Gift Ideas

Read the Elk Grove Citizen's Wish Book (Dec. 1 paper) with gift ideas from airplane flying lessons to fishing trips. Our Gift Guide, with gift ideas under $50, comes out on Dec. 8. Be sure to pick-up a copy!

Santa PAWS is Coming to Town!

Get a jump on the holidays when Santa comes to visit the
Sacramento SPCA on Saturday, Nov. 6 and Sunday, Nov. 7 from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Don’t miss an opportunity to have your holiday photos taken with your two and four-legged family members and Santa himself. Photo packages start at $25.

The Santa Paws event will also include a holiday adoptathon with half-off adoption
specials, as well as festive treats, kids’ crafts and activities and a holiday boutique.

All Santa Paws events will take place at the Sacramento SPCA, 6201 Florin-Perkins
Road.

For additional information, please call (916) 504-2802 or visit www.sspca.org.

Breast Cancer Still Kills Too Many

There are many startling statistics about breast cancer, but it only takes one heartbreaking story to really drive the point home. The disease is the second most common type of cancer death for women. And although more women are surviving the disease compared to 10 years ago, it still destroys too many lives.
Florence Williams, or Flo, as she was also called, died early in the morning on Sept. 29 of breast cancer.
I was honored to attend Florence’s wedding in March of this year.
It was a beautiful ceremony held in a ballroom at a hotel in Elk Grove. She married Michael Davis, whom she met while living in the Bay Area. He knew she had Stage IV breast cancer, but wanted to commit his life to her and her children.
When I spoke with Flo’s daughter, Iesha, on Friday, Sept. 24, she told me that her mother was not coherent and didn’t have much longer to live.
“Her main thing now is ‘don’t give up’” Iesha said on Friday.
But unfortunately Flo’s strength didn’t beat the cancer.
Nearly 40,000 women will die of breast cancer in the United States in 2010.
I know there are many survivors around the world, in the nation and in Elk Grove too. There are also those who are going through treatment. We see them at the grocery store, at work functions and at the gym. Some wear bandanas on their heads because of the chemotherapy. Many are tired, emotionally overwhelmed, but still have to work and stay strong for their families and for their own emotion well-being.
When I spoke with Elk Grove resident and Executive Director of the Elk Grove and Stockton eWomenNetwork chapters Karen Penfold at the Relay for Life in May, which benefits the American Cancer Society, she told me the gamut of emotions someone faces when they are diagnosed with breast cancer can only be comprehended by another survivor.
Penfold conquered her cancer, as well as Half Dome, late this summer.
Breast cancer never scared her, she said to my amazement.
“It’s a really difficult thing to go through, obviously,” she said. “It can be scary, but I personally was never terrified.”
She placed her faith in Christ and trusted Him, she said.
Karen’s friend Shannon Crawford organized the Half Dome hike for 25 women, including Karen, to celebrate her recovery from breast cancer.
Karen had made the trek in the past, but “this time it had so much more meaning to it,” she said.
Anna Starr, owner of The Yarn Shoppe in Elk Grove, also beat breast cancer.
Starr said she would like to see more studies done on healthy eating in relation to breast cancer diagnosis and survival.
Her grandmother, who is almost 100 years old, grows her own produce. Starr said she thinks that helps keep her spry and appearing half her age.
Despite all the support breast cancer sufferers receive from their families and communities, there are some organizations that aim to make a profit from donations.
In recent years the number of retailers selling pink products in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has skyrocketed. From gym bags to kitchen gadgets to shoes- October is the month to buy pink.
Yet not all products are labeled with the exact amount that will go towards fighting breast cancer.
The Breast Cancer Action group, a nonprofit based out of San Francisco, encourages consumer education when it comes to purchasing products with the pink ribbon with their Think Before You Pink campaign.
The nonprofit has already reprimanded a yogurt company for offering a measly donation for saved yogurt lids, and also encouraged the company to discontinue the use of rBGH (bovine growth hormone), which has been linked to breast cancer.
Karen said as a breast cancer survivor she is weary of the “epidemic” of products labeled with pink ribbons.
“As a breast cancer survivor, I personally start to feel like the pink ribbon is sometimes being used in a selfish way for companies to make a profit,” she said.
The campaign does bring awareness, she added, but it shouldn’t be misused for “marketing opportunities that don’t necessarily benefit breasts cancer survivors and patients.”

