Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Baryo Dee

Baryo Dee on "Two day CIM Fitness Expo is free, open to the public, with information for both runners and non-runners"

2012-11-28T06:31:51Z

What a great idea! I think it's the perfect motivation to get back in shape without worrying about hurting yourself.

Baryo Dee on "SARTA and UC Davis Receive $1 Million Grant for Ag Tech Programs"

2012-09-14T23:41:29Z

Go Aggies! This is great news for the Sacramento region.

Baryo Dee on "Volks Waffle: Authentic Belgian waffles bring Europe to Sacramento"

2012-09-14T19:08:27Z

Wow! Thank you!

Baryo Dee on "Volks Waffle: Authentic Belgian waffles bring Europe to Sacramento"

2012-09-11T15:27:52Z

Those waffles sound delicious!

Sacramento Regional Transit bus tracker goes mobile

2012-09-10T21:35:43Z

Sacramento Regional Transit already has a website allowing riders to track buses. Up next: a mobile app.

The app will be available for free on iPhone and Android and could be ready as early as the end of September, according to Mike Mattos, chief of facilities and business support services with RT.

Mattos said RT is creating a mobile application to make the Sacramento bus tracker more cellphone-friendly. The current program was designed, Mattos said, primarily for larger screens such as laptops, desktops or iPads, which makes it “clunky” for smartphone users.

RT introduced its online real-time bus tracking system in June, allowing Regional Transit call center specialists and riders to view the location of any bus approaching a bus stop. People log in, view a bus moving in real time on a virtual map and sign up for email or text alerts telling them when the bus has arrived at a given stop.

RT rider Rachelle Manel uses public transit as her primary form of transportation. She said she does not like to use the RT bus tracker now because it is not cellphone-friendly.

“It seems like you need full web browsing capabilities, and sometimes pages don’t work,” she said.

She said the bus tracker is good for planning trips in real time, but she would like to see an integrated application that incorporates bus tracking with other trip planning services.

“I feel like there is a disconnect between the riders and those running RT, but that’s just my personal opinion,” she said.

RT has plans to provide real-time tracking services to light rail riders as well.

Mattos said officials feel confident they will receive state funding this fall to build a real-time tracking system for light rail trains. If funding goes through, he projects it would take around eight months for development.

Mattos said that larger cities such as New York, Boston and Chicago already have tracking apps, and now is the right time for Sacramento to launch its own.

“It’s not magical and new, except it’s new to us, and we’ve worked out a business model that’s not expensive so we can afford to do it,” he said.

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority (SFMTA) also implemented real-time tracking for its municipal transportation system, which includes buses, cable cars and BART shuttle. After conducting a test between 1998 and 2000, officials implemented their real-time tracking system in 2007, once they received federal and regional funding.

Media Relations Manager Paul Rose said SFMTA did not foresee a desire for a mobile application version of the tracking software, since applications were less popular at that time.

“We didn’t anticipate the number of applications for smartphones that were available or could have been available in more recent years,” he said. “But in the world of applications that we are in now, it’s certainly something that we should allow people to use this data to develop applications for smartphones and mobile devices.”

SFMTA allows third-party developers to create mobile applications for its system.

Mattos said Sacramento officials provided third-party developers the opportunity to develop a mobile application, and they declined, so RT decided to make it without them.

Baryo Dee on "Cancer survivor and others advocate for cleaner air standards"

2012-08-29T18:00:31Z

Thank you!

Cancer survivor and others advocate for cleaner air standards

2012-08-29T00:28:11Z

Robert Linkul’s lungs collapsed six times in the hospital in July 2009. Doctors broke two of his ribs, removed the lobe of his left lung and one-third of his upper lung; they slit through his lateral, oblique and intercostal muscles in a race to beat lung cancer. The aftermath of his life-saving surgery encouraged him to advocate for cleaner air.

Linkul, 31, never smoked a cigarette in his life.

Though doctors are unsure of what caused the cancer, he said they believe he inhaled or ingested a cancerous substance. He was diagnosed in March of 2009, two weeks after coughing and sneezing blood at work.

He devotes his life to health and fitness as the strength and fitness director at Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa, holding a master’s degree in personal training. He said he can physically feel the difference in Sacramento’s air quality as a result of his lobectomy.

“If you were standing in your house and standing on a table or a desk, you get that bit of dust in the air,” he said. “You could package that in a bag and breathe that. That’s the kind of condensed chambered air I breathe on bad days. It’s really, really noticeable. It burns my throat; it burns my lungs; it burns my eyes.”

The “bit of dust in the air” Linkul described is a mixture of solid and liquid particles called particulate matter. They can be coarse particles such as dust, smoke and soot or fine particles invisible to the naked eye. Particle pollution sticks to a person’s lungs and can pass through the bloodstream, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

He testified last month in front of the EPA to support strengthening the national air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). The effort is a requirement under the Clean Air Act, the law that defines the EPA’s oversight over air quality control.

The July hearing in Sacramento was one of two in the nation for the public to testify in-person on whether the standard should be revised or remain the same. The other hearing took place on the East Coast. However, it is not too late for people to submit comments. The EPA will take public comments until August 31.

Linkul has volunteered with the American Lung Association in California (ALAC) since recuperating from his lobectomy in 2009. He chaired the Sacramento Fight for Air Walk and continues to chair the annual Fight for Air Climb hosted by the American Lung Association.

He said not everyone understands the difference between his problem with air quality and asthma patients whose lungs do not expand fully to take in air.

“My lungs are sensitive to the point that if the quality of the air is not good I get sick from it,” he said. “That’s been a big reason I’ve been outspoken about it and have been involved with the American Lung Association and wanted to make a difference.”

The current fine particulare matter standard is 15 μg per cubic meter annually and 35 μg per cubic meter daily. The EPA wants to change the long-term annual standard to 12-13 μg per cubic meter and retain 35 μg per cubic meter daily standard.

The Clean Air Act stipulates that the EPA should develop standards solely on the basis of the effect on public health and not business. The 2012 proposed standard change was the result of a 2009 U.S. Court judgment claiming that the current standard does not protect the public health.

The American Petroleum Institute (API), which represents more than 500 natural and oil gas companies, opposes changing the fine particulate matter standard, stating that the science is questionable.

Howard J. Feldman, director of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Petroleum Institute, said in his July testimony to the EPA that he is not convinced that the standard needs to be changed based on the progress states are already making.

“EPA has not proven a cause and effect between PM 2.5 below the current standards and health effects,” he said. “It has failed to adequately address confounding factors.”

Moreover, he said in his statement that API is concerned about the effect it will have on businesses and progress made thus far.

“Of course, tightening these standards would lead to additional non-attainment areas during the coming decade, even though air quality progress will continue without changing these standards,” he said. “These additional non-attainment areas will stymie job and business growth when the economy is still struggling to recover.”

The concern of the EPA overstepping its boundaries was also expressed on Aug. 21 by a Federal Appeals court that overturned the EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule meant to update the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule under the Clean Air Act. Judges ruled that the EPA’s decision to use a cap-and-trade system to mitigate cross-state pollution exceeded its role by forcing states to reduce more than their fair share.

ALAC air quality and health executive director Bonnie Holmes said that the American Lung Association does not believe that tighter standards will negatively affect the economy.

“Over the past 40 years, our economy has grown by over 60 percent nationally over the last 40 years, but we’ve also cut air pollution by about that same amount so clearly as we developed tighter standards over the years it has not negatively affected our economy,” she said. “I think it’s helping our economy to develop into a more sustainable greener economy.”

