Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "smud"

Midtown streets getting lit up

2013-04-04T14:26:24Z

Trish Wallis didn't used to walk around her Midtown neighborhood carrying a personal taser, nor did she leave her purse at home when going out at night. But a few months back, when a wave of pedestrian robberies hit her neighborhood, she started taking extra safety precautions, and even stopped walking her dog at night.

"It seemed like it was out of control," she said of the crime spree. “I keep my money and services within a few block radius from my house, so I don't want the recent crime to change that. That being said, I'm not stupid and want to be safe.”

Wallis, a self-described activist at heart, starting pushing for more lighting on 26th Street, between G and E streets, and notifying the police when she saw suspicious people or activities, like someone urinating in the parking lot behind her home, or a man smoking what she believed to be marijuana by a park, and even a man smoking a substance out of a glass pipe.

"If I'm just one voice to say things need to change in these smaller, related areas, that's OK, but I just want to see something change," said Wallis, who had lighting installed at her apartment building following the robberies.

While there are many issues related to preventing such crimes, street lighting is one where the solution is readily affable, and that the Midtown community is working to improve.

The Midtown Business Association is currently working with SMUD to add 12 more street lights to prime spots between J and K streets, from 21st to 28th streets, said MBA Executive Director Liz Studebaker.

For this project, the MBA is paying the approximately $15 monthly bill to SMUD for each light, which adds up to slightly more than $2,000 annually. The lights will be installed on utility poles, and will likely be in place by the end of the month, Studebaker said.

“Lighting is the kind of public amenity that sometimes people take for granted, but is really important in working towards a healthy, balanced nighttime experience in the district,” she said.

This isn’t the first time the MBA has put money toward street lighting. About two years ago it worked with the city and the Community Development Block Grant program and matched $60,000 in grant funding for 17 “acorn” lights. The lights were installed in high-pedestrian areas along the J-K street corridor, between 16th and 21st streets, Studebaker said.

The lighting was intended to increase and enhance the pedestrian environment, she said, and to help the transition from commercial to residential areas.

While it certainly may be easier, it doesn’t take an organization to get more street lighting installed. According to SMUD Spokeswoman Dace Udris, all one needs is an existing SMUD pole in his or her alley or backyard, and an account with the utility district.

“And they would be billed for the kilowatt usage, on a street lighting rate,” which would appear as a separate line item on their monthly bill, she said.

“There are a lot of SMUD poles in alleys or backyards, so those would all be potential locations,” Udris said.

During the pedestrian robbery spree in December andJanuary, newly elected District 4 Councilman Steve Hansen, who represents Midtown, organized and held a community meeting with representatives from the SPD, including Bernard.

The sense of safety was short lived, however, as a woman was shot outside of a party the following night when she reportedly refused to give up her purse to a man. No arrests have been made in the case and it remains under investigation.

In addition to the more high-profile pedestrian crimes that struck on St. Patrick’s Day – the fatal beating of 28-year-old Josiah Humphreys on the corner of P and 18th streets, and the man who was attacked with a bat on D and 20th streets – there have been several pedestrian robberies or attempted robberies. However police don’t believe they’re related to the winter robbery spree.

"It seems like we haven't seen the quintessential purse snatches we were seeing before in the Midtown area, thank god," said SPD Spokesman Doug Morse. "I don't see anything out of the norm or any patterns to those."

Overall, Crime in the central city has increased, according to an analysis by the Sacramento Bee. Violent crime increased 5 percent in 2012, over the previous year, and property crime went up 9 percent.

"It's incredibly troubling, it really shakes your sense of basic security to its core," said Julie Murphy, co-chairwoman for the Marshall School/New Era Park Neighborhood Association. "We certainly need to be aware of our surroundings, no matter where you are, but to know that the person walking up to you may mean to do you harm…it shakes your sense of security."

Despite these incidents, Midtown is still the place to live, says Barbara Steinberg, a member of the Midtown Neighborhood Association.

"I am a firm believer in urban living and walkability," she said. "I live and work and play as much as I possibly can in my neighborhood."

But Sacramento isn't immune to such crimes, said Steinberg, and if anything, more criminal activity is reflective of the city's attractive qualities.

"When you start to draw people to a place, you're going to draw all kinds of people, good and bad," said Steinberg.

Sensory Perception: an exhibition of mosaics by Sacramento deafblind artist Mary Dignan

2013-02-14T00:12:01Z

Sensory Perception: an exhibition of mosaics by Sacramento deafblind artist Mary Dignan, opens at the SMUD Art Gallery, 6301 S Street, Sacramento on Monday, March 4, 2013. The public is invited to meet the artist and view her work at a FREE opening reception on Friday, March 1, 2013, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The exhibition showcases over 30 ceramic tile and mixed media art mosaics created by deafblind artist Mary Dignan. The mosaics offer an insight into the unique perspective of an artist with Usher Syndrome, a genetic disorder which is the leading cause of deafblindness.

Dignan’s mosaics bring onlookers into the fantastical world of her own metamorphosis, as she navigates through what it is to lose two of her senses, while exploring the sense of touch.

Mary Dignan was born with severe hearing loss, but her deafness was not diagnosed until she was almost 5 years old, after she had been diagnosed as mentally retarded. Eventually she would learn that she had Usher Syndrome, Type 2, which is characterized by moderate to severe deafness at birth, and blindness from retinitis pigmentosa (RP) later in life.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University in 1976, and embarked upon a career that included newspaper reporting, legislative work for the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Assembly Committee on Agriculture, public relations and governmental liaison work with one of California’s largest and most complex water agencies, and her own consulting business in water and natural resources management policy. In 1990, a year after she was certified legally blind with a restricted visual field of 8 degrees (a normal visual field is 180-150 degrees), she started law school. In 1994, she earned her juris doctorate with honors from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, was admitted to the California State Bar, and began practicing water and natural resources law with the Sacramento firm of Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard. In 1997, she discovered she had a brain tumor and underwent surgery to remove it. The tumor and the surgery exacerbated her vision and hearing losses, and she has not practiced law since.

She now practices art. Her ceramic tile and mixed media mosaic art works have been displayed in the California State Attorney General’s Office, Sacramento County Public Law Library, San Francisco City Hall, the Canadian Helen Keller Centre, and various local venues. In addition, her work has been featured at art shows sponsored by the Governor’s Commission on Employment of Persons with Disabilities. Folsom Lake College, and Spirit in the Arts.

Her community volunteer work includes six years on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors’ Disability Advisory Committee. She helped found Spirit in the Arts, a working art studio and gallery open free of charge to the community in North Sacramento, and is a past board member of Bread of Life, the parent organization of Spirit in the Arts. She presently serves as president of the Sacramento chapter of Foundation Fighting Blindness.

The Art in Public Places Program was established by the City and County of Sacramento to provide visual art experiences in public locations. The SMUD Art Gallery is a partnership between the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission is devoted to supporting, promoting and advocating for the arts in the region. For further information on programs and opportunities through the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission go to: www.sacmetroarts.org. SMAC is funded by the City and County of Sacramento.

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Disclosure: Lorrie Kempf is the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission's SMUD Gallery Curator

SMUD Art Exhibition features work in the tradition of Dia de los Muertos

2012-08-18T16:19:30Z

¡Viva la Vida! Sacramento Area Artists and the Art of Dia de los Muertos, features the work of 12 Sacramento area artists and opens at the SMUD Art Gallery, 6301 S Street, Sacramento on Thursday, September 6, 2012. The public is invited to meet the artists at a FREE reception on Thursday, September 6, 2012, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The exhibition includes works by Raul Mejia, Rob-O, Gustavo Reynoso, Ryan “El Dugi” Lewis, John S. Huerta, Lila Solorzano, OC Thomas, Rosita Favela, Trent Harger, Ivan Rubio, Francisco Franco, and Sergio Martinez.
Paintings, tapestry, tattoo art, cut paper, and sugar are just some of the media being explored by these artists to illustrate the traditions and symbolism of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Dia de los Muertos is a day of celebration observed throughout the world, though perhaps most commonly associated with the people of Latin America, particularly in Mexico and Central America, and more recently with Mexican Americans. The origins of the holiday trace back hundreds of years to observances and rituals of the Aztec people in Mexico. It is linked to a rich variety of popular customs resembling Halloween in many ways, but with a different origin and practices. The holiday honors the spirits of departed ancestors and loved ones who are believed to return to earth to celebrate with the living. It is a joyous occasion when the memory of ancestors and the continuity of life are celebrated.

Although the skeleton is a strong symbol for both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, the meaning is very different. For Dia de los Muertos the skeleton represents the dead playfully mimicking the living and is not a macabre symbol. A great example of this is “Amor Eterno”, a diptych by Ivan Rubio, which depicts a playful, ongoing love affair between two souls in skeletal form. Another recognizable image of Dia de los Muertos is “La Calavera Catrina” or “The Elegant Skull”, a zinc etching done in 1910 by Mexican printmaker Jose Guadalupe Posada. The image, often incorporated into artistic manifestations of the Dia de los Muertos, can be seen in a 36” x 60” tapestry by Sergio Martinez.

In the tradition of Dia de los Muertos, skulls, known as calaveras or calacas are a positive symbol, not only of death but also of rebirth. One of the main symbols or images seen during the festivities is the sugar skull – a decorative confection that traditionally bears the name of those being honored. Sugar skulls are typically decorated with stripes, dots, flowers and swirls and are usually whimsical and brightly colored - not morbid or scary. Artist Rob-O started working with sugar as a sculptural medium upon the passing of his mother and has since found his artistic passion. Imbued with metaphor, he has taken the tradition of sugar skulls to new levels with his elaborately decorated, inedible, framed skulls - ten of which will be on view.

Another traditional ritual is the donning of skull masks. A popular variation to this custom is the painting of skull imagery directly onto the face. Integrating the whimsical nature of the sugar skull with other symbolic and artistic influences has given birth to a more pop-culture quality in present-day sugar skull drawings, paintings, and tattoos.

Examples of this iconography can be seen throughout the exhibition, with paintings, such as Lila Solorzano’s “Marley”, which depicts a sugar skull mask painted on a small child’s face, to John S. Huerta’s vividly colored “Mariposa”, and most subtly with Raul Mejia’s “Alive”, in which the painted face is merely hinted at. Also on view will be a photographic series of sugar skull tattoos by Ryan “El Dugi” Lewis.

The Art in Public Places Program was established by the City and County of Sacramento to provide visual art experiences in public locations through a percent-for-art program which reserves a portion of construction dollars from City, County or Redevelopment projects for public art.

The SMUD Art Gallery is a partnership between the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission with additional funding from the City and County of Sacramento.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission is devoted to supporting, promoting and advocating for the arts in the region. For further information on programs and opportunities through the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission go to: www.sacmetroarts.org. SMAC is funded by the City and County of Sacramento.

Disclosure: Lorrie Kempf is the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission's Art in Public Places Program Curator

Midweek in Midtown at Launch 2012

2012-07-27T23:05:26Z

Launch 2012 presented an exciting evening full of art and music on 20th Street between J and K Streets.

The front of the Midtown Art Retail Restaurant Scene (MARRS) building served as the stage for some great music. The Honey Trees, I’m Dirty Too and Doombird played and also featured a CD release and performance by Exquisite Corps.

Terra Lopez of Sister Crayon was also on hand and served as DJ for the event.

The first band to perform was The Honey Trees. The band is composed of musicians from Sacramento and San Luis Obispo. Becky Filip and Jacob Wick founded The Honey Trees in 2008. The current line-up includes Jacob’s brother, Aaron Wick on drums and Austin I'Anson on bass.

In between acts I was able to ask The Honey Trees a few questions about the event. The band members are very cordial and from the time I spent with them seemed to be a fun group to hang around with.

Filip noted that she’s from Roseville and Jacob Wick stated that the band is based out of San Luis Obispo.

When asked if they met in San Luis Obispo Filip said, “We met up here in Roseville.” Wick followed saying, “We met seven years ago and then the drummer Aaron who is my brother and Austin who’s a friend of ours play together in a band as well.”

Wick said that he met Filip and they started playing together in 2008. The foursome has been playing together as a group for about two years.

Filip followed saying, “We’ve had people playing in and out of the band and we don’t have a set band yet so they fill in when they can.”

The Honey Trees shared that they were glad to have been part of this year’s Launch. Since they’re based in San Luis Obispo they usually don’t know about many of Sacramento’s events but would like to be more involved.

Filip shared that the event felt like a much larger venue than Second Saturday. The Honey Trees have played in Sacramento before. They have played at Luigi’s several times as well as at the Shady Tree and the Crest Theater and are looking for other Sacramento venues to play.

The Honey Trees New also have record is in the works. Wick shared that they have a You Tube music video that’s doing well and has received a lot of attention.

At the moment they have no other events booked and are focusing on writing.

The Honey Trees shared what they enjoyed about the show saying things like, “I thought it was really fun. It was cool to see people stop and actually listen to the whole thing. We fed off the audience as they showed their appreciation while we played. We got a lot of good feedback and enjoyed the show.”

Down the middle of 20th Street the magnificent work of talented architects and designers showcased work made out of recycled materials and original work.

The middle of the street was decorated with art, furniture, architectural and miscellaneous designs. An elaborate structure filled most of the middle of 20th Street by an Architecture Pavilion. The structures fascinated the many visitors to the event. The project was built out of cardboard bales showcasing a very creative use of the recycling process.

The Architecture Pavilion will be on display once again on Saturday, July 28 at the Cesar Chavez Plaza Launch Music Festival event.

Launch Events’ Clay Nutting at one point welcomed guests saying, “Welcome to Launch Midtown Edition our little street festival is underway. Make sure you go to check out all the vendors.”

Nutting also introduced Jason A. Silva who designed the Launch 2012 Architecture Pavilion, “You might notice we have some amazing architectural installations and I love to introduce Jason to give us a few words about it.”

Silva began by saying, “I’m glad you guys could all come. This is a really exciting opportunity that we’re able to present something that came out of the bowels from a bunch of us in my office.” Silva thanked people at his office as well as the firm of Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects.

A brief description of the pavilion was made by Silva. As he pointed to the structure that started near J Street, “It grows out of the ground and then stands up basically going through a birth. The growth period continues until a point of stability at the end. Then it’s sliced off and this is like the guts.” Silva’s enthusiasm as he spoke showed his passion for the project.

Silva continued saying, “The cardboard and what it represents is the process where after the cardboard is gone it gets shredded up and the shredded process will also be fed into a digester at American River Packaging.” Silva noted that American River Packaging is a sponsor that provided all the cardboard used.

Silva continued and described the process further saying, “The cardboard will be mixed with a little bit of a food product, like squished up tomatoes and other things like plant processing and it will produce methane gas. The methane gas is fed into a turbine and then the turbine makes electricity which powers the plant that makes the cardboard so that a full environmental circle takes place.”