During treatment and recovery, it’s essential to listen to your own needs.
One of the most vital steps to recovery is being kind to yourself, said Karen and Penfold.
Below is a list of recovery tips and suggestions from Anna Starr and Karen Penfold.


Recovery Ideas from Karen:
Stay as active as you can through the process
Accept support and help from others
Be very, very kind to yourself- get extra sleep, get massages, get emotional and spiritual counseling
Have a new or celebratory goal
Make it a priority to have a healthy and positive lifestyle
Take time for self reflection, prayer, spending time with people that bring you joy
Become involved in a support group

Recovery Ideas from Anna:
Knitting
Making sure that you do something special for yourself once a week is really important- pedicure or a massage or a facial.
Allow yourself some time for healing
Journal- Anna was skeptical a first, but said she found healing it in.
Laugh. “You get one deck of cards and that’s it,” she said. “It’s just not worth spending time pouting or fretting or regretting. You have to laugh and enjoy every moment.”

The Buzz Around Bees

This week I met with three local beekeepers in Elk Grove for an upcoming features story.
First I met with Kathy and Vern Waldorf. Kathy began beekeeping two years ago as a hobby, then Vern joined in. The first bees they had died due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD. CCD is a major concern among beekeepers because it can wipe out entire colonies, and no one is certain what is causing it. (You'll read more about this in my article, which will come out in the next couple of weeks.)
The next day I met with Richard Henry Martin and Mill Sutter. The two friends teamed-up to manage 27 hives on two properties. Mill found friends who allowed them to keep bees on their property. Gardeners often like having bees nearby to pollinate their plants. This makes their gardens grow better. The Waldorfs said since they started beekeeping, their cherry tree has been more fruitful. Sutter and Martin said they’ve noticed a strawberry patch near their bees has had increased in production.
Beekeepers are a passionate group- and knowledgeable too!
Here are some facts I've picked up this week: without bees 2/3 of the fruits and vegetables available in grocery stores wouldn't exist. Bees die once they sting. Bees keep the temperature in their hives from the lower to mid 90 degrees Fahrenheit- even in the winter.
Martin and Sutter reminded me that the hobby of beekeeping hasn't changed since its discovery thousands of years ago. In fact, they said, honey was found in King Tutankhamun's tomb (honey also never spoils).
I was warned I might get stung, but I'm not allergic to bees so I wasn't too worried. So far I'm sting free!
I had to resist the urge to swat at the bees (which can cause them to sting). Running from the bees can also cause them to attack. But I never felt worried.
Fortunately, Sutter had a beekeepers netted hat for me to wear so the bees wouldn’t sting my face (ouch). And next week, when we visit Elk Grove beekeeper Brian, who operates the blog www.beesarelife.com ,he will have bee suits and hats for the photographer and I to wear.
Bees are so important to agriculture, it's amazing!

The Premiere of RENT in Sacramento

After seeing the Pulitzer Prize winning musical RENT on Broadway, I was doubtful any other show would compare. But the Sacramento show at the 24th Street Theatre easily nabs second place in my mind.
This was the Sacramento county premiere of RENT, presented by Runaway Stage productions.
This was one of the best plays I’ve ever seen in Sacramento! Yes, the New York show was better, but not by a lot. The show runs through Sept. 26, so you can still get tickets.
The musical is loosely based on Puccini’s La Boheme. RENT tells the story of a group of friends struggling with love, drugs and AIDS.
The iconic songs and dance numbers were executed perfectly.
The stage props were right-on! The actors, the costumers and their singing voices were fantastic.
The Sacramento production was produced and directed by multiple Elly Award winner Bob Baxter, who teamed up again with Elly Award winning Choreographer Darryl Strohl and Musical Director Christopher Cook.
All the vocal talent in one play is a reason to go see this show!
The actor who played Joann had an amazing alto voice that made my mouth practically drop open when she opened hers.
The song, “Tango: Maureen” was where she really shined!
The actor who played Maureen did a hilarious rendition of "Over the Moon.”
I also loved, loved, loved “Today 4 U.” The actor who played Angel was just as good as the Broadway version, and his dance moves were even better.
Too bad this fabulous show can’t take place at a larger, newer theater that could garner the attention this show deserves.
For information about tickets and show times visit contact the box office at (916) 207-1226.

