Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "politics"

Job growth dipped slightly in the Sacramento Region - CSER Economy Watch May 2013

2013-05-24T21:56:41Z

Positive annual job growth in the six-county Sacramento Region slowed in April 2013. Preliminary data show that the number of jobs on payrolls increased by 1.0 percent in the April 2012 to 2013 period compared to 1.6 percent annual job growth in the past month.

The latest job growth equates to a gain of 9,000 jobs. The downturn in positive job growth was expected according to CSER's Sacramento Region Business Forecast, but the rate of growth in April was slightly lower than anticipated. The Region's April 2013 annual job growth also places it below the statewide and national averages as well as its neighboring region benchmarks.

Four of the Sacramento Region's five largest sectors posted positive annual job growth in April 2013 with only the Government sector shedding jobs mostly within the local government component.

Professional & Business Services experienced the most robust growth at 4.5 percent with continued strong performance in the temporary or job placement services component.
Trade, Transportation, & Utilities posted relatively strong job growth of 3.1 percent with expansion of retail trade activities
The Educational & Health Services sector, which grew by 2.1 percent, saw gains in both the private education and health care segments.
The Region's Leisure & Hospitality sector remained just within positive territory with 0.6 percent job growth due to increases in restaurants and bars.

California posted 2.1 percent annual job growth in April 2013, adding over 293,000 jobs to payrolls. This rate of growth was well above the national average of 1.6 percent, which equates to a nearly 2.1 million-job increase. Both the SF Bay Area and Solano markets outpaced the statewide average posting April 2013 job growth of 2.4 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. The SF Bay Area posted a gain of more than 67,000 jobs in the past year while Solano added 3,100 jobs. The Stockton market placed between the statewide and national averages, growing by 1.9 percent between April 2012 and 2013. This reflects a gain of 3,600 jobs in the Stockton market over this period.

Annual Job Growth

Major Sector Annual Job Gains and Losses

The public sector pulled down the Region's private sector gains

Five of the Sacramento Region's eleven major sectors added jobs over the 12 months ending April 2013. The greatest gains were seen in three of its largest sectors--Professional & Business Services; Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; and Educational & Health Services. Combined, these three large sectors added 11,800 jobs to payrolls. Job gains were also seen in the Region's Manufacturing and Leisure & Hospitality sectors.

The Region's Government sector shed the most jobs in the past year while the Information and Construction sectors also saw notable job declines. Although dynamics in the Construction sector appear to be turning around, the sector remains somewhat volatile showing positive annual job growth in six of the last twelve months. Total Nonfarm employment in the Sacramento Region moved up to 867,000 with the net increase of 9,000 jobs in the past 12 months. This kept the Region at year 2002 employment levels.

Statewide, job gains were seen in eight of the eleven major sectors between April 2012 and 2013. The Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality sectors posted the largest gains while the Government sector experienced the most pronounced losses in the state. Similarly, the SF Bay Area lost jobs in only three sectors over the past 12 months (with Government showing the greatest decline) with Professional & Business Services topping the list of growth sectors. The Stockton market's Trade, Transportation, & Utilities sector added the most jobs over the last year while Manufacturing posted the largest decline. In the Solano market, only the Government sector lost jobs in the past year. Solano's Construction sector added the most jobs with activity picking up in the market.

ABOUT CSER

The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) is an economic research and consulting group specializing in applied research and strategy development in the regional economics and economic development fields.
www.strategiceconomicresearch.org

CSER is grateful for the support of the Signature Underwriter, UC Davis Health System, and Supporting Underwriters of the Quarterly Report, Cushman & Wakefield, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento Works, Weintraub Tobin and Wells Fargo.

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Disclosure: This story has been posted by Ryan Sharp, Director of the Center for Strategic Economic Research

Plastic bag ban a step closer in Sacramento

2013-05-22T22:22:08Z

A ban on single-use plastic bans could be a step closer to becoming the law of the land in Sacramento next week.

An ordinance to ban certain stores in Sacramento from distributing single bags has been drafted and will be considered by a City Council committee on Tuesday.

The ordinance, which would also require a minimum $.10 fee on recycled paper bags and reusable bags, will go before the Law and Legislation Committee during their 3 p.m. meeting.

Mayor Kevin Johnson supports the proposed ban.

"The economic and environmental costs of single-use plastic bags simply outweigh any short term benefit," he wrote in a letter. "Phasing out single-use plastic bags will reduce pollution and the costs associated with it."

The Metro Chamber, which represents businesses in the area, has been working with city staff to develop the ordinance and add amendments, but has yet to take a position.

"I'm not sure if we're going to support or oppose it," said Johnnise Foster-Downs, the organization's regional policy director. "Right now we're just working with staff to get something that is workable for all and is fair to businesses, particularly small businesses, and has the least amount of impact on business operations."

A representative with Raley's said that they were not taking a position and had adapted well to similar bans in other cities, including San Jose.

The ban would apply to supermarkets, convenience stores, food marts, and any store with at least 10,000 square feet,

The proposal can be read in full here:

Sacramento's Reusable Bag Ordinance

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Proposal to make it easier for big-box megastores to open in Sacramento takes a step forward

2013-05-22T19:44:07Z

A plan to make it easier for big-box stores like WalMart to open in Sacramento will be considered by a city comission Thursday.

The proposal to repeal the city's "Superstore Ordinance," ending the requirement that city study the economic impact of any big-box megastores planning to locate in Sacramento, will go before the Design and Planning Commission during their 5 p.m. meeting.

Several business groups have written letters of support (Metro Chamber, The Natomas Chamber, Asian-Pacific Chamber, Regional Builders), but the idea has also drawn opposition from activists concerned that it could make it easier for a Walmart to open in the city.

"We feel that the city council was visionary to enact the ordinance in order to protect the opportunity for small business to flourish," said Julie Murphy, co-chair of The Marshall Park Neighborhood Association, in an interview Tuesday. "Inviting stores like Walmart to come in is only going to threaten the livelihood of these small businesses. (See the letter of opposition submitted by Murphy here).

The California Retailers Association took a different view.

"It's no secret that your city's superstore ordinance has discouraged retailers from locating within Sacrament's city limits," reads a letter of support from the the association’s CEO, Bill Dombrowski. "The ordinance is arbitrary, subjective and easily manipulated by special interests. It takes an irresponsible view of retails' impact and does not apply uniformly to all competitors."

If the superstore ordinance were repealed, any store over 40,000 square feet in size would still require a special use permit - meaning it would still need to be approved by City Council - but the requirement that the city conduct an Economic Impact Analysis report for any business deemed a "superstore" would be removed.

EIA reports can cost between $50,000 to 100,000 and can take two to three months to prepare, Mende said.

The city could still do EIA reports when they were necessary, but they would not be automatically required.

"When (a proposed superstore) would displace existing business, it makes sense to do an economic impact analysis, but what we're proposing to delete is this automatic rule, whereby in every case, it has to have an economic impact analysis."

In Mende's view, the EIA studies are redundant in cases where the city has already approved an area for commercial use, or if the area is underserved by retail.

"What's the point then of doing an Economic Impact Analysis if the council has already approve in concept that this would be a large format retail store?" he said.

Also at stake: sales tax revenue, an issue addressed in the staff report.

"… the unintended consequence of the (Superstore) ordinance has been to push superstores to neighboring jurisdictions – resulting in a leakage of sales tax revenue. Specifically, since the adoption of the City’s superstore ordinance, no superstores have been approved in the City of Sacramento, while new large-format retail stores have opened just beyond the City’s borders, including:
• June 2009 – Walmart @ Florin Town Center (6051 Florin Rd)
• May 2011 – Walmart West Sacramento (755 Riverpoint Ct.)
• March 2013 – Walmart @ 148,200 sqft @ Bruceville / Whitelock (10075 Bruceville Rd)”

If the proposal passes the Design and Planning Commission, it would then go on to the City Council's Law and Legislation committee, and could go in front of the City Council itself this summer, in mid-June or July.

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City: No stop light planed for once deadly crosswalk in South Sacramento

2013-05-21T20:56:20Z

Update (5/22, 9:00 a.m.):

The director of Public Works, Jerry Way, meet with Terry Preston of WalkSacramento and the West High School students after the City Council meeting on Tuesday, and directed them to seek funding for the crosswalk from the Sacramento Unified School District. Sacramento Councilmember Kevin Mccarty had arranged the meeting.

Preston said he was encouraged by the conversation and would reach out to the school district soon. Sac Press will cover the efforts to get a crosswalk at 58th and Fruitridge as they develop.

A crosswalk in South Sacramento that activists and community members call dangerous won’t get a traffic light for another 25 years, but it could either be improved or eliminated altogether within the next few years, according to a city official.

Public Works spokesperson Linda Tucker said that the city tracks data to identity which crosswalks needs improvement, and that the city's records do not indicate that the crosswalk at 58th and Fruitridge, where 16-year-old student Michelle Murigi lost her life last year, is dangerous. Murgi was a student at West Campus High School, which is two blocks from the intersection.

"It is the only known fatality in the history of this crosswalk, but we understand that members of the community may believe that it is overly dangerous," she said

The crosswalk spans four lanes of traffic, and cars regularly travel at speeds of 40-50 miles per hour, according to recent posts on Sac Press by Vanessa Hernandez. A local college student, Hernandez recently produced a short web documentary about the crosswalk and Michelle Murigi's death.

Hernandez will join representatives from the nonprofit WALKSacramento and West Campus High School students at the City Council meeting tonight in support of installing a traffic light at the intersection.

“I’m hoping that the City Council really takes notice that people haven’t forgotten about this issue, because it’s still in people’s minds that live in the area, they have to deal with it, everyday,” Hernandez said.

Tucker said that the Public Works department evaluates several criteria – like traffic volume, numbers of pedestrians, the number of lanes, number of accidents reported and the average speed of vehicles – when determining what crosswalks need upgrades or traffic signals, and establishes a list of priority sites. While community input is welcome, it is not part of the formal criteria that the city considers.

58th and Fruitridge is 25th on the list of problem intersections, meaning there are 24 other crosswalks the city considers to be in more urgent need of a stop light. A recent traffic study of the area during before and after-school hours found that only five people were using the crosswalk or crossing the street nearby, and which is one of the factors the city considered, Tucker said.

Traffic signals cost the Public Works more than $250,000 to install, and the department can only afford to add one per year, she said.

"At this point, if we didn't have any further funding or partners that might be able to come in and help fund it, you're looking at, unfortunately, about 25 years before a traffic signal would go in there."

However, within the next year, the city will be upgrading its pedestrian guidelines to be in line with recent federal guidelines. The Public Works Department will also look into grants for possible safety enhancements at crosswalks.

In some cases, Tucker said that the smartest policy is actually to remove the crosswalk altogether. The city hasn't considered taking this step at 58th and Fruitridge, but it may at some point.

"When you look at the possibility of eliminating a crosswalk, it sounds counterintuitive for safety, but it actually isn't because if you do have vehicles driving at a high rate of speed and you have a high volume of vehicles, any kind of crosswalk (without a traffic signal) can give pedestrians a false sense of security."

The City Council meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall. Walk Sacramento and the West Campus High School students will speak at the beginning of the meeting. Hernandez, whose documentary will be shown, expects that this won’t be the only meeting they attend.

“I imagine it’s going to take more than just this one time,” she said. “I’m just hoping to at least move some people.”

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NorCal AIDS Cycle Raises $327,000 for HIV/AIDS Services

2013-05-20T01:42:26Z

Cyclists, crew members, and hundreds of friends and supporters gathered at the State Capitol Sunday, May 19, to welcome home the members of the ninth annual NorCal AIDS Cycle, a 4-day, 330-mile HIV/AIDS cycling fundraiser. The 2013 event raised more than $327,000 for HIV/AIDS services in the Capital region and Northern California—up from $304,000 in 2012.Nearly 4,000 people are living with HIV or AIDS in the eight counties traversed during the four-day ride, with one in four new infections occurring in youth ages 13 to 24. In addition to raising funds to replace diminishing state and federal resources, NorCal AIDS Ride raises awareness of the importance of knowing one’s HIV status to avoid infecting others.

“NCAC is the largest and only organization in the Greater Sacramento region right now that raises much needed funds for the HIV community,” said Emily Rymland, NCAC board president, veteran cyclist, and a nurse practitioner at CARES, one of the NCAC beneficiary organizations. “The need is enormous and imperative. Youth are directly impacted; one in four new infections are in people between the ages of 13 and 24. We have got to get a handle on prevention. There are no longer state dollars for this. It's on us.”

Some 125 cyclists and 75 volunteer crew members rode out from Folsom Lake on Thursday, May 16. The event closed with hundreds of well-wishers gathered to welcome the cyclists riding in for an emotional Closing Ceremony at noon on May 19.

Following an Opening Ceremony at 7 a.m., May 16, Folsom Lake’s Beals Point, NCAC cyclists and mobile crew followed a circuitous, often challenging route through the Sierra foothills and northern Central Valley, ending their first 101-mile day at Gridley, second 100-mile day at Williams, and third 80-mile day at Woodland.

Funds raised by the 2013 ride will provide funding for 11 non-profit HIV/AIDS service organizations in Sacramento and Northern California: CARES Clinic Dental Program, Golden Rule Services, SANE (Safer Alternatives thru Networking and Education), Breaking Barriers, Harm Reduction Services, Sunburst Projects, River City Food Bank, and Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, all of Sacramento; Sierra Foothills AIDS Foundation of Auburn, Calif.; Caring Choices of Chico, Calif.; and Shasta Trinity Tehama HIV Food Bank of Redding, Calif.

Each cyclist raises a minimum of $1,500 and each crew member a minimum of $250. Since its founding in 2005, NCAC has raised more than $1. 5 million total.

One of the things that historically has distinguished Sacramento-based NCAC from other California AIDS rides is its distribution of funds to multiple beneficiary agencies in Sacramento and Northern California. In many cases, NCAC’s contributions have s kept the doors open for small non-profit organizations, including some that are the sole providers of HIV/AIDS services to underserved or remote California communities.

For some small non-profits, such as Sacramento’s Breaking Barriers, NCAC funding has kept the doors open in the face of government budget cuts. Breaking Barriers provides HIV testing and education from a mobile testing van and supportive services such as holiday meals and transportation to medical appointments for people living with HIV. “Every year the ride has grown a little bigger and raised more money,” says Executive Director Craig Spatola. “That alone makes a major impact for HIV/AIDS agencies, some smaller than mine. For us it is literally the difference between paid and unpaid staff.”

The mission of NorCal AIDS Cycle is to support organizations throughout Northern California working to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to care for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in the region through fundraising; to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS, the needs of the community and the benefitting organizations; and to encourage a positive environment for the dignity, quality of life, and acceptance of people affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS. For more information about NorCal AIDS Cycle, visit www.norcalaidscycle.org.

Here are more photos from today:

St. John, West Sacramento, says he is new to biking. They hit head, tail and sideways winds on the way to Sacramento today. He bought his bike in January. "It's been fun to be part of the event, and to raise awareness and money," he said.

Olsen says he rides across the Yolo causeway to West Sacramento everyday to work since 2006. He estimates over that time he's ridden 25,000 - 30,000 miles.

"The hardest part was sitting on the bike for nine hours versus one hour. Being on the bike for that long was the hardest," Olsen said.

The Midway Marvels provided music for the event.

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OPEN LETTER TO THE SACRAMENTO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING CRIME, PENSION REFORM, THE BUDGET AND MEASURE U TAX FUNDS

2013-05-19T17:35:25Z

Dear Council Members:

Let me acknowledge the tough job you face addressing the financial challenges our city and our nation faces as we move slowly out of a massive financial melt-down. Adding to our worries are continuing closures of our business, and those in neighboring areas, such as Campbell Soup, Comcast and Coca-Cola to name a few.

Despite tough financial times, this council is poised to make monumental decisions in this budget that will affect quality of life for years to come. In many cases, in well known dangerous areas, your decisions will truly be a matter of life and death.

I have grave concerns about violent crime and police staffing and how we address both in this budget for 2013/2014. I stated during public comments on April 30, 2013, that this proposed budget is intellectually dishonest and council members should consider this factor when approving this budget.

Here is the problem. For Measure U to pass, the council assured citizens the money would go to restore core city services and stressed law enforcement would remain a prominent recipient of Measure U funds. The intellectual dishonesty occurs in this budget when the city manager eliminates 29 funded, yet vacant, positions from the police department and then proposes use of Measure U funds to hire an additional 58 police officers. The scam employed here is plain as day. Measure U funds were intended to grow an already cut-to-the-bone police force, but what the city manager is pulling now feels like a classic case of “bait and switch.”

Let me offer an analogy. If you bought a home after doing a walk-through, you were probably happy with what you saw. You later acquire the keys, enter the home and find all ceiling fans are gone, two hot water heaters have been removed and all of the elegant bathroom fixtures have been replaced with used and worn items. You find a note that reads, “The missing items were not part of the sale.” You would feel you had been swindled; and it is the same feeling when 29 funded police officer positions are cut from the police department and then Measure U funds are applied to hire officers. As a citizen, you just feel government has swindled you again.

Hopefully a council member(s) will stand up for the people who voted for Measure U and for the police officers who are doing a very dangerous job with too few staff members. Everyone knows crime is a major problem - it is why we passed Measure U. The Mayor’s Crime Task Force has not achieved a handle on crime. There is still much work to do. We keep losing kids to crime and prisons. Crime is hurting our local economy and our city’s image. Our crime in Sacramento continues to remind us of racism in a two tiered America. On one tier we still have people of color suffering the horrors of wide-spread crime and poverty. We need at least one councilmember to show leadership and stand up and give voice to this issue.

At council on April 30, I noted that Sacramento has a gang war starting and shootings appear on the rise. We need many-many more police officers on the streets. Think about where we are right now and consider this portion of a 2012 Sacramento Bee article on rising crime numbers:

Police Department staffing has fallen during that same period. The agency hit an all-time high of about 800 sworn officers in 2008. There are now about 650, a decline of almost 20 percent, said police Capt. Mike Bray, who oversees the Criminal Intelligence Unit.

In the most recent round of budget cuts, 16 officers lost their jobs at the end of June. Another 31 vacant positions were axed.

The ongoing erosion of police officers caused proactive policing (crime prevention) to nearly disappear. In the void of a meaningful police presence and the lack of specific street crime suppression efforts it is no wonder Sacramento still feels like the second most violent city in California, behind Oakland.

Now consider the Oakland California experience with police staffing and violent crime. The following is a portion of a 2013 news article about Oakland’s challenges:

The department has struggled to develop a crime plan since July 2010, when the City Council laid off 80 officers in a dispute over job security and pensions. The force declined from roughly 776 officers before the layoffs to a historic low of 611 this March as officers continued to retire and leave.

The shrunken ranks pushed department leadership to prioritize patrol shifts and 911 response - and de-emphasize investigations. Even after a police academy graduated in March that boosted the number of officers, now around 640, all officers in the department work a mandatory overtime shift every 10 days to fill open patrol shifts.

As I expressed to your body on April 30, this council seems locked in an all-or-nothing battle with the police union over a 12% pension contribution. I have no problem with working toward pension reforms and the police union is working towards some solutions (they worked with the city and cleared the way for a new tier of officers to be hired at lower costs). But, I do have a problem with an approach that draws a line in the sand, appears ego driven, reeks of inflexibility and may drive us to a breaking point like that in Oakland. Sure Oakland’s leaders laid off officers in a pension dispute and some may say they courageously “held the line.” But, what was the cost? Look at Oakland now! They did not do their citizens any favor. The city is drowning in crime and they appear desperate to get more officers to work there. Let us not go the way of Oakland. Sacramento’s citizens deserve better.

I know council members face tough choices. But you made policy choices when you dedicated $8.5 million to renovate the Community Center Theater. It was a policy choice when you committed $5 million towards a facility for the Sacramento Ballet. You made numerous policy choices to fund various aspects of different arena deals. When it come to the arts, you don’t mind expressing your values in the budget, but when it comes to giving a voice to improving public safety in our worst crime areas we get smoke-and -mirrors and elusiveness.

Here is a suggestion. Although the 24.4 million we are holding in budget reserve represents 6.6% of the 10% goal we have set, can we really justify not using a small amount of that reserve to keep the 29 funded, yet vacant, positions in the police department. This council shows interest in the arts - now you must show commitment to our kids. We have kids getting shot all the time. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors recently embraced a report by a Sacramento County Blue Ribbon Commission entitled “Report on Disproportionate African American Child Deaths.” The commission found that, “African American children comprised 12% of the child population and 32% of third-party child homicide deaths.” We need a serious commitment from the council to deal with crime.

Based on various information points, preserving the 29 positions in the police department (keeping us at about 615 officers) and adding 58 officers through Measure funds would take us to about 673 officers. While I know we need more officers to properly control crime, getting us near 700 officers is a fair start and it shows your commitment to our kids and it is in keeping with the promise you made to citizens regarding allocations of Measure U funds. If there is another reason to eliminate the 29 position, for example to ensure that no new hires come in at the old higher pay rate, that’s fine but we ought to have a commitment from the city manager and council that the 29 funded positions will be add to the 58 for a total of 87 new hires under the new compensation rate.

In conclusion, there are portions of our city where crime and violence are deplorable. Police protection is one of those things the people cannot do for themselves. It takes government action. There is a great injustice when our leaders look at some of our citizens, particularly those families of color who are experiencing most of the violence and losing kids, and these leaders say we won’t help you right now because we want to save 24.4 million dollars in reserve funds. Why can we not save 22 million and use 2.4 million, or so, for public safety. In your vote on this budget that is what lingers just under the surface of discussions – not doing everything we can to address crime in some communities so we can save a couple of million dollars. Which council member would want their child’s safety to come up on the short end of that policy choice?

Citizens should be able to trust their elected leaders are not being intellectually dishonest with them and they should be confident the safety and security of all citizens are equally important.

Sincerely,
Henry Harry

All members of the council were sent this letter.

New films: Star Trek Into Darkness (2 opinions), Kon-Tiki, At Any Price

2013-05-17T20:08:27Z

Multiple bold explorers and a proxy for Monsanto

While the big buzz this week will be focused squarely on the latest entry in the decades-long Star Trek franchise, there are also a couple of smaller, counter-programming opportunities, one of which is oddly related to Star Trek. There’s also a second opinion included in today’s column on the Star Trek movie itself, but be warned in advance: Malcolm’s comments contain a character spoiler (although many viewers probably know this particular detail already).

Star Trek Into Darkness
Directed by J. J. Abrams

When the last “Star Trek” movie came out, I strongly praised its balancing act in terms of respecting the canon and the knowledge of the fans, while still offering a fresh take in what was both a reboot of the original series and a prequel to it. The new film continues and, if anything, actually manages to walk that same tightrope while narrowing the rope even further. And it’s still an impressive act.

That’s not to say you’ll necessarily love the outcome, as it’s more of a non-stop action film than we’ve seen before. Every crisis is a crisis related to fighting, war, explosions, etc. – with only the briefest of considerations of the “Prime Directive” and certainly no long and drawn out diplomatic disagreements. In short, it’s back and it’s big, and it’s very well put together, but it also has a different tone to it than many fans of the original series might prefer.That said, I liked it. For me it’

more about revisiting the cast of characters than worrying too much about what particular scrape they’re going to warp/transport/squeeze their way out this time around. And where the last film gave us back the original crew in almost loving detail, the new film throws in a bunch of other similarly preserved and respected references. J. J. Abrams may be happy to admit that he never enjoyed “Star Trek” while growing up, but it’s clear he’s come to love it since then – and we can only hope that attention to detail and respect for the source material translates into similar work as he helms the new “Star Wars” outing.

But J. J. Abrams also comes with his own drawbacks – most notably his great affinity for lens flare. Early on there’s enough to be a reminder - “Hey folks – don’t forget this is a J. J. Abrams film!” But later there are times when the screen goes bright and you just wish he was sitting in the row in front of you so you could slap him across the back of the head every time it happens – “Hey J. J. – we didn’t forget!”

The single best development of the new series here is the addition to the cast of the excellent Benedict Cumberbatch, who is a familiar face to many although new enough to some to produce some awkward moments. In a recent interview, David Letterman asked him if this was his first big film and Cumberbatch looked a little uncomfortable for a moment and perhaps avoided the urge to rattle off a list (“The Hobbit,” “War Horse,” Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “Atonement,” etc.). Although much of his almost cult status with a core group of fans comes from his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the British TV series “Sherlock” – where he’s brilliant enough that when you’re not wishing you could slap J. J. Abrams, you might wish you could slap the American TV executive who felt the need to remake the series for the American market.

All in all it’s a neat movie. It also has fun with some neat reversals of fortune that will amuse and perhaps amaze the true Trekkies without causing too much confusion in the newbies. It’s like a wonderfully constructed inside joke that you don’t actually need to be an insider to get. And, as part of its ongoing balancing act, it manages to bring the series to where it needs to be for logical progression. That’s a pretty clever package.

A second opinion by Malcolm Maclachlan: POSSIBLE CHARACTER SPOILER AHEAD!

When it comes to mass-market American pop culture, “Star Trek” is the standard-bearer for nerds. With its high regard for intellect, uncanny ability to predict consumer electronics decades in the future, and elevation of Spock as it’s unquestioned most popular character (not to mention its endless conventions and spin-offs), it has become cultural shorthand for nerd ascendance.

But watching “Into Darkness,” I can’t help thinking the nerds lost and the jocks won. It’s entertaining alright. But there’s something kind of wrong about watching Spock fistfight with Khan across hover-barges. Taken as a whole, it’s loud, fast and not especially cerebral.

Of course, Spock and Khan (who came from the same era as Chaka Khan) are the two most fun characters by far. In a reboot that has most of the principles playing caricatures of themselves (especially Doc, Scotty and Chekov), Zachary Quinto’s Spock impression is uncanny. And yes, that recent commercial pairing him with Leonard Nimoy was brilliant (I think it was advertising a car or something).

Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Khan has nothing to do with Ricardo Mantalban’s vaguely ethnic space marauder, and that’s fine. Besides being perhaps the only actor ever to play Sherlock Holmes who has a more ridiculous name than Sherlock Holmes, Cumberbatch has a tendency to quietly steal movies. Here he does it loudly. My only objection comes to the way his character was written. The earlier Khan mainly conquered with his intellect. This one not only casually take out squads of Klingons and other assorted baddies with fists and phasers, he also makes too many mental lapses for someone with a supposedly stratospheric IQ. But he’s got to lose somehow.

Meanwhile, I don’t especially like how they’ve made Spock all weepy and emotional compared to the original series. He’s basically a stand-in for men who can’t express their feelings. I find the Spock-Uhuru romance kind of annoying and unbelievable (especially since Quinto recently came out as gay, to a collective cultural shrug and lucrative endorsements that would have happened anyway).

Of course, “Star Trek” was always more about respecting smartness than actually being smart. Its scientific lapses are legendary. Some of the ones here: I can roll with cold fusion, but why does such a device need to be hand-delivered? Why would you bother to chase a spaceship through a debris field when you could just hover above and take it out? Why bother making the Enterprise such an all-terrain vehicle? Why don’t other bodies reject the Khan super-cells (you’ll see on all scores).

Kon-Tiki
Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg

In one of those coincidences I dig so much, “Star Trek” opens in Sacramento in the same week as “Kon-Tiki.” And for all of the “Boldly going where no man has gone before” sentiment of “Star Trek,” sometimes it can be just as bold to go where you think someone has gone before.

In the late 1930’s, Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl and his wife Liv were living with and studying native Polynesians. At that time, the accepted wisdom was that Polynesia had first been populated from the West, from Asia. But Heyerdahl came to realize that the winds and currents came from the East, and even local legends referred to “Tiki” bringing the people from the East.

A decade later, after WWII, Heyerdahl was trying to publish his theory with no success when it became clear that the only way anybody would respect the idea was to prove that it would have been possible for ancient Incans/Peruvians to travel to Polynesia on the types of rafts they were capable of building at that time. And so, with very little support and even less in the way of backup plans or safety features, he and a small group of like-minded adventurers drifted away from the Peruvian coast, at the mercy of the winds and currents.
In that post-war period, Heyerdahl’s crazy enterprise was credited with rekindling an interest in exploration and some even said it helped with undertakings like space exploration – which of course rings us back to “Star Trek.” As school kids growing up in England in the 1970’s, we were still reading about the Kon-Tiki expedition and Heyerdahl’s other undertakings, as well as the various other groups that attempted the same trip.

He didn’t prove his theory, but he did prove the possibility of it – and researchers still debate the same origin question, albeit now through other means like DNA analysis, which suggests that people came from both directions at different times. Interestingly, for film lovers, as well as writing a book, Heyerdahl also directed a documentary about the trip (and the filming is a feature of the current narrative re-telling of the story), winning the Academy Award in 1951.

At Any Price
Directed by Ramin Bahrani

“At Any Price” is reminiscent of the recent “Promised Land,” in that it tries to tell a character-based story as a mask for teaching us about a politically charged practice. In “Promised Land” the topic was fracking and in “At Any Price” it’s the kind of GMO-based modern farming dominated by Monsanto. Here, Monsanto is replaced by “Liberty Seeds,” although it’s not hard to spot the real villain.

Dennis Quaid plays Henry Whipple, a third generation farmer who also sells for Liberty Seeds. His younger son Dean (Zac Efron) has little interest in the farm, hoping instead to become a racecar driver. And that’s the basic dynamic behind the father-son story that sits in front of the political message of the film.

In another interesting coincidence, I watched this film within a couple of days of reading a news story that focused on the same underlying issue depicted, namely that the folks at the fictional Liberty Seeds and the actual Monsanto prohibit farmers from engaging in the age-old practice of taking seeds from their own crop as the basis for next year’s planting. The companies have copyrighted the DNA in the seeds and, in order to maximize profits, require farmers to agree to always buy new seed stock. Henry explains this in the movie to Dean’s friend, who asks if it’s like the issue of “bootlegging DVD’s.” To which Henry replies “Except these guys didn’t just copyright movies, they copyrighted life.” Almost that same phrase was in the news story about millions of farmers suing Monsanto, with an official (from memory, I think it was an Indian Government official) referring to the ridiculousness of Monsanto “patenting life.”

Unfortunately, the movie is also similar to “promised Land” in that in trying to do two things at once, neither film is very good – although they certainly serve a purpose in terms of delivering a message that many will approve of (and other won’t) that some may not hear any other way.

The other interesting and useful aspect of the film is the way it shows, briefly, the nature of modern farming outside of the issue of GMO’s. Henry Whipple doesn’t farm the same way that his father did – although he reminisces about the days of hard work in the fields, and the simplicity of it as he realizes how complicated the business has become. But he’s a farmer who can sit back in his enclosed, air conditioned tractor cab, not touching the controls, as the tractor is driven by a computer that’s downloading information from a satellite feed that’s providing information about soil temperature, moisture, and other variables and adjusting the delivery of fertilizers, irrigations, etc. accordingly.

It would be a neat film to take kids to, to introduce to some of these topics except that the family story tacked on top both violent and sexual. All of which leaves the film without much of an audience.

Sacramento Old City Association forum on McKinley Village development

2013-05-16T19:28:26Z

The Sacramento Old City Association is organizing a public forum on Mckinley Village on June 8 at the Midtown Village Cafe. The Sacramento Press will be live streaming and blogging the event. To get emailed when the action kicks off, register here:

I sent SOCA Chair (and Sac Press Elite Contributor and all-star commenter) William Burg a few questions about the event and its goals. His response are below.

SP: Why did SOCA decide to do a forum on McKinley Village?
WB: Our mission statement is based on achieving balanced and harmonious relationships among residential, commercial and employment uses. Change happens whether we like it or not, but engaged citizens can direct change in positive ways. SOCA was involved with citywide planning and development issues many times over its 41 year history, including the original "Centrage" plan, a fight led by a young attorney and neighborhood activist named Steve Cohn. This forum about McKinley Village is a return to an old issue, within the context of a new generation.

SP: What do you hope to accomplish?
WB: To date, the two meetings held by the developer with community groups were separate, with central city groups in one meeting and East Sacramento groups in another. The Preservation Roundtable is a public forum, intended to educate and engage the wider community, and hopefully form a broader consensus. Communication between stakeholders encourages consensus through mutual understanding--between the developer and the neighborhoods, but also between the two neighborhoods, and with city government.

SP: There as been heated conversation about the development in the articles we've published so far. How can do you plan to keep the forum civil and informative?
WB: The developers involved with this project are not outsiders, they are our neighbors, with an office on 30th Street right where Midtown and East Sacramento connect. This is a forum, not just a one-sided presentation. If all participants feel empowered and comfortable, more civil discussion is likelier to occur. A forum is about debate, and differences of opinion will most certainly exist. But a forum where parties can address each other as equals and neighbors, rather than a top-down approach or from a position of anonymity, encourages civility through mutual understanding.

The Roundtable is held at Midtown Village Cafe, a neighborhood coffee shop. The cafe setting promotes informal conversation during the breaks, and that informality helps break down barriers. Instead of simply being a speaker on a podium, separate from the audience, that speaker becomes just another neighbor you're talking with over a cup of coffee.

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RCI: McKinley Village will complement surrounding neighborhoods, add to city

2013-05-15T16:07:37Z

Update: The Sacramento Old City Association is organizing a public forum on Mckinley Village for June 8 at the Midtown Village Cafe. The Sacramento Press is an official sponsor and will will be live streaming and blogging the event.

After Midtown and East Sacramento neighborhood associations have expressed concerns about the McKinley Village project proposed for vacant land near Sutter’s Landing Park, developer Riverview Capital Investments pushed back in a recent interview. They made their case for what they see as a "21 Century Urban Village" that will provide the city with much needed urban infill development while fitting in well with surrounding area.

"I feel like we're honoring the amenities and the feel of the adjacent neighborhoods," said Jan Burch, vice president with the Placemaking Group, who is working as a consultant for RCI. "We love (the neighborhoods), we think they're great and we think our project fits right into that and compliments it."

The 328-home, $130 million development is planned for a 48-acre lot of grassy, empty land that is bordered by the railroad and Business 80. The city’s former landfill, Sutter's Landing Park, sits across the freeway to the north, while East Sacramento and McKinley Park are to the south. RCI is owned by well-kown developer and former politico Phil Angelides.

We featured the plans for for McKinley Village in February, and the East Sacramento Preservation Committee followed with a critical op-ed in March. We also sent a reporter to a meeting of the Marshall Park Neighborhood association this month, which was largely opposed to the project.

An important journalist note on balance: Since we documented the opposition in Midtown in our last post, what follows here is the developer’s response to many of the questioned raised. It draws from interviews with RCI staff and a Frequently Asked Questions sheet and a brochure RCI have been distributing in the community. We will continue to cover both sides of the story as it progresses. Next up is a public forum on the develpment being put on by the Sacramento Old City Association on Saturday morning, June 8 at Midtown Village Cafe - we'll post the details as soon as they are available.

TRAFFIC

At the Midtown community meeting, some residents were worried that the additional homes would cause traffic congestion in their neighbor – a concern that was also voiced in East Sacramento.

Norris said that the plans has been scaled back since the development was first proposed in 2006, which means the traffic impact should also be lower.

The current plans have 15 69 fewer units that the 2006 proposal and other items included in the last proposal – a church, pre-school and stores – have all been left out.

A traffic study RCI commissioned in 2006 estimated that the development would generate 5,300 car trips, and RCI expects that will be reduced to about 3,100, which will split between a Midtown entrance on A and 28th Street and the East Sacramento entrance at Elvas Avenue.

In 2006 the city called for minor adjustments to mitigate meditate for the extra traffic (the elimination of some on street parking and a turning lane on Alhambra), and Norris expects there will be less required this time around. RCI will work with neighborhood if any issues do arise.

"If there is an impact, we're willing to work with folks in the area,” she said.

School District

Some Midtown residents questioned what school district children from McKinley Village would attend, as it is within Twin Rivers School District but much closer to Sac City Unified Schools ( only four blocks from Theodore Judah Elementary School and only seven blocks from Sutter Middle School).
.
While residents could apply for district transfers, any money from developer fees or taxes would go to Twin Rivers.

Norris said that Riverview believes it makes more practical sense for the development to be part of Sac City Unified. For that to occur, the boards of both districts would have to agree. Riverview has contacted the districts and is preparing to present to the Twin Rivers school board, though an exact date has yet to be set.

Flooding

Another issue raised by the Marshall Park Neighborhood Association was flooding. On this note, Norris pointed out that the steep hill running along the southern side of the site is not a levee (as some had suggested), but a berm, or a raised hill built for a railroad track. The development itself is protected by the same levees that protect East Sacramento and Midtown.

There will be floodgates that cut off the two entrance and exit points on either side of the berm, allowing it to serve as makeshift levee in the (extremely unlikely but still scary) event that the levees fail.

Type of homes

The 328-homes in the development will all be single family and two stories, and are expected to sell from $300,000 to $600,000 plus range.

Renderings are still in the works, but Norris said they are looking at tudor, craftsman and mediterranean styles. They are studying the architecture of nearby neighborhoods for inspiration.

"We're going around and looking at the surrounding homes," she said. "We really want them to fit in."

According to the RCI’s FAQ sheet, homes will range in size from approximately 1,250 square feet with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms to approximately 2,500 square feet with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Some of the homes will feature an option for second units, and others will have a master bedroom on the ground floor, which should appeal to elderly or disabled homeowners.

The question sheet also indicates that, “Homes with front porches and strong entries will face the street
and common greens, with garages either set back off the street or facing allies or interior courtyard.”

Green space, bikes, acxes

McKinley Village will include 2.9 acres of park land, which will require that RCI pay maintenance fees to the Park and Recreation Department. There will be over 2,000 trees and an additional 3.26 arches of common green space.

McKinley Village Illustrative

A bike-pedestrian tunnel will give residents bike access to Sutter’s Landing Park, the American River Bike Trail and Midtown. A ten-foot wide sidewalk, meant for bicyclists and pedestrians, extends throughout the development, and there is bike access to McKinley Park via an undercrossing of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

“A huge part of the lifestyle for this part of town is walking, biking and jogging – being outside,” Burch said. “I think this development, with all the accesses, encourages that.”

Infill development

Burch also says the project is an example of the type of urban infill development that many urbanists support. ~~and many grid residents support~~ . Better to build in the city where people are close to their work, the logic goes, rather than to continue to expand the suburbs.

“You're not commuting for long trips on freeways - you can live within a mile of where you work, so you can ride your bike, take public transportation, or use your car and take two minutes, “ Burch said. “You can walk to the store, get to know everyone in the neighborhood. It's a way of life.”

Across the country, urban development can be difficult to pull off because of neighborhood opposition, particularly near established and well-off areas, a trend documented by Reuters columnist Felix Salmon in a recent blog post on the opposition to New York City’s bike share program and why the nation's population density is in decline. In that sense, McKinley Village’s asset - it’s proximity to well-off and attractive urban neighborhoods - is also its biggest challenge, and one of the primary reasons the site has never been developed. But, with the economy on the rebound, and central city real estate the most valuable in the region, RCI obviously decided it worth the trouble to try again. Time will tell whether their luck is better in 2013 than it was in 2006.

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CSER Quarterly Economic Report-Q1 2013

2013-05-14T23:59:13Z

The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) has released the Q1 2013 Quarterly Economic Report--supplied to you through SACTO's member benefits.

The Quarterly Economic Report provides an overview of the health and performance of the Sacramento Region's economy along with an update to the Sacramento Region Business Confidence Index, a collaborative project with the Sacramento Business Journal to measure business sentiment.

Previous editions of this report are available on the CSER website (strategiceconomicresearch.org).