Describing the rest of the structure Silva noted that the structure then grows out of the ground, almost like a phoenix. “It starts out from the earth and then grows again and then flies off at the very end,” Silva said.

The last piece of the structure was just as fascinating and Silva continued, “At the end we have a square structure that you slide in on the side and you’re able to look up at the sky and have it framed by the cardboard as well as there’s a mirror at the bottom that gives you a reflection up to the sky of the cardboard.”

Silva once again gave thanks to American River Packaging, Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects and SMUD.

I’m Dirty Too followed taking the stage to rock the Midtown Launch. Zac Brown on guitar and Jess Gowrie on drums make up this dynamic duo.

The local band played a series of songs that showcased Brown’s vocals and guitar while Gowrie held nothing back as her hair flew in all directions while she played the drums. The hard rock duo electrified the air.

Doombird brought their popular sound to the stage and delighted the audience.

As I walked around the 20th Street earlier in the day I heard several comments about Doombird by several fans who indicated they came because Doombird was playing.

One of Doombird’s fans, Dani Walker said, “I’ve been a fan for a while now and if you haven’t seen them play before you’re in for a great musical treat.” Walker’s words came to be as Doombird played a wonderful set.

The headline act was Exquisite Corps who also released their new CD.

Exquisite Corps was one of the most popular bands at last year’s Launch at the Greens Hotel.

Bryan Valenzuela’s lyrics, vocals and guitar were impressive and the stylish string section takes Exquisite Corps to where few bands have ventured.

The harmonic compositions and blends by Krystyna Taylor on cello, Reylynn Goessling on violin and Krisint Arnold on viola add a pleasant and dynamic mix to their sound.

Robbyn Dean on Drums and Nathan Webb on bass add the rock blend into the mix creating for impressive performances. The classical/rock compositions leave new audiences in awe and Wednesday’s performance was no exception. Their performance was exquisite and delighted new and established fans.

It will be interesting to get public opinion after Launch 2012 ends but by looking at the audiences that have been showing up to each Launch event it appears to be a success.

Launch Events continues with the Launch x Fashion Showcase on Friday, July 27 and the Launch Music Festival on Saturday, July 28.

NAG discusses parking and police hotline at March meeting

2012-03-21T04:26:16Z

Midtown residents asked Sacramento city staff for a solution to the lack of parking spaces available to renters and owners at Monday’s Neighborhood Advisory Group (NAG) meeting. They complained that business patrons are using their residential spaces.

“As someone who lives down here and can’t park, I have concerns about residential parking,” said Karen Jacques, a member of the Midtown neighborhood association. “We’ve got to have some way (the potential solution) really keeps the business customers out of residential parking.”

Greg Sandlund, associate planner for the Community Development Department told NAG members that his department is actively working toward a plan that will balance the needs of residential parking with commercial parking.

According to Sergeant Mark Chapman of the Sacramento Police Department the Safeway on Alhambra and the Safeway on 19th Street seem to be hotspots for criminal activity. Both stores have the highest calls for service in the area, he said.

Sergeant Chapman also said cameras are set up in the parking lots, and the stores are taking a zero-tolerance stance for shoplifters, panhandlers, drunks, and any other criminal activity.

Sergeant Chapman reiterated that if residents witness any crimes or activity they suspect to be dangerous they should report it by calling the police hotline.

“Believe it or not, (people not calling in activity) is very frequent,” Sergeant Chapman said. He commented that the East Sac neighborhood watch group seems very active, but the police are still not receiving calls.

“We need some systematic way to report it,” Jacques said, adding that when she calls she is placed on hold.

“It’s just to have some way to create a record to report it. We just eat it and replace the broken window...” Jacques said, giving an example of her experience.

Sergeant Chapman told the group that there is a special police unit called the Entertainment Team, and that the only thing it does it police bars.

Vincene Jones, Director of the Neighborhood Services Department reinforced Sergeant Chapman’s initial point. “The squeaky wheel always gets it,” Jones said.

Always call and report crimes, said Sergeant Chapman.

There will be a neighborhood watch training meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Police Headquarters at 5770 Freeport Blvd.

Jim Day, security supervisor for SMUD, cautioned NAG members that as the weather warms up, there will be more criminal activity, especially graffiti.

He also drew attention to the ongoing issue with thieves stealing copper from SMUD receptacles and power boxes. Not only is this costing the city thousands of dollars in repairs, but it could also cause power outages, and it is extremely dangerous to deal with.

“People have been hurt, (and) people have been killed,” Day said.

There is a 24-hour SMUD security dispatch team that you can reach by calling 732-5900.

Day said not to confront criminals for safety reasons and to call the police or call SMUD. He said citizens can also feel free to approach SMUD officials if seen out.

News Release: SMUD to host Sacramento Regional Inclusion and Diversity Conference

2012-01-20T00:43:33Z

Join your peers at the Sacramento Regional Inclusion and Diversity Conference "Building Bridges" scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2012. The event is sponsored by VSP Global, Anthem Blue Cross, CalPERS, America at Work, Kaiser Permanente, My Sister's House, Wells Fargo, Delta Dental, Microsoft and the City of Elk Grove.

The conference provides businesses the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from Northern California inclusion leaders and innovators. Keynote speaker, Dr. Steve L. Robbins, is a powerful communicator, insightful facilitator and inspiring motivator who can simultaneously challenge and encourage people with a dynamic use of story-telling, humor and extensive knowledge of pertinent issues and concepts. His life experiences as a Vietnamese immigrant growing up in poverty to a passionate advocate of justice and inclusion create a rich foundation of insight and inspiration.

"Building Bridges" will be held at Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa in Sacramento from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Admission for the daylong event is $150 per person and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Group discounts are available.

For additional information or to register, visit sactoid.com.

Disclosure: Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

Airport receives $150,000 SMUD rebate for green efficiencies at Terminal B

2012-01-10T01:07:03Z

The Sacramento County Airport System has received a $150,000 rebate from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) for energy efficiencies built into the design and construction of Terminal B at Sacramento International Airport. SMUD director Rob Kerth (Ward 5) will present the SMUD Savings By Design Program check to the Board of Supervisors at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 700 H St.

According to SMUD energy advisers, measures in place at Terminal B would yield a greenhouse gas reduction of 793 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, the equivalent of planting more than 33,000 trees or removing 165 cars from the road.
The airport’s Big Build design team worked closely with the SMUD Savings by Design Program to create a terminal that would optimize energy performance. Terminal B qualified for the incentive by exceeding state energy code requirements by 25 percent.

Energy efficiency measures implemented during the design and construction of Terminal B include:

A heat-reflecting cool roof
High-efficiency boilers for space heating
Energy-efficient evaporative cooling for baggage areas that also addresses air quality concerns
Energy efficient LowE glass that blocks solar heat to reduce the use of air conditioning while allowing visible light to pass through
Combination of dimmable fluorescent and LED lighting to take advantage of abundant daylight
A combined heat and power co-generation plant that serves power needs and uses reclaimed heat to supplement heating and hot water and to power an absorption chiller for cooling.

    These efficiencies are expected to assist the airport system as it applies for LEED Silver Certification.
    “We designed Terminal B to use best practices in environmental design as well as to be cost-effective in the long run,” said G. Hardy Acree, Director of Airports. “We are very proud to have accomplished both of these objectives.”
    Roberta MacGlashan, chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, added, “We are very proud of the work the Big Build design team took in using green technologies to create a terminal that is both beautiful and cost-effective.”

Sacramento County Airport System is responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining the county’s four airports: Sacramento International Airport, Executive Airport, Mather Airport and Franklin Field. For more information, visit www.scas.aero

More funding for improvements at intermodal facility

2011-11-04T01:35:09Z

The City Council approved $400,000 in funding from new sources Tuesday for upgrades to the Sacramento Intermodal Transportation Facility project, including energy-efficient lighting and new power cabinets that will help reduce air emissions at the new facility.

The project is being built at the downtown railyards and is currently in the first phase of development. City officials say Phase 1 should be completed by mid-summer 2012.

The project is planned to accommodate rail freight movement, heavy passenger trains, light rail transit and intercity and local buses, according to a city staff report. It will also provide facilities for bicycle and pedestrian transportation modes and – potentially – streetcars and California’s high-speed rail.

Last year, original bids for the project made it too expensive, so it was scaled down and re-bid this year. Some improvements that were part of the original project plan were set aside when the project was scaled down.

The new project plan reserved the possibility that those improvements could be returned to the plan if funding was found.

New sources of funding – specifically grants provided through Sacramento Municipal Utility District and a California Air Resources Board program – will be used to return some of those set-aside improvements to the intermodal project.

The anticipated additional improvements include new lighting with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or walkways, tunnels and station platforms and four wayside power cabinets.

The LEDs will replace the fluorescent lighting in the original project plan.

“There will be more efficient lighting now,” Hinda Chandler, senior architect with the Sacramento Department of Transportation, said Thursday. “The light levels will be better with the LEDs, and the quality is better and brighter.”

Chandler said it will cost less to run the lights at the facility, and they won’t have to replace them as often as fluorescent lighting.

The lighting was budgeted in the project for $150,000, and city staff determined it was eligible for funding through an existing SMUD grant for lighting improvements.

Chandler said that the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) was awarded funds for the power cabinets through the CARB Carl Moyer Grant Program on Oct. 28.

The original project plan called for eight wayside power cabinets, but when the project was scaled back earlier this year, the number of power cabinets was reduced to four. With new funding, the number of cabinets will once again be eight.

Christine Ragsdale, communications director for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, said the power cabinets work similar to the way shore power is provided to ships at dock.

The ship – or locomotive in this case – essentially plugs into the power outlet (the cabinet) at the station, and, instead of running on diesel fuel, it is powered by cleaner, less-expensive electricity.

The power keeps train systems operable while they are being cleaned and prepared for the next day’s run.

“These are diesel engines that push particulates into the air,” Tim Taylor, division manager at Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, said Thursday.

“Being able to put (the trains) on shore power has an enormous health benefit to the community and a significant benefit in terms of air quality,” Taylor said.

The additional power cabinets cost $400,000, which would be funded 80 percent ($320,000) by the Moyer grant and 20 percent ($80,000) by CCJPA.

Ragsdale said this is the first time Carl Moyer Grant Program funds have been used for this specific purpose anywhere in the state.

“It’s a very creative use for this type of grant,” Ragsdale said. “When it comes to air quality, you get a lot of bang for your buck by getting trains to run cleaner.”

Nearly three tons worth – in the form of annual emission reductions, according Taylor.

“This is a fantastic project that is very good for our air quality,” Taylor said.

Chandler said the new funding is already being used to order the new power cabinets. The LEDs will be installed at a later time when the project gets nearer to completion.

Melissa Corker is a Staff Reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

SARTA Clean Tech Showcase

2011-11-02T00:49:21Z

The Sacramento Area Regional Technology Association (SARTA), as part of its Clean Start initiative, held the 2011 Sacramento Clean Tech Showcase last Monday, October 24, 2011.

The showcase, entitled, “Green Innovation: Engine of Growth,” was the fifth annual showcase and was held in the California State University Sacramento Union.

SARTA CEO Meg Arnold welcomed everyone to the Union Ballroom and acknowledged the governmental leaders present.

Mayor Kevin Johnson, a strong supporter of bringing clean tech companies to Sacramento; Dr. Joseph F. Sheley, Sacramento State Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Congresswoman Doris Matsui, a strong supporter of clean tech in Congress (via video); also offered their encouragement to those present.

The welcome was followed by a series of speakers, starting with Neal Dikeman, founding partner of Jane Capital; Brian Keane, President of SmartPower and Carla Peterman, California Energy Commissioner.

The morning session also featured the presentation of the first Clean Tech Innovator of the Year Award to Dr. Raju Pandey of Synapse. The Distinguished Honoree was presented to Al Rich of SolarRoofs.com. SARTA's award committee included: Jim Alves, SMUD, Jack Crawford, Velocity Venture Capital, Mark Henwood, CleanStart, Laurie ten Hope, California Energy Commisssion, Emir Macari, Sacramento State, Jay Schmidt, PG&E, Gary Simon, CleanStart and Bruce White, UC Davis.

In the afternoon, there were two tracks of panels and presentations with multiple presenters or panelists. Track A was “Driving Growth” and Track B, “Making Markets.”

At the same time, there was a large exhibition hall displaying examples of clean tech products and all the associated companies needed to develop clean technology. As with the presentations, both the technological side, including research by academic and private companies, and the technology that has been developed and is being marketed, were present.

Technology included solar panels, inverters to convert the DC electricity from the panels to AC for the grid, and plug-in stations for electric/plug-in hybrids.

Several companies displayed clean technology that sometimes gets lost in the flashy equipment. This included high powered computer technology that reduces energy consumption by better management of energy use.

Emerging or developing technology - such as new, more efficient biofuels research and better ways of capturing solar energy – was also present.

Several research groups had poster presentations with researchers present to explain their work.

The business side included venture capital companies, law firms, marketing and communications consultants, business parks and workforce development and deployment firms.

Besides business and high technology, there was very low-tech technology present as well. The Sacramento Tree Foundation was there to promote the planting of shade trees to reduce residential heat load.

Susan Frost with Alliance Mortgage and Marketing spoke about their program, which works with a partner company that flips foreclosed houses with an emphasis on refitting the houses for energy conservation. The organization can then offer buyers a more energy efficient home with a mortgage with a lower down payment.

Even with all the technology on display on the exposition floor, the big technology draw was outside the building on a nearby street. Along with electric cars on display by manufacturers, there were numerous privately owned electric cars brought by their owners. The owners enthusiastically spoke with attendees about their real life experiences owning and driving the cars. More about the cars and other electric transportation in a future article including a test drive of the latest electric car coming to maket in a future article.

While 2011 Sacramento Clean Tech Showcase is aimed at those involved in the industry from academia, the private sector and government. That said there was a lot to interest those in the general public that like to keep up on technology and any technophile would have been heaven at this event.

News Release: SMUD's Labor Day holiday hours

2011-09-01T21:37:05Z

Sacramento Municipal Utility District offices will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2011 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

The following regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, September 6:

Residential customer phone service
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
1-888-742-SMUD (7683)

Commercial customer phone service
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1-877-622-SMUD (7683)

Customer lobby service
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Customer Service Center, 6301 S St., Sacramento

Business offices
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SMUD's 24-hour electric outage number, 1-888-456-SMUD (7683) will continue operating throughout the holiday. If power goes out, customers should notify SMUD immediately. In the event of an electrical problem, customers should be prepared to give their address, phone number, nearest cross street and a brief description of the problem.

Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

Hybrid Rams join SMUD’s stable of electric vehicles

2011-08-05T17:47:30Z

SMUD received an electrifying down payment of sorts with the delivery this week of 11 plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) pickup trucks. Three more will be arriving later as part of a $97 million Chrysler demonstration project in select markets.