Elk Grove Citizen's Version of Antique's Roadshow

When I scheduled an interview with local antiques appraiser Gary Cox for the article that ran in the Elk Grove Citizen, I asked him if he could do appraisals for the Citizen staff so I could post them on my blog.
On Sept. 3 we were already getting excited talking about the antiques and collectable items we could bring in and have appraised on his Sept. 7 visit.
I’m thrilled to say that the etching I brought in turned out to be worth $800-$1,300 if put up for auction in America. In Europe it could fetch up to $2,000.
The etching was purchased for only $1 at a white elephant sale in Sacramento.
I knew it was by the Czech artist T.F. Simon (1898-1925), and that one print is hanging in the British Museum.
Gary confirmed that it was an original etching by T.F. Simon complete with his red stamp and a watermark. We were all enthralled that something with so much value could be found among the small collection of items we brought in.
The etching was probably made from a highly polished copper plate, the plate was coated with an acid- resistant wax and then the etching is carved into the wax. The idea is to expose the metal along the lines drawn. The plate is dropped into a bowl of acid, which eats into the exposed metal. When the design is complete, the plate is inked and then the surface is wiped with a cloth, this cleans the plate only leaving ink lodged in the lines that have been etched into the surface. A sheet of damp paper is pressed upon the plate and a print results. Voila!
After World War II, the dollar was strong, he explained, and Americans were able to purchase a lot of European artwork. Now, they are buying their art back, he said. That’s is why the etching is worth almost twice as much in Europe today.
I’ve always thought being an antiques appraiser would be an enjoyable job, but after meeting Gary I’m even more certain of that! It was evident that he was enthralled with his work. We could tell when he would pick up an item with an interesting history because of the look on his face. Wow, he sure knew history well!
Gary looked at a spear that Citizen Photographer Laura Bemis brought into the office. She purchased the spear in Scotland and was told it was from a war between Africa and Scotland. (On a humorous note, Laura said when she purchased this spear she was able to carry it onto the airplane- wow, that must have been some time ago!)
Gary confirmed her suspicions about it being from Africa. He showed us that it was a handcrafted spear made by either the Masasi or the Zulu tribes in Africa, and possibly used during the Boer war between Dutch settlers and Africans. He said more research would be necessary to determine a price, but the amount of history he could recall about a lot of be pieces we brought in was impressive.
On Sept. 3, Receptionist June Hanson and I talked about what items we might have of value. She told me about an antique silverware set she has in a wooden box that looks like it is from Germany. As a fan of Antiques Roadshow, I had high hopes that this would be worth a pretty penny because I’ve noticed that utensils and furniture can often be worth more than one might expect. June was realistic and said she wasn’t certain that it was valuable, but we were hopeful that someone on staff would bring in something with a good story and/or high price.
Unfortunately, June’s silverware set was estimated to be worth $150-$175. Not cheap, but not as much as it could be worth if it was sterling. It was made in America and was silver-plated. The box was in a “German style” but also most likely made in America.
She also brought a pair of baby shoes in the original box from the late 1940s. Cox said the shoes might be of interest to a doll collector.
An antiques appraiser not only looks for signatures, materials and manufacturing stamps to determine value, but also must consider the market. Who would buy this? What is the demand?
Even though not everyone’s items turned out to be worth a boatload, City Reporter Cody Kitaura brought in a lot of historical objects from his family’s past.
The cast iron toy train that his grandfather played with as a child still rolled along like new. He also had several framed photos of his grandfather playing with the train and other toys from that period.
Cox examined the train and right away knew the story behind it.
The train was from the 1940s or 50s, but the photos, with the supposed train, were taken in the late 1920s.
Cox told a story he’s probably uncovered a thousands times. Cody’s grandfather probably lost the original train at some point and someone bought the current train because it looked similar. But to a trained professional like Cox, the ironwork was different and there were minor details he noticed about the construction of the train in the photos versus the train he held.
Cody also had V-mail from the same grandfather who served in WWII. The content of the letters would determine their value.
Reading about “what I had for lunch that day” is not of interest to buyers, Cox said, unless the letters were written from, say for example, the USS Arizona or the USS Enterprise. The letters could also be valuable if the content discussed using a new weapon or an upcoming battle that would later be in history books.
Cody also had a history book with only 44 states in the Union, the last one being Utah. This was only worth about $15-$20 because there are so many of these out there.
I was due for a surprised when I learned my antique bed warmer was a mid century re-creation of an early 18th century bed warmer. I had hoped it belonged to an early settler, but no dice.
It’s often the objects that you don’t expect to be valuable that end up being worth something, he said. That’s why when he goes on appraisal jobs at homes he asks to look around, or, he said, he’ll ask them if they have certain items that many people overlook.
I told Cox that I noticed appraisers on the Antiques Roadshow often talked about the “Arts and Crafts” era. I’ve noticed these items always seem to be valuable.
Items from the “arts and crafts” period can be very valuable, he explained. This was a time, shortly after the industrial revolution, when craftsman were returning to the detailed craftsmanship of handmade items. This was mostly taking place in England.
When I first spoke with Cox on the phone and suggested we meet in an antiques store where I can see him in action, he said that antique storeowners generally know what they’re doing and often price their items on the mark.
The best bet is probably grandma’s attic or the family heirloom you thought was unsightly or estate sales.
For the entire story about Gary Cox read my article about the “Modern Day Treasure Hunter” at www.egcitizen.com

