K 2 in Sacramento

The Galvez's Come To Dinner...

2012-01-22T12:27:00.000-08:00

What a fun night visiting with the Galvez Family! Karly recieved a special gift...Jaiden Hope...her new Baby Cabbage Patch doll.

I love my spaghetti!

2011-12-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

Karly Watches The Grinch for the First Time

2011-12-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

She just kept dancing to the music....I think she liked it! :-)

Karly's First Play

2011-11-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

Karly has been reading Winnie the Pooh books lately so we thought it would be fun for her to get up close and personal with the characters from the book. So, yesterday we attended Big Idea Theatre's "A Winnie The Pooh Christmas Tail". It was a special day because after the show, it was "time for a little something!" ...a meet and greet with the characters... and Karly loved it!

Cousins at the Sacramento Zoo

2011-11-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday Wyatt & Karly visited the Sacramento Zoo. I just wish I had gotten the picture of the two of them holding hands while walking through the zoo! :-(

I wear My Sungrasses At Night... Dancing With Wyatt & Karly

2011-11-14T14:07:00.000-08:00

These boot wear'in, sunglass sling'in cousins were bustin a move one Saturday night. Nothing like keeping up with Family Tradition!

A Music Class For Karly

2011-11-11T14:32:00.000-08:00

After looking long and hard and trying a few different classes, we finally found a great music class that Karly loves! Capital City Music Together. She really is excelling in her auditory, social, and Independence skills thanks to this class and the friends we've made along the way.

A Music Together® Class is:

•A community of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents/caregivers sharing songs, instrument play, rhythm chants, and movement activities in relaxed, playful, non-performance-oriented settings.
•Music learned through developmentally appropriate activities that support and respect the unique learning styles of very young children.
•Children participating at their own levels in mixed-age family-style classes.
•Parents and caregivers contributing to the enrichment of their child’s music environment—regardless of their own musical abilities.
•A new song collection every semester for three years, featuring great arrangements of original and traditional songs in a wide variety of tonalities, meters, and cultural styles.

A chance to have PURE FUN every week!

Did you know that all children are musical?

Have you ever wondered what you can do to nurture the musical growth of your child, regardless of you own musical ability? Experience Music Together and find out how important--and how fun--your role can be!

The Music Together classes build on your child's natural enthusiasm for music and movement. The teachers help you provide your child with the basic musical skills needed to enjoy school and social musical activities, and to study an instrument should he or she choose to do so. And we love our teacher Jennie!

Introducing REO's Cinnamon Twist, aka "Sophie"

2011-11-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

Stella has a new sidekick! Not too fond of her yet but getting better everyday. I think Stella now realizes Sophie is really going to be fun. They have started playing and Stella is showing Sophie the ropes.

We still have a bit of crying while in her "space" but that seems to be reducing as well. Ahhhh, we're on our way to normalcy again!

Sacramento Walk To End Alzheimer's

2011-10-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

Miss Karly taking it all in at the Sacramento Walk To End Alzheimer's

Turning 1 and not too sure of Cupcakes...

2011-07-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

Our sweet little Karly turned one years old on the 13th. Boy! How time has flown! It seems like only yesterday we were bringing her home in her little pink hat with the flower on it!

We celebrated enjoying a steak dinner with family and opened our Karly wine that we received the day she was born. Of course, I got her a pink cupcake from the fabulous Freeport Bakery. She just wasn't quite sure of it.

We celebrated again on Saturday with a little dinner party that included Mumm Napa Valley Rose Sparkling Wine. Freeport Bakery again, did a wonderful job and made a Butterfly cake for us. Everyone loved it!

We finally did it!

2011-06-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, a glass of wine and the Eagles!

Finally! We have moved into our new house. This was probably one of the worst moves I have ever done! Being that the new place is only 5 doors down from the old...I thought it would be easy. Ha! Plus moving while taking care of an infant is tough! Slowly but surely everything is finding its place and everyday we feel a bit more settled.

Karly loves her new room and Stella is as happy as can be with tons of sunny locations to dognap. It's a beautiful house masterfully created and built by Kevin. As for me, there are still things to get done and I'm happy when everything is in its place! I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel...

The new dining room full of boxes

Karly keeping busy while Mommy packs boxes

An empty dining room

Mark & Kevin Beverly Hillbillying it while Roxy supervises

The 79th Annual California State Capital Christmas Tree Lighting

2010-12-09T17:13:00.000-08:00

It was a fun night of Christmas Good Tidings. Governor and Maria Schwarzenegger were there to light their last Christmas Tree as Governor and First Lady. Mayor Johnson also spoke fondly of his relationship with the Governor. Closing the evening was David Archuleta from American Idol...you should have heard the screams for him!

We finished the night with dinner at the festively decorated, and always tasty, Ernesto's.

Cheers!

2011 Memory Walk Calendar

2010-11-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

Check out this 2011 Memory Walk Calendar. Fun photos, great quotes, and holiday dates. This calendar is available now for $17.99. Proceeds benefit the Northern California Alzheimer's Association's Sacramento Memory Walk.

Interested in purchasing a calendar? Contact Kelly at halffullprod@sbcglobal.net.

Welcome Baby Girl

2010-11-29T23:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while sinse I have posted and I have neglected to mention our biggest news... On July 13th Kevin and I welcomed Karly Lamoure Fugina into our lives. We are overjoyed and have been enjoying every single minute with her! We are looking forward to our first Christmas as a new family.

Speaking of new...well, maybe not so new... we will FINALLY be moving into our new home that Kevin has been remodeling. So for the next few weeks we will be busy packing...Stay tuned for our new home update.

Sacramento Memory Walk 2010

2010-10-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

Another successful Sacramento Memory Walk! Thank you to my Team "Kelly's Heroes" for putting forth such a great effort in our fundraising! We had two new walkers- well, actually strollers- this year... cousins Wyatt and Karly. Plus kudos to our Boxer Stella for raising $70!- Thank you Sacramento Valley Boxer Club Members! :-)

After the walk we all enjoyed the Bloody Mary Breakfast at Casa Fugina.

To date team Kelly's Heroes has raised $3,205 and we're still going strong! Team Kelly's Heroes is in the Top Ten Fundraising Teams...Yahoo! Go Team!

Recycling Theft – It’s Costing You

2010-05-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

Tired of scavengers rummaging through your recycle and garbage cans? I am tired of the noise late at night and early in the morning, the trash left strewn about, not to mention...the ones scavenging during the day in broad daylight brazen enough to walk down a driveway to go through cans are NOT friendly! Is it going to stop? Probably not.

From the SacBee:

Sacramento makes it a crime to scavenge in recycling bins:

Scavenging through city recycling bins is now illegal.

The Sacramento City Council voted to make it illegal to dig through the blue recycling containers placed in front of homes. It had previously been illegal to go through garbage bins only.

The new ordinance passed, 6-3, despite comments from more than a half-dozen people who said the law would harm the homeless, many of whom rely on money from trading in cans and bottles to pay for clothing and food.

"I don't think it's a law we need," said Councilman Rob Fong. "I don't think it's a humane thing."

Opponents also said the ordinance would cost money by forcing the police to enforce the restriction.

"If there's something in there that (the homeless) can sell, let them have it," said Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell. Pannell, Fong and Councilman Kevin McCarty voted against the ordinance.

Allowing scavenging through recycling bins "can result in identity theft, injuries to the scavengers, waste being strewn about the surrounding areas, containers being left open to emit foul odors, attract animals and pests, and theft of recyclable material," according to a city staff report.

Take a look at what Santa Cruz is doing.
http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=12992

"Be Water Smart" Campaign launched on Harkness Street

2010-04-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

This morning the Regional Water Authority (RWA) and local water providers, including the City of Sacramento, hosted an event at our Harkness Street neighbor's Steve & Sara's home to launch a new public education campaign designed to help Sacramento Area residents use water efficiently.

Our neighbor Sara appears in the campaign PSA. See the Blue Thumb PSA.
Starring Mayor Kevin Johnson, Elissa Lynn, Dinger and Chris of the Sacramento River Cats and six other local folks who have earned their Blue Thumb.

Check out the Blue Thumb team here >

See the Blue Thumb PSA here >

It’s easy to earn your Blue Thumb. You don’t have to rip out your entire lawn and replace it with low-water use plants... There are lots of every-day things you can do to use water efficiently outdoors.

To earn your Blue Thumb, check out the list here and pledge to complete at least five actions by clicking the checkboxes. Then, fill out the form that appears and they'll send your prize.

Earth Day Sacramento!

2010-04-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

April 22nd is Earth Day!

The 4th Annual Sacramento Earth Day Festival will be filled with diverse business, non-profit, cultural and government vendors with practical information, goods and services for saving money, living healthier, and protecting the environment. They'll also have great entertainment, activities and cuisine!

Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Don't miss the chance to make YOUR sustainable connections at the ECOS Sacramento Earth Day Festival Sunday, April 11, 12-5pm, Southside Park,Sacramento.

This year you can help save the planet with your very own limited edition Jason Mraz reusable water bottle! The 22 oz. single-wall, stainless steel bottle comes with a carabiner top so you are fully mobile while doing your part on Earth Day. The best part...100% of the net proceeds will go to Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves and beaches.
Quantities are limited - pre-order now!

Good-Bye Mason's, Hello Cafeteria 15 L !

2010-02-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

Mardi Gras Pub 'n' Grub Crawl

2010-02-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

Mardi Gras Pub 'n' Grub Crawl
February 20th, 2010

presented by: Th Old Sacramento Business Association
sponsored by: TheZone, SN&R and SacDine.com

•Café New Orleans
Hurricanes & Beignets
Live Music by: Black Cat Bone

Delta King
Jell•o Shots & King Jambalaya
Live Music by: Harley White Jr. orchestra

•Fanny Ann's
Mardi Gras Flasher & Bayou Burger
Live Music by: Doc Banjo Outside & DJ at 9pm

•Fat City Bar and Café
Bourbon Street Punch & Cajun Crab Cakes
Live Music by: In The No...

•Joe's Crab Shack
All your seafood favorites
Live Music by: mardi gras marching band outside

•Laughs Unlimited
Bottomless Mimosas & Half Off Appetizers
Live Music by: Road Test

•Necropolis
Silver Bullet & Cajun Sturgeon Kabob
Live Music by: Agness Twin & Zoie Boekbinder

•O'Mallys
Hurricanes & Jins Jammin Jambalaya
Live Music by: Chris 2me

•Rio City
Jalapeno Martini & City Jambalaya
Live Music by: Gwen McMillan & Early and Often

•River City Saloon
Doc Holiday Hurricanes & Poor Boy Sandwiches
Live Music by: Western Lights

OMG I So Need A Glass Of Wine Or I'm Gonna Sell My Kids

2010-02-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

I just love this title so much I had to share...

It's the OMG Launch Party! Meet your virtual OMG girlfriends (other members of the Facebook group OMG I So Need A Glass of Wine), enjoy food and wine pairings including wine from Kovacs Winery, with special guest Jesse Kovacs from "The Bachelorette"!

OMG I So Need A Glass Of Wine Or I'm Gonna Sell My Kids
L Wine Lounge & Urban Kitchen
1801 L St. Sacramento

Saturday, February 27th, 7PM
Tickets $25
OMGwinegroup.com

Sounds like a great evening!

Port Weekend in Clarksburg this Valentine's Day

2010-02-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

If all goes well we should have a pretty nice weekend ahead. "Partly cloudy", that means the sun should come out long enough to enjoy the Port & Chocolate Weekend in Clarksburg. And that's exactly what we plan on doing this Saturday!

First stop, Bogle Vineyards for our traditional picnic and tasting with a few close friends... AFTER ALL, IT'S VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND!!

Come join the fun and celebrate 12 years of Bogle Port!!
12th Annual Petite Sirah Port Weekend
February 13th-14th, 2010
11:00am - 5:00pm at the Bogle Winery Tasting Room

Then it's on to fun at Scribner Bend!

Scribner Bend will be serving their new "Vino De Postre" (Port) with their famous chocolate dipped strawberries. YUM!

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th February - 11:00 - 5:00PM.

Scribner Bend Wine Awards for 2010
2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2007 Cabernet Franc - GOLD
2007 Port 'Vino De Postre' - SILVER

FilterForGood and Surfrider Foundation Promote Clean Water

2010-01-25T10:51:00.001-08:00

Take action to ensure healthier water for us, our communities and the world

Water - it's all around us... From the high mountain streams of Colorado, to the still lakes of Minnesota, down the mighty Mississippi River and the vast oceans off our nation's coast, all water is connected. It is constantly moving; traveling from summit to sea, where it is evaporated back up into the atmosphere before falling back to earth as rain or snow, starting the whole journey all over again.

Every living thing relies on water. That's why the Surfrider Foundation has partnered with FilterForGood – to help ensure that our nation's waterways stay clean and healthy for generations to come. However we can't do it alone. Join FilterForGood and the Surfrider Foundation in their effort to connect the drops to show Americans why small changes truly make a difference.

Here are a few simple ways to take action right now:
Take the FilterForGood pledge to reduce bottled water waste and purchase a BPA-free FilterForGood Surfrider Foundation reusable bottle to show your support. Avoiding disposable plastic bottles is a simple change that can have a great impact if everyone gets involved.

Donate to the Surfrider Foundation on Facebook. Brita and Nalgene will donate $100,000 to Surfrider and we're encouraging Facebook users to match that donation by the end of 2010.

Talk to your family and friends about cutting down on bottled water waste and other trash. Help younger family members and students learn about the life cycle of trash with these educational and fun activities.

Join the Surfrider Foundation. With more than 70 chapters nationwide, Surfrider members are the leaders in keeping our waterways clean. Participate in one of Surfrider's local clean-up events, or better yet, organize one of your own.

Earth Hour 2010

2010-01-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 8:30 pm, we are taking part in Earth Hour - an event sponsored by World Wildlife Fund in which millions of people around the world will turn out their lights for one hour to make a bold statement of concern about our planet and climate change.

Earth Hour started three years ago in Sydney, Australia and is now the largest event of its kind in the world. Nearly one billion people from 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents participated last year and, with your help, Earth Hour 2010 can be even bigger.

During Earth Hour, international landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower and Great Pyramids have gone dark alongside the city skylines of Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv and more.

But Earth Hour isn’t just for big cities—anyone can participate. I hope you will join us for this amazing event and help send a message that the time for action on climate change is now. To sign up and start spreading the word, visit www. EarthHour.org.

New Years Fun and Our First 2010 Beach Outing

2010-01-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!

Family Game Night & Cal Poly SLO Celebration

2009-12-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

December 20th, the perfect evening for Family Game Night! Celebrating M.J.'s acceptance to Cal Poly SLO, we all dug out our old college attire. College Rocks! You go M.J.!

Kicking the evening off with a champagne toast and fabulous appetizer's, we then dove in to healthy servings of pizza and salad to fuel up for "The Games"!

Team 2 quickly showed who's boss in charades as we glowed in our over all victory! However, it was quite reversed when my team failed at winning Catch Phrase. Partially my fault as I feel my brain turned to mush after 11 PM. HA! NOT IN COLLEGE ANY MORE!

A Beautiful Day For Wine Tasting in Carmel Valley!

2009-12-01T16:53:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful sunny day in Carmel Valley on Saturday as we joined our friends Angel, Laura, and Lola for a bit of wine tasting.

We began at Boete Winery. The Saunders Vineyard is nestled on the eastern edge of Carmel Valley, a boutique winery producing tasty Estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Next, we hit the cluster close to the Village - Heller Estate Organic Vineyards, Talbott Vineyards, and Georis Winery. We truly enjoyed the warm sunny porch at Heller as we sipped some nice Merlots and Pinot Noirs.