FIRST QUARTER REPORT - April 2013

Click to view

Positive job growth in the Sacramento Region moved up again in the first quarter of 2013

The six-county Sacramento Region posted an uptick in annual job growth at the end of the first quarter of 2013. Preliminary data show that payroll employment at establishments in the Region increased by 1.7 percent between March 2012 and 2013, equating to a net gain of 14,200 jobs. Following a major rebound in economic performance which peaked in June 2012, job growth dropped off in the Region through December 2012. Since that point, job growth started moving up again, reaching levels slightly higher than at the same point in the previous year. At the end of the first quarter, regional job growth placed notably below the statewide average, but came in just above the national average. Four of the Sacramento Region’s five largest sectors posted positive annual job growth in March 2013. The Professional & Business Services sector saw the most robust growth at 6.7 percent—a large portion of the gains in this sector came from the temporary or job placement services component, but a notable share of jobs was also created through the professional services segment. The generally improving economic conditions coupled with rising consumer sentiment is reflected in the Trade, Transportation, & Utilities sector which grew by 3.7 percent in March 2013 and is dominated by retail trade activities. The Educational & Health Services sector posted positive annual job growth for the 28th straight month (1.7 percent in March 2013) due to continued expansion of health care activities. While the Leisure & Hospitality sector has maintained positive annual job growth for over two years, the rate of growth has varied substantially with volatility created by the inconsistent regional recovery, which is required to support the major restaurants and bars and entertainment components. The most recent data shows annual job growth in this sector moving back up to 1.5 percent. Sacramento’s largest sector, Government, has experienced consistent negative job growth for 46 straight months with the latest data showing an annual growth rate of -0.8 percent. Recent losses have primarily fallen within the local government segment. The public sector is hampering overall economic performance substantially with most of the Sacramento Region’s large private sector industries adding jobs at fairly healthy rates.

California posted 2.1 percent annual job growth in March 2013 with a net increase of 302,800 jobs. This rate of growth exceeded the national average and placed the state sixth among all states, falling behind North Dakota, Utah, Texas, Colorado, and Idaho. California’s job growth basically flattened out in June 2012 after showing consistent improvement since shifting back to positive territory in the summer of 2010. Job growth at the national level was slightly lower in March 2013 than at the same point in the previous year. The most recent data show that, nationally, the number of jobs on payrolls increased by 1.5 percent in the past year, reflecting an increase of nearly 2 million jobs. Two of Sacramento’s neighboring markets, the SF Bay Area and Solano, both outpaced the state and the nation in March 2013 with annual job growth of 2.9 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively. The SF Bay Area posted an annual increase of 82,900 jobs with the gains essentially split equally across the San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and East Bay sub-markets. The Solano market saw a gain of 3,300 jobs in the past 12 months. Stockton’s March 2013 annual job growth rate came in at the same level as the Sacramento Region, 1.7 percent, with a 3,200-job increase.

Annual Job Growth

Major Sector Annual Job Gains and Losses

Seven of the Sacramento Region's major sectors added jobs in the past year

Most of the major sectors in the Sacramento Region added jobs over the 12 months ending March 2013. Three of the Region’s largest sectors topped the list—Professional & Business Services; Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; and Educational & Health Services—posting a combined gain of 14,500 jobs (nearly 91 percent of the net private sector increase). Manufacturing and Leisure & Hospitality also posted annual gains in excess of 1,000 jobs each. The two sectors that were decimated by the housing downturn—Construction and Financial Activities—added 500 jobs each over the 12 months ending March 2013, demonstrating the early stages of recovery for Sacramento’s housing market. Only three sectors shed jobs in the past year including the large Government sector along with two of the smaller private sector industries, Other Services and Information. These three sectors posted a total annual decline of 4,400 jobs. With an overall net gain of 14,200 jobs, the Sacramento Region saw total Nonfarm employment reach 864,900 in March 2013. The Region is clearly beginning to make up some of the significant job losses it absorbed during the recession and is now tracking at year 2002 employment levels.

California also posted annual job losses in only three major sectors. Most of the losses occurred in the public sector, primarily in the local government component. Of note, the Manufacturing sector lost jobs statewide in the past 12 months, while the Sacramento Region saw a moderate gain in this sector. The small Mining & Logging sector also lost jobs on an annual basis in the state. The greatest annual gains were posted in California’s Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality sectors. The SF Bay Area saw the largest annual job increases in the Professional & Business Services sector while losses were confined to the Manufacturing; Other Services; and Government sectors. Only four sectors posted job gains between March 2012 and 2013 in the Stockton market with Trade, Transportation, & Utilities leading the pack. Three sectors lost jobs over the past year in Stockton including Educational & Health Services; Manufacturing; and Government. Job gains in the Solano market were dominated by the Construction and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities sectors while Government was the only sector to shed jobs in the past 12 months.

www.strategiceconomicresearch.org

CSER is grateful for the support of the Signature Underwriter, UC Davis Health System, and Supporting Underwriters of the Quarterly Report, Cushman & Wakefield, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Sacramento Works, Weintraub Tobin and Wells Fargo.

Disclosure: This story has been posted by Ryan Sharp, Director of the Center for Strategic Economic Research

New film : The Great Gatsby (x3)

2013-05-10T20:57:18Z

The Great Gatsby (x3)

1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
1974 film by Jack Clayton
2013 film by Baz Luhrmann

There have been four theatrical film adaptations of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the earliest of which was made in 1926, only a year after the manuscript was completed (and which is now lost). Other than the latest version by Baz Luhrmann, the only version easily found for comparison purposes is Jack Clayton’s 1974 film, with a screenplay adapted by Francis Ford Coppola.

In anticipation of the press screening of Luhrmann’s film, I downloaded and re-read the novel in the break between last Sunday’s East Coast feed of “Game of Thrones” and the West Coast feed of “Mad Men.” That timing is significant, because Clayton’s film is 144 minutes long, Luhrmann’s is 143 minutes long, and the book can be read in the same amount of time – so watching a film version may make some lazy students of English happy, but it won’t save them much time. I also re-watched the 1974 film.

It’s a short novel to begin with, with only approximately 200 pages organized into 9 chapters, which would make for a fairly simple screenplay adaptation if length was the only issue. However, the story in the novel is being told to the reader by Nick Carraway, who is essentially Fitzgerald’s proxy, who describes in great detail the lives of material excess enjoyed by wealthy residents of Long Island, NY in 1922.

Carraway is a young man from the Midwest who has decided to try his luck as a bond trader in New York. He rents a small cottage in the up and coming “new money” town of West Egg (Fitzgerald’s substitute for Great Neck, NY) and he has a cousin, Daisy, who married into “old money” and who lives with her inattentive husband Tom Buchanan in tonier East Egg (Manhasset, NY) across the bay. As luck would have it, his cottage sits next to the vast mansion and estate of the mysterious Jay Gatsby, a man with a murky past and a strong interest in Daisy.

In a sense, it’s a somewhat delayed coming of age novel but it’s one that would result in a significant amount of voice-over narration (by Carraway) if it was filmed directly from the novel – and that becomes one of the primary difficulties in adapting it for the screen.

In the 1974 Coppola adaptation, this is addressed by taking many of the scenes that Carraway describes in the novel, some of which have previously been described to him by other characters, and simply lets the viewer watch them unfold directly. But it goes further than that by expanding on others, such as a series of romantic encounters shot with enough backlighting and four-point starburst effects for a dozen contemporary Harmony Hairspray commercials (“Is she, or isn’t she…?”). These aren’t just stylistic issues, as these are events and developments that Carraway, our witness and storyteller, couldn’t have seen.

In Lurhmann’s 2013 film, he and co-screenwriter Craig Pearce create a completely fabricated device that attempts to make the Carraway narration work without simply having it be disembodied voice-over. They do this by having Carraway write the story under the supervision of a doctor, during a later stay in an institution. The problem now being that, while it somehow justifies the idea of Carraway telling us the story after the fact, it also inherently changes that character and attributes health issues to him that aren’t in the novel.

The other most obvious difference between the two films is their general style and tone. Clayton’s film is slow and deliberate, with a soundtrack that occasionally borders on what one might expect in the horror genre, but it attempts to accurately capture the period in terms of popular music and wardrobe choices. Luhrmann’s film is an eye-candy montage of excess, with everything shown bigger and better and faster, and with a blend of music that’s packaged for independent sale and somewhat more suited to a rave than a party with a ‘Roaring 20’s’ theme. For example, in the new film, any scene that involves driving a car is like a live action version of “Speed Racer” – and it drops accurate depictions of details from the novel (types of cars and dogs, for example) whenever something cuter or glitzier is possible.

I’m not opposed to what Luhrmann was trying to accomplish here – it’s fun and loud and bold. But it’s also an over the top depiction of a time and place that was already over the top. Indeed, much of Fitzgerald’s descriptions are intended to convey the excesses he himself witnessed in that time and place. And while it’s calmer and more staid, the 1974 film gives a clear impression of wealth and the yawning gulf of socio-economic distances. From a narrative perspective, we’re told that the outrageous parties Gatsby throws are largely an attempt to lure Daisy – and Daisy seems more likely to find her way to one of the 1974 parties than one of the 2013 parties. Luhrmann’s film is like “Downton Abbey” as if shot to be a spring break special for MTV.

That said, there are also some remarkable similarities, with the new film at times feeling more like an adaptation of the earlier film than as an independent adaptation of the book. Chief amongst these similarities is the depiction of the area between the ritzy Long Island communities and Manhattan – the area around Wilson’s Garage, where the road and the train tracks come together in an almost post-apocalyptic environment, born by the consumption around it.

Despite being a short novel, as described earlier, the films both jettison material in pursuit of other goals. The romance in the 1974 film and the partying in the 2013 film both result in other storylines and characters being lost. The earlier film limits a separate romance between Carraway and Daisy’s professional golfer friend Jordan Baker and the newer film essentially ignores that story altogether, with both outcomes shifting the story away from Carraway (who spends much of that summer in the book away from the other characters) and more towards Gatsby. The 1974 film loses much of Gatsby’s backstory, including a mentor that shaped his future life and persona, and the 2013 film drops most of the last chapter of the book, including the appearance of Gatsby’s father, truncating much of the end of the story.

If I could wave a magic film wand, I’d probably attempt a mashup of some kind between the two projects – perhaps the period style and visual elements of the earlier film, with the cast and exuberance of the new film. There are some odd comparisons between the two films that are, at times, counter-intuitive. For example, the 1974 film has a more mature tone to it, and Robert Redford as Gatsby and Mia Farrow as Daisy seem older than the characters in the book – Coppola even moved the story forward slightly by saying that eight years had passed since earlier events in the story, rather than five. The new film has a much younger air to it, with Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby and Carey Mulligan as Daisy – but DiCaprio is actually older than Redford was in 1974, which is coincidentally the year that DiCaprio was born. Mulligan seems a closer fit, agewise, to Daisy than the slightly older Farrow and Sam Waterstone as 1974’s Nick Carraway has a fresher feel to him than an older Tobey Maguire in the same role in the 2013 film. Bruce Dern played an appropriately mean-spirited Tom Buchanan in 1974, but Joel Edgerton has more of the novel’s description of Tom’s physicality in the new film. And, in perhaps the oddest piece of cast trivia, Daisy’s (Mia Farrow) young daughter is played (briefly) by Patsy Kensit in the 1974 film, and Kensit later played Mia Farrow in a television movie about Farrow’s own ill-fated love life.

There’s a stability and pacing in the earlier film that borders on the ponderous (if you watch it, go and make a sandwich as the opening title sequence plays itself out ad nauseum) – compared to a frenetic energy and visual abundance in the new film that’s made even more profound by the availability of 3D screenings. The new film is like an uneven patchwork of heavy-handedness and deft accuracy. On the one hand, we’re given a short Tom Buchanan speech on white supremacy while he’s closely surrounded by black servants (the servants are white in the 1974 film), on the other we’re given a Gatsby mansion styled closely on photographs of the houses thought to have been visited by Fitzgerald that inspired the descriptions in the novel. The new film also appears to change the ethnicity of another key character, shows a pivotal scene in great detail despite it not being witnessed by Carraway, and has a secondary character seemingly mispronounce Kaiser Wilhelm’s name (despite it being DiCaprio’s own middle name). And, on the topic of pronunciation, DiCaprio’s delivers Gatsby signature phrase “old sport” to rhyme with “Colbert Report” in a manner that simply grows tedious over time.

All of which leads me to say that I’m glad I watched the new film, and I even enjoyed watching it on the level of eye candy and as a visual exercise, but I don’t especially like it as an adaptation. It transforms the Nick Carraway character and drops too much of the original story to be considered an accurate telling of the story. The 1974 film also drops some of the details, but to a lesser extent, but it’s also a flatter version of the story. Watching both films and re-reading the book, all within a week, primarily caused me to appreciate the book more – it’s a short story told in a manner that simply works better on the page, where narration works perfectly, than on the screen. Perhaps re-reading the book is a mistake if one simply wants to enjoy either film.

That’s not to say it can’t be adapted well, and there at least two adaptations that are either lost or hard to find and another television movie that I haven’t seen, but these two adaptations each lose something in the translation. It’s material I’d still like to see others have a go at – I could imagine, for example, Sofia Coppola creating a film that might exist somewhere in the middle of what we’ve seen so far, with perhaps a better balance of elements. I’d certainly enjoy watching her, or others, try.

Fallen Police Officers remembered

2013-05-07T03:57:13Z

"Today the people of California pay tribute to 12 men whose names will be engraved on the California Peace Officers' Memorial," said Master of Ceremonies Attorney General Kamala Harris of the State of California. "Their service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten."

"To the honored families who are here today there are no words to match the depth of your loss," Harris said. "But I do want to say 'thank you' on behalf of the people of Save California for supporting our fallen heroes."

Since California became a state, 1500 men and women who gave their lives will always have their names on this memorial.

Officers from all over California came to pay their respect.

In 2012 two officers were honored; Deputy Robert Lee Paris, Jr., Stanislaus Co. Sheriff's Dept. End of Watch: April 12, 2012 and Officer Kenyon M. Youngstrom, California Highway Patrol, Contra Costa. End of Watch; September 5, 2012.

Eight officers from the distant past, going back to 1907, were also honored.

Governor Jerry Brown said he was at the first memorial ceremony 37 years ago."More than anyone else, officers who put their lives on the line everyday exemplify that core of our civilization, which is the willingness to stand for what holds us together, the rule of law," Brown explained. "Sometimes that rule of law has to be enforced sometimes under very tragic circumstances. And that is what we memorialize today."

"To keep our social fabric intact, we honor courage, we honor loyalty and that camaraderie that comes from being in uniform for defending life and property and doing it in a way our law enforcement officers do everyday," Brown said.

Jennifer Grant, surviving daughter of Deputy David Grant, Tuolumne Co. Sheriff's Department, EOW 2004, sang "Can you hear me when I talk to you."

Guest Speaker Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, California Supreme Court, shared with the crowd her husband is a police officer, who happened to be retiring today. She expressed the stress she felt being married to a peace officer.

Commissioner Joe Farrow, California Highway Patrol was the Keynote Speaker.He expressed thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation for the officers who serve and their families.

Farrow suggested people spend quiet time at the memorial. People come to pay their respect to those who gave their lives. He explains he has been at the memorial when school classes visit. He stood quietly by listening to the teachers explaining the significance of this memorial, listening as they describe the names engraved of those before us, our nation's true heroes.

"Almost instinctively, there would be no words spoken," Farrow said. "Even the youngest visitors seemed to understand the magnitude of this place and what it stands for."

Six California State officers have died in the line of duty in 2013.

Here are scenes before the memorial began:

Police on motorcycles and in cars drove around the Capitol Mall

Congressman Ami Bera to Speak May 5 on Spirituality in Politics

2013-05-03T23:16:21Z

U.S. Congressman Dr. Ami Bera will speak at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at The Experience, St. Paul’s, 1430 J St. in Sacramento, about the impact of spirituality in politics.

Bera met earlier this week with a diverse group of faith leaders from the district. “Ami spoke to Washington’s dysfunction but said despite the difficulties he is an optimist,” said Dr. David Thompson, pastor and executive director of The Experience. “He felt that if healing was to come to Washington it would start at the grass roots levels. What was needed was quick wins—action at the local level that everyone could get behind.”

Following a 20-year medical career, Bera was elected in 2012 to represent the 7th Congressional District, an ethnically diverse district encompassing eastern Sacramento and surrounding communities including Elk Grove, Florin, Rosemont, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Murieta, Carmichael, Arden Arcade, Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Gold River, and Folsom. The son of Hindu immigrants from India, Bera was raised in La Palma, California. He has a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the University of California at Irvine, earning his MD there in 1991. He served as Associate Dean for Admissions at the UC Davis School of Medicine and later as the Chief Medical Officer for the County of Sacramento.

Congressman Bera is a Unitarian Universalist, and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He is on the House of Foreign Affairs and the Science, Space and technology committees. He has lived in Elk Grove for 16 years with his wife Janine, who is also a medical doctor. They are proud parents of a 15-year-old daughter, Sydra.

The Experience is a non-profit religious organization dedicated to building bridges between faith communities and meets weekly on Sundays at 4:04 p.m. at St. Paul’s, 1430 J St., Sacramento, CA 95814, for interfaith worship. Each service incorporates elements of at least three faith traditions, as well as a wide variety of musical performances, ranging from show tunes to Christian hymns to Sufi folk music. At least once a month The Experience features a guest who speaks about his or her ethnic heritage and faith tradition. Guest speakers at The Experience have included representatives of Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Church of Latter Day Saints, Science of Mind, Wiccan, and many other philosophical and faith traditions. The organization also is gay-affirming . For more information about The Experience, visit experiencesacramento.org.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Bonnie Osborn is a writer and communications professional assisting The Experience in publicizing its important work to create a peaceful world by celebrating the common good in all faith traditions. She did not receive compensation for this article.

New films: Iron Man 3 (two opinions) - Ginger & Rosa - other film news

2013-05-03T19:33:42Z

Iron Man 3
Directed by Shane Black

Malcolm Maclachlan: It’s often that I’ll think more of a flick the day after I see it than when I’m actually watching it. In this case, I like it less. “Iron Man 3” starts out with some compelling ideas and snappy dialogue, but ends up as a typical overstuffed…well, let’s just say towards the end when Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow argue about which one of them is more of a “hot mess,” my answer is “you’re both soaking in it.”

Tony Sheppard: I think we had opposite reactions, or at least opposite post-reaction reactions. I had gone into the film with some fairly specific concerns regarding the storyline and enjoyed the film more than I had expected to and, since watching it, have actually appreciated the overall effort and approach even more as I’ve given it more thought. I do agree that at some point, as with most of these films, the action, explosions, and overall grandiosity of it all reaches a level of overkill, but they’re also catering to folks who rate their films based on the residual level of ringing in their ears.

MM: So let’s start by focusing on the good. Ben Kingsley steals a few scenes as a terrorist leader known as The Mandarin.

TS: Agreed. And there’s far more to this performance than the previews might suggest, on multiple levels.

MM: Plus, the comic relief in the film is often actually funny. Downey is engaging and entertaining as amiable jerk Tony Stark. They also saddle him with anxiety attacks verging on PTSD, which is a lot more interesting and human than that catchphrase-infested coolness of too many action flicks.

TS: Again, agreed. There’s a very interesting method to the way Stark is depicted here – we’re reminded of what a brash <insert bad word here> he used to be and so we’re given more of a character arc than this single film would otherwise have by itself. And the anxiety he experiences seems very real, if not exactly in the way it occurs at least in its presence. We’re too often shown heroes and superheroes who aren’t just strong in one sense, they’re strong in every sense – physically strong, confident, emotionally stable, etc. “Iron Man 3” takes place post-“Avengers” and it’s not an overstatement to say that everything has changed – suddenly we’ve gone from planet saving to universe saving, with wormholes, aliens, ancient gods in the mix, etc. Even the Tony Starks of the world are suddenly brought down to size by all of that.

MM: There are also some interesting ideas around the interplay of terrorism, the media, and the motivations and personas of mass killers. Given that the Mandarin is a bomber who often strikes on U.S. soil, the release of this flick so soon after the Boston Marathon bombing is positively creepy. Toss in drones, oil, the current cultural obsession with bullying, an interaction between two powerful women that doesn’t dissolve into a petty catfight, and you’ve got a lot to work with.

Maybe too much. Some interesting ideas turns into a kitchen sink catch-all. Over time, the focus seems to turn back to Stark’s ennui and midlife crisis, the very same elements that turned “Iron Man 2” into a barely-watchable exercise in daytime television psychology. I’ve never been sold on the onscreen chemistry between Downey and Paltrow, and it feels particularly pallid here.

TS: It’s not just a relative lack of chemistry but I also find myself questioning, at times, why the two characters would even be drawn to each other – but that’s probably a whole different conversation.

As for timing, I thought the same thing last week with “The Company You Keep” and it’s domestic terrorism/protest storyline, as well as the way it told a story about the families of those who choose to take certain actions, for whatever set of reasons they may have.

MM: Meanwhile, while I loved “The Avengers,” going back to a universe of individual heroes feels a bit artificial. I get that Thor is off in Valhalla or someplace, and maybe Bruce Banner/The Hulk is back in hiding. But with a vaguely Middle Eastern terrorist (The Mandarin does seem rather culturally nonspecific, sort of like Ben Kingsley himself) blowing up bombs on U.S. soil and posing a credible threat to the President’s life, are we supposed to believe that Captain America, Black Widow and Hawkeye are just sitting this one out? Of course, it they’d all done cameos, it probably would have cut into Downey’s reported $50 million paycheck.

TS: Now you’re getting at my big concern going into the film. It’s like a story about a guy who makes several of the best friends in the world/universe and who then can’t find anybody to help him move. This is a series of explosions and claimed attacks that is plastered all over the news media – so the other folks would have to be in some kind of silent retreat, comatose, or buying Valhalla timeshares to be out of the picture – and I expected this to completely destroy the story and film for me. But they took an approach which actually made it work despite my misgivings – they made it more like a giant bar fight than a campaign. Stark basically calls this guy out and launches into action without any consultation or plan – it’s a chest-thumping charge (think about it) that doesn’t pause long enough to gather backup. But it’s still a problem they have to overcome every time they revisit one but not all of the gang.

The other part of the film that I particularly liked and which added an element of wide-eyed wonder that these films benefit from but often lose over multiple iterations, is Stark’s involvement with the kid. It has the tone of recent films like “Super 8” but also managed to remind me of “Iron Giant” (iron man falls from the sky, is found by a young boy, the son of a single mom who works in a diner, who helps fix up the iron man and protect him from the folks trying to capture him), which is a desirable association.

MM: “Iron Man 3” does have some fun with Stark creating multiple Iron Man suits. But it also begs the question why people are still driving normal cars and living with the same electrical grid in a world where that kind of power can be mastered. I know I’m probably overanalyzing it, but given the resources both sides have at their disposal, their ambitions seem rather limited.

Then again, superhero movies are about our own limitations and self-obsessions in the first place. I’d even argue that this is embodied, literally, in the hard bodies of Downey, Paltrow (she has a six pack!), Don Cheadle and Guy Pierce. There was a time when Pierce stood out in Hollywood for his near complete lack of body fat, his face always looking like he was headed into a hard wind. Now he’s just another gaunt face in the crossfit-sculpted crowd.

This is aspirational fiction just as much as “The Real Housewives of….” When Downey invokes the catchphrase “I am Iron Man,” it isn’t really about the suit.

TS: Letting your use of “begs the question” slide for the moment, while the multiple suits are fun it takes us deeply into the drone territory you mentioned earlier. We’ve gone from lone hero to clone wars in rapid fashion, except that the suits are generally being operated not by Stark but by his computer sidekick Jarvis (which also undercuts the role, now and in the future, of Cheadle’s character if he could stay home and Jarvis could take care of business).

But despite our disagreement in terms of overall opinion, I think we probably agree about the general direction the film takes – and perhaps I simply like that direction more. Stark/Iron Man is more Wayne/Batman than Kent/Superman – he’s a smart guy with cool stuff and deep pockets. And while we expect to see and enjoy the gadgetry, at some point it has to come back to the decisions he makes and the way he lives with those decisions – he can’t simply fall back on invulnerability. (Interestingly, that’s also the direction the rebooting of the James Bond franchise has taken – more man than machines.) I like my heroes flawed, limited, and vulnerable – not only does it make them aspirational, as you point out, but it helps us to pretend for a moment that they might actually be in jeopardy occasionally.

Ginger & Rosa
Directed by Sally Potter

In about as much of a contrast with this week’s major opening of “Iron Man 3” as possible, “Ginger & Rosa” open in an exclusive engagement at the Tower Theatre. It’s a powerful character study of a girl growing up in the early 60’s in England at a time when world news is dominated by the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Although the title includes both Ginger and Rosa, this a film seen mostly from Ginger’s perspective as their lifelong friendship and inter-dependence begins to be challenged. Ginger is surrounded by instability - in her primary friendship, in her parents on again/off again marriage, and in the perceived threat to the safety of the entire world. The only calm opinions she’s exposed to inadvertently fuel her concerns and she finds it harder and harder to cope.

“Ginger & Rosa” has an interesting and talented cast but this is really Elle Fanning’s film. She takes on the role of Ginger and makes it believable, including in her accent (which isn’t true of all the cast). It’s an emotional role and the heartbreak and struggle she embodies are palpable. This is worth watching for her performance alone in much the same way that “The Iron Lady” was worth watching for Meryl Streep’s Thatcher – and that she can accomplish this as a young teenager is remarkable.

Other film news

As I pointed out earlier in the week, there are some neat films coming to the Crest Theatre, including Shawn Carruth’s “Upstream Color” in a three-day engagement this weekend, a special screening of “Infinity and Chashu Ramen,” a one-night only screening of a tour movie based on the Co-Exist Comedy group (Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and Atheist comedians sharing a stage), and a screening of the Wild and Scenic Film festival – all in the next week. So if any of that sounds appealing, check their website at thecrest.com.

Book Talk: Akashic, local writers and notable events

2013-05-03T15:58:26Z

Small press focus: Akashic Books

Akashic Books is this edgy press that you may or may not have heard of. Akashic published one of my favorite books of all time, “Ruins,” by Achy Obejas. Their noir series is sure to please fans of noir, and I recommend picking up one of the many titles, perhaps beginning with “Boston Noir 2: The Classics” or delving even deeper into the drug noir series, perhaps with “The Heroin Chronicles.”

You might be asking just how good these books are. Well, with contributors like David Foster Wallace, Joyce Carol Oates and Andre Dubus, how can you go wrong with “Boston Noir 2: The Classics?” This collection is divided into three sections: Broken Families where you’ll find “Night-Side” by Joyce Carol Oates and “Surrogate” by Robert B. Parker; Criminal Minds where Dennis Lehane’s “Mushrooms” and Linda Barnes’ “Lucky Penny” can be found; and Voyeurs and Outsiders with offerings like “Townies” by Andre Dubus, an excerpt from “Infinite Jest,” by David Foster Wallace and “At Night” by David Ryan.

Akashic's series of noir anthologies began with “Brooklyn Noir” in 2004. The series includes anthologies covering Wall Street, New Jersey, Boston, Baltimore, Barcelona, Cape Cod, Copenhagen, Delhi, Los Angeles, Miami, Mexico City and even Moscow. No Sacramento on the list. Yet.

In addition to the more traditional noir anthologies featuring works by Joyce Carol Oates, Andre Dubus, David Foster Wallace and many other recognized names, Akashic also publishes its drug chronicles series. Titles include “The Cocaine Chronicles,” “The Speed Chronicles,” “The Heroin Chronicles” and the forthcoming “The Marijuana Chronicles.” These are short literary fiction works that focus on people and place and feature some of the most well-respected and well-known writers, including Sherman Alexie, Beth Lisick and William T. Vollmann.

My copy of "The Heroin Chronicles" was inadvertently borrowed by someone, and I had to borrow another copy from the library. Yep, these books are good.

“American Honor Killings: Desire and Rage Among Men” by David McConnell is a true crime book that explores various cases, including one featuring an episode of Jenny Jones and one that includes the arson of three Sacramento synagogues in 1999. Congregation B’nai Israel’s library contents were destroyed. Congregation Beth Shalom and Knesset Israel Torah Center were the other targets of the brothers McConnell interviewed for “Matson, Mowder, and the Williams Brothers, 1999,” one of several pieces included. Each story re-creates the events surrounding the cases.

* * *

On the local front

Local writer and historical archaeologist Glenn J. Farris is the editor of “So Far From Home: Russians in Early California,” published under Heyday’s California legacy imprint in collaboration with Santa Clara University. In this fascinating book, Farris brings together documents dating back to 1768 and extending to 1951 and Fort Ross’s place in the Cold War.

A wonderful read for those interested in California’s history, this book is sure to find a place on any history buff’s bookshelf. Through letters like the one written to Ivan Aleksandrovich, dated Oct. 14, 1808, readers learn that Alexander Baranov, the chief manager of the Russian American Company, plans to “dispatch a hunting party to the coast of the American New Albion with the Company vessels Mirt Kadiak and Nikolai.”

With chapters like “Russian and Kodiak Deserters, Captives, and Martyrs: Bolcoff, Egorov, and St. Peter the Aleut,” “The Transformation of Fort Ross’s Primary Function from Fur Hunting to Agriculture and Light Industry” and “Botanists on Russian Expeditions to California,” Farris opens a part of history that many may not be aware of. Several animal species were named by or for Russians, including the tiger beetle; the Monterey salamander; the Steller sea cow, sea lion and sea jay; the live oak cluster beetle and the bombardier beetle.

Much of the material included in this 368-page book has not been previously published. Farris received assistance from the Fort Ross Conservancy and drew material - including letters, journal entries and reports - from California, United States and Russian archives, providing readers with a different look into California history.

* * *

The last time we met Sacramento writer Norm Schriever, he’d sold all of his possessions and had moved to the tropics to write. Well, he moved, lived, laughed and wrote. The result is his second book, “South of Normal: My Year in Paradise,” published by Sacramento-area Authority Publishing.

The release party for "South of Normal" is scheduled for May 11 from 5 - 9 p.m. at LowBrau, 1050 20th Street.

* * *

The first book has rolled off the new small press at American River College, Ad Lumen Press. The anthology, "Burning the Little Candle" features works by Lois Ann Abraham, Christian Kiefer, Michael Spurgeon, Traci Gourdine and an introduction by Anthony Swofford. The next book, "Let the Water Hold Me Down," by Michael Spurgeon is scheduled to release on July 1. Books by Jason Sinclair Long and Daniel Rounds are forthcoming.

Cold River Press, the sponsor of the ever-popular twice-monthly poetry series, Poetry With Legs at Shine Cafe, has been quite busy at the press. This local small press recently released books by Davis poets D.R. Wagner and Phillip Larrea. Ask for these books, and other small press books, at your independent book store.

* * *

On the event front

Conference time has begun. Actually, it never really ends, but summer's warmer temperatures seem to equate with the cooler indoor temperatures of writing conferences. As you know, the Sacramento Poetry Center held its annual poetry conference in April.

"Our Life Stories" is another local conference that is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Cosumnes River College. This conference is a wonderful opportunity to take workshops from notable writers and poets. Jeff Knorr, the poet laureate of Sacramento, will present "Crafting Your Poems." Satsuki Ina will present "From A Silk Cocoon: Working with Letters, Diaries, Poetry to Tell the Story through Narrative and Film," and V.S. Chochezi will present "For a Live Audience." A full day of workshops, meeting other writers, lunch and materials runs $35 - $40. This is one of the best conferences in town and welcomes writers of all ages and levels.

SummerWords returns this year on May 30 and runs through June 2. T.C. Boyle is the keynote speaker this year, and a host of workshops and readings are available for $95.

The Community of Writers at Squaw Valley has presented workshops in poetry, prose and screenwriting for more than 40 years. This program begins June 22 and runs through July 15. While registration for this event has closed, you can attend several of the public events held in Squaw Valley. Additionally, you can help raise funds for this event by attending the annual benefit reading at Crocker Art Museum on June 21.

* * *

A reminder that May is short story month. Read many short stories this month. You might want to begin with some from Akashic's anthologies or from other anthologies you might have found. Do you have a favorite short story? A favorite short story author?

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If you have book news (new books; author readings, signings, events; or any other book-related items), please email SacramentoBookTalk@gmail.com.

Sac Pride Live hits the air Saturday night

2013-04-27T02:49:44Z

It is always exciting when a new media organization starts up and provides readers and listeners with news you are truly interested in and entertainment to lighten your day. The new Sac Pride Media Group led by Tyler Edwards will launch the first ever live LGBTQ weekly radio show, “Sac Pride Live” on local Talk 650 KSTE Radio as well as worldwide on iHeartRadio, by app on your Smartphone or online at www.iheart.com/live/Talk-650-KSTE-229. The first show will air live Saturday, April 27 after the River Cats game between 10:00 PM and 12 midnight.

On-air hosts for Sacramento’s newest source for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community, will be realtor Tyler Edwards and well-known poet and spoken word artist, Jovi Radtke. Members of the production team include fellow realtor Todd Lohse and Kevin Manz.

Edwards says the focus of the show will be to, “end labels and start conversations.”

“I have been working on this project for a long time and in developing Sac Pride Live as well as a bi-monthly insert in the Sacramento News and Review, and future expansions into social media, I hope we can provide a venue where we can discuss topics that touch us, engage us, and even make us angry. This conversation will not only be for those in the gay community but also outside the community, our allies as well as those who don’t understand us.”

Radtke who is very comfortable in front of an audience belting out her creative poetry of life, love, and heartbreak should do very well in her new job as co-host of a radio show that will be heard by tens of thousands of listeners both locally and world-wide.

“This is very exciting to start on my new adventure with a radio program that locally gives a brand new voice that didn’t exist until now,” said Radtke.

In explaining what listeners might have in store for them in the weeks to come Radtke said listeners can look forward to local, regional, national and even world news and entertainment of the day like marriage equality, Prop 8, bullying and peer abuse in our schools and hate crimes in our neighborhood. We hope to interview interesting and engaging people from all walks of life and talk about upcoming events like Sacramento Pride, Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and other fun events for the whole family.”

Edwards wanted to emphasize that the show will not “back away from controversial issues plaguing us both within our community and outside. We want to have an open and honest conversation about the problems we have as well as celebrate what makes us fabulous”.

“While we might not solve all the problems of the world, our show will at least bring to light and give voice to those who may have really good suggestions on how to live with each other in harmony and respect”.

“Our first program will be mainly introducing ourselves to our listeners in the first hour and in the second hour our first guest will be Michael ‘Misha’ Kennedy owner of Kennedy Gallery Art Center. In the future we will welcome community members to call in and offer their thoughts on issues discussed on the program”.

“Each week should prove to be interesting, enlightening, entertaining, engaging and sometimes very controversial.”

For more information about Sac Pride Media or Sac Pride Live visit their web site at www.SacPrideLive.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SacPrideLive. If you are interested in being a guest or would like to suggest a subject contact Sac Pride Media’s Administrative Executive Melissa Martinez at Melissa.Martinez@sacpridemedia.com.

Disclosure: Ken Pierce is a freelance journalist. Ken was not paid for writing this article. You can contact Ken Pierce by email: kpierce8272@yahoo.com.

Should Sacramento loosen restrictions on big-box stores? [Poll]

2013-04-26T14:54:56Z

Should it be easier for big-box retailers like Walmart to open megastores in the city of Sacramento?

That question will be on the front of everyone's minds during a series of community meetings to discuss whether Sacramento should repeal restrictions against big-box super stores in the city.

Ryan "City Beat" Lillis has the full story in today's Bee. The council is considering repealing a 2006 ordinance that made it hard for such stores to open in the city, requiring "economic analyses and wage studies for chains seeking to build stores larger than 90,000 square feet with more than 10 percent of the space dedicated to groceries."

The law, writes Lillis, was passed at a time when the council was more labor friendly than it is now. Unsurprisingly, labor leaders (Bill Camp) are opposed to any loosening of the restrictions, while business groups and developers (Metro Chamber, Regional Builders) want the law scrapped.

And while Walmart is the name one thinks of when it comes to "big box retail store," the company has no immediate plans to open a store in Sacramento, Lillis reports. That won't stop opponents from invoking the name "Walmart" during the community forums on the issue, the first of which occurs Monday night at Old City Hall.

Why the current push? A developer has plans for Delta Shores, a 800-acre tract of undeveloped land. Those plans include "hundreds of houses and a large retail center," which, the developer hopes will feature some big-box tenants.

We'll have more on the issue leading up to the forum. What do you think – should the city welcome big box stores or keep the current restrictions in place?

Voters want to vote (for a downtown arena)

2013-04-25T21:21:20Z

“Players wanna play, Ballers wanna ball, Rollers wanna roll …” and voters want to vote.

As the Field Poll (California’s long running, highly reputable independent polling service) said of Californians, “Voters also think that the voting public rather than their elected representatives ‘can be trusted more often to do what is right on important government issues’ (63% to 24%) and ‘are better suited to decide upon large-scale government programs and projects’ (57% to 33%).”

In this context, it should come as no surprise that a new poll released by Tab Communications that showed nearly 80% of Sacramento voters would like to vote on the arena plan. (Tab Communications is a conservative political consulting firm.) Tab Berg, Its principle was drawn into a small twitter war with the Mayor’s spokesman, Steve Maviglio over Tab’s perceived biases. Or, as Maviglio put it, “Note @ryan_lillis @dakasler the poll is promoted by pro-referendum consultant @tabberg #notexactlyGallup.” Berg previously editorialized in the Bee in favor of a referendum and lists one of his clients as ‘Stop the Arena Tax’, so it is likely fair to assume he has a point of view, which he does not dispute, “stevenmaviglio @Ryan_Lillis @dakasler Its been fully disclosed every time - does having an opinion preclude you from being objective.”

What I find more interesting is that a small plurality, although within the polls rather large margin of error, appear to support the arena. Previous private polls that I have been privy to showed voters narrowly opposing spending public funds for such a development. This may be a real change, driven by hometown pride swollen by recent boosterism. It might be due to the real and immediate threat posed by Seattle. It also might just be an issue of a poll’s margin of error obscuring its meaning.

It is curious that a significant portion of the populace, at least 25% of Sacramentans, want to hold a referendum to potentially overturn a choice they support (The 78.3% of respondents who support a referendum minus 53% who either oppose an arena or did not provide an opinion). I would really love to ask some follow-up questions of the voters who said:

Q1: Do you support the arena …?
A1: Yes, I support the arena.
Q2: Should we have a referendum to overturn the decision to build the arena?
A2: Yes, I think we should have a referendum.
Q3: Do you really believe this or are you just a very pleasant person and like answering “Yes” to everything? (I acknowledge the wording of this question could lead to a confusing response)

Unfortunately, as I understand it, this was a very short poll, without additional follow-up questions, so nothing further can really be divined, beyond the simple fact that voters want to vote, just like ballers want to ball and players want to play. It is the simple order of things.

Is it right or wrong? That is a complicated philosophical question, which gets to the heart of democratic theory. On one hand, in a democracy, voters are supposed to decide. On the other hand, as has played out dramatically in California through the initiative system, too much democracy can be a problem.

As voters we do our best, but we have a limited bandwidth to be adequately informed about complicated policy issues and limited experience to make decisions in the wider policy and budgetary context. In short, voters are good at deciding issues of principle and basic direction. We are not good at making nuanced policy decisions or long term fiscal planning. This is an issue that could fall within either category, depending on how you look at it.