The American Lung Association is advocating for stricter standards than the EPA. It wants to see a fine particulate matter annual standard of 11 μg per cubic meter and short-term standard of 25 μg per cubic meter. Holmes said these numbers would prevent 35,700 deaths every year nationally.

She said the particulate matter can travel to the brain, cause heart attacks and strokes, worsen existing lung conditions and reduce lung growth in children.

Sacramento is ranked the sixth smoggiest city in the nation. In the Sacramento-Arden Arcade-Yuba City region, more than 40,000 kids have asthma, 143,000 adults have asthma, 603,000 have cardiovascular disease and nearly 80,000 have chronic bronchitis.

Linkul said he is cancer free. He said he understands that his case is unique and that changing the standards may be challenging for some businesses, but ultimately, public health is more important.

“I think the health of the individuals in this city and this state and this country are more important than a lot of the financial issues that we have,” he said. “If we’re not here, then that’s not really the point.”

What do you think the new fine particulate matter standard should be?

Learn how to submit comments to the EPA here. If you would like to change air standards according to the American Lung Association click here.

Disclosure: Baryo Dee is an intern at the American Lung Association in California.

Sac Press Live chat: Food truck regulation in Sacramento

2012-08-20T00:43:23Z

The Sacramento weather is not the only thing blazing this summer. The debate over food truck regulation has kicked up a few notches as well.

Tune in Aug. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. for a Sac Press Live chat discussing whether cities have the right to regulate food trucks. Hear from Chris Jarosz, president of California Mobile Food Association (CalMFA), Matt Geller, CEO of Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Association (SoCalMFVA), Daniel Conway, legislative and public affairs director of California Restaurant Association (CRA), and Sacramento City Councilman Jay Scheiner.

The Sacramento-based CMFA is speaking with state legislators on drafting legislation allowing cities to regulate mobile food vendors. This comes shortly after the city of Sacramento, mobile food vendors and restaurant owners agreed to draft a new mobile food ordinance set for a vote this fall.

While some mobile food vendors are praising the less-restrictive ordinance, others would prefer no regulation outside of adhering to public health codes. SoCalMFVA recently wrote a letter admonishing CalMFA for discussing state-wide legislation.

The Sacramento Press will chat with Jarosz, Geller and Conway to discuss their thoughts on the current challenges faced by mobile food vendors, feelings toward city-regulated mobile food vending and steps moving forward.

The chat will be live streamed on SacramentoPress.com - just come back to this article on Wednesday at noon and you’ll see a window with the chat. You can join the conversation by submitting questions in the comment section below:

Carsick Designs sew for bike community

2012-08-16T03:21:15Z

Cars make people fat, lazy and sick according to auto mechanic Brian Laplander, so when he launched a bike-centered business making detachable bicycle bags and accessories, the name “Carsick Designs” came easily to mind.

Laplander, 42, said he enjoys making items that reflect his own taste and style. After purchasing a commuter bike and spending two years on development, he decided to share his bags with the world.

“I started off just solving the challenges of buying my own bags,” Laplander said. “After that, I saw it as an opportunity to make bags for people that might want the same kind of thing, but couldn’t do it on their own.”

He sews all of Carsick Design’s merchandise himself, which is not a surprise since he comes from a line of crafters. His mother was an artist and his grandfather owned a carpentry shop. His biggest influence was his father, who made everything from yard furniture to bookshelves.

“He pretty much made whatever he needed, so I think I learned a lot of that from him,” Laplander said.

One of Laplander's former loves was buying and repairing cars. With time, he grew tired and overwhelmed with the mounting costs associated with his hobby and longed for something new. He said he is not anti-car, but saw bikes as an economical alternative.

In 2007, he purchased an Xtracycle commuter bike and turned it into his next craft escapade, and the challenge to create a bicycle bag from scratch led to Carsick Designs.

He started off making an extra-large bag called a pannier for his Xtracycle, which attached to the sides of his bike from a bicycle rack. He makes a smaller version of those panniers for Carsick Designs.

The combination of Xtracycle and pannier encouraged the Laplanders to bike more often. Instead of biking for fun occasionally, they rode their bikes to work, the grocery store, coffee shops and participated in bike tours.

“We started using it in a utility sense, instead of a way to exercise,” Monica Laplander said. “It became more a part of our life.”

The couple said they turned their new active lifestyle into a business in 2009. Brian Laplander invents while Monica Laplander, 41, manages most of the business operation.

In addition to panniers, he developed ankle straps, which prevent pant legs from tripping on the bike chain, and a 10-inch-by 4-and-a-half-inch cylindrical bag that attaches to the bike seat or handlebars. However, panniers are their most successful product with around 25 sold.

Rachel Sprinkle-Strong bought a pair of Carsick Design panniers from Edible Pedal for her bicycle ice cream business, Popcycle Creamery.

“They’ll easily customize for you,” she said. “In fact, when I originally saw them, they didn’t have the color I wanted, something bright…. John (Boyer) at Edible Pedal had mentioned it to them, and they had made some orange ones and brought them in, so I ended up buying them.”

With Sacramento ranked the 25th most bike-friendly city in the nation by Bicycle Magazine, Carsick Designs complements a community of bicyclists who ride for work or leisure.

“I think that a lot of people view bikes as taking their bike to the bike trail,” Monica Laplander said, “and once they go home, they have to drive to the grocery store, but with the panniers it gives people the opportunity to be able to carry things and stop at different places on their bikes.”

Monica Laplander said she would like for their business to transition into more outdoor gear. The Laplanders hope to eventually turn their part-time business into a full-time endeavor.

For Brian Laplander, Carsick Designs is more about expressing creativity and less about business. Monica Laplander recommends that people just ride.

“I think a lot of people look at bike riding as a sport and that they need to go out and buy spandex shorts and expensive bikes,” she said. “You don’t need anything special to get on the bike and ride it.”

Reel aims to showcase Del Paso Boulevard and art community

2012-07-26T23:36:37Z

Grab a bike, blanket and popcorn. Organizers of new monthly event called Reel offer a “bike-in” movie theater with music and art at The Greens Hotel on Del Paso Boulevard from August through October.

Reel co-organizer Chris Jarosz, who is also the co-operator of The Greens Hotel and the owner of the Wicked 'wich food truck, said he was tired of the same bar scene filled with the same people “totally bored out of their minds,” so he and Matt Chong developed Reel a free movie series that has a movie, DJ, mini art gallery, pop-up vendors, beer garden and food trucks.

The “bike-in” theater is a modern take on a car-centered tradition.

“That’s what the hipsters do,” Jarosz said. “They want to hop on their bike, go have a couple of beers and hang out, and I think that’s more fun for people, as opposed to just having the normal drive out to Natomas, and sit in a stuffy theater, and catch a movie.”

Jarosz said the Reel, like the monthly Good festival, is a part of an effort to help revitalize Del Paso Boulevard and showcase local talent.

“What we’re trying to do is show the downtown that it’s actually a cool place to hang out like the Mission in San Francisco,” he said. “That’s where we see it going in the future, like a small version of the Mission.”’

Reel co-organizer Matt Chong said the real challenge for Reel is not money, is not time, but changing perceptions.

“It’s really a matter of just getting people to understand that this is a cool place to be at,” he said.

The Greens Hotel doubles as a home for six artists participating in the Artist-in-Residency (AIR) program, which provides a platform for local artists.

