Sacramento, CA Events and a Food Co-op

Below I first have a list of events in Sacramento. Following that is info on a food co-op in Sacramento that is worth checking out.

This comes from Sacramento for Democracy's calendar:

Support Empty Bowls, Our Most Important Fundraiser (and “Friend Raiser”) of the Year! Tuesday, March 10th, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
at the Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street

Empty Bowls has become a beloved tradition for hundreds of people who help fight hunger by attending, volunteering or sponsoring this fun and affordable event. But this year’s event has a new level of urgency since almost 50 percent more people are coming to River City Community Services for emergency food assistance, compared to two years ago.

Tickets are now on sale through this website. Last year the event did sell out, so you’re urged to get your tickets early! For a list of retail locations that will have tickets, click here.

For a donation of $25, attendees enjoy a delicious soup luncheon prepared by area restaurants, and take home a handmade bowl made by students and artists from throughout the region. The bowls serve as a powerful reminder of the many empty bowls in the Sacramento community. Flyer for Empty Bowls (jpg)

Here’s how you can help support Empty Bowls:

* Bring friends . Empty Bowls is fun, and a great way for people to make a difference and learn about the important work of River City Community Services
* Tell five friends! One of the best ways to promote Empty Bowls is to forward information to friends. See draft language BELOW that you can use in an email. We hope you’ll send it to FIVE FRIENDS.
* Become a family or corporate sponsor, so suggest people or companies who might . See the column to the right of this one.
* Volunteer. We still have some important tasks for which we need help. To volunteer, contact Eileen Thomas, rccsca@sbcglobal.net or 446-2627 x3001.
* Sign up for our email newsletter . That’s the fastest, cheapest way for us to get the word out about last minute needs related to Empty Bowls and our 3-day emergency food distribution program.

“We raised almost $50,000 last year,” says Katie Brown, chair of this year’s event, “but we really hope to beat that figure because the need is so much greater.”

The lunch is organized into two seatings. Those interested in the first seating should arrive after doors open at 11:00 a.m., while those attending the second seating may arrive at 12:30 p.m. In addition to enjoying lunch and selecting a bowl, attendees can peruse additional ceramic artworks for sale from professional potters.

River City Community Services served a record 36,305 people in 2008, primarily working poor adults, adults securing food for children, seniors and pregnant women. That’s 333,672 lbs. of food that volunteers distributed in 2008 to people who requested aid and met eligibility requirements.

With River City Community Services’ low administrative overhead, the $50,000 (or more!) raised from Empty Bowls will go a long way and will be stretched to provide a three-day emergency food supply to more than 5,000 people.

River City Community Services is the only Sacramento-area food bank that is open every weekday to anyone experiencing hunger, from anywhere in Sacramento County. RCCS offers nutritionally-balanced 3-day emergency food as well as shelter assistance… compassion….and hope.

Time: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 11:00am PST

A Toast to Clearing the Air
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Sutter Club
1220 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tickets: $35

Join Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg on March 11, 2009, at Sacramento's historic Sutter Club, as we raise a glass to fighting California’s air pollution. Enjoy a special tasting of California wines and sample gourmet hors d’oeuvres and desserts while conversing with one of California's leading environmental champions.

http://www.coalitionforcleanair.org/toastsacto/index.html

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact:

Liz Ernst
213-630-1192 x109
liz@coalitionforcleanair.org

Stephanie Milano
213-630-1192 x104
stephanie@coalitionforcleanair.org

2009 California Rivers Festival
Saturday, March 14th
10:00am to 5:00pm

Sacramento Waldorf School
3750 Bannister Road
Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Note: Dogs are not permitted at the school

Swap Meet * Food * Exhibitors * Films * Outdoor Gear & Clothing

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA RIVERS FESTIVAL

Friends of the River this year brings back the California Rivers Festival, the popular annual event that has something for everyone: kayakers, whitewater boaters, fly fishermen, families interested in learning about California rivers, and anyone who wants to get involved in river conservation.

Held each year as the snow starts to melt and the rivers start to rise, the festival brings river enthusiasts together to have fun, as well as to learn more about the rivers they love and about Friends of the River¹s work to protect rivers throughout the state.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:

* An opportunity to learn about whitewater rafting and kayaking by talking with vendors who offer outings and lessons.
* Workshops on river sports techniques and how to save rivers.
* Opportunities to get involved in protecting California¹s wild rivers.
* A pavilion full of the latest kayak and whitewater gear from major outdoor retailers
* Swap meet offering used whitewater boats and gear.
* Live and silent auction with loads of great gear
* California Rivers Festival Art Gallery
* Adventure films, live entertainment and delectable edibles.

For more information contact Kimani Kamau or Johnnie Carlson at 916-442-3155.

Time: Saturday, March 14, 2009 - 10:00am PST

Join the 3rd Annual Candle Light Peace Vigil

“War is the coward’s approach to problems of peace.”
Rev. Sloane Coffin, Jr.