If it is a simple question of whether we should make supporting the Kings a financial priority (As UOP Professor Jeff Michael put it, ‘how much do we like art versus sports’); that is exactly the kind of question voters are good at answering.

If it is a more complex question of whether it is a worthwhile economic development project whose benefits outweigh its costs (both tangible and opportunity costs) while fitting into our current and future fiscal context; that is a question that voters will find more challenging. In this case, the public debate would likely devolve either into a referendum on the Kings or taxation in principle, rather than the relative benefits of this policy. It may be worth noting, as you would probably expect, the poll’s author disagrees with me on this concept.

Capitol Steps Comedy Troupe Coming to Sacramento, Sunday, May 5th

2013-04-24T21:42:43Z

Sacramento's own Humor Times publication is celebrating its 22nd Anniversary by bringing the hilarious and nationally-touring Capitol Steps comedy troupe to Sacramento, on Sunday, May 5th. The show starts at 6:30pm, and will take place in the Martinique Ballroom at the Clarion Inn on 1401 Arden Way, which is next to the Arden Fair Mall.

The Capitol Steps are renowned for their unique brand of musical political comedy, lampooning all sides in national politics with a non-partisan, equal-opportunity bashing that leaves no political party or personality unscathed

The Steps use a fast-paced set of songs and skits, as the wildly popular group presents a show that is unequaled for its originality and entertainment value. Their act is constantly evolving, as they dig into the national headlines, using it as fodder for its biting satire. Current songs include “One Joke Over the Line” and “The Embattled Hymn of the Republicans.” Their motto is “We put the MOCK in democracy!”

The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. The group was born in December, 1981 when some staffers were planning entertainment for a Christmas party. They say their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but in the whole Congress they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin.

In the years that followed, many of the Steps ignored conventional wisdom (“Don't quit your day job!”), and, taken together, the performers have worked in a total of eighteen Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience.

Since they began, the Capitol Steps have recorded over 33 albums, including their latest, "Fiscal Shades of Gray," which will be available at the show. They've been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, and can be heard twice a year on national public radio stations during their Politics Takes a Holiday radio specials.

Advanced tickets are $35 general, $40 preferred seating, and may be purchased at The Beat, 1700 J St, Sacramento, or online at www.humortimes.com. Tickets are $40/$45 day of show.

The Capitol Steps are a great match for the printed (and online) Humor Times, which has been parodying national politics for 22 years with its monthly magazine and in recent years, its website.

Originally titled the Comic Press News and distributed free all over the Sacramento area, the Humor Times was converted to a paid circulation magazine in 2008. It is available worldwide, in print or digital format (at half the price of the printed edition). The publication is now running an Anniversary Subscription Special through the end of April. More information can be found at www.humortimes.com or by calling 916-455-1217.

See a Youtube clip of the Capitol Steps here.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: A longtime fan of the Humor Times and Capitol Steps.

Women working on the railroad presentation

2013-04-20T05:21:26Z

At 1 p.m., Saturday, April 20, Shirley Burman will speak about the history of women in the railroad industry. This event is sponsored and hosted by the SCC Railroad Club and will be held in the Sacramento City College Student Center.

Burman is a documentary photographer and historian who received the Fred A. and Jane R. Stindt Photograph Award for her “‘accomplishments as a railroad photographer, especially the documentation of women’s contributions to railroading’” in 2012.

In 2013, she received the Hall of Fame Award at Winterail. She is the first woman to receive this award in the organization’s 35 years.

About the award, she said that she hadn’t been thinking about the award because she was busy thinking about her lecture and slide presentation, “Donner’s Journey,” documenting trips to Donner Pass after the 1983 blizzards with her future husband, Richard Steinheimer.

Since 1991, Burman has presented talks and programs at the Smithsonian, the California State Railroad Museum and the Oakland Museum. Her work has been published in “Journal of the West,” “Diesels over Donner,” “Mountain Soul of the Southern Pacific,” “Whistles Across the Land” and in the “Encyclopedia of North American Railroading.” Additionally, she co-wrote a children’s book, “She’s Been Working on the Railroad.”

This event is free and open to the public.

Book Talk: D. A. Powell and the Northern California Book Awards

2013-04-10T03:48:38Z

The Northern California Book Reviewers have shortlisted the books for the 32nd Annual Northern California Book Awards, and D.A. Powell, a Sacramento area favorite, is on the list.

Why does that matter?

Well, he’s also going to be featured in this year’s Festival of the Arts at California State University, Sacramento. On Friday, April 12, from 3 to 4 p.m., Powell will read and hold a book signing at the University Library Gallery.

Powell’s newest book, the one being considered for the poetry award, is “Useless Landscape: A Guide for Boys,” and was published by Graywolf Press in early 2012.

With poems like “Head Out on the Highway,” “The Price of Funk in Funkytown” and “Riverfront Park, Marysville, CA,” Powell presents the between. His ear and attention to language is always careful and appropriate to the poem. There’s also always a little twist.

About Powell, Dr. Joshua McKinney, the event’s host, said:

“To my mind, D.A. Powell has with his last two books assumed his rightful place in the pantheon of California poets—I mean those poets for whom the California landscape (in Powell’s case the Central Valley) and the landscapes of the poet’s psyche, blood, and bone become one and the same. No one captures this terrain—its beauty, futility, and sadness—better than D.A. Powell. He’s a poet whose work draws me back to it often, and I am always humbled and instructed and amazed.”

Other Sacramento area favorites being considered include Lucille Lang Day and her book, “Married at Fourteen: A True Story,” published by Heyday; Art Beck and his translation from the Latin of “Opera Omnia” by Luxorious, published by Otis Books, Seismicity Editions; and Robert Hass and his book, “What Light Can Do: Essays on Art, Imagination, and the Natural World.”

Lang Day’s reading at The Avid Reader a few months ago is still being talked about. If you see her, be sure to ask about the hair. Beck has read several times at the Sacramento Poetry Center, and Hass is the director of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers and will return to Sacramento in June to read at a benefit to be held at the Crocker Art Museum.

In the meantime, mark your calendar and make your way out to the University Library Gallery Friday, April 12 at 3 p.m. to hear Powell read from his new, and perhaps older, works.

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Learn opinion writing with Cosmo Garvin - Tuesday night at the Urban Hive

2013-04-09T14:14:21Z

It's hard to find neutrals on Cosmo Garvin.

The veteran Sacramento journalist writes the the hard-hitting “Bites” column for the Sacramento News and Review, where he has been covering politics, the school board, environment and anything else he can sink his teeth into for more than a decade. His take-no-prisoners approach has won him admirers and detractors in Sacramento's political scene and, as he seems to indicate in our Q&A below, even within SN&R's offices.

He also has asked questions before the mainstream media was willing or able to. His exposé on how Mayor Kevin Johnson's nonprofits created another way for donors to influence the political process was followed shortly there after by a piece in the Sacramento Bee, and then by questions from the City Council.

Garvin also co-hosts a podcast dedicated to local politics and including to his bio on Current, is the only person he knows of to have been kicked out of the Sacramento County Jail.

The Sacramento Press is hosting an opinion writing workshop with Garvin at The Urban Hive tonight. Tickets are listed at $18 but we're offering discounts of 50 to 100 percent to students, board members of neighborhood organizations, people who "like" us on Facebook, or who subscribe to our newsletters. If one of these apply to you (and really, it only takes a minute to make it so), contact support@sacramentopress.com, and we'll send you the relevant discount code.

I interviewed Garvin to find out what drives him, and his real opinion of the mayor.

Jared Goyette: What drew you into opinion writing to begin with?

Cosmo Garvin: It was an accident mostly. I don’t think I was particularly interested in opinion writing, I was much more comfortable with the reportorial sort of approach. I inherited the Bites column, a couple of times, and ultimately decided to turn it into something of a city column. What I found was that I could use opinion and satire to get more information and more context across to readers. It’s still reporting, it still has to be fair and accurate. But it’s richer in some ways, because you don’t have to pretend to not care about the facts of the story.

JG: What other opinion writers do you admire?

CG: I respect what Dan Morain does at the Bee. I’ve been digging Mark Paul’s blog California Fix. It’s arena season, so I’m reading Game to 100 a lot too. I like ransackedmedia a lot of course, and Craig Powell’s column in the Inside publications, though we hardly agree on everything. Anything William Burg writes is a must read. It probably sounds weird, but I scope out what city columnists do in other alt-weeklies and blogs in other towns. I’ve been reading Ben Joravsky’s blog for the Chicago Reader, and KJ’s got it so easy compared to what this guy has been doing to Rahm Emanuel on a daily basis (and to Daley before him). Sacramento, for being a political town, has a pretty docile press.

JG: How did you develop your style?

CG: Slowly. Clumsily. Lots of mistakes. Wait, I guess that is my style. Actually, Bites came with a certain weird style already built in when I inherited it. It came with this schtick: Bites always refers to Bites-self in the third person. Who or what Bites is exactly is never quite clear--Bites is basically a disembodied set of teeth of no certain age or gender. The tone of the column was always very snarky from the beginning. So that was the constraint, and I just tried to overlay some of my own personality on top of that, and suit it a little more to my purposes, which are still mostly journalistic.

JG: You're not Mayor Kevin Johnson's No. 1 fan. Do you ever worry about getting pigeonholed as someone who is always going to be against the mayor?

GC: Are you kidding? I’m a huge fan of Boss Johnson. He’s probably the main reason anybody reads the column. I can’t worry too much about being pigeonholed. I am always going to be against politicians acting like they are above the rules, or not being transparent about how they conduct the public’s business. I’ve noticed that the editors and owners of the paper do worry about it somewhat lately. And that’s caused some problems. But in other towns, in other times, there’s been a tradition of dogged criticism of mayors and other politicos by city columnists. Not sure if that’s a bygone thing, or a not-in-Sacramento thing, or what.

By the way, I was also really critical of a lot of what Heather Fargo did too. But nobody cared.

JG: When I spoke to parents who were concerned about the closure of Washington Elementary in Midtown, your name would come up often as a source of news that they turned to and trusted. What made you start to write about the school system? Do you see yourself as filling a void?

CG: I never wanted to write about schools at all. I was very old school about it and thought I shouldn’t do it, because I was married to a teacher and surely I couldn’t be “objective” about it. But over time I was just appalled at what the Bee was doing on education. Their beat reporters are good reporters, and they write lots of good stories about education issues. But they never, ever challenge the Sac City schools administration on some of the dubious stuff going on over there. And the Bee editorial board is so ideological on schools, it’s stunning how unfair they can be. So I just said screw it, I’m going to write from the point of view that I really think is missing. I try to be totally upfront about that: you read my stories or columns and you’re going to hear what teachers think, you are going hear from people who are trying to save public schools from the corporate “reform” stuff that’s being pushed by the Bee, because you’re not going to get it anywhere else in town.

JG: Some of the people coming to this workshop will be aspiring journalists, others will be residents who want to learn how to write a better op-ed or letter to the editor. What do you hope people gain from the session?

CG: I’m always looking for solid practical advice when I go to workshops like this. So I hope we can just get down to brass tacks. I’ve got some ideas about what makes good journalism and good opinion writing, but I want us to hear other people’s ideas too. Hopefully people who show up will get a ton of practical advice about how to be better writers and reporters. I’m looking for that information too, it’s a two-way thing.

JG: What do you see as the role (if any) for citizen journalism? What about as it pertains to opinion writing?

CG: I think citizen journalism is part of the media environment now, for good and for bad. I think it can be incredibly democratizing. The mainstream press (and the alternative press too) ignore all sorts of stories and big chunks of the community, because it’s not economical to cover them. Citizen journalism can help fill that gap, and sometimes show the commercial outfits what the real story is. Likewise, the commercial media only has so much bandwidth, so many column inches, that they’re willing to give over to community voices. Organizations like Sacramento Press and Access Sacramento can open that way up.

The downside is that citizen journalism is basically all unpaid journalism. Good in depth writing and reporting is difficult and time consuming. If we’re going to ask journalists to do kick-ass investigative reporting, and really cover their communities comprehensively and critically, for free, I worry about that.

JG: What keeps you writing?

CG: I don’t have any other skills to speak of.

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Job growth is moving back up again in the Sacramento Region - CSER Economy Watch March 2013

2013-04-04T00:57:06Z

Each year, the Labor Market Information Division of the California Employment Development Department (EDD) revises its monthly data series covering payroll employment and labor force to reflect information in official tax records. The recent annual benchmark process resulted in notable changes to job growth patterns for the six-county Sacramento Region. Most striking, EDD’s revised data shows that the Region shifted back to positive job growth 10 months earlier than the previous data were showing—this movement happened in July 2011 instead of April 2012. In addition, throughout most of 2012, annual job growth rates were significantly higher than the rates reflected in the previous data with an average difference of about 8 basis points. In 2012, the Sacramento Region actually added roughly 7,200 more jobs than what previous EDD estimates were showing. The state overall also received an upward revision, but it was not nearly as pronounced as in the Sacramento Region. Average job growth shifted up three basis points with an additional 48,000 jobs added in the past year.

Annual job growth in the Sacramento Region saw an uptick in February 2013, moving up to 1.6 percent following a downward pattern that lasted for several months. This rate of growth reflects an annual gain of 13,300 jobs. With the recent uptick, the Region moved back ahead of the national average, but remains well below the statewide average job growth of 2.2 percent. The SF Bay Area is leading the group of neighboring regions with 3.1 percent job growth in February 2013 while Solano posted 2.8 percent job growth and Stockton came in at 1.7 percent.

Annual Job Growth

Major Sector Annual Job Gains and Losses

Six of the Sacramento Region's major sectors added a notable amount of jobs in the past year

On an annual average basis for 2012, the revised data shows the Sacramento Region adding over 14,300 jobs to payrolls, whereas the previous data reflected a gain of almost 7,200 jobs—a difference of approximately 7,200 jobs. The annual benchmark revision led to greater gains in three of the Region’s 11 major sectors including Professional & Business Services; Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; and Manufacturing. Two other major sectors shifted from an annual loss to job gains, Leisure & Hospitality and Other Services. The small Mining & Logging sector saw the opposite change while both the Government and Information sectors experienced a downward revision with greater annual losses. The remaining three sectors also received downward revisions with smaller gains reported in the newly benchmarked data series. Three of the Region’s five largest sectors moved in a positive direction (Professional & Business Services; Leisure & Hospitality; and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities) while the revision affected the other two negatively (Government and Educational & Health Services).

Among the Sacramento Region’s 11 major sectors, 6 added jobs between February 2012 and 2013. The three sectors posting the greatest gains were some of the Region’s largest, including Professional & Business Services; Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; and Educational & Health Services. Combined, these three sectors added over 15,000 jobs in the past 12 months. Four sectors saw job losses in the last year with the large Government sector shedding 2,900 jobs. All in all, Sacramento’s private sector posted a net gain of 16,200 jobs with the public sector decline pulling this down by roughly 18 percent. Establishments in the Region held nearly 860,000 jobs on payrolls in February 2013, which reflects movement in the right direction over the low point in the recession (approximately 835,000 jobs), but is well below the 2007 peak (around 954,000 jobs) and still tracking at year 2001 levels.

ABOUT CSER

The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) is an economic research and consulting group specializing in applied research and strategy development in the regional economics and economic development fields.
www.strategiceconomicresearch.org

CSER is grateful for the support of the Signature Underwriter, UC Davis Health System, and Supporting Underwriters of the Economy Watch, Cushman & Wakefield, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento Works, Weintraub Tobin and Wells Fargo.

Disclosure: This story has been posted by Ryan Sharp, Director of the Center for Strategic Economic Research

Opinion: What else could $250M buy us?

2013-03-27T22:16:02Z

Let's come at this from another perspective. And just in case I sound like I'm anti-arena, I'm not – I'm just inclined to be wary of public spending on developments of this nature as they rarely pan out. Money often gets made, but it's not by the city or municipality involved. Deals are made that involve fabulously wealthy people who generally get wealthier (the Maloofs being bad examples) with public assistance. And if the overall business proposition involved was so appealing, there would be private investors lined up around City Hall, bidding on the opportunity to build an arena and operate it. The only time recently we've had that kind of rush to bid on something was when the city proposed selling off parking as a private concession – precisely because it was good for the private enterprises rather than for the city.

So here we have $250 million taxpayer dollars (or their equivalent in terms of city-owned land) being thrown into a deal that is essentially a business startup for a small group of very wealthy private investor/operators who want to operate one of the most exclusive business franchises in the country. And that money covers more than half of the startup and development costs. And the initial question is simply "Does it make sense?"

For all of the energy and eagerness that has gone into this, nobody has spent any time eagerly rushing to figure out what $250m could accomplish given that the City is apparently willing to put that kind of sum into business development. And the deal on the table, as has been discussed, doesn't really add something new to the balance of what the City currently has. It just moves it from one location to another, leaving Natomas with a big hole - which could certainly be developed for other purposes, such as a small or satellite college campus, but the arena conversation tends to suck the air out of the room.

So if we're collectively willing to throw $250m of our money at Downtown, what else could be done with it? How many small businesses or residential developments could start up if the City is willing to put in over half the initial costs? An arena isn't the only way to spice up a downtown neighborhood - and $250m is a lot of money, especially if we're looking at it as matching funds in development proposals (or somewhat better than matching).

It's not just "is this a good idea?" which is already a complicated and nebulous question, it's "is this the BEST idea?" And, unfortunately, nobody in charge of our money is actually considering alternatives.

Push for equality in the home stretch

2013-03-27T18:31:01Z

As the Supreme Court of the USA listens to oral arguments March 26 and 27 on The Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, many people, gay and straight across the nation, are showing their desire for equality.

Tuesday March 26 many in the Sacramento area rallied for Sacramento Light the Way to Justice in front of the Sacramento Federal Courthouse at 501 I Street for over two hours holding signs, flags and waving at people driving by. It will happen again today starting at 4pm.

Just bring some signs to hold for this peaceful stand of love and solidarity.

I asked some ralliers why they were there. A common thread was "celebration".

Here are some responses:"For equal rights. I believe everyone has the right to be married," Patricia Boynton explained. "I'm straight. I'm an ally."

"We support our LGBT brothers and sisters to get married because we were fortunate enough to get married on Oct. 2008 and we're supporting our brothers and sisters who can't and hopefully will by June," Nicole Scanlan said.

"My wife asked me to come," Joan Haug-West.

Ken Pierce is a representative of BRAVE society, a bully-awareness, a non-profit.

He said he's here "to hopefully celebrate what will be the end of a very long fight for Marriage Equality here in California."

"I think, at least I hope, what will happen, is they're going to realize this is a state issue. The way it was framed going up to the Supreme Court is it's a very narrow issue and it's a state issue and I think they will push it back to California saying 'you've guys have pretty much decided the Supreme Court in California has said this Prop. 8 is unconstitutional.'"

They're looking at late June for a decision, but Pierce added "I'm hoping for mid-June because PRIDE Festival is June 15 and it would be nice to have the decision the Friday before so we can have same-sex weddings on the main stage at our PRIDE festival."

Spencer Douglas was at the rally celebrating his pride for being part of the LGBT and supporting my friends and others who should have the right to marry.

"I'm also here personally," Douglas said. "The day (anniversary) probably passed that was the first LGBT oriented event I ever went to - the march on the Capitol."

He was a freshman in high school at the time, he explained, about 5 years ago, and he remembers being so scared that day to come out here and march with people and he hid in the middle of all these gay guys because he didn't want anyone to see him or be on the news.

"For me this is kind of celebrating my journey of being who I am today and how I got to be proud of myself compared to how I used to be," Douglas concluded.

Here are some photos taken at the rally:

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Downtown arena open house - live blog

2013-03-22T14:33:41Z

The City of Sacramento held open house on the plans to build a downtown arena Thursday at 5:30 pm to 7:30pm in the New City Hall Foyer. Here's how the meeting went down on Twitter:

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Midtown BierGarten approved with design tweaks

2013-03-21T22:40:08Z

The city of Sacramento gave Der BierGarten its stamp of approval Thursday afternoon, paving the way for another German pub in Midtown. But the OK came with a few conditions to modify the design.

Design Director Greg Taylor wants the following changes made to the design:

• More significant landscaping between Der Bier Garten and The Golden Bear.

• The front patio to be heightened, similar to patio height at The Golden Bear.

Slated to open in July 2013, owner Sean Derfield of Old Sacramento's River City Saloon has been planning this project for the corner of K and 24th streets for the past two years. Currently the site is a vacant lot next to The Golden Bear.

"We have a couple changes but in the long run it's workable," Derfield said following the meeting. "Hopefully the next person who does a cargo project can learn off our mistakes and requirements."

Derfield's vision is to create an open-air restaurant and beer garden, serving only imported German and Belgian beer, and authentic, traditional food. It will include the use of cargo containers – one to house restrooms, and the other to house the kitchen – as well as solar power for nighttime lighting, and water reclamation to reuse rainwater for plants.

Long, traditional BierGarten tables from Germany will be used outside, and a bicycle rack will be installed nearby so patrons can store their bicycles in a safer location than on the sidewalks.

Our coverage of the meeting has it happened:

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

TDA Forum: Who is the Downtown Generation?

2013-03-18T08:44:59Z

On Monday, March 18, Turn Downtown Around presents a Public Forum, a discussion of how downtown Sacramento reached its current state, what its situation is today, and what can be done by regular citizens to create positive change in our urban core. I was asked to talk about how we got here. If we want to turn downtown around, this implies that, at some point, downtown Sacramento was going in the right direction. How did that Sacramento differ from the one we know today, and how can we recapture some of that spirit? What lessons can we learn from the past--both the mistakes to avoid, and the useful elements that we can use today?

[Note: Read the live blog of the forum as it happened here.]

The subject is broad, and impossible to cover fully in a 15 minute talk, but I will focus on the issue of housing. Downtown Sacramento once had about 30,000 more residents. During the 20 year period from about 1950 to 1970, the central city's population was halved, primarily from downtown, and has grown only slightly since then. Today, Sacramento's central business district has a population density of only seven people per acre, lower than suburban neighborhoods like Land Park or East Sacramento.

While still perceived as a "high density" neighborhood due to its enormous number of jobs and growing number of entertainment and dining venues, there are few housing choices available for anyone interested in living downtown. I'll talk a bit about why this loss of population was no accident, but deliberate policy, and what the consequences of those decisions were.

However, this talk isn't all gloom and doom. Over the past century, successive generations of Sacramentans came together downtown. It was a place to work, to celebrate, to meet friends, and a place to call home. Even when downtown Sacramento was losing its population and businesses moving to the suburbs, people still found reasons to be downtown. In an era when moving downtown was actively discouraged, some people fought the tide toward the suburbs and built communities and businesses in the central city. The call of city life brought them close to downtown, not just to visit, but to stay.

I'll share stories and photos from my most recent book, Sacramento's K Street, and new research and pictures from my forthcoming book, some that have never been presented in public before. They will include views of downtown Sacramento before the wrecking ball, and the stories of local entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, thinkers and innovators.

Younger visitors to the Forum will see images of Sacramento history that aren't mentioned in the standard narrative (the one that considers little outside Sutter's Fort, the Gold Rush and the Transcontinental Railroad worth mentioning.) Older visitors will see a Sacramento they might remember, one that is almost forgotten, but whose memory is still alive.

And then, we'll ask the question, where do we go from here? If you are interested in the question, and want to help find the answers, we'd like to hear from you.

Turn Downtown Around Open Forum

Monday March 18, 6:00 PM

Downtown Plaza--enter on L Street beween 5th and 6th (go up the escalator) or from K Street via the rotunda (turn south through the doors when you reach the 6th Street rotunda at the kids' play area.) All are welcome to attend--of every generation.

The Sacramento Press will live blog the forum. Join in via Twitter with the hashtag #LetsTDA.

Disclosure: William Burg is a freelance writer and historian, and part of the "Turn Downtown Around" committee.

DIY urbanism – open forum downtown on March 18

2013-03-12T07:30:49Z

It was Second Saturday, and Demetri Gregorakis, a 27-year-old graphic designer and marketing consultant, was looking the part of a creative professional about to hit the gallery scene. He wore a dark blazer, khaki shorts, a blue button-up dress shirt and brown, leather loafers.

But Gregorakis had other plans: he spent much of the evening behind the counter of a Caribbean restaurant, taking customer orders and scooping rice and crab curry onto Styrofoam plates.

He's worked in the restaurant business before, but hasn't taken up a new line of work or picked up a side job. Gregorakis was there because he is one of the primary organizers behind Turn Downtown Around, the new group seeking to push the revitalization of Sacramento's downtown core, and TDA has made turning around C afe Connection, a Caribbean restaurant at 1007 L St, street, one of its first projects.

The cafe has been struggling recently, and the owner, Debbie Rajkumar, vented her frustrations to Gregorakis one day last month when he stopped by to tell her about TDA. He volunteered to help, and on Saturday, TDA partnered with Mr. Sac Town, the new Sacramento artist-run site, to throw a Second Saturday showing and party at Cafe Connection.

Artists who work with Mr. Sac Town displayed their works on the walls, and the restaurant offered free wine and drink and food specials – including, my favorite, their spicy jerk burger sliders. A steady stream of regular patrons and friends of the artists kept Cafe Connection full for most of the evening, As the crowd grew, Gregorakis rushed back behind the counter to help Rajkumar manage the orders.

The night went well for the artists (several sold paintings) and the restaurant in the way TDA and Gregorakis had planned.

"I feel like it's my birthday," Rajkumar said when asked how she thought the night had gone.

For Gregorakis, the Second Saturday event was a way to show Cafe Connection that they weren't alone – they have neighbors who are willing to help.

"I think that the feeling that (Cafe Connection) gets from me coming in there is a renewed sense of faith in the community," Gregorakis said during an interview the following day. "That we are going to band together and help each other out and move from competition to collaboration and cooperation."

These kind of direct, citizen initiated, street-level projects are what Turn Downtown Around is all about, Gregorakis said, and the group hopes to come up with more during its "Open Forum" that will be held next Wednesday, March 18, at the Downtown Plaza. (TDA has also helped put on the downtown Beer Bust, which is happening this Thursday, also at the plaza).

The agenda for the forum includes opening statements from Gregorakis and TDA collaborator Carina Lampkin, followed by presentation from local historian (and prolific Sacramento Press commentor) William Burg on the challenges facing downtown Sacramento and what can be learned from other cities.

Attendees will be encouraged to talk about what they view as the problems downtown face and the potential solutions. Gregorakis hopes to get lists of volunteers to help address specific concerns that come up during the forum.

The goal, he said, is to find ways that people at the event can use their respective skill sets to address the problems themselves, rather than waiting for the city government or other organizations to act.

What TDA does not plan to do is protest. When Gregorakis saw reader comments on a recent Sacramento Press story suggesting that TDA protest at Mayor Kevin Johnson’s The State of the City speech on Feb. 28, he posted a response on the TDA Facebook page:

"The article that came out on Sac Press is making people do what online articles always do- the comment section is blowing up with a lot of support but also a lot talk about the past- the blame game, I have a response for that, a real call to action.

This is it:

TDA will never protest or allow its name to be associated with protests. We can do so much better than just be angry about what is happening, we can actually make real change!"

The approach of TDA – as illustrated by the still ongoing Cafe Connection project – differs drastically from the last social group seeking change that, for a few months last year, had its own presence downtown: Occupy Sacramento.

"I wouldn't even put those two (groups) together in any list or category," Gregorakis said. "This is direct citizen action that doesn't involve officials necessarily. I'm not saying that we never would (involve city officials) but there is so much that we can do now that doesn't even involve the city to make this place better so that the businesses can survive and so the citizens have somewhere to go and be proud of where they live."

Ash Roughani, who started CivicMeet, and is one of the founders of Code for Sacramento, admires the approach TDA have chosen.

"I think that what TDA is doing is great," he said. "They are showing that citizens can be rallied to not just protest and complain about what the government is doing but actually be part of the process and the culture shift that needs to happen to get government more innovative in terms of working with citizens to achieve the same goals that government is trying to achieve on its own."

Burg, the historian, sees TDA as the latest of a series of groups that, from the ‘60s onward, have focused on the central city.

"There have been several generations over the last 40 years or so interested in returning to the central city and in living downtown," he said. “For the past 30 years or so, they've been going against the tide, but in the past decade we've seen a return to urbanism not just in the biggest cities but also in medium-sized cities."

In Sacramento, the gay and lesbian community were some of the first urban pioneers, Burg said. More recently, in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the punk scene, and music venues like The Loft or a record store like Hinderburg Records became epicenters for community activism and a DIY mentality that can be seen in groups like TDA today.

"Part of the punk scene was the Do It Yourself ethic, the idea that, rather than depending on hand-down media for you to consume, whether it's food or a record, to do it yourself, to make your own records, to make your media, to make your own food," Burg said. "It's the same lesson that hippies learned a generation earlier. If you don't find something to meet your needs, the idea is, rather than being a passive consumer, to do it yourself. And it's the same fundamental idea that's happening today. If you don't like the kind of city that's being offered, if the folk higher up, whether it's the business community or the government, are handing down to you and saying this is our city product – if it's unacceptable to you, if it's not meeting your needs, build your own city, do your own city, learn how to organize, learn how to start a business, learn how to promote the kind of place where you want to live. And that's what I think something like this is – the opportunity to teach and to learn the skills of city making and community building."

The younger generation taking up the mantle Burg is referring to are the millennials, and the phenomena of millennials moving back to the central city is hardly new or unique to Sacramento. A whole generation of 20 and 30-somethings that grew up in the suburbs have been moving back into cities (Gregorakis fits the bill: he grew up in Elk Grove and moved to Midtown when he was 24). As the urban planner and author Jeff Speck noted in his book "Walkabity," "Sixty-four percent of college-educated millennials choose first where they want to live, and only then do they look for a job. Fully 77 percent of them plan to live in America’s urban cores."

What's new about TDA is that it’s an example of millennials starting to organize themselves politically. TDA is open to people of all ages interested in their mission, but, when you look at the group's Facebook page, or go to a meeting, many of the participants are young professionals and entrepreneurs who moved to the central city sometime over the last five years. Part of the process of "community building" that Burg alluded to is that, with a new group of people arriving in the city, new organizations will form and new voices will join the political mix. It's no coincidence that Steve Hansen is the youngest person on City Council and that he represents downtown and Midtown.

It remains to be seen what TDA's role will be in the long term. While Gregorakis and Lampkin are considering forming a nonprofit, at the moment, there is no formal way for anyone to join, other than by "liking" the Facebook page.

"I want to keep it as informal as possible," Gregorakis said. "As soon as this becomes a self-serving entity, then it's going to fail. I don't want this to become something that's here for ego stroking. I want to keep it grassroots."

Burg thinks the group needs time to develop before it can be categorized. He’s eager to see who will show up for the forum next week.

"I don't think we know what it is yet," he said. "That's part of the journey of the next few months is going to be finding out what it is and I don't think you can put a label on a group like this in advance. You sort of have to see who shows up and what they're bringing to the table and then go from there."

Ask the County Law Librarian - Status of Paid Sick Leave Law

2013-03-08T16:26:33Z

Q: A couple of years ago, I heard about a law being proposed, I think by someone from San Francisco, that would require employers to provide paid sick leave. Since then, though, I haven’t heard anything more about it. How would I find out what happened with that bill?
Thanks, Glenn

A: It looks like this idea has been presented to the Assembly twice in recent years – as AB 1000 in 2009, and AB 400 in 2011. Both bills were presented by former Assembly Member Fiona Ma (D- San Francisco). These bills required employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, to be used for the diagnosis, care, or treatment of health conditions of the employee or an employee’s family member, or for leave related to domestic violence or sexual assault.

Researching recent California bills is made easy by the California Legislature’s Legislative Information website, which provides details about all bills introduced in the Senate or Assembly since the 1999-2000 session. A less user-friendly version of this website also exists, with coverage back to the 1993-1994 legislative session. Both websites provide detailed information about every bill, including committee analyses, amended versions of the bill, results of votes on the bill, history of the various committees that reviewed the bill, and the current (or final) status of the bill. Users may search either website by keyword, or retrieve bills by bill number, author, or chapter number.

It looks like both AB 1000 (2009) and AB 400 (2011) died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the California Constitution, which requires bills introduced in the first year to be passed by January 31st of the second year of the session.

Do you have a question for the County Law Librarian? Just email sacpress@saclaw.org. If your question is selected your answer will appear in next Thursday's column. Even if your question isn't selected, though, I will still respond within two weeks.

Coral Henning, Director
@coralh & @saclawlibrarian
www.saclaw.org

Book Talk: Book sales for your calendar

2013-03-07T23:11:37Z

If you're like me, you enjoy books. You enjoy holding them, thumbing through the pages and, I hope, reading them. Possibly, you also enjoy searching through shelves of used books for those treasures you didn't even know you needed.

Have you been wondering when a really great book sale would come along? Well, now's the time. Check out the listings below and mark your calendars.

Head to South Natomas Sat., March 9 for the Friends of the Library book sale, the first of 2013. Hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friends may attend the preview sale from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

This is a popular sale that offers books in all categories. Bring some bags or boxes for those books you find that you need to add to your collection. This sale usually has a large offering of children's books. Funds raised support library programming and the Lucky Day collections.

Once you've finished there, head up Truxel to Almost New Used Books. Although some of their books are not almost new and might be closer to almost ready for the boneyard, there are some real finds there. This location is closing its doors and is currently offering 50 - 75% off of all books, CDs, and DVDs in the store.

Make sure you leave enough time to head up Truxel and out to Rio Linda to see how that Friends of the Library bookstore has expanded. It is located in a shopping center and has been recently upgraded with new shelving. Lon Lee is the volunteer manager and man behind the freestanding store. The volunteers at this store (open only Friday and Saturday) will make you feel welcome. Children's books, fiction, classics, history and much more can be found at reasonable prices.

When you head back to Sacramento, don't forget to stop by Beers Books and pick up some books. Every Second Saturday, this store offers a discount on their quality books.

You'll want to mark your calendars for Sat., March 16 when you can return to the South Natomas library between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for the $5-A-Bag Book Sale. This special sale is one day only. Fill a brown grocery bag with as many books as you can fit. Bags are provided.

There are, certainly, many other fine places to locate gently used books, so keep your eyes open and consider a bumper sticker warning other drivers that you stop for books.

If you have book news, books for review, readings or any book-related events, please email sacramentobooktalk@gmail.com with the details.

Book Talk: Cheryl Anne Stapp to visit Time Tested Books

2013-02-26T04:28:30Z

There are so many exciting books being released, especially if you look to the smaller presses, which is what we’re doing today.

“Sacramento Chronicles” by Cheryl Anne Stapp
The History Press
ISBN 978-1-60949-579-4
2012, 144 pp., $19.99
History – Local Author

This newest offering of Sacramento history by Cheryl Anne Stapp is certainly one that those interested in Sacramento’s history (even if you think you already know all there is) will want to add to their history shelf. Sure, you already know about gold discovery, and if you’ve been to Old Sacramento, you’ve likely seen the statue dedicated to the Pony Express, but it’s likely you’ve never read about it the way Stapp tells it.

“Anyone awake in Sacramento at 2:00 a.m. on the dark, rain-drenched morning of April 4, 1860, might have heard the clatter of hooves galloping down J Street as a young, superb horseman named William (Sam) Hamilton sped east.”

If you want to know his connection to the Pony Express and Sacramento, check out “The Pony Express.”

In addition to those fascinating Sacramento tidbits we might already know, Stapp includes a chapter dedicated to agriculture. Yes, the tomatoes are there, but did you know that Sacramento was also a hop producer? Until the mid-1960s? Stapp discusses John Sutter’s role in Sacramento’s agricultural history, and discusses the California State Agricultural Society, which “evolved into the current California State Fair” (after moving through various successor agencies).

The Folsom Powerhouse and all-too-brief overviews of areas such as “The Fabulous Forties,” “Boulevard Park,” “East Park” and “Oak Park” are included. Until reading Stapp’s book, I’d never heard of “The Great Electric Carnival,” and chances are some of you may not have, either.

Stapp covers events like the cholera outbreak, floods and fires, all of which helped to shape the Sacramento we know today. She includes pieces about squatter riots, cemeteries and the Sacramento Valley Railroad.

While she doesn’t begin with John Sutter, he shows up in the first couple of pages, and he is mentioned at various times throughout the book, and closes the book. Stapp includes a bibliography for those of you who, like me, want to know more about some of the topics included.

This is a fun book that doesn’t set out to present a full history of Sacramento. Rather, Stapp offers pieces of history, small glimpses into a Sacramento that many call home and that many may not be familiar with. I wanted to know more about many of the topics Stapp covered, but that’s what the bibliography is for.

* * *
Stapp will discuss her book at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at Time Tested Books. This event is free and open to everyone.

* * *

Other notable author events this week include poet and novelist Mary Mackey, the winner of the PEN Oakland award. She will read at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at Luna’s Cafe. This event is free and open to everyone.

* * *
The History Press is a wonderful press that has, since 2004, published over one thousand titles from the East to the West Coast in areas such as American chronicles, heritage, legends and palate; forgotten tales; hidden history; and even true crime.

Each book is written by local history enthusiasts; each book brings history to life through stories. “Sacramento Chronicles” is the third book so far about Sacramento.

Coming soon: a look at Akashic Books, City Lights and many local authors!

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

New films: Snitch and Bless Me, Ultima - plus other film news

2013-02-22T10:16:53Z

Snitch
Co-Written and Directed by Ric Roman Waugh

There are some aspects of “Snitch” that I admire and that aren’t immediately apparent in the lowest common denominator style of previews that tend to get made to promote films. On its face, it’s a story about a father who goes undercover to assist in the capture of drug dealers in return for a reduced sentence for his son. That’s the kind of action film one might expect from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and would probably be enough to draw a respectable action-oriented audience.

But there’s more to “Snitch” than that and the action story is essentially a cover for an indictment of mandatory sentencing laws as they apply to drug offenses. In this case, the son has taken reluctant delivery of a package of pills for a friend and, despite no other convictions, is facing anywhere from 10-30 years in prison for his stupidity. There’s a slide that pops up on screen at the end of the film (which doesn’t spoil the plot) that states that the average sentence for first-time, non-violent drug offenders is now longer than that for rapists, child molesters, and those who commit manslaughter.

This is a little like an attempt at low-rent Soderbergh, in the sense that Steven Soderbergh often makes films in which the surface story exists as cover for some deeper social commentary, as I discussed in this column two weeks ago in relation to his latest film “Side Effects.” And it’s not surprising to see an actress like Susan Sarandon, who is a champion of social justice, getting involved in a project like this and playing the self-interested and generally unsympathetic U.S. Attorney.

But, sadly, none of that motivation and admirable set of goals actually makes the film especially good. The major problem is that the underlying social commentary isn’t actually underlying at all. It’s in your face all the time – it’s like being blatantly bashed over the head with stick labeled “subtle head-bashing stick.” It does get its message across and will probably outrage anybody who isn’t just there to watch gun battles and fast big rigs – but in that sense it’s an odd mismatch for the target audience who aren’t being attracted to the film with promises of a civics lesson. And for those who might find the lesson interesting, the final slide tells us almost as much as the 100+ minutes that precede it and a documentary would have told us and (most likely) outraged us far more.

It’s also at least a little odd in its casting. Johnson is a huge guy and we’re used to seeing him as an unstoppable fighter of some kind. In “Snitch” he plays the owner of a construction company but it’s a role that could be played by an actor of far slighter build. I’m all for him trying new things and not giving in to stereotypical roles but the fact remains that he’s huge and he’s the kind of guy that commands attention when he walks into a room, or who is at least likely to elicit some kind of remark or raised eyebrows based on his physique. And his character is going into some pretty tough situations, and even taking a beating along the way, with no more attention being paid to his appearance than to a man half his width. Kudos to him for choosing (and co-producing) a film with a message, but it’s a little like those films in which a stunningly beautiful actress plays a character who’s supposed to be very plain and overlooked – they’re like orchids playing wallflowers.