Reel attendees can explore the hotel’s rooms to see the artwork of AIR artists and and pop-up vendors such as Gypsy Mobile Boutique.The movie will be shown in the parking lot area.

The Reel bike-in theater is open to the 21-and-older crowd and will take place every first and third Thursday of the month at 1700 Del Paso Blvd. from 6 - 10 p.m. beginning Thursday.

Indiana Jones classic “Raiders of the Lost Ark” kicks off the movie series followed by “Dogtown and Z-Boys,” a documentary on skateboarding pioneers the Zephyr skating team.

Here is the full movie lineup:

Aug. 2: “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (action)
Aug. 16: “Dogtown and Z-Boys” (documentary)
Sept. 6: “Best In Show” (comedy)
Sept. 20: “Waste Land” (documentary)
Oct. 4: “Snatch” (crime thriller)
Oct. 18: “Exit Through the Gift Shop” (documentary)

Eppie’s Great Race champ races Saturday after severe ailment

2012-07-21T01:41:50Z

Nicole Young, a two-time women’s triathlon champ in Eppie’s Great Race, fell and nicked herself while jogging on the El Dorado Trail in October of 2010. The deceivingly innocent cut, requiring only three stitches, rapidly turned into a fight for her life.

Young was training early for Eppie’s Great Race, an event she describes as a vibrant piece of Sacramento history.

Eppie’s Great Race, a triathlon now in its 39th year, is the largest paddle event in the country.

At 8 a.m. on Saturday, more than 2,000 participants will gear up for a 5.82-mile run, 12.5-mile bike ride and 6.35-mile paddle across the American River Parkway in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento.

Individuals can form a three-person relay team or go solo as Ironmen or Ironwomen and compete in the triathlon from start to finish.

Eppie’s Great Race has a “Great Team,” which consists of an Ironman, Ironwoman and three-person relay team. Competitors who beat the score of “Eppie’s Great Team” will receive a meal coupon for a free breakfast at IHOP on 30th and N streets.

The Great Team members time themselves 10 days prior to the event. Young is the paddler for Eppie’s Great Team this year and will also compete on Saturday.

“It is one of the most enjoyable races I’ve ever done,” Young said. “I love the camaraderie that everyone has. It’s low-key, but it’s also competitive. And the course, you can’t beat the course.”

Young, 41, will participate in the Ironwomen’s competition for the first time since her near-death experience.

In October of 2010, she said she first went to the local care unit to get stitches and antibiotics to treat her knee wound.

Less than a week later, Young could not walk, and her leg continued to swell despite the hospital’s attempts to control the infection. Eventually, doctors performed surgery to relieve the swelling and realized that she had necrotic fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacterial infection.

At one point her lungs, heart and kidneys were failing, she said.

“They had to remove part of my quad muscle and part of my hamstring, and at that point, it kept creeping up my leg,” she said. “They thought the best thing for me to survive was to cut my leg off.”

She was scheduled for an amputation, but after her fifth surgery, they didn’t see any more dead flesh.

“They said, well either it’s in my abdomen and I’m going to die in a couple of days or they got it, and they were able to save my leg,” she said.

After five days in the intensive care unit, five weeks in the hospital and months of rehabilitation, Young said she is ready to compete in the 39th Annual Eppie’s Great Race.

“I made a miraculous recovery, and I’m here,” she said, laughing. “It took me a few months to walk without assistance, and now I am going to be in Eppie’s again for the first time as an Iron person.”

Eppie’s Great Race and restaurant founder Eppie Johnson, 81, said he did not expect the level of success the event has had. Originally, Johnson said, he wanted to create an athletic event that promoted his restaurant business.

It started with a challenge using Johnson’s restaurant—beat Eppie’s Great Team. Johnson paddled and picked two other people to participate in the run and bike portion of the relay. Whoever beat Eppie’s Great Team won a free breakfast at his restaurant.

Around the competition’s 20th year, he sold the restaurant, but the race was so large, he decided to keep it going and continued Eppie’s Great Team challenge, he said.

There was much enthusiasm in the community by the time it was in its 20th year, he said. “We must have had about 1,000 people in the race, so we kept it going.”

Johnson said over the years there have been longtime participants who have made an impression on him, such as Patrick Scott, an Ironman competitor, who raced using his wheelchair before the disability adaptive division.

He said that another person who stood out was Mark Wellman, who crawled to the finish line.

“He couldn’t use his legs, and he did the entire race himself,” he said. “He got out of the kayak with his hands.”

Proceeds from the great race benefit Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS), which provides therapeutic recreational activities for people with disabilities and special needs. Eppie’s Great Race has donated $970,000 thus far.

Young said she recommends newcomers train specifically for the race by incorporating all three stages of the race into their fitness routines, but ultimately, she said, it is about having fun.

“I think that everybody should have it on their bucket list,” she said.

It is not too late to sign up. Late registration continues until race day. People can turn in a paper registration form at William Pond Park from 6:30-7:30 a.m. on race day. Find out more about Eppie’s Great Race at www.eppiesgreatrace.org.

Decisive meeting for food truck ordinance negotiations on Friday

2012-07-19T03:06:11Z

It’s crunch time for the negotiations over a new food truck ordinance: The city, food trucks operators and restaurant owners will hold what all parties see as a potentially decisive meeting Friday.

Brad Wasson, manager of the city's revenue division, will present a proposal with the hope of obtaining approval from both parties.

“We've put together a kind of straw man proposal for them to look at,” Councilman Jay Schenirer said. “My hope is that it's something they could both live with, and if so, we figure out how to go forward and implement it."

Under the current Sacramento city code, food trucks can stay on the street until 6 p.m. in winter months and 8 p.m. in summer months with a 30-minute parking limit, which includes preparation time. Food trucks are also not allowed to park on private vacant lots or next to parking meters.

Chris Jarosz, co-organizer of the NorCal Food Trucks coalition and owner of Wicked ’wich, said the trend of food trucks run by chefs is a relatively new concept to Sacramento, since most of these trucks emerged about a year ago. He said the current law reflects the needs of more traditional food trucks.

NorCal Food Trucks met with Schenirer and Councilman ~~Darrell~~ Rob Fong twice recently.

One idea that has been a focus of the negocations has been developing dedicated spaces for mobile food vendors called “pods.”

Past discussion topics have included giving food trucks more time to park on the street, extending the curfew and giving food trucks the ability to park on private property with the consent of the owner.

Keith Breedlove, owner and chef of Papa Dale’s Drivin’ Diner, said his top concerns are curfews and permitting access to meter parking and private property.

“Private property is the really big one,” he said. “If someone wants to invite us to park at their lot, we can’t really, and that’s a consumer saying we want you here, and we can’t access it.”

Jarosz said that NorCal Food Trucks believes that regulations are necessary because, like in any business, there are “bad actors” who try to take advantage of a situation.

“We feel that having some regulations in place to protect both restaurants and food trucks is a good thing,” he said.

Breedlove said that the restaurant owners who attended the last meeting with the council members were very pro-food truck.

Executive Chef and co-owner of the Paragary Restaurant Group Kurt Spataro said that he is generally supportive of the idea to revise ordinances and plans to listen in on the discussion July 20.

“I’m basically supportive of the idea, and I like the concept of entrepreneurship and bringing more people in the food business and the restaurant business,” he said. “There just needs to be some parameters set, and we’re in the process of doing that.”

Schenirer said they hope to have a more defined plan by Friday afternoon.