The patio at Talbott Winery is always an inviting place to sit and sip stellar wines. Stella and Lola were happy to sit and enjoy the sunshine in the enclosed gates and people watch. The four of us and the two beautiful brindal boxer girls had lunch next door in the Corkscrew Cafe garden as we sipped Georis's five flight Merlots and Cabs.

With time enough for one more tasting stop, we walked over to Joyce Vineyards located in the Lyonshead Art Gallery in Carmel Valley Village. At the Joyce tasting room they offer an estate tasting of a cabernet, merlot and pinot noir; a non-estate tasting that allows you to chose five non-estate wines including chardonnay, syrah, cabernet, merlot and three varietals of pinot noir; and a combination of two estate and five non-estate wines.

Great day! Over too fast! Carmel Valley always leave you wanting more!

Until next time... Cheers!

Cooking with Chef Bruno Amato at Il Fornaio Sacramento

2009-11-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

Today we bundled up and headed to Il Fornaio for our cooking class with Chef Bruno Amato. Upon our arrival at Il Fornaio we were all offered a choice of Prosecco or an Italian white while waiting for everyone to arrive. Yum!

Class began at 11:40 with a demonstration on the proper way to prepare a whole salmon - selecting, removing the skin, de-boning, etc. Chef Bruno showed us an easy and tasty way to prepare an elegant salmon dish by stuffing a fillet with shrimp, pesto, peas, thyme, red pepper flakes, and lemon, then rolling it, sauteing it, and then popping it in the oven for a bit. The finished dish is topped with a sunny side up egg and was spectacular!

It was "Hands-On" on the line in the Il Fornaio kitchen as we each made our own Cioppino. One of the differences with this Cioppino is that we did not make a sauce, put in the seafood and cook it. We made our sauce first and layering the seafood according to cook time, then simmering it with wine and plating it.

Legend has it that rounds were made to the boats that came in that day asking for any seafood to "CHIP IN" to the pot, add an Italian twist and hence the name Cioppino!

We finished the class sitting together enjoying our finished dishes and sipping wine. What a great way to spend a late Saturday morning!

Keep your eyes open for the 2010 Il Fornaio Cooking Classes, their Festa Regionale, and Wine Dinners. Log on to www.ilfornaio.com and sign up for their mailing list or find the location near you, go in and enjoy their fabulous "Happy Hour" and inquire about their events. You won't be disappointed!

The Sacramento Holiday Survival Guide - 50 ways to make from now until 2010 stress free

2009-11-17T16:30:00.000-08:00

Navigating Sacramento

1. Cell Phone Waiting Lot at Sacramento International Airport
Use the cell-phone waiting lot near to the airport entrance. It‘a a safe place to stop and wait for the call from arrivals to call to be picked up at the curb instead of circling. http://www.sacairports.org/int/parking/images/SMF3-240%20Cell_Phone_Lot_Card.pdf

2. ParkSmart Automated Parking System
Entering and exiting the lots at Sacramento International Airport is rapidly becoming as easy and convenient for credit card customers as paying for gas at the pump. ParkSmart allows customers to gain entry and pay for their parking using only their credit card. Video screens guide all customers through the process and a call button is available to get assistance.
Are cash customers still welcome in the lots and can credit card customers still receive a ticket? Absolutely! Any customer can get a ticket from the machine and present it to the cashier when exiting.

3. Vino Volo
Boutique retail store with a stylish tasting lounge and bar, allowing guests to taste wines in a comfortable setting. Terminal A Upper Level

4. Cool Brew
Sip some of Northern California’s local Brews at Gordon Beirsch to Go / Gordon Beirsch Terminal B Upper Level B2 or Pyramid Ales & Lagers / Pyramid to Go Terminal B Upper Level B1

5. Keep in the loop with the Twitter feed
http://twitter.com/SacIntlAirport and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacramento-CA/Sacramento-International-Airport/57968300957
Sacramento International Airport has free wireless Internet (WiFi) service throughout the indoor, public areas of the airport. SMF's Wi-Fi network has 4 T1 connection, which provides users with speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps.

Eat Fresh and Local

6. Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates offers an array of chocolate confections and chocolate pastries at her Sacramento chocolaterie. everything from scratch at our chocolaterie. Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates 1801 L Street Suite 60 Sacramento, CA 95811916.706.1738 www.gingerelizabeth.com

7. Taylor’s Market - Sacramento's gourmet grocery retailer since 1961. Specializing in Gourmet, Organic and Specialty Foods, beverages, wines, Meats, Fish, Poultry and wonderful cheeses. 2900 Freeport Blvd Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 443-6881(877)770-6077 www.taylorsmarket.com

8. Enjoy Rick’s: Potato, Caramelized Onions, Pancetta, Goat Cheese, Olives, Arugula pizza at OneSpeed Pizza is a neighborhood pizza joint in the heart of East Sacramento brought to you by Rick Mahan, Chef and owner of Waterboy Restaurant focus on beautiful local ingredients and simple, time tested cooking. Enjoy artisan pizzas, antipasti, daily changing specials and excellent service in a family friendly atmosphere. www.onespeed.com 4818 Folsom Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95819 In the Heart of East Sacramento (916) 706-1748

9. It’s your Slow Food civic duty to get a rich, full-flavored heritage turkey straight from Corti Brothers. www.slowfoodusa.org www.cortibros.biz 5810 Folsom Blvd Sacramento, CA 95819-4693 (916)736-3800

10. Freeport Bakery’s Pies, Pear Fladen, Holiday cakes, specialty Breads and rolls, Holiday Stollen, coffee rings and quiches are a must for your holiday entertaining!
www.freeportbakery.com Freeport Bakery 2966 Freeport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95818(916) 442-4256

Toast to rainy nights

11. El Poblano a blend of spicy vodka and North shore Distillery’s Mole Poblano that’s like a cosmopolitan with a lation kick. Zocalo 1801 Capitol Ave Sacramento, CA 95811-4104(916) 441-0303 www.zocalo.com

12. The star ingredient of the Cucumber Martini at Iron is the Hendricks Gin from Scotland. Muddled and shaken with cucumber and simple syrup. This is a tasty one! Iron 2422 13th St.,Sacramento, CA 95818(916) 737-5115 www.ironsteaks.com

13. If the idea of combining tequila, ginger, plum, and topped with sparkling wine stikes your fancy, sample the Plum & Spice. At Lounge on 20, 1050 20th Street, Suite 100 Midtown Sacramento 916.443.6620 www.loungeon20.com

14. Grab two glasses and a bottle of Peter Franus, Napa Valley 06 Zinfandel, and sit out on the patio by a fire pit and heat up with your sweetie. Mason’s The Park Downtown | 1116 15th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 www.theparkdowntown.com

15. Watch the rain fall over the Sacramento river at Scott’s on the river. Saddle up to the bar and have the friendly bartenders set up up with a local brew and fresh oysters on the half shell. Scott’s on the River 4350 Riverside Blvd Sacramento, CA 95822 (916) 379-5959 www.scottsseafood.net

Holiday Shows

16. A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience1211 K Street Sacramento, CA 95814
24-Hour Information:(916)443-IMAX(4629)www.imax.com

17. The Nutcracker
Join the Sacramento Ballet as it celebrates the 500th performance of Ron
Cunningham's dazzling production of The Nutcracker! www.sacballet.org

18. California Musical Theatre will present the one-woman interactive
comedy “SISTER’S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” beginning November 24, 2009 at The Cosmopolitan Cabaret theatre at 1000 K Street.
www.californiamusicaltheater.com

19. Almost Perfect Party. World Premier A Holiday Farce by Buck Busfield
Can a man win back his estranged wife by throwing the perfect Christmas party for their son? Only in the mind of Kipper Tilliker. November 15, 2009 - January 3, 2010 B Street Theatre 2711 B Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 Tickets, subscriptions and general information - 916.443.5300 www.bstreettheatre.org

20. The Adventures of Pinocchio by David Pierini
An adaptation of Carlo Collodi's famous Italian folktale about the wood carver Geppetto who makes a puppet out of a block of pine to hilarious results. The puppet, Pinocchio, wreaks havoc throughout the countryside of Italy all in his attempt to become a real boy. November 21, 2009 - January 3, 2010 2711 B Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 Tickets, subscriptions and general information - 916.443.5300 www.bstreettheatre.org

See the Lights

21. Old Sacramento
One of the best places to view the lights in Sacramento is in Old Sacramento itself. The streets will be lined with Christmas trees, and buildings will be outlined in white lights. On Saturday, December 1st, don't miss the 15th Annual Lighted Boat Parade. This free event starts at 6pm and will pass by Old Sacramento at approximately 6:30pm. See spectacular boats decked out for the holidays!

22. Old Sacramento Tree Lighting November 25, 2009
The Annual Tree Lighting will take place in conjunction with the debut of the first annual Theatre of Lights event. Two 10-minute light shows will run throughout the holiday season Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

23. East Sacramento's Fab 40's. Turn on your holiday music and tour the beautifully lit homes from 40th to 47th.

24. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver kicked-off the holiday season with the 78th annual State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Steps of the State Capitol. www.ca.gov/

25. More than a century after the Grand Electric Carnival lit up the streets of downtown Sacramento, a new event called the Carnival of Lights will set downtown shimmering again for the 2009 holiday season. The carnival will run daily through Jan. 3.

Get a tree and trim it

26. Davis Ranch 13501 Jackson Rd. Sloughhouse, CA 95683 (916) 682-2658
www.sloughhousesweetcorn.com / or www.davisranchproduce.com
Douglas Fir, Monterey Pine, Incense Cedar, Sierra Redwood

27. Billy’s Farm Fresh Christmas Trees - Choose and cut Christmas trees, wreathes and garlands, flocking, wagon rides, gift shop, apple cider. 8430 Dillard Road. Wilton, CA 95693. Phone: (916) 687-8354.

28. Pre-lit Artificial Trees
World's Finest Christmas Trees with Lifelike Branches - from $399
www.Frontgate.com

29. Want the “Get the Tree Quick” experience… Home Depot Inc., the nation's largest retailer of fresh-cut trees

30. There are thousands upon thousands of Christmas trees purchased in the Sacramento Metro regional area during the holidays. Too keep them out of landfills, residents can recycle their trees

Kiefer Landfill
Address: 12701 Kiefer Blvd., Elk Grove
Dates and hours: Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

North Area Recovery Station
Address: 4450 Roseville Road, North Highlands
Dates and hours: Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, 8 a.m. to 4

Shop in one stop

31. Sacramento Harvest Festival
Get a jump on your holiday shopping as the Sacramento Harvest Festival returns to Sacramento! The Harvest Festivals are the largest indoor arts and crafts shows on the West Coast, boasting over 24,000 American handmade items. Guests can peruse jewelry, original art, clothing, toys, pottery, specialty foods, home decor and more www.harvestfestival.com

32. Crocker Art Museum 2009 Holiday Art & Craft Festival More than 100 regional artists and craftspeople will offer their unique gift items during the 2009 Holiday Art & Craft Festival. Support the Crocker and local artists while you shop...

Nov 27, 2009 (Friday) to
Nov 29, 2009 (Sunday)
Scottish Rite Masonic Temple
6151 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95819

33. Celebrate the holidays and get all your holiday shopping accomplished in Midtown
www.downtowngrid.com

34. Westfield Galleria at Roseville Shopping Mall
www.westfield.com/galleriaatroseville/
Over 190 stores, including:
Nordstrom
Macy's
Pottery Barn
Crate & Barrel
Restoration Hardware
H&M

35. The Fountains at Roseville www.thefountainsroseville.com

Get everyone out of the house

36. Midtown Ice Skating Rink NOV 20 - JAN 18
For the first time, Midtown will host an ice skating rink during the 2009-2010 winter season! The confirmed location for the Midtown ice rink is 20th Street between K Street and J Street. www.mbasac.com/midtownbusinessassociation/

37. Old Sacramento Heritage Holidays
On weekends in late November and early December Old Sacramento charms visitors with holiday themed history displays. Shops are decorated with 19th century decorations. Carolers perform dressed in period costume. Horse-drawn carriage rides are offered. A new event is being added in the evening to commemorate the first reading of the poem, "The Night Before Christmas." The Theatre of Lights promises to be a fantastic display of lights combined with the storytelling of Mark Twain. www.oldsacramento.com/events-and-activities-detail.php?id=109

38. The 53rd Annual Singing Christmas Tree.
Truly a Sacramento holiday event seen by over 30,000 people annually, The Singing Christmas Tree has become a treasured holiday tradition for many families in the Capital City area and throughout Northern California. This year’s presentation is entitled “A Merry Olde Christmas!”
Capital Christian Center - Main Auditorium
9470 Micron Avenue
Sacramento, CA www.sct.cc

39. Bundle up the family and come enjoy the holiday season at the Zoo with treats to the animals and free admission thanks to Target! Zoofari Market will be open early from 9 am to 10 am for Sacramento Zoo Member shopping. Members recieve a 25% discount with their Membership card. Toys for Tots: Bring one new, unwrapped toy and receive a free child's admission ticket to use at your convenience. The U.S. Marine Corps will be taking your toy donations. Animal Feedings: Animals will get special treats delivered to them and staff will be on hand to share facts, secrets and answer your questions. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822

40. Sacramento Rivertrain Christmas Train
Approximately 20 miles west of the city of Sacramento in Woodland, California you can take an excursion on the Sacramento Rivertrain. The train takes a 32-mile, 3-hour trek along the Sacramento River. On selected days in late November and throughout December, the regular locomotive trip is transformed into a Christmas train ride complete with hot cocoa, stories, cookies, and music. Santa and his elves are also aboard the train to visit each of the passengers. Children are even encouraged to wear pajamas. This is also a great activity to do after reading the "The Polar Express. www.sacramentorivertrain.com/choose-a-trip-oct-dec.html

Holiday Road Trips

41. Shopping in San Francisco
Nothing could be more festive during the holidays than to wander down a city street aglow with decorations and lights and bustling with crowds of shoppers. And, on the West Coast, there's no better place to do this than Union Square, the epicenter of San Francisco's premier shopping district. From the lighted 80-foot tree that graces the square to the old-time carolers strolling through Neiman Marcus, Union Square is truly the picture of cosmopolitan holiday time.

42. Victorian Christmas, 2009 in Historic Nevada City Victorian Christmas, the old-fashioned celebration held each year in this colorful California Gold Rush town, evokes holiday memories of an earlier era. During the event, Nevada City's landmark historic district is closed to motorized traffic and transformed back in time. Christmas melodies and costumed characters remind visitors of another time and place.
Victorian Christmas 2009 is featured Wednesday nights, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, from 6-9 p.m., and on two Sunday afternoons, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, from 1:30-6 p.m. There is no admission charge. www.nevadacitychamber.com/index.cfm

43. YOUNTVILLE’S 21ST ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS:
Yountville invites visitors to experience a holiday wonderland amongst the vineyards as the town transforms itself during its annual Festival of Lights. This country-style celebration features world-class food, wine and cultural activities and begins the weekend of November 27 and 28 as the town lights up with thousands of twinkling lights. Kickoff holiday festivities include streets lined with more than 20 top wineries and restaurants, nightly opportunities to meet Santa Claus at his West Pole post, late shopping and dining at local galleries, boutiques and restaurants, along with carolers, elves, horse-drawn carriage rides and ice carving. While the event is free for all, tickets for food and wine are one dollar each. What’s more, at day’s end, two couples will win a luxury weekend getaway in Yountville, including accommodations, spa treatments, balloon rides, bike tours, dining, wine tasting and more. For more information visit www.Yountville.com

44. Full Moon Guided Ski/Snowshoe Tours Beginning in December and extending through March, on Saturdays closest to a full moon, enjoy the magic as the Kirkwood Cross Country staff conducts ski and snowshoe tours of the area by moonlight. Call (209) 258-7248 for more information.

45. Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Cow Palace Exhibition Hall, 2600 Geneva Ave at Santos St., San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.392.4400. Sat and Sun, Nov 29-Dec 30, 11am-8pm, Admission $16-$6
Visitors are encouraged to dress as literary characters from Charles Dickens' novels. Visitors can sample an assortment of Christmas delicacies, holiday spirits and drink. Entertainers will also be on hand costumed as characters from the pages of A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities. If you have Great Expectations, you won't be disappointed as you weave your way through this Dickens Christmas Fair while celebrating the late author. www.sanfrancisco.com/festivals/

Burn off the Turkey and Mash

46. Old Salmon Falls Loop Pretty hike along South Fork American River; visit old town site Near Folsom, CA www.localhikes.com/Hikes/OldSalmonFalls_6922.asp

47. The American River Parkway is a 32-mile trail that goes up the river and through the city. You may not be up for hiking the entire route but you’ll enjoy whichever section you choose. You’ll hike over footbridges and along the scenic American River where you’ll see everything from rapids to smooth ponds and sandbars. This trail is shared by mountain bikers and equestrians and dogs are welcome. You’ll see wildlife and both shore birds and song birds in some of the more remote locations. This gorgeous parkway stretches from Folsom Lake to Old Sacramento www.dreamsacramento.com/sacramento-hiking-biking.html

48. The Fourth Annual Free, Fleet Feet Holiday Classic 3-mile run/walk is a way for Fleet Feet Sports Sacramento to say "Thank You Sacramento" for another great year and for area runners/walkers to give something back to those less fortunate.
Sunday, December 20, 2009 Start: 9:00 a.m. www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/fleet-feet-free-holiday-classic

49. Sacramento Bike Trail
From Discovery Park (downtown) out to Folsom Lake. Makes a great 60+ mile round trip ride without ever riding with cars. www.mapmyride.com/ride/unitedstates/ca/sacramento/638783107

50. Downtown Walking Tours
These unique tours through downtown Sacramento introduce visitors to the people, places and events that shaped California history. From John Sutter to Cesar Chavez, these tours cover more than 150 years of state and local history.
www.downtownsac.org/DSPAPP/V/life-and-culture/Book-a-Tour.html

Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau

2009-11-13T14:08:00.000-08:00

For a taste of France without leaving Sacramento take a trip to Sierra 2 Center in Curtis Park on Friday November 20th for the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration. This particular party begins on the third Thursday in November every year around the world. At the stroke of midnight the cork is popped and the 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau takes center stage. Merveilleux!

Not only celebrated in France, in the USA festivities are planned to celebrate the annual release of this red wine made from Gamay grapes that is produced only in the Beaujolais region of France.

Beaujolais Nouveau is a young, fun and not-too-complex wine. It is ready to open just 6-8 weeks after production and is best enjoyed within the first year.. In the early 1960’s the Vintner Georges Deboeuf saw its potential as a profitable and promotional enterprise and thus began the race to Paris carrying the first bottles of the newly released vintage.

Proceeds benefit the “Maison de la France” building fund & the Alliance Française de Sacramento.

Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 6-9:30 PM
SIERRA 2 CENTER FOR THE ARTS
2791 24th St.
(ample parking on 4th Ave.)
$25 Alliance Members
$30 Non-Members
$35 at door
(cash or check preferred)

Vos amis sont les bienvenus . . . bring your friends!

With more than 600 members, the Alliance Française of Sacramento is a non-profit cultural and educational association, headed by a Franco-American Board of Directors. They offer a wide variety of activities including:
French courses
French immersion days
Cultural and social events including: lectures, concerts, films, wine and cheese parties and discussion groups. Their schedule of activities is published in their newsletter and by email. af@afdesacramento.org

The Alliance Française was created in 1883 in Paris to encourage the propagation of the French language and culture and to foster friendly relations between France and the rest of the world. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with the largest network of French language and cultural centers in the world. There are 1,200Alliance chapters in 112 countries, including 140 chapters in the United States, serving over 400,000 students. The French language is spoken on five continents and by more than 180 million people. Here in America, the mission of the Alliance Française is to promote understanding, exchange, and friendship between France and other French-speaking countries, and the USA.

Truly Remarkable Women - The 2009 Women's Conference

2009-10-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

"SOLD OUT IN TWO HOURS! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" This was me in the early morning hours the day the Women's Conference tickets sold out and I was left empty handed. Disappointed that I would not be attending, I learned of the Women's Conference in streaming video. I marked it in my calendar and awaited an empowering experience.

On October 27th I expected to be working at my desk and listening in to the Women's Conference. Boy was I wrong... about working I mean. Once I started watching I was hooked. What truly remarkable women!

Here were my favorite speaking segments:

DAVID GREGORY INTRODUCES A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CONVERSATION:
HOW A WOMAN'S NATION CHANGES EVERYTHING
Madeleine K. Albright, Chair, Albright Stonebridge Group; Amy Holmes, Political Analyst; Former Speechwriter for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist Valerie B. Jarrett; Senior Advisor to the President, Assistant to the President for the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, Chair, White House Council on Women and Girls Claire Shipman; Senior National Correspondent, ABC News’ Good Morning America Moderated by David Gregory, Moderator, Meet the Press

"The first step to success for women and girls is to learn how to interrupt. In the classroom or workplace, a woman who is afraid to interrupt may never be heard, and only by being heard can we make a difference."
-Madeleine K. Albright

"Be spontaneous. Be courageous. Be yourself."
-Laysha Ward
President of Community Relations and Target Foundation

FIRST LADY MARIA SHRIVER INTRODUCES A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CONVERSATION:
GRIEF, HEALING AND RESILIENCE
Elizabeth Edwards, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Susan Saint James, Actress and Entrepreneur
Moderated by First Lady Maria Shriver

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
Photographer

The California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women, now known simply as The Women's Conference, is the nation's premier forum for women.

• The goal of The Women's Conference is to transform women inside and out – and then empower them to help transform our world as Architects of Change.
• For two full days, more than 100 newsmakers and world opinion leaders gather with more than 25,000 women from all walks of life to be educated, inspired and empowered to be Architects of Change in their own lives, within their communities and around the world.
• The Women's Conference is the destination for the world's greatest voices, hearts and minds. Speakers have included former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Cherie Blair, Bono, Warren Buffet, Deepak Chopra, Thomas Friedman, Diane Von Furstenberg, Heidi Klum, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Jennifer Lopez, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Indra Nooyi, Michelle Obama, Sandra Day O'Connor, Her Majesty Queen Rania, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Tim Russert, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, First Lady
Maria Shriver, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters and Muhammad Yunus.
• The Women's Conference has become a “must attend” event. Each year, full day passes sell out in recordbreaking time. Tickets this year sold out in less than two hours, beating last year's record of three hours.
• In response to this surging demand, The Women's Conference expanded the event to two full days with the addition of A Day of Transformation and Night at The Village. These first-day events increased attendee capacity by 11,000, bringing the total attendance to 25,000. Tens of thousands of women also watch the conference's main event live on its Web site at WomensConference.org
• The first event of the conference, beginning the morning of October 26, is called A Day of Transformation. This event features the nation's top experts and speakers leading professional, educational and personal sessions offering practical tips and tools for how to transform their lives and become Architects of Change.
• The first day of the conference is capped off with a Night at The Village. More more than 10,000 women “meet, mix and mingle” with the nation's best-selling authors, most inspirational speakers, top chefs, socially responsible companies and Architects of Change like themselves, all in a dynamic 160,000 square foot
women's village. The Village stays open for shopping, networking and book-signing throughout the conference and it is a popular gathering spot for speakers, authors and attendees to connect with each other and build a community.
• The Women's Conference 2009 main event on October 27 features its signature news-making moments and “once-in-a-lifetime conversations” that combine the world’s most authentic and influential voices with engaging discussions about the issues that matter most to women's lives. The forum's main stage conversations and twelve breakout conversations address topics such as Making Tough Decisions in Tough
Times, Grieving, Healing & Resilience, Overcoming the Unimaginable, Using Your Voice to Change the World, Changing the World Through the Web, Starting Your Own Business, Beating the Odds, Managing Health & Stress, Raising Strong & Confident Children, Managing Money, and many others.
• This year's lineup of speakers and participants includes former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair, Martha Beck, Sir Richard Branson, Katie Couric, Stephen M. R. Covey, Geena Davis, Paula Deen, Elizabeth Edwards, Linda Ellerbee, Dr. Jane Goodall, David Gregory, Senior Advisor to the President Valerie B. Jarrett, Caroline Kennedy, Alicia Keys, Ashton Kutcher,
Annie Leibovitz, Lisa Ling, Cindy Hensley McCain, Somaly Mam, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Danica Patrick, Robin Roberts, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Claire Shipman, First Lady Maria Shriver, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Paula Zahn.

• At the end of the day, The Women's Conference will continue its tradition of honoring “Remarkable Women, Remarkable Legacies” with the always inspirational and moving presentation of The Minerva Awards. Held during the afternoon main stage session, the special ceremony is hosted by Maria Shriver and features remarks by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof, Alicia Keys and Caroline
Kennedy. The 2009 Minerva Award honorees are Agnes Stevens, Helen Devore Waukazoo, Dr. Kathy Hull and Dr. Jane Goodall.
• Women leave The Women's Conference transformed, inside and out. The conference encourages women to pass on their stories, wisdom, inspirational life-lessons and practical tools to empower other women to see themselves as capable of making a difference in the world.

1. Find your own unique voice and listen to what it’s saying.
2. Empower a young woman. Become a mentor by connecting with a young woman in your workplace, neighborhood or place of worship. Find small ways to reach out, listen and support her.
3. Act locally to make a difference globally. Make informed choices about what you buy and consume, as well as how you dispose of items. Reduce your carbon footprint, use energy and water responsibly and green your life.
4. Advocate for a cause that you care deeply about. Your time and expertise could help make a difference as a volunteer, counselor or board member.
5. Invest in women entrepreneurs. Join Team Maria in the WE Invest/Kiva partnership to give women the tools to start or expand their own businesses. For as little as $25, you can "Become a lender. Change a life."
6. Speak up & ask for what you need. If you need to take time off of your job to care for a child or parent, ask for it. Families need more flexible work schedules, better child care policies and changes in family and medical leave. We need to use our voices collectively to improve workplace policies.
7. Engage your children in the world. As a mother, get your children involved at a young age in seeing the world through the eyes of others, respecting diversity, developing empathy and understanding the gift of giving back.
8. Donate to nonprofits that help women. Instead of purchasing a birthday, anniversary or holiday gift for family, friends and colleagues, make a donation in someone’s name to a nonprofit that works on improving the lives of women and girls.
9. Be an informed citizen. Educate yourself about the world you live in, share your knowledge, educate others and ignite a conversation.
10. Invite 10 of your friends to join The Women’s Conference online community at WWW.WOMENSCONFERENCE.ORG -- The Home for Architects of Change.

Wine Tasting at Chops to benefit LIVESTRONG

2009-10-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

What a fun evening! We had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Sacramento Chapter of LIVESTRONG Wine Tasting event at Chops Steak Seafood & Bar last night.

WOW! Talk about fine wines! Some of our favorites sampled -

Of course I had to start with Perrier Jouet to kick the evening off. We then went on to the whites... Far Niente 06 Chardonnay, and lastly the Chateau Ste Michelle Eroica Riesling which we found to be fabulous! Time for REDS! To start, a nice Villa Antinori, 05 Toscana from Ste Michelle Estate Wines. We spent a lot of time with Hoopes... Liparita Stags Leap District 06 Cabernet, Liparita Oakville 06 Cabernet, and Hoopes Vineyard Oakville Cabernet. The last might just be a new favorite! Of course it would not be complete without a visit at the Silver Oak table. Although great wine, I'm still not sold on it. Perhaps I should buy my favorite and let it lay down for a few years? Silver Oak seems to draw people just because of the name. I say move on! There are tons of great wines out there just waiting to be tasted!

We closed our evening with our Mayor Kevin Johnson speaking and a glass of Far Niente 05 Cabernet and Nickel & Nickel Cabernet, Vogt. Ahhh, a very nice way to end the evening. My buds were dancing for hours!

The LIVESTRONG of Sacramento is a group committed to making cancer a local and national priority. They raise awareness in our local community, work on projects to address cancer specific concerns and raise funds for the local cancer organizations.

Rise Above The Plastics

2009-10-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

There is a section of the Pacific Ocean twice the size of the continental United States called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Within it, 100 million tons of plastic swirl in a vortex of currents. There is so much plastic in the water that it outnumbers zooplankton by six to one! This plastic ends up in the stomachs of marine birds and animals. In fact, one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals die globally each year due to ingestion of or entanglement in plastics.

Plastic is forever, with virtually every piece of petroleum based plastic ever made still in existence. That's why it's so critical to our oceans and beaches that we dramatically reduce our use of plastics, especially single-use plastics, starting today.

You can make a difference for our world's oceans, waves and beaches -- pledge to rise above plastics today!

THE PLEDGE
I commit to do my part to rise above plastics and protect the world's oceans, waves and beaches from plastic pollution. I will do this by:

- Using reusable bottles for my water and other drinks. By using just one reusable bottle, I will keep 167 single-use plastic bottles from entering the environment.

- Using cloth bags for groceries and other purchases. For each reusable bag I use, I will save approximately 400 plastics from being used.

- Recycling the plastic bags and bottles I already have. For every thirteen plastic bags I don't use, I will save enough petroleum to drive a car one mile.

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/rap_pledge

Fall Is In The Air...Stop by Taylor's Kitchen For Their Fall Menu

2009-10-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

Mmmmmm...Fall is in the air. Time for pumpkins, hearty soups, and the warm glow of a candle burning. I love Fall, and I love hunkering down and cooking a fun Fall meal.

We shop at our local Taylor's Market for specialty food and beverages. Taylor's Market is known for the passion and knowledge they bring to the fine food business. Everyone at Taylor's Market shares this passion and are committed to making lasting relationships with their customers...all for the enjoyment of food and beverages!

Just next door to the Market is Taylor's Kitchen. If you have not stopped in yet, now is the time! Check out Taylor's Kitchen Fall Menu.... It looks Tasty!

Appetizers
Housemade Crab Cakes
with Spicy remoulade sauce $8.25

Antipasto Plate
Capicola, garlic olives, white anchovies, marinated mushrooms,
and fig jam with pepper crackers $7.50

Warm Almond Crusted Manchego
with Membrillo $7.00

Mussels Du Jour
with Garlic Bread $8.50

Soup
Today’s Housemade ~ ask server
$4.50

Salads
Beet Salad
Yellow beets, red beets, sweet onion, Feta, walnuts, sprouts,
Red wine Vinaigrette, sprinkled with sea salt $7.50

Grilled Portabello and Field Mushrooms
with watercress and lemon vinaigrette $6.95

Endive Salad
with apple brunoise and shaved comté
with stone ground mustard vinaigrette $6.95

Tatsoi
with pomegranate seeds, walnuts, beemster goat cheese crisps
and walnut oil vinaigrette $7.50

Entrees
Pumpkin Chestnut Ravioli
with fried sage brown butter sauce $14.50

Black Squid Ink Pasta
with butternut squash, and sherry shallot cream sauce
topped with Idiazabal $14.00

Braised Buffalo Short Ribs
with creamy sage polenta $22.00

Grilled Duck Breast
with Cider-Rum poached Gravenstein Apples,
served with lundberg wild rice mix $19.00

Seasonal fish
fresh from market a.q.