Tomato, Tomahto

I could eat salsa on pretty much anything. But when it comes to eating a raw tomato, I'd rather eat dirt.

The combination of jalapeno, onion, garlic and cilantro in salsa somehow masks the taste of raw tomato and actually makes it edible. Even as someone who doesn't like tomatoes know, it takes a good tomato to make a delicious salsa.

I picked up some tips on growing tomatoes at the Elk Grove Community Garden's 5th Annual Tomato Tasting on Aug. 28.

Read my column, The Scoop and my article covering the event in the Sept. 1 edition. http://www.egcitizen.com/

Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Bailey.

Are You A Gift Wrapping Pro?

There are all types of talents in the world. Some people excell at sports... others at gift wrapping.

Scotch Brand (the company that makes tape) is calling for entries for their 14th Annual Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest.

Visit http://www.mostgiftedwrapper.com/ and write 100 words about you or someone you know who is a gift wrapping expert, include tips and photos (optional). Eight people- four amateurs and four professionals- will be flown in NYC for a three day, three night all expenses paid trip where they will compete againist eachother on Dec. 3 at Rockefeller Center. The winner gets $10,000!

Last year's winner wrapped a seven foot tall sailboat!

Good luck!

It's Monday and My Legs Are Still Sore

I was invited to take a Macumba class on Friday, August 6 at Dance 2d Rhythm in Elk Grove.
Wow! It kicked my #%&!
When Gillian, one of the instructors, called to invite me she asked me if I worked out regularly. These days I'm an on-and-off exerciser and right now I'm off!
"This will get you back into it!" she said.
She was correct!
Even though I was walking with the fluidity of a robot this weekend due to my sore legs, it showed me exactly how much my body lacks exercise.
I have a hard time running on a treadmill like a hamster. Macumba makes working out fun!
This is definitely a class I will be back to do again!