“If it's a positive meeting, then I think we're on a roll, but if not, then frankly I'm not sure where we will go with it," he said.

Sacramento Bee reporter Ed Fletcher makes zombie movie for film festival

2012-07-02T23:04:17Z

Between Batman, Spiderman and the “Twilight” craze, ghouls and iconic heroes are everywhere, but what Sacramento Bee reporter Ed Fletcher, 37, really wanted to see was zombies – dancing. He got what he wished for, and Sacramento is about to see the results.

Fletcher wrote and produced a new movie called “Dance Steps of Death,” which is scheduled to premiere on Aug. 18 at the Crest Theatre during the Sacramento Film and Music Festival.

The action comedy is set in Sacramento and tells the tale of three renegade superheroes, the “Adventure Patrol,” and their fight against killer zombies. After a series of reported dog maulings, the superheroes decide to investigate, and in the process they learn that killer zombies like to dance to a beat.

Mystery Zone Productions owner Aaron Keith Long, 22, will direct the movie.

Long said he is most excited about directing the dance scene.

“We are going to have a 20-person crew out there with probably about three or four cameras, and it’s going to be a lot of organization and fun,” Long said. “This is only a 10-minute movie, but we’re doing it at a pretty good production scale.”

Fletcher said that Sacramento Film and Music Festival organizers liked the script and added the movie to the short film lineup despite the abnormally short production schedule.

Keith and Fletcher worked on pre-production in April and May, casted actors in mid-June and will shoot for four days in July. Set locations include the Old Sugar Mill and the Pre-Flite Lounge. Final edits will take place in early August.

Nathan Schemel, executive director of the Sacramento Film and Music Festival, said that in addition to providing a variety of films for the festival, the committee wanted to provide Sacramentans an opportunity to shine.

“We try to be more Sacramento-centered this year,” Schemel said. “Our goal is to focus more and be more supportive of our artists, and I guess Fletcher is a part of that.”

To make the movie possible, Fletcher and Long invited the Sacramento community to attend a costume party and contribute to their online campaign on Indiegogo, a fundraising website that allows people to contribute to a cause online. You can see their campaign video here:

Fletcher said Indiegogo possessed a key feature that met their constrained budget and timeline needs.

“We were going to go forward regardless, and we were going to adjust what we do to the budget we have,” Fletcher said. “Indiegogo allows you to keep whatever amount that you reached, so it’s more flexible to your campaign that way.”

They have raised $1,285 of their $2,151 goal; the deadline to contribute online is July 3.

For $30, contributors receive a “Dance Steps of Death” T-shirt, $100 contributors are recognized in thank-you credits and $500 sponsors become associate producers.

Twenty-seven people funded their campaign thus far.

Despite the movie’s emphasis on crime fighters and zombies, Fletcher does not have an obsession with the undead.

“I’m really not a huge zombie person, but they’re everywhere, and I just really like the way they moved,” Fletcher said. “I sort of tried to bring all these pop culture elements together in a story that worked, and was fun and energetic.”

Long said that he likes that the movie project ties people in the community together.

“What’s most rewarding for me is going to be leading a team of people that live right here in Sacramento,” Long said. “It’s really going to be great just to take this one to the next level.”

Disclosure: Baryo Dee is an Editorial Intern. Follow her @BDee11.

Downtown Hot Dog Stand Opens Restaurant

2012-06-29T01:05:46Z

From hot dog stand to brick-and-mortar location, Good Dogs owners Michael Floyd, 23, and Tyrone Norman, 42, live the American dream at 8166 14th Ave.

“It was of course a dream,” Norman said. “The thought was there, but could it happen? We stumbled on it by pure faith.”

Good Dogs, open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., celebrated their grand opening on June 11.

They join a community of hot dog restaurants in Sacramento, which include Capitol Dawgs, The Weinery, Weiner Works and Top Dog.

Norman said their hot dog stand can draw a crowd of around 100 people at peak late night hours. Customer favorites include polish, chili, atomic and bacon cheddar jalapeño (BCJ) dogs.

The atomic dog, a spicy beef and pork hot dog on white bun, is one of Norman’s favorites, he said.

“A lot of heat, a lot of flavor,” Norman said. “It’s a cross between a hotlink and a polish….If you’re extra hungry, that’s the one to get. It’s our biggest dog, a third of a pound.”

According to Norman, the configuration of the hot dog stand prohibited them from frying. The brick-and-mortar location inspired them to expand their menu to fried items such as asparagus and bacon wraps in addition to hot dogs.

They serve five different types of French fries: celery salt, garlic, picante, Cajun, malt vinegar and extra crispy.

They also carry sandwiches like Jive Turkey, Ham Chunk and NY Roast.

Floyd and Norman said starting a restaurant happened by accident.

Originally they were looking for a commercial space to prepare food for their hot dog stand business so they wouldn’t have to use their home.

Norman was shown the 14th Avenue restaurant.

Floyd said everything needed to be cleaned up. The only fixture intact was the refrigerator, so it was like working with a shell. Despite the condition of the restaurant, Norman said he was convinced the place had potential.

“I basically just spotted things out and got the enthusiasm going,” Norman said.

Floyd said they worked around the clock to repair the restaurant.

“People didn’t see it,” Floyd said. “They were like, ‘You guys are going to start doing business in two months there is no way, no one does that.’ Here we are. It’s still work in progress, but we’re both highly motivated.”

Floyd graduated from Sacramento State in 2010 with a degree in business. He said owning a restaurant is new to both of them. He handles the business side while Norman handles the cooking side.

“It’s still very modest, but we are trying to make it happen,” Floyd said referring to the restaurant's bare white walls. They plan to decorate in the ensuing weeks.

Floyd continues to serve hot dogs to hungry night crowds Thursday through Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on 10th and K streets.

In two to five years, Floyd said he sees the Good Dogs restaurant in a bustling town with a good flow of people such as downtown Sacramento, Davis or San Francisco.

Norman said he hopes to open another restaurant five years from now. However, he is content with what Good Dogs has achieved thus far.

"I’m living the dream right now,” Norman said. “I’m getting out what I’m putting in for the most part, and I’m happy.”

Sacramento State alumnus Chris Kirkwood pursues Olympic dream

2012-06-18T07:05:57Z

Chris Kirkwood, 27, picked up the javelin nine years ago because coaches told him that his football-conditioned thighs were too large for pole vaulting. What he didn’t foresee was that javelin would lead him on a path of accolades and a trip to the Olympic Trials.

Kirkwood’s score of 229’09” at the Aggie Open on March 10 qualified him for the javelin throw at the June 23 Olympic Trials in Oregon. Kirkwood is raising money so that he can attend the Olympic Trials and train for them by competing in eight out-of-town track meets.

Javelin throwers such as Kirkwood combine strength, agility and speed to throw an 8-foot-long and one-and-a-half-pound spear as far as they can. To qualify for the Olympic Trials, male athletes need to throw a distance of at least 229’07.”

The top 24 javelin thrower finalist from the Olympic Trials will compete for two spots on Team USA.

Originally, Kirkwood, a personal trainer at Fitness Rangers, had planned on financing his Olympic dreams himself.

His client Gordon Fowler, president of 3Fold Communications, suggested that he turn to the Sacramento community to help him raise the money instead.

“I just thought that we should all just get together and have a grassroots movement that could send one of our own to the Olympics or to the Olympic Trials,” Fowler said.

Sacramento residents responded to the call.

