Yoga’s explosive growth is part of a broader nationwide health and wellness trend, come join the celebration of life.  Yoga in the Vineyard 2013 is well positioned at the intersection of a healthy yoga practice inclusive of interfaith, intercultural, intergenerational expression where individuals experience a broader growing social yoga and wine community.  We allow nutrition, food and agriculture programs, exercise routines, spa and wellness resorts, traditional health professionals and other desciplines to all come together and share throughout the Sacramento - San Joaquin, a hub of California wine country.   For several decades Allison Boyd has pracited yoga and studied healthy living

Dubbed the "Emerald City" by Mayor Kevin Johnson, Sacramento is known as one of the most diverse metropolitan cities in Northern California, fostering an estimated population of 472,178, according to the latest Census data recorded in April 2010. Much like the capitol's reputation to host diversity, in terms of culture, as does our Regional Transit Light Rail system, carrying diverse subcultures as its precious cargo.     Currently, RT Light Rail offers three service lines that travel across the greater Sacramento region. The Gold Line, which services travelers between downtown and historic Folsom, the Blue Line, which services between Watt/I-80 to Meadowview and the more recently i

Rosa Parks famous act of defiance — refusing to give up her seat in the “Heart of Dixie” December 1, 1955 led to her quiet arrest and minimal fine that sparked the Montgomery bus boycott.  The golden legacy of Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, in the ongoing war towards equity and equal opportunity, remains the standard of a lifetime of community service and demonstrated faith in action. The national symbol, "Ole Blue" our Sacramento Regional Transit bus is on display at the California State Capitol in honor of Rosa Parks Centennial Celebration, National Freedom Day, February 1, 2013. Many choose to believe that Rosa Parks decision was simply a "one time" quiet act of rebellion by an old lady

A high-end car service that connects riders with drivers using a smartphone app – which is also used to pay for the trip – has made its way onto the streets of Sacramento. Uber, a San Francisco-based startup, is an app that allows users to request a ride using their smartphone, get picked up in a black Lincoln Town Car or SUV, be driven to their destination, and pay without touching their wallet. Or, in their words, "Request a swanky ride in a black car with just the tap of an app!"  It's been touted as "the service that eliminates everything bad about a taxi experience" by TechCrunch, and fans of the service say it's quick, stylish and upscale. Foes of the service, however, claim it gou

Sacramento, California ~ National Freedom Day is a United States observance of the February 1, 1865 signing by President Abraham Lincoln a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constution.  Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr., born an enslaved American, believed that there should be a day when freedom for all Americans should be celebrated.  He invited local and national leaders to meet to organize a movement for a national holiday to commemorate Lincoln's signing of the 13th Amendment. The National Freedom Association proposed a memorial date to call attention to the continuing struggle for freedom for African-Americans.  President Truman signed

National, State and Sacramento Regional Transportation officials gather to celebrate ongoing U.S. Transportation investments that continue to positively impact the greater Sacramento Region.  The California Central Valley is blessed with inland ports, major rail lines, trucking hubs and interstate highway systems to build new clean technology transportation systems.. U.S. Transporation Secretay Ray LaHood and Congresswomen Doris Matsui continue to lead transformation through U.S. Civil Rights Law throughout the global reach of U.S. Transportation systems.  Rosa Parks legal team continues to work on the "Nervous Freedom" Sparking Change in U.S. Transportation Law.  Job creation, career adv

A major federal bigwig will be in town next week to formally announce a $135 million grant to extend Sacramento's light rail to Cosumnes River College. This funding announcement was made in December 2012, by Congresswoman Doris Matsui. The South Line Light Rail Expansion project will extend the Blue Line 4.3 miles south to Cosumnes River College, connecting downtown and North Sacramento to South Sacramento. Construction could start early this year and is set to be complete by September 2015. It's slated to cost $270 million. According to the Sacramento Bee, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be joined by Matsui Monday at 10 a.m. at the entrance to the college.  "Much work ha

The California Office of Traffic Safety recently launched its 2012 December Crackdown, which runs through Jan. 1, 2013. As part of this enforcement effort, OTS has updated its successful ongoing statewide RUOK? anti-drunk driving public education campaign to continue to emphasize the importance of safe and sober rides. The 2012 campaign takes aim at popular nightlife areas in four major cities throughout the state: Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. Wrapped cars which are made to look like half taxi cabs, half police cruisers (pictured above) will be placed in high-traffic areas every weekend during the crackdown. These engaging displays will help remind patrons of popu

The regional Sacramento community is invited to join us Noon, Monday, December 31, 2012 at the California State Capitol to celebrate Freedom's Eve celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Historical contributions by people of African ancestry throughout the Sacramento region (1840 - 1865) remains a "hidden secret."  In the traditon of "Kuumba" during our special Kwanzaa celebration of creativity, National Emancipation Day is celebrated.  January 1, 2013, marks the 150th Anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln signing the executive order of the Emancipation Proclamation. The California Black Agriculture Working Group leads the effort to recognize a special mile

A regional bicycle share program is one step closer to reality after local officials agreed to spend $30,000 on a feasibility study that will conclude in June or July. Public bicycle share programs are popular in cities such as Montreal, Paris, Denver and Washington, D.C., where riders pay a minimal fee to borrow a bicycle parked at one of numerous kiosks. A similar program was floated in Sacramento last year by the Midtown Business Association, which determined that it could not support the program. "It's evident it's time for us to be thinking about this seriously in Sacramento," said Larry Greene, executive director of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, whic