“We were a logical partner for Chrysler because we’ve been testing alternative fuel vehicles for more than 20 years in an effort to improve the Sacramento region’s air quality,” said SMUD General Manager John DiStasio. “Environmental leadership is one of the SMUD’s core values.”

Chrysler manufactured 140 of the Ram hybrid trucks under a U.S. Department of Energy stimulus grant that was awarded in the fall of 2009.

“These vehicles were still in the concept stage just two years ago, and now we’ll be helping Chrysler test their performance in the real world,” said Dave Hatfield, program manager. “We’ll be evaluating how they do in typical city driving conditions over the next two years, looking at things like battery-charging performance, fuel economy and driving experience. Ultimately we’ll be able to apply what we learn to help our customers who are interested in moving to plug-in electric vehicles.”

The Ram 1500 PHEV has a charge-depleting driving cycle of up to 20 miles in the all-electric mode at speeds up to about 35 miles per hour before the gasoline engine goes to work. It has a lithium-ion battery pack under the second-row seat. It accommodates electrical power tools with an AC power panel supplying 240-volt and 140-volt power in the bed of the truck. The power train includes a 5.7 liter V-8 engine, two-mode hybrid transmission and full regenerative braking, which recovers braking energy and returns it to the battery. A displacement system improves fuel efficiency by cutting fuel delivery to as many as four cylinders.

Strictly a demonstration program, there are no plans for a production version of the PHEV Ram 1500 truck at this time. SMUD plans to test four of the trucks and will parcel out the others to local partners.

SMUD is working closely with suppliers of electric vehicle charging equipment to support residential, workplace and public charging stations throughout the Sacramento region and offers a discounted electric rate to customers who charge their vehicles during off-peak hours.

Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

That old refrigerator in the garage is an energy hog, recycle it

2011-07-27T17:24:50Z

Anne Dunlap-Kahren’s old refrigerator was in her kitchen for 13 years. She bought a new one and relegated the old one to a place where a lot of old refrigerators go, the garage.

The problem is these older refrigerators use more household energy than anything else in the home. They use as much as three times the energy of newer models, and can cost up to an additional $125 per year to run.

When Anne heard about SMUD’s Refrigerator Recycling program, she called to make an appointment. Within a few days, JACO Environmental, a SMUD recycling contractor, was at her door to pick up the old one and give her a $35 check for it.

By recycling, Anne is saving money, energy and the environment. “For me, this made total sense,” said Anne. “It was time for a new refrigerator. SMUD gave me $35 and we hear so much about reusing and recycling these days, I don’t have to worry about throwing the old one away in a landfill.”

JACO does the heavy lifting. It deconstructs the old fridge by cutting its power cord and rubber gasket seal, disabling the thermostat and marks the unit with an “X” so it can’t be resold, and hauls it away. JACO then removes all potentially hazardous materials and recycles 95 percent of the remaining unit for other post-recycling products.

“The metal parts can be recycled into rebar for road construction, the plastic can be used in new computers and cell phones, the tempered glass can be used as an aggregate in other materials,” said JACO’s Michael Dunlap. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

The older refrigerator picked up at Anne Dunlap-Kahren’s home pushed SMUD’s refrigerator and freezer recycling program past the 40,000 mark since the program’s inception 10 years ago. Recycling these refrigerators saves the amount of energy used to power 6,000 homes for a year.

It's easy to recycle your old fridge if you are a residential SMUD customer. Simply contact JACO Environmental at (800) 299-7573 to schedule an appointment. You get a check for $35, save some money on your electric bill, and get to feel good for doing the environment a favor.

For more information on SMUD’s Refrigerator Recycling Program, click here.

Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

Cooling and Energy Saving-Tips from SMUD

2011-07-05T18:27:10Z

Summer’s hot temperatures are here! With a little planning, you can keep your home cool and save money on summer energy bills. The easiest way to keep your home cool is not to let it heat up in the first place.

Hot Weather Tips

Good insulation, caulking and weather stripping help keep the heat outside. Shade trees, overhangs, awnings and shades and limiting the use of household appliances that emit heat also help keep it cool.
Keep windows closed during the heat of the day, and draw blinds and draperies during the day to keep the heat out.
Set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer. There is about a 5 to 10 percent savings on the operating cost of an air conditioner for every two degrees of cooling you’re willing to give up.
Change the filter regularly. An air conditioning unit with dirty filters can use 5 to 10 percent more energy than necessary.
Use small fans, box fans or ceiling fans instead of the central air conditioning unit when planning to stay in one room for an extended period. Individual fans cost about 90 percent less to operate than a central AC unit.
Adjust ceiling fans to turn counter-clockwise in the summer, usually this means that the switch on the fan should be in the “down” position.
Turn off unnecessary lights.
Give appliances a break during hot afternoons and evenings. Many appliances create heat and moisture making the air conditioner work harder. Limit use of ranges and stoves, dishwashers, dryers, washing machines, and other heat-producing equipment during midday and early evening. Use them in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.
Prepare cool meals such as salads and sandwiches. If you must cook a hot meal, wait until later in the evening when it’s cooler.
If there is a refrigerator or freezer in the garage that is not full, consider getting rid of it. These appliances tend to be older and therefore less energy efficient causing them to run continuously in very hot environments.
Set timers on pool and spa pumps to run before 1:00 p.m. or after 9:00 p.m.
SMUD’s Shade Tree program offers free shade trees for customers whose homes have an eastern, western or southern exposure that heats up during the summer.

Vacation Tips

Set your air conditioner thermostat at 85 degrees or higher.
Put lights on a timer to save energy and give the house a “lived in” look.
Draw the drapes on windows facing the south and west.
Shift the water heater to the lowest setting.
Check to make sure no faucets are dripping.

For additional ways SMUD can help you save energy and money, logon to smud.org for information about energy-saving programs and financing.

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Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

SMUD-CSUS Agreement Ups Region's Clean Tech Presence

2011-06-14T20:23:08Z

The Green Capital Alliance presented “Road Map to 3,000 Jobs” at the Sacramento State University Alumni Center Thursday June 9th.

The Green Capital Alliance describes itself as “a broad partnership of people and organizations aiming to make the clean technology sector a defining feature of Sacramento’s economy.”

The centerpiece of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and the Californis State University Sacramento (CSUS). The MOA formally regonies work started last year between the two institutions. The MOA basically ties together the smart meter progran at SMUD and he California Smart Grid Center work at Sacramento State. For specific details of the agreement click here.

Dr. Emir Macari, dean of the Sacramento State College of Engineering and Computer Science and member of the California Smart Grid Center, introduced the two principals for the major event of the day. SMUD general manager and CEO John DiStasio represented SMUD in the partnership. He said $127 million was being spent on smart-meter transition for all SMUD customers that will be completed in 2013. Smart meters will be a major component and source of information that will lead to new technologies in managing energy usage and the management of the smart grid that will allow implementation of these technologies. The ability to have widespread use of electric vehicles is dependent on this.

Sacramento State President Dr. Alexander Gonzales was the other principal for the partnership. He said 85 percent of the students at Sac State come from the region. He went on to stress the long relationship between SMUD and Sac State.

“Both SMUD and us are essential for the economy,” he said.

They then formalized the relationship by signing a formal memorandum of understanding.

“Students will be the greatest beneficiaries of this agreement,” Gonzales said. “This is already a living document. We have been working together for three to four years.”

While the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement was the major event of the meeting, there was a great deal of more information prestented at “Road Map to 3,000 Jobs.'

Jack Crawford of Velocity Venture Capital was the keynote speaker at the presentation. Crawford presented a quick picture of the state of the creation of green economy companies and jobs in the greater Sacramento region. He said his venture capital company has 13 companies in its profile, with seven generating income and four that are cash-positive.

Crawford lamented that, while teaching as a guest in the MBA program at the University of the Pacific, he learned that the MBA graduates leave the area because of the perception that there are no “cool” companies to work for in the region.

He talked about the uphill battle after Forbes declared Sacramento the fifth worst city in the country and the difficulty of retaining start-up companies that do succeed. They leave for the glamor and climate of entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley.

Crawford does not see everything as bleak in regard to clean technology in the region. He cited Click Nation as one successful company that chose to stay. He cited a figure of 100-plus clean tech companies in the region. Entrepreneurs that were big on the Internet are now moving to clean tech. The Sacramento region is rated 10th in job activity and fifth in percent of LEED buildings in the country.

He sees a need for public-private partnership for clean tech to succeed here. Crawford believes that there is a poor tolerance for risk in the Sacramento region, and that there needs to be a change in culture to attract risk-takers. He cited the typical pattern of fail, fail, succeed for entrepreneurial companies.

Crawford ended by saying that with a growth of clean technology companies, philanthropic contributions would grow.

Following a short break, Julia Burrows with Valley Vision spoke of some of the different organizations studying green technology in the region. These included Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance, Center for Strategic Economic Research (CSER), Centers of Excellence at Los Rios Community College District, Valley Vision and Green Capital Alliance. They are helping to create the clean energy sector strategy, and what followed was an overview of the RICO (regional industry clusters of opportunity) process.

Burrows introduced Ryan Sharpe from CSER. CSER was formed in 2001 to gather data on clean tech in the region. They now have a database for the region. They group the data into four groups: clean energy, energy efficiency, clean transport and green building.

Sharp doubled Crawford’s estimate to over 200 companies in the region. Most of them are small with one to 19 employees and averaging $1.1 million in sales. Most deal with clean energy or energy efficiency. He said the Sacramento region competes mostly with Austin, Denver, Portland and the greater Bay Area.

He was followed by Theresa Milan from the Centers of Excellence at Los Rios CCD. This is one of several COEs set up and funded by the state of California.

Milan said state policy drives growth such as the CA Solar Initiative and New Solar Homes Partnership. The COE looks at expanded industry growth and workforce needs. They are seeing an employment increase from 700 in 2007 to over 1,300 today, plus a 60 percent increase in the number of clean tech firms.

The final speaker was Congresswoman Doris Matsui.

“It is important to get our stories out about what we are doing about clean technologies,” Matsui said, adding that housing and governmental sectors are imploding in the region.

Matsui is working on a bill in Congress to boost the competitiveness of clean-energy manufacturing. She pledged to keep working with this segment and echoed the need to keep the knowledge and jobs here. She is part of a bi-partisan congressional high-tech caucus. Matsui emphasized that we need to “learn from the past so that we do not get stuck in the past.”

She talked about the advantages in the Sacramento region of progressive utilities, educational institutions, infrastructure and investors.

“Federal investment is absolutely necessary,” she said.

Matsui concluded saying that her grandchildren Anna and Robbie are her touchstones for the future.

Speaking with Matsui after the meeting, she railed against "the stupidity of continuing the oil company subsidies while cutting funds for clean energy research," among other problems with congress.

The Clean Energy Sector Strategy: Sacramento Region, presentation materials and more infromation from each speaker is available on the Green Capital Alliance webesite here.

Party with Pride this Saturday

2011-06-01T18:50:14Z

Party with Pride 2011 this Saturday at Capitol Mall. More than 20 performers will entertain festivalgoers with dancing, drag queens, cheerleaders and more at this annual event to raise money for the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center.

Guy Farris, Emmy award-winning anchor of “Sacramento & Co” will lead the parade as this year’s Grand Marshall. Don Geronimo, host of Sports 1140 KHTK, and LaRoy, a gay radio correspondent, will emcee.

Club queen singer Luciana Caporaso and Sacramento native Raquela bring raucous disco while Miss Coco Peru does her unique brand of storytelling in a day of non-stop entertainment. “We were extremely lucky to book Luciana, Raquela and Miss Coco for the festival,” said Hilary Hodge, Pride Entertainment Manager.

Cheer San Francisco, Xavier Toscano, Tom Goss, Jovi Radtke and Precious Cargo also add to the excitement.

Sierra Forever Families will have a family-friendly Kid Zone while Amtrak, the Midtown Business Association and Badlands sponsor the hot-and-heavy Dance Pavilion.

This year, Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel again became the major sponsor. Comcast Corporation, Wells Fargo, Hewlett-Packard, SMUD, and Markstein Beverage Company also fund the event as well as other local companies and nonprofits.

Even the City of Sacramento also helps offset costs. “Given the economy, we were very thankful to have the same amount of funding from the city this year that we did last year,” said Josh Jacoby, Pride director.

Beverage tents, a food court, vendors and exhibitors create a mini-mall where festivalgoers can while away the day.

The annual festival and parade is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, which serves more than 30,000 people annually.

The Center’s programs and services include a legal clinic, sign language classes, Lavender Angels that patrol midtown on weekends and a homeless youth initiative. The Center also holds peer programs for families, youth, 20-somethings, transgender, people with HIV/AIDS, men, women and bisexuals.

For more information, please visit http://www.sacramentopride.org.

WHO: Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center
WHAT: Pride 2011
WHEN: Saturday, June 4, 2011, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Parade also starts at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Capitol Mall near Tower Bridge
Parade starts at S and 5th Streets
WHY: Most entertaining event of the year for the LGBTI community—and the biggest annual fundraiser for the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center.
COST: $10 for adults. Children 5 and under free.

DISCLOSURE: A former journalist, Dell Richards runs Sacramento's Dell Richards Publicity. Sacramento Pride is one of her clients.

News Release: SMUD Neighborhood Performance program offers customers substantial energy efficiency rebates

2011-05-25T22:14:06Z

Hundreds of Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) residential and commercial customers will soon be able to take advantage of generous rebates to help pay for comprehensive energy efficiency retrofits thanks to a federal grant. Using stimulus funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), the Neighborhood Performance program provides rebates to single-family and multifamily residential customers and small and large commercial customers in the downtown and midtown areas of Sacramento and the Rosemont area in Sacramento County. Those areas were chosen based on customer profile and peak energy usage. SMUD received about $2.8 million in the grant, which was awarded to Los Angeles County last year. The program will run through June 2013.

For residential customers, the Neighborhood Performance program is designed to take into account the home as a system and uses an innovative whole-house approach. Based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, it makes a house or apartment building more energy stingy. The program aims to retrofit about 130 single-family homes and 50 multifamily units with energy-saving upgrades that may include duct sealing, new insulation and new heating and air conditioning systems. Efficiency improvements averaging 20 percent are well within reach for participating customers. More than 80 qualifying low-income households are also eligible in the neighborhoods for free weatherization and retrofit services up to $3,500.

A new commercial program called Complete Energy Solutions will be made available to small to mid-sized stores, restaurants, offices and other businesses that draw no more than 300 kilowatts of electricity. These businesses will be eligible for comprehensive retrofits to boost the energy efficiency of lighting, refrigeration and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Rebates are expected to cover well over half of retrofit costs. A separate program will target large commercial operations for whole-building energy efficiency retrofits.