By the end of April, 3Fold Communications volunteered to create a website, Facebook page and Go Fund Me page.

Fowler and CEO of Golden Pacific Bank, Kirk Dowdell, discussed a plan to get the business community involved. Through a series of connections, Dowdell was able to elicit the attention of a Hungarian diplomat willing to give Kirkwood a high-quality javelin, his first personal javelin, according to Fowler.

Golden Pacific Bank also donated a free checking account specifically for fundraising, Tru Love Photo donated a free photoshoot to help Kirkwood market himself, Bell Family Chiropractic Center donated massage services and Mission Courier handles his mail-in donations.

He raised $3,800 from 27 people using the personal fundraising platform Go Fund Me. His goal is $25,000.

“I know how to compete in stuff, but financially it took a lot off my shoulders,” Kirkwood said.

The money goes toward hotel, car rental, flight and entry-fee expenses for out-of-town track meets including the Olympic Trials.
If there is any additional money left, he plans to donate it to a charity or save it to help him train the following year.

Kirkwood said his friends, family and clients have all been very supportive through the entire process and have made contributions to his Go Fund Me page.

Sacramento State track and field Assistant Coach Jeff Magley said he admires Kirkwood’s strong character and work ethic.

“He is a very hard worker who has dedicated himself to this sport and to the event, and it is a testament to him that he has continued to do it, even post collegiately,” Magley said.

Kirkwood first played javelin at Santa Rosa Junior College in his hometown of Sonoma in 2003, but it wasn’t until he transferred to Sacramento State in 2005, he said, that everything began to “click.”

For the two years he attended Sacramento State, he competed in the NCAA western regional championship, a feat accomplished by the top 80 to 100 throwers in the nation.

He broke the school record in 2007 as a senior. He said that breaking the school record made him realize that he had a chance to get to the next level.

“I figured another three/four years I would have a good shot at more than doubling my distance,” he said.

Fowler said he thinks Kirkwood would be an ideal representative of Sacramento at the Olympics.

“He embodies everything about Sacramento that we love: He’s gotten far in his field, he’s generous and donates his time, he is a volunteer coach at Sac State in javelin, he’s a proud resident,” Fowler said.

Oak Park activists prepare for fight against McDonald’s drive-thru

2012-06-14T19:07:15Z

Doctors, teachers and neighbors gathered Wednesday to discuss a looming concern in the Oak Park community that will soon be discussed at the Sacramento City Council – a proposed McDonald’s restaurant with drive-thru between Second Avenue and Stockton Boulevard.

“We just want communities that are safe for ourselves and communities that are safe for my patients,” family physician and Second Avenue resident Charlene Hauser said. “Drive-thru fast food is completely unsafe.”

The proposed site location, currently a vacant lot, is across the street from the UC Davis Medical Center, which includes a cancer center and pediatric obesity clinic. On Tuesday, the Sacramento City Council will discuss the issue for the first time after two years of intense debate.

Wednesday’s meeting occurred a block from the proposed site, where 10 Oak Park residents, a Hiram Johnson high school student and a Med Center physician met in a Second Avenue house to finalize their presentation to City Hall. It was organized by Healthy Development for Oak Park, a neighborhood group that was formed in October 2010 to oppose the McDonald’s.

The vacant lot is on the same block as residential properties, and many have railed against it – more than 1,700 Oak Park community members have signed a petition opposing the McDonald’s drive-thru.

Retired teacher JoEllen Arnold, 62, has lived three blocks away from the proposed McDonald’s site. She said she opposes the drive-thru because of how she has seen the community improve.

“I’ve seen the neighborhood improve so much, and adding traffic and trash and less safety to the neighborhood would be a real downer for the neighborhood," she said.

Teacher Chris Johnson, 59, lives one block away from the proposed McDonald’s site. Johnson said that the issue started two years ago when McDonald’s conducted a survey asking residents to choose their favorite building design.

The drive-thru sparked the concerns of residents, which led to the formation of Healthy Development for Oak Park. The group conducted a survey within a half-mile radius of the proposed site location to collect signatures. Businesses owners and neighbors wrote opposition letters to the city.

The city Planning Commission heard a request from McDonald’s on April 12 and voted 6-1 against building the development.

The planning commission report stated that it did not align with the 2030 General Plan, which dictates building development and land use in the Sacramento region. The drive-thru design also clashed with the Oak Park Design Guidelines. The reported stated, among other things, that the layout was “not pedestrian-oriented” and insensitive to the transition between residential and commercial areas.

For UC Davis family physician James Moore, the issue is larger than building design: He is concerned with the fast-food restaurant’s proximity to the UC Davis Medical Center.

“I see several pediatric patients, which struggle with obesity, and often I’ll send those patients over to the pediatric obesity clinic across from the proposed site,” Moore said. “One of my biggest concerns is that I’m trying to convey an image of healthiness and right across the street is a McDonald’s where there is basically easy access to food that generally I wouldn’t recommend.”

Meeting attendees said they are concerned about safety, increased traffic congestion on a residential street, decreased property values, health implications and nuisances such as noise and car lights throughout the night.

In 2003, the city approved a mixed-use development lot that included ground-level retail, second- and third-floor office space, and a fourth floor of apartments in the proposed McDonald’s site. However, the project was canceled.

Some residents would prefer that the lot be used as a mixed-use property like in 2003 or property that encourages community interaction such as a wellness center, coffee shop or community garden instead of a drive-thru.

The Sacramento City Council will discuss the site location Tuesday at City Hall, 915 I St., at 6 p.m.

Sacramento French Film Festival Celebrates French Cinema

2012-06-12T06:23:40Z

You do not need a passport to France to experience a taste of French culture this summer. The Sacramento French Culture Society will host the 11th annual Sacramento French Film Festival from June 15 to June 24 at the Crest Theatre.

“Hôtel du Nord” is one of two classic French films shown this year. Produced in 1938, viewers watch a couple experience love, crime and tragedy at the Hôtel du Nord in Paris.

Screenwriter, Jean-Louis Milesi, will present his social drama “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” on opening night. Jean-Pierre Darroussin plays a recently laid off social worker who heads off to Mount Kilimanjaro with his family and friends. Upon their return, they are robbed and his connection to one of the attackers surprises them all.

As a tribute to French actresses, Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle film critic, was selected to choose two recent films with two of his favorite female performers and lead a post-movie discussion. The program, titled “The Beauty of the Real with Mike La Salle,”will be held on Saturday June 16 and Sunday June 17.

Movie directors Raphaël Hitzke and Michaël Barocas will lead a short film post-screening discussion on June 24.

Passes are available through tickets.com or at the box office. The opening night pass costs $50, the first weekend pass costs $35 and the second weekend pass costs $36. The rate for combined passes ranges from $60-$90. Single show tickets are $11 (discount ticket $10) and must be bought at the box office. The closing night film and reception is $16 (discount ticket $15).

Seniors, students, and certain affiliated clubs are eligible for discounted tickets with proper verification.

Here is a glance at the movie lineup.

Friday, June 15
6:00-8:00 p.m. : Opening night reception
8:30 p.m : “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” (Social Drama)

Saturday, June 16
11:00 a.m. : “Hôtel du Nord” (Cult Classic / Drama); “Romantics Anonymous” (Romantic Comedy); “Empty Days” (Social Romance)
6:10 p.m. : “A View of Love" (Romantic Thriller)
8:30 p.m : “Hollywoo” (Comedy)
11:00 p.m. : “House of Pleasures “(Erotic Drama) - Followed by breakfast.