Grilled Housemade Chicken Sausage
with pear chutney and mustards, warm German Potato Salad $14.50

Ribeye with Buttermilk Onions
served with veal demi glace and creamy sage polenta $24.50

Taylor’s 5-Dot Burger
House Ground Chuck, grilled onions, pickles, lettuce & tomato. Your choice of cheddar, gorgonzola, or Sierra Nevada Baby Jack with fried potatoes $9.50 - add bacon $1.50

Introducing ~ Portabello Burger: grilled onions, pickles, lettuce & tomato Your choice of cheddar, gorgonzola, or Sierra Nevada Baby Jack with fried potatoes $9.50

Child Portions Available ~ Ask Server

Espresso $3.00 Cappucino $3.50 Gran CafÉ $4.50

For reservations call 916-443-5154
Wednesday - Saturday 5PM to 9:30PM

A Beautiful Day for a Walk! Sacramento Memory Walk 2009

2009-10-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful Day! Saturday, October 3rd was the 2009 Sacramento Memory Walk. Located on the South Steps of the California State Capitol walkers gathered together to help fight Alzheimer's Disease.

Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $260 million for the cause.

All Memory Walk donations benefit the Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The mission of the Alzheimer's Association is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

As of today the Sacramento Memory Walk has raised $153,779 and the donations are still rolling in! The Sacramento Memory walk has a community of people who gather every year to help make a difference and I am proud to be a part of that community!

Top Fund Raisers:
1. Annemiek Storm
2. Virginia Stone
3. Maria Sandoval
4. Kelly Ulrickson-Fugina
5. Maureen McNulty

Team Rank:
1. Annemiek Storm/Genworth Financial
2. Carmichael Oaks
3. Emeritus Senior Living
4. Kelly's Heroes
5. Team Sandoval

I want to thank my team "Kelly's Heroes" for their help, support, and generosity that brought us to the forefront in creating awareness for fighting this terrible disease. We walked together and celebrated with the second annual Team Kelly's Heroes "Bloody Mary Breakfast" after the walk. This year Team Kelly's Heroes raised $5,585. Outstanding!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Alzheimer's Association "Stolen Plans" :30 TV Spot

2009-10-01T15:03:00.001-07:00

The fading images of individuals in this Alzheimer's Association TV spot represent loss: The loss of memories from the past, but also moments and experiences that will never take place in the future. Also, the visual technique shows how Alzheimer's impacts not just the individual, but also the loved ones around them. This TV spot is part of an overall campaign that includes national TV as well as radio, print and online.

Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk TV Spot

2009-09-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease today. The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care and research.

Help the Alzheimer's Association put an end to Alzheimer's.

Sacramento Memory Walk is this Saturday, October 3, 2009
California State Capitol South Steps
Registration begins at 8:30 AM. Walk begins at 10:00 AM

Kibble and Bids - Autumn in the Hamptons - Get your tickets today!

2009-09-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

Kibble & Bids™ is Homeward Bound's premier, annual fundraising event featuring silent and live auctions, gourmet food, great beer, fabulous wine tasting, raffle, award-winning classic car display … and Golden Retrievers! Kibble & Bids is in their ninth year and this year promises to be spectacular as they present their own version of "Autumn in the Hamptons"! Again, Kibble & Bids will be held at the beautiful, private estate owned by Doug Alcorn (Kibble & Bids Co-Chair) and John White, located just a few minutes from Downtown Sacramento on the Garden Highway. We just were guests at a friends wedding at this estate this last weekend, and I'm telling you, It's Gorgeous! What a great day it will be!

Last year they raised over $100,000 and all dollars were devoted to the 810 Golden Retrievers (and other dogs in need) that crossed their doorstep and into their temporary home, the Homeward Bound Adoption Center and Sanctuary. Did you know that Homeward Bound is only one of three Golden Retriever non-profit rescue organizations nationwide that owns and manages a sanctuary? They are very proud of this distinction, but with it comes responsibility, maintenance, and considerable attention. Your support of Kibble & Bids helps the many volunteers do what they need to do for these wonderful, incredible dogs: routine veterinary care, non-routine surgeries of all kinds, heartworm treatment, medications, food, treats, and "lodging"! 810 dogs marked a milestone for us as the largest number of dogs rescued in Homeward Bound's history, almost double in volume in comparison to all preceding years. In these challenging fiscal times, the need – and your help – is greater than ever.

BUY TICKETS

Kibble & Bids 2009 Tickets are Available Now; Tickets are $55.00 per person in advance and $65.00 at the door. Homeward Bound Members will receive a discounted ticket price of $50.00 per person.
http://www.homewardboundgoldens.org/kibble_and_bids/kandb2009/ticketsdirections.htm

The Alzheimer's Project

2009-09-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Thank you my Friends & Family for your never ending support!!!
I love you!

Did You Know Alzheimer's Disease Can Strike People Who Are As Young As In Their 30's?

2009-09-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's disease - that's one out of eight - according to the 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures Report.

The report not only reveals the tremendous impact Alzheimer's will have in the near future, it also highlights the current social and economic plight of the estimated 5.3 million Americans now living with this devastating disease, and their families. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in America, surpassing diabetes.

Did you know Alzheimer's disease can strike people who are as young as in their 30s? It's called younger-onset Alzheimer's. It affects nearly 500,000 Americans! Younger-onset individuals may be employed or have children still living at home. Issues facing families include ensuring financial security, obtaining benefits and helping children cope with the disease.

Now is the time to help the Alzheimer's Association raise awareness of the terrible threat that Alzheimer's poses to America's future! Please spread the word!

Autumn Equinox Celebration at Soil Born Farms

2009-09-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity of being the guests of Terese & Dio Esperas at the 7th Annual Autumn Equinox Celebration at Soil Born Farms. Dio and Terese are the owners of A Healthy Kitchen Catering & Cooking Classes and were sampling their culinary expertise with dozens of others at Soil Born Farms last night.

Soil Born Farm is an urban agricultural oasis nestled in the heart of Sacramento. We walked through the charming gardens, enjoyed live music, sampled seasonal and organic food prepared by prominent local chefs, and tasted wonderful wines and cool brews under the stars.

Three of the wines that stood out to us were from Moniz Family Wines, and Davis Wine.
The 2006 “Cuvee Olivia” from Moniz Family Wines is a 49% Cabernet Sauvignon- 36% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. This wine offers classic dark berry flavors from Sonoma. Cabernet Sauvignon from the Alexander Valley and the Sonoma Valley make up almost half of this blend, leading to great concentration of fruit and structure. The 2006 Pinot Noir from Moniz Family Wines- 100% Russian River Pinot Noir aged 20 months in French oak. Elegant and stylish, exhibiting aromas and flavors of cranberries and cranapple with a hint of spice. Excellently balanced, we kept coming back to this one! And last but not least, from Davis Wine, a nice Argentinian wine - Catalpa 2007 Old Vines Malbec. With aromas of blackberries, violets and raisins, with hints of coffee and tobacco. It's intense and well structured with round tannins and a smooth lingering finish. Now I'm excited to go out and purchase some wine from Argentina!

This is an event not to be missed. We will surely be back!

Try the Cucumber Martini at Iron Steaks

2009-09-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

Iron Steaks on Broadway & 13 street is finally open. Last night after "Shuck'em & Shake'em at Scott's, we decided we should stop by for a cocktail and check the place out.

We ordered a beer while we scanned the menu. Our neighbor to the right of us had ordered a Cucumber Martini and the bartender was kind enough to make a little extra for us to try. Now this was no ordinary martini...I do believe it is my new favorite! This Cucumber Martini is made with Hendrick's Gin from Scotland (infused with cucumber and rose petals) and a dash of simple syrup. Sooo Tasty! The same patron also shared a taste of his Alexander Valley Cab, which served up red fruit flavors, lasting on the palate, and a smooth finish. We did not try the food but will be back. The crab cakes and wagu skewers look fabulous!

For the first two weeks Iron is doing what is called a “soft opening.” This means that the dining room will be at partial capacity so that each party can relax and soak in the full flavor of the restaurant. Iron has a full bar serving standard classics, specialty cocktails, beer and wine. The wine list prices are reasonable but if you have special bottle, there is no corkage fee. Nice!

Owner Bill Taylor is a native Sacramentan and,(Go Big Red!) a McClatchy graduate. Opening Iron in his old neighborhood, Land Park has fulfilled his dream to become part of the landscape of the city. Bill also opened Willie’s Burgers in 1991 and the second on Arden Way in 2003.

For reservations call 737-5115 and walk-ins are always welcome!

2009-09-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

All packed and ready for our 4.5 hour drive to Anecortes to catch the 2:30 ferry to Lopez Island, we said good-bye to Portland and were on our way. I think Stella was happy to go...she couldn't figure out the big moving box that took us from the Lobby of the Hotel Monaco up to our room.

The drive was uneventful, the ferry ride fun, arriving at Mom & John's even better! Ahhhh, finally on the island for a relaxing beautiful stay with Mom & John!

Lopez Island offers so much outdoor activity, it's hard to do it all! We walked on the beach, checked out the Island, found GREAT local produce locations, played games, drank wine, and ate great food! Saturday night we had dinner at the Bay Cafe, a local culinary experience not to be missed! The Bay Cafe has been featured in many "foodie" mags such as sunset and Travel & Leisure. A+ Crab Cakes, great soups, and oh so fresh salads....all locally grown. YUM!

Stella loved being free to run and run around Mom & John's place exploring all the island smells and creatures. We visited Lopez Island Vineyards where Stella met her new friend Jessie. Stella & Jessie played and we tasted wine. Our favorite...the 07chardonnay with a strong flavor of toasted wood and the 07 Merlot that boasted flavors of berry, smoke, cherry, chocolate, and anise. We did try a very interesting and quite tasty raspberry wine made by raspberries grown locally at the Broers Family Farm. We thought this one would be great with a nice French vanilla bean ice cream and bittersweet chocolate.

One of my favorite things we did while on Lopez Island was having a Mac & Jack on the back deck in the sunshine at the Islander. Cheers!

Monday morning it was time to say farewell to Mom & John and Lopez Island. We waited for our ferry back to Anecortes and we're off to Yakima Valley for more wine tasting experiences

Weekend Fun In The Bay Area! Check Out Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco OR Eat Real Festival in Oakland

2009-08-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Head to SF for Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival

What: A three-day music extravaganza in Golden Gate Park returns with an all-star lineup featuring headliners Pearl Jam, Tenacious D, and Dave Matthews Band.

Why: Because it's Fun!

When: Fri., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 10:30 a.m.-9:20 p.m.

Where: Polo Field, Speedway Meadow, and Lindley Meadow in Golden Gate Park. Tickets online at sfoutsidelands.com.

Advance Single Day Ticket - $89.50
Eager Beaver 3-Day Ticket - $199.50 (SOLD OUT)
Advance 3-Day Ticket - $225.50 (limited availability - on sale now)
Regular 3-Day Ticket - TBD (when Advance sells out)
Single Day Optional Bauer's Shuttle Pass - $9
(on sale until 8/27 at 3PM)
3-Day Optional Bauers Shuttle Pass - $25
(on sale until 8/27 at 3PM)

http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/festival/index.php

Or travel across the Bay to Oakland for the Eat Real Festival

What: Free fest of sustainable street food, artisan's snacks, and fresh summer produce. Ad...there’s a beer shed! What's a Beer Shed you ask? Hot Dog and Beer. Taco and Beer. BBQ and Beer. Let’s face it, pretty much anything and beer. The best of Northern California’s hand-crafted beers under one tent, featuring a rotating series of IPAs, imperials and cask ales. $25 dollars gets you eight generous tastings and your very own souvenir glass.

Why: Get real, people!

When: Fri., 4-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Jack London Square, Broadway, at Embarcadero, Oakland.
http://eatrealfest.com/

Friday, 4pm-9pm:
Saturday, 10am-9pm:
Sunday, 10am-5pm:

About Eat Real Festival:

Founded in 2008, Eat Real Festival is a social venture created to inspire eaters to choose tasty, healthy, good food. Through a vibrant, local festival in Oakland, CA, and a focus on delicious and sustainable “street food,” Eat Real puts eaters in contact with the real people -- the farmers, chefs, and producers -- who make our food. Eat Real Festival will donate a percentage of its profit to several California organizations promoting access to healthy and affordable food, entrepreneurship and economic development.

Get out of Town! Take a Road Trip! Do Something Different! Have Fun!

Sacramento's Best Burger - Jamie's Bar & Grill

2009-08-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

Before it was Jamie's, it was Shanley's Bar & Grill, operated by Bill Shanley. Shanley's was a media hang-out and St. Patrick's Day Celebration must! Before that, it was Medico's Saloon, operated by Medico Canische a wild Portagee from the south side.

Now Jamie's Bar & Grill, this funky looking place in Sac-town is throwing down some darn good grub! The place is pretty much the same, down to the worn wooden floors and the original manual cash register. The bar in the back room—used for Jamie’s annual St. Patrick’s Day party is said to have been salvaged from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Today, Jamie’s is known for its causal atmosphere, good food made from scratch and Friday night barbecue dinners.

Upon walking in you must check out the "Daily Specials" board! All Jamie's fish is FRESH! FRESH! FRESH! And all soups, sauces and dressings are 100% house made and oh so TASTY! If not selecting from the "Specials" board we always go to our favorites... Mine, the Garlic Steak Sandwich(Filet Mignon) so tender is every bite I hate for it to end. And the french fries...Let me tell you about the french fries, I DON"T SHARE! My Sister likes the Chinese Chicken Salad. And it is GOOD! Nice BIG pieces of grilled chicken with a dressing that is out of this world! My Brother-In-Law gets the Chili Size Burger. Probably the biggest basket o'burger I have ever seen! My husband Kevin gets one of the best burgers in town, the “Broadway Burger”...and of course his own fries. Remember, I DON"T SHARE! Come winter time I love to order Jamie's award winning Clam Chowder. It's simply the best! Oh, and I have to mention Shawn...our favorite waitress and "dancing fool"! She make Jamie's just that much more fun!

Try Jamie’s BBQ Friday Nights:
House Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Beef Ribs, BBQ Chicken, Hot Links smothered in their house made bbq sauce with Jamie’s baked beans & their famous potato salad and corn bread.

And don't miss Jamie's Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party with Live Music, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Stew, Rueben Sandwich as well as additional food Specials. We'll be there with beads on!

Lunch is served Monday through Friday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Dinner is served Monday through Friday 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Closed Weekends (Boo Hoo!)

Jamie's Bar & Grill
427 Broadway
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 442-4044

Just don't look for the sign...you won't find one. Oh, and lately it's been CRAZY busy so be prepared for a crowd! Thanks Guy!:-)

Alzheimers Commercial starring Sheila Cavalette

2009-08-25T12:48:00.001-07:00

Midtown Tuesday Evening Fun

2009-08-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Kevin and I hit the California Museum for our second viewing of "With Malice Toward None" the Abraham Lincoln exhibit before it closes on August 22nd. If you haven't seen this exhibit, I would suggest you go, it's so worth while! The museum closes at 5P...just in time for Happy Hour at Il Fornaio!
While sipping prosecco we noshed on the free hors d'oeuvers that Il Fornaio graciously sets out from 5p-7p - tasty bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, and polenta. We talked with executive Chef Bruno Amato about his cooking classes and quickly put our name in for the November 21st Seafood cooking class and the Frank Family Winery dinner.

We bid farewell to Il Fornaio and headed to Midtown for a leisurely tour of fun new dining establishments.
We walked in to Sapporo Grill located in the old Firestone building at 16th & L Streets. We were pleased with the beautiful use of space and terrific service we received. We ordered one of our favorite brews, Firestone DBA and looked over the expansive menu. We settled on the Poki Salad and the Salmon Fiesta (highly recommended by our bartender). Great suggestion! The Salmon Fiesta was fabulous! Great fresh flavors and quality of the salmon was superb!