Seniors and Fitness

Last week I received a call from Dorothy Walker, a local resident who works out at Curves on the border of Elk Grove and Sacramento.
Walker told me that many senior citizens workout at that gym and suggested I write a story about "seniors taking charge."
While I like the concept of fitness for seniors, I needed an angle. So I called the Department of Physical Education at Cosumnes River College (CRC) and spoke with the dean, Liz Belyea.
She said today's seniors have more opportunities to develop unhealthy habits.
Which is a shame, because as Belyea reminded me of something I remember reading about in college, as we get older our bodies get weaker. Our bones become more susceptible injuries from falling. That is why strength training is so important, especially for senior citizens.
Read about senior health in this week's "The Scoop" column and stay tuned for a future story about senior citizen health and fitness.

Twilight: Eclipse entertains even skeptics of the series

By Cody Kitaura
Citizen Staff Writer
Special to Scoop

Call me old fashioned, but I thought vampires wore capes. And turned into bats. And slept in coffins.

None of that is true in author Stephenie Meyer’s wildly successful Twilight franchise, but it didn’t stop hundreds of fans from packing into Sacramento’s Esquire IMAX Theatre for a midnight showing of the newest installment on June 30.

The series, which first hit the big screen in 2008, revolves around Arizona-native Bella Swan’s (Kristen Stewart) move to an unfamiliar high school in rural Washington state, where she falls madly in love with vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), all the while being thrown into dangerous vampire turf wars and werewolf rivalries.

Eclipse, the third of the four-part series, was released June 30, and shattered records for the biggest midnight release in U.S. history, grossing an estimated $30 million on its first night.

The film revolves around the hunt for clues as the vampire protagonists fear out-of-control, “newborn” vampires may be behind a string of mysterious killings in Seattle. As danger seems more and more imminent, werewolf heartthrob Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) confesses his love for Bella and sets out to convince her that he’s a better mate than cold, undead Edward.

Fans of “traditional” vampire tales will revel in the flashbacks showing the human lives of the bloodsucking characters before they were immortal. One such flashback shows Jasper Hale (Jackson Rathbone) as a Confederate soldier in the Civil War, while Edward’s early-1900s persona shows through as he describes how his romance with Bella would have gone during his time.

“I would’ve courted you,” he says during a tender moment in Eclipse, explaining how he would have “stolen a kiss or two.”

His old-fashioned nature irks Bella, who is eager to skip the chaperoned strolls and get to the real intimacy. She urges Edward to bite her and turn her into a vampire so they can spend eternity together, but he resists.

The feeling of this installment was radically different from past Twilight films, and the move was a positive one. Each film in the series is overseen by a different director, and Eclipse’s David Slade was a surprisingly successful choice. Slade, a 40-year-old Briton with a Cullen-esque complexion, was previously more known for gory horror films and music videos than tween-heartthrob flicks, but Eclipse winds a sense of dark suspense with the requisite web of romance.

The film’s target audience hasn’t shifted from that “young adult” crowd, but the few fathers present at the midnight showing (who likely weren’t there by choice) could find enjoyment at least in the film’s few fast-paced action scenes, which were energetic and well done.

And if the more reluctant attendees weren’t able to enjoy that part of the film, they could at least revel in the audio-visual candy store that is the Esquire IMAX Theatre, located at 1211 K St. in downtown Sacramento. The massive screen and booming stereo seem to make any movie more engaging.

Eclipse was destined for success before any of its core fans had seen even a frame of the actual film, but luckily the movie does enough to keep even the non-rabid fans engaged.

Grow with Old Elk Grove

On June 19 the Gardener's of the Grove held a day-long event with workshops at The Secret Garden. This fake fruit and vegetable man was on a display table in an area where the children's garden workshop was held.
Children made cute crafts that taught them about gardening, bugs and healthy eating.
In the morning, Gardeners of the Grove planted flowers in 12 planter boxes on Elk Grove Boulevard to beautify the Old Town area. Then everyone made their way to The Secret Garden for three workshops- one for children, and two for adults.
Check out the 6/23 citizen for an article about the event.

Sorry For Not Updating

Sorry I haven't updated this blog in quite some time. We've been busy with special tabs, and in addition that that, news is slower in the summer. But I plan on taking more photos when I'm out and about so I'll have something to entertain you with!