Sunday, June 17
11:00 a.m. : “Empty Days”
1:25 p.m. : “Romantics Anonymous”
3:55 p.m. : “Hollywoo”
6:20 p.m. : “I Am a No Man's Land “(Quirky Comedy)
8:30 p.m. : “Hôtel du Nord”

Thursday, June 21
5:30 p.m. : “I Am a No Man's Land”
7:45 p.m. : “Rebellion” (Action/Political)

Saturday, June 23
10:00 a.m. : French breakfast with filmmakers Michaël Barocas and Raphaël Hitzke (free with short film screening admission)
10:30 a.m. : Short Film Screening (100 min)
1:05 p.m. : “Rebellion”
4:00 p.m. : “The Day I Saw Your Heart” (Comedy)
6:20 p.m. : “Declaration of War” (Romance/Drama)
8:40 p.m. : “38 Witnesses” (Thriller)
11:00 p.m. : “Outside Satan” (Spiritual Drama)

Sunday, June 24
11 a.m. : “38 Witnesses”
1:25 p.m. : “Children of Paradise” (Classic)
5:20 p.m. : “The Day I Saw Your Heart”
7:45 p.m : “Polisse” (Crime/Drama)-followed by a champagne party.

After each movie, viewers have the opportunity to write down comments about the film. Based on the number of positive remarks a movie receives, a film will be chosen for the 2012 viewer’s choice award.

The festival will kick off with an opening night reception with open bar on June 15. DJ Christophe & DJ Roger Carpio will play contemporary and ‘60s French pop music. More than 10 restaurants will serve food, including Ella Dining Room & Bar and French Lady Catering.

Other festivities include an exhibit showcasing photography from Marie Bryan, a post-night-movie breakfast on June 16 and pre-movie breakfast on June 24 with Barocas and Hitzke. The event will close with a champagne party on June 24.

Hitzke, said he enjoys the discussions led by filmmakers, film critics and professors.

“It’s rare that you get those kinds of discussions about the films at a festival,” he said. “Usually people go see a movie, then go home, but here you get the whole experience.”

The festival has grown from 1,000 to 5,000 attendees over the past 11 years, a rate that pleases Cécile Downs, the executive and artistic director of the festival.

“Last year for the first time we had a screening during the week, and we’re going to have one again on June 21, and so we are growing in terms of the number of movie showings and the number of people who come to the festival,” Downs said.

City of Sacramento has plans to address central city parking pains

2012-06-04T03:41:50Z

During peak hours, nearly 46,000 parking spaces remain empty in the Central City even on Second Saturday Art Walks according to a 2012 Nelson\Nygaard study.

Despite these vacancies, it’s not unusual to see frustrated drivers circling around, block by block for curbside parking in Midtown or downtown during Second Saturday .

To address this situation, the city of Sacramento is working with the Midtown Business Association (MBA), and state and private property owners to help decongest Sacramento’s on-street parking.

Howard Chan, parking manager for the city of Sacramento, said the city is working on increasing the number of off-street parking spaces available to the Central City.

“Our efforts now are turning toward private parking lots where we will talk to property owners similar to our discussions with the state and the Eastern Garage to make their spaces available on nights and weekends to increase the supply again,” he said.

The city partnered with the state to open the East End Garage on 17th and L streets, charging a flat rate of $2 on evenings and weekends in June 2007. The garage houses nearly 600 parking spaces, yet it consistently falls below capacity during heavily congested nights and weekends, according to Chan.

As a response to vacant lots such as the East End Garage, Chan and others are working to update parking zoning codes and increase the visibility of less-utilized spaces.

Here is a breakdown of the current and proposed parking projects under way.

Residential Parking Pilot Program: The residential parking pilot program will extend resident-only parking hours from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Second Saturdays for three consecutive months. Chan is meeting with neighborhood associations affected by the pilot program for input. Depending on when those meeting take place, the pilot could be under way in July or August.

Parking Zone Update: The city has drafted a proposal to change mandatory parking requirements for businesses and residential properties. Highlights include eliminating the parking requirement for commercial spaces less than 6,400 square feet, a tiered parking space standard dependent on neighborhood type, and alternative options to the parking requirement such as bike parking or an in-lieu-of fee. The proposed timeline for the adoption of the report and ordinance is September.

City management of private parking: The city is speaking with businesses to turn privately owned parking spaces into city-managed parking on nights and weekends. The timetable for this project depends on the individual agreements with the city and property owners.

Midtown/downtown parking map and iPhone application: The Midtown Business Association is developing a comprehensive map of city-managed, city-owned and private parking lots. The .pdf-format map will be available late this summer. The organization will update its free iPhone parking application called “Explore Midtown” during the same time.

East End Garage Marketing: The Midtown Business Association is working with the city to increase visibility of the East End Garage through increased signage. There will be signs in a one-block perimeter away from the garage with arrows pointing to the entrance.

Chan said that he acknowledges the challenge of encouraging people to use off-street parking in areas that currently have free residential parking after 6 p.m. He said their goal will be to place long-time parkers and employees into off-street parking lots so that on-street parking can turn over faster.

Elizabeth Studebaker, executive director of the MBA, also recognizes the challenge to decongest the streets.

“The difficult thing is that both sides are right,” she said. “I know that parking is congested for residents, and I know that parking is congested in the commercial district, so really, we have a set of tools at our disposal that we just need to make sure we are using as best as possible.”

Chan said that the city welcomes feedback from the public regarding its plans and particularly regarding its pilot program, since it can be implemented very soon.

“We’re trying to really facilitate a good solution, and that’s the nature of our outreach over the next month or two,” he said.

Baryo Dee on "Photos: Sacramento Zoo 'treats' stuffed animal patients "

2012-05-28T16:57:04Z

Great pictures! This looks like it was an awesome event. Kudos to the American Association of Zookeepers for being so creative.

Poor Girl Eats Well blogger to write book with Kickstarter funding

2012-05-28T06:15:22Z

Kimberly Morales’ co-workers used to wonder how it was possible.

How could she whip up home cooked meals like creamy wild rice and broccoli soup while spending just a $1.05, when their pre-packaged lunches fell flat?

The answers started to come in August of 2008 when Morales founded her food blog, Poor Girl Eats Well, which is appropriately subtitled, “How to eat ridiculously well on a miniscule budget.” The site drew a following, accumulating more than 10,000 email newsletter subscribers, 15,000 Facebook likes and 3,500 Twitter followers.

Now, after she received funding via Kickstarter on May 12, the popular blog is about to become a book.

Morales, 35, will write a three-part book that includes at least 30 new recipes. The first section will be autobiographical and will explain how exactly she became a “poor girl.” The second section, which will be the majority of the book, will consist of her money-saving theory, tips and techniques, and the last section will be dedicated to recipes.

Morales has not taken the traditional route to being an author.

Though she never considered herself “well-off,” at one time she had a “gorgeous” apartment, car and plenty of spending money, she said. That changed in 2008 when her finances plummeted due to a series of mishaps including past-due student loan bills and a car accident that caused her to miss a significant amount of work. She sold her car, moved out of her apartment and curbed her spending.

According to Morales, after her monthly bills were paid, she had little money left over for food, so she improvised, and learned to cook well with what she could afford. Her co-workers and friends knew about her situation so when they saw her meals, they were impressed, she said. That initial positive feedback inspired Morales to launch the Poor Girl Eats Well blog.

