Minute”. More samples and information on the band can be found on their website.

“Ladies and Gentlemen you have been listening to the New World Jazz Project. We’re going to take a little break, try some of this wine, and so hang around for set number two,” Neil announced as the band took a break.

During one of their breaks I was able to chat a little with Eric their drummer. Like many other bands New World Jazz Project band members still have day jobs to pay the bills. “Today, right after working I came to this event” Eric said. We talked about the make up of the band and indicated that Niall was their spokesman. Just as Eric had made his way after he got out of work he and the other members of the band were going to make the drive back home that same evening.

After the break the band began playing a Latin sounding beat. Niall began the second set by saying, “Alright. Thanks for hanging out with us this evening. Here’s an original composition entitled Fava Beans it’s available on our disk up here check it out.” They had several CDs available for purchase and are also available on their website.

Another couple of requests ended their show. Etta James song “At Last” was played as was a Nat Kin Cole tune “Smile”. “Every Time We Say Goodbye” was the last piece I recognized. The New World Jazz Project played wonderful renditions of all these songs.

Workers at Arden Hills were very courteous and helpful and went out of their way to answer any questions. The Resort was immaculate and is a great place for events such as this.

The first three months of the year are filled with different events at Arden Hills. Besides the Thursday Nigh Jazz events there is a monthly Bridge Group, Wellness Food Seminars with world food themes (Japan, Spain, and Mediterranean) and events for children as well. The Annual Crab Feed on January 27, a Super Bowl Smash on February 6 and a St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 17 are other seasonal events being held. Be sure to check for entry fees for all events.

Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa is located on 1220 Arden Hills Lane off of Fair Oaks Boulevard. Arden Hills has a rich history and besides the events mentioned above there are many other amenities and events that are not covered in this article. Log on to their web site to learn more about Arden Hills.

To quote Niall McGuinness from the New World Jazz Project when ending their set, “So now we bid you love, peace, and jazz."

Art Mix: Playing with color at Crocker

2011-01-15T23:03:39Z

Crocker Art Museum presented a diverse palette of art and music Thursday night as part of its monthly exhibit and performance series Art Mix. January’s theme, titled “I Hear Color,” celebrated the vibrant watercolor explorations of world-renowned abstract expressionist Paul Jenkins, the sunny, melodic music of San Francisco’s Jake Mann and the Upper Hand, and also featured a playful prism of colorful crafts -- kaleidoscope creation, T-shirt painting, a swatch and color theory tour, and a professional photo booth.

The evening exuded a “choose your own adventure” environment where guests could wander at their own leisure throughout the new modern structure of the museum, pockets of color and light penetrating corners and hallways.

The Color of Light

Jenkins’ exhibit “The Color of Light”, which is shown in the spacious second floor gallery through February 20, represents the spirit of post World War II American abstraction and Pollock-era abstract expressionism. The collection honors the painter’s sensuous and elusive watercolors and selected work on canvas, including 29 watercolors pertaining to the artist’s dance-drama, “Shaman to the Prism Seen,” performed at the Paris Opera in 1987, as well as his recent large-scale watercolor, “Phenomena Wind Arch” from 2009.

The artist's enduring exploration of Eastern philosophy and inward reflection were made evident especially through two of the Jenkins' major projects, “Phenomena Peking Prism,” from 1988, a watercolor triptyque that relates to his experience painting on silk in Beijing, China, and “Phenomena Meditation Tower,” five watercolors inspired by monumental stained glass windows.

At the exhibit, three art students from Sacramento City College studied Jenkins' unique use of color and unconventional paint application, which includes controlled paint pouring on a primed canvas.

The students pointed to some of their favorite works, which included an oil and enamel on canvas titled “Cherokee Strip”.

“The textures are just really cool in it,” said Sonia Antilla. “I like it because it’s not all primary colors like the other ones.”

Sam Lyman then led us to “Last Phenomena of the 75s.”

“I like it because it’s focusing on purple. It’s my favorite color! But also, I like just the form of it. There are sharp lines but also blurred lines, and I like the way the blue and purple bleeds together.”

Jenkins explains his fluid, ethereal approach to color in his book “Conjunctions and Annexes,” which can be found at the Crocker gift store.