SMUD will offer its established energy efficiency loans to customers that require financing in the range of $3,000 to $10,000. To help customers who require less financing, SMUD is working to develop a financing option that will allow customers to spread out the project cost over one to two years, with monthly payments appearing on their SMUD bill. It’s important to note that most customers who go this route would be cash-flow positive from the outset, with monthly energy savings more than covering their installment payments.
For more information, visit smud.org or call 1-888-742-SMUD.

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Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

Mayor helps dedicate largest private solar project in Sacramento

2011-04-13T01:01:12Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson joined public utility officials and private business developers at Depot Park Tuesday for a ceremony to dedicate the largest private solar project in the Sacramento region.

The 3-megawatt project, located in the Depot Park business complex on Florin-Perkins Road, includes an array of 12,600 solar panels and is designed to meet nearly 40 percent of the annual power needs for the 3 million-square-foot facility, according to information released by the mayor’s office.

“I believe this area has the opportunity to be the greenest region in the country and a hub for investment in clean technology,” Johnson said in his prepared statement. “Today’s dedication demonstrates that good environmental policy can be good economic policy.”

Johnson said the project – which is the result of collaboration by Depot Park, the city of Sacramento, East West Bank, SPG Solar and Chint Astronergy – has historic significance as a showcase for the reuse of a military base with a Brownfield site for renewable energy generation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines a Brownfield site as land where any redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

The new solar project is an example of finding creative solutions to challenging issues and using green energy to remedy a previously contaminated Brownfield site, said Dick Fischer, president of U.S. National Leasing, owner and manager of Depot Park.

“It demonstrates how the alignment of policy creates real deals,” Johnson said. “We have a state enterprise zone and an aggressive renewable portfolio by SMUD, and we have our city sustainable goals all coming together to leverage dollars.”

The solar panel array at Depot Park is the largest green sector project within the city limits and it provides an opportunity to satisfy a growing need to diversify the local economy, Johnson told those attending the dedication.

Johnson was also joined at the dedication ceremony by Renee Taylor, president of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) board.

“SMUD is very committed to these kinds of projects,” Taylor said. “It’s an example of how, if we all come together to see this vision of a more sustainable future for Sacramento, that working together really is the way to do it.”

In 2007, SMUD began implementing California Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which requires utilities to set 10-year installation and budget goals proportional to the utility’s share of statewide load, which in SMUD’s case amounts to 125 megawatts (MW) of new capacity by the end of 2016.

“This one 3-megawatt project at Depot Park puts us at about 20 megawatts,” Taylor said. “We still have quite a ways to go to reach (our) goal, and we are pursuing it aggressively.”

Joel Ayala, director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, also took part in Tuesday’s dedication ceremony. Ayala noted that solar projects of this kind in California provide an efficient and affordable source of energy as well as jobs for Californians.

“This is a win for California,” Ayala said. “The investment that Chint Astronergy has made in California is a great achievement, and the hope is that we can develop further opportunities both here and across the state.”

Julia Burrows, managing partner at Valley Vision, a non-partisan, nonprofit organization associated with the Depot Park solar project, said Chint Astronergy, the manufacturer of the new solar panels at Depot Park, is looking at potential plant locations and company headquarters in the United States.

“We want them here,” Burrows said.

Bringing such a manufacturing plant to this location would also bring 150 to 200 jobs, Burrows said, boosting the local economy and supporting the main objectives of the mayor’s Greenwise Initiative.

The initiative, launched by mayor Johnson last May, is an effort to make Sacramento the greenest region in the country and a hub for green technology through collaborative efforts with experts and community leaders in a variety of policy areas such as waste and recycling, urban design and green building, and green and clean technology.

Johnson concluded his dedication comments with a direct invitation to Cunhui Nan, chairman of Chint Astronergy, to bring his manufacturing plant to Sacramento and Depot Park.

“Sacramento is open for business,” Johnson said. “We have the space, we have the people and we’re ready to go.”

Grim Reaper protests SMUD

2011-04-12T00:53:41Z

In a display of symbolic death to the local workforce, a man dressed in a grim reaper costume stood with scythe in hand in front of the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District building on 65th Street Monday morning along with a half dozen other workers from the Carpenters Union Local 180.

Protesters passed out fliers claiming that SMUD outsourced labor for the Solano Wind project to an out-of-state general contractor who made $830 million in 2009, but SMUD calls the protest a disruption of business with "false and inaccurate claims" about the project.

SMUD states as many as 180 local construction jobs will be available in the Solano County area because of the project and that they didn't do the hiring of the contractor – the Danish manufacturing company of wind turbines, Vestas Wind Systems, did, said SMUD Assistant General Manager, Energy Supply, Jim Shetler.

Shetler explained that Vestas was hired by SMUD to do the manufacturing of the project and that Vestas chose the Michaels Construction firm from the Midwest.

“There are not a lot of local contractors that do that for a living,” Shetler said.

The project will include 55 new wind turbines and supporting infrastructure that includes a substation, roads, an energy collection system, expansion of the operations and maintenance.

Protesters refused to go on record or provide their names, and their spokesman, Paul Cohen, who was not at the protest, did not return calls Monday.

Sacramento will be a solar city

2011-04-08T23:48:33Z

Sacramento is looking to use its abundant sunlight to cut down on energy costs and pollution by partnering with Solar City to install more than 8,000 solar panels throughout the city.

Solar City is the nation’s leading provider of solar panels for homes, businesses and government organizations, according to its website, and it has taken on a number of projects in Sacramento in the past.

This partnership, however, is slated to be the largest, according to the company. The systems are expected to produce 2.6 million kilowatt hours in the first year while the average U.S. home uses about 10,000 kilowatt hours in a year. The solar energy produced in one year will be enough to power 260 homes according to Solar City spokesman Johnathan Bass.

“I think this is the biggest public project for us as a city,” Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Sacramento Yvette Rincon said.

Solar City plans to have installed the panels in roughly four to six months at five main sites: the building at 300 Richards Blvd., housing the police and community development departments; the Corporation yard on Meadowview Road housing the city’s sanitation fleet; the Meadowview shops; and the South Area Corporation Yard off of Fruitridge Road and 28th Street – the largest of the five, using one third of the panel installation, according to Bass.

The city requested in a City Council proposal that the solar panels be installed at these five specific sites.

The price of gas and electricity has been steadily increasing for the city of Sacramento with three spikes in just 18 months, according to Rincon. This new partnership addresses that on a large scale, she added.

Bass said that Solar City will be responsible for all funding, system installation and maintenance. With the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the city will be able to purchase the power produced at a lower rate than would be possible from SMUD.

According to Bass, the PPA allows the city to pay for solar power produced by the system at a lower rate than electricity, with no up-front cost required, which allows the city to save money from day one and savings accumulate over time. One to two cents saved per kilowatt, per hour, may not sound like huge savings on the smaller scale, but on average energy costs, it can add up for taxpayers, according to Bass.

The overall cost of powering these facilities depends on the amount of energy used over a span of time according to Bass; however, each individual site will cost roughly ten cents or less per hour to generate power–City Hall with the most at 10.1 cents per kilowatt an hour.

"One of the benefits of solar energy is that you can essentially know the price that you will pay," Bass said. "You can lock in a rate and know that it won't fluctuate."

This partnership will have a positive impact on the city for many reasons, according to both Rincon and Bass. Businesses and local employment can benefit along with the environment.

Bass said that Solar City has already hired a number of people in Sacramento, and plans to hire up to 100 new employees this year during the project.

"We are creating jobs to install panels locally, saving money on energy costs and paying less for solar energy than grid electricity," Bass said. "It's a completely renewable source of energy. It's extremely clean with long-term benefits for society and air quality."

Rincon said the partnership will be not only be cost-effective, but will show leadership in helping Sacramento reach the 20/20 green initiative goal, which many states around the nation are implementing to focus on utilizing sources of green energy.

The 20/20 Green Initiative Goal is a movement that aims to reduce carbon emission by 20 percent and increase renewable energy use by 20 percent by the year 2020, according to the California Renewable Energy Program.

“This is something the City Council has always supported, and this is just a step along that path,” Rincon said.

The city was able to gain access to federal and state tax incentives that normally would only be offered to private agencies by teaming up with Solar City, which is what helped to implement the project, according to Rincon. Bass said that he thinks this is definitely something Sacramento could sustain over time.

"It's an exciting project from the city's standpoint that they are pursuing a range of sustainability issues," Bass said. "Definitely for Sacramento to become greener, especially a state capital and a city with the stature of Sacramento, when they do something positive like this it could be an example for others in the state."

Flying a kite this spring? Be sure you’re playing it safe.

2011-03-14T22:47:02Z

SMUD offers kite flying safety tips:

When flying a kite, the sky’s the limit but remember to fly with caution. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) offers these simple safety tips to help make kite flying a safe experience.

Build or buy kites made of wood or plastic. Only use cloth for the tail.
Fly kites in wide, open areas, away from power lines.
Only use cotton, linen or nylon string. Never use metallic thread, wire or wire reinforced string as they can cause a fire, serious injury or death if they come in contact with energized electrical equipment.
Only fly kites in dry weather. When kite string gets wet it becomes a stronger conductor of electricity.
If a kite gets caught in electrical lines or falls into a substation, leave it there.Do not touch any part of the kite or string and keep everyone away.To have a SMUD employee come out to safely retrieve a kite caught in power lines or equipment, call 1-888-742-SMUD (7683). For additional electrical safety tips, visit smud.org.

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Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

News Release: SMUD’s Presidents’ Day holiday hours

2011-02-18T01:02:45Z

Sacramento Municipal Utility District offices will be closed on Monday, February 21, 2011 in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday.

The following regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, February 22:

Residential customer phone service 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1-888-742-SMUD (7683)
Commercial customer phone service 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1-877-622-SMUD (7683)
Customer lobby service 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customer Service Centerm 6301 S St., Sacramento
Business offices 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SMUD’s 24-hour electric outage number, 1-888-456-SMUD (7683) will continue operating throughout the holiday. If power goes out, customers should notify SMUD immediately. In the event of an electrical problem, customers should be prepared to give their address, phone number, nearest cross street and a brief description of the problem.

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Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

Hot Italian LEED Certified

2011-01-31T21:33:50Z

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos: David Alvarez

News Release: Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday hours

2011-01-14T01:42:29Z

Sacramento Municipal Utility District offices will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2011 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The following regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, January 18:

Residential customer phone service 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1 -888-742-SMUD (7683)
Commercial customer phone service 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1-877-622-SMUD (7683)
Customer lobby service 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customer Service Center 6301 S St., Sacramento
Business offices 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

# # #

Contact SMUD News Media Services at: 916.732.5111or media@smud.org

Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

Cohn retires from SMUD career

2011-01-08T02:02:01Z

City Councilman Steve Cohn retired from his attorney position at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District on New Year’s Eve.

Cohn, a chief assistant general counsel, was second-in-command in SMUD’s legal department. He served at SMUD for nearly 19 years. Before his career at SMUD, Cohn worked as an attorney for the California Energy Commission.

Cohn, 57, will continue to serve as the District 3 city councilman representing East Sacramento and parts of the Central City.

He said he chose to leave SMUD because he has a “pretty decent retirement.” Cohn also said that he has simultaneously held his SMUD job and City Council jobs for the past 16 years.

“I thought it would be nice to focus on one job for a change,” he said.

Cohn said he’s experiencing a slightly slower pace since he retired from SMUD. “People have really asked me: ‘How the heck do you do both those jobs?’ ” he said. “You just get used to moving back and forth, moving high speed” and not taking time off.

Now that he has fewer demands on his time, he said he wants to help advance local and regional rail and transit, as well as the city’s connections with state and national rail systems.

Retirement from SMUD provides “just a little more time to focus on some of the policy issues that really interest me,” he said.

Photo of Cohn by Brandon Darnell.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

News Release: Holiday Wrap-up: Recycle your tree

2010-12-27T18:49:12Z

Give your Christmas tree the proper holiday send-off. Rather than toss it in the trash, recycle it. You’ll be doing our local landfills a big favor. Bring your Christmas tree to the SMUD Corporation Yard at 6100 Folsom Boulevard on Jan. 8 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. SMUD staff will mulch it for free.

Please remove all tinsel, lights, tree stands and nails. Flocked trees will be accepted at all locations. There is a limit of five trees per vehicle.

Christmas trees may also be recycled for free at the following sites and dates:

In Sacramento

Elder Creek Recovery and Transfer
8642 Elder Creek Road (Jackson Highway, south on Florin Perkins Road, left on Elder Creek Road)
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 8
Also accepting trees
8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Dec. 27 – Jan. 31

Kiefer Landfill
12701 Kiefer Boulevard (Jackson Highway, north on Grant Line Road, right on Kiefer Boulevard)
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 8 and Jan. 9

North Area Recovery Station
4450 Roseville Road (I-80, north Watt Avenue, left on Roseville Road)
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 8 and Jan. 9

Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station
8491 Fruitridge Road (Jackson Highway, south on Florin Perkins Road, left on Fruitridge Road)
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 8 and Jan. 9
Also accepting trees
Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 27 – Jan. 31

In Folsom

Dan Russell Rodeo Arena
(Folsom City Park, end of Stafford Street)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 8 and Jan. 9

Please note: Loads in excess of five trees will be accepted only at Elder Creek Recovery and Transfer, Kiefer Landfill and the North Area Recovery Station.

For more about recycling Christmas trees, contact the Sacramento County Consolidated Utilities Billing Services at 916-875-5555 or visit www.sacgreenteam.com.

###

Contact SMUD News Media Services at: 916.732.5111or media@smud.org

Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

News Release: SMUD's Holiday Hours

2010-12-22T00:14:51Z

Sacramento Municipal Utility District offices will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 23, 2010 and be closed all day on Friday, December 24, 2010 in observance of Christmas.

The following regular business hours will resume on Monday, December 27:

Residential customer phone service 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1-888-742-SMUD (7683)
Commercial customer phone service 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1-877-622-SMUD (7683)
Customer lobby service 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customer Service Center 6301 S St., Sacramento
Business offices 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SMUD will also be closed on Friday, December 31, 2010 in observance of the New Year’s holiday.

SMUD’s 24-hour electric outage number, 1-888-456-SMUD (7683) will continue operating throughout both holidays. If power goes out, customers should notify SMUD immediately. In the event of an electrical problem, customers should be prepared to give their address, phone number, nearest cross street and a brief description of the problem.

# # #

Contact SMUD News Media Services at: 916.732.5111or media@smud.org

Disclosure: Becky Repka is employed by SMUD in Corporate Communications.

La Valentina affordable housing project kicks off

2010-12-10T01:21:47Z

Developers are promising to bring new life to a blighted section of Alkali Flat following the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for 81 units of affordable housing adjacent to the Alkali Flat/La Valentina light rail station.

The site on the corner of 12th and D streets has been vacant for more than 20 years and previously housed an auto repair shop.

The new construction will include 63 apartments and 18 townhouses, the latter being the first “Net Zero” site designed for Sacramento, meaning all energy consumed on the site will be produced there.