Perhaps I’m wrong and this is the way to stealthily impart a political message to an unsuspecting audience, many of whom will be in the same demographics as those who tend to fall victim to the kind of injustice being depicted. But it’s as heavy-handed as the kinds of characters Johnson more typically plays.

Bless Me, Ultima
Written (screenplay) and Directed by Carl Franklin

“Bless Me, Ultima” is the screen adaptation of one of the most influential and best selling Chicano novels – a book that has managed to be both widely adopted by schools and colleges and also controversial for its violent and sexual content, as well as its religious commentary.

Set in New Mexico during WWII, the story is told through the eyes of young Antonio who is seven at the start of the film, when his parents allow Ultima, an elderly ‘Curandero’ or healer to move in with them. He has two older sisters living in the house and three older brothers who are away fighting in the war. But he’s drawn to Ultima who is revered by some and feared by more, with her knowledge and curative abilities earning her the label of ‘bruja’ or witch from some in the community.

Antonio’s mother, along with most of their friends and neighbors, is staunchly Catholic and dreams of Antonio becoming a priest one day. She’s the calm, stable parent where his father comes from a family of wanderers and dreams of moving to California when the older sons return. Antonio’s is also a very unsheltered childhood in that he witnesses violent deaths, threats and feuds, and is exposed to such open secrets as the town brothel which, as with many such businesses, is looked down upon but apparently not short of clientele.

His days are divided between the cultural influences of his public school, where he excels, his Catholic catechism classes, and time spent with Ultima as she shares her views of good and evil in a less formalized context. But for every nugget of information she shares, there are other influences such as his school peers who discuss the nature of sin and declare that heaven isn’t just not for atheists but also not for protestants. And his generally ostracized friend Florence who explains his own lack of faith very matter of factly by saying that his mother died young, his father drank himself to death, and his sister is a prostitute – and so he doesn’t find much reason to love a God that could allow those things to happen. It’s an exchange one normally sees between far older characters. So Antonio is caught in the middle of conflicting worldviews, perspectives, and cultures and largely left to himself to synthesize and, perhaps, blend them all.

It’s a hard film to assess objectively because it has both great strengths and also weaknesses. On the one hand it’s reminiscent of other films from assorted genres: When the film is being narrated by the older Antonio, it feels a little like a blend of Sunday School and “Stand by Me” and the idea of a child being influenced by multiple older personalities and trying to determine whom he might become reminded me of the central core of Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life.” Similarly, the idea of a young boy being exposed to multiple religious and cultural influences, and needing to make sense of them all to his own satisfaction, brought to mind the recent “Life of Pi.”

But it’s also a low budget production without many bells or whistles. Some viewers may be put off that it doesn’t feel as theatrical as much of what they’ve become used to at the multiplex. For me it felt more like films I see in a Festival context with some of the same flaws. For example, there’s an extended sequence set in a room that’s supposedly lit by a few candles and an oil lamp – and yet the lighting on the characters in all corners of the room is bright and vivid. One of the problems with good lighting is that it’s not always about getting enough light it’s often about not getting too much.

Additionally, it's a film that’s dependent on the performances of children, with at least some variation in those outcomes and with little visible aging over an onscreen period of a couple of years. And while some of the characters may seem a little crudely drawn, it’s worth remembering that they’re being channeled through a child’s memory.

However, the story is what’s most important here. In that sense it also reminds me of a film like Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino” which employed many non-actors and is occasionally a little shaky in its delivery. For some that was an insurmountable detriment yet (at least for me) it couldn’t mask the powerful story, character study, and parallel coming of age themes that the movie provided.

“Bless Me, Ultima” is not always quite polished and the performances are a mixed bag but it’s another film that’s primarily about the central character’s story and arc. And in that sense it’s a powerful depiction of cultures, personalities, and heritage that often conflict with and sometimes reinforce each other, as seen through the eyes of an innocent participant-observer who’s left to make sense of it all.

Sacramento French Film Festival Winter Shorts
The Sacramento French Film Festival (described recently by the Sacramento Bee as the “region’s premier film event”) is heading into its 12th season with its main event in June but, because Junes are so far apart, the Festival has a few fun events to fill in the slow months. The next of these is Saturday’s (February 23rd) 6th Winter French Short Film Screening at the Verge Center for the Arts, 625 S Street, Sacramento. Doors open at 6:30pm for free music and pizza (by Luigi’s Slice), with films and discussion to start at 7:30pm. The $7 admission benefits both the Festival and Verge and includes a recap of the César Awards (the “French Oscars” which will have been awarded the night before) and over two hours of short films, including seven Sacramento premieres. The full lineup of films can be found on the Festival’s website at www.sacramentofrenchfilmfestival.org.

Oscar Shorts
In a pleasant surprise, the Crest Theatre has managed to squeeze the Oscar Nominated Documentary Shorts back into its schedule for an extra weekend – so you can still see all of the Oscar nominated short films (live action narratives, animated narratives, and documentaries) on the big screen. You can even watch them all in a row if you have the stamina. Check the Crest’s website at www.thecrest.com for scheduling and ticket information.

Plan for city-wide plastic bag ban being tinkered

2013-02-20T04:05:53Z

Sacramento may join 60 other California jurisdictions in banning plastic bags, making it the first major inland city in the state to do away with them, if Davis and Chico don't beat it to the punch.

"There is a leadership role for the city to play," said Councilman Steve Cohn, who asked staff to research the regulation of single-use plastic bags in the city. "It's time for Sacramento to do this."

A movement to ban such bags is making its way through city hall, and was a topic of discussion at Tuesday's law and legislation committee meeting. Such a ban would eliminate most plastic bags used at retailers, with the exception of take-out food, produce and meat, and pharmaceuticals. Doing so would encourage the use of reusable bags, and businesses could charge between a small fee for a brown paper bag.

"Nothing we use for a few minutes should pollute the oceans for hundreds of years," said Environment California Oceans Advocate Nathan Weaver. "This is an easy, simple thing we can all do to protect the ocean, to keep these urban tumbleweeds off our streets, and keep our rivers clean."

The city's integrated waste general manager, Steve Harriman, gave a report citing the impacts these single-use bags have on the environment, which include wind-blown litter, marine debris and unsightly bags snagged in trees and fences.

At one point in his presentation, Harriman showed a photo he'd taken over the weekend of an egret in flight along the American River. "It wasn't until I got home actually looked more closely at the picture…what's interesting about this photograph is there are actually three plastic bags stuck in the vegetation on the bank of the American River," he said.

The riverbank isn't the only place plastic bags get stuck. They also get wrapped up in the machinery at the city's recycling and transfer station, causing officials to shut the line down up to six times a day for removal, Harriman said.

While a ban has the support Cohn, who volunteered to draft the ordinance, it could take months before anything is officially enacted. There are many stakeholders who care about the issue, Cohn said, and even individual stores should have an opportunity to give feedback. So with an estimated five to six stakeholder meetings, the item should come back to the committee in the spring, and go before the city council by the summer, he said.

One such group opposing the ban, the California Grocers Association, says it doesn't want to put more of a burden on consumers. And the Sacramento Metro Chamber doesn't want to put businesses that are separated by a city line at a competitive disadvantage.

"As many people there are that may support the concept of eliminating the bag, when it comes to customers…this could upset the customer base and could cause problems," said Johnnise Foster-Downs, Sacramento Metro Chamber manager of public policy and external affairs. "We feel this is untimely and premature."

While that's up to the customer to decide, a handful of supporters at the meeting support the concept of eliminating plastic and cleaning up the environment.

"I'm really concerned about the environment," said Diane Bader. "I'd hate to see plastic and other things out there that will ruin the environment for our children and grandchildren."

Downtown resident Susan Wilke, 71, said she's noticed the environmental changes in her lifetime. "We're affecting the environment, we know that now," she said. "We now know the small steps we take now do make a difference."

And John Melburg left the committee with a DVD copy of the documentary “Bag It” to bring more awareness to the issue.

Before coming up with a draft ordinance, Cohn said there is a lot to learn, "so we can make this as well thought out as we can."

It's imperative to follow the state legislation that's been proposed in the past, he said. In addition to a ban on plastic bags, consumers would likely be charged a nickel or dime for a paper bag, he said.

"Keep in mind the stores have to bear that cost now, so they're passing that through to everybody essentially now through the cost of doing business and what it takes to be able to deliver their products on the shelf," Cohn said. "It's just now everybody pays it, whereas in the future, if we have this kind of ordinance, you'll only pay that cost if you want a paper bag, otherwise you can use your reusable bag."

It would cost an estimated $120,000 to $140,000 to fully implement, which would include the costs of code enforcement (for 18 months to a year) and a negative California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) declaration, which means there is no substantial evidence that the project would have an adverse effect on the environment. Previous estimates were as high as $240,000 to $470,000, and included money for public outreach and education, a reusable bag giveaway program and higher costs for a CEQA report.

As explained by Sacramento Intergovernmental Relations Officer Randi Knott, this lower estimate was made at the request of council members Cohn and Kevin McCarty, who wanted staff to reach a "more common sense number."

Money for public outreach and education, along with the reusable bag giveaway and $100,000 in additional costs to conduct a CEQA, were cut from the budget.

The city will instead do its own marketing and outreach, Knott said, instead of doing a large public outreach effort like was done in the 1990s for recycling policy changes. "The more we looked into it, the more we realized we can do it using social media, the website, and newspapers," she said. "I think now folks are more tuned in and they can use what we've already go. And we can save some money for the citizens."

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Oscar documentary shorts at the Crest: Special combo ticket

2013-02-15T08:24:58Z

This Weekend Only: Oscar Documentary Shorts Nominees

Two weeks ago, in my regular column, I described the process through which the Oscar-nominated short films are selected. At that time, I reviewed the five animated narrative shorts and the five live action narrative shorts. Those two programs continue in regular release at Sacramento’s historic Crest Theatre.

Additionally, this weekend, for two days only, the Crest will screen the five documentary shorts nominees. Shorts, in Academy terms, are shorter than feature films but can still reach 40 minutes in length. This year’s nominees are collectively long enough that the Crest will screen them in two programs this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday afternoon only.

The following film information is provided by the distribution company:

Documentary Program A
• King's Point (Directed by Sari Gilman and Jedd Wider, Country of Origin: USA, Language: English, Running Time: 40 minutes) Over the course of a decade, five senior citizens living in the Kings Point retirement community face loss, illness and an increasing sense of isolation in their lives.
• Mondays at Racine (Directed by Cynthia Wade and Robin Honan, Country of Origin: USA, Language: English, Running Time: 39 minutes) On the third Monday of every month, sisters Cynthia and Rachel open their Long Island beauty salon to women undergoing chemotherapy.
• Inocente (Directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine, Country of Origin: USA, Language: English, Running Time: 40 minutes) Fifteen-year-old Inocente, a homeless, undocumented immigrant, clings to her determination to become an artist in the face of a bleak future.

Documentary Program B
• Redemption (Directed by John Alpert and Matthew O’Neill, Country of Origin: USA, Language: English, Running Time: 35 minutes) In New York City, individuals known as canners survive by collecting cans and bottles from trash and recycling bins and redeeming them for money.
• Open Heart (Directed by Keif Davidson and Cori Shepherd Stern, Country of Origin USA, Language: English, Running Time: 39 minutes) Eight Rwandan children with serious heart disease travel to the Salam Centre in Sudan for treatment.

On both days, Program A will screen at 1 p.m. and Program B will screen at 3:40 p.m. The $12.50 ticket ($10 seniors/students) is good for both programs – and you can chose to see them both on one day or split your viewing across two days (e.g., you can watch Program B on Saturday and Program A on Sunday).

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

A kiss for the protestors: Freedom to Marry Week

2013-02-15T03:16:48Z

It's been like Groundhog Day for the past 12 years for gay couples who have wanted to get married on Valentine's Day as part of Freedom to Marry Week.

Groundhog Day, the movie. You know, the one where the same thing keeps happening day after day.

For straight couples it's been a piece of cake; get dressed up, head to the county's Recorder office, fill out some paperwork. Boom…….you're married. For gay couples, all they've heard is "no."

Yolo and Sacramento County Chapters of Marriage Equality USA on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, rallied at noon at the Sacramento County Recorder’s Office.

The staff at the Recorder's office have grown used to the scenario, so it's like 'old home week' when gay couples show up only to be turned away.

Gay activist Jerry Sloan was there showing support. At one point he shared that he had just talked to the Recorder about the fact in the 1970's, marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples for seven years.

"Legislators had updated a law and accidentally left out gender in the marriage law," Sloan explained. "It just said 'persons of age.'"
"So Joe Gilbert, the pastor of Metropolitan Church at the time came across that and talked to the Recorder."

The Recorder said "I can't see why we can't do that (marry same-sex partners)."

And for seven years gay couples were married.

"I said 'I am an unmarried woman' and Reed Walker her partner, said she is an unmarried woman and we were told marriage is between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman," Poshi Mikalson said.

They've been together since 2001. Mikalson has three children from a previous marriage.

"I came out late in life," she said.

"Reed has helped me raise two of my children, along with their father," Mikalson explained.

The overall mood during the rally was upbeat. The best part was when a small group of protestors showed up across the street, as seen in very top photo. Bailes and Pontac gave them more than they probably hoped for!

A few more pictures:

From left to right: Jerry Sloan, unidentified man, Shelly Bailes, Ellen Pontac, Reed Walker, Poshi Mikalson and Elaine Verbarg.

407 uncounted election ballots found, results stand as is

2013-02-14T21:41:23Z

More than 400 uncounted ballots from the Sacramento County November election were found last week, but none of the races have been affected, according to the registrar of voters.

The 407 ballots were from 92 precincts, and were found when the warehouse was being cleaned, said Sacramento County Elections Registrar of Voters Jill Lavine. They were placed in the wrong colored bag, she said, by an inspector the night of the election.

"We checked all the contests that could have been affected, and there's not enough to change any of the results," Lavine said. "None of the results change, the results stand certified as is."

This certainly isn't common, however. "I've been the registrar for 10 years and this has never happened," Lavine said. "I've been in elections for 25 and it hasn't happened here."

The bag of pink ballots was found Feb. 7, in a red bag that was labeled "van supplies," Lavine said. The inspector apparently ran out of room in her pink bag, and instead of grabbing an overflow bag, placed the ballots in a red supply van without indicating its contents, she said.

"By the time it got back, the red bags went one way, and the pink went another," Lavine said. "We had no indication ballots were in the bag until we went to clean supplies."

The elections office has contacted the Sacramento County legal counsel, as well as the secretary of state legal counsel, Lavine said. The employee responsible for the misplaced bag hasn't been formally disciplined, she said.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Mayor Kevin Johnson's Feb. 12 press conference - as it happened

2013-02-12T18:20:30Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson held his weekly press conference Tuesday at 11 a.m. Read our coverage as it happened below.

Gerald Haslam to speak on his recent biography of S.I. Hayakawa

2013-02-11T08:58:00Z

S.I. Hayakawa talk by author Gerald Haslam
of the CSU Sonoma, English Department
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 at 3 p.m.
CSU Sacramento Library Gallery

Lecture Topic: Gerald and Janice Haslam, who have written "In Thought and Action: The Enigmatic Life of S.I. Hayakawa,"
will discuss the research and writing of this book, which is available in print.

By the time of his death in 1992, S. I. Hayakawa had been both one of Californian's most controversial educators and one of its least consistent politicians. The Canadian native, who relocated in the Golden State in 1955 and served as professor of language arts at San Francisco State, was a nationally known figure and popular lecturer nationally due to his best-selling book, "Language in Thought and Action." His list of pals included everyone from Langston Hughes to Wallace Stegner, with several major jazz musicians thrown in for good measure.
   During the SF State strike of 1968-69, Hayakawa became president of the college and took a hard line with strikers. When the dispute finally ended after 167 days, the immediate winner was Hayakawa, who would ride his popularity into the United States Senate. But the tide of history was on the side of the young; eventually they would be the establishment.
During his stint in Washington, Hayakawa emerged as something of a conservative libertarian. He also shocked many when he opposed reparations for Japanese Americans who had been interned. Soon an unacknowledged sleep disorder undid Hayakawa's image. Johnny Carson, whose Tonight Show dominated late-night television, began joking about him – What would S.I. Hayakawa's personalized auto license plate be? "ZZZZZZ."
   Hayakawa's post-senate activity as spokesperson for US English and its campaign to declare English the national language resonated with a segment of the public, while his more important work as special advisor on Southeast Asian and Pacific Basin matters went largely unnoticed.
   Gerald and Janice Haslam, who have written "In Thought and Action: The Enigmatic Life of S.I. Hayakawa," were friends but not political allies of Hayakawa. They have produced what "The Journal of American History" calls "this excellent biography." Their earlier work includes a series of off-beat, award-winning books exploring California -- "Haslam's Valley," "Coming of Age in California," "The Great Central Valley: California's Heartland," "Workin' Man Blues: County Music in California," among others.
   The Haslams' next project is a biography of USC athlete Leon Patterson, a Depression migrant from Arkansas who set a national scholastic shot-put record while terminally ill.

For further information:
Robin Aurelius
Friends of CSUS Library
916-531-4110
Let me know if you need a parking pass.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: I am a member of CSUS Friends of the library, and I will be reviewing his talk for Sacramento Press. I was also a campus person when President Hayakawa cut the speaker cords on protesters at San Francisco State College.

CSER Quarterly Economic Report-Q4 2012

2013-02-09T02:53:41Z

The Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER) has released the Q4 2012 Quarterly Economic Report--supplied to you through SACTO's member benefits.

The Quarterly Economic Report provides an overview of the health and performance of the Sacramento Region's economy along with an update to the Sacramento Region Business Confidence Index, a collaborative project with the Sacramento Business Journal to measure business sentiment.

Previous editions of this report are available on the CSER website (strategiceconomicresearch.org).

FOURTH QUARTER REPORT - JANUARY 2013

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The Sacramento Region posted positive annual job growth for nine of the past twelve months

The six-county Sacramento Region ended the year with an uptick in positive job growth. Preliminary data show that the number of jobs on payrolls in the Region grew by 1.2 percent over the 12 months ending December 2012. This is a significant improvement over the -0.6 percent job growth Sacramento posted at the same point in 2011. The December 2012 growth equates to an annual gain of 9,900 jobs in the Region. Sacramento started seeing positive annual job growth in April 2012, which peaked in July 2012 at 2.5 percent and then tapered off to 0.8 percent before shifting back up to 1.2 percent in December 2012. For most of this period, the Region’s job growth floated between the statewide and national averages, but tracked below these two benchmarks for the past two months. Sacramento’s recent positive job growth is primarily the result of gains in three of its five largest sectors. The Trade, Transportation, & Utilities sector (dominated by retail trade activities) has been growing on an annual basis for 10 months, reflecting rising consumer confidence with general economic improvement. This sector posted 3.2 percent annual job growth in December 2012. Annual job growth in the Educational & Health Services sector (driven by health care activities) has consistently been in positive territory since the end of 2010. Over the past two years, jobs have increased in this sector at fairly robust annual rates between 1.8 percent and 4.4 percent with the December 2012 job growth coming in at 2.7 percent. The Region’s Professional & Business Services sector recovered at the beginning of the year and saw 2.0 percent annual job growth in December 2012. This sector has benefitted from improving economic conditions in many of the other sectors in the regional economy, which it depends on as a provider of supporting services. Even though Sacramento posted annual job losses in its other two large sectors, Government and Leisure & Hospitality, the Region saw a net gain of 7,400 jobs across the five sectors that primarily drive its economic performance. The two major geographic markets in the Sacramento Region have seen notably different economic performance. While the core Sacramento metropolitan area posted 1.3 percent job growth in December 2012 (ranking it 136 among 279 measured metropolitan areas nationally), employment in the Yuba-Sutter area declined by 2.4 percent in the past 12 months.

California posted 1.7 percent annual job growth in December 2012 with a gain of close to 238,000 jobs. Employment in the state has been growing on an annual basis since the summer of 2010 and began to consistently outpace the national average in the middle of 2012. Despite seeing job growth improvements in the beginning of the year, the state has seen a fairly flat pattern for the past six months. California ranks 14th among all states based on December 2012 job growth, falling behind other major and neighboring states in the Western United States such as Washington, Arizona, and Colorado. Job growth nationally has been stable throughout 2012, beginning and ending the year with an annual growth rate of 1.4 percent. The most recent job growth measure reflects an annual gain of nearly 1.9 million jobs nationally. The SF Bay Area has been one of the leading major regions in the country over the past year with job growth outpacing the statewide and national averages by a significant margin. Between December 2011 and 2012, the number of jobs on payrolls in the SF Bay Area grew by 2.9 percent, equating to an 82,000-job increase. The San Francisco and Silicon Valley markets both posted job growth above 3 percent in December 2012 while job growth in the East Bay exceeded 2 percent. Sacramento’s two other neighboring regions also saw relatively healthy job growth at the end of 2012. Stockton saw job growth fall in the latter part of 2012, but still ended the year at a 2.9 percent growth rate (an annual gain of 5,500 jobs). Solano also experienced a decline in job growth for the past six months, dropping below the statewide average. Over the 12 months ending December 2012, Solano grew by 1.6 percent with a 1,900-job gain.

Annual Job Growth

Major Sector Annual Job Gains and Losses

Five of the Sacramento Region's major sectors added a notable amount of jobs in 2012

Seven of the Sacramento Region’s major sectors added jobs between December 2011 and 2012. The three leading job gain sectors are among the Region’s largest, including Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; Educational & Health Services; and Professional & Business Services. In addition to these three sectors, both Construction and Financial Activities posted notable annual job gains of 1,000 and 1,400, respectively. Much of the Construction growth was generated in heavy and civil engineering activities with a minimal contribution from commercial and residential construction. Three of Sacramento’s major sectors shed jobs in the past 12 months—Information; Government; and Leisure & Hospitality (the latter two ranking among the Region’s largest). Most of the losses in the Government sector were within state government activities, but both local and federal government activities also continue to post losses. Overall, the Region’s private sector is showing positive signs with gains or stability in 80 percent of the major industries and a net annual gain of 10,700 jobs. The total number of jobs on payrolls in Sacramento sat at close to 852,000 at the end of 2012—still more than 100,000 jobs off the summer 2007 peak and floating around year 2001 levels.

Sacramento has seen notable differences in annual job gains relative to the state. While Sacramento added jobs in Manufacturing and Other Services in the 12 months ending December 2012, the state lost jobs in these sectors. Conversely, while the Region lost Leisure & Hospitality sector jobs, this sector added the greatest number of jobs statewide in the past year. Similarities arise in the Government sector declines and relatively strong gains in Trade, Transportation, & Utilities and Educational & Health Services. The SF Bay Area posted annual job increases in seven of its major sectors with Professional & Business Services leading the way. Three sectors lost jobs in the SF Bay Area over the past 12 months with Financial Activities posting the most pronounced losses. Both the Stockton and Solano markets experienced annual job gains in seven major sectors, no growth in two, and losses in two. Educational & Health Services posted the greatest gains in the Stockton market while Leisure & Hospitality and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities topped the list in the Solano market. Both areas saw the largest annual job losses in the Government sector.

ABOUT CSER

CSER is grateful for the support of the Signature Underwriter, UC Davis Health System, and Supporting Underwriters of the Quarterly Report, Cushman & Wakefield, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento Municipal utility District, Sacramento Works, Weintraub Tobin and Wells Fargo.

Disclosure: This story has been posted by Ryan Sharp, Director of the Center for Strategic Economic Research

New films: Identity Thief and Side Effects

2013-02-08T21:15:56Z

A disappointing week

Maybe it’s just me but I’ve had a disappointing week at the movies – probably not helped by wishful thinking if not actually especially high expectations. And the near future isn’t looking any better, but more on that next week. This week’s major releases include a comedy starring people whose work I’ve generally liked, until now, and a thriller against a backdrop of prescription drug use from a director I normally appreciate far more than this.

Identity Thief
Directed by Seth Gordon

The idea of a comedy starring Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy appeals to me – before you could even tell me a subject matter or a premise, that idea would pique my interest. And there are moments in “Identity Thief” where their two styles and personalities play off each other to great effect, with laugh out loud results. The problem is that if you gathered them together, those moments don’t manage to fill a feature running length and the parts in between just aren’t as appealing.

Partly it’s a matter of inconsistent tone, as I often find myself lamenting in this column. This is a crime, revenge, road trip, comedy, occasionally slapstick, burgeoning buddy movie – and if that sounds unfocused, it’s because it is. It’s also a movie that manages to worry you about the ease with which a thief can steal enough of your identity to max out all your lines of credit, while hoping that you’ll find the idea of just that happening to a nice guy to be a source of great humor.

Jason Bateman is that nice guy, a married corporate accountant with two kids and another on the way. He happens to have a gender neutral name, Sandy, and discovers to his dismay that a woman in another state is using his name and his credit. Melissa McCarthy is the woman who apparently impulse buys everything she ever glances at, drifting from one person’s credit profile to another with ease and indifference. The police are depicted as being relatively disinterested, especially given the distances involved, and he hatches a plan to find the woman and bring her back to admit her guilt and clear his good name.

This plot, apart from being ridiculous in and of itself, adds to the problems because we’re supposed to like this guy and feel sympathetic towards him, but his behavior very quickly devolves into that of an abusive kidnapper. Of course he’s being provoked the whole time and has plenty to be unhappy about, but it’s a movie that wants us to be touched by emotions in one scene while finding it inherently funny to see a woman smashed in the face with a guitar in another. It’s also a movie that might appear to be cutesy on some level, or somewhat tween friendly, but it earns its R rating with some quite suggestive sex remarks and behavior, as well as through recurring gun violence (at some point in time, she’s annoyed people much more dangerous than movie critics).

If you want to laugh this weekend, you’re better off with last week’s “Warm Bodies.”

Side Effects
Directed by Steven Soderbergh

I admire Steven Soderbergh and much of his work and, like my initial reaction to hearing who was in “Identity Thief,” seeing his name associated with a film is likely to get my hopes up. Throw in a decent cast, especially Jude Law, and there’s almost zero chance that I won’t see the film. And I’ll be honest here, upfront, and note that the film seems to be getting decent reviews from other critics – but it didn’t do much for me.

Soderbergh has an impressive resume by any standard. His “Erin Brockovich” and “Traffic” both came out in a single year (2000), he’s had fun with the “Ocean’s…” series (“…Eleven,” “…Twelve,” “…Thirteen”), and in the last couple of years he’s been all over the genre map with “Contagion,” “Haywire,” and “Magic Mike,” albeit with mixed results. To some extent, “Side Effects” feels more like some of the earlier films, with a dramatic story set against a backdrop of a societal ill or problem, with both the story and the problem sharing screen time. Here, instead of corporate pollution or drug trafficking, we get a murder story within the context of the prevalence of prescription drug use, specifically anti-depressants and the various other drugs they’re sometimes prescribed with.

The first half of the movie is a depiction of descent into a personal hell for a young woman (Mara Rooney) whose insider-trader husband’s (Channing Tatum) release from a fairly low security prison seems to coincide with a return to her own problems with depression. She ends up being treated by Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) who happens to be on duty at the local hospital when she’s brought in after what appears to be a failed suicide attempt.

The cast is actually very good and the acting from these three is solid. It’s also interesting see Tatum, who worked with Soderbergh on his own project “Magic Mike” in a very simple role that could have been played by almost any working actor. And I mean that in a good way, in that he’s been cast purely to act a modest but critical part, rather than being cast in order to take off his shirt, or shorts.
As the story progresses, and bad things happen, the focus turns to Dr. Banks and the course of treatment he chose, and he’s given reason to review the events and second guess himself, while also discovering assorted details that cause his whole take on the situation to shift. But that’s where the mystery kicks in and I’ll leave that for you to enjoy, or not, on your own.

In the background, while all this is happening, there’s a running theme about drug use and prescriptions. One character comments on how convenient it is to have a doctor who can write prescriptions as she takes something to calm herself before a job interview. As Rooney’s character talks about depression, seemingly everybody she encounters (at least every woman) has their own experience with treatment and drug use. At times it’s like “Silver Linings Playbook” without the silver linings as they casually swap stories about specific brand names.

There are also moments where we see drugs being advertised in the manner that has become a source for comedy skits, as the listed side effects take up more air time than the claimed benefits. And Dr. Banks makes an interesting comment about the difference in attitudes towards related treatment in the UK and the US (a sign of being sick versus a sign of getting better).

That said, it’s not a film that takes a position against the use of such drugs, but it is a film that points out just how powerful they can be, and how varied the outcomes are for different people with treatment often being a process of trial and error, with the errors occasionally being tragic. And it’s a film that demonstrates the inherent conflicts of interest as doctors participate in clinical trials, being paid by drug companies, and patients are lured into trying untested drugs by virtue of the trials providing free medication.

All of which I tend to like in a film – good acting, a central story, and a backdrop of social commentary. But my problem was with the story itself – it twists and turns as any good drama or mystery is prone to do and it seems reliant on its ability to keep you thinking and/or guessing. The problem being that it seemed too predictable throughout – not that it was entirely obvious how the movie would progress from the very start, but it always seemed fairly obvious where the movie was going several scenes in advance. And this isn’t helped by having one of those revealing openings and then jumping backwards in time to see how we got there – there’s a moment in the film that would have been better served without that advance notice, like it pulled its biggest punch. It also feels obliged to go back and visually explain things that have already happened. It’s well produced and well acted, but I like my mysteries more mysterious.

If you want a good drama this week, you’re better off working down the list of Academy Award best picture nominees.

Councilman: 25 millionaires have backed effort to keep Kings in Sacramento

2013-02-06T01:28:59Z

Throngs of Kings supporters flooded the city council chambers Tuesday evening, supporting a downtown arena and to keep the Kings in the city.

Councilman Allen Warren reported there are 25 locals who have pleged $1 million each to keep the team. At one point, a member of Crown Downtown presented the group's white T-shirt to the newest councilmen – Allen Warren and Steve Hansen – and even included a onesie for Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby's expected baby.

Mike Barnbaum, of Think Big Sacramento and Crown Downtown, said entertainment options need to be kept in Sacramento, that are not only accessible to people in cars. He went on to say that Seattle wants this prize in their city, and "my thought to them would come from M.C. Hammer – 'You can't touch this.'"

View our live coverage of the meeting below:

Mayor Kevin Johnson press conference: Sacramento Kings and the state of the city - as it happened

2013-02-05T16:45:10Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson's press conference and update on the King's situation is now over. Listen to the audio and read our live coverage as it happened below.

Glorious sunrise

2013-02-04T19:47:56Z

A beautiful sunrise showed itsself over the Capitol building this morning. As the sun began rising, the clouds were a standout effect over the building.

New films: Oscar Shorts, Warm Bodies, and Bullet to the Head

2013-02-01T21:11:15Z

Oscar Shorts

Even for most dedicated film goers, the shorts categories at the Academy Awards are often some of the most obscure, with short films that have primarily been seen in various Academy sanctioned film festivals (with one or two exceptions, typically among big name animated films that sometimes play in support of a mainstream feature film). However, despite their relative obscurity, the shorts are subject to some of the fairest final voting in the entire competition.

(And I make that distinction between final voting and nominations, because there are always wonderful short films out there that weren’t seen in regular theaters and which might have won in festival competitions, but not necessarily the festivals that the Academy monitors.)

One of the recurring complaints about the awards process is that there’s rarely any indication or any way of ensuring that voters have actually watched the films they’re voting for. Or that they’ve watched the other films in the same category. As I mentioned previously in this column, nominations in most Academy categories are made by Academy members who work within the same category as the award being considered (i.e., editors nominate films for editing awards, directors for directing awards, makeup artists for makeup awards, etc.). But final voting in most categories is open to all members of the Academy.

The exceptions to this are the short film categories, precisely because of the obscurity of the films. The Academy holds special screenings of each set of short films, and only those who view all films in a category can vote within that category. In other words, the final voters have actually watched the films.

This year, the Crest Theatre is continuing its tradition of giving local film lovers the same opportunity to watch all of the short films in special screenings, with the live action and animated narrative shorts both opening today in a regular release schedule, and the documentary shorts playing over two days, two weeks from now (with reviews coming prior to their opening).

Live Action Shorts
This year’s live action narrative shorts are a darker set than in some recent years, with all of them being dramatic in content rather than, for example, comedic. They cover a range of life situations and lessons, from childhood, through old age, to death, with coincidental themes of hope and loss. (There’s no significance to the sequence of the following list and running times are approximate.)

Death of a Shadow (Directed by Tom Van Avermaet and Ellen De Waele, Country of Origin: France and Belgium, Language: Dutch, Running Time: 20 minutes) A tragedy in which a young soldier is sub-contracted by Death to reap souls in the form of shadows cast in the last moment of life, in return for an opportunity to live again. It’s an interesting counterpoint to “Curfew” in looking at the desire to live versus the desire to die.

Henry (Directed by Yan England, Country of Origin: Canada, Language: English, Running Time: 21 minutes) An interesting take on the subject of senility and dementia, taken from the perspective of the person suffering rather than from the perspective of family members, as is more often the case. “Henry” tackles the sense of confusion and fear accompanying a condition like Alzheimer’s.

Curfew (Directed by Shawn Christensen, Country of Origin: USA, Language: English, Running Time: 19 minutes) “Curfew” opens with a young man sitting in a bathtub of his own diluted blood, having cut himself, when the phone rings and he’s invited back into a family world that he had previously been excluded from. See the above note regarding “Death of a Shadow.”

Buzkashi Boys (Directed by Sam French and Ariel Nasr, Country of Origin: Afghanistan, Language: Persian, Running Time: 28 minutes) Set in a vision of everyday life in Afghanistan, which we rarely see, “Buzkashi Boys” features the lives of Rafi, the son of a third-generation blacksmith, and his friend Ahmad, a street beggar and occasional thief. Ahmad has nothing and nobody in his life and dares to dream big, whereas Rafi has just enough to be stable and fears losing that.

Asad (Directed by Bryan Buckley and Mino Jarjoura, Country of Origin: South Africa, Language: Somali, Running Time: 18 minutes) Asad is a young Somali boy who wants to join the local pirate crew, rather than being a fisherman, a profession he has little aptitude for. But he also has a family to feed.

Among this group, “Curfew” felt like the most fully realized story and would be my personal pick, although Academy voters are sometimes drawn to bleaker tales of strife and the conflicts in Somalia and Afghanistan certainly add those themes to “Asad” and “Buzkashi Boys.” “Henry” is well done, with a sense of thriller or mystery for the patient and of great loss for somebody close to him, but it probably focuses on the most well visited topic here, especially within the scope of short films I’ve seen in recent years. “Death of a Shadow” is almost claustrophobic in its limited locations but also has perhaps the best art direction of the five. Conceptually, “ Buzkashi Boys” and “Asad” are attempting to tackle the biggest open-ended questions, with the former looking at ambition and risk in making life choices, while the latter is trying to give us a sense of a place where morality and is so confused and choices are so limited that a young boy can in one moment sense the wrong in lying while also desiring the notoriety and opportunity in piracy (where piracy is more of a business model than a crime).

Animated Shorts
Two of the five animated shorts are essentially “ringers” in this company, with a Fox produced short featuring Maggie Simpson, which played in theaters with “Ice Age: Continental Drift” (and which was better than the feature), and a Disney produced short “Paperman” that played in theaters with “Wreck-it-Ralph.” As with prior animated shorts programs, the running times here are generally brief and the program contains additional films, although these were not available for review. (There’s no significance to the sequence of the following list and running times are approximate.)

Maggie Simpson in ‘The Longest Daycare’ (Directed by David Silverman, Country of Origin: USA, Language: English, Running Time: 5 minutes) Marge Simpson drops Maggie off at the “Ayn Rand School for Tots” (a joke that would have been funnier if it hadn’t been repeated), where she’s assessed as being average and is left to fend for herself, denied the benefits afforded to the “gifted” children.

Adam & Dog (Directed by Minkyu Lee, Country of Origin: USA, Language: No dialog, Running Time: 16 minutes) Set in the Garden of Eden, “Adam & Dog” provides simple insight into the relationship between man and ‘man’s best friend.’

Fresh Guacamole (Directed by PES, Country of Origin: USA, Language: English, Running Time: 2 minutes) The briefest and perhaps the most innovative, “Fresh Guacamole” might have been called “Diced Vegetables” as it mixes claymation, stop action human hands, and clever use of other objects, most notably dice.

Head Over Heels (Directed by Timothy Reckart and Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly, Country of Origin: UK, Language: English, Running Time: 11 minutes) There are multiple metaphors in life about couples growing apart, no longer seeing eye to eye, and regarding relationships requiring effort to maintain and keep alive. “Head over Heels” tackles those themes through an elderly couple whose existences have become about as separate as possible while still remaining in the same house.

Paperman (Directed by John Kahrs, Country of Origin: USA, Language: English, Running Time: 7 minutes) A young man is immediately attracted to a young woman, who he then sees again from his office window. But his attempts to attract her attention are unsuccessful until they are taken out of his hands.

There’s no denying the polish and production values in “The Longest Daycare” and “Paperman,” with “Paperman” being the fresher of the two. But my pick of this group is “Head Over Heels” which takes a look at the way relationships change over time, with a wonderful running visual metaphor and a sense that the world it creates has been a long time in the making. “Fresh Guacamole” is quick and cute, but feels more like an exercise or an animated visual pun, and “Adam & Dog” feels lightweight and overly long in this company.

Bonus Moviebriefs

Warm Bodies
This is probably my favorite genuine 2013 release so far (excluding the late 2012 award season movies that are still trickling out). It’s also one of the freshest feature length takes on the zombie genre for a few years. “Warm Bodies” is not only a zombie love story, but it’s a zombie love story told from the perspective of the zombie. I’ve seen this before in a neat festival-circuit short film called, simply, “Zombie Love” – but that was also a musical, where “Warm Bodies” is a clever, funny consideration of what it means to be trapped in the body of a zombie, yearning for brains but also for so much more. It stars Nicholas Hoult, who’s been acting since he was three and is perhaps best known as the boy in “About a Boy,” the younger man in “A Single Man,” and the big man on campus in the first two seasons of the UK version of “Skins.” He’s excellent here as “R” (which is as much of his former name as he can remember) and is well supported by Rob Corddry as a fellow zombie and John Malkovich as the leader of the uninfected humans.

Bullet to the Head
Coming so soon after Arnold Schwarzenegger’s poor performing “The Last Stand,” it’s hard not to draw comparisons with Sylvester Stallone’s new “Bullet to the Head.” But, aside from being action films from aging action stars and friends, they’re quite different in tone. Where “The Last Stand” acknowledged and had fun with Arnold’s age and somewhat diminished physical condition, “Bullet to the Head” wants us to keep thinking of Sly as an indestructible, fighting machine, virtually regardless of circumstance or opponent. It’s also far more brutal and casual in its depictions of violence, with less apology, albeit that the actual body count is probably lower. In fairness, the attempts at witty one liners in “Bullet to the Head” feel more true to the character and less tacked on, but it doesn’t have the weight to be truly suspenseful and fails to provide the lighter entertainment of “The Last Stand,” which wasn’t a great movie but was more fun than this.

Opinion: Teachers versus The Guns

2013-02-01T07:58:08Z

Pension board meetings are usually dull events. But not on January 9, the day the teacher’s pension system told gun manufacturers to take a hike.