"Color is like water that has to sink down in the silt below and then be directed to rise to the surface as if of its own will and, like a river current, find its estuary," Jenkins wrote.

Arts & Crafts

Below in the historical room, artistic energy radiated as children and adults alike had the chance to play with color and create kaleidoscopes and various accessories. Vibrant scarves, swatches, bustles, retro hair bows and T-shirts painted the drawing tables as artists fastened glittering shapes on their wares.

A young boy wrote his name in paint on his small white T-shirt. He spelled out “Ryan,” smiling with satisfaction as he adds abstract shapes around the letters. When asked what he was drawing, the 5-year-old shrugged and said, “I don’t know…just something from my imagination!”

“And what is your favorite color,” his mother, Shannon Shehadi asked her son. “Black,” he answered quite matter-of-factly. She explained that her son is a fan of the Raiders. “So, what about your second favorite color?” she asked. “Silver!” he said.

At the table next to Shehadi and her son, Maia Kazaks and Madaline Stone of Sacramento were making hair accessories out of colorful transparent filters. Once the hairpieces were in place, the two friends danced over to the main hall for a photo op in the Crocker photo booth.

Wesley Davis, owner of Beatnik Studios, made colorful portraits of the two women. Davis explained how he used a slow shutter speed to allow the colorful stage lights bleed through the photo and allow his subjects to create colorful abstractions as they move.

Hearing Color

Beside the photo booth, the sound of guitar, bass and drums further amplified the animated mood of the room, and the audience moved closer to the stage as a couple twirled to the upbeat melodies.

Jake Mann and the Upper Hand played several hits from their new album, “Parallel South,” set to officially release on January 18 by the local Davis record label Crossbill Records.

In keeping with the theme of light, Mann explained how the record focuses on thoughts of “travel, movement and sunshine.”

“My last album was a little darker,” he said. “We’re getting sunnier with this one.”

Mann said that the band was excited to be able to “relax and stretch out their music” for the longer performance at the museum.

As apposed to the usual 35-minute bar set, the band performed two 45-minute sets at Crocker, playing a mixture of old and new songs, including their newest single “Days Are Long,” the improvisational “Say It’s Fine,” and a cover of “Drive” by The Cars.

“I like playing alternate spaces like this," Mann said. "It takes the focus off of us, and we can contribute more to the event."

Jake Mann and The Upper Hand will play again on Saturday, Jan. 22 at Phono Select in Sacramento.

The Crocker Art Museum holds its Art Mix event on the first Thursday of every month. You can experience the next Art Mix titled, "Love & Lust" on Thursday, Feb. 10 from 5 - 9 p.m.

Photography by Julia Marino

Iceland Rink Open!

2011-01-15T22:22:21Z

Wendy (Kerth) Nugent embraces her brother Rob before Iceland Ice Arena reopened this morning on Del Paso Blvd. It was a happy day for the Kerth family. An arson fire destroyed the historic business ten months ago. The occupancy permit was granted yesterday.

Skaters tied on their skates for the first time in ten months in anticipation of hitting the ice once again.

Paul Schachder is one of the many volunteers that helped restore Iceland. He says he didn't find out about it until a couple of weeks after the fire. After hearing about the arson blaze in the news, he says he drove by and saw all the people inside with the wheelbarrows cleaning up. "The cleanup was the hard part," he said. "Then the rebuilding is the fun part, watching it go back together."

He said he's happy.

Before Rob and Terrie Kerth, brother and sister, cut the ceremonial ribbon, they thanked all the volunteers who got them to this point. Without them, they said they would not be here today.

"We've turned what was essentially a disaster into a wonderful community," Terrie said.

"Out of bad things you can find some good. The community outpouring has just been amazing," Rob shared. "It took 700 volunteers to put the ole gal back on her feet and for a community that everyone underestimates, it is a triumph for our entire city and ice skating itsself."

Then Rob says excitedly, "there's something I've been waiting to say............Ready?............all skate in a regular direction, please!"

And onto the ice they glided.

The rear of Iceland has open window frames and temporary tarps create a ceiling until the building is finished.

Rob Kerth and two ice skaters are in silhouette with the front wall in the background.