“We’re here to bring, I think, the most contemporary, most cutting-edge design that we could bring to one of the oldest residential neighborhoods of Sacramento,” said Meea Kang, a principal at Domus Development, the San Francisco-based company in charge of the project. “We’re very pleased to be able to do that."

Kang said the $27 million project is being financed by a combination of private, state and local funding and will create and/or maintain about 400 jobs in the area. Construction is scheduled to be completed in summer 2012.

“We are tremendously excited about this project, because this is one of the first near-zero-energy projects in the Sacramento area,” said Paul Lau, assistant general manager of SMUD. “This meets all the requirements of a great project.”

SMUD contributed more than $400,000 in credits for the project’s energy conservation, Lau said.

Lau checked off a laundry list of energy-efficient features in the building, including solar roofing panels, sliding glass doors, energy-efficient windows, space heating, central air conditioning, compact fluorescent and LED lighting, and Energy Star appliances.

“The whole (City) Council is really excited about this project,” said City Councilman Steve Cohn, in whose district the project sits. “This project really hits all the sweet spots; this hits all the points that we are trying to do when we talk about Sacramento becoming the most livable city in America.”

Cohn applauded the fact that the site is “taking advantage of a 25-year investment” in the Alkali Flat/La Valentina light rail station and urged Sacramentans to rely more on walking, bicycles and public transit.

“These types of projects are going to do just that,” he said.

But it wasn’t just government officials and developers who saw the groundbreaking as a good thing Thursday.

“Affordable housing gets people off the street,” said Harvey Hayes, an area resident. “And the energy efficiency is big.”

Hayes said he believes people are speeding up the natural process of the Earth’s climate change, and in working to be more energy-efficient, that process can be slowed down.

“Anything and everything makes a difference,” he said.

Another local resident, Richard, who declined to give his last name, said the area has long been a haven for drug use and crime, but building new housing on what was formerly a derelict lot will help curtail that problem.

“This place is a slum,” he said. “(The new project) is going to help a lot with the drug situation.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

SMUD Seminars Can Help With Your Energy Costs

2010-08-26T01:54:08Z

More than 40 people spent a recent Saturday morning in a conference room at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Customer Service Center. What was so important that they would hang out for three hours indoors on such a beautiful day? They were attending SMUD’s Cooling Seminar to learn how to better cool their homes, help reduce their impact on the environment and save some money.

This is one of many seminars and workshops SMUD puts on at its customer service center. The seminar was free and open to anyone who was interested by reservation.

The seminar was led by SMUD employees Jeff Paull and Ken Happs. Both are energy specialists with SMUD’s Customer Programs and Services.

Paull started by laying out the day’s objectives. He and Happs would cover everything that could be done to reduce cooling costs for the home, the technologies involved and how SMUD could help with the customer making the decisions and the cost.

Jeff Paull

Paull continued with the different programs available from SMUD such as free shade trees, green energy and weatherization for all electric low-income customers. He then covered all the different rebates and financing options from SMUD, such as appliance rebates, insulation and window financing, and photovoltaic rebates.

He then got down to specifics on technology. This included what Energy Star specifically means in energy savings. He then covered insulation, home sealing and weatherstripping, and window upgrades. He discussed keeping the heat out by shading, attic venting and fans, including whole-house fans. These are lower-cost ways of keeping cool than using central air conditioning. Paull concluded with how lighting choices – especially use of compact fluorescent lighting – not only uses less electricity to operate, but it also creates less heat that needs to be cooled.

Passive attic ventilation

Solar powered attic ventilation

Participants were then free to roam the SMUD Customer Service Center lobby where there are numerous displays on how to conserve energy. Probably the most spectacular is a model house that has cutaways that let one see into different house technologies and how they impact energy use. There is another section dedicated to lighting alone.

Happs started the second half of the seminar discussing peak hours. Peak hours are from 1-9 p.m. This is when electricity use, especially in hot places like Sacramento, is highest.

Consequently, this is when SMUD has to pay the highest price – as much as 300 times the base rate – to cover the peak usage. If SMUD customers reduce the use of appliances and air conditioning during these hours, they reduce SMUD’s load and cost.

Ken Happs

Happs then went into all things HVAC, which stands for heating ventilation air conditioning systems.

He started with how SMUD and others can help with the cost of upgrading HVAC systems though rebates and financing. He then showed the audience how to check their HVAC systems, including filter and duct maintenance and what to look for for safe and proper operation of the evaporator and furnace itself.

Happs covered alternatives to central air conditioning including single-room wall- and window-mount air conditioners and portable air conditioners and evaporative (swamp) coolers. The electrical use of each of these devices compared to central air conditioning was covered.

There is another room air conditioner that is very commonly used everywhere except North America. It is called split ductless air conditioning. An exterior evaporative unit is connected by two small tubes to up to four single room units. As implied by the name, there is no ducting involved. These systems are a much cheaper way to purchase, install and to operate than central AC. More information can be found here.

Happs emphasised how important it is to have a modern programmable thermostat no matter what HVAC system you have in your home. They are relatively cheap and easy to use.

Happs ended with some general tips on saving energy and money in the areas of refrigeration, water usage and general appliance usage such as items that use electricity even when they are turned off.

The seminar was informative useful. The presenters made sure that everyone’s questions were answered completely. The packet that was included had copies of all the slides, and there were numerous other handouts that went into much more depth on each of the subjects. There was also lots of general information on SMUD.

This was just one of several workshops and seminars that SMUD puts on. Readers who are interested can check out currently available workshops and seminars here.

For those who would like to visit the displays in the Customer Service Center it is open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and is located at 6301 S Street, Sacramento, CA.

Sacramento Art Deco Society lecture

2010-06-20T21:19:36Z

The Sacramento Art Deco Society came together Thursday evening to hear noted Art Deco photographer and historian Randy Juster at the SMUD building.

Only eight people showed up for the more than 200-picture slide show of Art Deco architecture from around the world, but those eight got a wonderfully personal lecture from a man who’s been in the business of photography for 35 years.

“It’s a desire to document things that are endangered,” the 56-year-old said.

The attendees were all welcomed by little cups of sparkling lemonade and halves of Entenmann’s donuts laid out on a folding table. It seemed that everyone knew one another, or were just incredibly gregarious.

Sea Miller, board member and editor of the SADS quarterly publication “Moderne Times”, set up their projector and aged laptop, and, when it seemed the thing would never start, an applause came from the audience when words appeared on the screen.

Juster decided to use a microphone only after a man from the back shouted, “It makes you sexier!”

The slides covered several different countries Juster had visited, including Japan, Australia, British Columbia and New Zealand.

“This may be the only record we have some day,” Juster said

As the slides progressed, you could feel the warmth erupt in the room as the people, most appearing over 60, sighed and watched as architecture from their childhoods showed magnificently on the screen.

The style of Art Deco began between the two World Wars and was popular during the Great Depression, lasting from 1925 to 1940. The style is characterized by bold colors, mostly shades of green and brown, and geometric shapes.

As the show ended, Juster looked out over the small audience. After a pause, he said, “Do you guys wanna see my trip to Japan?”

The powerpoint went on to show more than 50 slides that Juster had on his own computer, and explained each one. The lecture suddenly turned into a big family as Juster went through the slides, an anecdote behind each frame.

As the evening turned to night, the slides ended, and people around started chittering again, talking about the slides, politics and the World Cup.

For more information, visit sacartdeco.org or decopix.com.

Pictures:

1 & 4 courtesy of Maxwell McKee

2,3 & 5 courtesy of Randy Juster

Dyke Night kicks off PRIDE

2010-06-19T06:08:03Z

Sacramento's PRIDE 2010 kicked off with Dyke Night, an evening of music and entertainment on the west Capitol steps to lead into the new location of this year's festivities on Sacramento’s Capitol Mall near between the Tower Bridge and the Capitol building.

Here are some moments:

Two women in the audience respond to the performers on stage.

Allyn Pharo and her dog Sterling.

The crowd filled the lawn in front of the west Capitol steps.

Aurora (top and bottom) played to the crowd.

Emcee and Organizer Hilary Hodge keep the pace going throughout the evening.

Tina Reynolds, Equality Action Now, gave folks an update on Prop.8.

Dancers from Hot Pot Studios (above) moved their bodies slowly to the music and react after falling down (below).

Dean Brian Baker, Trinity Church participated with C. Foster and Jovi Radtke’s “Spoken Word”.

Jace and Brando performed with the Kings of Drag.

Other performers included Der Spazm and Sappho’s Serenaders.

For a copy of the official Sacramento PRIDE program:sacramentopride.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/sac-pride-program-only.pdf

The Sacramento Pride Festival will be held Saturday, June 19, from 10 am to 5 pm along the Capitol Mall Avenue.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Sacramento Pride Grows Up to Role as California's Capital Pride!

2010-06-18T07:46:57Z

With an iconic new location--Sacramento's scenic Capitol Mall, expanded marketing efforts and a growing roster of prestigious corporate sponsors and exhibitors, the 26-year-old Sacramento Pride Festival is expected to break attendance records on Saturday.

The June 19 Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., attracting an estimated 10,000 visitors and bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of economic benefit to Sacramento’s downtown area. Festival admission is $10.

After a number of years at South Side Park, the Festival will move to Capitol Mall in 2010, where a street-festival layout sandwiched between the Tower Bridge and the State Capitol dome is expected to add novelty and cachet to “California’s Capital Pride.” Adding to the buzz are headline entertainers from New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, a new high-energy Amtrak Dance Pavilion featuring popular regional DJs, and give-aways including $50 in free play at Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, California State Fair and Village People concert tickets, music downloads from Masterbeat and more.

Featured on two live stages will be “Ru-Paul’s Drag Race” winner Bebe Zahara Benet, singer-songwriter and LOGO Channel star Joel Evan; musical comedy duo That’s What She Said (TWSS); and Kaylah Marin, whose dance remix single “On the Floor (Oh Baby Please)” hit #4 on the Billboard Club Play Charts. Local favorites include songstress Gwen McMillin, folk singer Joshua Macrae, and punk-soul-hip hop band RCWB (Rendezvous w/Cool Beans). A complete entertainment schedule is attached.

The Sacramento Pride Festival will kick off with a Pride Parade at 10 a.m., featuring State Assembly Speaker John Pérez as Grand Marshall. The parade will begin at the intersection of 7th and T streets and proceed on 7th Street to the Festival entrance at 7th Street and Capitol Mall.

An Opening Ceremony and ribbon-cutting will follow the parade at 11 a.m. on the Festival 4th Street Stage, featuring Assembly Speaker Pérez, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and other dignitaries.

Sacramento Pride would not be possible without the support of its generous corporate sponsors, including Title Sponsor Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, Wells Fargo, Outword Magazine, Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, HP, Rainbow Pages, Regional Transit, Faces Nightclub, Barefoot Wine, Bud Light, JetBlue, WriteAway Communications Services, Infinite Entertainment, Uptown Studios, SMUD, Amtrak, CARES, Cheer SF, California State Fair, Power of Two Promotions, Lumens Light + Living, Safeway, IKEA, Sacramento News & Review, Curve Magazine and SF Weekly.

Sacramento Pride is produced by the volunteers and staff of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center and proceeds support Center programs and services, including youth services, adult discussion groups, HIV support services, transgender support services, a free weekly legal clinic, gathering space for local community organizations and more. For more information about Sacramento Pride, visit www.sacramentopride.org.

Here's how Mayor Kevin Johnson can earn some green points

2010-06-14T21:59:07Z

Well, it's summer again and my wife and I are dreading our electricity bills. Last summer SMUD whacked our checking account for a good $200+ per month-- to keep the house around 78 degrees. It's not like we're power abusers; we even hang dry clothes and hand wash dishes. The truth is: The cost of electricity has skyrocketed in recent years, and there is no end in sight. Add to this the fact that those in influential positions are doing little about it, and we have the recipe for a huge summer financial burden on already economically-ravished Sac County residents.

Despite all the "green" talk in these parts, you'd never know there was a conservation effort afoot. Almost every fast food joint and retail outlet we walk into is a frigid 70 degrees (or less). In fact many restaurants are so cold it's pointless to order warm food because it will be cold by the time you get half way through. Oh and movie theaters. Grrr. Many of them are so cold in the summer my wife and daughter actually bring BLANKETS (!) and bundle up in order to be comfortable. Something is wrong with that picture.

But here's the thing that gets me most: The hypocrisy on the part of so called environmentalists and politicians. Take one Kevin "Green Shades" Johnson for example. He is a classic example of a public figure whose "green" ideas are so big that he fails to see the conservation opportunities right under his nose. He emits copious amounts of rhetoric on his pie-in-the-sky "Green Rush," and how Sacramento can become the Silicone Valley of all things green, yet he stands by idle as Sacramento commercial consumers suck the megawatts up like an extra large Slurpee on a hot August day.

Ok before you put your virtual brass knuckles on, I'm not "hating" on the mayor. I actually like Kevin Johnson. Despite the widely held--but, in my opinion, false--perception that he only wants to be "boss mayor" so he can flex his ego, I believe he wants to see Sacramento grow in a positive direction. Problem is, the mayor's eyes appear to be bigger than his stomach, and instead of systematically tackling problems one by one (from small to large, to keep progress flowing in the right direction), he instead seems to put all his focus on enormous initiatives that only seem to bottleneck progress and pit residents against each other.

Whatever happened to "SMART" goals? Oh that's right, they only teach that stuff out in the business world. Here's a refresher: SMART goal= Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. How many of KJ's goals are "smart" according to this criteria?

It's a good thing Kevin Johnson is not responsible for the BP oil spill clean up. I can fathom his approach:

Reporter: "So Mr. Mayor, what's your game plan?"

Mayor Johnson [pulls a massive curtain down to unveil a chart on a big screen with all kinds of x's and o's and diagrams]: "Gentlemen I'd like to introduce my new "Operation Huge Scoop." It's a very simple concept. We are going to build a huge bowl that is roughly the same circumference of the Gulf. We are then going to tether a bunch of 747 airplanes together. We are then going tie the bowl to them. At an hour of my choosing the 747 pilots will fly over the gulf together, lower the bowl into the sea, and literally scoop up ALL the oil in one fell SCOOP!

Reporter: "But Mr. Mayor what happens if the tether breaks????"

Mayor Johnson: "Please address all your questions to my special assistant RE "The Scoop" Graswich. Yo Scoop come on up here and take some questions."

One big pie-in-the-sky idea after the next it seems. Perhaps this is why a growing number of people are contending that giving the job of Sacramento mayor to KJ was like giving the job of Joint Chiefs of Staff to "The Situation" (of Jersey Shore fame). While that may seem harsh, it's hard not to agree-- at least on some level--given Johnson's rhetoric and his endless stream of map-defining big ideas.