Thanks for reading,
Katie

Silent Auction for Haiti Relief

Bid on some fancy items, like diamond earrings and massages, at a silent auction to benefit Haiti.
A group of 16 people, mostly Elk Grove locals, will travel to Haiti in June to bring medical and baby supplies. They will also rebuild houses and start a kid's club.
The auction will take place at The Secret Garden in Old Town Elk Grove on May 15 from 4-8 p.m.

The Secret Garden is located at:
8998 Elk Grove Blvd
Elk Grove, CA 95624
(916) 686-2006

Western Festival Photos!!

Spaces left in Fine Arts Workshops

The Elk Grove Fine Arts Center presents a bevvy of workshops and classes every month for all skill levels. Here are some upcoming classes:

Oil Painting, with Kristine Bybee, Saturday, May 8, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Fee - $50.00

This workshop will include a step-by-step process designed for students to realize a finished painting in oil. Thoughtful demonstrations, critiques and handouts accompany this class to help students achieve maximum results. This workshop designed for the novice to intermediate painter.

Acrylic Abstract Painting, with David Lobenberg, Sunday, May 23, 10:00 am - 2:00 p.m., Fee - $80.00. This workshop is appropriate for beginner to advance painters as well as for painters who want to learn how to paint with acrylics or who already have experience painting. There will be no representational painting what so ever! I'll be passing out some hand outs and talking about all sorts of ways you can think about what you are going to paint BEFORE you put brush to canvas. You will have a road map and not end up with a jumbled, mushy abstract mess with no emotion, feeling, strong color sense, striking composition, etc. We will also explore some great specialized acrylic mediums that can be used for your abstract.

Painting Watercolor Koi Fish, with Ron and Sandy Ridley, Wednesday, May 26, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.,

Fee - $40.00. This watercolor demonstration is designed for both new and experienced painters. All you need is an interest to learn and a desire to have fun. We will be teaching you how to draw Koi Fish and arrange them in a composition. You will be using a wet in wet technique by applying the wet paint to the wet paper and letting the pigments blend together

www.elkgrovefineartscenter.org.

Elk Grove Trip to Haiti

Sarah Woodward is an open book. The mother of two runs a daycare out of her home. She’s busy- but is always open and willing to talk about her family and their goals. And she’s not afraid to dig deep.
The most memorable comment I heard Sarah say when I spoke with her on April 21, was that her family wants to “radically love.” She believes this love will distinguish the fear that her family, and some people in their mission group, feels about traveling to the impoverished nation of Haiti.
They’ll be in Haiti from June 5-14 with their two children, along with 10 adults and three teens.
The group will be traveling with 30 suitcases- 2 per person (minus two bags for the baby who does not have a ticket).
The Woodwards were helping Haitians before the earthquake struck.
Sarah was getting shipments of necklaces made by Haitian artists that she would sell locally and mail back the profit.
The Woodwards have friends from college, the Clays, who live in Haiti and started a non-profit, The Apparent Project. They teach Haitians artistic skills that the impoverished people can use to make a profit.
Haitians in Clay’s program make necklaces from recycled paper and ship the jewelry to several women in the United States, including Sarah.
The Clays had a front row seat to the destruction of the earthquake. Their middle class neighborhood overlooks the slum area. When the earthquake hit, the Haitians in their art program were saved because the Clay’s house did not fall apart. The children of the people making jewelry also survived because they were playing in the street outside of the Clay’s home.
However, the slums that the house overlooked were completed destroyed.
Now, the Clay’s have about 10 displaced Haitians sleeping in each room of their three-bedroom home.
“The Clays said many of the (Haitian) families aren’t moving into their homes because they’re scared,” Sarah said.
The Clays have a two-bedroom guesthouse that they’ve decided to rent out to missions group, including the group coming from Elk Grove.
The Woodwards also have another strong connection to Haiti.
Before the earthquake struck they were planning on adopting a Haitian child. Now they are even more determined to adopt a child from Haiti.
The Woodwards are in the initial stages of preparing for adopting a Haitian child.
Before they can adopt internationally, they need to get their house checked.
But the adoption may come at a time that’s not in their control.
Sarah said in Haiti if someone leaves a baby on her doorstep, she would care for the child. However, she couldn’t take an infant home to the States. The Woodwards would have to live there. A possibility that she didn’t seem too upset about.
Sarah is eager to make a difference in the world.
She is not the only person with a passion for helping Haiti, she said.
Most of the people in the mission group are from Elk Grove and have been working hard to gather supplies and donations from local businesses for the trip.
Two of the people going to Haiti, Sarah described as “cowboys from Wilton.”
Sarah said they were instrumental in gathering supplies and getting sponsors to donate items for the silent auction on May 15 at The Secret Garden.
Sarah said for people who genuinely cannot afford the trip, the Clay’s will offer their guesthouse free of charge. (It normally rents for $40 a day).
In preparation for the trip and to ensure their safety, the mission group wants to learn the local language- or at least some key phases before they go.
The group located a man in Sacramento who speaks Creole and offered to teach them the language.
The Elk Grove group recognizes that many young Haitians may need counseling too.
On May 1, some members of the group will drive to Los Altos, Calif. to participate in a “children of trauma” workshop where they will learn how to encourage children to express the psychological effects of trauma through art.
Sarah said she hopes art helps kids “process their feelings about the disaster.”