On to the next... a quick stop and not our first in to beautiful MIX for another Firestone DBA and to see if our friends Mason or Albe were around. Sitting at the bar to the side of the outdoor patio, we lavished in the chic surroundings while a warm Sacramento breeze blew through the large open doorways and made us feel like we were on vacation somewhere far away. We quickly fell into deep conversation about our home remodel, and new event ideas.

Leaving MIX we walked down the long flight of stairs wondering how many people have fallen down them after one too many...just a silly thought...

In we strolled to De Vere's Irish Pub. Our bartender was awesome suggesting different ideas from the menu. We ordered a traditional Irish brew and "Granny's Shepard's Pie". Tasty! We had the opportunity of talking with one of the brothers DeVere White - Simon. Just a pleasant conversation that made us feel at home and want to come back to DeVere's again, and again, and again. We will be back Simon... and this time for Shepard's pie "pub style"! Slainte!

By now it was nearly 11pm. Satisfied, we headed home and talked about how lucky we are to live blocks away from Midtown... a playground full of culinary delights!

Historic River Tour in Sacramento

2009-08-07T12:41:00.000-07:00

From its beginnings in 1980 as a two-ship operation in San Francisco Bay, Hornblower has focused on exceeding the expectations of its guests, and on maintaining the highest standards of safety and comfort for its vessels and facilities. Today, by satisfying its guests over the past quarter-century, Hornblower has grown to a $30 million business with 29 yachts, and is the market leader in each of the six California ports it serves - San Francisco, Berkeley, Marina Del Rey, Newport Beach, San Diego, and now SACRAMENTO!

Located on the Sacramento River, Old Sacramento is where the city started. Enjoy scenic and leisurely cruises on the river. You'll see the dramatic skyline of the city while enjoying the timeless and refreshing experience of being on the water.

Historic River Tour
Spend the afternoon on a one hour river tour, learning about the legendary past of California's capital city, from the first days of the Gold Rush to the booming metropolis that is here today.

River Tour Schedule:
Thursday - Monday
1:30 - 2:30 pm
3:00 - 4:00 pm

Friday - Sunday
5:30 - 6:30pm

For Reservations:
Phone: 916/446-1185
Email: oldsac@hornblower.com
Web: HornBlower.com

Private Events
Looking for a memorable location for a wedding or a business event? With linen draped tables, gracious service and innovative cuisine, Hornblower brings a wealth of experience making events on the water spectacular. Their event planners handle all of the details, so the event turns out exactly the way you want it. And when the event comes, you can relax with your guests, because they've got it all covered.

Dining Cruises
Coming soon, Hornblower will bring the dining experiences well known in other California cities to Sacramento. Their Dinner Cruise offers fine cuisine with three-courses prepared fresh onboard.

Try one of the Champagne Brunch Cruises. The champagne flows as you enjoy a plentiful buffet of favorite brunch dishes and a few new ones you're sure to enjoy.

Watch the sun go down as you indulge in a signature cocktail on the Sunset Cocktail Cruises. Enjoy complimentary hors d'ouvres during this two-hour cruise.

Horn Blower dining cruises are unlike any other dining experience, combining great food, music, nautical surroundings and ever-changing views. Perfect for celebrating any special occasion or just going out for a extraordinary time.

Happy Go Lucky in SF

2009-08-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

After getting our friends off on the Sea Princess set for Alaska, we walked the high energy Embarcadero, which at 4:00 was a sea of black & orange returning from AT&T Park from a 7-3 win over Philadelphia. Go Giants! Returning to our Hotel we put our feet up and enjoyed a nice glass of wine while admiring the bay.

The Harbor Court Hotel, San Francisco's premier waterfront boutique hotel, combines the energy of the Financial District with the style of South of Market, right on the edge of the San Francisco Bay with spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island, and is just steps away from the Ferry Building Marketplace.

The Harbor Court Hotel promises energy and well being for all its guests, including the furry four-legged ones...they are a pet friendly hotel. From the special attention at check-in to the pet-friendly services and amenities they offer to the surrounding area's pet-friendly environment, the Embarcadero waterfront hotel is a perfect destination for you and your pets. We found out that many Kimpton Hotels have a resident pet on hand to watch out for their pet guests. As the Directors of Pet Relations, they make sure that every four-legged, creeping and hopping guest who comes through the door is welcomed in style.

The Harbor Court Hotel offers a special Pet Retreat package:
Accommodations in Deluxe Courtyard guest room (from $189)
Pet bed and pad
Rawhide bone
Food and water bowls
Spring water
Clean-up bags

Each one-of-a-kind Kimpton Hotel puts you in touch with the distinctive energy, personality and pulse all around you. Here is a list of more Pet Friendly Kimpton Hotels:

Hotel Monaco Union Square San Francisco
Hotel Palomar Union Square San Francisco
Prescott Hotel Union Square San Francisco
Sir Francis Drake Union Square San Francisco
Serrano Hotel Union Square San Francisco
Tuscan Inn Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco
Argonaut Hotel Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco
Hotel Triton - Financial district San Francisco
Cypress Hotel - Silicon Valley
Hotel Palomar Westwood Los Angeles
Hotel Solamar- San Diego

For dinner we wanted to try something new, a place we’ve never been before. Adjacent to the Harbor Court Hotel on the San Francisco waterfront is the local favorite Ozumo Sushi Bar and Robata Grill, serving exceptional Japanese cuisine, and the Sumo Lounge cocktail bar, featuring exotic sake.

A large wood door opens into a well-manicured, dark and masculine saké bar. Beyond that is an open kitchen, a brighter raised dining room shows off beautiful handmade lampshades, textured wallpaper and modern furniture. It's a truly serene and beautiful setting that allows the breathtaking views of the Bay Bridge to take center stage.

Sitting in the Sumo Lounge, we ordered 2 Kirin while we oooh'd and ahhh'd the menu. We started with Maguro. WOW! The tuna was out of this world! We then moved on to a small plate - the Hanabi - slices of hamachi and avocado drizzled with a warm ginger and jalapeno ponzu sauce. Fabulous! The soft flavors of the Hamachi and the avocado married well. On to the rolls… the Sekiwaki - spicey tuna roll with tobiko, tempura flakes, slamon and hamachi, with peanut sauce. Spectacular! And the Yokozuna - a Rock‘n Roll with snow crab, asparagus, tobiko and sweet soy sauce. However, what we were served was something all together different -a roll with snow crab, avaocado, and grilled unagi wrapped in a soy wrapper. We don’t eat Unagi! We inquired where the asparagus was and were told they were out. I don’t know how you sub unagi for asparagus and think we may not notice is beyond me, but that’s what we got. Ick!

Although the extensive Japanese menu is notable, the sushi pricing was on the high-end. However, the quality of the sushi was so superb and sat on the best rice I have ever encountered made it all worth it! Ozumo also boasts an extensive menu of premium sakés; the flights are an excellent way to sample and learn. We loved sitting on the long benches in the Sumo Lounge and watching the nightlife unfold! We will return!

Taste Restaurant - an Amador County excursion...

2009-07-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

After a day of wine tasting at C.G. Di Arie, Vino Noceto, and Jeff Runquist we headed to Taste on the recommendation of Bobby , our Vino Noceto tasting room pourer extraordinaire. "Taste" opened about a year ago in a refurbished old building in downtown Plymouth. Taste’s Award Winning Beverage program features a wide selection local Zinfandels, Rhone and Italian varietals. In addition to local wines they proudly pour wines from all over California and Europe to highlight the varied styles of grapes and wine making techniques. Their beers are from small producers in California to Belgium and many places in between. We had the pleasure of chatting and sampling beer with Taste manager Tracy who is a Certified Beer Server and is on her way to becoming a Cicerone(Beer Sommelier).

Taste is operated by Mark and Tracey Berkner and their great staff. The Berkner's come from a hospitality background where they worked for small family owned restaurants, wineries and Marriott Hotels & Resorts. From 1997 to 2003 they owned and operated the St. George Hotel in Volcano, CA. They are focused on creating a great work environment for their staff and a great dining experience for their guests.

Three of us split 6 items. Four from the “small plates” menus and two from the “big plates” menu. We started with Spicy Beef Spring Rolls with jicima, piquillo pepper, mango, and fresh herbs; Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi with corn, bacon, chanterelle, spring onion, bleu cheese,and tomato fondue; Mushroom Cigars with Porcini, Crimini, Shiitake mushrooms with fresh herbs and goat cheese wrapped in phyllo dough and baked golden.(Voted Best Appetizer as by the editors of Sacramento magazine); and the Summer Nicoise Salad with olive oil poached ahi, Del Rio cherry tomatoes, and summer beans. From the “big plates” menu we selected the Kurobuta Pork Loin Chop stuffed Del Rio baby squash, truffled peach relish, arugula, and foie butter; the Day Boat Scallops with corn maque choux, grilled Del Rio Squash, and tomato butter sauce.

All presentations were gorgeous and cooked to perfection. The flavor combinations knocked our socks off! Along with the wonderful food, the staff works together like a well oiled machine. Their knowledge of the food and wine puts this restaurant on top! The food FANTASTIC! The service SUPERB!

Taste is a “must visit” restaurant. Amador County's best dining experience is on Main Street, Plymouth, the gateway to the Amador Wine Country. Dinner is served Thursday - Monday.

This Doggie Diner head is on the grounds of Vino Noceto. It brought back fond memories of dining there in San Francisco with my Dad.

SF Chef's. Food. Wine.

2009-07-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

San Francisco is and always will be a major influencer for food and wine trends, food politics and the sustainability movement. It is a community rich with farmers, writers, winemakers, spirits distillers, artisans and vibrant independent chef owned restaurants. The population is well-educated, diverse and appreciative of great food and good living. Mild weather ensures quality produce year-round. The moderate climate is also perfect for growing grapes, and Northern California is recognized as one of the top wine producing regions in the world. A devotion to social consciousness has led the area to become the epicenter of sustainability in farming, fishing and ranching. Rounding out the natural bounty is Pacific Ocean seafood from just outside the Golden Gate, one of the richest fisheries in the world.

SF Chefs. Food. Wine. is a four day food and wine event celebrating the unique flavor, diversity and bounty of Northern California. The main tasting tent will be in Union Square, where chefs, wine makers and distillers will offer an exploration of taste featuring local products. Classes and seminars will offer interactive opportunities for the public to participate with local farmers, ranchers, chefs, winemakers, distillers, media, luminaries, authors, vintners, mixologists and culinary experts in an entertaining forum.

The event supports four charities. Feeding America is a major sponsor of the San Francisco Food Bank, which provides food to needy families in the community. Meals on Wheels provides food and meal delivery especially to seniors and others with mobility issues. The Golden Gate Restaurant Association Scholarship Foundation provides funding for culinary and hospitality students based upon economic need. Project Open Hand provides Meals with Love to people living with HIV/Aids in San Francisco. All four charities will receive funding from the weekend’s activities.

Featured in Friday's Grand Tasting Tent:
Dozens of Napa Valley wineries, plus wines from Sonoma, Mendocino, Lodi, and the New Zealand Winegrowers
Distilled spirits by San Francisco's own SKYY Spirits, Patida Tequila, Sazerac, Corazon, and Siete Leguas
Beer provided by the San Francisco Brewers Guild
Tastings from more than 25 of Northern California's best chefs
Chef Demonstrations
Bartender Shake-offs on the tent stage: SKYY's the Limit Beverage Challenge
Macy's chef book signings
All events and classes 21 and over

Featured in Saturday's Grand Tasting Tent:
Dozens of Sonoma County wineries, plus wines from Napa, Mendocino, Lodi, and the New Zealand Winegrowers
Distilled spirits by San Francisco's own SKYY Spirits, Patida Tequila, Sazerac, Corazon, and Siete Leguas
Beer provided by the San Francisco Brewers Guild
Tastings from more than 25 of Northern California's best chefs
Chef Demonstrations
Bartender Shake-offs on the tent stage: SKYY's the Limit Beverage Challenge
Macy's chef book signings
All events and classes 21 and over

Featured in Sunday's Grand Tasting Tent:
Dozens of wineries from many of California's unique appellations, plus wines from the New Zealand Winegrowers
Distilled spirits by San Francisco's own SKYY Spirits, Patida Tequila, Sazerac, Corazon, and Siete Leguas
Beer provided by the San Francisco Brewers Guild
Tastings from more than 25 of Northern California's best chefs
Chef Demonstrations
Bartender Shake-offs on the tent stage: SKYY's the Limit Beverage Challenge
Martin Cate will present a Toast to Tiki following the finals of the Shake-Off
Macy's chef book signings
All events and classes 21 and over except Real Food for Healthy Kids at Macy's

Click here for tickets to SF Chefs. Food. Wine.

Attention Cocktail Enthusiasts... Midtown Cocktail Week starts August 10th!

2009-07-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

It's time for the Second Annual Midtown Cocktail Week; a collaboration put together by the Midtown Business Association and BiteClub, celebrating the fabulous cocktail and the mixologists who create them!

Opening Party
L Wine Lounge
6:00pm - 8:00pm
1801 L Street Suite 50
Setting the tone of the week at a favorite Midtown spot, L Wine Lounge guest bartender Jon Santer will take to The L's bar while you mingle with the who's who of cocktailology. www.lwinelounge.com

Bartender Mixology Competition
Lounge on 20
6:00pm - 8:00pm
1050 20th St
You'll want to see the best of the best compete for cash, prizes, and glory behind the bar! Visit Lounge on 20 and see who reigns supreme in this contest for the best cocktail. www.loungeon20.com

Pig Roast & Harvest Drinks
Mulvaney's B & L
6:00pm - 8:00pm
1215 19th St
Love the Food Network? You'll dig this...Patrick and Bobbin Mulvaney are going to create an exciting culinary environment that will bring your buds to a whole new level! Space is limited, come early! www.culinaryspecialists.com

Latin Spirits Night
Zocalo
6:00pm - 8:00pm
1801 Capitol Ave
This one's for the tequila aficionados... Live and Love the Latin culture for a spectacular evening. www.zocalosacramento.com

Craft Punch Party
Paragary's Patio
9:00pm - 12:00am
1401 28th Street
Guest bartender Erick Castro is hosting a communal drinking experience with crafted punch. Located on the beautiful Paragry's patio. www.paragarys.com

TWO EVENTS IN ONE DAY
Part 1:
Cocktail Creation Class with Jon Santer
Dragonfly Restaurant
4:00pm - 6:00pm
1809 Capitol Ave
Enjoy an intimate setting with 25 classmates at the lovely Dragonfly Restaurant bar area in the the heart of Midtown Sacramento. Registration is limited to 25. Register ASAP to guarantee your space. www.dragonflysac.com

Click here to register
http://www.midtowncocktailweek.org/registration.html

Part 2:
A Great Place To Get Some Ink Eats & Drinks
6:00pm - 9:00pm
2730 N St
Ink is a locals favorite! TLC meets vicious mixology to give you a perfect way to start your Saturday evening. www.inkeats.com

MCW Closing Party
M!X Downtown
8:00pm - 1:00am
1525 L St
Celebrate a successful Midtown Cocktail Week in some of Sacramento's coolest places. Industry veterans and Sacramento's finest will enjoy the roof-top patio at one of the newest spots in town. www.mixdowntown.net

Here's to a fabulous cocktail filled week!
CHEERS!