Don't get me wrong. I don't envy him. That's a steep mountain he has created for himself. Convincing Sacramento he is a worthy CEO is going to be a hard sell given his track record so far. Furthermore, I have absolutely no political or personal ax to grind (or advantage to gain) by knocking the man, so my opinions are 100% predicated on mere perceptions he himself is responsible for creating.

That's not to say leaving the previous eight year mayor in city hall was a better solution; it just underscores the fact that as long as Kevin thinks that his way is the only way, the City of Sacramento, like any organization, will most likely--as the rule goes-- only rise to the highest level of his incompetency, and to think otherwise all but guarantees disappointment.

Back to conservation. I want to be clear: I'm not suggesting Kevin Johnson is responsible for the energy crisis, nor am I suggesting he is responsible for fixing it. I'm only responding to his own "Green Initiative" and offering practical, "SMART" goals that he should consider embracing. So in that spirit I offer this:

My Mayor: How about demonstrating your commitment to the environment by slam dunking home some low hanging "green" fruit------ such as commercial electricity abuse in summer months? How about enlisting twenty or thirty soldiers in your storied volunteer contingent to cruise Sacramento stores, restaurants, coffee shops. movie theaters, and other places of business, and spread awareness about energy abuse and what it is costing consumers? For businesses who aren't abusing, they could receive some "Green Shade Bucks" from you that could be redeemed for say, a photo opportunity or something. Maybe the Kings could even get involved and giveaway game tickets (surely they will have a few open seats next year).

Bombastically yours,

Mark Johnston
www.joesacramento.com

Rep. Doris Matsui Hosts Successful Clean Energy Forum Today with Almost 200 Participants

2010-06-03T23:39:40Z

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) hosted a first of its kind forum at the Sacramento State Alumni Center for local clean technology companies to explore federal funding opportunities with representatives from the Administration. Joined by prominent representatives from the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and the Export-Import Bank, Rep. Matsui’s event highlighted Federal programs that businesses can apply for to promote the use of clean technology, bolster the clean energy industry, increase exports of American-made clean energy products, and reduce both energy consumption and costs for consumers and businesses. ‪‪

“As our regional economy continues to recover and grow, the emerging clean technology industry is helping to ensure that Sacramento is prosperous throughout the next century,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “When our local companies have the opportunity to sit down and meet with Administration officials face-to-face, they can better understand what is required of them in the loan process and that will make our region more competitive down the road.”

Almost 200 participants attended today's event - a clear sign of the excitement around the clean energy sector in Sacramento. Local businesses, non-profits, government agencies, university representatives, and citizen activists came together to discuss on-going projects as well as future opportunities coming to Northern California.

Representative Matsui also discussed legislation she recently introduced, the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2010, which would assist small- and medium-sized clean technology businesses to find new markets at home and abroad to sell their clean-tech products.‪‪ This legislation would create a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to be administered by International Trade Administration within the Department of Commerce to help increase the competitiveness of American-made clean technology.

“Sacramento is poised to become a national leader in clean energy,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Today’s forum will help our local stakeholders understand what federal resources are available to them and how best to prepare, strengthen and grow their businesses to compete in a global marketplace.”‪

The Recovery Act, supported by Congresswoman Matsui last year, has set forth record levels of investment in the burgeoning clean and green technology industry. The Obama Administration and this Congress continues to deliver on its promise to support clean tech companies that, in turn, will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, renew our competitiveness in a global marketplace, and promote the use of alternative technologies that do not threaten our natural resources. Last fall, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) in cooperation with California State University Sacramento (CSUS) and Los Rios Community College received a Recovery grant of $128 million for the installation of smart meters and a regional smart-grid infrastructure. The federal funding will enable SMUD to deploy technology that it could not otherwise afford that will, for example, help SMUD predict power outages, and know more quickly when they do occur.

“SMUD proudly supports the Sacramento region’s clean technology business sector,” said Elisabeth S. Brinton, Chief Business & Public Affairs Officer, SMUD. “As the nation’s most progressive electric utility, SMUD has been a local economic development engine for many decades, from pioneering utility scale solar over 25 years ago, to our Smart Grid and Advanced Renewable Energy Development work happening today. Congresswoman Matsui’s practical and visionary leadership is a key to our region’s competitiveness. Today’s Clean Energy Federal Funding Forum gives local private sector companies important access to federal funding options needed to accelerate the commercialization of energy related technology in today’s otherwise tough economy – supporting the clean energy technology that will help utilities like SMUD best serve our customers for years to come.”

# # #

Local Companies to Talk Green with Young Professionals

2010-05-26T20:03:29Z

On the heels of Mayor Kevin Johnson’s proposed green initiative to establish Sacramento as a leader in the green economy, local young professionals group Metro EDGE is taking action to educate the region’s new generation of leaders about the sustainability practices of local businesses and how they can collectively help make Sacramento a cleaner, greener place.

The “EDGE Insight: Green Companies” event, on Thursday, May 27 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., at 2600 Capitol - the first LEED Gold Certified private sector office building in Midtown Sacramento - will bring together featured speakers from local, environmentally conscious companies to discuss ways they integrate sustainability practices into their businesses.

Rachel Huang, Senior Project Manager at SMUD, will speak about SMUD’s smart grid technology and other energy efficient initiatives that will help Sacramento become a clean-tech capital.
Josh Leachman, Project Manager at Stonebridge Properties, will speak about the importance of integrating Urban Farms within the neighborhoods they develop.
Carla Dhillon, with Lionakis, will discuss the design company’s sustainability strategies and offer first-hand insight about what went into designing 2600 Capitol.

After the presentations, attendees are encouraged to carry on the conversation and meet other local businesses by stopping by their booths to learn about the unique and relevant actions they are taking to create a sustainable Sacramento.

Open to the public, EDGE Insight tickets are $20 for Metro EDGE members and $40 for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at www.metro-edge.org.

EDGE Insight events are bi-annual, high-profile events uniquely focused on cutting edge topics relevant to local young professionals interested in shaping the Sacramento region. Other regular Metro EDGE events include EDGEucational Forums, EDGEwise Workshops, Hands-On Regional Action Events and Project Inspire. For more information and a full calendar listing, visit the Metro EDGE website events page.

SSF Keynote “Why The Climate Crisis Can Only Be Solved By Citizen Lobbyists” May 20, 2010

2010-05-25T03:36:41Z

"Why the Climate Crisis Can Only be Solved by Citizen Lobbyists”

Sacramento Sustainability Forum is a monthly venue for connecting businesses, non-profits, government and interested citizens in the Sacramento region in order to promote sustainability, share insights and resources, and support movement toward a more sustainable future. The May SSF event was held at SMUD Auditorium Thursday, May 20.

Approximately 65 attendees filled the auditorium, including interested citizens and students as well as members of the business, nonprofit and government communities.

The Keynote topic was called "Why the Climate Crisis Can Only be Solved by Citizen Lobbyists", presented by Mark Reynolds, Executive Director - Citizens Climate Lobby. Mr. Reynolds has been working with organizations and individuals for over thirty-one years to empower them to make a difference in their world. Much of that time was spent in the public and corporate world providing training programs he designed and led on effective communication, leadership, team building and time management.

The purpose of Citizens Climate Lobby is to create the political will for a sustainable climate and to empower individuals to have breakthroughs in exercising their personal and political power. Citizens Climate Lobby is a national, non-partisan, grassroots organization founded in early 2007. It organizes and trains people by congressional district throughout the country how to educate Congress to enact effective climate legislation. The organization is based in Coronado, CA, and can be found on the web at http://citizensclimatelobby.org.

Mr. Noss began the evening by reviewing that this was an extraordinary week on many levels. At the Mayor’s Green Initiative Kickoff, Mayor Johnson, Maria Shriver and the Governor spoke about what they are trying to do here in Sacramento. The authors of Cradle to Cradle were present to launch an institute here in California- The Green Products Innovation Institute (http://gpii.com). The keynote focused on climate change and what citizens can do about it.

There are now over 400 who "like" SSF’s page on Facebook. Jacob Griscom introduced the sponsor program, saying that SSF aims to evolve the collective consciousness of the inside of the community. They want to focus on food, water, green jobs, he said. The community wants our region to be about more than just cleantech. The organic way they approach creating growth has attracted other organizations to help spread the word. They aim to have 250 attendees per month at events.

Griscom says that the keynote speaker has been inspirational to him, as he teaches each of us to influence policy in our community. It’s scary to look into the face of climate change and feel the full magnitude of it is terrifying because it is transformative. You must be accountable for your part in our future.

After Mr. Reynolds is introduced, he gave a very enthusiastic and audience-engaging presentation. He said there are over 2,300 paid energy/climate lobbyists in Washington, four for every one member of the House of Representatives. Most of these lobbyists are paid for by big coal and oil, and even if all of the green organizations in the country pooled their resources it would not match one month's quarterly profit from Exxon. If we leave the future of the planet up to paid lobbying we have a predictably bleak future, he said.

He went on to say that money has enormous influence in Washington DC. North Dakota is afraid to make the transition from coal to something else. 2009 was the first year that there were more wind jobs than coal jobs in the country. There has been a failure of citizens to generate enough will to influence the decisions of the politicians. Mr. Reynolds said that we need to do something useful and he wants to prepare attendees as if they were having a meeting with Senator Boxer to discuss climate change.

For 20 years CCL founder Marshall Saunders had spent time generating micro credit loans in third world countries. He went to the poorest of the poor. He lent women small amounts of money ($100 or less) to buy something to create a business in their village to lift them out of poverty. 99 percent of those loans were repaid. He has only lent to women and it has been extremely successful.

He considered the question “Did you do something useful with your life or do you just take up space?” He saw the movie An Inconvenient Truth. The climate issue always seemed too big to him. He said he tried to ignore the problem. After Marshall saw the movie he decided would have to throw himself into the climate issue the same way he had thrown himself into the poverty issue.

One question that was asked to the audience was, "What something does the person close to you have that has been important?" Reynolds had the audience pair up with someone near them, and discuss this with their “partners” in earnest.

Reynolds says that Citizens Climate Lobby exists to create the political will for a sustainable climate. Whatever they do is based upon whether or not it helps create sustainability. They also want to empower the community.

They create political will by getting as much time as possible with members of Congress, he said. They say you can meet with a staffer. If you consistently do that as a group and you are useful and create a partnership you will eventually get to meet with Senator Boxer. It will take a partnership to get this done.

The first thing a Congressman does each day is read the letters to the editor section of the paper.

“When we go to their office we show them letters to the editor from people who want things to change,” Reynolds said. This is used as a way to reach them. They go to members of every group and train people how to get press, to work to get time with Congressional members, get published regularly, and work to build a coalition of leaders to show Congress that if they do the right thing people will get behind them.

At this event, Reynolds focused only on the face to face time. The website has sample letters to leaders explaining why they should do the right thing and how to get to members of Congress.

Reynolds walked attendees through CCL’s meeting template. They don’t meet with anyone until they know what they admire and respect about them. They’re looking for common ground to work with them. They take the steps they can. They’re always looking for where they can find common ground with everyone. Carbons will kill us guaranteed. Nuclear power might. He says “We want you to research the crap out of people before you meet with them. Find out what is really interesting to them and what they have accomplished”. They practice all the time, and have a conference call once a month to try to expand members knowledge so that when they meet with the member of Congress they are giving them the most current accurate info. They practice how to speak about the issue. Having the facts is not always enough.

There are at least two camps on how you reduce emissions. One camp is “cap and trade”- you can trade your permits to other organizations. This has always included offsets. How are you going to manage that? Instead of setting up a managed system, CCL wants to put a fee at every oil well and coal mine, and keep increasing the price annually. Instead of buying permits you would get a rebate. Under any plan the price of energy has to go up. You can rebate a monthly dividend check that is greater than their increased energy cost. They are for 100 percent recycling of the revenue so all people get a bigger dividend then you pay for energy.

Next Reynolds went through how CCL members conduct meetings. They take the road of respect with the members of Congress: Tell them your purpose is to find out what their priorities are with energy and climate in the U.S. What do they like about it? Reynolds said he looks for where there is common ground and where he can make a few key points. Get a few points in while they are talking inside of what they are committed to doing with common goals.

Reynolds added that you have to be really good at listening. Listen, practice speaking effectively and take a course of options. 10,000 hours is the number of hours needed to be an expert at anything, although Reynolds said he doesn’t expect anyone to put in that amount of time toward this process. Congressmen don’t care about emails. Politicians are most impacted by handwritten letters. It makes a big difference. Ask for face-to-face time.

Reynolds closed by saying the world is looking at California as representative of America’s future. When we have AB 32 on the block, that will speak loudly to the world and the rest of the country. If we can’t hold that down then we’re in trouble, he said.

The 2006 law, known as AB 32, seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California and imposes new requirements on power plants, manufacturers and other businesses. A coalition of business groups headed by Tesoro Cos. and Valero Services have turned in signature petitions for a California Jobs Initiative for the November ballot that asks voters to consider putting the brakes on what the Associated Press calls “the nation's most far-reaching global warming law.”

The evening ended with some final announcements, including that the next Sacramento Sustainability Forum event will be on June 17, and will be held at Hot Italian in Sacramento, with three speakers talking about local food.

****

About Sacramento Sustainability Forum:

Leaders include Jacob Griscom, the Western Regional Manager for BetterWorld Telecom, a nationwide, carbon-neutral, full-service voice and data telecommunications carrier, Richard Noss, who co-founded Sacramento Green Drinks and is CEO of GreenVision, a company that provides environmentally responsible branded presentation packaging, Ben Phillips-Lesenana, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of eGreenItems, an eGreenPlanet, Inc. Company delivering eco-friendly and green solutions, and Jon Haas, the Sacramento Area Farmers' Market Manager for Healthy Gardens, a family run certified organic wholesale nursery.

Supporters include City of Sacramento, Environmental Council of Sacramento, SSB, Green Drinks Sacramento, AEP, Green Capital Alliance, Valley Vision, Sacramento Tree Foundation, Professional Environmental Marketing Association Sacramento Chapter, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, The Green Office, Green Sacramento, SARTA CleanStart, Kenyon/Yeates, Sacramento Business Journal, Solar Power, Michael Brandman Associates, Sacramento State College of Continuing Education, Marketing by Design, Business Council on Climate Change, The Urban Hive, LPA, Uptown Studios, Coalition on Regional Equity, CA Business Alliance for a Green Economy, California Product Stewardship Council, Verde Group, Ubuntu Green, downtowngrid.com Sacramento, Eco-Chic Design, Aztec Solar Inc., Cassia Communications.

Sacramento Pride Reinvented

2010-05-09T00:45:50Z

This is not your daddy’s Sacramento Pride!

Sacramento Pride is making big changes in 2010, all aimed at transforming the annual regional celebration of LGBT culture and accomplishments into an event worthy of its new tagline, California’s Capital Pride.

