CSD Seeks Bands for 2010 Summer Concert Seris

Remember the packed summer concert series put on by the CSD? Well, it's happening again next summer, and bands are needed to perform.

Interested performers must submit a media kit including audio song samples, a current photograph, band bio and references for review. Media kits are accepted year-round, however only those received by Jan. 4, 2010 will be considered for the 2010 summer series.

Kits may be mailed to:

Cosumnes CSD Special Events Office
ATTN: Kristyn Staby, Recreation Supervisor
8820 Elk Grove Blvd., Suite 3
Elk Grove, CA 95624

Electronic kits may be sent to kristynstaby@csdparks.com
Don't send links MySpace or other social networking sites!

It’s The Blanket That’s Fun To Bar-Hop In

It's comfortable, it's warm, it's a blanket with sleeves. The Snuggie has become a pop culture phenomenon in 2009, and it's not likely to end soon. The Snuggie commercial shows people watching TV or reading while wearing a Snuggie. It even shows a family wearing Snuggies at a football game.
Scott Boilen, president and chief executive of the Allstar Marketing Group that makes the Snuggie, said the commercial was supposed to be silly. Even thought it's silly to wear a Snuggie in public, some people are actually brave enough to do it!
A Snuggie pub-crawl is sweeping the nation. The pub-crawl started in 2009 and has yet to hit Sacramento/ Elk Grove. To register a Snuggie pub crawl group visit http://www.snuggiepubcrawls.com/

Odd Jobs

Working in retail is much more glamorous than say, plunging toilets, which I did at my first job. I worked as a buser at a restaurant. I was 15 and had no idea what having a job entailed, so I did everything to ensure my success. Not only did I bus tables but I prepped and served food, cleaned the chandeliers, dusted the woodwork, vacuumed and even did delivery orders within walking distance. The owners soon figured out that I would do any task, so eventually they had me plunging toilets too. I remembering thinking, “I must go to college, this sucks!”
As unpleasant as that job was I’m grateful for the experience.
As I said in my column on Nov. 24, no work experience is without gain.

With that said, what's the strangest job you've ever had?

Man Attempts to Smuggle Lizards into U.S. by Strapping them to his Chest

OK, so this is not Elk Grove news but you might be interested to know...


A Lomita, Calif. man was arrested on Nov. 17 at Los Angeles International Airport by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agents and charged with smuggling lizards.
The man strapped 15 live lizards to his torso and attempted to clear U.S. Customs.

Michael Plank, 40, was returning from Australia when Custom's officials found lizards in his money belt.
Wildlife Inspectors identified the lizard species as two geckos, eleven skinks and two monitor lizards.
Monitor lizards are a protected species.
The value of the lizards is estimated at $8,500.

Plank has been released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Los Angeles on Dec. 21.

Open Studio Changes at EGFAC

Open Studios Painting Sessions will end on Friday, Nov. 20. The Open Studios Watercolor Sessions will still be held on Tuesdays at the Elk Grove Fine Arts Center, 9080 Elk Grove Blvd. from 12:30 p.m.- 2:30 pm. Oil painting artists can join this session but must use Turpinoid only. Beginners and super beginners welcome. Focus will be on solutions to problems and demonstration of watercolor techniques. Call Teresa at 687-8908 for reservations. Classes are $10 per session.

One Stop Holiday Shop

Few gifts are more original that local arts, trinkets and crafts.
Don’t miss the upcoming Holiday Art & Craft Festival presented by the Crocker Art Museum.
More than 95 regional artists and craftspeople will gather at the Scottish Rite Center on Nov. 27-29 to display and sell their creations.
Artist creations include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, gourmet food, a variety of holiday items and more.
This would be a good place to stock-up on Christmas gifts.
There are many holiday craft fairs every year, but what makes this one unique, besides being presented by Sacramento’s most prominent art museum, is the fact that children and adults can have their photos taken with a Victorian Santa Claus.
Attendees will also enjoy free parking and a café by Ambrosia Catering.
Festival admission is free to Crocker members, $6 for adult non-members and $3 for seniors, students and children. The festival is open Friday, 1 p.m.- 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.- 5p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ball-erific!

The 49th Annual Crocker Art Ball is approaching! This year’s theme is “A Holiday Affair.” Tickets are $500 for general admission.Learn more details at www.crockerartmuseum.org/ball