Younger-Onset Alzheimer's

2009-07-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's disease - that's one out of eight - according to the 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures Report. The report not only reveals the tremendous impact Alzheimer's will have in the near future, it also highlights the current social and economic plight of the estimated 5.3 million Americans now living with this devastating disease, and their families. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in America, surpassing diabetes.

Did you know Alzheimer's disease can strike people who are as young as in their 30s?
It's called younger-onset Alzheimer's. It affects nearly 500,000 Americans! Younger-onset individuals may be employed or have children still living at home.
Issues facing families include ensuring financial security, obtaining benefits and helping children cope with the disease.

Now is the time to help the Alzheimer's Association raise awareness of the terrible threat that Alzheimer's poses to America's future! Please spread the word...

Join my Team, Kelly Heroes today!

Great Night at Raley Field with the Sacramento River Cats!

2009-07-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

Just when things seem blue here in Sacramento, something meaningful and fun comes along to pick us up... Even in the sweltering Sacramento heat, the crowd was jubilant at Raley Field on Saturday night as the Sacramento River Cats came out in pink jerseys for Swing for the Cure, benefiting breast cancer awareness and research.

Sacramento started with a bang early with a run in the first and second innings in rolling to a 5-2 victory in front of River Cat fans at Raley Field.

During the game, the team held a silent auction for the game-worn pink jerseys, which were autographed by the players and given to the highest bidders after the game (proceeds went to Komen for the Cure). When the game was over, out from center field walked our River Cats in their signed pink jerseys to a roaring round of applause. The fireworks started and I sat smiling at how great our city is!

Sacramento Memory Walk October 3rd 2009

2009-07-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Join our Team Today!
Kelly's Heroes

2009-07-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

hpczmi2fye

4th Of July Fun

2009-07-08T18:39:00.001-07:00

Another wonderful stay in Bodega Bay! Rest, Relaxation, Games, Great Food, and yes, WINE!

Sacramento's Annual Wine & Dine Week

2009-07-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

Spotlighting Sacramento’s restaurant scene and regional wine production, the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau and the annual Grape & Gourmet event have partnered with almost 50 local restaurants to create “Wine & Dine Week”, July 4 through July 12.

The event serves as a culinary warm-up to the annual Grape & Gourmet California state wine competition. Grape & Gourmet has previously been held at Cal Expo, will now move downtown to the Sacramento Convention Center.

Not only does Wine & Dine Week feature some of Sacramento’s best restaurants offering Price Fixe menus that include wines paired with each course, Wine & Dine Week also presents an opportunity for locals to enjoy the flavors of the region’s best wines and food.

For more information visit: www.sacramentowineanddine.com

Pops In The Park

2009-06-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

It was a sweltering 102 degrees at McKinley Park for the final Pops in the Park of the season. Finally getting a bit of shade, we were able to settle in for an evening of music by the spectacular Kate Gaffney. We even got a few photo opps with Mayor Kevin Johnson who moved about the park greeting neighbors and friends.

See you next year Pops in the Park!

Picnic in Land Park

2009-06-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

What a fun day! The First Annual Picnic in Land Park was truly a success! Great Family Fun! Great Food! Cool Brew! Hot Weather with a Cool Breeze! Who could ask for more?

We look forward to next years picnic!

For more information on the Land Park Community Association visit: www.landpark.org

With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition

2009-06-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Last night we had the opportunity of attending the Preview Reception of "With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition at the California Museum. Although a very warm evening, it was a very well put together event! As we Sipped champagne in the courtyard below the Constitution Wall we were entertained by The Brassworks Band and at 6:45 Opening remarks and Exhibit Unveiling with First Lady Maria Shriver and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition commemorates the two-hundredth anniversary of the birth of the nation's revered sixteenth president. The exhibit reveals Lincoln the man, whose thoughts, words, and actions were deeply affected by personal experiences and pivotal historic events.

This exhibit is a "Must See" and runs June 24th thru August 22nd.
The California Museum
1020 O Street
Sacramento, Ca. 95814

Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm Sun: 12pm-5pm
916/653-7524
Californiamuseum.org

Mark Your Calendars for this Saturday's Picnic in Land Park!

2009-06-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

Bring your blankets and have fun with the entire family!

LPCA Members and Land Park residents are invites to kick off summer with a family-style BBQ and picnic in William Land Park.

Saturday, June 27th, 2009
11A-3P
William Land Park Golf Course

BBQ & Drinks provided.
Please bring dish to share by Last Name:
A-M: Side Dish
N-Z: Dessert

Apple Pie Contest - Bake & bring your BEST to win fun prizes!
Complementary Golf Clinic
Live Music
Activities for the Kids- Carnival games, Relay Races, Crafts, & Sports Zone!

Free admission for LPCA Members!
$15 to join at the picnic

Brought to you by the Land Park Community Association

For information or to join the LPCA visit: www.landpark.org

Pops in the Park #2 at Glen Hall Park

2009-06-14T17:53:00.001-07:00

It was a beautiful night. Perfect for spending time with friends, sipping wine, and chowing down on great food while music filled the air. Playing in Sacramento's blues scene for ten years, Aaron King and the Imperials entertained Pops in the Park attendees on Saturday night with their "American Music" fusing blues, jazz, funk, contry and rock.

As for the food... we went with the Italian theme this time with a variety of imported cheeses, olives, great salads, an almond torte, and of course Prosecco!

Saturday the 20th it's the George Bruno Big Band at Bertha Henschel Park with KCRA'a Mike Teselle as Emcee.

Saturday the 27th Kate Gaffney performs at McKinley Park with emcee KCRA's Edie Lambert.

A Little About Pops In The Park:
Former Councilmember Josh Pane and a number of community members started the East Sacramento Pops in the Park in 1991, with an afternoon concert. In 1995, Councilmember Steve Cohn transformed Pops in the Park into a series of evening concerts. Cohn also saw an opportunity to raise money for our under-funded neighborhood parks while bringing free, quality entertainment to the community. Sponsorship and advertising dollars, as well as proceeds from the sale of food and beverages at the events, have been used since 1995 to fund the events, enhance our neighborhood parks, bring improvements to the neighborhood and provide youth athletic scholarships.

They encourage carpooling, walking or bicycling to all events. FREE valet bicycle parking is being provided by Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA) for June 13th, 20th, and 27th concerts.

Napa Valley Festival Del Sole

2009-06-09T19:07:00.000-07:00

Renee Fleming . Sarah Chang . Leif Ove Andsnes . Robert Redford . Antonio Pappano . Nina Kotova . Alondra de la Parra . Philharmonic Ochestra of the Americas . Nikolaj Znaider . Conrad Tao and more!

Music . Fine Wine & Cuisine . Art . Spectacular Napa Wineries & Estates

July 17 - 25, 2009
Concerts featuring world renowned stars...
Vintner's Luncheons
Gala Dinners
Special wine tastings, art exhibitions...and more!

Concert tickets & VIP tickets on sale now.

Taylor's Market Cheese Class

2009-05-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

If you like cheese as much as I do, you wont want to miss this!

Taylor's Market Cheese Class - Pairing Beyond the Bounds.
Presented by Taylor's Cheese Monger Felicia Johnson.

The class is located at Taylor's Kitchen, 2924 Freeport Blvd on Tuesday, June 2nd at 6pm and is $40 per person. The class will feature 25 pairings of irresistible combinations.

Taylor's Market also has their Summer Open House on Monday, June 1st, 5pm-8pm. This is always a fun evening not to be missed!

"Taylor's Market is known for the passion and knowledge they bring to the fine food business. Everyone at Taylor's Market has made a commitment to share this passion with their friends, customers, employees and vendors. They are committed to making lasting relationships with these people, all in the enjoyment of fine food."

June 6th. Events, Events, and more Events!

2009-05-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

My calendar is overflowing with activities on Saturday June 6th! How did this day get to be so busy??? Well, you can start with the Raley's Grape Escape located in Cesar Chavez Plaza 4pm-7pm. The Grape Escape hosts 60+ Wineries, 200+ Wines, and 40+ Restaurants. Together with Live Music and Local Art this is sure to be a fabulous event! www.raleysgrapeescape.com

Fairytale Town's 50th Anniversary celebration at where else...Fairytale Town in beautiful Land Park 6p-10p. This event headlines Sacramento's own Jackie Greene with an evening concert. Great Food, Brew, and Wine will also be the stars at this Summer evening celebration. www.fairytaletown.org

And our personal favorite, the 18th Annual Santa Rosa BeerFest benefiting Face to Face, Sonoma County Aids Network. This fun Brewfest is held at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. More than 35 Northern California's microbreweries featuring the best! A matching number of exceptional food purveyors. All beer and food tasting included in ticket price. It's awesome! Santarosabeerfest

As for us, this year we will forgo the above festivities, as we will be attending a beautiful evening wedding at Scribner Bend Vineyard. No Wedding Crashers allowed!

ABC News Atlanta Exposé on HSUS Donations

2009-05-19T09:24:00.001-07:00

Know the 10 Warning Signs: Early Detection Matters

2009-05-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

As part of the Alzheimer's Association new education campaign, Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters, the 10 warning signs was featured on CBS's "The Early Show."

Memory changes that disrupt daily life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What's typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

Challenges in planning or solving problems

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What's typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.

People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What's typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

Confusion with time or place

People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What's typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.
What's typical? Vision changes related to cataracts

New problems with words in speaking or writing

People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
What's typical? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What's typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

Decreased or poor judgment

People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What's typical? Making a bad decision once in a while.

Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
What's typical? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

Changes in mood and personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
What's typical? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

Help us make a difference right here in Sacramento!
Join us at SummerFest Beer, Wine & Art Festival
-benefiting the Alzheimer's Association's Sacramento Memory Walk.

SummerFest
Saturday, August 29th, 2009
Miller Park - Sacramento
Tickets: www.acteva.com/go/summerfest

The Ultimate Fashion & Trunk Show - The Park- May 21st

2009-05-17T14:49:00.000-07:00

This Weekend - Lodi ZinFest

2009-05-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

Five years old and aging like a fine Lodi wine, ZinFest Wine Festival is a great celebration of Lodi wine, food and fun!

Held the third weekend in May, ZinFest is the signature tasting event in Lodi Wine Country. Three distinct events make up this weekend of wine tasting bliss. Friday, May 15 will be the ZinFest Vintner’s Grille - a casual evening of fine wines under the stars at Lodi Lake. Saturday, May 16 will be the main event- ZinFest Wine Festival, and the weekend will wrap up with Winery Open Houses throughout the region on Sunday, May 17.

Saturday, May 16, 2009
12 noon - 6 p.m.
Lodi Lake Park
1101 W. Turner Road
Lodi, CA 95242
Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the gate.

At the Wine Festival, more than 250 wines from 50 Lodi wineries are poured, while guests enjoy music, delicious food and a beautiful day at picturesque Lodi Lake. Whether you are a seasoned expert or an intrigued beginner, winemakers and winery representatives welcome you as they offer useful knowledge and samples of their handcrafted wines.

Guests can sample Lodi's many varietals, enjoy informative wine and cooking seminars, browse artisan craft vendors, and purchase their favorite wines and commemorative merchandise to take home.

Cinco de Mayo at Tres Agaves

2009-05-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

Cinco de Mayo at Tres Agaves, in Roseville, was fun,festive, and brimming with people!

Tres Agaves features regional Mexican cuisine and drink, primarily from the state of Jalisco. They serve wholesome, traditional renditions of Jaliscan and other Central Highland classics. Tres Agaves cooks over mesquite, make newly-pressed corn tortillas throughout the day and use the freshest ingredients, from local farmers when possible.

Tres Agaves' bar program has won many awards and is widely recognized as a leader in the Tequila education and appreciation movement. Featuring fresh, hand-squeezed lime margaritas which don’t skimp on the fine Tequilas! The only other ingredients in their renowned margaritas are fresh lime juice and Agave Nectar. These margaritas are designed to enhance the underlying flavors of fine Tequila rather than overwhelming or masking their wonderful complexities.

"Sacramento Gets Sexy" - Read all about it in San Francisco Magazine

2009-05-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

"Sacramento Gets Sexy" - page 76-77 San Francisco Magazine
Click on San Francisco Magazine

Searching for what's beyond compare in the worlds of cutting edge fashion, exquisite dining, entertainment, travel and more? Let Modern Luxury Media, the award-winning publisher of regional lifestyle magazines, be your ultimate guide.

JulieB.com is a luxury lifestyle online column delivered straight to your in box. Now joining the Modern Luxury brand, Juli B features the latest and greatest fashion, dining, design, travel, and just about anything cool and simple.
Juli B is a free e-mail magazine dishing must read content twice-weekly to the top cities across the country. Delivered to readers who have signed up to receive their choice of 14 editions including Paris, the Hamptons, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Sign up today for this luxury e-zine offering you a glimpse of the good life in the following cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Hawaii, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Napa-Sonoma, New York, Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, & Washington D.C. Every Tuesday and Thursday you'll receive this free and unique email filled with top trends, dining spots, luxe spas and shopportunites of all sorts.

http://media.modernluxury.com/julib/

Land Park Garden Tour & Tea

2009-05-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

It was a chilly,rainy day yesterday, but tucked away in charming Land Park was the Land Park Garden Tour & Tea presented by Holy Spirit Parish School.

What a treat it was to walk in and see so many beautifully decorated tables all set for a warm spot of tea, delectable sweets and wonderful tea sandwiches. Our Table Hostess, Luz Bonetti decorated her table in a fresh lavender theme. It was perfect! From the lavender topiary to the beautiful china, we sat and talked among old friends and new enjoying every last bite and sip of our tea party!

After the Tea, it was off to the Garden Tour. Many of the beautiful gardens were enhanced by local businesses such as The French Hen, Collected Works, and Treasured Tea Time. The Gardens ranged from true entertaining space and outdoor living to hobbyist and artists gardens. Each one with it's own unique touch.

Proceeds from the Garden Tour & Tea benefit school enrichment programs such as The Fine Arts Program and the Academic Decathlon as well as the Mustard Seed School.

We've already started making our plan for next years Land Park Garden Tour & Tea. I highly suggest marking this great event in your calendar!

Peter Franus Wine Dinner

2009-04-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

Last night under the wrought iron trellises on the Piazza of Il Fornaio we enjoyed a wonderful evening of Peter Franus Wines. Hosted by Il Fornaio at 400 Capitol Mall, we were greeted by General Manager Daniel Shea, Wine Director Justin Williams, and Mr. & Mrs. Peter Franus. We were lucky enough to share our table with Deanne & Peter Franus and Trey & Luz Bonetti, where we dinned on traditional Italian Cuisine by Chef Bruno Amato.

Polenta con Gamberoni di Santa Barbara:
Sauteed Santa Barbara prawns served over the best polenta topped with fresh herbs I've ever had! And the olive oil...Oh My, this was the money! Paired with Peter Franus 2007 Sauvignon Blanc. I really enjoyed this wine with hints of ginger,lime,lemongrass,smooth melon, and if you close your eyes…fresh hay. It had a very rich feel, I like that in a nice Sauvignon Blanc.

Pappardelle Al Piccione:
House made spinach pappardelle with roasted squab ragu, pureed asparagus, topped with black truffles. Oh la la! This was wonderful! Paired with Peter Franus 2006 Napa Zinfandel. In this beautiful ruby color Zinfandel, we notice the spice, roasted coffee, and blackberry with a hint of sweetness. Very nice!

Maille al Melograno:
Pork tenderloin on a bed of couscous and caramelized onion served with a cranberry Cabernet reduction. The presentation was beautiful! This dish paired wonderfully with the 2005 Peter Franus Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc is primarily associated with the Loire Valley and Bordeaux France. Lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, this is truly one of Kevin's favorite wines!