The California State Teachers Retirement System – CalSTRS (“cal-stirs”) as it’s know by policy and financial geeks – took official action concerning guns by publically announcing its intention to dump gun manufacturers from its portfolio. This action came less than a month after the staff realized CalSTRS had invested in the company that made the gun used at Sandy Hook Elementary.

CalSTRS, investments and a three-headed dog

Pension funds invest in thousands of companies. They have to as part of their investment strategy –invest across the board to reduce risk, often in bonds or huge stock indexes of large and well-known companies. But a sliver of funding can also be put towards risky but potentially highly rewarding investments – partial ownership of small groups of companies, with a professional manager as organizer.

CalSTRS has hundreds of millions of dollars of this type of investment through Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity firm named after the three-headed dog guarding the gates of Hades in Greek mythology. One of the holdings by Cerberus is an umbrella organization of gun manufacturers called the Freedom Group. Bushmaster Firearms International-- the maker of the Sandy Hook rifle--is in the Freedom Group, which has investment from Cerberus, with capital from CalSTRS.

In other words, teachers financed the production of guns used to kill teachers and children.

Dumping the Freedom Group, and them all

The CalSTRS investment committee chair, a high school teacher from southern California named Harry Keiley, talked before the official vote on January 9. He painted an image of watching the Sandy Hook story unfold through the media while alone and devastated in his office, and was overcome by a feeling of grief and powerlessness. Then CalSTRS staff called with the news that the retirement system’s funds financed the gun used.

Within days the financial press reported CalSTRS’ was unhappy with the Freedom Group investment, and soon after Cerberus announced its intention to sell the gun group.

The Cerberus funds were by far the largest amount of investment that CalSTRS had with gun manufacturing, but the board chose to investigate dumping all gun manufacturing. The impact: of the publically traded stocks that CalSTRS has – funds that can contain hundreds or thousands of companies – the board wants no gun manufacturers in the mix.

A Pension’s Duty

CalSTRS isn’t the only pension entity that’s putting its money where its mouth is concerning gun manufacturers. The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) is expected to take up the issue in February, according to the New York Times. Employee pensions for Chicago and New York State have taken steps similar to those by CalSTRS. The Times article notes that Rahm Emanuel, Chicago’s mayor, went so far as to pressure two major banks to stop bankrolling major gun manufacturers with lines of credit until military-style weapons and ammunition is banned.

Pensions are stepping up … because they can. The gentle giants of Wall Street, pensions can wield enormous power through size. CalSTRS’ $157.8 billion in assets parallels the entire GDP medium-sized countries, and its cousin on the other side of the Sacramento River, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), is $253.8 billion strong.

“The sheer size and strength of this organization suggests a comprehensive responsibility exists,” said Keiley in an opening statement at the meeting on January 9. “This charge reaches to our influence as an active shareholder to try and change negative environmental, social, or governance practices where it’s responsible to do so.”

The man tasked with heading the research on the gun-manufacturers divestment is Chris Ailman, the pension’s Chief Investment Officer. Ailman said that gun manufacturing violated two of the pension’s “21 Risk Factors” that are used by CalSTRS investment staff. If a company has these risk factors, then the pension should avoid them.

Ailman cited human rights (companies engaged in unlawful practices – at least in California – and loss of life) and human health (guns threaten the health of people) as the two in this case, noting it’s difficult to determine long-term profitability from something that is tied to a detriment to human health.

Only about the money?

Some on the board see this as primarily a financial issue. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer—who proposed the motion taken up by the CalSTRS committee –believes investments in gun manufacturers aren’t financially sound, at least in the long run. Many of their products are illegal in the state of California, and a state pension has no business investing in companies that make products that can’t be sold in the largest state in the U.S.

Lockyer emphasized the “fiduciary duty” of the CalSTRS board – that their main job is insure enough money comes into the system to support teachers in retirement, and that the funds are invested to make more money. For Lockyer, gun manufacturing is a bad investment. Other board members took a slightly different approach, looking at the values expressed through the fund’s investment.

“It’s fair to say that CalSTRS investments can be viewed as a reflection of the system’s values as an institutional investor,” said CalSTRS board member Sharon Hendricks, a community college instructor. She said recognizes that the board has a duty to insure retirement investment makes money, but “this concept doesn’t suggest that the quantity of investment should compete with the quality of investment, or vice versa.”

Turmoil in The Street

Whether individual board members voted because of money or values, the fact remains the same: California teachers are getting out of the gun-making business. CalSTRS’ action gained some attention, mostly through the financial press. But all indications are that the real story behind the dull headlines in the financial press is a complicated one.

Case in point: apparently dumping the Freedom Group won’t be an easy task for Cerberus. Bloomberg News noted in mid-January that selling the company has proven to be problematic. Most investment banks won’t touch it, even though millions could be made on the sale. No one wants to be associated with the gun industry.

If Cerberus doesn’t or can’t sell the Freedom Group, it’s unclear what the CalSTRS board would do. It’s pretty obvious from the meeting video that the board members assume the dumping of the Freedom Group is a done deal; CalSTRS Board Chair Dana Dillion, a grade-school instructor from rural northern California, choked back tears as she asked staff to pass along her gratitude to Cerberus for taking action so quickly. Chances are if Cerberus can’t dump it, CalSTRS and others (including the University of California) will be re-evaluating their relationship with the private equity fund.

Money Guys Talk Guns

The actions by pension funds, with CalSTRS first out of the gate, has the financial world buzzing. Normally dry articles on investment policies are peppered with arguments and anger in the comments section.

“Being responsible to shareholders and beneficiaries doesn't mean doing so no matter what the cost to society,” pens fiduciary Michael Kramer on a Pension & Investments editorial. The words “SHAME ON YOU” in bold letters are in his first line, referring to the article’s criticism of CalSTRS and other pensions’ anti-gun actions.

Some commentators are advocating more action than the pensions can take through divestment. One of the more “out there” proposals is for gun-control rich people to band together to create a benevolent gun manufacturer that shuns the National Rifle Association, or simply close all the companies completely. When John Macintosh, a former Wall Streeter in private equity, proposed exactly this in late December 2012 to CNN, it was most likely to get some attention from anti-gun billionaires like New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But given the difficulties Cerebus has had finding a buyer (at least as portrayed through the financial press), a corporate takeover that grinds the Freedom Group into the ground as a charitable venture could be a possibility.

Teachers did what they could

Corporate euthanasia of the Freedom Group will not come at the hands of the likes of CalSTRS or other pension systems, however. Investment activism by pensions could not withstand the abandonment of their prime directive of “fiduciary duty” – making sure that the cash that workers and teachers sock away will be available in the future, plus a little more. Purposely driving a gun manufacturer into the ground at a financial loss isn’t in the cards for CalSTRS and like entities.

But the actions that started with CalSTRS have had an impact. No one can know if it was the phone call from CalSTRS to Cerebrus that initiated the sale of the Freedom Group, or if it was something else. Maybe the investment group’s leaders were as shaken as the teachers on the CalSTRS board – the father of Cerebrus’ CEO lives in Newtown just minutes away from Sandy Hook Elementary, after all. Emotions and a change in values may have overruled cold calculating. Or maybe the number crunchers concluded the gun business was a bust after the negative publicity.

The leaders and staff at CalSTRS won’t ever know why Cerebus acted to dump the weapons corporation, but it doesn’t matter. The fact remains that the business of making guns is on shaky ground, and the CalSTRS board–with its $157.8 billion invested in the market—did what they could through financial investment decisions.

“So in all of my powerlessness that I felt about this incident, it dawned on me that this committee is not powerless,” said Keiley in his closing statement. “[CalSTRS] can decide whether or not it’s prudent to continue to invest in these manufacturers.”

The teachers spoke. And hope Wall Street continues to listen.

Disclosure: Mary Beth Barber is a local writer and – full disclosure – hopes that Congress passes meaningful gun control laws in the near future.

National Freedom Day ~ Rosa Parks Centennial Celebration ~ California State Capitol

2013-01-31T15:11:56Z

Rosa Parks famous act of defiance — refusing to give up her seat in the “Heart of Dixie” December 1, 1955 led to her quiet arrest and minimal fine that sparked the Montgomery bus boycott.

The golden legacy of Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, in the ongoing war towards equity and equal opportunity, remains the standard of a lifetime of community service and demonstrated faith in action.

The national symbol, "Ole Blue" our Sacramento Regional Transit bus is on display at the California State Capitol in honor of Rosa Parks Centennial Celebration, National Freedom Day, February 1, 2013.

Many choose to believe that Rosa Parks decision was simply a "one time" quiet act of rebellion by an old lady who was tired from working all day as a seamstress during the Christmas holiday rush.

Rosa Parks was a lifelong “rebellious” activist and organiser, not a "tired old lady," who loved the style and studied the transformation of Malcolm X, while teaching a 26 year old new resident of Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rosa Parks was 42 year's young at the time of her arrest. Sista Rosa, a fine butter pecan women of African ancestry, a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcipal Church is reportedly of Choctaw, Irish-Scottish and Yourba ancestry.

In 1943, she became the second woman to join the Montgomery branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and served as an unpaid secretary, she kept records on cases of discrimination and violence against blacks.

Parks received activist training from veteran activist Ella Baker, who stayed in Parks' home during her trips to Montgomery. Most importantantly, Rosa Parks was a member of the Montgomery Women's Political Caucus, the organization whose initiative would later organize the Montgomery bus boycott in motion and help thrust Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into the national stage.

Like most activists, Parks suffered years of frustration, failure and defeat before tasting victory. Parks had refused to comply with the segregation laws on the buses long before 1955.

In November 1955, the Interstate Commerce Commission outlawed segregation in interstate travel. Finally having an "upstanding" case to organise around, Montgomery activists sprang into action, launching the bus boycott.

For more than a year, Montgomery's black population carpooled, taxied and walked themselves to work. Three hundred and eighty-one days and countless physical confrontations, legal fines and court injunctions later, the organized and disiplined collective community action was victorious.

Death threats eventually drove Rosa Parks from Montgomery to join family members in Detroit. A young Michigan Congressman John Conyers first act upon a victory election night in 1965 was to hire Rosa Parks who help work for his campaign.

As long delayed plans to install Rosa Parks within the National Staturary Hall of the United States Capitol continue, the global impact of the legacy of Rosa Louise McCauley Parks will be built over years by people who commit their lives to the struggle for one standard for humanity, throughout the world.

Disclosure: Rosa Parks Day in California, Coordinator

Opinion: Cordova Hills & Suburban Living

2013-01-30T21:01:27Z

Last night, the County Board of Supervisors approved the Cordova Hills project to create a new suburb in the eastern end of the County.

I watched some of the session on the project on television and was struck by a couple significant misrepresentations being oft quoted by the opposition which were fortunately corrected during the session.

One was that approving the project would threaten federal transportation funds, which was corrected by a former federal transportation official who found nothing in the project warranting such a claim.

Another was that the project should not be approved because it was so far away from everything else, which was corrected by the board chair reminding people that it was only far away if you live in the city of Sacramento, but for those people who live in Rancho Cordova and Folsom, it’s right next door.

Our organization doesn’t have any particular feeling about the Cordova Hills project as it is not adjacent to or even close to the American River Parkway, but we are concerned about suburban development in general.

The Parkway is surrounded by suburbs and the Sacramento region is largely a suburban region so the health of the suburbs is important to all of us and the approval of good suburban projects—which Cordova Hills appears to be—is good for the region.

The suburban home, lifestyle, and residents have been the recipients of criticism ever since people began moving from the congested, polluted, and dangerous cities out to the nice house in the country, and the call for the end of suburban living as if it is just-around-the-corner, is as much a fantasy as the validity of much of the criticism.

The typical urban planner in Sacramento probably looks out over the sea of suburban housing surrounding the American River Parkway and sees a lot of wasted space, but the people fortunate enough to live here—your author included—see sacred space; space devoted exclusively to their families and their private lives, space where their children are relatively safe and can grow to maturity within the most defining aspect of the American Dream, the California suburban lifestyle, the Sacramento Dream.

To the urban advocate, being a suburbanite is virtually always suspect, and it’s reflected in our language. The Oxford Dictionary has as one of its definitions of suburban: “2. Having characteristics regarded as typical of residents or life in the suburbs of a city; esp. provincial, narrow-minded, uncultured, naïve.”

However, being urbane, from urban, fares much better. “2. Having the qualities or characteristics associated with town or city life; esp. elegant and refined in manners, courteous, suave, sophisticated.”

Prejudice against suburban living as somehow living an inauthentic life is widespread and repeated regularly.

It was a stance I also held—though I was raised in the suburbs—when I was young and single, living in downtown or midtown Sacramento, when I was sometimes able to even forgo owning a car and during that period of my life, I truly enjoyed urban living.

However, once I was married and we had a child, the importance of more space, a back yard, and easy access to entertainment and shopping with free parking, and the relatively low crime rate in the suburbs, led to us living and remaining there.

While the car, among many members of the urban planning community, is largely tainted by the negative narrative of suburban living—and correctly the cause of some air pollution—much of the value of being in our own car as we tool around the community to work, play, and shop, is the way in which it provides an extension of our personal space and comfort, as a buffer against the often chaotic and hard-edged nature of the public space we all have to traverse daily.

It is also the only way you can really shop at Costco.

There is value in all types of living arrangements and the many arguments about why one is better than the other are generally more based on sincerely held ideological zeal rather than logical thought.

The two major environmental reasons given for the evil of the suburbs, air and water pollution—though urban environments have also long contributed to each—have largely been addressed by better technology.

Living in the suburbs is at the heart of the American Dream and virtually every day, I am reminded in some way of the great joy that is part of our family life largely resulting from our life in the suburbs, whether it is the busy chirping of the flocks of birds eating from our bird feeders or bathing in our bird baths, or the squirrels eating up the sunflower seeds sprinkled on the patio each morning, or the occasional hawk finding our back yard to keep the dove and squirrel population in check; or the warmth of the winter and early spring sun when sitting in the back yard, and the refreshing cool of the pool under the blazing Sacramento summer sun; and the peace and quiet largely surrounding us broken occasionally by a barking dog or the playing of the neighbors children or the murmur of a barbeque party; being able to jump in the car and within a couple minutes to be shopping in the grocery store or ordering in a restaurant for a spontaneous meal; or take the short walk to the river; it is all wonderful, all part and parcel of suburban life in the suburban communities surrounding the American River Parkway and the river flowing through it.

But, as much as I now love living in the suburbs, I will never forget how much I once loved living in the city, and for that reason, Sacramentans can be thankful we are blessed with an abundance of many ways of living our lives.

Disclosure: The author is the founder of the American River Parkway Preservation Society.

No decision on stricter medical marijuana zoning changes

2013-01-30T08:46:21Z

After hearing the arguments of 18 impassioned medical marijuana advocates and a few foes, a decision on whether to toughen the zoning restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries was pushed back Tuesday night by the City Council.

The council was poised to pass an ordinance amendment which would have increased the distance dispensaries are required to be from schools from 600 to 1,000 feet, but the item was pushed back three weeks after some council members spoke against the proposal and directed staff to do further research.

"My concern is we've created an outright ban," said District 3 Councilman Steve Cohn. "What we're talking about here is medical marijuana, not recreational marijuana."

Bishop Ron Allen of the International Faith-Based Coalition said medical marijuana is too easy to obtain and that the zoning law should be more strict. “You can purchase this so-called medical marijuana card with a bad hair day, or hangnail,” he said. “We certainly agree with 1,000 feet – isn’t that amazing – even though it isn’t good enough, it isn’t far enough.”

District 2 Councilman Allen Warren said while he's in general agreement with the 1,000 foot requirement, certain districts would be disproportionately impacted. He wanted council to reconsider the item in a week, not three.

"I think I forgot this was government," he said.

District 5 Councilman Jay Schenirer asked that the words "operating school" be added to the amendment's language, in light of the Sacramento City Unified School District's plans to shutter 11 schools.

District 6 Councilman Kevin McCarty said that many patients have limited means of transportation, and that if dispensaries are pushed out of the central city and into industrial areas, their access to medicine will be diminished.

He also argued that if an industrial area contains even one residence, that area would be considered "residential" and a dispensary couldn't set up shop. "I don't know if everything fits into this perfect circle," McCarty said. "There's no perfect solution here today."

This issue came up in April 2012 by District 7 Councilman Darrell Fong. On Tuesday, he again took a staunch stance on the issue, saying that federal law is clear, and that the city isn't looking to make money off dispensaries. He said that the federal government is targeting dispensaries located within 1,000 feet of schools and parks, and that the council recently adopted an ordinance requiring tobacco stores within the same distance of a school to obtain a special zoning permit.

There are 34 dispensaries operating in the city, according to City Principal Planner Joy Patterson. Many shops that are within the 1,000 feet have applied for a special permit that would exempt them from the requirement, or essentially grandfather them into the space.

District 8 Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell, who supports the amendment, said that anybody in California can get a medical marijuana card, and added that if the dispensaries already in place don't move, then they're safe.

Marbell Wilso, also of the International Faith-Based Coalition, said he was baffled by what he heard from speakers. “My conclusion is that 1,000 feet, yes, 2,000 feet, better, 3,000, maybe even better,” he said. “As a matter of fact, why don't we build a school on every corner so that there wouldn't be a likelihood that they're built at all?”

Patient rights advocates, speaking before the council's discussion, voiced their concerns for access to medicine and urged the council to stick with the state law of 600 feet.

Lanette Davies, who owns the Canna Care dispensary in Sacramento, reiterated the state law of 600 feet has been adopted by the council, and that it should put the amendment to the ordinance on hold. She then held up a small brown bag and said "this is what walks out of a dispensary."

Kevai Floyd, a cannabis caregiver in El Dorado County, said she's already seeing an influx of patients there, and that if dispensaries shut down, the criminal element will only go up.

Patients rights advocate Ron Mullins said it's folly to believe that the federal government will give Sacramento its blessing just if it simply changes its zoning code. "Whatever you guys do it doesn't matter," he said, adding that the feds are still going to go after medical marijuana.

"Patients are already starting to go into the black market, please do not vote this in," said Richard Miller.

District 4 Councilman Steve Hansen was absent from Tuesday's meeting, as was Mayor Kevin Johnson for the second week in a row.

Book Talk: read local, read small, read more

2013-01-30T07:42:59Z

Did you remember to make your 2013 resolution to read more? It’s not too late, even as January comes to a close. If you did make your list, I have to ask if you added books that aren’t just on the bestseller lists or shelves. And, I really must ask if you included some Sacramento area authors on your list. Like I said, there’s still time.

Did I hear you say that you need some help adding books that aren’t on those top ten or twenty or one hundred lists? You’re in the right place, then. There is certainly nothing wrong with those lists, but there are some mighty fine books in the world that you probably won’t find on those lists or in the big stores. You might find them online, but how will you know what to look for? You also might find them in the many local, independent, area bookstores.

Let’s begin with local authors and how to find them. Check with your local, independent bookstore for local author readings and signings. Beers Books, Time-Tested Books, The Avid Reader (Sacramento and Davis), Logos, Underground Books and The Book Collector have books by local authors. Just ask one of the booksellers. And don’t forget the library. The Sacramento Public Library is home to thousands of books, including books from local authors.

Did you know that your local bookseller and library can assist in obtaining a copy of a book that might not be in their shop? Ask at the front desk. The Sacramento Public Library is a member of the LINK Plus program, and you can obtain many small press books from other member libraries.

Don’t forget to check the websites of these shops, and other locations like The Sacramento Poetry Center, Luna’s Café, Shine Café, Sol Collective, and “Poetry in Davis” for poet and author readings.

The Sacramento Poetry Center is not home only to poetry. For the past several years, Stories on Stage (a fiction reading event featuring the work of area writers and performed by area actors) has presented work on the last Friday of each month.

Live readings and signings provide an opportunity to meet the writers, ask questions and discover new books. These events may also be found on the campus of any number of local colleges and universities. American River College hosted a colloquium last year and presented several readings and the opportunity to study with several writers and poets.

The Sacramento area is home to many writers in all areas of interest. There are poets, historians, and fiction and creative nonfiction writers, not to mention many small presses and literary journals. Each of the colleges and universities has its own literary journal, and these publications are wonderful places to find local (and sometimes not-so-local) writers.

As for finding books that aren’t on those lists, check with your local bookseller and ask about small press publications like Akashic, Heyday, City Lights, Press 53, Zone 3 or Marsh Hawk Press (this is definitely not a complete list) or check with Small Press Distribution. And don’t forget the wonderful university presses.

Need more help? Check this column regularly, ask friends and teachers and discover wonderful new writers and books outside of your usual area of interest.

Look for reviews soon of "So Far From Home: Russians in Early California," edited by Glenn J. Farris (Heyday, 2012), "Boston Noir 2," edited by Dennis lehane, Mary Cotton and Jaime Clarke (Akashic, 2012) and "The Meaning of Freedom and Other Difficult Dialogues," by Angela Y. Davis (City Lights, 2012). .

Additionally, check the local shops for new poetry collections by Frank Dixon Graham (Sacramento) and Allegra Silberstein (Davis) and ask about fiction by Christian Kiefer (American River College) and Valerie Fioravanti (Stories on Stage).

What local authors or small press titles have you read lately?

Sac City Council – Mid-year budget, pot shop ordinance and auditor's report on city credit card use

2013-01-28T23:00:11Z

The city council is expected to tackle a slew of hot items Tuesday night, including a marijuana dispensary ordinance, the mid-year budget adjustments and a report on city employees' credit card purchases.

The mid-year budget report – which makes recommendations on which city departments' budgets should be cut or bolstered – does not include any more money for the police department, much to the ire of some Midtowners.

Midtown resident George Raya said money from Measure U should be used now to help the police department, given the crime in the neighborhood.

“We passed Measure U to restore cuts made to law enforcement, to fire, parks and rec,” he said. “So why are we going to wait until the money comes through the pipeline next fiscal year? Why isn't there money going toward it now?”

Raya said the police department hasn’t updated its monthly crime rate statistics online since September 2012, which doesn’t provide a picture of the crime rates. “If you don't publicize it, it's a lot easier to block any increase for the police budget,” he said.

District 4 Councilman Steve Hansen had another viewpoint, however. “My understanding after reviewing it, and trying to analyze it, is these are routine mid-year budget adjustments,” he said. “So they're trying to clean up the budget.”

And the police department – which has been identified as a top priority for Measure U funding – will be get more funding to help it rebuild starting the next fiscal year (July 2013), he said.

“Those discussions will run separate from the mid-year budget discussions,” said Hansen, who will not be at Tuesday’s meeting. “Those conversations are already in progress about the budget and how to manage it – it's going to be a very involved process.”

The $4.2 million would provide money for the city clerk, fire department, information technology, public works and citywide and community support.

Other items on the council's agenda include a public hearing on changing the city’s marijuana dispensary ordinance.

In essence, Councilman Darrell Fong hopes to change the location criteria for medical marijuana dispensaries – from the current requirement 600 feet distance from parks and schools, to a 1,000 feet distance.

According to a city staff report, the four California-based U.S. attorneys have taken increased enforcement action against dispensaries located within 1,000 feet of schools. The Sacramento City Planning and Design Commission in October 2012 approved the recommendation, as did the Law and Legislation Committee, on Jan. 15.

But the proposal has its opponents, including Sioux Colombe, who recently told the council that the city can't author a law that goes against Proposition 215 – otherwise known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

Another item that's sure to make the council's ears perk is an audit on citywide credit card use. "Our audit objective was to assess the controls and processes associated with the city's purchase card program to determine if the control system is adequate and if city purchase cards were being used appropriately," the report states.

City Auditor Jorge Oseguera found several issues regarding the of the city's "purchase-card" use, which is essentially the same as a company credit card.

Highlights from the report include:
• "While transactions reviewed did not reveal extensive personal purchases, some charges violated policy and lacked complete support."
• "The purchase card program lacked complete policy guidance and oversight."
• "The city's credit limit exceeds $2 million per month and the city could reduce risk by limiting the number of cardholders and establishing more comprehensive controls. While the amount actually charged per month in fiscal year 2011/12 was on average about $117,000, allowing that much outstanding credit represents a risk."
• "Employees charged $1.4 million on purchase cards in fiscal year 2011/2012."
• "Cardholders charged the most to grocery stores and hotels."
• "As employees become aware of control weaknesses, such as allowable expenses being approved or unauthorized signers being accepted, employees predisposed to misusing the card may be more likely to attempt to process fraudulent, improper or abusive purchases."
• There are two instances of ammunition being purchased – one that totaled $783, while the other totaled $284 – by employees in two different departments. This type of purchase is not allowed.
• "Rules are derived from various sources and have not been clearly communicated."
• "The number of cardholders who received training is unknown, but appears limited."
• "About half of purchase cards received minimal use and it is unclear if keeping these cards is justified."
• "Restricting the types of purchases could limit unallowable use."

Del Paso Heights meeting with Allen Warren, Re: Marysville and Grand issues Jan. 30th

2013-01-26T23:16:08Z

Meet with our new District 2 Councilman

Allen Wayne Warren

To discuss, plan and implement the
Marysville and Grand Improvement Project

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 6:00pm
Kinney Police Facility – Community Room
3550 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento CA

We will address how to make the gateway to our neighborhood safer for ourselves, our children and our businesses. The longstanding prevalence of loitering/public intoxication, drug dealing, violence etc. at Marysville and Grand has gone on for years. Many residents refuse to shop, or even walk through, the area. The bus stops are hangouts for transients, who really don’t need to be out there drinking and doing drugs. There are numerous homeless encampments in the area as well, with some very dangerous people living in them. Let’s work to help the homeless, rather than permit their self-destruction, especially in the areas we live, work and shop. It’s time to take back our neighborhood and make it one we can be proud of. We need your voices and your ideas. Working together, it will happen.

Raise The Heights ! ~

New films: Sister, Parker, and Hansel & Gretel

2013-01-25T19:27:08Z

More January-esque Film Openings

The January pattern of film openings I was discussing last week continues this week with an award season drama, a straightforward action film that feels at home at this time of year, and a flashier popcorn actioner that feels like a refugee from the summer. There’s also the opening of “Movie 43” which wasn’t made available for press review – and you can draw your own conclusions on that.

“Sister” and “Parker”

Interestingly, while very different, two of the new films share a Robin Hood-like sentiment towards stealing.

In “Sister,” Switzerland’s official entry in the foreign language category for the Academy Awards, a young boy lives in the town at the base of a mountain that’s home to a high-priced ski resort. He’s often left alone and there’s not much other help in terms of income, and so he puts food on the table by stealing and selling ski equipment from the tourists. Each day he dresses up as though he’s a skier himself and rides the crowded gondola to the top of the mountain, where he grabs assorted flashy items and then rides back down in an empty gondola with his haul. There’s a definite sentiment expressed that it’s OK, or at least relatively OK, to steal from rich people who won’t notice the loss – and it’s not just young Simon who seems to feel this way, given that the things he steals are sometimes based on “pre-orders” from the neighborhood kids.

He’s an enterprising kid and, despite what one might think regarding the morality of his chosen profession, he also exhibits a serious work ethic and survival instinct for one so young, having also learned by observation how to service and repair damaged skis prior to re-sale.

In “Parker,” the latest film in which Jason Statham plays a Jason Statham character, we’re given a crook whose immorality is somehow supposed to be moral because he follows his own set of rules – and he has little time or patience for those who don’t. First up is that he never steals from somebody who can’t afford it, followed by never hurting somebody who doesn’t deserve it (that judgment obviously being subjective). He will do everything he says he will do and expects the same from those around him. The end result being, for example, that we’re supposed to be on his side at all times because he’s the kind of guy who will shoot somebody in the leg when they go for their gun and justify it based on having said something along the lines of “I’ll shoot you in the leg if you go for your gun.”

Of course, neither are quite like Robin Hood as, for the most part, there’s no great redistribution of wealth going on here – both are in it for their own gain, albeit that Simon probably has fewer alternative options than Parker. But just as Simon is surrounded by others who seem comfortable with what he’s doing, Parker also seems to find others who are equally comfortable with his actions, and not just those who are invested in the criminal code.

There’s not a great deal to be learned from “Parker” other than little nuggets like a handgun clip also being useful as a neck-stabbing device without the blood affecting operations when put back into service in the gun. And there’s much to be annoyed by – like a story that would only really make sense if Palm Beach, Florida had only one real estate agency with perfect, intimate knowledge of every transaction that occurs. But it does deliver on its premise of Jason Statham doing Jason Stathamy things in Jason Stathamy ways, albeit it light on Jason Stathamy fast driving.

In comparison, “Sister” actually contains a considerable amount of social commentary and could, for example, make a solid starting point for a discussion in a tourism class. There’s a clear have/have not divide in Simon’s town between the “townies” and the tourists or, as the tourism literature sometime describes, the hosts and guests. The children’s choices and desire for the best and most expensive ski equipment is a manifestation of a “demonstration effect” associated with the constant exposure to the wealth and possessions of the rich folks who pass by them on a daily basis.

The film also exhibits a similar socio-economic divide between the tourists and seasonal workers who staff the resort, toiling behind the scenes in sweaty kitchens and living in cramped dormitories. On the last day of the season, while the rich empty their chalets to return to designer lofts and mansions and plans for their next exotic excursions, the multi-national workforce pack their meager belongings and move on to wherever the next few months of work can be found. Both are migratory and many will end up in the same locations, but only one group is moving by choice.

There’s more than this to “Sister,” with much of the film focused on Simon’s home life as the title of the film might suggest, but that’s a tough area to delve into while reviewing the film without undermining the story. But it’s worth remembering the old adage about not choosing family members.

There’s not much to say in evaluating “Parker” other than to say that it’s exactly what it sounds like – a story about in-fighting and revenge among crooks, with the protagonist being the least antagonistic of the bunch. “Sister” is a neat, smaller film about family dynamics and youthful opportunism that could easily form the basis of dinner conversation or classroom discussions (see note at the bottom of the column).

“Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters”

The third film is the one that feels like a failed attempt at something flashier and more successful. “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters” is to witches what a Van Helsing or Buffy tale is to vampires. The basic idea is that the two young children of candy-house story fame escape their captor by killing her and grow up to become celebrated, witch-killing mercenaries. And it’s a spellbinding mess.

There are so many problems that it’s hard to know where to start but, perhaps, one of the most structural issues is that there’s a whole backstory as to why the two of them seem invulnerable when it comes to witchcraft and they’ve somehow managed to reach adulthood, through dozens of prior hunts, without this ever becoming a major topic of conversation or inquiry. This despite being zapped and pulverized on a routine basis, without being slowed by little inconveniences, like death.

The whole enterprise is very tongue in cheek, with steampunk weaponry and gadgets, and fighting scenes that are excuses for a plethora of exploding heads and flying limbs. All of which ought to keep that question of invulnerability at the forefront because they never seem to have an especially clear advantage and yet their own heads and limbs are remarkably intact.

The opening credits show a long sequence of encounters and killings perpetrated by Hansel and Gretel as children and then teenagers, and there’s a character in the film who’s essentially the internal geeky fanboy, who has kept a scrapbook of their prior successes which is clearly quite thick and exhaustive. This is problematic because it’s easy to imagine that those earlier stories might actually have been more appealing to watch. For every example of running and slugging it out between adult witches and adult witch hunters, one can’t help but feel that the level of inventiveness would have had to have been greater when they had a much greater size disadvantage and less strength. And all that elaborate weaponry had to have been developed over time, which would make for a more interesting story than one in which they all appear, as if by magic (!), from some propmaster’s workshop.

The violence is cartoonlike and, at times, laugh out loud funny – but the laughter here is more at the movie than with it. Although there is one enjoyable scene in which a recurring troll character steals the movie in much the same way that Hulk steals “Avengers” when tossing Loki around like a ragdoll. But the rest of the film is the kind of mess that will haunt the leads in future career retrospective montages and potentially serve as a useful low point in discussing other movies this year. January strikes again.

Note: The 7:30pm screening of “Sister” at the Crest Theatre on opening night (Friday, January 25) will be hosted by the Sacramento French Film Festival and there will be a Q&A after the film, led by Professor Kevin Elstob of the SFFF and the Foreign Languages Dept. at Sacramento State.

Editor’s note: Join The Sacramento Press on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at Chops Steakhouse to honor Journalism Open winners. Get tickets!

Rosa Parks Centennial Celebration ~ A Lifetime of Service

2013-01-24T17:29:20Z

Sacramento, California ~ National Freedom Day is a United States observance of the February 1, 1865 signing by President Abraham Lincoln a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constution.

Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr., born an enslaved American, believed that there should be a day when freedom for all Americans should be celebrated. He invited local and national leaders to meet to organize a movement for a national holiday to commemorate Lincoln's signing of the 13th Amendment.

The National Freedom Association proposed a memorial date to call attention to the continuing struggle for freedom for African-Americans. President Truman signed a proclamation in 1942 to recognize the first National Freedom Day celebration surrounding the "Liberty Bell" in Philadelphia, PA.

California Rosa Parks Centennial Celebration uses the historic 'Ole Blue Bus” as a powerful symbol of the quiet, stregnth and courage of Rosa Parks for education and advocacy of the broader Montgomery Bus Boycott and resulting change is scheduled to be on display Friday, February 1, 2013, 10:30 am – 12: 30 pm, California State Capitol.

Rosa Parks Day in California began February 4, 2000, our annual celebration of the “Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement.” Our continuing theme “Red Roses, Wine, Fine Art, Chocolate and Pan African Cuisine” showcasing our California Black Agriculture Working Group honors the lifetime of service by Rosa Louise McCauley Parks to our nation.

150 years ago, Freedom Statue was placed atop the U.S. Capitol, visable for all to see, yet few know the story to teach a new generation the foundation of an ongoing journey towards freedom. A completed bronze statue of Rosa Parks, yet to be scheduled for installation in the U.S. Statuary Hall, remains a political work in progress as we celebrate her 100th birthday, Noon, Emancipation Hall, US Capitol, Washington D.C.

Special for our 2013 National Freedom Day ~ Rosa Parks Centennial Celebration, artist Donald Harvie captures the vibrant beauty of a young Rosa Parks whose quiet, dignity and courage sparked the Montgomery Boycott in the “Heart of Dixie.”

Montgomery, Alabama, original capital of the Confederate States of America, remains the site of Rosa Parks’ spark ignited a yearlong, organized and mobilized community action that helped changed global intermodal transportation systems through ending racial segregation in law.

National Freedom Day, the first day of Black History Month, brings attention to the broader contributions to the forward flow of humanity by People of African Descent.

Together, we celebrate the past, present and future of intermodal transportation systems essential to understand the broader U.S. ~ Pan African Trade and Commerce objective, as well as essential research and investment of clean and green transportation systems to enhance our daily lives.

The California Black Agriculture Working Group is proud to continue building upon our extended agricultural heritage through the living legacy of Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, connecting Classical African Civilizations, through the Black Warrior River Basin of Alabama to the Central Valley of California, “the Greatest Garden in the World.”

Disclosure: Rosa Parks Day in California, Coordinator

Sacramento City Council adopts whistle blower hotline

2013-01-23T14:44:34Z

The next corrupt politician or city employee hoping to go on a credit card spending spree or take kickbacks may be in for a surprise: Sacramento is set to have a toll-free, anonymous whistleblower hotline within the next two months.

The line would be staffed by a live person, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, and would cost about $200,000 to fund. The purpose of the hotline, according to the staff report, would be to serve as a deterrent and as an avenue for city employees and the public to report potential waste and abuse without retaliation.

City Auditor Jorge Oseguera presented a report on the whistleblower hotline program at Tuesday's city council meeting, which essentially served as an update since the program's establishment in March 2012.

Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby, who has called the hotline, "woefully inadequate", said she's concerned that the city is funding a department – and essentially creating one – at a time when others are being cut. She said that if the staff isn't there to investigate the claims, the hotline would not serve its purpose, and that the city should only move forward with it if staff can respond to complaints appropriately.

Eye on Sacramento President Craig Powell spoke in support of the hotline, saying it's "the no brainer of no brainers" to fully fund it.

You can read the auditor's full report below. A few highlights:

• A typical organization is estimated to lose 5 percent of its annual revenues to fraud, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ (ACFE) 2012 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse. If the City of Sacramento’s loss due to fraud were in line with ACFE estimates for a typical organization, the loss to the general and enterprise funds would equal about $30.3 million per year.

• The city had closed 10 of the 19 complaints received by October 2012, including abuse of position or authority, time of use, and wasteful practices.

• Due to the limited staff in the city auditor's office, not all complaints can be investigated, so they are ranked by priority (high, medium and low).

• Along with the anonymous hotline, the city would have a case management system in place to track the complaints.

The auditor's report

Sacramento County also has a fraud hotline at 916-874-7822.

Editor's note: Would this be an appropriate time to mention that the press is also willing to take tips of this nature? Not to be self serving... but you can reach us at hub[at]sacramentopress.com. We’re not quite 24 hours, but we do our best. Speaking of which, we’re asking the city for more information on the 10 complaints of fraud that were closed, and will update with their response.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Don't forget: Martin Luther King, Jr. was a fighter

2013-01-23T01:38:40Z

While this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration was a wonderful event, I am making a video commentary on MLK and some of the possible shortcomings in our approach to advancing social justice.

20,000 march for the dream | Photos

2013-01-22T17:47:26Z

From PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA:

"Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream, a dream we can still see vividly when we revisit the most famous of his many timeless speeches. His vision of a world free of hatred and injustice has changed the face of American society and continues to inspire people around the world. What gave Dr. King’s dream such force was his steadfast commitment to confront his enemies without violence and to love those who hated him, knowing that hatred only begets hatred, and violence always fans the flames of injustice.

On this 84th anniversary of his birth, let us reflect on his words and vision, and consider what each of us can do today to help keep his dream alive."

Over 20,000 took to the streets Monday in Sacramento to honor Martin Luther King Day. Some came from the north, some from the south – ending up at the Capitol buildiing and then onto Sacramento Convention Center where the 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner was held.

Here are moments from the march:

Marchers coming from Oak Park down Sutterville –

Marchers head south from Grant High School on 12th Ave heading to the Capitol grounds:

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

State of Downtown: ‘Dreamers are welcome’

2013-01-21T06:22:28Z

The 15th State of Downtown Breakfast took place last Tuesday morning at the Sacramento Convention Center, with Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom as keynote speaker.

Michael Ault, executive director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, opened the event and ran through a plethora of topics and issues. Public safety, K Street, the sale of Downtown Plaza and parks are just a few of the many that were highlighted.

“Personal connection makes a difference,” Ault said, regarding the 26 new businesses that opened up in the district last year. Ault cited the executive committee’s efforts to get to know brokers, owners and storefronts as the difference. He was optimistic about the strides that have been made, but also called out to civic leaders, property owners, entrepreneurs and downtown brokers.

“We need our civic leaders to instill a culture of can-do attitude and create a start-up-friendly focus at all levels of city and county government. Together we can foster an environment that helps cultivate local talent.”

“We need to be creative,” said Ault in reference to developing the area and dealing with competition.

The annual VIBE award is given for just this, and this year it was given to Sid Garcia-Heberger for her work with the Crest Theatre.

Nominees for this year's award included Troy Carlson (Theatre of Lights), Carina Lampkin (Blackbird Kitchen & Bar), La Shelle Dozier (Studios at Hotel Berry) and Mike Hargis and Clay Nutting (Launch Festival). Nominee videos can be viewed by clicking on the name of each nominee.

Ault also said a few words about outgoing Police Chief Rick Braziel and all that he has done for the downtown area.

Mayor Kevin Johnson began by thanking the elected officials in the room before going on to discuss the year’s accomplishments and the process he referred to as “shifting from recession to recovery.”