Iceland is open weekends and holidays from 10am-5pm and weekdays 2pm-5pm. This Monday is a holiday so they'll be open from 10am-5pm. Adults $8, Kids $5, Skate rental $2. The entrance is in the back.

For a recent SacPress story about Iceland CLICK HERE>>>

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

You mess with the bull. . .

2011-01-15T01:52:57Z

The Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series is in town this weekend for its second stop of the 2011 season. In conjunction with the appearance, the PBR held a media hour on Thursday afternoon where I had the opportunity to meet and interview Bull Rider McKennon Wimberly.

Also in attendance was Zorro, a 25-year-old, 1,700-pound bull. More on him later.

I met Wimberly in the Kings store. The 5-foot-9-inch, 150-pound Cool, Texas, native was wearing a black banded cowboy hat that matched his boots, blue jeans, a light brown vest (that matched the band on his hat) and a collared shirt which read Neckover, a brand of horse trailer, down the sleeve. He looks every bit the professional bull rider.

His manner is befitting his hometown, and he speaks with a laid-back Texas drawl that becomes less so when he's excitedly discussing his chosen career. The man clearly loves what he does, and he's good at it. Over the course of his career, he's made more than $400,000. Through one event this season, he's 12th in the BFTS standings. But jaded professional athlete he is not.

As someone who learned everything I know about bull riding from the Woody Harrelson, Kiefer Sutherland classic "The Cowboy Wa y," I kept the questions fairly elementary. For a more in-depth breakdown, try the PBR website.

The Sacramento Press: What would you say to someone who is kind of thinking about going, but has never been?

McKennon Wimberly: I'd say somebody that hasn't been to bull riding, but is thinking ’bout going, I'd say you need to go. Any sport you've ever seen, there's nothing like it. There's no other sport where it's man versus beast. It's a great show, too. It's not just a bunch of redneck cowboys hitting around and . . . bucking bulls, you know? It's a good show. We have the best entertainment in the business: great bull riders, some of the best fans . . . It's pretty exciting. There's good music, a lot of pyro – it's a show for sure.

SP: Is bull riding something that's just in your blood? I know your dad did it. . .

MW: Yeah, my dad was a bull rider, and I always just wanted to be like him, you know? Then once I got old enough to make my own decisions and stuff, I loved the sport, and that's what I always wanted to do.

SP: How would you describe riding a 2,000-pound bull that doesn't want you to be riding it?

MW: Ah, there's nothing else like it. I'd say maybe getting on the wildest roller coaster you've ever seen, without a seat belt. That's about the closest thing I can come up with.

SP: Yeah, I was watching a couple clips of you man . . . I saw a clip of you on Charlie?

MW: Charlie Bullware.

SP: Yeah. Do you want to talk about that? That was kind of hard for me to watch. . .

MW: (Laughs) Yeah, it was actually . . . other than getting bucked off – and it cost me winning that event – it was actually kinda fun. It's all an adrenaline rush, you know? That bull bucked me off about four or five seconds and, uh, I got hung up. My hand was tied to my rope and wouldn't come out, and he was slinging me around . . . I just kinda looked like a rag doll on him.
There wasn't much I could do. You just try to get your hand out and stay in control, but . . . when the bull’s bucking that hard and moving that fast, it's hard to stay in control. Aah, it was still a little bit a fun.

SP: How do you feel about helmets?

MW: I wear a helmet. I think they are a great idea, especially for young guys coming up. It's not just the danger of the bull jerking you down. They step on your head, they throw you into a fence, in the bucking shoot they might hit you on the fence – there's always something. There's so many dangers in this sport. Some of the guys think it's not tough to wear helmets, well, gladiators wore helmets when they were fighting. What's not tough about it? We're riding bulls. I mean, we're not in a cage fighting somebody, it's a completely different deal. We have a protective vest that . . . when a bull steps on you it kinda absorbs the pressure and spreads it out. I think the helmet's a great idea. I've seen a lot of my friends get their heads stepped on and live through it, and I've seen a couple without the helmet, and it's been bad.

SP: A couple friends wanted me to ask if you have any extra protection down in the . . . uh. . . groin region?