Ravioli alla Mela con Cannella:
House made sweet ravioli stuffed with granny smith apples topped with zabaione custard and caramel sauce. This was paired with Peter Franus 2005 Brandlin Zinfandel. The Brandlin terroir of mineral and earth makes this my personal favorite Peter Franus wine! The aroma of blueberry, allspice, and black cherry, with hints of French oak elevates your senses. This is a wine that makes me want to be selfish with the entire bottle!

Now, I am not a dessert type of person, but did enjoy a ravioli or two, while secretly slipping the third on to Trey's plate. As I stated above... I really would have been perfectly happy selfishly indulging in an entire bottle of the Brandlin Zinfandel! Now that's my kind of dessert!

For more information on Peter Franus Wines log on to:
www.peterfranus.com

For information on Il Fornaio Wine Dinners log on to:
http://www.ilfornaio.com/?page=138&restaurant_id=3154

Tonight! April 28th, Peter Franus Wine Dinner

2009-04-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight, An evening of fine wine and authentic Italian cuisine at Il Fornaio. A four course dinner, prepared by Chef Bruno Amato, will be paired with the highly acclaimed Peter Franus wines.

On the Menu:
Polenta con Gamberoni di Santa Barbara ~ Paired with Sauvignon Blanc, Peter Franus, Carneros 2007

Papparadelle al Piccione ~ Paired with Zinfandel, Peter Franus, Napa 2006

Maille al Melograno ~ Paired with Cabernet Franc, Peter Franus, Napa 2005

Ravioli alla Mela con Cannella ~ Paired with Brandlin Zinfandel, Peter Franus, Mount Veeder 2005

We are truly looking forward to this culinary event, and more importantly...Peter Franus Wines!

Details to follow tomorrow...

It's time to MOVE!

2009-04-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

Sign up and walk with us toward a world without Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on people of all ages to take action in the fight.

Challenge yourself to start walking for a cure. This fall, Memory Walk events will be held in more than 600 communities across the country. Together, we can move a nation to end Alzheimer's!

Start your own team
First, select a walk near you and register online. You will have access to your very own Web site that you can use as your fundraising headquarters.

Starting a team is easy. Invite three people, and they'll invite three people - and before you know it, you'll have a team. Recruit family, friends and colleagues to join your team and ask them for donations.

Facts & Stats

This year, more than 220,000 people across the nation will be on the MOVE.
Our destination is a world without Alzheimer's.

Every 70 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Team up with the Alzheimer's Association to help us fight it.

Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S.
We need your help to MOVE our cause forward.

http://www.alz.org/memorywalk/overview.asp

Earth Day In Sacramento

2009-04-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

Green Living

Concerned Citizens Resources – learn what you can do to protect the environment in your home, workplace, and community

More resources to live green:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Recycle your cell phone
Recycle your electronics
Residential Water Conservation Techniques
Green Building
Smart Growth
Green Communities
Energy and Efficiency
Energy Star: Home | Rebates | Store Locator
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Power Profiler
Green Power Locator

Learn the Issues

Water
Air
Climate
Wastes and Pollution
Green Living
Human Health
Ecosystems
EPA's Offices
Learn More Issues

For more information log on to: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/learn.htm

K9K Walk to Cure Canine Cancer

2009-04-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

What a great turnout for the first K9K Walk to Cure Canine Cancer Saturday April 18th! Hosted by the Sacramento Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign Volunteers, this event will continue to grow in strength and numbers.

The Sacramento Valley Boxer Club was there helping to make a difference.
It was a Beautiful Day at Elk Grove Regional Park!

Cancer is the number one cause of death in dogs. According to the National Cancer Institute more than six million dogs will be diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S. 45% of dogs 10 years old or older die of cancer. Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs. It occurs most commonly between 5 and 12 years of age. Boxers, Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, Fox Terriers, German Shepherds, Scottish Terriers, Rottweilers and Golden Retrievers are at an increased risk when compared with other breeds.

Reasons for Hope

Early detection of canine cancer is critical. There is an early detection blood test now available for lymphoma. For more information visit Pet Screen's website. Canine cancer researchers are working hard to develop more early detection blood tests for common cancers that can be added to your dog's annual health exam.

Saturday, April 18th - K9K Walk To Cure Canine Cancer

2009-04-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

Join the Sacramento Valley Boxer Club and many other K9 Walk Teams this Saturday, April 18th, 2009 for the K9K Walk To Cure Canine Cancer in Elk Grove Regional Park in Elk Grove, California.

100% of walk registrations and donations go to benefit Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign to fund canine cancer research.

8:00 AM - Registration & Check-In
9:00 AM - 3k Lake Walk
9:30 AM - 6k Park Walk
10:30 AM - Speakers
A panel of experts will discuss cancer prevention, wellness, cancer research, treatment and how to be an advocate for your dog's health, featuring:
Dr. Steven Crow, Oncologist and Director of VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center
Dr. Michael Kent, Associate Professor, UC Davis Veterinary School of Medicine
Dr. Nancy Kay, Staff Internist VCA Animal Care Center of Sonoma County and Author of "Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life."
12:30 PM - Drawings & Awards

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day! The Walk Area contains a shaded picnic area that seats 500.

Can't attend the walk but want to be a part of the cure? Register as a virtual walker on the K9K website and receive a bandanna, awareness band and the satisfaction of being part of the cure!

The register to walk or to be a virtual walker log on to: www.caninek.org
Sponsored by -

HBO Alzheimer’s Project

2009-04-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

Watch “The Alzheimer’s Project” to take a look at the faces behind the disease – and the forces leading us toward a cure.

This May, tune into “The Alzheimer’s Project,” HBO's four-part documentary series that examines groundbreaking Alzheimer discoveries made by the country’s leading scientists and the effects this debilitating and fatal disease has on those with Alzheimer’s and their families.

Air dates and times
Sunday, May 10 at 9 p.m. EST – “The Memory Loss Tapes”

“The Memory Loss Tapes” takes an up-close and personal look at seven individuals living with Alzheimer’s, each in an advancing state of dementia across the full spectrum of the progression of the disease.

Monday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. EST – “Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? With Maria Shriver” and “Momentum in Science, Part 1”

“Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? With Maria Shriver” is a children’s film that captures what it means to be a child or grandchild of a person who is living with Alzheimer’s.

“Momentum in Science” is a state-of-the-science report that takes viewers inside the laboratories and clinics of 24 leading scientists and physicians, revealing some of the most cutting-edge Alzheimer research advances happening today.

Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. EST – “Caregivers” and “Momentum in Science, Part 2”

“Caregivers” highlights the sacrifices and successes of people who experience their loved ones’ gradual descent into dementia. The evening concludes with “Momentum in Science, Part 2.”

‘The Alzheimer’s Project” is a presentation of HBO Documentary Films and the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health in association with the Alzheimer’s Association, The Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund and Geoffrey Beene Gives Back® Alzheimer’s Initiative.

There is a special Sacramento Area Screening on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 at the Varsity Theater - Davis, Ca.

Earth Hour 2009...A View Of The World

2009-03-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

ON BEHALF OF THE PLANET, THANK YOU!
It looks like Earth Hour 2009 was an amazing success!
Lights went out in 4,085 cities in 88 countries in what is being described as the largest demonstration of public concern about climate change in history.

Check out this amazing view of the world going dark at:www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/earth_hour_2009.html

Next year I'd like to see Sacramento on the map!

EARTH HOUR CELEBRATED IN SACRAMENTO

2009-03-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of millions of people around the world paused Saturday night for one hour, Earth Hour, and with their light switch as their ballot, cast their vote for action in the first global election on climate change.

Earth Hour was marked on all seven continents, and in more than 3,900 cities in 88 countries, according to World Wildlife Fund, the world’s largest multinational conservation organization, and global organizer of Earth Hour.

As Earth Hour was celebrated as it cascaded through the world’s time zones, individuals, villages, towns, major cities, organizations and corporations, and the world’s most recognizable landmarks, all united in a truly global effort.

From our candlelit dinner at home to the darkening of the world famous Las Vegas Strip, Americans from coast to coast participated in Earth Hour by turning off lights wherever they were, sending a clear message they care about the future of the planet, and stand with the rest of the world in seeking to find solutions to the escalating climate crisis.

Some of the nation’s most famous skylines darkened on Saturday night, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Tucson and Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania, California, Arkansas, New Mexico and Michigan are participating officially, statewide.

Earth Hour activities involved many of America’s most iconic landmarks and attractions, including a broad array of people, places and things, including:

- Golden Gate Bridge
- St. Louis Gateway Arch
- Church of Latter-Day Saints Temple in Salt Lake City
- Empire State Building
- Chrysler Building
- Broadway Theater Marquees
- U.N. Headquarters
- Las Vegas Strip
- National Cathedral in D.C.
- Space Needle in Seattle
- Santa Monica Pier & Ferris Wheel
- Thomas Edison’s Laboratory in West Orange, NJ
- Hundreds of buildings and landmarks across the country

The event on March 28th was just one step in an ongoing effort to fight climate change. After Earth Hour, WWF hopes that conversations will continue on climate change and that people will take initiatives to make small changes in their lives to be more carbon efficient.

With a Flick of a Switch, Hundreds of Millions in the U.S. and
Around World Cast Vote in Support of Action on Climate Change. Here we are in Sacramento...Candlelit dinner, Champagne, Charades, and the "Question of the Night"..."What will you do to help with Climate Change?"

We Support World WildLife Fund's Earth Hour 2009 in Sacramento!

2009-03-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

WE SUPPORT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND’S EARTH HOUR 2009!

Join Tens of Millions in Turning Off Lights for Largest Climate Event in History on Saturday March 28, 2009.

More than 240 cities around the world have already committed to go dark for one hour on March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., as tens of millions of people from all corners of the world unite in a call for global action on climate change.

From Amman to Warsaw, city skylines will go dark for one hour as individuals, businesses, government buildings, schools and major landmarks turn off non-essential lighting in what will be the largest climate event in history. The list of participating cities in the US includes Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Santa Rosa, Miami and Nashville with more signing up every day.

As lights go out in cities around the U.S. and the world on March 28th, Earth Hour will provide world leaders with an unmistakable mandate to take action,” said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts. “The climate crisis threatens the ability of our planet to support its inhabitants. We want the world to know that Americans care about saving the planet and stand united in seeking to find solutions to climate change.”

During Earth Hour 2008, more than 50 million people in 400 cities on all seven continents turned off their lights as major icons also went dark, including the Sydney Opera House, the Coliseum in Rome, Stockholm’s Royal Castle, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Google turned its homepage black for an entire day in tribute.

Join us by turning off your lights this Saturday in Sacramento 8:30pm - 9:30pm.

Our "Get Over It!" Weekend in Bodega Bay

2009-03-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, finally a relaxing weekend in Bodega Bay. We coined it our "Get Over It" Weekend. Each of us arrived with a heavy heart, weight on our shoulders, excessive tension, or a clouded mind. It was time to "Get Over It!" So, on went the Eagle's compilation, "pop" went the champagne, the rum was poured, and the five of us stood on the deck at sunset in Bodega Bay and vowed to "Get Over It!". And we did!

It was a Great weekend of Sea Air, Great Food, Great Wine, Champagne, Cocktails, Games, and of course, Great Company! For this I am Greatful!

I AM GREATFUL! - Our 1st New Experience on Our "Get Over It" Weekend

2009-03-24T13:37:00.000-07:00

Are you Grateful? Are you Abundant? Are you at Peace? Prepare to be all and more at Cafe Gratitude in Healdsburg. We stumbled upon Café Gratitude while looking for something fresh, healthy, and tasty for lunch.

Café Gratitude’s food and people are a celebration of aliveness. They select the finest organic ingredients to honor the earth and the people on it. Café Gratitude supports local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products - something Kevin and I feel strongly about. Their food is prepared with love, care, and kindness.

Love your life, Adore Yourself, Accept the World, Be Generous and Grateful Every Day. Welcome to Café Gratitude!

This was the perfect end to our "Get Over It" Weekend!

FIND OF THE DAY - MA (I) SONRY NAPA VALLEY - Our 2nd New Experience on Our "Get Over It" Weekend

2009-03-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley offers a unique lifestyle experience in wine country. The setting is that of a home or a private club, with a collection of furnishings and artwork. The furnishings, ranging from 16th century to mid-twentieth century, are paired with contemporary works crafted by today's top designers.

This "living gallery" atmosphere serves as a stylized backdrop for the appreciation of limited production boutique wines - including Blackbird Vineyards' portfolio . When visiting you will have a variety of choices for your wine tasting setting. Enjoy the intimacy of one of the three private tasting rooms, lounge in either of the great rooms, or gather outdoors at individual and communal tables, around the fire pit, or while stretched out on a blanket on the lawn. The outdoor gardens are beautifully landscaped around architectural remnants and contemporary sculpture and are available for visitors to relax and enjoy a bite or a bottle of wine on their own before or after their tasting.

Ma(i)sonry is also an ideal partner and intimate backdrop for private events.

Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley showcases a rotating collection of wines from founding collective partners including: Blackbird Vineyards, Brown Estate, Joel Gott Wines, Lail Vineyards, Pedras Wine Company, Renteria Wines and Tor Kenward Family Wines. Please check back frequently for updates on tasting flight offerings

Principal architect, Douglas Thornley, surveyed the site of the former Burgundy House Inn and adapted his design around owner, avid collector, and wine aficionado Michael Polenske's living gallery context. With the goal of retaining many of the structure's original materials, the primary strategy was to highlight the classic stone features of the building by opening up the space, allowing for the natural flow of light in the former inn. Also stressed was the elimination of all non-historic elements to restore the building to its original state and character.

Originally built for Charles Rovegno in 1904 as his private residence, the building is one of only a few listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Napa County Historic Resources Inventory. The building was designed and built by an Italian mason using stone quarried from the eastern hills of Napa Valley, representing a noteworthy period of design from 1874 to 1912. Almost 20 years after Rovegno passed away in 1954, the property was converted to a boutique, seven-room inn known as Burgundy House Inn, which remained in operation until 2007.

Ma(i)sonry welcomes guests daily and is open Sunday-Wednesday from 9am-6pm, and Thursday-Saturday from 9am-10pm, with plans to extend their hours for the summer. Wine tastings are available without an appointment, but reservations are recommended. Call (707) 944-0889 for more information.

You may read more about Ma(i)sonry in the following periodicals:

April, 2009
Food & Wine
"Get Some California Wine Style"

March/April, 2009
Departures
"Home Sweet Maison; Elements of Style"

ECO LUXE IN YOUNTVILLE - Our 3rd New Experience On Our "Get Over it" Weekend.

2009-03-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

In the heart of a town of culinary genius and a wine lovers paradise lies The 62-unit boutique getaway Bardessono. The property includes a spa with four treatment rooms, rooftop infinity pool, fine dining restaurant, and meeting spaces. Designed by WATG, the inn also features unique indoor/outdoor features such as private courtyards for guests and private outdoor showers.

Bardessono Inn and Spa is pursuing LEED Platinum certification and incorporated on-site solar and geothermal energy, an energy management system, sustainable building materials, and organic landscape management practices. Crafted almost solely from reclaimed and “upcycled” materials, most of which were sourced within 100- miles of Yountville, heated and cooled by 82 geothermal wells and powered by more than 900 photovoltaic solar panels. The property blends itself into the surrounding community through a series of extended community walking paths.

A touch of glamour awash in green; a return to old-fashioned, highly personalized hospitality; and an experiential hotel where quality and environmental ethics always trump the latest fads.

Get Your Green On!

2009-03-10T16:39:00.000-07:00

Get your green on! Tuesday, March 17, 2009 marks the 13th Annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Historic Old Sacramento.

