Newest articles on The Sacramento Press written by Sandy Thomas

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

2013-01-17T07:21:16Z

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sam Kieth at World’s Best Comics this Saturday

2013-01-12T07:01:42Z

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

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

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

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

Teen creative writing workshop

2012-12-01T05:30:10Z

Attend the free creative writing workshop this Saturday, Dec.1 from 1-3pm at the South Natomas library branch located at 2901 Truxel Road . This workshop is an introduction to the genres of creative writing (creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry). All materials will be supplied and snacks available. Teens (13-18) will be eligible to submit their writing to the "Heroes" anthology.

This workshop is taught by Trina L. Drotar, local poet, writer, editor, and artist. She is the former editor "Poetry Now" and "Calaveras Station." She is active in the Sacramento literary and arts community and received her MA from CSUS. Registration is requested. To register, please click here.

Inside the ropes: 'Trains and Tripods'

2012-09-18T07:02:08Z

Imagine getting very close to a steam locomotive. So close, in fact, that you can hear her racing down the track, whistling past. If you ever wondered how a professional photographer could capture this experience, then “Trains & Tripods,” a two-day workshop held only twice a year at the California State Railroad Museum, is your ticket. All proceeds benefit the CSRM Foundation.

The opportunity to shoot inside the CSRM before open hours was an advantage that was greatly appreciated by the more-than-two-dozen attendees at the seminar and workshop conducted Friday evening and Saturday morning by Dave Henry, a professional photographer, Canon representative and freelance Sacramento Bee photographer. Henry donates his time and coordinates the biannual workshops with Phil Sexton of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Many additional volunteers help make this event happen.

Day one, Friday evening, was the seminar covering the basics of photography, which attendees explored in a hands-on experience on day two. Henry led the group on a quick tour of the museum and pointed out the three locations of the micro-workshops that would be held Saturday morning.

Back in the museum’s theatre, Henry lectured about photographic terms and digital darkrooms, and discussed items that would be demonstrated in more detail the next day. He also mentioned that a successful shoot requires choosing three items of interest that the photographer wants to shoot. He reminded the group that 2.5 hours, the length of the day two hands-on experience, goes quickly.

Henry suggested that attendees bring a baseball cap, kneepads and a lightshade when they return Saturday morning to shoot in the museum. Additionally, he provided inside tips on how to create a tripod and an inexpensive remote device for a camera. The day-one seminar ran three hours, during which Henry covered an extensive amount of material and allowed ample time for questions.

Day two began at 7 a.m., and the first micro-workshop was set up at the Sierra Scene, focusing on the use of white balance and custom white balance. The second micro-workshop was held in the Great Hall and covered the use of remote off-camera flash. The Cab Forward Hall was the location of the final micro-workshop, and the perfect location for learning about panorama technique.

The next “Trains & Tripods” event will be held in May 2013.

Snapshot of 2012 SMAC DAP awards

2012-06-23T07:01:05Z

Tuesday, June 19, at the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors meeting, six arts organizations and artists were award recipients in the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission’s District Awards Program – a program in which Sacramento City Council members and Sacramento County supervisors honor and recognize artists’ and organizations’ contributions to the arts.

SMAC Executive Director Rhyena Halpern introduced the six award recipients, including the Sacramento Opera Company and poet JoAnn Anglin, both who had also been recognized by the Sacramento City Council on May 29.

Highlights of the ceremony included a brief dance performance by Vince Horiuchi and a poetry reading by JoAnn Anglin, who read her poem “Webs.”

Recipients are listed below:

Chair of the Board Award, Chair Don Nottoli: JoAnn Anglin
District 1, Supervisor Phil Serna: Sacramento Opera Company
District 2, Supervisor Jimmie R.Yee: Ohana Dance Group
District 3, Supervisor Susan Peters: Vince Horiuchi
District 4, Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan: Three Stages Performing Arts Center
District 5, Supervisor Don Nottoli: River City Theatre Company

Small engines

2011-10-25T06:09:09Z

How does a gasoline engine work?

Instructors Joe Montgomery and Charles Crail conducted a three-hour hands-on Youth Basic Engine Class at the California Automobile Museum on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The class had half a dozen youth accompanied by their adult buddy. The Briggs and Stratton one-cylinder engine was utilized as one of the models. Participants were encouraged to disassemble and identify key engine parts, then reassemble the engine.

General topics included the brief history of the engine, the purpose of an engine, internal/external combustion, the function of each cycle: intake, compression, power, exhaust, valve train, oiling system, fuel supply-carburetion-mixture-intake airflow, as well as lubrication, cooling and ignition systems and the importance of spark plugs and timing.

A packet of materials was given at the start of class, and a Certificate of Completion was awarded at the end of class.

This Youth Basic Engine Class and the Auto 101 Workshop, December 3, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, are tailored for a youth/adult pair. In 2012, a new class for women and by women is scheduled. Visit the California Automobile Museum website for full details.

'Til Thursday

2011-09-28T05:58:10Z

The Crocker Art Museum now hosts Thursdays ‘til 9. The event will feature four art experiences, Film Frame, Art Mix, Playlist and Open Art.

Open Art is the theme every fourth Thursday of the month and was the theme this past Thursday. Thursdays ‘til 9 featured “Licensing in the Digital Age,” held in the Cemo room with seventy plus attendees. Robert G. Pimm, Esq., Chief Learning Officer and Director of Legal Services at California Lawyers for the Arts led the workshop.

Pimm spoke on industry standards, intellectual property rights and how these rights are bought, sold and optioned. Intellectual property copyrights are not just one right but five. They include the right to reproduce, adapt, distribute, perform and display.

Another term discussed was works in the public domain. Pimm mentioned that copyrights expire 70 years after the death of the creator. After that time, the material becomes part of the public domain unless the copyright is extended. Pimm also stated that if a government or university employee creates a work, the government or university owns that work.

When asked about the event, JoAnn Anglin, local poet and writer, said “for those of us who are deeply involved in the arts, but very naïve about business and legal aspects, this was an excellent overview.”

Anglin also stated that she “felt like [Pimm] brought us up to speed on the topics of electronic media and instant distribution via YouTube and other Internet sharing.”

The next Thursdays ‘til 9 program is October 6, 2011 and will feature “Best of Shorts” from the past seven years of the Sacramento International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. The event will run from 7 to 9 p.m.