MW: Actually, no, it wouldn't help you out any. If a bull stepped on you there, it'd just crush the cup and go on about it. And, as far as riding, it doesn't bother you like people would think, you know? I mean, there's times that it . . . catches wrong . . . but for the most part, it's all good.

SP: I was wondering about what kind of injuries you have had? Is it hard to wake up the next day?

MW: You know, sometimes it's a little rough getting out of bed, even at 22 years old. I've broken my leg twice, I've dislocated both shoulders, broke my elbow, broke my jaw and broke my back.

SP: And you've been riding how long?

MW: I've been riding professionally for four years, but I've been riding all my life.

SP: Most Sacramento Press readers (I went out on a limb here), the closest they've ever come to riding a bull is a mechanical bull ride. Does that compare in any way? Do you ever ride ’em?

MW: Yeah, I do it some. It's a little bit similar just by, you have to put out the effort to stay on top, but it doesn't really feel like a bull. If you get on a bull that feels like a bucking machine, you're going, "What the heck?" (laughs) It just feels completely different. There's no forward motion, there's not that power, that big strong jump yanking you . . . it's just kinda little short, quick yanks. But, I have a bucking machine at my house, and some of us use ’em for practice. They're a little different than the ones you might see at the bar, but, still, anything that you ride is good practice.

SP: How long does you're average bull riding career last? With how rough it is and the beating you take. . .

MW: It depends on the guy, and it depends on the injuries. Back in the day, it used to last a lot longer. The bulls just weren't . . . well, they had some that were just as bad, but there just weren't as many as they have now. Now, there are stock contractors from all over the world, and every guy brings his best five or 10 bulls. It's great bulls from all over, and it's hard to stay healthy. The average career for a bull rider nowadays is probably around 10 years.

SP: So then you’ve got another six left?

MW: Yeah. I might even have more than that. I just really love the sport. Even if I retire from professional bull riding, I could see myself probably still getting on bulls at the house just for fun, you know?

SP: Is there a particular bull . . . Charlie, we talked about . . . that is the badass?

MW: There's one called "Bushwacker" that's gonna be bucking here. He's a pretty tough one. He's unridden. I look forward to drawing him. I like to be the guy . . . the first one to ride him. I think a few guys have let him slip through their fingers. I'm not gonna be that guy.

When I agreed to do the interview, I had no idea that the story would end with me "riding" (struggling to mount, clinging to for dear life and eventually dragging myself to a seated position atop?) a bull in the parking lot. Even when Casey, my Sac Press liaison, later mentioned the possibility, I kind of thought she was joking. "I get on the bull? Sweet. 'Fat kid falls off bull.' This story writes itself."

As soon as we finished the interview, Alex Sigua, a public relations coordinator for Maloof Sports and Entertainment, made it clear that Casey had not been joking.

"Hey, Lindol, we've got the bull outside, are you ready to ride?" he asked.

"Seriously?"

Jack Carnefix, who's Senior Manager of Public Relations for the PBR, sensed my trepidation and made it clear that I didn't have to ride the bull if I was nervous about it, but in his next breath mentioned that a nice young lady had just ridden Zorro that morning.

Gauntlet thrown. I knew then what I had to do.

I had to tame the mighty beast.

We walked out to the parking lot where Zorro was waiting. As Dennis, Zorro's handler, brought the bull out of his trailer, Wimberly mentioned that whereas the young lady had three fellas offering to help her on to the bull (and one actually doing so), I would have no such luxury.

Upon seeing the brute, I had two thoughts: "OK, think I can do this," and "Man, I wish I had a stool."

The latter was far louder in my mind than the former.

Zorro stood about chest high on me, a wee (good?) bit higher than I can comfortably swing myself. It would take every bit of my prodigious 3-inch vertical jump to catapult myself atop him, and, to be honest, I wasn't sure that would be enough. Also, crediting myself a 3-inch vert may be generous at this point.

Two tears in a bucket . . . I reached across Zorro’s back, grabbed hold and swung my 230-odd pounds up as high as I could . . . and Zorro took off.

Now Zorro isn't as young as he used to be (who is?), so when I say "took off," I mean "walked off."

