Rainy weather wasn’t going to stop the thousands of students who marched to the Capitol to fight for higher education Monday morning. California’s budget crisis has students from the UC, CSU, and Community Colleges concerned about their future. Governor Brown’s proposed budget increases community college tuition by 38.5% and cuts $400 million from the California Community College (CCC) system. This proposed budget is one of the reasons the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), an organization run completely by elected student members, puts this annual ‘March in March’ event on. “It’s a fundamental right that every Californian should have access to an affordable and

What looks like someone landing on top of the Capitol building is a State arborist doing maintenance on a large tree on the west side of the Capitol this morning. He had just finished thinning out some branches about 75 ft up. His partner held the end of his rope as he rappelled to the ground. SacPress Photo | Kati Garner

Sacramento’s State Capitol West Steps was the gathering spot for over two thousand supporters of the striking collective bargaining Wisconsin workers. A “We Are One” solidarity candlelight vigil brought more supporters to the capitol than was expected. As tens of thousands of people continue their protest in Wisconsin they begin their second week of demonstrations. In Sacramento and other cities in California supporters plan to show their solidarity with Wisconsin collective bargaining state workers. Chants of “You take on one of us, you take on all of us! We are one!” and others rang out at various times throughout the vigil. Solidarity was the theme for the night and similar events a

The sun was still shining on the State Capitol at 5:30 p.m. Monday, at the start of the Sacramento Central Labor Council's Candlelight Vigil for Wisconsin Workers. The crowd grew to an estimated 2,000 people, in solidarity with labor and human rights movements in Wisconsin and beyond. The supply of signs for "We Stand With Wisconsin Workers" and flameless vigil candles didn't meet the demand. There were handmade signs, such as: "Labor Rights. Human Rights. Women's Rights. We Are One" and "Serf's Unite."  "We Are One," "It's About Freedom" and other signs from dozens of labor organizations, represented nurses, state workers, educators, fire fighters, law enforcement and skilled trade unio

Nine mayors representing California’s largest cities met with Gov. Jerry Brown in a closed session Wednesday to urge him not to eliminate redevelopment agency funding. Speaking to reporters after the meeting on the West Steps of the Capitol, mayors from Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Anaheim, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Ana, Fresno and San Diego explained their reasons for wanting to keep redevelopment agency dollars in the city budgets. “Every one of us understand the magnitude of the budget challenges we face in the state,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. He added that all mayors understand the need to shoulder their share of the budget cuts necessitated by the rece

"Noon-2 p.m.: A "people's party" with free hot dogs will be held at the Capitol Northwest lawn; (Jerry) Brown will speak." Steven Harmon, San Jose Mercury News, 1/3/11  As a political science major, a former intern at one of Washington D.C.'s most influential think tanks, and an all around amateur politico, I was very tempted to go to "The People's Inauguration Party 2011" to see Jerry Brown speak.  I'm tempted to do lots of things.  As a broke fat kid, I actually went to "The People's Inauguration Party 2011" to eat free hot dogs.  I kept a running diary of my experiences thereat:  11:50 AM- I arrived at the Capitol and immediately located the line for the free hot dogs. It was prob

Monday, Sept. 6 6 - 7 p.m. God’s Next Level Ministry will hold a prayer for state leaders, government and the people of Sacramento on the West Steps of the Capitol. Around 30 people are expected to attend. Tuesday, Sept. 7 No events today.

About 20 protesters – many of whom were in wheelchairs – were arrested Wednesday afternoon after blocking L Street in front of the Capitol to protest cuts to in-home care services in the state budget. “Those services provide the means for people to live independently and stay out of nursing homes,” said Peni Hall, who came from Berkeley to participate in the protest but who left the street before officers started making arrests. About 40 police and CHP officers arrived at the protest, said Sgt. Norm Leong, spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department. “We were notified of an improvised protest in the middle of L Street,” Leong said, adding that he believed the group had a permit to pr

 Wednesday, July 28 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The California Latino Capitol Association Foundation will hold a morning press conference, followed by a reception for its students on the North Steps of the Capitol. Around 200 people are expected to attend.

Downtown Sacramento will lose another small merchant when Guy Hungerford closes Capitol Clothing Co. next month. The loss is already being mourned by men who've bought suits from him over the last 30 years. To them, Hungerford is an institution known for dispensing one-liners even quicker than his fashion advice. On a recent afternoon, customer Kevin Woodruff stood among racks of sale-priced suits and bemoaned the store's impending closure. "Where will we go when you're gone?" asked Woodruff, who wore a Hawaiian-type print shirt and slacks. "The problem is I don't buy that many suits. I haven't bought a suit in 11 years." "Murder. MURDER," Hungerford said. "You're killing me with that,

Saturday, July 3 12 - 2 p.m. Madeline Lowery will hold a rally and prayers for California Department of Corrections prisoners on the South Steps. About 30 people are expected to participate.

 Monday, June 21 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association will be hosting the African New Year Jubilee on the West Steps of the Capitol. African New Year’s Day celebrates the year 6,250 based on the Great Pyramid Complex, an ancient African science of the Earth's rotation. Tuesday, June 22 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Strategic Counsel will have an electric vehicle info booth and a rally on the North Steps of the Capitol.