Thursday, March 19, 2009
4:30-6:00 pm Rally at Howe Avenue and Fair Oaks Blvd
7:00-9:00 pm Candle Light Peace Vigil to be held at Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento 2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95825

Broadcast Blues Screening
March 22, 2009 Film Screening 2pm
Crest Theatre - 1013 K Street Sacramento

Access Sacramento and Sacramento Media Group-Common Cause, in association with the Sacramento International Film Festival, present the West Coast Premiere of the Public Interest Pictures film

Film Tickets: $10 Students: $5
At box office or www.tickets.com
Info: 456 8600 or 443 1792 ext. 11

Pre-Screening Party Noon - 1:30pm $20
with Film Maker Sue Wilson
Crest Café - next to Crest Theater RSVP & Info: 456 8600

Clear Channel neglects its emergency system, disaster strikes, and people die. Pentagon pundits profit from the same war they promote. Fox News gets a court ruling that news does not have to be true. Media Policy is killing people in this country. Literally. And it is killing our democracy, too. Corporate financed policymakers have stacked the media policy deck against We the People. Until now. We the People are taking the media back.

Written, Directed & Produced by Sue Wilson Executive Producers, Earl Katz & Marcos Barron

Placer County Democrats Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
Sunday, April 19, at the Blue Goose Fruit Shed in Loomis

Last year's event attracted a sold-out crowd of more that 300 attendees and 16 organizations and individuals stepped up to sponsor the event.

This year's theme is "Community Service: A Call to Action" and the evening includes dinner, an awards presentation, special guest speakers, a no-host bar, raffle and much more. Tickets are $30 (in recognition of the tough economic times we are living in, we lowered the price by $5) and we expect them to go fast.

To order tickets online:
http://www.actblue.com/page/placerdinner

Or send a check to:
Placer County Democratic Party
P. O. Box 423
Roseville, CA 95678

Here are the details:

What: The annual Placer County Democrats Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
When: April 19, 2009, 4-8 p.m. (Dinner hour 5:30 p.m.)
Where: Blue Goose Fruit Shed, 3550 Taylor Road, Loomis, CA.
Cost: $30 per ticket (table sponsorships available)

For more information and for sponsorship information, please contact
Kim Haswell at kim_haswell@yahoo.com or 530-889-2278.

We are looking forward to another fantastic event. Please mark it on your calendars today!

California Statewide Special Election. Tuesday, May 19th. Measures include creating a state spending cap and rainy day fund, modifying the minimum funding guarantee for schools, changing the state lottery and shifting money from mental health and child-development programs. For a list of the ballot measures click HERE.

ImaginEquality Rally
May 30, 2009 Saturday

Equality Action NOW, and many other equal rights organizations will be pulling together a huge rally at the State Capitol to kick off our month of June Pride throughout California. Join us on the step of the capitol and help us pull our ImaginEquality into a REALITY. Real and true equality for all. Info@EqualityActionNOW.org.

Please consider joining this event as a supporter:
Send us a link to your web site. We will post your link on our site, we will list your group on materials to show your support of this rally and the equality movement.
Let us know if you know of any other grassroots or groups fighting for equality that we may have overlooked - we want as many groups to sign on as partners in this statewide show of solidarity.
Unions, faith based organizations, family and friends that might want to show solidarity with our fight for equality - bring them in.
A contribution of $500 or $1000 to help us offset the high expenses for an event of this size. Your name will apprear on all printed materials and the web links. If you can't afford the financial contribution, it is still important to request being added to the supporter list.

In Solidarity
Tina
--
Tina Reynolds

http://equalityactionnow.c.topica.com/maamGt9abM2NScdx84AbaehuKb/
916-446-1082

SACRAMENTO FOOD CO-OP

It took nearly 7 years living within a few blocks of one of the biggest food co-ops in America before Joy and I joined it. We were definitely reluctant. But, in the end the lack of good produce and the decline of our local supermarkets led to us joining. And the result is a slighly more inconvenient shopping trip each week, but much healthier, higher quality and cheaper food. I recommend joining a co-op if there is one nearby. You will save money and eat healthier. Here is the only Sacramento food co-op I could find:

Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op
1900 Alhambra Blvd.
Sacramento, California 95816
Phone: (916) 455-2667
FAX: (916) 455-5723
comments@sacfoodcoop.com
http://www.sacfoodcoop.com

Our co-op began as a food buying club in 1972 and opened a storefront of primarily bulk foods at 16th and P Streets in downtown Sacramento. In 1973, this buying club was incorporated as the Sacramento Natural Foods Cooperative, a Board of Directors was elected and the first paid employee was hired.

In recent years we have enhanced our gourmet food selection, including an excellent selection of specialty, artisan cheese and wine. Our Produce Department now sells organically grown fruits and vegetables exclusively. We have also added organic red meat to our product offerings.

2001 also marked the year that we first opened the doors to our Co-op Community Learning Center, adjacent to the Sacramento store and home to cooking classes, health seminars and a variety of owner meetings and special events. We are committed to serving our Co-op owners and supporting our community through consumer education, owner meetings and events, outreach activities and charitable programs and projects.

They also have a list of Action Alerts you mighht be interested in.

They also offer some interesting sounding classes.

And they have a great list of community activities.