The list of changes begins with the day-long Pride Festival’s move this year to Sacramento’s Capitol Mall. The Festival will be held Saturday, June 19, from 10 am to 5 pm. Sandwiched between the State Capitol dome on the east and the golden spans of the Tower Bridge on the west, the Festival’s move to the scenic city gateway is intended to raise visibility and emphasize the important role of the LGBT community in Sacramento and statewide.

The Festival’s move from Southside Park, where the festival has been held for the past several years, to Capitol Mall has been warmly received by city officials, who awarded the event an $8,100 City of Festivals Grant for the first time this year. “Sacramento’s LGBT community is essential to making this city a great place to live, work and play,” said Councilmember Ray Tretheway. “The State Capitol and Tower Bridge will be the perfect backdrop as thousands of people from throughout the state and nation gather to celebrate our capital’s annual pride festival.”

Also new in 2010:

An amped-up entertainment line-up, featuring several nationally-known acts as well as a robust slate of local talent at two stage locations. Entertainers confirmed to date include:
-- Season 1 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bebe Zahara Benet
-- Recording artist Kaylah Marin, whose dance remix hit “On the Floor (Oh Baby Please)” currently is #4 on the Billboard Club Play Charts
-- TWSS, or That’s What She Said, an L.A. musical comedy duo perhaps best known for the YouTube sensation, “U-Haul: The Music Video”
-- Singer/Songwriter Joel Evan, whose new hit single "Storm" is taking the dance clubs by storm.
A new Sacramento Pride Parade route, featuring a symbolic route reversal, beginning at 10 am at Southside Park (where it used to end)and ending at the entrance to the new Capitol Mall Festival grounds.
The high-energy Amtrak Dance Stage, made possible by a generous sponsorship from Amtrak.
An all-new Dyke Celebration. Scheduled for Friday evening, June 18, at the State Capitol West Steps, the event will feature a twist on the traditional “Dyke March” with a festive line-up of musical, dance, Drag King and spoken-word performances. Participants of all genders are invited to join the celebration of unity and equality.

Sacramento Pride 2010 will have the support of the largest number of corporate and non-profit sponsors in the history of the event, beginning with Title Sponsor Jackson Rancheria Hotel & Casino, Outword Magazine, Wells Fargo, The Hewlett Packard Company, Regional Transit, JetBlue, Barefoot Cellars, Safeway, Rainbow Chamber of Commerce of Sacramento, Rainbow Pages, SMUD, Amtrak, California State Fair, Uptown Studios, IKEA, BudLight, Lumens Light + Living, Infinite Entertainment, WriteAway Communications Services, Power of Two Promotions, CARES, Sacramento News & Review, and Cheer San Francisco. Outword Magazine publisher Fred Palmer, sales and marketing agent for Sacramento Pride, has been instrumental in attaining most of the event sponsors.

As always, Sacramento Pride is produced by volunteers and staff of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, and proceeds support Center youth services, HIV support services, programs for transgender individuals, gay men and lesbians, a free weekly legal clinic and other services critical to the health and wellbeing of the LGBT community.

For more information, visit http://sacramentopride.org, or follow Sacramento Pride on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Matsui pushes Sac as clean tech capital

2010-04-12T03:04:00Z

U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui launched a collaboration Friday in an effort to make Sacramento the nation's clean-tech capital.

The impetus: $127.5 million the U.S. Department of Energy awarded to Sacramento Municipal Utility District and local partners last fall to install a regional smart electric grid system. The grid collects electricity use information from generation to consumption and makes that available via the Internet.

Local green-sector businesses, organizations, academics and government agencies now must team up to figure out how to use the federal funding as venture capital to stimulate economic growth through clean-tech initiatives and green energy projects, said Matsui, who represents Sacramento as part of California's Fifth District.

"With a changing economy comes opportunity, and this is the time to think big," she said, speaking to more than 50 people at SMUD headquarters. "We need to walk out with a clear vision of what the region needs to do to become the clean-tech capital."

The money was among $3.4 billion in stimulus funding grants divided between more than 100 utilities, businesses and cities in October for smart grid technology development. The Obama administration is using the 2009 Recovery Act to lay the foundation for a national clean-energy economy and to make the country a global energy leader, said Travis Dredd, special assistant to U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.

Matsui, who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, also announced Friday that California State University, Sacramento, has won $750,000 in stimulus funds for smart grid workforce training.

The $127.5 million grant will allow Sacramento to "move to the front of the line" and speed the development of smart-grid technology here — and that infrastructure will pave the way for other innovations, said SMUD General Manager John DiStasio.

Sacramento has a chance to become "the hub for clean tech in the country," said Bob Burris, deputy director for the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization (SACTO).

"We believe that could be the case," he said.

The number of clean-tech companies has grown quickly in the region over the last few years. The area was home to 30 such businesses in 2006. The number of companies then jumped to 56 in 2007 and 90 in 2008. The pace slowed with the recession, growing to 95 in 2009 and 106 in 2010, said Meg Arnold, chief executive officer of Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance. While at UC Davis, Arnold developed programs to support start-up companies that began on campus.

SMUD, Paciﬁc Gas and Electric Co. and Roseville Electric — the three primary electricity providers here — are on the cutting edge in the development and use of clean energy, according to SACTO.

In the last six months, half of the companies expressing interest in moving to Sacramento have been clean tech. About 70 percent of those are European, 13 percent are from the Pacific Rim and 17 percent are domestic, Burris said.

Ecostream of Holland and SunTechnics Energy Systems of Germany recently established national headquarters here.

The region is attractive to such businesses for several reasons. California provides the biggest market for sustainable energy and other clean technologies. Natural resources, including sun and wind, are plentiful. The area is centrally located in the West and easily accessible via highway, rail and sea ports. UC Davis and California State University, Sacramento, offer leading clean-tech programs. And as the capital, Sacramento is policy headquarters for the country's most progressive, environmentally friendly state, Burris said.

Collaboration has helped the region get where it is. The Green Capital Alliance has been promoting a partnership of clean tech and a green economy, Arnold said. UC Davis and UC Berkeley are working together to build a clean energy hub in the area.

Matsui is now working to build on that cooperation in order to make the region and its economy clean and green. A follow-up session to the Friday meeting is expected to be held by early June.

"We've done an awful lot here in Sacramento," she said. "But we need to step it up a notch."

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter covering business and development for The Sacramento Press.

Sacramento close to going digital

2010-03-23T07:23:21Z

The City of Sacramento is negotiating a deal with Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO) to install four digital billboards along several freeways within city limits.

The four proposed digital billboards would be located at Interstate 80 at Northgate, Interstate 5 at Richards Blvd., Capital City Freeway at Fulton Ave., and Highway 99 at Mack Road.

The city’s goals for installing the digital billboards are to diversify and increase city funds.

According to Tom Zeidner, the senior economic development project manager, the financial terms between the city and CCO are still being negotiated, and he is not able to discuss the specifics.

The revenue the city is expected to earn and how it will be distributed among districts is still tentative.

The current city code does not allow for new digital billboards to be constructed unless the city enters into a ‘relocation agreement,’ which requires sign owners to remove a billboard if another is built.

When this deal was first being hatched, Zeidner proposed that for every digital billboard built, three traditional billboards would be taken down.

The zoning requirements to build a digital billboard need to fall under either a commercial or industrial zoned area. One of the proposed billboards would be located in an agricultural zone, soon to be rezoned to allow for the construction of the billboard.

Concerns have been raised by community groups about the dangers and the carbon emissions the digital billboards will pose. The McKinley East Sacramento Neighborhood Association (MENA) has been active in opposing the billboards.

MENA recently sent a letter to the city’s planning department breaking down the energy use and the emissions from one digital billboard. It states that “a standard digital billboard consumes 397,486 kWh/year. One digital billboard is responsible for 108.41 tons/year of carbon dioxide.”

In other words, the greenhouse gas emissions are equal to just fewer than 14 homes or 18 cars.

An environmental impact report done by the city used SMUD’s emissions to factor how much energy the billboards will use.

The environmental impact report took into account the dangers billboards pose, distraction to the driver, how the intensity of the light may interfere with the drivers’ vision and possible reflection the signs
pose.

Several mitigation measures have been put in place in accordance Caltrans that include no special effects that include moving or flashing lights.

From the looks of things, the city and CCO are close to sealing this deal.

“We expect to come back to Council with the financials for the deal as well as the language for the updated sign ordinance in April,” wrote Daniel Roth, the district director, in an e-mail.

Fairytale Town Goes Green!

2010-03-11T02:33:57Z

Fairytale Town's second annual Goes Green! event is back this weekend.

The family event will feature educational displays, activities and crafts aimed at promoting conservation and environmental awareness.

"When the director of Fairytale Town approached me with ideas about hosting an agricultural event, I wanted to tie in a green theme," said Education and Program Manager Sharlene Lal. "But as we developed the event, we realized that going green is a big idea and a movement that needs its own outlet."

Several local organizations have partnered with Fairytale Town to provide learning tools. Representatives from Solar Cookers International, the Department of Utilities, the Air Resources Board and more will be on-site, offering educational materials and handouts sharing easy ways families can change their habits to be more environmentally friendly.

Y-Not-Recycle representatives will be in attendance, handing out free coupons for electronic waste pick-ups.

SMUD will also be on-site, presenting a solar-powered demonstration trailer and promoting an upcoming mow-down lawnmower exchange. SMUD Board President Genevieve Shiroma will be offering a short presentation around noon about energy conservation.

For the kids, several hands-on activities will be available, including arts and crafts activities using recycled materials. There will be stations helping children create crowns and jewelry from newspapers and magazines as well as painting stations utilizing recycled bottles. Children are also welcome to participate in creating the "Helping Hands" collage, which involves contributing hand tracings and conservation pledges.

At three times throughout the day, the Puppet Art Theater will be performing a conservation-themed puppet show at the Children's Theater.

"The performance will be 'The Three Little Pigs' with a green twist," Lal said.

Fairytale Town Goes Green! will be held Saturday, March 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
General Admission is $4.50. Children 2 and younger are admitted free.

Black Expo inspires Sacramento to go green

2010-02-22T04:59:47Z

As someone who enjoys fun and festive community events, I am more than happy to report on one of the best events in the area that took place over the weekend, the Black Expo. This was my second visit to the annual expo, which is held during Black History Month and provides a means of networking and showcasing the best of black business and culture.

I was eager to see what had changed between last year and this. I heard from some who can remember the expo's past, and it is heartening to learn that it has come a long way since it began 14 years ago.

No longer an obscure event with little fanfare or sponsorship, the Black Expo welcomed thousands of people over the weekend. More than 100 sponsors, exhibitors and vendors participated in the expo at the Convention Center, with its theme "Tapping our Green Power." The goal was to educate and call upon Sacramento’s black community to become more engaged in green technologies and resources, said Cheryl Brownlee, consultant and expo committee member.

“Each year we are trying to find ways to better inform our community about what’s happening, and this is our 14th year of doing this event, so we wanted to reflect what is happening in the future and green technologies reflect that,” said Brownlee. Companies such as SMUD, PG&E, Regional Transit, Caltrans, Los Rios Community College District, and General Mills are among major sponsors of this year’s expo.

“We feel it’s important to be here to increase our diversity efforts and give back to the community," said Holly Brown, Membership Representative of Schools Financial Credit Union in Sacramento. Those efforts toward environmentally friendly energy use are meant to accelerate the understanding of African Americans and others should have about the importance of a green-oriented economy.

The green theme was obvious from the displays in the exhibit hall as well as the countless Black Expo “Tapping Our Green Power” bags on people's arms. What representatives of the expo such as Brownlee want people to know is that the need for more information and a change in environmental policies, investments and funding sources is essential. Such changes, she emphasized, will lead to more jobs and a better economy for everyone.

However, not everything at the expo was about going green. Some highlights: a keynote address by Susan Taylor, the National CARES Mentoring Movement founder and editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence Magazine; the Glory Awards, which honored several spiritual leaders for outstanding service; a community breakfast for leaders under the age of 30; and the Stars of Tomorrow talent show. The weekend’s events also included business and job workshops, kids and crafts activities, and a gospel program on Sunday.

And most important, what is a good community event without good food? There were several options, including Minnie’s Cornbread House, El Shaddai Liberian food, G-Dubbs Barbeque and Healthy Eats. The food lines were never short but kept moving, making for easy sampling of tasty dishes.

Those who missed this year's Black Expo should plan to attend next year's. It's a thought-provoking and community-building event.

Black Expo serves as showcase for Black community in Sacramento

2010-02-16T20:14:24Z

When it comes to a showcase of events from Sacramento’s black community there is only one event that stands out and that is the annual Sacramento Black Expo exhibit held at the Convention Center this weekend from February 19-21. From people shopping to vendors selling goods it’s a chance to experience a lot of what the culture of African-Americans is all about. Whether its business, health, spiritual, finance, fashion, music, food, and education there is something for everyone.

Among special events include a “Youth Talent Show”, “Glory Awards”, Soul Food and Exhibitors”, and “Gospel Sunday Program”. There will be a host celebrities and personalities in attendance. Major sponsors include SMUD, NAACP, Wells Fargo, McDonald’s, Regional Transit, PG&E, Comcast and others.

For more information or if you interested in becoming a vendor/exhibitor contact Lesley Leatherwood at (916) 838-9467 or Pleshette Roberston at (916) 470-2337.

Feds award $5m for alternative energy

2010-01-23T04:24:14Z

The federal government has awarded $5 million in stimulus funding for Sacramento-area alternative energy projects, including the state's first "solar highway," U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui announced Friday.

The U.S. Department of Energy has set aside money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for projects to install a section of the state's first "solar highway" — a system of photovoltaic panels erected along a freeway — and to build facilities for sustainable biogas energy production from food and dairy animal waste. The latter also is intended to also reduce the smell and pollution around two Sacramento County dairy farms.

The funding is part of $20.5 million in stimulus grants being released by the agency. The money will go to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and its partners in these projects: the California Department of Transportation, Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, New Hope Dairy, Van Warmerdam Dairy and Garden Highway Foods. The funding is being distributed through the Department of Energy's Renewable Energy Deployment program.

The federal money will help the local economy by investing in green energy technology and promoting Sacramento as "a clean-tech capital,” Matsui said in a prepared statement.

Solar panel systems have been used along roads in Germany and Switzerland for 20 years. Oregon was the first state to develop a renewable energy project along a U.S. highway. That project powers highway traffic lights and signs at an interchange for I-5 and I-205 south of Portland in 2008.

Now, a SMUD distribution engineer working with the California Department of Transportation has designed a solar panel system that will be installed in the right-of-way on Highway 50 from 59th Street near SMUD headquarters to Stockton Boulevard, and at the Mather Field exit, said Mike DeAngelis, program manager for SMUD's advanced renewable energy department.