 Wednesday, June 16 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The California Deaf Newborn Identification & Advocacy Stakeholder Coalition will be having a rally on the South Steps of the Capitol. The rally is intended to voice opposition to AB2072, which will be heard by a committee the same day. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The State Agency Green Employees will be hosting the Green Fair on the West Steps of the Capitol. If you have recyclables like old cell phones, plastic bags or printers, the fair will have proper places for them. Thursday, June 17 11:30 a.m. The Cal-Nevada Methodist Church will have a rally for immigrant rights on the South Steps of the Capitol. Friday, June 18 6 - 9 p.m. The Sacramento Gay and Les

Downtown Sacramento was a blur of baby blue T-shirts Saturday during the 2nd Annual Race for the Rock. More than 250 two-member teams competed for bling in the scavenger hunt, in which clues were sent via text message. The grand prize was a $20,000 Hearts on Fire diamond ring donated by Rogers Jewelry. Proceeds benefited Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services (SFBFS). Unlike many other nonprofit fund raisers, donors got the ball rolling, not the charity. "We wanted to do something that brought the community together and where people could have a good time," said Calvin Curtin of Rogers Jewelry. After deciding to do a scavenger hunt, Rogers chose SFBFS as its community partner. "We tol

By Ken Pierce Sacramento, CA – May 18, 2010 – Today Senator Mark Leno (D – San Francisco) hosted a discussion at the State Capitol of a bill he sponsored to hopefully help define a confusing aspect of the same-sex marriage fight that may be headed back to the polls in California in 2012. SB 906 was introduced January 27, 2010 and named the Civil Marriage and Religious Freedom Act. The summary of the bill states that it does reaffirm the freedom of the clergy to make faith-based decisions regarding which marriages they solemnize and further clarifies the distinction between civil marriage and religious marriage. It also clarifies that religious institutions would not lose their tax-exempt

Share the news! The Wellness Task Force unofficially declares the third week of May, "Health and Fitness Week." To celebrate we are offering two great opportunities to engage in some fun activities with us. Let’s Move! Walk the Park Join the Wellness Task Force and your downtown Sacramento friends in a fun walk around the Capitol and receive a free goodie bag for participating! Thursday, May 20, 2010 from Noon to 12:30pm West Steps of the State Capitol   RSVP here by May 17th to ensure you receive your goodie bag. We'll need your name, email address and phone number. View event flyer. This event is sponsored by the SmartSpot division of PepsiCo. Fit Crawl 2010  There are still a few ti

 The world’s most popular reggae singer came to Sacramento Sunday and played a show in front of 4,000 ecstatic fans.   This, in and of itself, doesn't seem like it would be all that noteworthy.  Big stars play shows in Sacramento, if not all the time, at least semi-frequently.  I mean, John Mayer is coming to the Sleep Train Amphitheater in August, right?  And Carrie Underwood is coming to Arco in a couple of weeks.   But Matisyahu, the Jewish reggae artist whose album, "Bright Side of Life," has been at the top of Billboard’s reggae charts for six weeks, didn't play at Arco for $45 a seat, or Raley Field for 35 bucks a pop, or even Harlow's for 18 a ducat.  He played for free, on the

Sure, there was a rabbi or two, kosher food and people passing out the newspaper Kabbalah Today. But Sunday's Jewish Heritage Festival seemed more like a Matisyahu concert than a festival celebrating Jewish culture. The American, Hasidic Jewish reggae artist is known for his top-40 hit "King Without a Crown," and "One Day," an official 2010 Winter Olympics Anthem. He's also known as a great live performer. It was a much larger audience than last year's festival, several thousand people lining in front of the west steps of the Capitol, with hundreds more sitting on and behind the steps. The line for a falafel sandwich was a wait of more than 30 minutes at one point. Vendors - including e

  The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region is proud to present the 2010 Jewish Heritage Festival today, May 2nd starting at 1 p.m. Watch the event live on the below live-stream. Free live streaming by Ustream Free video chat by UstreamThe festival celebrates the centennial founding of the kibbutzim movement in Israel and provides an opportunity to learn and act on Tikkun Olam (social action) initiatives and activities. This free event features live music, traditional food, entertainment, dancing troupes, cultural exhibits and displays, family and children's activities, a special teen zone, raffle and more. The event is taking place at the Capitol west steps from 1:00-4:30

  The newest best kept secret in Sacramento cocktails and cuisine is House Kitchen & Bar.  Located at 555 Capitol Mall, slightly inset on the corner of 5th and Capitol, the pleasantly open environment exists where 55 Degrees once was.  55 Degrees was owned by Ali Mackani, the owner of Midtown Sacramento's Lounge ON20. House opened earlier this month and transformed the once urban kitchen into a city dweller's culinary masterpiece.  The service is top-notch, the staff is friendly and articulate, and the management redefines professionalism.  In fact, the only thing that overshadows the food and service inside is the fantastic bar service.  Jennifer Dunmore, an area native and stylist at Im