Johnson’s next item of discussion was a “state-of-the-art entertainment and sports complex.” He introduced keynote speaker Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, but beforehand spent just under ten minutes introducing and detailing his “Playing to Win Strategy” regarding the Kings, a downtown stadium and the March 1 NBA filing deadline – all following the model San Francisco used with the Giants.

Newsom applauded Johnson for his persistence in “a world that is so in need of leadership,” and echoed Ault’s call for creativity.

“What world are we living in?” Newsom asked, using words like unique, individual and distinctive, but also Facebook, Twitter, apps and the Cloud.

Newsom strongly stressed the importance of learning from your competitors, whatever your business.

“We’ve got to get back to the future business,” Newsom said.

“If you don’t like the way the world is when you’re standing up, stand on your head; go local. Remarkable things are happening in local governments.”

Just minutes after using Wal-Mart to demonstrate how to case your competitors, Newsom went on to underscore the importance of the little things.

“Sweat the small stuff,” Newsom advised, in closing.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

New films: Broken City and The Last Stand

2013-01-18T17:02:40Z

New film releases – the good-bad and the ugly

January can be an odd time at the movies, with some of the most varied releases showing up. On the one hand you have the serious award contenders slowly rolling out across the country, having had Christmas releases in Los Angeles and New York City in order to qualify for various competition deadlines. While on the other hand you tend to see the flotsam and jetsam of projects with low expectations and those that haven’t lived up to studio hopes for release at busier times of the year. Looking at two of this week’s new releases shows us more about the latter categories than the former.

Broken City
Directed by Allen Hughes

On paper, a film about corruption in a New York mayoral race, with a cast that includes Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright, and Barry Pepper probably had a lot of people pretty excited. Somehow it managed to incorporate a list of producers that’s longer than some cast lists, with 21 people cited and 10 listed as Executive Producers (typically the folks writing the checks). It has a script that’s full of corruption, scandal, real estate deals, conflicts of interest, and good old fashioned private investigation work. It also has up to the moment touches like a Mayor’s wife (Zeta-Jones) attending a celebration of legal gay marriage in the state.

However, on screen, the entire enterprise is a mess. Oddly, it feels like a poorly adapted novel but appears to have been written for the screen by first time writer Brian Tucker. That feeling comes from there being a little too much going on, with too many significant characters and too many sub-plots. It’s not that it’s difficult to follow, it just trips over itself with inconsistencies in elements of the story that don’t even need to be there.

For example, there’s a point in the movie when Wahlberg’s ex-cop turned private eye Billy Taggert breaks up with his girlfriend. It’s a public yelling match full of recriminations and lines like (paraphrased) “We’ve been broken for a long time!” Which is problematic given that, up until that point, we’ve only seen them being supportive of each other and mutually understanding. She’s an actress and he doesn’t approve of her new film, or what he suspects regarding her relationship with her co-star. But neither the girlfriend, the indie film she’s made, nor the others involved in the film have any relevance to the main plot of “Broken City” – you could put a line through all of this and not affect the story at all. It may have been that at one point there was a connection in the script but in the final version she seems to be there just to give Taggert a home life, with no upside and multiple downsides.

The main plot involves Taggert being hired by the Mayor (Crowe) to investigate his wife’s alleged infidelity. But this blossoms into a convoluted set of circumstances involving the other candidate in the upcoming election (which is just days away), his campaign manager, the police commissioner, and a real estate developer and his son. Everybody has dirt on everybody else, in some way, and yet very little of that dirt seems to be acted upon.

This is a story in which multiple people make reference to a single incriminating document, in a manner that implies that they must know what it contains, and yet they tell Taggert to find it without giving him much of a clue as to what it might be. Meanwhile, the document contains the kind of revelation that’s specific enough that one could simply whisper it to a member of the press and it would likely get uncovered from public records without the original document ever needing to be found.

Individual performances aren’t bad, especially if one looks at stand-alone scenes and ignores certain inconsistencies between them. (It’s also one of those films where somebody who is staggeringly drunk can sober up in an instant following one important phone call or one cold water dunking.) Wahlberg carries his part relatively well but most of the rest of the cast isn’t really given much to do and it makes one wonder what some of the other major talent saw in the project to begin with, except to reinforce the idea that it all looked far better on paper.

The Last Stand
Directed by Jee-woon Kim

By comparison, on paper “The Last Stand” couldn’t be much simpler. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his first starring role since playing the lead in California politics, is Ray Owens, sheriff of a small town on the Arizona/Mexico border. He’s on his day off (for no other reason than that it makes for a few good one-liners) when an escaped drug cartel boss makes a Taco Bellesque run for the border. It’s an almost impossible to spoil plot as that’s essentially it, and even that probably overstates the underlying concept and appeal of the movie, which is essentially just Schwarzennegger-star/action-comeback.

There’s more going on of course, but it’s just action context and stereotypical casting: There’s the earnest FBI agent (Forest Whitaker) who lost the prisoner (in a prison transfer described as under the radar, but which involved a large convoy of vehicles), a band of hired guns aiding the cartel leader’s escape (led by Peter Stormare in scenery chewing mode), and comic relief in the form of Luiz Guzmán as one of Owens’ deputies and Johnny Knoxville in the village idiot/court jester role as the local crazy gun collector.

But this is all about Schwarzenegger as action star and whether or not he can still pull that off. The pleasant surprise is that he can – albeit at a somewhat toned down level and pace. Schwarzenegger has a better sense of what he can and can’t deliver as an actor than as a politician.

He’s 65 and this is a good role for him – Owens isn’t an action hero wannabe sheriff, he’s a big city career cop in virtual semi-retirement in a one stoplight town where a bad day likely involves underage drinking and cow tipping. And he’s still a bulky guy – so the kinds of stunts he does (and he did many of his own) are less to do with speed and more to do with mass: He busts through doors and delivers a heavy punch, and if he outruns anybody, it’s in a car and not on foot.

Owens isn’t the killing machine we’ve seen from Arnold before, here he’s the veteran who’s seen a lot of bad things go down in worse places, who simply doesn’t have in him the quitting gene. As such he’s one of cinema’s most appealing archetypes – the reluctant hero with a past that imbues him with the necessary skillset to take on whatever’s thrown at him. It’s the same basic formula that has worked so well recently for (60 year old) Liam Neeson, and a downsized set of expectations that (66 year old) Sylvester Stallone could gain from.

There are no surprises here – except perhaps how solid some of the action scenes are, aside from the fighting and shooting. This is Jee-woon Kim’s first English language film and, through a pair of translators and a lot of body language, he’s crafted a decent action film filled with authentic stunts and real cars being driven by real people. It’s still a film in which a fast car and a driver in a hurry always seems to have enough spare power that a quick gear shift will press them into their seat yet again – but at least we’re not being subjected to constant CGI and wires.

Which isn’t to say that this is a great film – far from it. But it works and it does so by managing one’s expectations and delivering exactly on its promise. If the basic idea of Schwarzenegger as a small town sheriff in a pitched battle with a runaway drug lord appeals to you on almost any level, then you’ll probably enjoy the film at some level also. This is the upside to the downside of January.

Sam Kieth 'I'm overwhelmed' at World's Best Comics

2013-01-17T07:21:16Z

On Saturday, Jan. 12, writer and illustrator Sam Kieth signed comic books, graphic novels, trading cards and answered many special requests for drawings. His ink never ran dry as the line of fans grew to roughly one hundred by quarter past 3 pm.

Fans waited for over an hour to get in and meet him. For many, he is the reason they read comics.

Kris Moore flew from Dallas to attend this signing and told Kieth, “you are the reason I read comic books!” Moore called him “the greatest artist of the past thirty years.”

Another fan, Steven Bello, drove from Los Angeles with his friend who said that he “hasn’t seen [Bello] that excited since his wedding.”

Chris McCarthy cancelled his business plans to meet Kieth and said that he’d started reading Kieth’s comics in high school.

The fans had dozens of titles and Kieth signed them all. One after another for hours.

As I turned to go, I thanked Kieth and mentioned his fans. He smiled and said, “I’m overwhelmed.”

Note: Sam Kieth: Samplings and Dabblings: a Retrospective February 13- June 16, 2013 at Cartoon Art Museum

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Council to consider police funding from Measure U

2013-01-15T17:29:49Z

Just as Sacramento is facing an increase in gun crime city wide, and a rash of muggings on the grid (including one Friday in which a woman was shot), the City Council is tasked with the decision of where to funnel funds resulting from the passage of the Measure U sales tax. What no one disputes is that the Sacramento Police Department has endured serious cuts, the question in front of the council now is how the department should be restored.

On Tuesday night the council members will vote on city staff recommendations regarding the usage of Measure U funds, and those recommendations will then be finalized with more detail in the city’s budget, which will go before the council on Jan. 29.

The Measure U funds must go to the restoration of services lost, not new ones, though those restored services may not look the same as before. Public safety services approved for restoration include 9-1-1 response, police officers, gang/youth violence prevention and fire protection and emergency medical service, according to the city staff report . Additional services that could benefit from Measure U include park maintenance, youth/senior services and libraries.

We reached out to the council members to get their thoughts. These are the responses we’ve received so far, we’ll update if anyone else chimes in.

Steve Cohn, District 3

“Public safety is the number one priority, to restore service with sales tax Measure U money. We told people that would be the priority and it still is. We cut back police too much, as well as other departments, but the police we really cut to the bone...

“Patrol is the most important, but ironically in order to save cuts from patrol we cut so much in other areas, such as detectives and crime scene investigation...We’ve cut so much that it’s very difficult to prosecute someone on a burglary. Patrol first and foremost, but even CSI and detectives – those departments need to be restored as well.”

Jay Schenirer, District 5

“The first thing we need to do is maintain the minimum of the current force .We have a federal COPS grant that will be expiring at the end of the year, so we want to ensure there is potential for using Measure U to retain those policemen. After that, it really is a matter of sitting down with our new police chief, whoever that might be, and talking about an overall strategy.

“In addition to that, when you talk about public safety, it’s more than just police. It’s about strong neighborhoods. So I think there is a number of things we need to talk about that go beyond the numbers...We need to look at the entire picture.”

Kevin McCarty, District 6

"I hope we can hire at least 100 new officers. I have confidence that the City Manager and the Police Chief will devise a specific deployment plan, however, I am hoping that patrol units will be fully staffed, and we are able to restore depleted and eliminated units such as gang intervention, POP/Neighborhood policing teams, Community Service Officers and illegal gun suppression."

Darrell Fong, District 7

“The city manager, chief of police and the staff will make recommendations. I don’t want to comment; I want to see what plans they bring forward. This is the time to look at different procedures and programs to address crime.

“Just because a unit existed in the past doesn’t mean they will be brought back in the same shape or form. This is not going to get us back where we were before, but to a place better off than we were before...This is about restoring services and public safety.”

What are your thoughts on restoring services to our city? What areas need the most attention, and how can the city best use these funds to ensure the public safety of our community? Share your thoughts in the conversation below.

Open thread: What's the state of downtown Sacramento?

2013-01-15T16:05:15Z

This morning we're running a live feed of the annual State of Downtown breakfast. Here's a rundown of the program via the Downtown Partnership. We're streaming the audio here:

The event begins 8 am and should wrap up by 10 am. The parnership will be live tweeting from @DowntownSac using the hashtag #SOD2013.

Speakers will include:

Michael Ault, State of Downtown
Congresswoman Doris Matsui, taped address
Presentation to outgoing board chair Steve Green, F&M Bank
Introduction to incoming board chair Jason Goff, Jones Lang LaSalle
VIBE Award Presentation to Sid Garcia-Heberger, Crest Theatre
Mayor Kevin Johnson, Mayoral Address
Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, Keynote Address
Michael Ault, closing comments

Resources available online:
Videos of the VIBE Award Nominees: http://downtownsac.org/2013-vibe-nominees-announced/
2013 DSP Annual Report: http://downtownsac.org/policy-development/reports-publications/

What are your thoughts on the state of Sacramento's downtown? Share your thoughts in the conversation below.

Sam Kieth at World’s Best Comics this Saturday

2013-01-12T07:01:42Z

The “Zombies vs Robots” co-creator teams up once again with Chris Ryall in “The Hollows,” a four-issue miniseries set in futuristic apocalyptic Japan.

Kieth, a writer and illustrator, is also the creator of “The Maxx” and “Zero Girl.” Kieth’s work can also be found in “Wolverine,” “Hulk,” “Batman” and “30 Days of Night.”

In addition, Kieth wrote and illustrated the graphic novel, “Arkham Asylum: Madness,” which hit #5 on the New York Times bestseller list.

In this rare Northern California appearance, Kieth will be signing copies of his new series “The Hollows” at World’s Best Comics at 2608 Watt Ave, Sacramento Saturday, Jan.12, 2013 from 2-4 pm.

Zero Dark 30: The bad guy gets killed

2013-01-11T20:09:02Z

Zero Dark Thirty’ film review

By Gary Chew

It came over me as I left the screening of “Zero Dark Thirty” the other evening. I had this sudden, silly urge to quickly whisper at two or three people working the concession stand, “The bad guy gets killed,” but thought better of it and, without a word, went outside to my car.

But as I walked across the lot, I thought to myself: “I wonder about the life histories and personal conflicts of the U.S. personnel depicted in this new film by Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”). “What is it that motivates them to such courage and risk? How much of it is for the right stuff, or is it … for stuff that isn't?”

That also ran through my mind for part of the time I was watching this extraordinary movie about the stalking and killing of Osama bin Laden.

Otherwise, what we have here is a very well-made motion picture about something quite important to U.S. citizens. It is not a police procedural. However “Zero Dark Thirty” is, mostly, a “procedural.” And dare I say it (?): “Everyone already knows how it comes out at the end.”

That's not the point, though. The point being: the film allows for a common image to be taken in by Americans on how shutting down bin Laden happened, with actors playing the roles of real American personnel, and in some cases, it seems, characters that are a composite of more than one real person. They are a curious collection: intelligent, educated, argumentative, articulate, obsessive, determined, loyal, obedient and appreciative of the importance of foul language uttered just at the right moment.

That holds especially so for the character called Maya in the film.

She's the lead character, played by Jessica Chastain, and the one I would most like to know more about. Hardly a hint is given about Maya's back story, except for a brief stretch of dinner-out girl talk between her and her “buddy” agent, Jessica (Jennifer Ehle). Their social chat is cut short by the terrorist truck bomb explosion that rocked the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2008.

Playing Maya does display the “stretch” in Chastain's acting talent. I've seen her in more than a few films over recent years. Maya could've been easily overplayed. With help from Mark Boal's script, Chastain (a native Sacramentan) keeps Maya enigmatic, except for occasional, measured outbursts of emotion watching her captives being tortured by others, learning a colleague has been blown to bits by a car bomb, feeling the tension as the raid to take out bin Laden proceeds and experiencing the nose-diving moment of de-stressing that begins to takes hold of her as the mission is accomplished.

Except for Chastain and James Gandolfini, the movie is cast with few familiar faces. They are, however, faces to remember and ones you're likely to see again. By the way, Gandolfini's part is a cameo. He plays a character who can be inferred to be another Californian, Leon Panetta. License was taken to suggest that Mr. Panetta is a good deal heavier than he actually is, though.

Accents and rapid dialogue make some of “Zero” difficult to follow. But, unless you're parsing the script for accuracy, what's going on is pretty plain to see.

Bigelow's film is significant and plays out as a rather neutral dramatization of an actual event, but the movie didn't move me as much as her Oscar-winning “The Hurt Locker.” That film put you “inside” the several military personnel who also take great risks to do their job. On the other hand, “Zero Dark Thirty” has a quality like another film that also, as of Thursday, Jan. 10 (this week), sits among Oscar's Best Picture nominations for 2012 releases: “Lincoln.” Seeing either “Lincoln” or “Zero Dark Thirty” is an excellent way to get the lay of important territory in American history.

But, since “Zero Dark Thirty” seems not to have any spoilers in it … let me toss one at you that's really in the movie. Whenever the film is about to get really intense, the 007-ish music is brought up full; not composed, however, by the late, great Johnny Barry, but Alexandre Desplat.

Copyright © 2013 by Gary Chew. All rights reserved.

THE CITY IN 2013: CHARTING A NEW COURSE

2013-01-10T14:37:16Z

     A couple of years back around the 4th of July, a Sacramento Bee article touted the virtues of voting and participating in government: it blasted Americans for a lack of civic engagement. I agree that too many Americans foolishly ignore the privilege of voting, lazily observe what government is doing and blatantly fail to get involved. But the article, like many people do, failed to address a very real and dangerous aspect of this predicament. The problem is unofficial efforts to suppress citizen involvement and then minimizing their actions when they do engage in the political process.
     Governing officials use a variety of strategies to achieve outcomes they want and the concerns of the citizenry are often secondary thoughts. Repeated experiences with a government that seems more of a foe than an institution “of the people” can weaken the resolve of even the most engaged citizens. Coupled with this condition of adversarial government is an often twisted media with its own agenda and business motives; they masquerade as guardians of free speech and the people but play key roles in misinforming citizens about important policy issues. Now, these news companies are controlled by fewer and fewer people. Add to the mix the crippling impact of money into elections and it is no wonder so many citizens don’t think their voices matter and why so many give up on the political process. In the end, disengaged taxpayers are just what our leaders want. They want us to go away so they can act unchecked by meddling citizens.
     With two new council members, Allen Warren (District 2) and Steve Hansen (District 4), Sacramento can hope 2013 will be the start of something different. Perhaps these new members will use their leadership positions to reshape our broken approach to addressing problems and change some attitudes about government, but I am not naïve. Without a big push it is too easy for politicians to just settle for fitting in and running the same old game rather than setting a new course that truly engages citizens and truly embraces transparency. For example, here are a couple of ideas for our council which can change our course. These are not sexy or money-connected political items, but they are important to the nuts-and-bolts operation of our city.
     First, each council member should hold citizen/press conferences at city hall just like Mayor Johnson. We should know what council members think about big city-wide issues like funding an arena, funding the police and how we create housing our young people can afford. Council members hold the awesome power we grant them and they control our money, yet two-way communication cannot take place in the council chamber. It is this lack of valid two-way communication that is undermining our democracy. Our leaders talk about being candidates of transparency - well here is their chance.
     Second, as I announced at city hall on December 11, 2012, the council should create a police commission to help deal with an array of issues concerning the police department and very serious crime problems. This is not an effort to beat up the police, but the vast power (life and death) and money we grant law enforcement demands a structure with accountability and which fosters two-way communication. Moreover, a police commission can deal with (1) establishing a base number of police officers and finding a stable funding source; (2) work with citizens, the police chief and the police union to stay on the cutting edge of crime reduction and (3) examine methods of punishing criminals while possibly raising revenue.
     There are many issues to deal with in this city. Business as usual cannot be the standard. If we truly want citizens to participate in government, our leaders and the media must acknowledge both side of the problem - the cynical citizenry and the complicity of government and the media.

Rockwell special events at the Crocker

2013-01-09T17:31:27Z

The Norman Rockwell exhibit opened at the Crocker Nov. 10 and will close in less than one month. During its run, several special events have taken place. Perhaps you met Rockwell’s models, enjoyed some concerts, watched the film, “Stagecoach,” or participated in several studio art classes.

The final special events take place this month and begin this weekend with the world premiere of “Big Dreams, Small Shoulders,” a multi-media performance piece based on Rockwell’s painting, “The Problem We All Live With.” Deborah Pittman composed the music and collaborated with other artists to create this piece.

Pittman, a musician and professor of clarinet at California State University, Sacramento who specializes in American musical theatre, was one of the panel members who spoke on Nov. 29 about the creative process and the challenges she and her collaborators faced as they worked to create a piece that combined music, dance, puppetry, narration and projected imagery.

Laura Cook, a local poet, is one of the performers in “Big Dreams, Small Shoulders,” which will be presented on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. Space is limited for this special performance, so arrive early. Admission runs between $6 and $12.

Also this weekend, the Crocker hosts “The Art of Parenting: Tell Me a Story” where participants will learn the art of storytelling beginning with classic folktales. Mary McGrath taught storytelling at Sacramento City College and currently hosts a local monthly storytelling series. She will teach how to tell stories that are meaningful to children, stories based on visual images or on your own life. This event takes place on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. Space is limited and the cost is $10 to $15.

If you are interested in creating visual art and learning more about Rockwell’s ability to capture the commonplaces of America, then you might want to consider “The Power of Place: Capturing the Commonplaces of America.” This two-day workshop will examine the Rockwell exhibit, teach sketching and painting techniques and give participants studio time to create their visions of commonplace America. This two-day workshop is taught by Kristine Bybee and Jill Pease and costs between $85 and $100.

Check the Crocker website to discover other Rockwell-related events and to confirm dates, times and costs.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Photojournalist Garth Lenz to show us the true cost of oil

2013-01-08T03:48:41Z

“Canada’s Tar Sands are perhaps the most visually compelling example
of all that is wrong with our addiction to fossil fuels and why we
must change or face dire consequences for all life on Earth.” —Garth
Lenz

The province of Alberta, Canada has the largest and most intact forest
ecosystem but also the largest and most ecologically devastating
industrial project the world has ever known - the Alberta Tar Sands.

Internationally acclaimed photojournalist Garth Lenz has captured the
detailed reality of what happens when a pristine landscape is
confronted by an industrial project. His work as a photojournalist has
won him top awards at Pris de la Photographie Paris and the
International Photography Awards. He is a fellow of the International
League of Conservation Photographers, and his solo exhibition
featuring the Alberta Tar Sands, “The True Cost of Oil,” premiered in
2011.

Lenz has given talks to The New York Times, the GEO Foundation, the
Canadian Senate and the European Parliament. His work has appeared in
major publications, including Time, GEO, The Christian Science
Monitor, The New York Times, The Walrus, Canadian Geographic, The
Guardian, BBC Wildlife Magazine, National Geographic Society and
Esquire.

Lenz will present “The True Cost of Oil” on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 at
7 p.m. in the Goethe Room of St John’s Lutheran Church, on L St near
17th. There is a suggested donation of $10; no one will be turned away
for lack of funds. The event is sponsored by 350 Sacramento, the
Lutheran Office of Public Policy and the Sierra Club. Free parking is
available behind the church on K Street.

You can see Lenz’s work at http://www.garthlenz.com.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: I am a volunteer for 350 Sacramento.

Frontline Special Focuses on Education Reformer Michelle Rhee

2013-01-07T18:18:16Z

Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor of Washington, D.C., public schools, is one of the most admired and reviled school reformers in America. Frontline was granted unprecedented access to Rhee during her tumultuous three-year tenure as she attempted to fix a broken school systen. As Rhee returns to the national stage, Frontline examines her legacy in Washington, D.C., including her battles with the teachers' union and her handling of a cheating scandal in the District.

Frontline: The Education of Michelle Rhee will premiere on Tuesday, January 8, at 10PM on KVIE channel 6.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Disclosure: Kate Gonzales is the Public Relations Assistant at KVIE Public Television.

"A Nervous Freedom" ~ Rosa Parks Sparks Ongoing Change in U.S. Transportation Law

2013-01-07T15:01:41Z

National, State and Sacramento Regional Transportation officials gather to celebrate ongoing U.S. Transportation investments that continue to positively impact the greater Sacramento Region. The California Central Valley is blessed with inland ports, major rail lines, trucking hubs and interstate highway systems to build new clean technology transportation systems..

U.S. Transporation Secretay Ray LaHood and Congresswomen Doris Matsui continue to lead transformation through U.S. Civil Rights Law throughout the global reach of U.S. Transportation systems. Rosa Parks legal team continues to work on the "Nervous Freedom" Sparking Change in U.S. Transportation Law. Job creation, career advancement and community economic development requires equity and equal opportunity as we prepare for expanded civil and human rights law utilizing the legacy of Roas Parks.

At the California State Capitol ~ Rosa Parks Centennial Celebration, Roses, Chocolate, Wine and Fine Pan African Cuisine, Friday, February 1, 2013 we mark a major milestone and reflect on the work that remains to be completed.

Proposed Rosa Parks Centennial Resolution ~

WHEREAS, Rosa Parks was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama, the first child of James and Leona (Edwards) McCauley; and Rosa Louise McCauley married Raymond Parks on December 18, 1932; and

WHEREAS, Rosa Parks was arrested on December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, and her stand for equal rights became legendary; and

WHEREAS, Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to comply with Montgomery's segregation law was the catalyst for establishing the boycott of Montgomery bus system, by approximately 42,000 African Americans for 381 days; and

WHEREAS, On November 13, 1956, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Montgomery's segregation law was unconstitutional, and on December 20, 1956, Montgomery officials were ordered to desegregate buses; and

WHEREAS, Rosa Parks is honored as the "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement," because her refusal to surrender her seat in compliance with Montgomery's segregation law inspired the civil rights movement, which has resulted in the breakdown of numerous legal barriers and the lessening of profound discrimination against African Americans in this country; and

WHEREAS, The courage and conviction of Rosa Parks laid the foundation for equal rights for all Americans and for the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and

WHEREAS, Rosa Parks was the first woman to join the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP, and was an active volunteer for the Montgomery Women's Political Caucus; and

WHEREAS, Rosa Parks is the recipient of many awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the highest honor Congress can bestow upon a civilian and;

WHEREAS, Rosa Parks dedicated her life to the cause of human rights and truly embodies the love of humanity and freedom; now, therefore,

We encourage all Sacramento residents and citizens of the United States of America to recognize the outstanding honor and tribute of the installation of a Statue of Rosa Parks within the U.S. Capitol Statuary Hall, Washington D.C.and U.S. Postal Stamp in her honor on this occasion marking the 100th year of the birth of Rosa Parks, be it Resolved by the City of Sacramento, hereby celebrates Friday, February 1 - 4, 2013, the Rosa Parks Centennial Celebrations and urges all citizens, residents and visitors to pay homage to this great American woman; and be it further resolved, That the Clerk of Board transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution

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Disclosure: Rosa Parks Day in California, Coordinator

Book Talk: Haendel Schwartz and "A Palette of Leaves"

2013-01-05T04:42:13Z

A Palette of Leaves by Edythe Haendel Schwartz
Mayapple Press
ISBN 978-1-936419-14-2
2012, 70 pp., $14.95
Poetry – Local Author

This latest book by Davis poet Edythe Haendel Schwartz is a must for artists and poets alike, and is one of the best poetry collections I read in 2012. Beginning with the cover featuring the poet’s art, "A Palette of Leaves" surprised and delighted me. Several ekphrastic poems, beginning and ending the collection with Alice Neel, are spread throughout the three sections. Haendel Schwartz examines subjects like aging, stroke, biopsy and familial relationships, without sentimentality. Don’t confuse sentiment with emotion, and expect these poems to evoke a range of emotions. And, expect to think about each poem. Although the topics may be difficult and sometimes dark, there is always hope. You might, as I did, laugh just a bit at “Help Wanted: Bra Fitter,” but you’ll also recognize its ties to the current economic situation. Haendel Schwartz’s poems are accessible and intelligent, and they never remain in the private realm. These are personal poems, told by many characters, which speak to me as Neel does in “Alice Neel Speaks.” One of my favorite poems, although I’ll admit that it’s difficult to choose only one favorite, is “Suspension,” a poem that addresses how little we know about our parents. Haendel Schwartz’s words here, as in each poem, are carefully chosen and carefully placed, as are her brushstrokes on the other canvas she paints.

Edythe Haendel Schwartz will read from this new collection at the Sacramento Poetry Center at 1719 25th St., on Monday, Jan. 7, at 7:30 p.m.

* * *

Other recent books by local poets include “Three Weeks Before Summer,” by Alexa Mergen and “Window: Selected Poetry,” by James M. Moose.

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Ask the County Law Librarian -- Self Storage Facilities

2013-01-05T01:11:01Z

Q. Greetings,

I was hoping to find out information on laws surrounding self storages and the return of personal property such as pictures and personal papers.

I recently had a storage unit sold that contained many personal papers (contracts and agreements) and boxes full of family photos (current framed and past pictures of living and deceased members). The storage company has stated these items were to be returned and would look into the matter, but, have yet to return calls or answer when we call.

I know certain states have laws requiring these types of items be returned; does California have such a law?

Thanks and kind regards,

DaShon

A. During the holidays, while we were visiting my mother-in-law and her new husband, I became hooked on a TV reality show called “Storage Wars” (it was the only thing we could all watch without some of us remembering, and others raising, uncomfortable topics). In Storage Wars a cast of regulars (and professional buyers), Darrell, “The Gambler;” Jarrod and his wife Brandi, “The Young Guns;” Dave, “The Mogul;” and Barry, “The Collector;” bid against each other and others in an auction for the contents of storage units that have been abandoned. While the show itself is obviously scripted, and the incredible “finds” may be planted (see Lawsuit Claims A&E’s “Storage Wars” Show is Rigged, ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=166991032 ), the show’s premise, intoned by the narrator just before the opening credits, is sound:

“When Storage Units are Abandoned, the Treasures Within are put up for Auction.”

Most of the action takes place in California, and is perfectly legal, according to Business & Professions (B&P) Code Sections 21700 through 21716, which govern self-service storage facilities. Effective January 1, 1982, the California Self-Service Storage Facility Act provides very specific guidelines for storage facility attachment liens and the subsequent sale of property that may occur due to non-payment of rent and fees.

The owners of the self-service storage facility have a lien on all personal property located at the self-storage facility for rent, labor, late-payment fees or other charges, present or future, incurred pursuant to the rental agreement, and for expenses necessary for the storage, sale, or disposal of personal property. B&P Code § 21702. A “lien” is a creditor's legal claim against particular property owned by a debtor as security for a debt.

If any part of the rent or other charges is unpaid for fourteen (14) consecutive days, a storage facility owner may terminate the right of the renter to use the storage space by sending a notice to the renter’s last known address. Sections 21703 and 21704 of the Business & Professions Code detail the information that must be included in the preliminary lien notice. If the renter does not pay the full amount by the date specified in the preliminary lien notice, the storage facility owner's lien attaches to the personal property. At that time, the owner may enter the space and deny the renter access to it. If the notice of lien was sent by certified mail, the owner may also remove property found in the space to a place of safekeeping. If the notice was sent by first class mail, the owner must wait another fourteen (14) days before removing the property. B&P Code § 21705.

Once the lien attaches, the owner must send the renter a Notice of Lien Sale and a blank Declaration in Opposition to Lien Sale form. The required contents of the Notice of Lien Sale are detailed in Section 21705 of the Business & Professions Code.

If the renter completes and timely returns the Declaration in Opposition to Lien, the storage facility owner may try to enforce the lien in either small claims or superior court. If the court grants the owner a judgment in his or her favor, the lien sale process continues. B&P Code § 21710.

After the lien attaches, if no declaration in opposition to the lien sale is executed, the owner of the self-service facility may sell the property. B&P Code § 21706. The sale must be advertised for two weeks prior to the sale. The advertisement must include a description of the property to be sold, the name of the storage space renter, and the name and location of the storage facility. B&P Code § 21707.

The contents of a storage unit are usually auctioned off as a single lot of items. On Storage Wars the cast bids on the contents based only upon on a five-minute inspection of what they can see from the door when it is opened (this seems to be the industry standard; you can find a list of upcoming storage auctions in your area, along with the facility’s auction guidelines, on the California Self-Storage Association’s website, http://www.californiaselfstorage.org/).

At any time before the sale, any person claiming a right to the goods can pay off the lien, plus one month's rent in advance, and the sale will be cancelled. The claimant then has thirty (30) days to obtain a court order directing the disposition of the property. If no court order is obtained, the claimant must pay the owner the original monthly rental charge for the duration of the original rental agreement. If the claimant fails to pay, the storage facility may start the lien and sale process all over again. B&P Code § 21709.

After the sale, the storage facility owner must hold any proceeds in excess of the lien and costs of the sale for the renter. The renter may claim this money at any time within one year of the date of sale. After one year, any unclaimed proceeds are turned over to the county treasury. B&P Code § 21708.

Finally, a storage facility owner cannot take advantage of the California Self-Service Storage Facility Act’s liberal remedies for non-payment if the rental agreement does not include a statement that the renter’s property may be subject to a lien and sold to satisfy payment that is fourteen (14) days late, and does not offer the renter a space in the agreement to identify an alternate person (and address) to whom lien and sale notices must be sent. B&P Code § 21712.

If the storage facility you used failed to comply with any of the California Self-Service Storage Facility Act’s provisions regarding the notices required in your contract and the notices required for the lien and sale of your property, you could sue the storage facility owner for the value of the contents of your storage unit (in small claims court if the value does not exceed $10,000; in superior court if it does), or for the return of your personal papers and family photos and other personal property (in superior court only; small claims courts can only award monetary damages). However, the contents of your storage unit were probably bought as a whole in an auction, and whoever bought the unit probably disposed of anything that was not particularly valuable and could not be sold at a thrift or similar store.

Likewise, if you had a separate agreement with the facility to return your personal papers and family photos, you could try to enforce that agreement in superior court; the California Self-Service Storage Facility Act specifically provides that “[n]othing in this chapter shall be construed to impair or affect the right of the parties to create additional rights, duties, and obligations . . . .” B&P Code § 21713. However, in addition to the burden of proving the existence of an oral contract, you would face the same, almost insurmountable hurdle mentioned above: your personal papers and family photos are probably long gone.

I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a better answer; I realize how valuable your personal papers and family photos must have been to you, if not anyone else. I hope 2013 will be a better year for you—I’m sure it will be!

Coral Henning, Director
@coralh & @saclawlibrarian
www.saclaw.org

Sacramento self-defense workshops for women Saturday

2013-01-04T19:39:20Z

On Saturday, Jan. 5, Sandy Thomas will teach three separate introductory self-defense workshops for women. In each two-hour workshop, women will learn basic defense techniques that may be used against an unarmed assailant, and each attendee will learn the five weapons every woman possesses and the four offensive target areas on the would-be assailant. Each workshop is appropriate for women of all ages.

The workshops are affordable at $25.00 for each session (only one session is required), and Thomas donates 20% of each fee to the Sacramento Poetry Center, which is where the workshops are held.

Bring a friend, sister, mother, daughter or co-worker and learn some important defense techniques in a fun-filled two-hour workshop.

"Introduction to Women's Self-Defense" will be held at the Sacramento Poetry Center, 1719 25th Street at the following times. Pre-registration is not required.

10 a.m. - noon

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Please contact wsdstaystrong@gmail.com for additional information.

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New film: Promised Land

2013-01-04T08:50:51Z

Promised Land
Directed by Gus Van Sant

*CONTAINS VAGUE PLOT SPOILERS*

In “Promised Land,” Matt Damon plays an up and coming employee of a natural gas company that’s in the process of entering into contracts with land owners to allow the company to drill for and extract gas from under their property. Their modus operandi is to arrive in a new location and quickly and quietly secure enough contracts to make the process viable before there’s any groundswell of opposition or any involvement from environmental groups who might not be so fond of the “fracking” gas extraction process.

I say “up and coming” as he seems primed for advancement, but he’s not a junior employee - the film starts with him being interviewed for an executive position. He’s popular within the company because he has a record of securing more contracts and promising less money in return than any other field worker.

The backstory we’re given is that he grew up in a small rural town himself, one that fell apart economically when the primary employer closed down. So he feels that he understands and connects with the small town folks that the company tends to target, those that are living on a hope and a prayer of good fortune to come, with few other options on the horizon.

When he and his partner, played by the excellent as ever Frances McDormand, arrive on site at their latest assigned community, expectations are high for a quick in and out operation. But they didn’t count on an elderly science teacher who is well read on the topic of fracking. The teacher is played by Hal Holbrook, who brings a quiet dignity and authority to what might have been a lighter weight role in the hands of a less accomplished or younger actor.

As the process slows, an environmental activist shows up, vague hints at romance are kindled for both protagonists, and things become far more complicated they had hoped for. But that’s the plot of the movie and I’ll try not to ruin it in its entirety – although this is a hard movie to critique without unveiling some of what happens later, even in somewhat veiled terms.

There’s a lot to like about this film, with a simple modesty to its scale and production, despite the A-list cast. It’s well acted by those mentioned, as well as John Krasinski and Rosemarie DeWitt in supporting roles, and others including Titus Welliver and Scoot McNairy (who’s had a busy year with “Argo” and “Killing them Softly”) in smaller but important performances. It looks good and the direction is as good as one might expect from Gus Van Sant (“Milk,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Drugstore Cowboy”).

All of which leads to my disappointment with how badly the film seems to fail. My problem is with the screenplay itself, co-written by Damon and Krasinski, or possibly Dave Eggers' story (it being hard to know where each idea came from).

There’s clearly more to the story than what I’ve described so far, which is basically just the setup, and various facts and assertions are uncovered about the company and its practices. For McDormand’s Sue, this is just a job – she’s not out to police anybody’s morals or intentions, she’s trying to support a son back home and she’s very good at what she does. Damon’s Steve, however, is a sharp and well-meaning guy – at least that’s how he’s played by Damon, who co-wrote the part, so presumably he had some clue as to what the character should be. Steve’s not immune from making an occasional bad decision, but he’s clearly not an idiot and he thinks he’s helping people.

But the screenplay seems to need him to be an idiot, or to have been completely out of touch with the world for the premise of the film to work. Perhaps he’s been signing up folks to contracts who live under a rock somewhere. It’s an idea that might have made sense if it had been set a few decades earlier, when workers on the road in rural communities might have been out of reach of major new sources, but not in an age of instant communication and in a film where Sue spends her evening skyping with her son. The problem being, of course, that fracking is an issue of today’s world.

Steve reacts to news of his company’s deceits as though his world is rocked, as though nothing like this has ever occurred to him or been brought to his attention before. It would work better if he was operating in a vacuum, or under that rock, or if he was portrayed as a well-meaning and efficient simpleton. But this is a character who has been leaning on multiple people earlier in the film, manipulating facts, and threatening them with statements like (from memory) “We’re a nine billion dollar company, do you know what we’re capable of?” He’s worldly when the plot needs him to be worldly and he’s naïve when the plot needs him to be naïve. And that destroyed the story for me – it simply doesn’t ring true or remain consistent within itself.

There’s quite a bit more to the story, which actually has a nice structure to it in some other respects, but that problem defeats it.

The purpose of the film seems to be to warn people of the tactics of companies like the one depicted. It doesn’t delve too far into fracking as a process, other than to provide vague implications of the dangers involved. In that sense, for a film about drilling and mining, it doesn’t get very far below the surface – but then it’s primarily a character study, albeit a flawed one.

For most of its running length it’s pleasant enough to watch, until the logic of the main character arc seems to fall apart, at which point it simply annoyed me. It’s possible that the goal was to tell a story of how many bad actions are undertaken by well-meaning individuals, hoodwinked by their own organizations but, as I’ve described, Steve seems too sharp and too clued in when necessary to make his character plausible when he seems to have been taken for a ride. It’s too fundamental of a flaw to make the film work as anything other than an example of quality acting by the rest of the cast – and I can’t recommend it despite having actors, a director, and even a topic I’d normally expect to appreciate.

"Promised Land" expands in wide release in the Sacramento region today.

Occupy Sacramento rallied for homeless

2013-01-04T05:11:43Z

Advocates for the homeless held a rally on the north steps of the Capitol building all day of this chilly third day of the new year.

It was to support a legislative proposal to expand civil rights and anti-discrimination laws to include homeless and low-income people as well as those with mental illness or physical disability.

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, introduced his Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) early last month.
A long read, a part of it states; "This bill would enact the Homeless Person's Bill of Rights and Fairness Act, which would provide that no person's rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged because he or she is homeless, has a low income, or suffers from a mental illness or physical disability."