It wasn't a rampaging bull situation by any stretch of the imagination, but my hold upon him was tenuous at best(see image #6). Despite my arms and legs both being wrapped around the beast, for a moment I was facing the very real possibility of being "bucked" and ending up tossed to the asphalt.

Although I was not fearing for my for my safety, I was in terror for my pride.

It didn't help that every person in attendance was already laughing heartily. Maybe a little with me, but mostly at me.

Did I mention Zorro was sopping wet?

Right when I was sure I was done for, Dennis was able to stop Zorro's progress, and in the calm I was able to yank myself up to an awkwardly seated position.

Eventually I was even able to offer a double thumbs up for what I thought at the time was the only picture taken of the fiasco.

It was only when I got home that I realized Alex had gotten the full play-by-play on film.

It was then that I realized how silly it had been for me to be fearful of hurting my pride.

Needless to say, I have a newfound appreciation for bull riding.

The PBR BFTS begins tonight, Friday January 14th, at Arco Arena at 8pm and continues tomorrow beginning at 7pm. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased here.

"Shining City" Showcases Great Acting and Directing At B Street B3 Series

2011-01-15T00:58:05Z

All Photos by Barry Wisdom

Ian has left the priesthood, taken up with a young woman, is now the father of a baby girl, has completed study to be a therapist and has just hung out his shingle to treat clients. And we learn these are not the only major issues going on in his life.

John has recently lost his wife in a tragic automobile accident that has left unanswered questions. He feels guilt for much more than the fact that the love had gone out of their marriage. Seeing the ghost of his wife (real or imagined) has sent him to be one of Ian’s first patients. Not his first choice for therapists.

This sets up the question in Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s play, “Shining City” – can someone with so many problems of his own help heal someone else with huge problems?

McPherson is a prolific writer of plays and screenplays. He has won numerous awards, and his works have been performed around the world. “Shining City” was nominated for a Tony Award for best play when it premiered on Broadway in 2006. His play, “The Seafarer,” was also a B Street Theatre B 3 Series production.

“Shining City” is a play that allows the principal actors to show off their acting skills. This production pairs Kevin Karrick as Ian and Phil Cowan as John. They also appeared together in the B3 production of “The Seafarer.”

The Bay Area-based Karrick has appeared in numerous productions around the Bay Area, Sacramento and New York. While in New York, he appeared in a “Law and Order” episode. While the role of Ian is the less flashy of the two, it still gives Karrick lots of room to express confusion, doubt, anger and other human emotions will great skill.

Kevin Karrick as Ian

Sacramento resident Phil Cowan was half of the morning show duo “The Paul & Phil Show” with Paul Robbins for 19 years. They were also on the Discovery Channel with “Next Step” for four seasons. While not classically trained as an actor, Cowan is a veteran of several B Street Productions. He is truly a revelation as John. Cowan, in his portrayal of John, goes from deepest despair to calmly OK.

Phil Cowan as John

The principals are supported by B Street acting interns Holly Dale as Nesa, the mother of Ian’s child and Chris Page as Laurence, someone Ian meets under unusual circumstances.

Kevin Karrick as Ian and Holly Dale as Nesa

Kevin Karrick as Ian and Chris Page as Laurence

Well-known B Street company member and very popular actress Elisabeth Nunziato directs, and her staging of the play is excellent. So much in this play is not just what is said, but what is not said. John especially, and to some degree Ian, often does not finish a sentence. Timing is just right to create the proper feeling of discomfort.

The beginning, when John starts working with Ian, is a good example. The unease and discomfort when a therapist is trying to get a reluctant patient to start opening up is palpable. John cannot manage to stay put on the couch like a proper patient.

All the action takes place in Ian’s Dublin, Ireland, office. Mike Kunkel (Scenic Design) does a good job of creating the office of a therapist just starting out.

“Shining City” strongly delivers on the B3 Series promise of offering complex characters and intellectually moving plot lines. Here, two actors who are very experienced are working together on a work by a playwright they are familiar with and admire. And they are working under a director they know and trust. (see Barry Wisdom’s Sacramento Press article).

This all comes together to create a production that features wonderful performances, is thought-provoking and is, yes, entertaining.

Through February 5, 2011 Information and Tickets