The term “Maafa” is Kiswahili for “terrible occurrence” or “reoccurring disaster” and has been used to describe the European slave trade or the Middle Passage. The term “Maafa” begins to bring into focus the timeline from 1619 - 1865; from the first documented cargo of enslaved human beings to the ratificication of the 13th Amendement to the U.S. Constitution.  Since 1865, the journey towards a greater measure of freedom remains an ongoing challenge with many difficult obstacles and exciting new opportunities. Throughout the Sacramento region and Northern California, October is Maafa Awareness Month – a time to reflect on the Ancient African History, the legacy of slavery and the ongoing

The global slave trade which, from the 6th to the 20th century seized millions of Africans from their homeland to deport and enslave them in different parts of the world, has long been a hidden history including slavery in the Sacramento region. In order not to forget this tragedy, UNESCO launched, The Slave Route Project: Resistance, Liberty, Heritage, whose aim is to meet the historical and moral obligation of tackling in a holistic, methodical and consensual manner this painful chapter in the history of humankind. “Through their struggles, their desire for dignity and freedom, slaves contributed to the universality of human rights. We must teach the names of the heroes of this story,

William Jessup University is hosting a major traveling museum featuring a man with a biblical name who served our nation during a very difficult time and helped begin a new path for people of African ancestry in America.  The authentic legacy of America's second independence day remains cloaked in mystery and many false assumptions. William Jessup University, showcases new expansion along a major gateway to Gold Rush California.  This exibit will provided a unique opportunity for intercultural and intergenerational opportunity for the Sacramento region. People of African ancestry and the entire Sacramento regional community can view documents salient to a better understanding the ongoin

A number of fires across the region paired with high summer temperatures have left a grey haze over downtown Sacramento, increasing the risk for power outages and triggering a “spare the air day” for Tuesday. “Spare the air” days are designated by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District when air quality is expected to drop to an unhealthy level. The SMAQMD recommends restricting outside activities on Spare the Air days. The combination of smoke and ash in the air can be especially problematic for children and the elderly and people with sensitive respiratory systems, according to the SMAQMD website. On days when the temperature is expected to be high and the air qual

Sacramento City Council members approved a plan Thursday to explore modernizing the city’s parking inventory by upgrading meters, shifting to a demand-based parking system and cracking down on disabled placard abusers. They say the ultimate goal is better customer service – and if revenue increases, too, all the better. What happened: The plan was approved by unanimous vote, and the first report back is expected in November. What it could mean to you: - New parking meters: The new machines would provide pay-by-phone service, take credit cards and send a text message to your phone when your time is about to expire. - A new parking rate system: A demand-based system would mean that the clo

The Historic Oak Park District in the City of Sacramento, is the first urban suburb of one of the early chartered cities in California, "Eden of California."  The living legacy of Oak Park continues to face unique challenges at the transportation hub of the California State Capitol.  California.  Interfaith leaders, law enforcement leaders and community leaders "Bridge the Gap" in unity building a safe and healthy community. Many faith based communities have a creation story in an agricultural setting.  Many speak of "the seed is in itself" and "being fruitful and multiply" as the written word suggests.  Father Dan Madigan living vision for the Sacrmento Food Bank today includes "drug fr

On July 19, the United States Conference of Mayors released a report entitled “Metro Economies Report: Outlook-Gross Metropolitan Product, and Critical Role of Transportation Infrastructure.” From this snooze-worthy title, the Sacramento Bee produced an article titled “New report says Sacramento’s economy was among worst in U.S. last year.” (http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/19/4642197/new-report-says-sacramentos-economy.html ) The Bee article also includes a quote from Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, second vice chair of the US Conference of Mayors: "The quality of this nation's workforce and its economic growth is directly tied to the quality of education. We must focus on ensuring our chil

• Walk: This mode of transport needs no explanation. One tip: Live somewhere that is within a mile or so to most of your job and shopping-social life-activity destinations. Now put on a good pair of shoes and start working those leg and glute muscles! • Bike: This one is also self-explanatory. One addendum: Check out this local merchant who sells motorized bikes, because sometimes you just want to cruise. • Hop a bus. Take Sacramento Regional buses and/or light rail: Learn the bus system here. One caveat: Services end before 10 p.m. Not good news for night owls or swing shift workers. • Ride a moped: Craigslist and other sites offer listings of people selling street legal mopeds and sco

The great American love affair with cars dates back nearly a century – about the time Henry Ford promised a car in every garage. However, for me — a licensed driver of 34 years — my affair with cars has reflected more of the love-hate kind. On the one hand, who doesn't love to sit behind the wheel of a sleek and powerful sports car, propelling down the highway at ungodly (and illegal) speeds? And what about the freedom found from driving an indefatigable, fat-tired Jeep over hill and dell? Or the requisite California experience of cruising back-country roads (or the Pacific Coast Highway) in an oversized classic convertible with the stereo blasting? I have loved all of these things. H

The Sacramento Valley Station at Fifth and I streets got a boost to its renovation with the awarding of a $15 million federal grant, and officials said it’s a key step in bringing an intermodal transit facility to Sacramento that will allow residents easy access throughout the region. “The intermodal transit facility allows the most effective and efficient use of public transit to happen because you have a single transfer point to get from multiple modes of transportation into our area,” said Dennis Rogers, senior vice president for public policy and economic development for the Metro Chamber of Commerce. He added that with other transit projects such as the in-progress light rail Green