The bill would provide that every person in the state, regardless of actual or perceived housing status, income level, mental illness, or physical disability, shall be free from specified forms of discrimination and shall be entitled to certain basic human rights, including the right to be free from discrimination by law enforcement, in the workplace, while seeking or maintaining housing or shelter, and while seeking services.

The bill would provide that every person has the right to access public property, possess personal property, access public restrooms, clean water, affordable housing, educational supplies, as specified, emergency and nonemergency health care, confidentiality of medical records, assistance of legal counsel in specified proceedings, and restitution, under specified circumstances. The bill would provide civil and criminal immunity, and immunity from employer retaliation, to a public employee who provides assistance to a homeless person."

"Because what is right is right and the idea that people without property are treated differently is disgusting," Diana Buttner explained. "It's not fair. We've fought for all kinds of people and there is an element in this country that thinks it is ok to treat people differently whether or not they own something is disgusting."

She says that we are supposed to be a world power and we treat our own poor worse than several other countries she said she could name off the top of her head.

"I'm a teacher and American government is one of the subjects I teach", Buttner said. She teaches at an area high school.

Tatiaaa Capizzano is a member of a group of people who feed the homeless in Discovery Park on a weekly basis. They've recently began being harassed for doing that she says.

"We've been told by park rangers we will have to apply for special permits," she said.

The permits would cost them $450 per year and would allow them to feed the homeless only four times per year. They've been getting help from the Pacific Justice Institute ,helping them to stand up for their rights to keep feeding the homeless.

Capizzano says between six to 15 of her and fellow church members make the meals at their homes and serve the food potluck style to the homeless.

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Film Review: There's natural gas in them thar hills

2012-12-28T21:11:41Z

“Promised Land” film review by Gary Chew

“Promised Land” is not an effort to revive big screen bible epics. The land promised is that which is likely to have millions of dollars worth of natural gas in it. The people who own the land are being paid to promise (sign on the dotted line) that what lies below goes to a large natural gas corporation.

That's where Matt Damon and Frances Mc Dormand come in. As Steve and Sue, they're salespersons of a global-sized gas company. Their job is to persuade locals who live in natural-gas-rich regions that allowing the energy firm to bring up what's locked in the rock will make property owners wealthy. Extracting natural gas this way has come to be called, “fracking.”

Times has been hard in rural Pennsylvania, so getting small town residents to sell drilling rights to such a company seems like an easy task for Steve, originally from rural Iowa, and Sue, who lives with her husband and son in Houston.

“Promised Land” opens with Steve taking a luncheon interview for a higher position in the kind of work he does. Then he heads off to McKinley, Pennsylvania and meets up with Sue for their next project: getting more signatures from struggling landowners in a lovely, rural natural-gas-rich part the Keystone State.

Things have changed a lot in McKinley, but it's still inviting. People are nice and honest … and financially slammed. There's the too hip gas station, gun shop and grocery store owner, Rob (Titus Welliver), who seems to be more like a guy in Philadelphia than McKinley. He's just too smooth and urban to believe.

Alice is a local elementary school teacher played perkily by Rosemarie DeWitt. She's single and has returned from the city to live at her dad's place following his death. Her hipness can be attributed to doing the big city for awhile.

The venerable Hal Holbrook is a local high school science teacher named Frank. It comes out that Frank is a learned academician with MIT and Cornell on his resume, and teaching for kicks at McKinley High. This geezer could retire.

Shortly after we get to know Steve and Sue and follow their routine chatting it up with local property owners, Dustin (John Krasinski) shows up in his Athena pick up. The environment seems to be at the top of Dustin's agenda. Athena is an environmental group. Around the town Dustin goes, undoing the stoking Steve and Sue have initiated.

This is after Steve runs into Alice and engages her in conversation over a beer at the local pub. Alice seems interested in Steve, and vice versa, but for me … and I know a few things about small towns ...I don't remember any of my female school teachers being known for hanging out at the only bar in town, flirting with local guys as well as strangers from rural Iowa just in town on business.

A town meeting about fracking is held in the high school gym with a town politician running it. This comes after the local politician and Steve have a brief visit in the diner down the street, and Steve promises the pol a piece of the action for supporting the natural gas corporation's fracking around McKinley.

During the meeting, the eldery Frank takes an adversarial position on fracking in the area. He asks pointed questions of Steve. (That's just before we find that Frank has several letters after his name.) Steve could be quicker on his feet in the Q and A, as the basketball team waits for the local residents to clear the gym so the boys can practice.

Furthermore, Steve, or maybe script, has trouble with his motivation, and his values seem to contradict themselves. It's tricky trying to figure his priorities for being in McKinley: to make lots of money for himself or deep concern about small town people (like himself) getting out of their money fix.

The competition between Steve and Dustin thickens when Steve spots Alice hanging with Dustin at the pub. Moreover, Dustin is making time with townspeople as well about the downside to fracking and what he says it does to their land and water as well as their long term health.

Directed by Gus Van Sant (“Milk,” “Good Will Hunting”),“Promised Land” plays much like a made-for-TV movie that would likely never see the light of day on a mainstream commercial television network. The politics are hot stuff as the film shows in this neck of bucolic Pennsylvania woods, not to mention (of late here) in California. HBO ... the network watched by wealthy liberals ... would be a more likely platform for it to show. You'll just have to buy a ticket at the cineplex, or wait for the DVD release.

Except for some dialogue, the film is presented simply and inoffensively. The story is by Dave Eggers, who co-wrote the delightful “Away We Go” that starred Maya Rudolph and Krasinski who, along with Damon, wrote “Promised Land's” screenplay.

As important as getting more word out about fracking might be, “Promised Land” is not quite all it's fracked up to be.

The film opens Friday, December 28th in Sacramento.

Sacramento's positive job growth is showing a downward pattern - CSER Economy Watch December 2012

2012-12-28T00:26:07Z

The six-county Sacramento Region experienced another decline in annual job growth in November 2012. Preliminary data show that the number of jobs on payrolls in the Region increased by 0.5 percent in the past 12 months, which equates to a gain of 4,300 jobs. This rate of growth is notably lower than what the Region posted just four months ago when annual job growth was at 2.5 percent. While this job growth dip was not unexpected according to CSER’s Sacramento Region Business Forecast, the rate of growth is slightly lower than anticipated. For the past six months, the Yuba-Sutter area has seen consistent annual job declines, while the core four-county Sacramento metropolitan area only started to see annual gains drop off in the last couple months. These sub-market dynamics demonstrate the mixed recovery still struggling to take hold throughout the Region. Three of the five largest sectors in the Region continued to add jobs on an annual basis in November 2012 including Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; Professional & Business Services; and Educational & Health Services. Leisure & Hospitality fell back into negative territory in November 2012, joining the Region’s largest sector, Government. In actual numbers, the Region experienced a net gain of 3,900 jobs across the five largest sectors in the past year.

California’s job growth appears to be exhibiting a slight downward pattern with rates falling over the past few months. Between November 2011 and 2012, the state posted 1.9 percent job growth with a gain of nearly 266,000 jobs. Job growth at the national level remained flat with 1.4 percent annual job growth in November 2012 reflecting a 1.9 million-job increase. The SF Bay Area also saw steady job growth at a relatively strong rate of 3.0 percent over the 12 months ending November 2012 (nearly 84,000 jobs were added in this period). Stockton continued to see job growth fall as labor market conditions remain unstable—November 2012 job growth came in at 2.2 percent with an annual gain of 4,100 jobs. The Solano market also experienced a job growth dip, dropping below the national average to 1.2 percent with a 12-month increase of 1,400 jobs.

Annual Job Growth

Major Sector Annual Job Gains and Losses

Nearly half of Sacramento's major sectors added jobs in the past 12 months

The Sacramento Region posted job gains in five of the eleven major sectors between November 2011 and 2012. The Financial Activities and Manufacturing sectors joined the large Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; Professional & Business Services; and Educational & Health Services sectors with employment increases in the past year. The Trade, Transportation, & Utilities sector posted the greatest gains with continued momentum in retail trade activities. The Construction and Leisure & Hospitality sectors shifted back to negative job growth in November 2012 expanding the number of sectors with job losses to five. The Government sector posted the most pronounced decline with notable state government losses. Total employment in the Region moved up to 850,000 with a net increase of 4,300 jobs in the past year. This employment level is still similar to where the Region sat in the year 2001.

The state added jobs in seven of the eleven major sectors in the 12 months ending November 2012. The Professional & Business Services sector added the most jobs while the Government sector shed the most jobs across the four sectors in negative territory. Only two major sectors posted job losses in the SF Bay Area in the past 12 months—Financial Activities and Other Services. Like at the statewide level, the SF Bay Area’s Professional & Business Services sector posted the greatest annual gains. The Stockton market also experienced annual declines in only two major sectors—Government and Other Services—while the Educational & Health Services sector added the most jobs between November 2011 and 2012. Solano’s Trade, Transportation, & Utilities topped the list of annual job gains across the major sectors in November 2012 while Government shed the most jobs in the past year.

www.strategiceconomicresearch.org

Disclosure: This story has been posted by Ryan Sharp, Director of the Center for Strategic Economic Research

Kwanzaa in the California State Capitol, Freedom's Eve Celebration

2012-12-26T07:14:58Z

Our “California Grown” international holiday seeks to share a broader perspective of Kwanzaa throughout the world.

California remains one of the world's leading Agriculture region. The past, present and future contributions of Black Farmers and Agriculturalists remains a 365 day avocation utilizing the principles and symbols of Kwanzaa. Our ancient future, role and responsibility is seen today in the source documentation from Ancient African Civilization harvest festivals.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, is slowly breaking down cultural barriers globally, "at America's Last Plantation," our United States Department of Agriculture truly is undergoing a cultural transformation and “A New Day at the USDA” is on the horizon. People of African ancestry are contributing throughout the world in a slow and steady good crop of equity and equal opportunity.

Nationally, Black Agriculture producers should be declared an endangered species and receive the appropriate governmental protection and support. The 2012 Census of Agriculture will quantify every producer, a complete count is essential for many, many reasons especially the growth and development of 'New Farmers in America.'

When our US Senate and House Agriculture Committees reconvene in the 113th Congress after the Kwanzaa Holiday, new US Farm Policy may for the first time in U.S. History, provide specific opportunities to remedy specific historical challenges unique to people of African ancestry recognizing our historic, current and future contributions to U.S. agriculture production.

Job creation, career advancement and community economic development utilizing conventional and urban agriculture specialty crop production will continue to open up new opportunities for product diversity of African, South American and Caribbean ethnic products to reach the global marketplace.

In California, Black Farmers and Agriculturalist are growing, back from a near extinction, rising from less than 1/3 of 1% of all farmers in California. Seeking legislative action, judicial review and executive direction, 2012 Kwanzaa in the California State Capitol remains a bright flickering light in the midst of darkness where tangible “first fruits of an actual harvest” is beyond cognition, yet the reason for the 7 day celebration created by a wonderful memory from an ole Maryland chicken farm in historical context.

California is named after an African Queen Califia. The African Founding Father of California created Agriculture Export in California; his steam vessel is seen on our California State Seal. The floors within the California State Capitol reflect the colors of Kwanzaa, red, black and green for a reason.

One standard for all humanity is the vision of our Kuumba celebration, December 31, 2012, Freedom's Eve, 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Noon, California State Capitol, 10th and Capitol Mall Drive, Sacramento, CA.

Yes, we as a nation have come a long way and indeed we have a long way to go... if providing basic healthy food security for people of African ancestry globally is the more perfect “Umoja” we seek for our families, community, nation and human race.

Disclosure: Project Coordinator, Kwanzaa in the State Capitol, Freedom's Eve

Tarantino Unleashed

2012-12-25T21:25:41Z

Django Unchained

Film review by Gary Chew

If revenge is really sweet, then Quentin Tarantino has a sweet tooth. He's really indulged himself in the writing and directing of his latest screen splatter, “Django Unchained.” But Quentin has never been known to not overdo things. Fortunately though, he does make for a broader diversity of movies.

Tarantino is the movie freak's movie freak. He knows more about movies and directors, probably, than the likes of 10 Pauline Kaels. Two strong influences in “Django” are borrowed from directors Sam Peckinpah and Mel Brooks. At a recent screening of “Django Unchained,” I had to remind myself more than once that I wasn't watching “The Wild Bunch” and “Blazing Saddles” simultaneously.

Clearly, the unchaining of Django is about acquiring freedom ... freedom for the lead character, played not by Cleavon Little, but Jamie Foxx. A traveling salesman sort of bounty hunter, masquerading as a dentist and known as Dr. King Schultz, literally unshackles Django early in the film, which makes him a free man. (It's 1858.) Schultz, played by Christoph Waltz, is a learned gentleman who exhibits European sensibilities but knows how to cleverly dispatch wanted men at large in pre-Civil War America. Dr. Schultz is also a marksman.

After Django has shed his slave status, it seems like a perfect match that he and Schultz team upand make a living by killing white outlaws, then letting the legal system pay the pair for bringing in the corpses. As I said, this is 1858 but it's the good doctor and Django … not the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

Schultz learns that Django's wife, Brunhilde (Kerry Washington), was taken from her husband earlier, and sold away to a Mississippi plantation. Django doesn't know just where she is or who bought her, but he wants to find her, save her and continue their life together.
Those European sensibilities of Dr. Schultz respond to Django's plight and he throws in with the former slave to rescue Brunhilde while they do a little bounty hunting on the side

Schultz is curious also that Django's Brunhilde speaks German, since she had spoken the language while growing up by conversing with a family member of a slave owner fluent in the tongue. This gives Tarantino the opening to work in neat subtitles for the third act. There's also a thumbnail narrative spoken by Schultz to Django about Siegfried, Wotan and … you know, the princess, Brunhilde. Dr. Schultz is into German epics.

Most everyone else in “Django Unchained” plays a “good” old boy American type, the likes of which are done by Bruce Dern, Don Johnson, Walton Goggins and others too numerous and gnarly to mention. Some of these varmits even look like Sam Peckinpah.

Two standouts not in the good old boy category are Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson). The Stephen character is a new kind challenge for Jackson, on which he delivers. Candie has a plantation and owns slaves, and Stephen is Candie's main man on the premises and personal assistant.

Holding to his principal artistic theme, Tarantino will have you wallowing in revenge. Those getting the brunt of the revenge in “Django” deserve what they get, but I became inured to the humor of it all, well before the film ends. To revel in the punishment of racist slave traders, a la Tarantino, carries the film near the precipice of being fascistic.

Remember Peckinpah's “Straw Dogs”? Dustin Hoffman's timid “David” is getting to “like it” by the time he's finally wasted everyone involved with the rape of his wife and invasion of their rural home.

The blood-splashing gun fights of “Django,” for me, became excessive. Watching violence to the max often desensitizes the viewer so that even more of it is needed to get the rush that it can bring to someone who's filled with righteous indignation for being repeatedly treated as
subhuman. The blacks in this film are treated so. The movie mocks those inclined to treat minorities harshly, but it could, as well, be a lesson meant for racists. How much, though, of this perspective in the film could be a motivational factor to incite violence in the deeply affronted parties? Tarantino's subtext for being a hater of racists is presented as being cool.

I was interrupted while writing this review by the horror and tragedy of the recent U.S. school massacre. Besides the shock the Sandy Hook School shooting brought me, it set me wondering if - and if so, how much - the young man who shot dead so many young schoolchildren had been exposed to media and videogame violence during all of his short 20 years of life. I don't think I would've laughed as much at the comeuppances that Tarantino puts to all the racists and Uncle Toms in “Django Unchained,” had I seen it after all those shots were fired on a mid-December Friday in Newtown, Conn.

Less significantly, it will always be that “Pulp Fiction” is a tough act for Quentin Tarantino to follow.

Holiday film openings: Django Unchained and Les Misérables

2012-12-25T03:52:19Z

Django Unchained
Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino

I already listed “Django Unchained” as one of my recommendations for holiday gift tickets – so it’s no surprise to find that I enjoyed it, a lot. That said, it’s not a very holidayish movie and many will find the subject matter and the violent content objectionable. But for folks who don’t mind exploding blood packs and a fairly brutal story, this one’s a winner – in fact it’s already received an American Film Institute Movie of the Year Award and has been nominated for five Golden Globes.

The story revolves around an ex-dentist turned bounty hunter, played by Christoph Waltz, who is initially searching for three wanted men. However, somewhat inconveniently, he doesn’t know what they look like. So he seeks out, rather unconventionally, a slave who was previously on the same plantation and who could identify them. That slave is Django (“The D is silent”) and is played by Jamie Foxx. The story then expands as the twosome work well together in the bounty business, with Django also trying to find his wife, from whom he became separated when they were intentionally sold to different slave owners.

I’ve described this film before as 2 hours and 45 minutes of spaghetti grindhouse awesomeness. It has that spaghetti western look about it as well as the genre stylings and gratuitously over the top violence of grindhouse films, all of which is entirely intentional on Tarantino’s part. It’s also a tight film, despite its length, feeling at times as though material has been excised rather than padded. This is interesting as it’s Tarantino’s first film in many years without his long time editor, Sally Menke, who died in 2010. Here he’s working with Fred Raskin, who amongst other credits was an assistant editor on the “Kill Bill” films and editor on three films in the “Fast and Furious” franchise. For my money, the new pairing worked very well, better than “Inglourious Basterds” which seemed indulgent in some scenes that could have been trimmed.

Tarantino has a habit of showing up in several of his own films, often in a very small, incidental role. Here he gives himself a somewhat more substantial part, albeit still brief, and while it’s fun for fans and presumably for him, it’s probably the weak spot in almost three hours of acting. The rest of the cast is very strong, playing roles that are somewhat larger than life at times, as per the style of the film. These include Waltz and Foxx, as well as Leonardo DiCaprio and Don Johnson. I wasn’t such a big fan of Samuel L. Jackson’s performance, although again I think much of the exaggerated style and delivery is intentional.

I didn’t go into “Django Unchained” expecting to like it as much as I did. My fear was that it would have the pacing and apparent indulgence of “Basterds” – and so I was pleasantly surprised by what felt to me like a better structured and edited film. As stated, it’s not for everybody but it’s my favorite of the big holiday releases.

Les Misérables
Directed by Tom Hooper

Coincidentally, “Les Misérables” has also won an American Film Institute Movie of the Year Award and almost as many (four) Golden Globe nominations (along with many other recognitions, primarily for ensemble cast). But it wasn’t anything like as satisfying to watch – at least not for me.

At press screenings, we’re generally asked to write a quick comment for the studios and mine was “It’s hard to imagine this being done better” – at risk of having that misinterpreted. I didn’t love the film but a project like this, perhaps more so than some, is a mixture of compromises. In order to be made on this scale, as with many ‘big’ films, you need some pretty big name actors attached – but for a musical like this you also need them to be singers, of some noteworthy level of talent. And that requirement suddenly shortens the list. Additionally, Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech”) chose to have the actors’ voices recorded on set rather than after the fact in a perfectly controlled studio environment – which ups the ante still further on the singing.

The end result of which is that we get Russell Crowe, who has a love of music and a side band project, in a role for which he doesn’t seem especially well suited. He might be a good pick for a biopic about a rockstar or a country singer, but he doesn’t ever seem either comfortable or suitable for a semi –operatic belting of the kind of expository dialog in musical form that makes up much of “Les Misérables.” Which leads me to a side note, in the interests of full disclosure: I’m more of a fan of catchy-song-based musicals, interspersed with spoken dialog – I’m not such a fan of musicals in which almost every word is sung, including explanatory speeches and dialog which seem less songlike. And Crowe, in delivering much of this content, seemed almost as uncomfortable as I was listening to it, ending up rather flat and monotone in his performance.

In contrast, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway are anything but monotone, but they each seems to go to the other extreme, with so much emoting that the singing seems to take on the form of some kind of grueling torture of facial contortion and heartbreak. Granted, that’s the nature of what they’re singing about, but at times they both seem firmly stuck in the more is more camp.

I actually enjoyed the movie more when we were watching the less starry, secondary characters – especially Eddie Redmayne as Marius and young Daniel Huttlestone as Gavroche. Redmayne, in particular, seemed pitch perfect and operating at the right balance of singing and acting performances (to my admittedly untrained eyes and ears).

Taking a show like this from stage to screen is tough in terms of that balance – the stage generally requires much ‘bigger’ performances, as actors project their emotions to people sitting far away in the balcony. Whereas, on screen, we’re all close enough to watch eyebrows twitch and nostrils flare – it’s like we’re all sitting closer than a theatrical front row. Much of this felt like ‘too big’ performances that might have been better suited to a live stage, including the pantomimesque comic relief from Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter.

I admire the size and ambition of this project, but that in and of itself gives rise to some of the problems I’ve described. And the end result is somewhat like other stage to film musical adaptations, such as “Mamma Mia,” where you end up hoping certain people will sing more and preferring to drown the voices of others with the sound of rustling candy wrappers or, better still, a flushing toilet as you strategically time a bathroom break based on whose solo is featured.

In conclusion, I didn’t love it but also didn’t hate it – and, to be fair, at least some of my own issues are with the source material rather than the adaptation. But the adaptation also causes problems and the performances are sufficiently uneven to mar the experience of watching what is otherwise an admirably ambitious attempt. But I still think it’s a fundamentally difficult project to pull off, even this well, and it’s not on my holiday ticket recommendations list.

New films: Hyde Park on Hudson and Jack Reacher

2012-12-22T01:43:22Z

Hyde Park on Hudson
Directed by Roger Michell

This is the latest film in a recent run of releases that focus on larger than life figures, with vast careers and records, by concentrating on brief but defining and/or representative periods in their lives. In “Lincoln” the attention was on the passage of legislation that became the Thirteenth Amendment. In “Hitchcock” it was on the making of “Psycho.” And in “Hyde Park on Hudson,” it’s a weekend meeting between Franklin D. Roosevelt and King George VI.

As with the other subjects, one could make epic movies about Roosevelt – he was a four term President who took the country from the depression era through the Second World War, dying in office in 1945. But the goal here, again, is to give an impression of the kind of man he was – and the story of the weekend in question is told through the eyes of a distant cousin and mistress of Roosevelt’s, based on diaries of hers that were discovered after her death.

As of 1939, no British monarch had ever visited this country, but George VI knew that another war with Germany was imminent and that American support would be a critical factor in the outcome. Meanwhile, sentiments in America were mixed, with strong cultural ties not just to Britain but also to Germany and Italy – and so the respective heads of state agreed to meet in June of that year.

As depicted in the film, the King was nervous about the meeting, which was smaller in scale and grandeur than many royal events, and it was arranged to occur at the Roosevelt’s rural home, hence the title of the film. This is the same King recently made famous again in “The King’s Speech,” a man who never expected to play that role and who was additionally concerned about the impression he made as a result of his pronounced stutter. However, Roosevelt had fallen victim to polio as an adult and was well aware of the impacts and impressions caused by disability and impediment, as well as the fact that people with disabilities of various kinds are people first, and disabled a distant second.

This is an intimate film, not least because of the perspective of the writer of the source material, but in the nature of the brief but seemingly genuine relationship forged between these two men of power and stature. Roosevelt comes across as a genial man, complicated by a host of personal relationship issues, who knows how to make the younger King feel at ease. As with the other two films, if this is an accurate account, it’s easy to see how he could influence those around him with an easy understanding of humans and human nature.

One of the pivotal moments during the weekend was a picnic at which hotdogs were served. This wasn’t exactly the kind of food typically served to royalty, but Roosevelt knew that pictures of the King eating a hotdog would connect more with the American people than distant pictures from carriages or balconies, or in ceremonial robes – he was, in essence, making the King into a man of the people.

I’m often a contrarian in terms of disliking a film more than many might, but here I seem to be going against the tide of opinion in liking this one more than most. Bill Murray, an actor I much prefer in dramatic roles to comedic roles, is wonderful as Roosevelt, with Laura Linney as his cousin and confidante, and Samuel West as George VI. It’s also a film that depicts the extraordinary relationship Roosevelt had with the press corps, something that’s hard to imagine occurring now with either politicians or celebrities. Here was a man who was largely paralyzed from the waist down but who was almost always pictured sitting or standing up straight, regardless of the fact that he was generally wheeled or carried from one place to another. It’s an intimate portrait of a man that doesn’t flinch from controversy, but manages to give a glimpse at how greatness is often best achieved through small and insightful moments.

Jack Reacher
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie

“Jack Reacher” is getting better reviews than “Hyde Park on Hudson” but I think I’m an outlier again, actually liking this one even better than most. Jack Reacher is a character made popular by author Lee Child (a pseudonym) – an ex-miltary policeman who lives his life under the radar, the kind of man who finds you, rather than you finding him. He’s described in the books as a man of great abilities, in reasoning, in weaponry, in physical endurance, etc. He’s also described as being 6’5” tall and well over 200 pounds. Which makes Tom Cruise an unusual choice to play him.

That said, except for the extreme physicality, this adaptation works well and to some extent might even benefit by having the lead character as a less immediately imposing figure – he’s a man who is routinely under-estimated rather than automatically feared, and that’s probably a more interesting dynamic. It’s also a film that feels very old school – it’s a murder mystery involving an ex-military sniper who has every reason to both fear and respect Reacher’s investigative prowess – and it relies on very simple components of deduction, fighting, and real driving of real fast cars. This isn’t a film that relies on telling its story or impressing us through the use of CGI or anything overtly flashy.

I’m not much of a fan of Tom Cruise the person, but I do enjoy watching him in films like this – and, as his own producer, he chose the project well, especially given that he went so strongly against the physical type of the character, at risk of infuriating fans of the books. It’s another example of the kind of hero you see in Liam Neeson’s successful “Taken” films – he’s a strong, capable character with a law enforcement past, but who now operates outside of a strict code of conduct – he’s a good man without the constraint of rules. It’s a dynamic I enjoy on film and I expect I’ll enjoy it again if we get more of Cruise as Jack Reacher.

"Hyde Park on Hudson" opens today at the Tower Theatre and "Jack Reacher" opens in wide release.

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Two new mirthful movies to see

2012-12-21T20:03:07Z

This Is 40 & Hyde Park on Hudson film review by Gary Chew

Laughs for Americans during the winter holidays this year may be in shorter supply with domestic tragedy and misfortune filling so much of the plate. Let me put you on to a couple of new movies just now in Sacramento that give an opportunity for having a good chortle or two. They're something you might find useful.

Judd Apatow has a shiny new film to entertain called “This Is 40.” Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann return in their characters first seen in Apatow's riotous “Knocked Up.” This is another foible-filled family trek through the simple, embarrassing and humorous intimacies of a set of parents and their two young daughters.

Pete has a small record company that's not doing so well, despite the surroundings Apatow puts him and wife Debbie in. Debbie has a snazzy little dress shop where she suspects that one of her attractive salesgirls is taking from the till and looks like she might have another job on the side. The sales gal is played by Megan Fox.

Debbie is turning 40, although she claims she's just 38. Pete's dad (Albert Brooks) is looking for work and needs frequent loans from his son. Sadie at 13 and Charlotte at about 9 are struggling to come to terms with the other sister's strange behavior, given that, according to Charlotte, Sadie's body has gone weird.

Maude and Iris Apatow play the daughters and are the actual children of Judd Apatow and his actual wife, Leslie Mann. So “This Is 40” is really a family project, you see. But due to the director's really clever, sitcomish but uber blue dialogue, it's likely not what could be called your family kind of movie with a “Disney” label on it.

Meanwhile in another cinema there's “Hyde Park on Hudson,” a story drawn from 1939 when the King and Queen of England spend a weekend in upstate New York with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his extended family and several servants. It's set among the gathering clouds of America's coming to terms with joining up for a dust off with Hitler and his Nazis.

Bill Murray deftly portrays America's 34th president. Laura Linney, who never appears in bad films, plays Daisy, FDR's distant and younger cousin and Olivia Williams is spot on as the First Lady, Eleanor.

“Hyde Park on Hudson” is very humanizing of Roosevelt. Although a staid performance, Murray gives the character a dash of lightness and maybe impishness for a historical figure most associated with hard times, war and the New Deal. It's an aspect of FDR that's not to any great extent ever reflected much light before, and allows for us to see the subtle almost boyish chicanery and ego of a revered and powerful man who's pushing 70.

Roger Michell (Notting Hill) has directed “Hyde Park on Hudson” with an understated elegance that plays much like an almost perfectly filmed poem, if one could be. Jeremy Sams', supporting music, I don't believe, could be a better fit.

“Hyde Park on Hudson” will make you laugh in a quieter way than “This Is 40,” but isn't either kind of mirthful expression such a welcome emotion?

Happy holidays...whatever you call them.

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

3 Recommendations for last minute gifts of local entertainment

2012-12-21T07:30:39Z

3 Gifts of Entertainment

If you’re still trying to figure out gift options, here are three recommendations that are easy to purchase without dealing with crowded shopping malls. And tickets have the added advantage of being easy to wrap.

How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular

Mix the storyline and production company behind the excellent animated film “How to Train Your Dragon” with the animatronic masterminds behind “Walking with Dinosaurs” and you get this amazing show that’s touring arenas around the country. Not only are the dragons awesome enough to thrill ‘children of all ages’ (myself included) but the show incorporates some really cool mixed-media techniques that put the characters into elaborate images projected onto both a rear screen wall and the floor of the venue.

I had the good fortune to watch it in Fresno to get a sneak peek (check the slideshow for some photos I took at the show) and it has that whole-family dynamic going for it. From Fresno the show goes to San Jose for a few days (December 26-30) and then comes to Sleep Train Arena (the Arena formerly known as Power Balance and Arco) on January 3-6. That’s only four days of shows but there are seven show times to choose from and tickets start at $30. More information can be found at www.dreamworksdragonslive.com.

Django Unchained

My preferred choice of the movies opening next week is “Django Unchained” from director Quentin Tarantino. Realistically, this is a violent film that isn’t for everybody – but it’s not just for Tarantino fans either. I wasn’t a huge supporter of his last film and I thoroughly enjoyed this one, which is a genre piece through and through. I like to think of it as 2 hours and 46 minutes of spaghetti grindhouse awesomeness, pulling from both western film styles and the kinds of action movies where the exploding blood packs are never quite big enough.

That said, it’s also tackling some serious subject matter underneath all the genre trappings. The story focuses on an ex-slave turned bounty hunter in pre-Civil War America and his desire to free his wife, at all costs to those around him. It’s not the most holidayish of holiday movies, but it’s a good pick for a film lover’s stocking. “Django Unchained” opens in wide release on December 25.

John Oliver

My third best pick of upcoming events is John Oliver, live at the Crest Theatre on January 18th. For those who might not recognize the name, Oliver is the English writer and comedian who’s a regular contributor on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” – and who mixes political jadedness with immigrant culture shock to great effect. I’m personally looking forward enough to this to be planning travel around it and it’s a perfect gift for fans of the show and other comedy-loving political junkies. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at tickets.com or in person at the Crest box office (which saves on some of the online fees). More details are at the www.thecrest.com.

Book Talk: Books make great gifts

2012-12-20T20:11:54Z

If you're like many people, you may have forgotten one or two gifts, but never fear. With several shopping days left before Christmas, Book Talk can guide your car to some interesting stops. Maybe you'll even find a gift for yourself.

Books make wonderful gifts, but you don't have to buy the titles listed on the top ten or bestselling lists, and you really don't have to buy those gift books that weigh more than an old-school laptop. In fact, you don't even have to buy new books. Consider shopping at one of the many used book stores in the Sacramento area.

Several are affiliated with various Friends of the Library, including the newest storefront in Rio Linda at 440 Elkhorn Blvd. This store has a special buy-one, get-one free sale through the month of December, and it is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There are thousands of new and collectible books from which to choose, with many books priced less than $1 each. Proceeds benefit children's programs at the Rio Linda library.

The Friends of North Natomas Library and the Friends of Belle Cooledge Library also sponsor freestanding book stores, and these are inside each library so hours are based on library hours. They each offer a wide selection of gently used books and other gift items like book bags.

The Book Den is the main friends of the library store for the Sacramento Public Library. In addition to its wide selection of books, The Book Den offers a room with hard-to-find treasures. Located off the grid at 8250 Belvedere Avenue, it's worth the drive. The store is open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stop by your local library branch and check its selection of sale books. You never know what you'll find.

Other stores that benefit causes include Sacramento's SPCA store where you might find a selection of mysteries, literary journals, fine art books or that special book you've been searching for. If you're in Davis, you'll want to stop by the Yolo County SPCA store where you're likely to find classics, fiction and a large selection of children's books. Logos Books, a not-for-profit used book store, in Davis carries a wide range of topics from local history to art and mythology to philosophy.

Sacramento is home to several used book stores. Among them are The Book Collector, which has a 50% off sale this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21, 22 and 23, on most used books. If you're looking for regional poetry, history or art, then this might be the first of three stops. From here, you can walk to Time Tested Books where you'll find a turn-of-the century buiilding housing a wide range of books plus vinyl records. Your final stop should be Beers Books on S Street.

Beers Books is the oldest Sacramento book store, having opened in the mid 1930s. Some of the highlights include books on cd and old radio shows; California history; philosophy, including Eastern philosophy; comic books and graphic novels; Native American literature, culture and history; and Western Americana. You'll also find the classics and new titles. Beers is open Thursday through Saturday until 8 p.m.. If you shop between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday evening, you can save 10% off your purchase. If you stop there any open weekday between noon and 1 p.m., you can also save 10% off your purchase.

Happy shopping!

Southside Park association focuses on keeping pool open

2012-12-20T02:04:41Z

With the new year, neighborhood associations in Sacramento are focusing on their resolutions, and Southside Park is working on its top three.

1. Making sure that the Southside Park pool is open again, with lower prices and a longer season

Earlier this year marked the first time since 2010 that the pool was used.The Southside Park Neighborhood Association is hopeful that the city is looking favorably to the “Y” running the pool program again next summer. The pricing structure is also of concern to the community, which many feel was too high, especially given the general income level of the kids served.

2. Regaining access to the community clubhouse

The Southside Park Clubhouse, located at 2051 Sixth St., is no longer accessible to the SPNA. Bill Magavern, president of the Southside Park Neighborhood Association, said that the city leased the clubhouse to Target Excellence, which refused to let the association meet there without charging them.

“It is a public building. We met there, had youth programs there, but then the city ran out of funding for it and decided to lease the building to Target Excellence,” Magavern said.

Target Excellence is a research-based, educational services nonprofit organization. According to its website, they currently, serve over 1,000 children daily by providing after-school programs that focus on academic achievement, character-building, health and wellness, and employable life skills.

Magavern said Target Excellence asked for $35 to use the meeting space. The SPNA continued to try and negotiate with them, but eventually the company stopped responding to emails and calls. Magavern added that the head of Target Excellence has never met with the SPNA directly.

“It is a public building that has been privatized, with no public purpose at all,” Magavern said. “I’m told he runs his own business out of the building - a tax preparation business.”

Magavern said that the SPNA spoke with Rob Fong, a city council member at the time, but that he didn’t do much, nor did city staff.

“We’re hoping the new council member can listen and work on getting us back into the clubhouse. We would like to go back to meeting there and having youth program activities."

With the lease for the clubhouse ending in July, the SPNA is pushing to regain access. The first step they are taking is contacting the new District 4 councilman, Steve Hansen, whom they hope can attend the upcoming Jan. 9 meeting.

3. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Southside Park

2013 will be a bright year with the Centennial Celebration of the Southside Park Neighborhood. Planning for the event is in the works, by both the association and the city.

Other issues discussed at the meeting included the redevelopment plans for Marina Vista and Alder Grove.

The redevelopment project proposed to replace public housing projects in the Marina Vista and Alder Grove neighborhoods with a mixed-income commercial development. Plans have been put on hold by the city council due to a number of complaints from local residents that there was a lack of community involvement in the planning process. Magavern said that the association is wary of the project, as it would displace residents currently residing in the area.

This information came from the Southside Park Neighborhood Association after the meeting held last Wednesday, Dec. 12, and discusses upcoming project plans for 2013. The Southside Park neighborhood borders are R Street to the north, W-X Freeway to the south, I-5 to the west, and 12th Street to the east.

The next Southside Park general meeting will be held Jan. 9, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the mosque at the corner of 4th and V streets.

Let us know what’s going on in your neighborhood. Email the Sacramento Press at localnews@sacramentopress.com.

This trip wasn't to Disneyland: Lisa Serna-Mayorga arrested

2012-12-19T15:25:44Z

Disneyland trips, stays at hotels in Las Vegas and coastal towns, clothes, makeup, iTunes games, music, movies and entertainment apps, meals at restaurants and more.

No, this isn't a Christmas wish list, though it could easily be mistaken for one. These items are just a few of the now infamous laundry list of items that a former aide to Mayor Kevin Johnson allegedly bought using a city credit card that was meant to be used strictly for city business. Lisa Serna-Mayorga allegedly spent more than $19,000 making personal purchases with the card over nearly three years, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office.

On Tuesday, Dec. 18, their investigation into Serna-Mayorga's alleged illegal activities while employed by the city came to a head, as she was arrested and charged with five felony counts, including misappropriation of public funds, grand theft of public funds, forgery and making or drawing worthless checks.

If convicted, she faces a maximum of six years and eight months in prison. Her bail was set at $50,000 and county jail records show she was released the same day as her arrest. She's scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment December 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Serna-Mayorga, who comes from a well-known political family, was essentially an office manager for the mayor and council's office from December 2008 to July 2012, according to the arrest warrant and affidavit. But during this time, it's alleged she not only spent thousands of dollars on herself and family, but tried to cover her tracks by forging the mayor's chief of staff's signature and lying on accounting documents.

The 40-year-old woman admitted making numerous personal purchases in June 2012, when an internal audit showed she hadn't submitted required paperwork to document purchases, the DA's Office stated in a news release.

After that admission, however, things got messier, authorities say. She allegedly wrote two checks to the city, amounting to more than $3,000, to cover food and travel-related purchases. Shortly after, on July 18, 2012, she wrote out a check for $6,000 to cover additional personal expenses charged to the city credit card.

Those checks, however, didn't go through, as stop payments were placed on all three before the city could submit them for deposit, the DA's Office states. "And in any event Serna-Mayorga's checking account did not have the funds to cover the checks," the release states.

The complaint and arrest warrant affidavit sheds light on the purchases, the account log used to document them, and specific items purchased:

• It's alleged that, on 10 occasions, Serna-Mayorga forged Kunal Merchant's signature, who was the mayor's chief of staff and in charge of reviewing her account logs.

• It's alleged that Serna-Mayorga spent thousands of dollars on iTunes purchases, which included musical artists Zapp & Roger, Nicki Minaj, Mann, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Usher, Justin Beiber, Cee Lo Green, Marc Anthony, Salsa Kids, Jose Valentin Restrep, and Adele.

• It's alleged that Serna-Mayorga booked two trips to Disneyland – in December 2010 and June 2012 – which totaled $1,840. Related airline tickets for her family were purchased as well, and totaled $1,563. A hotel stay and rental car for the 2010 trip totaled $518.

• It's alleged that two tablet devices and 124 games, entertainment apps and ebooks were bought through Barnes and Noble's website, totaling $714.

• Three charges were made to the Tides Hotel in Bodega Bay, totaling more than $600; Serna-Mayorga allegedly reimbursed the city for one of the purchases.

• More than $3,700 in iTunes games, music, movies, and entertainment apps were bought. Of the 1,085 iTunes purchases, only 14 appeared to be city business related.

• More than $3,500 was spent at Target on clothing, food and electronics, during Serna-Mayorga's days off or weekends.