Enough panels will be installed on the berm to produce a megawatt of energy at peak times, the same amount of energy that can be produced by two-kilowatt solar panel systems on 500 homes. During the project's design review, SMUD will consider which panels would be most attractive for the very visible installation, he said.

Solar panels require a lot of land for the amount of energy they produce, DeAngelis said. That must be taken into account when a utility such as SMUD tries to increase solar power production.

"We think it's great for areas of land that can't be used for other purposes, and the highways have a lot of land," he said.

SMUD and partners have been awarded $5 million of a $6.8 million proposal. Installation of the solar panel system will take place, but SMUD and its partners must find the additional $1.8 million or adjust the proposal, DeAngelis said. That could include dropping one of four other proposed projects, he added.

Those four projects would build facilities that use co-digestion and anaerobic digestion, or composting, of organic waste to create energy. The facilities would use grease and food waste, as well as manure and urine from dairy cows.

SMUD proposed building two dairy digester facilities in Galt — at New Hope and Van Warmerdam dairies. There are already two other dairy farm installations in south Sacramento County.

Usually, dairy farms wash cow manure and urine into open pools, and methane is created during decomposition. Although some argue about the effectiveness of anaerobic digesters, the technology is designed to capture the methane and use it to replace natural gas for electricity and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

"Dairy cows (each) produce about 125 pounds of manure and urine a day. They produce a lot more of undesirable things than the milk they produce," DeAngelis said. "This is an advanced way of cleaning up the waste at dairies."

The third project would be a grease-waste and food-waste project at Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District's wastewater plant.

SMUD also proposed a food processing waste facility at Garden Highway Foods, which packages fresh-cut produce in Rancho Cordova.

SMUD is the country's sixth-largest publicly owned utility company. In December, the Department of Energy awarded SMUD and five partners a $7.3 million Smart Grid Energy Storage Demonstration Grant, also through the stimulus program. In addition, the department awarded SMUD $4.3 million in October for a year-long photovoltaic and smart-grid pilot project to study the value of "distributed" energy sources and how energy storage integration can increase that value.

Officials, company careful with demolition

2009-12-22T05:12:13Z

The final demolition of a former Sacramento police building has been halted again while concerns over an adjacent power station are worked out.

Advantage Demolition was preparing to demonstrate Monday how the last two exterior walls could be pulled down safely next to transformers at a historic power station, now known as SMUD Station A, at Sixth and H streets. The station, whose origins date to 1895, supplies power to up to 40 percent of downtown Sacramento, said Sacramento Municipal Utility District spokesperson Dace Udris.

Demolition of the building at Seventh and H streets began several months ago to make way for a 160-unit affordable housing project being built by the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, Mercy Housing California and Mogavero Notestine Associates. Demolition was suspended until Monday, when officials from SHRA, SMUD and the city visited the site to watch a demolition demonstration. The work was halted for further discussion of the process that will be used.

"SMUD is uncomfortable, and I understand why," said Robert Scott of Advantage Demolition, a family-run company based in Eldorado Hills.

The company's most technical demolition jobs are handled by Scott and his uncle Peter Scott, who owns the business. For this building, Robert Scott will put 13 years of experience to work running the excavator, which will pull the concrete block walls into the interior of what's left of the building, he said. The exterior was built to resemble brick.

After Christmas, the Scotts will meet with officials to address concerns and to demonstrate the technique on a roughly 26-foot section of wall facing H Street. The most concern arose over the possibility concrete chunks could fly out from the other wall, which runs along one side of the substation, and hit electrical equipment. The company will install tarps between the substation and the wall to control debris, Robert Scott said.

"I've been in this situation many times," he said. "I have yet to have an accident."

The demolition could be completed within days once the go-ahead is given. Demolishing the rest of the walls should take a few hours. Prepping — installing tarps and making the site safe — will take a day, while cleanup will take two to three days, Scott said.

For years, the building under demolition was the city's patrol station. Patrol officers were based there, while patrol cars were housed in a garage where the federal courthouse now sits. Police administration headquarters were located at the site of the present Sacramento County Public Law Library, said Sacramento Police Department spokesperson Norm Leong.

In 1994, the building was converted into the city's first non-live-in police academy. Forensics also was based there. The building had so much history for Sacramento police that some officers grabbed concrete "bricks" as mementos once it started coming down, Leong said.

"There's history there," he said.

SHRA is overseeing the nine-story project to build one-bedroom and studio apartments, along with ground-floor retail and a clinic, to replace low-income, single-residency occupancy units on K Street Mall or elsewhere downtown and to help develop permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless people. The tenants would be primarily single people with low-wage jobs. Mercy Housing California hopes to establish one-third to half of the units for "special needs" tenants who have been homeless or at-risk in other ways, according to an SHRA staff report.

Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Gala to Feature TV Host Guy Farris

2009-08-28T18:47:11Z

The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce will hold its 3rd Annual Installation Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento. Guy Farris, co-host of News 10’s popular TV magazine program, Sacramento & Co., will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The evening will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and live auction with auctioneer David Sobon of Maximum Benefit Auctions at 6:30 p.m. Auction offerings will include fine wine and dining packages, exotic travel and other luxury items.

All proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit the Rainbow Chamber Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting programs for at-risk youth and other causes.

The evening program will include Foundation scholarship presentations and installation of the Chamber’s 2009-10 Board of Directors. Tickets are $75 through Aug. 31, $85 Sept. 1 and after. Sponsorship opportunities are available for as little as $100. Visit www.rainbowchamber.com for more information.

Event sponsors include Wells Fargo, Outword Magazine, SMUD, Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, Rainbow Pages/VRP.info, CARES, Le Rivage Hotel, Greenberg Traurig, Sestak Lighting Design and Equality California.

Before joining Sacramento & Co., L.A. native Farris began his television career as a production assistant at Sacramento’s KOVR/Channel 13, then traveled to Gold 33 News at Seven and the WB Las Vegas, where his entertainment reports and celebrity interviews aired on Sinclair Broadcasting’s 40-plus stations nationwide. As part of the NorthWest Cable News morning anchor team in Seattle, Farris interviewed some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. His irreverent style has earned him numerous Emmy nominations, culminating in a win for Best Entertainment Anchor in 2002. He also was named Seattle Magazine's “It Anchor.”

Nine Rainbow Chamber 2009-2010 officers and board members will be officially installed at the event:
• President/CEO Fred Palmer, publisher of Outword Magazine, elected to a third term
• Vice President Steven Walker, CEO of Fast Break Tech Inc., elected to a fourth term
• Secretary Stephanie Slagel, State Farm Insurance agent, elected to her first term
• Treasurer Jason Russell, CPA, of accounting firm Marcia Fritz & Company, elected to a fourth term
• Brian Bentzen, Pampered Chef host, elected to a second term
• Gerald Filice, Esq., of Filice Law Offices, elected to a second term
• Roy Guira, stylist, The Associates Salon, elected to a second term
• Dr. Darrick Lawson, owner of The Healing Touch Chiropractic, elected to a first term
• Bonnie Osborn, owner of public relations company WriteAway Communications Services, elected to a second term

Palmer, who was elected Aug. 18 to his third term as Chamber president, said the large field of highly qualified board candidates was a reflection of the Chamber’s recent membership growth and expansion of services. In the past year, the Chamber has doubled its membership to 260 members, hired its first paid administrative staff, and significantly increased the number of networking and professional development events it provides.

The Rainbow Chamber Foundation (www.rcfdn.org) was established in 2007 as a 501c3 organization. In 2008 and 2009, the Foundation donated approximately $5,000 to programs for at-risk gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender youth and their allies, and awarded two $1,000 college scholarships.

The purpose of the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce is to promote networking among the gay and lesbian business community and its supporters; to enhance awareness of political and social issues; and to encourage involvement in charitable causes. For more information about the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, visit www.rainbowchamber.com.

A Shady Way to Beat Summer

2009-05-22T19:26:54Z

Summer is here. Our winter wardrobe has been placed in the back of the closet and the air conditioner is fired up. And in times like these, there is not anything more appealing than shade.

Shade is exactly what the Sacramento Tree Foundation (STF) offers. They have been collaborating with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) more than 15 years to provide Sacramento area residents free trees to create shade, reduce heat expose and help conserve energy.

The Foundation has been working with businesses, homeowners, schools and parks to reach their goal of planting five million new trees by the year 2025. To reach that goal, the organization has developed a map called the “Greenprint.” It helps the foundation expand the region’s trees, enhance the landscape and provide cleaner air.

That’s where SMUD comes in.

In the early 90’s SMUD began to move away from their large plant operations and look toward green energy opportunities and developing a number of efficient resources. During this time, the foundation had begun planning and developing planting shade trees throughout Sacramento County. So the two teamed up.

Their work is not be possible without their team of volunteers, according to Foundation officials. Volunteering, they say, is easy, a great way to get involved with your community, help a great cause, gain experience and meet new people. (The Foundation is happy to accommodate your work and a school schedule, which makes it more convenient to join the cause.)

Elizabeth Munoz, 25, of Sacramento is a recent addition to the Foundation’s volunteer team. She came across the foundation in her search for an internship related to her major. Munoz is an American River College student pursuing a degree in the Landscape industry. She is going through training and is looking forward to helping residents plant their first tree.

“I’m unbelievably excited to get out there,” says Munoz. “I can’t put my finger on it, but it just makes you feel good.”

SMUD and STF are happy to share a partnership providing trees to Sacramento area residents. By planting trees in specific locations, residents are conserving energy and keeping their air conditioner bill low. SMUD offers residents up to 10 free trees.

Getting a tree is easy. All you need to do is contact the Foundation and schedule an appointment with a community forester. They’ll select the right tree for you and plant it for you as well.

If you are interested in learning more about STF, becoming a volunteer or receiving free trees, the links below are helpful in getting started with this great cause.

The Sacramento Tree Foundation (STF) organization- http://www.sactree.com/default.aspx

Making a donation- http://www.sactree.com/doc.aspx?22

Becoming a volunteer - http://www.sactree.com/doc.aspx?19

Receiving free trees- http://www.sactree.com/doc.aspx?25

SMUD staff to explain rate hikes at May meetings

2009-04-25T03:07:55Z

Representatives from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District are attending 52 community meetings in May to inform area residents about the utility district’s planned rate hikes.

SMUD’s board of directors will meet June 4 to consider whether to approve two sets of fee increases.

The first fee hike would appear on residents’ bills beginning September 1 – fees would jump about 9.5 percent. Residents can expect a second fee increase of about 3.5 percent starting January 1, 2011.

Rosanna Herber, SMUD’s supervisor of community engagement, said district representatives are attending the community meetings because they feel it’s important for customers to know what is happening with the utility rates.

SMUD staffers are attending about 75 community group meetings total, said Jim Tracy, the utility district’s chief executive officer.

At recent meetings, residents have asked questions about other SMUD efforts such as its low-income and solar programs, Herber said. Customers can ask questions about any SMUD program at the community meetings, she added.

Tracy said Thursday that SMUD is raising its rates for several reasons, some of which are falling revenues, hikes in healthcare expenses, and increasing prices for renewable energy.

The utility district is also facing lower interest earnings and higher borrowing costs, Tracy said.

A March 31 SMUD report explains that the chaotic situation in the credit markets “has increased SMUD’s borrowing costs on some of its existing debts while lowering interest earned on invested funds.”

The utility district also needs money to replace old facilities. Capital improvements are essential for reliability, according to Tracy.

He noted that SMUD predicted the economy’s downturn in late 2007, and took several actions to lessen the blow to customers. Still, the failing economy has battered SMUD.

New state and federal regulations have also raised expenses for the utility district, according to SMUD.

Herber pointed out that SMUD’s rates, after the 9.5 percent jump in September, will still be lower than rates at Roseville Electric, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

An average resident who consumes 750 kilowatt-hours in a month will receive an $86.22 SMUD bill starting in September, Herber explained. PG&E customers would pay $113.46 for the same amount of kilowatt-hours, and customers of Roseville Electric would be charged $88.95, she said.

SMUD representatives will appear at the meetings of the following community groups from May 4 to May 7:

Groups meeting May 4: Asian Pacific Islanders American Public Affairs Association; Fair Oaks Rotary; La Familia Counseling Center, Inc.

Groups meeting May 5: Rotary Club of Arden Arcade; Sacramento Association of Realtors; Hmong Women’s Heritage Association; Rio Linda/Elverta Chamber of Commerce; Organization of Chinese Americans.

Community meetings for May 6: Downtown Partnership.

Group meeting on May 7: The 100 Black Men of Sacramento

SMUD has more information on times and locations of the above meetings, as well as a list of meetings taking place later in May.

Air Jordans

2009-03-17T05:25:16Z

Random hanging pairs of shoes on power lines has always been a source of confusion for me. I attempted to solve this mystery by calling the Sacramento Police Department, PG&E and SMUD.

According to Sgt. Darrell Martin, the hanging shoes are not a sign of gang activity, at least not from local gangs.

Brian Swanson, spokesperson for PG&E, told me that the hanging shoes could cause two major problems:

1. The shoes can weigh the wires down which can impact traffic. Tall trucks such as garbage trucks may snag the wires and cause power outages.

2. The shoes can also bring the two wires together which can short circuit the wires and cause damage to the electrical equipment on power poles, such as transformers and circuit breakers.

The worst case scenario, according to Swanson, would be if energized wires were brought to the ground because of the shoes.

Swanson advises that if anyone sees a safety issue — including a pair of hanging shoes that cause a wire to hang lower than normal or bring two wires together — they should report the problem to PG&E by calling 1-800-743-5000.

The SMUD representative could not be reached by the time the article went to press.

Does anyone else know the reasoning behind why people throw pairs of shoes on power lines? Has anyone done this personally? Can you refer me to anyone else who might know the answer to my longstanding question?

The pictures above were taken by laverrue and Dave Gorman.

Recycle Today Save Tomorrow

2008-12-13T18:23:49Z

Our aquamarine Frigidaire refrigerator has been around since the Eisenhower Administration. It came with the house we purchased in Hollywood Park a few years ago. The fridge had a lot of “vintage” charm to it. It’s actually made by General Motors….so it’s outlasted most of the GM cars. Recently, it’s been making some loud rattling that competed with the noise of the leaf blower guy. But hey, it still worked!

Then we found out about a refrigerator recycling program offered by SMUD. Wanna save money while you save the environment? Recycle your old power-hungry refrigerator and SMUD will pick it up for free, plus they’ll give you a $35 rebate. Since our fridge is “old-school” it was sucking up gobs of energy which also means it was sucking up gobs of our money. According to SMUD, recycling your old fridge can save you up to $125 per year on energy costs.

We decided it was time to “put down the old Frigidaire” and help the environment at the same time. For a pick-up call 1-800-299-7573 or visit www.smud.org for more details. SMUD contracts with JACO environmental , an appliance recycler. They sent Manuel out to our house to “put down” the old Frigidaire.

Check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYwvxKX2-Yk