Morales said that this book is not a cookbook, but a book that happens to have a lot of recipes.

“I want to make sure people have the tools and the knowledge first, before they go out and start making a whole bunch of dishes,” Morales said.

Those that do jump into it and get cooking will find the book has plenty to offer. There will be a Poor Girl Eats Well follower favorites section highlighting recipes that helped make the blog successful. Her Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad with Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette recipe, a Poor Girl Eats Well favorite, will be in the book. She plans to organize her recipe section similar to her Pinterest page. Her recipes will be divided into subsections based on meal types such as sandwiches, pastas and vegetarian. There will be a separate section for special sauces such as pestos, pizza sauce and pasta sauce.

In addition to recipes like Baked Eggs, Ham & Asparagus in Tomato Cups and Spring Vegetable & Meyer Lemon Brown Rice Risotto, her book, like her Pinterest page, will have a special category for different price levels. “PGEW Splurges” recipes contain more expensive meals. She said she will have a fun foods section, which are meals that cater to adults and children alike.

For Morales, Poor Girl Eats Well is more than just a blog or book.

“It was basically the responses from my readers,” she said. “Once I realized that what I was writing wasn’t just more Internet babble but was something that was actually helping people, I couldn’t not write something. I couldn’t just leave it and not take it a step further.”

When Morales is not blogging, she is a program assistant at a local nonprofit organization. The San Jose transplant and self-proclaimed chocoholic grew up in a restaurant family. Both parents worked in the restaurant business, so cooking and dining became their family hobby.

Since its onset, her blog has caught the attention of many food enthusiasts.

She also receives many stories of how her blog has helped those facing financial challenges. She recalled one of her first emails from a reader.

The email was from a single mother of four who was denied food stamps that day, according to Morales. The mother came across a CNN.com article showcasing one of Morales’ recipes. She thanked Morales for her recipes because she could feed her kids for the next week. The recipes required ingredients that she already had.

Morales said messages such as these and specific requests to write a book motivated her to find a way to write and publish her own book.
That’s where a funding platform called Kickstarter came in. For the uninitiated, Kickstarter allows people to finance their creative projects through contributions from other people called “backers.” In return, backers receive Kickstarter rewards or funding incentives to pledge more money.

After launching her page in April, Morales clobbered her Kickstarter goal of $9,750, raising $11,855 in 40 days. The money will be used to fund the time required to write the book and to create and send Kickstarter rewards. It will also finance graphic design, printing, shipping and administrative expenses, Kickstarter fees and transaction fees. She used word of mouth, social media and her blog to market the project.

More than 1,100 people liked her Kickstarter video on Facebook, and her followers congratulated her.

Debbie Cunningham, Poor Girl Eats Well fan and Elk Grove resident, said she is proud of Morales’ success and helped contribute to her Kickstarter campaign.

“I think what she is doing is fabulous,” Cunningham said. “I think more people should have access to what she has to say.”

Her self-published book will come out by Dec. 1. She said she hopes to sell more than 10,000 copies and said that this is just the beginning for her.

Morales is writing an e-book as a a separate project which will be released in June and is called, “How to Have a Successful $25 Shopping Cart Trip.” The e-book will be aimed at those who want tips on how to spend less money at the grocery store without buying the more detailed book.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to writing another one,” she said. “I don’t think this is the end of my book writing. I think it will definitely be the beginning.”

For those interested in funding their own project, she recommends developing a specific goal, researching and evaluating options. For Kickstarter, she recommends a “short and sweet” video, creative incentives and a thank you.

“Never stop telling people how grateful you are, because these are the people that are funding your job, and they are putting their faith in you to make that dream come true,” Morales said.

Baryo Dee on "Ask the Trainer: Does it really matter what I feed my dog?"

2012-05-03T16:15:16Z

Great article! Very informative for dog lovers.

Baryo Dee on "Lululemon takes over Newsbeat spot in MARRS Building"

2012-04-27T20:46:36Z

This store sounds like a lot of fun and these pictures look great! It makes me want to start practicing yoga!

Baryo Dee on "Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society embraces change"

2012-04-27T20:43:16Z

A 39 year run is pretty impressive. The name change doesn't really make a big difference to me though I do like jazz. Would you be more likely to go if the name was changed from "jazz festival" to "music festival?"

Baryo Dee on "This year's Midtown Business Association elections come at 'pivotal moment'"

2012-04-27T20:36:06Z

It looks like MBA are making significant strides to improve downtown. Does anyone know how MBA first originated?

Entrepreneurship Klicks for Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy Students

2012-04-21T16:21:30Z

Entrepreneurs, students, and supporters celebrated courage and innovation at the 21st Annual Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA) Showcase Event. The sold-out event held on Tuesday at the Sacramento State Alumni Center recognized the recent accomplishments of SEA students.

SEA selects budding and future entrepreneurs to participate in their annual entrepreneurship program and business plan competition. Classmates learn about creating a business from successful Sacramento entrepreneurs. They form teams, develop a business plan, present their plan to business leaders in the region, and develop a trade-show like booth at the Showcase event. The program ends with a formal graduation in May.

“There's no better way to get your entrepreneurial juices flowing than to attend 8 months of four-hour Saturday sessions, where you get to engage in an intimate setting with some of the best business minds in the region,” current SEA classman, Eric Ullrich said in an email interview.

This year, two teams competed against each other for the best business plan and showcase booth. A representative from the team has two minutes to pitch their business idea to the audience.

KlickNation co-founder Mark Otero, who recently sold his company in a multimillion dollar deal with Electronic Arts, shared his story with the audience as the keynote speaker.

Otero grew up in South Korea and moved to Sacramento when he was 12. He later graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a degree in Computer Science and University of California, Davis with a Masters in Business Administration. He had a job for six years in corporate America before starting his own business.

He said, “I kept getting promoted. I hoped for an increment of happiness with the promotion increases.”

Instead he dreaded coming to work.

“I knew something had to change,” he said, “It’s fear that stops most people. It is very hard to overcome. It took me a year to condition my mind...once I got over my fear I started building momentum.”

In 2007, he opened Mochii Yogurt in Midtown Sacramento.

“Mochii Yogurt was a smashing success,” he said.

He sought his next entrepreneurial venture—video games. Mark and a few friends decided to start developing Facebook applications after Facebook created a platform for external application developers in 2007. He became obsessed with making KlickNation a success.

It took him 30 online product failures and $300,000 in debt before experiencing his first victory, Superhero City, in July 2009. He said that KlickNation was the first company to develop animated Facebook video games. Otero gave tidbits of advice for the entrepreneurs in the room.

“You have to believe in yourself to go through the process over and over again. You’re either a lunatic or you’re learning,” he said.

SEA classmate, Ashley Douglas, echoed that same notion.

“I guess the main thing that I've learned from this whole experience is that entrepreneurial ventures are derived from what a person is passionate about, and even if the idea doesn't seem like it will work out, you can make those dreams come true with dedication and perseverance. I've truly enjoyed all of the learning opportunities that I've received through the SEA,” she said in an email interview.

The SEA was founded 26 years ago by real estate developer Jim Corbett. The premise of the academy was “entrepreneurs replicate themselves.” A non-profit organization that began with five business professionals has grown to a board of over 15 entrepreneurs and business leaders representing a variety of industries from banking to clean technology.

Chris Chediak, co-owner of Weintraub Genshlea Chediak Tobin & Tobin, has been a Board of Director for 22 years.