Feeling Green?

In honor of Earth Day, here are some inspiring videos about the environmental damage people have on the earth, plus ways you can help prevent pollution. Enjoy!




See what these New Yorkers do to reduce their carbon footprint. Warning: do not eat while watching!



This video offers some pretty creative solutions for re-using a liter bottle.



This is a great way to get some new clothing without spending money and gobbling up resources.

Ye-Haw! The Western Festival Tab Is Coming!

One of my favorite events in Elk Grove is the Western Festival- always the first weekend of May.

There's so much to do and see. You don't want to miss any of it.

Pick up a copy of the Elk Grove Citizen on Wednesday, April 28 and read the special "Western Festival" tab that will fill you in on all the great eats, games and things to do!

Help Fight Canine Cancer

This is a really great event for dog lovers!

The "K9 Cancer Walk" will be held at Elk Grove Regional Park on April 24 with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the 3k/7k walks starting at 10 a.m.

Numerous vets, authors and another animal lovers will be at the event to offer free advice, and maybe some treats for your pooch.

Registration is $35.

Pinkberry Party!

Last Thursday I went to the grand opening of the Pinkberry store in Sacramento.
Pinkberry is not just any fro-yo. Not only is it healthier than most other yogurts, but it also has a different taste- tart yet sweet.
I sampled coconut, mango and pomegranate frozen yogurt. Pinkberry is made with non-fat milk, cane sugar and contains "billions" of probiotics (good bacteria), the franchise owner said.
There are more than 30 toppings, including mochi, Fruity Pebbles cereal and fresh fruit sliced daily.
The Elk Grove store will open April 29 in the Target and Borders shopping center on Laguna Boulevard and Bruceville Road.
To learn more about Pinkberry visit http://www.pinkberry.com/

EGHS Grad Owns Design Studio, Created Foo Fighters Album Cover

Grammy nominated designer Don Clark, who owns a graphic design firm in Seattle, spoke to several classes of students on April 7 at Sheldon High School.
Clark graduated from Elk Grove High School where he took art class all four years with Debbie George, who now teaches at Sheldon.
Clark and his brother do all the work for the successful, two-man operation Invisible Creature.
The name of the design firm sounds as if it could be a band’s name. That’s because the brothers were playing together in professional bands long before they started the design firm, which has clients such as Target, Nordstrom and the band Foo Fighters.
I spoke to Clark after the presentation about the future of graphic design. I was under the impression that careers in that field were dwindling. Turns out, that’s just graphic design at newspapers. The kind of “boutique” graphic design Clark does is still a growing field.
To check out some of his work, visit http://www.invisiblecreature.com/#/intro