The free parade is only part of the Sacramento St Patrick's Day Celebration… You can enjoy traditional Irish food, live music and fun throughout Downtown & Midtown before and after the 6:00 pm parade.

Here's just a few top spots for St. Patrick's Day Fun:

de Vere's Irish Pub
1521 L St., Sacramento
(916) 231-9947

O'Mally's Irish Pub
1109 2nd St, Sacramento
(916) 492-1230

Gallagher's Irish Pub
1201 K St # 100, Sacramento
(916) 444-3444

Brew It Up!
Sacramento’s Best Green Beer from the special Brew It Up! Recipe ~ $4.50/pint
801 14th street
441-3000

Fox & Goose Public House
1001 R Street
443-8825
A Sacramento tradition: St. Patrick's Day at the Goose.
Corned beef, cabbage and Irish music from Griffin.

Jamie’s Bar & Grill
Always a Packed House!
427 Broadway
442-4044

Streets of London
1804 J Street

Dog Lovers Day!

2009-03-08T17:09:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day for a match! Saturday we spent part of our day in Dixon at the Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association AKC-Sanctioned 2009 B–MATCH & OBEDIENCE WORKSHOP

Stella and I took the ring in the morning for some Obedience training an enjoyed every minute! Our Obedience Judge Bonnie Heitz was very helpful in technique and rules. Our "Sits & Downs" workshop Judge Tanya McDonald had great advice that we will certainly use to move forward. We are looking forward to the next Match! When we were done with Obedience we went to the Confirmation side to see our Boxer Friends win ribbons in their classes and Junior Handling.

We finished our day with a toast to our beautiful Boxers with a nice French Wine that the West's brought to share.

Thank you to Match Chair Jim Medearis and Match Secretary Cheryl Grubaugh for a great day!

All Profits were donated to Canine–Related Charities

Smiling Faces on a Bitter Sweet Day

2009-03-02T15:08:00.000-08:00

"Our Favorite Loretto Girls Ready For Friday Nights Dance"

As of Friday, February 27th, 2009 Loretto High School in Sacramento will close at the end of the school year, despite a last-ditch effort to increase funding and save the school.

The Institute of The Blessed Virgin Mary will close the all-girls school in June, forcing students to find another school and laying off most of the 57-employee staff. Officials have reached out to other Catholic schools in hopes of accommodating as many students as possible.

We wish all the girls and their families all the best in their decisions for the next year!

Second Saturday at Revolution Wines

2009-03-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

Visit Revolution Wines on Second Saturday, March 14th, 2009
You'll enjoy hearty Chicken Dumpling Soup, Revolution Wines & Acoustic Jazz, Gypsy Swing, & Jazz Standards by Gypsy Standard Time
$5.00 / Free for Wine Club Members

Second Saturday
March 14th, 2009
6:30PM

Sonoma International Film Festival

2009-02-20T13:29:00.000-08:00

Looking for a good reason to head to the Sonoma Wine Country? Well, here's an idea...
Every spring the Sonoma International Film Festival draws more than 17,000 visitors to the historic Sonoma Plaza for an extended weekend of laid-back film, food, wine, art and music. Not only can you view the fantastic independent movies and panel discussions, this year Bruce Willis will accept a Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday, April 4th. And if that isn't enough to get you excited, all Festival Passes are on sale at 20% off the regular price from now until February 28th.

For more information click here: Sonoma International Film Festival

2009-02-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

Cancer is the number one cause of death in dogs. According to the National Cancer Institute more than six million dogs will be diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S. 45% of dogs 10 years old or older die of cancer. Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs. It occurs most commonly between 5 and 12 years of age. Boxers, Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, Fox Terriers, German Shepherds, Scottish Terriers, Rottweilers and Golden Retrievers are at an increased risk when compared with other breeds.

Reasons for Hope
Early detection of canine cancer is critical. There is an early detection blood test now available for lymphoma. For more information visit Pets Screen's website. Canine cancer researchers are working hard to develop more early detection blood tests for common cancers that can be added

Now you can enjoy a fun day while being part of the cure! Join fellow dog lovers on April 18th at 8 am at beautiful Elk Grove Regional Park in Elk Grove, 11 miles South of Sacramento and walk for a cure. 100% of all walk registration fees, vendor fees and donations go directly to support Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign to fund research for canine cancer, early detection methods, effective treatments and ultimately a cure!

Walk registration and check in begins at 8 am. There are two walks, a short 3 K Lake walk and a 6 K park perimeter trail walk, do one or both. After the walks, speakers will discuss canine cancer, prevention, wellness and other topics. There will be a survivor celebration for canine and human cancer survivors. Visit the vendor booths and exhibits. The drawings and awards will be held after the walk.

Early Registration Fee: $25 Adults; Walk day registration: $30, $10 Child (10 years or older) Registration Form

All walkers will receive a Canine Cancer Campaign bandana for their dog, a canine cancer awareness bracelet and tickets for the prize drawings. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the shaded 500 person picnic area.

Planning to walk with your club or group of friends? Start a team and they will create a team webpage with special team registration and donation forms. For more info: http://www.caninek.org/Teams.html.

Can't attend the walk but want to help? Register for a "Virtual Walk"! You can support a great cause and receive a Canine Cancer Campaign bandana for your dog and a canine cancer awareness bracelet in the mail. Join the growing list of nationwide virtual teams by signing up at: http://www.caninek.org/VirtualTeams.html

Please help with this very worthy cause by sharing this blog with dog loving friends, family and coworkers.

The K9K is hosted by the Sacramento Canine Cancer Campaign Volunteers. For more information visit: http://www.caninek.org/ email:info@caninek.org or contact Sandy Vilahu at 916-471-9307

Stay tuned...more information on the K9K, our Boxer walk team, and more...

The Next Best Thing...

2009-02-12T15:57:00.000-08:00

I confess, I am a mascara junkie and an electronic gadget junkie!

I am currently trying to make up my mind on a cell phone upgrade. While researching cell phones I found a few cool applications I thought would add nicely to my "must have everything" application craze. Nirvino, Pocket Cocktails, and 101 cookbooks.
Food & Drinks! What could be better!

Nirvino is the easiest way to find great beer, wine, and cocktails on the Internet!

Review and map out your favorite drinks. Find the best drinks and happy hour specials in your area. See what and where your friends are drinking. Get all of the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision with just one click. If the Nirvino Rating says a drink is great, look no further!

You can access Nirvino from your iPhone, Treo, Blackberry,cellphone. They've got over 100,000 food pairing recommendations for all types of cuisine. Search for a perfect drink to go with your favorite dish! Do you love drinks with 'hints of rosemary' or 'bright green apple'? You can find them at Nirvino. They've got hundreds of thousands of flavor profile recommendations for every aroma.

Nirvino, available free for all Web-enabled mobile devices, has been described as "Yelp meets Wine Spectator." In addition to compiling professional reviews, the service also lists amateur ratings, decoding wine assessments into evaluations everyone can understand. Last summer, the service added beer and cocktails, relying on location-aware technology to help users find the highest-rated bars nearby.

As Conde Nast Portfolio put it... it's "A Concierge in the Palm of Your Hand"!

I think I've made up my mind on my new phone device upgrade...as for the mascara, right now I love Diorshow Iconic Mascara in Noir...but I'm always looking for the next best thing!

Sacramento Area Free Museum Day

2009-02-06T08:35:00.000-08:00

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Take advantage of "Free Museum Day" in Sacramento. I love the California Museum and encourage everyone to visit!

February 7, 2009
10:00am—5:00pm
The California Museum and other Sacramento Museums will be hosting the eleventh annual free Museum Day for local families on Saturday, February 7th. The California Museum will continue its role as the shuttle hub for the various routes to other museums throughout the area, and will provide abundant free parking space.
As families are looking for cost-effective forms of entertainment this winter, the Sacramento Area Museums are expecting the biggest turnout in years.

What: Sacramento Museum Day at The California Museum

Hands on activities for kids, including our State Symbol Stamping Station and Origami Station.

The new and expanded 2008 California Hall of Fame exhibit featuring artifacts and memorabilia for Dorothea Lange, Linus Pauling, Alice Waters, Quincy Jones and many more.

Tour the replica barracks in the exhibit Uprooted! and hear volunteers tell their family stories of internment.

Last admission is at 4:00 p.m.

Parking is FREE! - State garage located on 10th Street between P and O Streets!

Looking for a Super Bowl Party?

2009-01-26T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well look no further! Head to MIX Downtown for Tailgate Bites & Cool Brew.

Go Arizona!

La Clarine Farm

2009-01-24T15:34:00.000-08:00

We had the opportunity of trying La Clarine Farm's cheeses and meeting the cheesemaker Caroline Hoel at one of my favorite places to shop - Taylor's Market on Freeport Blvd. We immediately though of my Cousin's wife Manu who upon moving here from Chamonix found it hard to find cheeses she loved. We know Manu would love this cheese, and hopefully we can all visit the farm one day with their girls.

At La Clarine Farm, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at 2600 Feet, they raise dairy goats, winegrapes, chickens and bees. La Clarine Farm produces outstanding raw milk cheeses and natural wines, both with the stamp of their beautiful local terroir. They also make wonderful goat milk soaps using natural aromas and colorants.

La Clarine Farm's farming goes beyond "organic" - They utilize the rhythms,energies and seasonal changes of Nature to their advantage to offer you unique farmstead products with real flavor and character.

Their farming philosophy is: Do more by doing less.

La Clarine Farm cheeses are available at the following retailers:
Cowgirl Creamery Stores, San Francisco, Point Reyes, CA & Washington, D.C.
Andrae's Bakery + Cheese, Amador City, CA.
Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Sacramento, CA.
Nugget Market (El Dorado Hills, CA)
Taylors Market, Sacramento, CA.
Allez!, El Dorado, CA.
Dedrick's Cheese, Placerville, CA

You can also find their cheeses at the following dining establishments:

AD HOC Yountville, CA;
TASTE RESTAURANT Plymouth, CA;
RUBICON San Francisco. CA;
VILLAGE PUB San Francisco, CA;
CHEESE STORE OF SILVERLAKE Los Angeles, CA;
AUNTIE EM'S KITCHEN Los Angeles, CA;
STEVE'S CHEESE Portland, Oregon;
PALACE HOTEL San Francisco, CA;
CYRUS RESTAURANT Healsburg, CA;
FOREIGN CINEMA San Francisco, CA;
OJAI VALLEY INN & SPA Ojai, CA;
CARNEROS INN Napa Valley, CA;
WILSHIRE RESTAURANT Santa Monica;
BISTRO C.V. Los Angeles, CA;
PARK RESTAURANT Los Angeles, CA;
AHWAHNEE HOTEL Yosemite, CA

The American Flag

2009-01-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

On such a Wonderful, Historical Day I am saddened by many around me. Some have said that "I don't fly my flag because it a Republican thing to do". WOW, is all I can say! I am a Republican, I am proud of my Country, I love that I live in the United States of America, and I am so excited about this day and the Inauguration of President Obama!

My flag is flying with pride. Pride of who we are, of what we can become, and that we have the power to vote for change. I am copy and pasting "The Meaning of the American Flag" for you Democrats that feel the flag represents George Bush and the Republican Party. Your negativity, and finger pointing goes against everything President Obama campaigned for. If your going to talk the talk, you'd better walk the walk!

The Meaning of the American Flag: A Spiritual History

Shrouded in both history and to some degree in the mystery of its creation, the story of the American flag has been recounted many times by historians and yet its symbolism is only partly understood. Originally the symbol and banner of the thirteen colonies, its form and colors were chosen not on the basis of rational thought, but on the basis of intuition infused by spiritual truth and guidance which led to a correlation between the flag that America came to call her own, and the intentionality of the realms of Spirit whose guiding light was ever watchful over the destiny of this nation.
At the time of her birth, America's flag was simple, with bands of red and white color and a circle of stars against a background of blue. Yet, in this simplicity lay a depth of meaning, for this composition of elements was not accidental, but held together by an overarching sense of meaning and purpose in concert with the higher realms of light.
The red of the stripes was not only emblematic of the blood that was shed in the war that led to the establishment of an independent republic. It also signified the passage into the embodied state of the higher principles of light. Red is the color of the life-blood that runs through humanity and through all warm-blooded creatures, and it was, is, and always shall be America's destiny to be a funnel or vehicle for bringing light and energy from the higher realms to the earth for the purpose of benefiting the realms of life amidst the physical. In this sense, America functions as the heart of the planetary body, and her purpose serves the purposes of all.
In relation to the white stripes that accompany the red, just as the red signifies the life of the earth, the white signifies the higher realms of light joining and intermingling with the life of the earth, a constant companion to the spiritual evolution of mankind and of all beings.
The stars on the blue background are a composite image that has gone through many changes as the Republic of the United States of America has grown from thirteen colonies to a much vaster size. Indeed, the blue background, today, is almost filled with the stars representing the fifty states of America, and it is possible that more shall be added at some point in the future when those territories seeking statehood shall also come under the umbrella of the vast entity that shall be the new Republic of America.
The number of stars in the original pattern were shaped in the form of a hexagon, with invisible lines of light joining the thirteen stars. These lines crisscrossed from one star to another. Though they could not be seen outwardly, they represented the developing national identity that was being given energy and light by the forces that supported the birth of a nation and the principles upon which she stood. These lines of light remain today in the upper left-hand corner of the flag between each of the fifty stars and every other, although in some instances the threads of connection have become weakened, indicating that the coherence and integrity of the nation as a unity has also become weakened. The patterning of light related to the stars reflects the condition of things on a spiritual level as well as on a physical. At this time in her history, America is in need of a kind of joining on the level of the heart and mind that will eradicate the divisions that are presently undermining her national integrity.
Finally, the blue background against which the stars are placed is a symbol of the eternal being of God, the Creator of all, and represents the Infinite, out of which both America's identity and the earth itself has been constructed. The eternal and the infinite is interwoven into America's outer life as it is interwoven into her spiritual life, and despite the fact that there have been significant departures from the fulfillment of her true destiny since her founding, and clear departures from the moral vision that is also part of her foundation, the blue that represents America's relationship to God remains as the assurance that this connection will never change, no matter what ideology becomes popular. It is why "In God We Trust" is written on the dollar bill, and why in so many other instances, the connection with the eternal has been enunciated as part of America's most sacred documents.
The flag of America is a symbol of her spiritual heart, just as America herself is meant to be the heart of a greater whole. Let us seek to reinstate the integrity of identity of one people within one nation, whose soul is the soul of all and whose purpose is the purpose of all – a nation whose spiritual name is 'Love'.

Personality Quiz Going Green - What Is Your Green Personality Quiz - thedailygreen.com

2009-01-15T09:08:00.001-08:00

Personality Quiz Going Green - What Is Your Green Personality Quiz - thedailygreen.com

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DINE DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT WEEK

2009-01-09T17:33:00.000-08:00

The Firehouse is participating in Dine Downtown Restaurant Week. Executive Chef Deneb Williams and Pastry Chef Kimberly Savage have prepared a special three-course dinner menu priced at $30* per person.

Reservations are recommended and Valet parking is available.
For reservations call(916) 442-4772 or visit their website: www.firehouseoldsac.com.

*Price includes all three courses. Beverages and tax and gratuity are not included and not valid with any other offer.

Wine Spectator’s “Best Award of Excellence” for seven consecutive years
America’s Top Restaurants 2009 / Zagat “Best Service,” “Best Wine List” and “Best Special Occasion Dining”/ Best of Sacramento 2008The Firehouse Restaurant

The Firehouse Restaurant
1112 Second Street, Old Sacramento
916/442-4772
January 10th - 16th, 2009

Dine Downtown Restaurant Week is January 10th - 16th, 2009.
Log on to www.midtowngrid.com for a full list of participating restaurants.