“I like helping younger people. I like entrepreneurship so it combines both,” he said, “It is interesting to watch businesses forming and how people think of new businesses.”

Over 600 people have graduated from the SEA.

SEA classmate Tyler Campbell started his business, myCampmate, 2 years ago.

“I feel as an actual entrepreneur and business owner that I have learned from each and every speaker and presenter. I have enjoyed the connections and relationships that I have made, and plan to grow those over time,” he said in an email interview.

The SEA is accepting applications for next year.

Disclosure: I am an SEA alum.

Edie Lambert and Others Fight for Air

2012-03-27T14:55:38Z

Past the pristine doors of the Wells Fargo Center nestled a legion of people on a mission to eradicate lung disease.

KCRA 3 anchor Edie Lambert was one of over 400 people who climbed the tallest building in Sacramento Saturday, as hundreds gathered to join the American Lung Association’s fight for healthy lungs and cleaner air by participating in the third annual Fight for Air Climb.

They geared up in spandex, coordinated shirts and fire-retardant clothing to raise money for more than 33 million Americans suffering from lung disease. Lambert started the day with a heartfelt story about her father, who passed away from lung cancer. The event was dedicated to Steve Larson, Lung Health Ambassador and stage 4 lung cancer victim. Teary-eyed wife Amy Larson shared her husband’s story and words of encouragement.

Steve Larson advocated for “PMO” or a “positive mental outlook” when faced with a challenge such as cancer, his wife said. Fight for Air Climb participants ranging from 7 to 72 years old shared similar sentiments when describing their experience raising money and participating in a 34-flight stair climb.

Warrior Z CrossFit had 15 members participating in the event. Although CrossFit exercises consist of Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics and metabolic movement, member Charlie Zamora believes “CrossFit is really about community.”

“It’s inspiring to go back and tell our community,” Zamora said.

West Sacramento firefighter Scott Pfeifer said he enjoys the event’s focus on camaraderie.

“We all have the common goal of fitness,” he said. “Even though people have conditions, you don’t need to be physically fit to participate in this.”

Pfeifer’s team participated in the Firefighter Challenge, in which 15 firefighters raced the 612 steps of the Wells Fargo Center in full firefighter gear for the fastest individual and team time. Firefighter gear can weigh 75 pounds or more making the Firefighter Challenge particularly arduous.

After a quick warm-up by a professional trainer, participants were ready to climb. For over two hours, people raced the stairway in waves. Teams or individuals received a pre-designated time to race the stairs. At each wave time, participants formed a line and started within 28 seconds of each other. By the 34th floor, climbers were more than ready to experience the rooftop finish line. It took the average person around nine minutes to race the steps.

“I really like the climb,” said student Cedrick Mangahas, who studies respiratory therapy. “We get to use our lungs. I thought it was pretty clever.”

Larson viewed the experience as a tribute to her husband and son, who has asthma.

“My lungs are going to be burning,” she said. “We are going to experience for 15 minutes, what they have to experience for life. Every breath I take will be in memory of him.”

Participants rode the elevator down to the sixth floor and celebrated with a live band, refreshments and a photo booth to capture the moment. Climbers were pampered with a free basic Swedish massage. They could even check their antioxidant levels with a machine. In short, the sixth floor was a mini-paradise. Climbers took away more than pastries and pictures.

Climbers such as Roschanda Harrison and Kyle Durham, Starbucks teammates, became more cognizant of the personal connection they have to lung disease. Harrison was the team leader for Team Starbucks, and she credits the Fight for Air Climb for encouraging her to research more on lung disease.

She learned that lung cancer leads cancer deaths for men and women. Through fundraisers at their Starbucks location she learned that some of their regular customers suffered from chronic lung disease like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

“My friend’s mom passed away of lung cancer,” Durham said. “He quit smoking after his mom passed away. I am participating in honor of her. She was someone I didn’t know well, but I saw how her death affected the family.”

Mike Cartmell remembers how the American Lung Association helped his family out in time of need and wanted to give back to the organization.

“My brother suffered from lung cancer,” he said. “For three years, he had a high quality of life that the American Lung Association helped support through drug research.”

Larson had a similar experience with the American Lung Association in California’s Sacramento office.

“From the time we signed up and Steve was a lung ambassador, they have been really supportive,” she said. “They have been a text or phone call away.”

The Sacramento Fight for Air Climb raised over $60,000 in support of research, advocacy and local programs. Larson was thrilled with the event’s success and plans to continue supporting the American Lung Association. She looks at her daughter to the left and supporters to the right.

“We are all here for Steve,” she said.

Disclosure: I was an intern for the American Lung Association in California's Fight for Air Climb in Sacramento.

Lance Briggs Drops Back and Assists in Sacramento

2012-03-05T00:37:10Z

Lance Briggs, NFL linebacker of the Chicago Bears and comic book writer, visited his hometown on Friday, March 2, to celebrate the life of a legend. At 3:30 p.m. you would have found an army of toddlers, a sprinkle of teenagers, and parents promptly at the Elk Grove Library, listening to one of the most memorable books of our time—“Green Eggs and Ham.”

“Green Eggs and Ham” was one of 44 books that Theodor Seuss Geisel, more commonly known as Dr. Seuss, wrote and illustrated before he died in 1991. Over his lifetime, his books have been purchased by around 200 million people worldwide and translated into 15 different languages, according to DrSeussArts.com. As an acclaimed children’s book writer and illustrator, he won multiple awards including an Oscar, two Emmys, a Peabody and Pulitzer Prize.

In honor of Dr. Seuss’s contribution to education and the arts, Briggs made a special trip to Elk Grove. Mr. Briggs said, “Sacramento helped make me the man I am today.”

Briggs’s storybook reading was the finale of a four-hour Dr. Seuss 108th birthday bash. The party began with a visit from Scooter, the Spare The Air mascot, and two gorgeous golden retrievers from Canine Companions for Independence. You could find kids bouncing around with Scooter, playing with dogs, coloring, or sporting a temporary Dr. Seuss tattoo and face painting. From Dr. Seuss themed cheeks to egg-shaped maracas to balloon animals, the presence of Dr. Seuss reverberated throughout the library.

Dimitrius Price, parent of four and Elk Grove Library patron, said that he “remembers the poetic way (a Dr. Seuss book) was written.” In fact, Mr. Price said, “‘Green Eggs and Ham’ was one of the first stories I remember my mother reading to me.”

Price brings his children to the library often and attends many of the other events hosted by the Elk Grove Library. He believes that “it is important for kids to stay focused.”

Briggs shared a similar sentiment when one parent asked what advice he could give children interested in advancing their football skills. He replied with, “Is he excelling in school?” He says that excelling in school comes before excelling in the field.

He advises that for those pursuing a seemingly unattainable goal to “pursue your dreams with realistic goals,” and recognize that “nothing great is going to come easy; understand that it takes hard work to get there.”

Events like the annual Dr. Seuss birthday bash are one of the many ways that the Sacramento Public Library aims to bring the community together while celebrating books and reading. The Sacramento Public Library’s 28 branches combined host over 5,200 program events each year.

Briggs also plans to give back to Sacramento this summer. On June 9, 2012, he will host his 4th annual Lance Briggs Nor-Cal All Star Football Camp, which is a program under his Briggs4Kidz Foundation. Kids interested in participating can learn more at www.briggs55footballcamps.com.

He believes that it is important to “never forgot where you come from,” and says, “if you can enlighten or touch any kids heart, then you know what you are doing is meaningful.”