• Serna-Mayorga allegedly admitted to Merchant that she'd made some personal purchases. At one point she paid back $1,132 to the city.

• Some of the businesses Serna-Mayorga allegedly used the city card at include restaurants, department stores, gas stations, car rental agencies, cell phone companies, grocery stores, airports and airlines, and a weight-loss company.

"Not only did she make an excessive amount of personal purchases that goes beyond the excuse of the purchase being a mistake, but it appears she went through steps to hide a number of these purchases by forging Merchant's signature on her account journals, not obtaining a manager's signature for approval, and/or not turning in a number of the account journals at all," the arrest warrant affidavit states. "Finally, in an attempt to reimburse the City of Sacramento of over $9,000, Serna-Mayorga provided three checks drawn on her Golden 1 CU checking account to the City of Sacramento knowing that there were not sufficient funds to cover those checks. A stop payment was placed on all three checks, effectively stopping any reimbursement to the city."

Serna-Mayorga is the daughter of former Sacramento Mayor Joe Serna, Jr., and is Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna's sister.

In a statement released by Mayor Johnson's office, he kept his distance from the charges against Serna-Mayorga, while expressing his gratitude toward the city for its investigation:

"As I said when this issue came to light last summer, I am saddened by this news," the statement read. "The city moved swiftly to investigate and also conducted an audit of credit card use citywide. As charges have been filed, it would be inappropriate for me or my office to comment on any of the details. As the judicial process takes its course, our thoughts are with her family."

In an opinion piece in the Sacramento Bee, Marcos Breton wrote about Serna-Mayorga's once close friendship with the mayor, and her parents' humble beginnings.

"A downward spiral like this can happen to a loved one within any family, and when it does, all you can do is mourn the people you thought you knew and helplessly ache as they face the music," he wrote.

Editor’s note: The “News Digest” goes out every Tuesday morning and highlights our best stories, photos and videos from the week prior. Sign me up.

Freedom's Eve ~ California State Capitol Celebration

2012-12-18T16:14:59Z

Contrary to popular belief, the Emancipation Proclamation did not free very many from enslavement. The US Civil War measure announced freedom for those enslaved in the Confederate States that had succeeded from the Union.

Salient to the Presidential Executive Order was the official announcement and call for Black Soldiers to join Union Soldiers to fight for freedom and help end the U.S. Civil War. The proposed National Emancipation Day requires education and advocacy to share the authentic legacy.

You are cordially Invited to celebrate Freedom's Eve ~ 150th Anniversary of Emancipation Proclamation

California Black Farmers and Agricuturalists Association co-hosts the celebration with regional elected officials, community organizations and regional businesses supporting the event. Courtney Dempsey is the MC for our wonderful festive celebration.

Monday, December 31, 2012, Noon - 3:00 pm
California State Capitol Room 126

December 31, 2012, marks Freedom's Eve and 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln, Noon, January 1, 1863, our proposed National Freedom Day.

The Emancipation Proclamation did not outlaw slavery or make the former slaves citizens. Slavery in the State of California remains an open secret and ratification of the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, in California, was celebrated on December 19, 1865.

Come and learn more about these crucial documents in American History.

Join us for Freedom's Eve in the California State Capitol, December 31, 2012 for an interfaith, intercultural and intergenerational conversation about the political and moral reality of the American Civil War (1861–1865), the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation (1862), the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), the Thirteenth Amendment (1865), and our ongoing journey towards a greater measure of freedom.

Disclosure: Project Coordinator, 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation

Public Comment: Sacramento needs a facility for bike polo

2012-12-13T22:49:21Z

In this video from Tuesday's Sacramento City Council meeting, Samuel Cardwell of Capitol Bike Polo speaks to the council members about the need for a multi-use athletic facility that could be used for bike polo, roller hockey and soccer.

"Sacramento is one of the only cities that doesn't have a multi-use court to use." Cardwell said. "we play in parking garages where we're not allowed to, tennis courts where we got kicked out, and Sacramento really needs a resource for this multi-use courts and we don't have them."

The group is currently looking for a temporary place to play, Cardwell said, but eventually hopes to find a home somewhere in the grid.

While he didn't mention any specific details about cost, Cardwell indicated that the city could make make revenue from such a facility via annual bike polo and cricket tournaments – an idea that, whatever its merits, is definitely outside-the-box thinking for reducing the city's deficit.

We've reached to Cardwell to learn more about the bike polo group and their idea for a new facility.

What's bike polo you ask? Hopefully this video helps answer that question:

Bike Polo from Bicykiller on Vimeo.

Do you think one would work in Sacramento? Sound off below.

Live today: Ash Roughani on CivicMeet Sacramento

2012-12-12T20:55:19Z

Imagine meetings in which teachers, doctors, business professionals and politicians alike get together to discuss and plan new projects to improve life in the Sacramento region. It may sound like a pipe dream, but it’s Ash Roughani’s reality.

Roughani, chief evangelist for the nonprofit startup Public Innovation, hosted the first CivicMeet Sacramento Tuesday night. CivicMeet Sacramento, started by the nonprofit Public Innovation, is a monthly gathering where people can brainstorm ideas on ways to improve areas in government and nonprofits.

We’ll be hosting a live chat with Roughani here at 2:30 p.m. Post any questions or comments you have for Roughani here.“We can choose to allow government to be a drag on our growth or we can use it as an asset to help our region grow,” the Public Innovation’s website stated. “If the Sacramento region wants to innovate its way into the future, the public sector must be part of that transformation.”

In each meeting, five teams develop innovative proposals to address unmet public needs in less than 45 minutes.

Also during the live chat, will also be announcing the winner of the Run To Feed The Hungry mini iPad contest.

To keep up with Sac Press Live chats, add us on Google+

Go.See.Do

Editor’s note: Every Thursday we deliver a local event guide straight to your inbox, right on time to make your weekend plans. Sign me up.

Photos: Steve Hansen and Allen Warren join the Sacramento City Council

2012-12-12T10:04:54Z

The two newest member of the Sacramento City Council were sworn into office Tuesday in front of a capacity crowd at City Hall.

Steve Hansen will represent District 4 and Allen Warren will represent District 2.

"I could not have imagined, growing up in Del Paso Heights, you know basically all of my life, that one day I would be sitting here, but it is a true testament, it is a true testament," Warren said following his oath into office.

Hansen said he couldn't help but note how much history was being made Tuesday night. "We talked a lot about ideas, but one of the biggest ideas we touched on was that this is a meritocracy," he said. "It doesn't matter where you grew up, it doesn't matter what family you were born in, it's about what you want to be and do, because anybody who works hard should get to be and do whatever they put their mind to."

Allen Warren's signing in and comments:

Steve Hansen's oath of office and comments:

Hansen walked to City Hall with a small group of supporters.

All seats were taken.

The oaths.

The after parties:

Mayor Kevin Johnson was elected to his second term. He celebrated by taking a lap around the chambers.

A Capitol reflection

2012-12-10T00:45:04Z

The Capitol building is reflected in one of the ornaments on the 50-foot-tall white fir tree that is decorated with hundreds of handmade ornaments by children and adults with developmental disabilities.

It's the first Capitol Christmas tree from a state forest (Latour Demonstration State Forest) near Redding, Calif.

The official tree lighting ceremony took place Wednesday evening on the west side of the Capitol.

A lot of people were visiting the tree and having their picture taken in front of it today.

Protest of Casino Development at Buena Vista Rancheria

2012-12-07T22:25:19Z

Introduction: changing Indian policy
In the place now known as California, there lived more than 100 indigenous languages, with 50 alive today and others sleeping. Now there are 105 federally acknowledged American Indian tribes. Indigenous people of this region still play traditional stick games with songs in our native languages. There are approximately 62 tribal gaming operations in California alone. Yolo, Placer, El Dorado and Amador Counties each have one tribal gaming operation per county, with none in Sacramento County. However, not all federally acknowledged American Indian tribes own gaming operations, not all groups of American Indians are federally acknowledged, and not all American Indian people are enrolled members of their federally acknowledged nation. There is a list of tribes eligible to receive services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Federal acknowledgement may be derived in three ways: through the Office of Federal Acknowledgment or the BIA; successful passage of an act of the U.S. Congress; and by a ruling of U.S. federal court. There are approximately 352 tribes in 44 states petitioning for acknowledgment with the OFA, and approximately 79 of those petitions are from within California. The minimum time for review by the OFA is about two years, and the clock is still running on the longest wait times. Some American Indian tribes within California have been acknowledged though Congress, though some of our members of Congress do not support this avenue as a matter of policy. Friends of Amador County, Bea Crabtree and June Geary are currently in federal court seeking consideration from the U.S., and the right of Bea Crabtree and June Geary to reorganize their tribe, Buena Vista Rancheria. Bea Crabtree and June Geary are the eldest known lineal descendants of the Buena Vista Rancheria.

In 1927, the U.S. bought 67.5 acres of land in Amador County to be the Buena Vista Rancheria, where Kay'sc (a.k.a. Casus Oliver) and Lizzie stayed and lived with their children, defending the land and cemetery. In 1915, a band called Richey included, among others, Casus Oliver and his wife; their eldest son John Oliver, his wife and three children; and probably John Oliver's two younger siblings, incorrectly listed as Lucy and Joseph Oliver. Their correct names are Louie and Josephine. In a 1917 correspondence between John Oliver, Louie Oliver and a Special Agent, the Special Agent describes "Buna Vista" as the "ancient village home among (John Oliver's) people.” The cemetery located within the Buena Vista Rancheria may have been one very important reason that the Rancheria was purchased for Miwok people, since so much of Amador County was not returned at that time.

The Buena Vista Rancheria was confirmed by the federal government with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, based on John Oliver, Louie and Annie Oliver, and Josie Ray. In 1959, the Buena Vista Rancheria was terminated by the Rancheria Act of 1958, along with many other American Indian tribes. After that the Buena Vista Rancheria was owned by joint tenants Louie and Annie Oliver. In summertime, our family would gather at Buena Vista Rancheria. My aunts and uncles would get out of school for the summer and my great-aunt, grandma and grandpa would take the whole family and stay with Uncle Louie and Aunt Annie. The tradition continued until 1973, when Uncle Louie died, one year after Aunt Annie.

The Olivers and hereditary Miwok leadership
John Oliver is my Great Great Grandfather, and he lived at Buena Vista Rancheria. His eldest child was Ethel, and her life was strongly impacted by American Indian policies. Her parents, John Oliver and Lena West Oliver, were both Miwok of Amador County. Ethel lived in Amador County with her three younger brothers until she was sent away to school, then she began supporting herself as a waitress or a cook. Ethel was about 18 years old when Buena Vista Rancheria was bought for the Miwok who had been living there since time immemorial.

While Ethel was working in Sacramento, she met and eventually got married to John Ortega. John Ortega got a job laying railroad tracks, and when the couple got to Colusa, Ethel discovered that she was pregnant. My great-aunt Beatrice was born Sept. 11, 1930, in Colusa, and that is where the family settled, although they would regularly return to Amador County for summers, memorial days and burials.

John Ortega and Ethel Oliver Ortega had four children altogether. One of their daughters, Christine, died as a child and was interred at Buena Vista next to John Oliver. Their son, Leonard, has been missing for some time, and their youngest daughter is my Grandma June. The whole family worked to rent and survive in Colusa, but home was definitely a place in Amador County called Buena Vista Rancheria. Neither John Oliver, nor his daughter, Ethel Oliver Ortega Bill, consented to the termination of the Buena Vista Rancheria in 1959, and they were already interred at the cemetery there. There are Miwok people buried there with gravestones, like Ethel, and there are also many unmarked graves of our ancestors. The most distinctive lesson that is taught to us about Buena Vista is that it is a place for Miwok people to be buried.

Heredity works by blood, and it combines with the time that one spends with our tribe. It is often the eldest child who has the most time to get to know their parents and grandparents. For this reason, the eldest may be the one referred to for decisions, because that person receives the most input, and is relied on. When our parents are raised by their parents, and them by theirs, etc, we inherit a continuous, contemporary version of our ancient cultures. Transmission of philosophy happens by discussing experience, morals and history, to elaborate on a child's interests and questions. As children we learn about the physical world around us, and how we behave through observation and instruction. California has undergone irrevocable changes; one of these has been government. The Miwok of Buena Vista Rancheria have been here the whole time.

Indian gaming without the Miwok of Buena Vista Rancheria
Uncle Louie and Aunt Annie accepted termination, and the land that was formerly recognized as Buena Vista Rancheria was deeded to them. Uncle Louie remained amicable to the wishes of his family, but he made it clear that the parcel of land was not intended for investigation by outsiders. The land remained property of the descendants of Louie and Annie until their last surviving daughter, Lucille, died. Then in 1997 all of the land that had been the Buena Vista Rancheria was deeded to an organization called “Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians.” When, Lucille Lucero died, she was laid to rest just east of her cousin Ethel in the family cemetery. In 1999, the state of California allowed Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians to obtain a gaming compact.

The gaming compact was signed by then California Governor Gray Davis. Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians had only three citizens in 1999, and none of these were identified as a Miwok individual according to the BIA. Since 1994 the BIA listed the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, due to correspondence. The woman responsible for Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians was Donna Marie Potts, and she took care of Lucille until she died in 1995. Mrs. Potts' two children were the only other members of the organization.

In 2004 the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians compact with California was amended as a result of a settlement between the former landowner and the great-granddaughter of Louie and Annie Oliver. The amended compact was signed by the great-granddaughter, in the position of chairperson, and by then California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Sacramento Bee reported, March 8, 2002, evidence that the new chairperson was of Oliver descent included child support records. The girl was just about 2 years old when Annie died, 3 years old when Louie died, 5 years old when her father Jesse Pope died. The settlement supposedly satisfied two U.S. criteria for the federal recognition. First, that the tribe must have an enrolled membership with individual descendants of that tribe, and second, the Tillie Hardwick v. U.S. (1983) case, creating a class of people of those who became landowners as a result of the Rancheria Act (1958), granting that class of people the right to reorganize and their descendants. Her inclusion with the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians caused an opinion, dated June 30, 2005, from the acting General Council for the National Indian Gaming Commission, stating, “The tribal members who were on the land prior to the United States purchase are from the same family as those who continue to control the Rancheria today.”

The latest chairperson was Rhonda Pope, and in 2001 she stated that she was the only lineal descendant of the Buena Vista Rancheria, for a Dec. 16 Sacramento Bee news article. In 2009 she spoke for the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians in a press release, calling the Friends of Amador County (and Bea and June) “obstructionists” for their current lawsuit against the U.S. Her remarks were hurtful misrepresentations of Miwok people who lived at Buena Vista Rancheria. In 2001, when my grandma June was still able to dial numbers on a telephone, she got in contact with Rhonda. In 2001, Rhonda's public position was in opposition to casino-style gaming at Buena Vista Rancheria, and my grandma began giving her pictures of the old round houses at Buena Vista, family gatherings and one picture that Rhonda said was the only picture that she ever had of her father, Jesse Pope, whom we called “Buddy.” During that time, Rhonda told June repeatedly that she considered her a member of the tribe and not to worry about getting a lawyer. Today, June is still considered an unenrolled member of the Buena Vista Rancheria, and this limits her ability to defend the land of our ancestors from casino-style gaming that Rhonda now supports. Rhonda did not uphold her oral contracts with my grandmother, and the U.S. has allowed the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians to continue pursuing gaming since 1999, though Miwok people oppose that pursuit.

Buena Vista Rancheria and Me
Amador County in California was richer before the Gold Rush, and people today can enjoy the county's beautiful scenery and small-town atmosphere. I asked a woman leaving a bar what she thought about a casino planned for Buena Vista near Ione. She smiled and said that she can't find a job. At the Ione City Hall and police station, I explained my protest of casino development at Buena Vista Rancheria, and an officer called it “interesting.” A librarian said she has never even been inside of the Jackson Rancheria casino near Jackson. At the Ione Hotel, a man said he would like more business brought to the area, and, of course, it should be done properly.

The first time my dad, grandma and uncle took me to Buena Vista Rancheria was before 2004. It was Memorial Day, and we met the Villa family, who were caretakers of the cemetery. We planted flowers, and went to Glen Villa's home for a barbeque. I asked my grandma June why the family hasn't stayed there since Uncle Louie died. She said people didn't seem to want to go there anymore.

This year, I ran with the Peace and Dignity Journey from Buena Vista Rancheria to Tuolumne, caught a ride back to Buena Vista Rancheria and ran to Lodi also. The Peace and Dignity Journey happens every four years, and has grassroots organization. It takes many routes to connect with many communities on the same latitudes, uniting these continents traveling from north and south to meet in Guatemala, like the eagle and condor of prophecy. Along the way, people like me carry staffs, representing our ancestors and our message. This year, it is about honoring the water.

During the time that the Peace and Dignity Journey was at Buena Vista Rancheria, some of us hiked up the Buena Vista Peaks on the south side of the Rancheria to a spring. The spring water is being harvested to supply the lower Rancheria, but the view from there is gorgeous. All that I could see was another mountain ridge to the east, dappled and marked with dark-green blue oak trees on golden tan grasses. Others went further up the mountain, where they saw mortars and pestles. Ancestors who found sanctuary in the Buena Vista Peaks could survive with water from the spring. The only disturbance now is noise that comes from the Buena Vista Biomass Power Plant across the street, which replaced a coal power plant.

Conclusion: the elders have a significant use for the Rancheria
According to the county assessor's office, the Buena Vista Rancheria is now owned by the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, an organization now operating out of a downtown Sacramento office, that became federally acknowledged as an American Indian tribe in 1994 with a gaming compact since 1999, due to Bureau of Indian Affairs correspondence that was not sufficiently investigated. The Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, partners with respected organizations, spends money on local events, and supports numerous causes; yet, Great-Aunt Bea and Grandma June, the eldest known lineal descendants of Buena Vista Rancheria, are not enrolled citizens of their American Indian nation because federal acknowledgement of their heritage went to Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians.

Sadly, Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians would like to divide our sacred site to construct a gaming facility for housing 950 slots. I protest the construction of such a facility because the location is reserved as the final resting place of our ancestors and relatives. Also, Great-aunt Bea and Grandma June have plans to be buried there with all of the ancestors and their sister Christine. In the words of my great-aunt Bea about the proposed desecration of our most important sacred site, if we don't stop them now, they'll do whatever they want.

Friends of Amador County, Bea Crabtree and June Geary versus the United States of America et. al., is the case asking for the right of the elders to reorganize. This case was dismissed from the U.S. Eastern District Court of California in 2011 and it is currently in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

Disclosure: I am Nomlaki, Wailaki, Miwok, Maidu, Yuki, and Navajo, enrolled with the Paskenta band of Nomlaki Indians of Tehama County, California.

It's your turn to Envision Sacramento

2012-12-07T18:53:43Z

Envision Sacramento. What is it?

Coming in January is a public engagement tool designed to gather your ideas and opinions to further the effort of creating Sacramento as aa involved community. You, as part of the community, will have the opportunity to share your ideas from the comfort of your own home. What’s on your mind Sacramento? You can tell us starting January 10. Create a profile today at www.envisionsacramento.com.

Check out a quick teaser video below:

http://youtu.be/qPxCIomodS8

Disclosure: Carlos Eliason specializes in creative outreach for the City of Sacramento.

New films: Hitchcock, Playing for Keeps, Somewhere Between

2012-12-07T13:35:23Z

Hitchcock
Directed by Sacha Gervasi

There’s a similarity between the new film “Hitchcock” and “Lincoln,” which opened and was reviewed three weeks ago. Both are films about strong, well regarded men at the top of their respective professions, who had impressive and broad-ranging careers and life stories that could be adapted into films of epic proportions. But, instead, both films tackle a very specific time period and project, relatively late in their respective careers, in an attempt to illustrate the men and their temperaments and achievements through those specific chapters in their lives.

In “Lincoln,” the focus is on the passage of what would become the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, outlawing slavery. It’s very well produced and well acted, but that limited scope may not be what all people want to see in a film about Abraham Lincoln. In “Hitchcock,” the focus is on the production of “Psycho,” but the film manages to capture a sense of a broader timeframe through reminiscences and relationships.

Following the release of “North by Northwest” in 1959, Alfred Hitchcock was at the top of his game, and his celebrity, with dozens of films under his prodigious belt and a growing presence in the burgeoning world of television. But he faced criticism and personal uncertainty that ranged from accusations that he was repeating himself to suggestions that he should retire. So he found himself looking for a project that would both prove that he still had it and also surprise people by not being what they might expect of him. He found that project in an unlikely tale of a murderer that was inspired by the crimes of Ed Gein. However, this wasn’t a story that appealed to investors or to the studio and in order to get it made, the film was funded by Hitchcock and his wife and partner Alma Reville, herself a talented editor and writer.

“Hitchcock” does a number of things very well, showcasing the filmmaking process, the deal-making that was necessary to get “Psycho” off the ground, and the complicated relationship between Hitchcock and the under-appreciated, under-recognized Reville. But it does these things without blindly championing Hitchcock himself. He could be hard and demanding to work with, was most likely hard to be married to, and was a pretty creepy guy in many respects, including his working relationships with his actresses. It’s a portrait of a talented but flawed man and of a successful but not always happy marriage and working partnership, carried by the wonderful performances of Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren in the two lead roles.

It’s not a perfect film, and there’s one recurring theme or device that’s a little distracting at times, but on balance it worked for me, managing to do several things well. And, at just 98 minutes long, it doesn’t just avoid being an epic, it’s positively brisk.

Playing for Keeps
Directed by Gabriele Muccino

“Playing for Keeps” is an awful movie that somehow manages to salvage almost nothing from an decent cast that includes Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dennis Quaid, and Judy Greer. It’s hard to imagine throwing that group together in a room with no script at all and coming up with something any worse than this.

The basic premise is of an ex-soccer player (Butler) trying to get his life together, and moving to be close to his ex-wife (Biel) and their young son. When taking their son to soccer practice, he spontaneously begins coaching the team and is asked by the other parents to continue, whereupon assorted relationships begin and much awkwardness and bad filmmaking ensues.

The main problem is that the movie feels as though it was written and directed by committee, possibly two separate committees, who couldn’t decide what kind of movie they wanted to make. At times it’s an almost raunchy sex comedy, with Butler being hit on by multiple soccer moms (Zeta-Jones, Thurman, Greer), and in these moments it isn’t a film you’d particularly want your kids to watch. At other times it’s a father-son bonding movie, interspersed with moments of romantic comedy and more significant family drama. But it never sticks with any genre long enough to do them justice and the end result is a failed mashup that seems as though it wouldn’t please a fan of any of them.

In fairness, I say “seems” because whereas I gradually disliked the film more and more, the test audience was far more positive about it. But, as of the time of writing this review, the film has failed to garner even a single positive response (out of 34 posted reviews) from critics on the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, so it may be another example of the divide between critics and audiences looking for a little escapist fun.

Somewhere Between
Directed by Linda Goldstein Knowlton

In 1979, in an attempt to cope with a rising population, China passed its controversial One Child Policy, limiting families to a single son or daughter. However, for cultural reasons, sons were considered more desirable, and the Policy resulted in a great many abandoned children who found their way into orphanages (despite often not being orphans) and into international adoptions. According to the documentary “Somewhere Between,” 80,000 of these children were adopted into American families.

When filmmaker Linda Goldstein Knowlton adopted a Chinese girl, she wondered what her daughter’s experience would be, growing up as a child of two countries. So she set out to find teenaged adopted girls from China, living in other American families, who might share their lives and experiences.

This is a fascinating film because it manages to successfully merge multiple topics that are each quite profound. The topic of adoption by itself can raise passions and arguments about adoptees having access to or knowledge about their birth parents – but these are girls who were often abandoned in a country with a vast population, thousands of miles away. Some don’t even know their own birthdays, having been assigned a best estimate by an orphanage, and information about the birth parents is generally even more scant. Others have strong childhood memories, including of being left on a city street by a family member. On top of that, there’s the question of the immigrant experience and fitting in, in a country with a completely different culture and where you’re always an outsider, not just because you don’t look like everybody else, but because you also don’t look like your own adoptive parents.

The girls followed in the film are remarkable young women of great talent, but they share a sense of questioned identity, both personal and cultural. One describes herself as a “Banana” – yellow on the outside and white on the inside, and another makes the same reference using the label “Twinkie.” One of the other girls says she feels more like a “Scrambled Egg,” because the elements of her identity, still using a yellow and white comparison and contrast, are too mixed up to separate so cleanly.

Some of the girls in the film are members of a global support organization for Chinese adoptees and they travel extensively to spend time with both other adoptees and other parents and prospective adoptive parents. On one of these trips, two of the girls meet the founder of another group of international adoptees who is very much of the opinion that such adoptions should stop, based on discoveries that many of the adoptions and supporting paperwork are falsified.

The girls also have varied contact with China, with some having other adopted siblings and one family dedicating time and resources, and many trips, to helping orphanages.

As one of them decides to attempt to find her birth parents, in what seems like an impossible dream (and I won’t tell you what happens), we see an odd variation on the missing child poster. Generally the “do you know this child?” question isn’t being asked by the child herself.
One recurring theme is a desire to be good at something, to succeed in life, to overcome the sense that at one point in their lives they were considered worthless and disposable, perhaps more so than with other adoptees. They don’t know the specific circumstances of their births and abandonment, but they do know the Policy and the cultural imperatives that caused their adoptions. And this also gives rise to gender-related concerns – they weren’t just considered worthless, they were generally considered worthless because they were girls.

One of the girls describes herself as being on “a journey going backwards” as she delves into her own past and her roots. And it’s an interesting journey to watch. Whatever somebody once thought of them, these are strong, smart, and capable young women. The film doesn’t definitively answer the questions generated, but it does have the potential to increase the awareness and understanding of the bi-national adoptive experience, and in a manner that’s touching, uplifting, and thought-provoking.

"Hitchock" opens today at the Tower Theatre and at Olympus Point in Roseville. "Playing for Keeps" opens in wide release. "Somewhere Between" opens at the Crest Theatre.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ~ Emancipation Proclamation Address

2012-12-07T07:57:56Z

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. NY Centennial Address

If our nation had done nothing more in its whole history than to create just two documents, its contribution to civilization would be imperishable. The first of these documents is the Declaration of Independence and the other is that which we are here to honor tonight, the Emancipation Proclamation. All tyrants, past, present and future, are powerless to bury the truths in these declarations, no matter how extensive their legions, how vast their power and how malignant their evil.

The Declaration of Independence proclaimed to a world, organized politically and spiritually around the concept of the inequality of man, that the dignity of human personality was inherent in man as a living being. The Emancipation Proclamation was the offspring of the Declaration of Independence. It was a constructive use of the force of law to uproot a social order which sought to separate liberty from a segment of humanity.

Our pride and progress could be unqualified if the story might end here. But history reveals that America has been a schizophrenic personality where these two documents are concerned. On the one hand she has proudly professed the basic principles inherent in both documents. On the other hand she has sadly practiced the antithesis of these principles.

If we look at our history with honesty and clarity we will be forced to admit that our Federal form of government has been, from the day of its birth, weakened in its integrity, confused and confounded in its direction, by the unresolved race question. We seldom take note or give adequate significance to the fact that Thomas Jefferson’s text of the Declaration of Independence was revised by the Continental Congress to eliminate a justifiable attack on King George for encouraging slave trade…Jefferson knew that such compromises with principle struck at the heart of the nation’s security and integrity.

In 1820, six years before his death, he wrote these melancholy words: "But this momentous question (slavery), like a fire bell in the night awakened and filled me with terror. I considered it at once as the knell of the Union. I regret that I am now to die in the belief that the useless sacrifice of themselves by the generation of 1776 to acquire self-government and happiness to their country is to be thrown away, and my only consolation is to be that I live not to weep over it."

The somber picture (of the condition of the American Negro today) may induce the sober thought that there is nothing to commemorate about the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation. But tragic disappointments and undeserved defeats do not put an end to life, nor do they wipe out the positive, however submerged it may have become beneath floods of negative experience.

The Emancipation Proclamation had four enduring results. First, it gave force to the executive power to change conditions in the national interest on a broad and far-reaching scale. Second, it dealt a devastating blow to the system of slaveholding and an economy built upon it, which had been muscular enough to engage in warfare on the Federal government. Third, it enabled the Negro to play a significant role in his own liberation with the ability to organize and to struggle, with less of the bestial retaliation his slave status had permitted to his masters. Fourth, it resurrected and restated the principle of equality upon which the founding of the nation rested.

When Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation it was not the act of an opportunistic politician issuing a hollow pronouncement to placate a pressure group.

Our truly great presidents were tortured deep in their hearts by the race question. Jefferson with keen perception saw that the festering sore of slavery debilitated white masters as well as the Negro. He feared for the future of white children who were taught a false supremacy. His concern can be summed up in one quotation, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.”

Lincoln’s torments are well known, his vacillations were facts. In the seething cauldron of ‘62 and ‘63 Lincoln was called the "Baboon President" in the North, and "coward", "assassin" and "savage" in the South. Yet he searched his way to the conclusions embodied in these words, "In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free, honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve."

On this moral foundation he personally prepared the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, and to emphasize the decisiveness of his course he called his cabinet together and declared he was not seeking their advice as to its wisdom but only suggestions on subject matter. Lincoln achieved immortality because he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. His hesitation had not stayed his hand when historic necessity charted but one course. No President can be great, or even fit for office, if he attempts to accommodate to injustice to maintain his political balance.

The Emancipation Proclamation shattered in one blow the slave system, undermining the foundations of the economy of the rebellious South; and guaranteed that no slave-holding class, if permitted to exist in defeat, could prepare a new and deadlier war after resuscitation.

The Proclamation opened the door to self-liberation by the Negro upon which he immediately acted by deserting the plantations in the South and joining the Union armies in the North. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, seeing a regiment of Negroes march through Beacon Street in Boston, wrote in his diary, “An imposing sight, with something wild and strange about it, like a dream. At last the North consents to let the Negro fight for freedom.” Beyond the war years the grim and tortured struggle of Negroes to win their own freedom is an epic of battle against frightful odds. If we have failed to do enough, it was not the will for freedom that was weak, but the forces against us which were too strong.

We have spelled out a balance sheet of the Emancipation Proclamation, its contributions and its deficiencies which our lack of zeal permitted to find expression. There is but one way to commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation. That is to make its declarations of freedom real; to reach back to the origins of our nation when our message of equality electrified an unfree world, and reaffirm democracy by deeds as bold and daring as the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Disclosure: Project Coordinator, 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation

State Capitol's 81st annual Christmas tree lighting

2012-12-06T06:27:28Z

The grounds of the Capitol were soggy - squish, squish, squish - and the skies were dripping a bit. That didn't keep away an enthusiastic crowd to welcome Christmas to Sacramento.

Even Sutter, the First Dog, was there with his fan base.

The 50-foot tall white fir tree is decorated with hundreds of handmade ornaments by children and adults with developmental disabilities.
It's the first Capitol Christmas tree from a state forest (Latour Demonstration State Forest) near Redding, CA.

Ten-year-old Christian Anderson of Costa Mesa had the honor of lighting the 10,000 ultra-low wattage LED lights.

Kitty O'Neal of KFBK Radio emceed the ceremony which also featured California Army National Guard, 59th Army Band, the Governor’s Own Brass Quintet, Galena Street East; students from the Oakland Military Institute and Oakland School for the Arts; and St. Paul’s Baptist Church Choir.

Here's some of the action:

Metropolitan Fire District Board of Directors Seeks Applicants

2012-12-05T19:31:08Z

Applicants are sought to fill a vacancy on the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District for Division 4. The closing date for filing is Friday, December 27, 2012. Qualified applicants will be scheduled for an interview and the panel will make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District for Division is an independent special district governed by a nine-member Board of Directors which elects their Board Officers. The District is responsible for providing fire protection and life safety services to the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. There are nine divisions within the District’s jurisdictional boundaries and each Board member is elected by division.

The Election Code Section 10515 requires that the Board of Supervisors appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy when there is an absence of candidates filing for election to the seat in the November general election. Compensation is $110.25 per meeting to a maximum of four meetings per month. There are two regularly-scheduled per month. For more information and filing forms and maps visit

http://www.sccob.saccounty.net/Pages/BoardsandCommissions.aspx

Note: The appointee will be required to file a statement of economic interest with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Board Clerk.

Disclosure: Media Officer with Sacramento County

Vigil to be held for Prop 8

2012-12-04T14:37:55Z

A group of dedicated marriage equality activists waited out the morning at Badlands in the heart of Lavender Heights Monday only to learn that once again, the Supreme Court issued no word on the status of Proposition 8 along with several other federal cases involving same-sex couples.

It was mid-morning when finally it was learned that the justices announced that it “redistributed the Prop 8 and DOMA cases for consideration during its morning conference this Friday, December 7, 2012”.

According to the web site of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), “This means we could get word from the Court on Friday, or the morning of Monday, December 10. It is important to remember that the Supreme Court often takes more than one Conference to consider whether to grant review in certain cases”.

Meanwhile a core of diligent LGBTQ community members who met early Monday vowed to return Friday morning at 6:00am to Badlands on the corner of 20th and K Street, and wait out the day until “we hear something definitive from the Supreme Court” said Tina Reynolds, co-founder of Equality Action NOW.

“Marriage equality is a basic civil right. It’s a legal and constitutional issue, not a religious one and I think more and more Americans are getting that, which is why the polls are showing a dramatic change in support of gays and lesbians receiving all the rights they are afforded as a citizen of California”, said Reynolds.

Personally, as a member of the civil rights group, Equality Action NOW and Public Relations Director for B.R.A.V.E. Society, a local non-profit bullying awareness organization, I am planning on making Friday a vigil for the “death” of Prop 8. The California Supreme Court struck it down, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, let’s put it to rest already. I am hoping the court will send Prop 8 home where it belongs and let them figure out the DOMA cases.

Our same-sex couples have been waiting too long for their equal rights. We have older couples who have been together for decades, separated due to one spouse having to be placed in a nursing home, or worse, passing away before they are able to marry. It’s time.

In anticipation of Friday’s conference, local organizations are gearing up for a positive outcome.

Because of the long list of cases the Supreme Court needs to review Friday, it is expected that the earliest a decision may be made is early afternoon and possibly Monday, December 10, at 6:30am (Pacific) to post the decision to their web site. Friday’s morning gathering will be to keep an eye on the news, and to talk about what life will be like when California LGBTQ citizens regain their civil rights.

Soon after the decision is made, no matter what that decision will be, the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center will host a Press Conference. Leaders of Equality Action NOW (EAN), a local civil rights group and Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA), a nationwide organization is organizing this event.

Also on Friday or Monday, if the court turns down the hearing of Prop 8 leading the way for marriage equality here in California, MEUSA and EAN will host a celebratory rally at the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center, currently slated for 6:00pm.

For more information feel free to contact, Ken Pierce kpierce8272@yahoo.com, or Enrique Manjarrez Enrique@equalityactionnow.org.

Disclosure: Ken Pierce is B.R.A.V.E. Society's Media and Public Relations Consultant. Pierce is a freelance journalist, activist, and has his own Public Relations firm here in Sacramento. You can reach Ken at kpierce8272@yahoo.com.

DEVELOPING: Elk Grove mayor met with MLS commissioner

2012-12-03T15:28:46Z

The mayor elect of Elk Grove, Gary Davis, sent out a press statement Monday morning concerning the future of professional soccer in the Sacramento region and a meeting he held with Major League Soccer Comissioner Don Garber over the weekend. For reasons that will become clear as the day progresses, the timing of this statement is important, and it seems to be part of a budding rivialry between Sacramento and Elk Grove when it comes to brining soccer teams to the region.

Also key is that Davis says that "City of Elk Grove signed an exclusivity agreement with a potential ownership team" and that "These discussions include building a soccer specific stadium in Elk Grove and are well on their way to completion."

The text of the press release is below. This is a developing story – more details coming soon.

Press release from Mayor Elect of Elk Grove, Gary Davis:

"There has been a great deal of discussion as of late regarding professional soccer coming to the greater Sacramento region.

Several months ago the City of Elk Grove signed an exclusivity agreement with a potential ownership team to make this a reality. These discussions include building a soccer specific stadium in Elk Grove and are well on their way to completion.

This past Saturday, Mayor Elect Gary Davis was invited to the MLS Cup in Los Angeles to meet with MLS Commissioner Don Garber.Davis described the meeting as, 'Productive'.

'Commissioner Garber is interested in this market and, due to our proximity to the Central Valley, Elk Grove specifically. He laid out a few parameters – all which we are already well underway in meeting. If done right, we have an opportunity to get a real professional soccer team in ElK Grove'.”

Thank you Councilmembers Sandy Sheedy and Rob Fong

2012-12-01T07:00:51Z

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” Alexander Graham Bell

There are always more opportunities in life, somewhere over the rainbow; another opportunity is coming for both Councilmember Sandy Sheedy and Councilmember Rob Fong.

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

I truly and with all my heart will miss not seeing both Councilmembers Robert Fong and Sandy Sheedy at city council sessions.

Councilmember Sandy Sheedy has, in my opinion, given her heart in representing District 2 of the City of Sacramento. She has been a member of the Sacramento City Council since 2000 when she was elected. Before I welcome the new councilmember for District 2 I have to show appreciation and respect for the councilmember who served her District for twelve years and who previously served on the Sacramento Planning Commission.

While Sheedy may not have always agreed with comments I made at city council sessions; her heart and mind was open to hearing my pleas, concerns and pain towards addressing youth violence and other city related issues.

Councilmember Seedy I will miss you. I will miss your smile and the attention you gave me as I spoke. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream will come true. When one door closes another will open. I look forward to seeing you walk through another public service door. And when you find the opportunity that is right for you many within our community will stand to greet you.

Councilmember Sheedy, I have a great deal of respect for you. Please do not look long and regretfully upon the closed door that you fail to see the door which has opened for you.

Before I welcome the new councilmember for District 4 I have to show appreciation and respect for the councilmember who served his District for over eight years. Councilmember Robert Fong has, in my opinion, given his heart in representing District 4 of the City of Sacramento. He was elected in 2004. He served on the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education for several years prior to being elected to the city council. Fong is an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley and a firecracker when stating or opposing a case on council.

While he may not have always agreed with comments I made at city council sessions he too opened his heart and mind to hearing my pleas, concerns and pain towards addressing youth violence and other city related issues.

Councilmember Fong, I will miss you. I will miss the way you would go into a sincere stare as I spoke as if something I said touched you. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies for you are also blue and the dreams that you dare to dream will come true. Dream Big! When one door closes another will open and many within the community will also greet you with open arms.

Councilmember Fong, I have a great deal of respect for you. Please do not look long or regretfullyupon the closed door that you fail to see the door which has also opened for you.

The last few years could not have been easy for either Councilmember Fong or Sheedy as they attempted to find order within chaos. I respect them for staying tough and true to their beliefs.

Over the years I have grown to have a great deal of respect for them both. They will truly and sincerely be missed.

Thank you for your efforts, labor and hearts. May you both be blessed for your efforts serving our community.

Teen creative writing workshop

2012-12-01T05:30:10Z

Attend the free creative writing workshop this Saturday, Dec.1 from 1-3pm at the South Natomas library branch located at 2901 Truxel Road . This workshop is an introduction to the genres of creative writing (creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry). All materials will be supplied and snacks available. Teens (13-18) will be eligible to submit their writing to the "Heroes" anthology.

This workshop is taught by Trina L. Drotar, local poet, writer, editor, and artist. She is the former editor "Poetry Now" and "Calaveras Station." She is active in the Sacramento literary and arts community and received her MA from CSUS. Registration is requested. To register, please click here.