Things to do in Sacramento

The announcement of a 2012-13 season is the first step taken by the Sacramento Philharmonic in the wake of its success raising a must-have $150,000 over a five week period that ended May 15.

Prior to raising the funds the orchestra's board of directors was contemplating outright closure or a cancelled season because of financial woes earlier this year.

The new season begins Sept. 29 with "Viva la Musica" a concert offering a wide range of music from Latin America. Americas music specialist Polly Ferman will appear as will bandoneonist JP Jofre.

Help your public park and get some exercise, too.

On Saturday morning, the Land Park Volunteer Corps will tackle several jobs at Sacramento's largest city park.

"We have a number of important projects lined up, including our always impressive 'Monster Bush Trim,' a major planter bed clean-up, pond skimming, sucker patrol, litter patrol, island mulching and more," said lead coordinator Craig Powell. "It should be a lovely Saturday morning to work in the park."

Volunteers will check in at 8 a.m. Saturday in the picnic area behind the park's Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento. Coffee and refreshments will be available. After pulling weeds and spreading mulch, the group will break for lunch at the same spot at 11 a.m.

New volunteers are welcome. Bring gloves. Some tools will be available. For more details, contact Powell at ckpinsacto@aol.com or (916) 718-3030.

Let's mix some hot licks and cool blues with haute cuisine and fine wines. Then add a golf tournament and spread out the party over four days.

That's the scenario for the 26th annual B.R. Cohn Charity Events Fall Music Festival, Charity Auction Dinner and Celebrity Golf Classic. It'll be happening Oct. 5-8 in Glen Ellen in the Sonoma Valley. Tickets will go on sale Friday.

Here's a brief rundown:

Grass Valley's Don Dickey, a legend in California sports car racing, will talk about the early days of his sport during a special seminar this weekend at the former Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.

Set for 10 a.m. Saturday in the track's Drivers' Lounge, the free seminar is open to fans attending the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival.

Dickey will be part of a panel discussing "Moments in Time: A Celebration of the History of Motorsports," the theme for the race weekend. Also on the panel will be grand marshal Bill Pollack, winner of the main event at the 1952 Golden Gate Park Road Races in San Francisco. Other participants include pioneer drivers Mick Marston, Dick Guldstrand and Peter Giddings.

During the 1950s, Dickey made his reputation at West Coast races and hill climbs, including events at Golden Gate Park, Pebble Beach, Reno, Laguna Seca, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Arcata, Cobb Mountain and Sacramento. He competed in an Allard J2X, Jaguar XK120, Porsche Speedster and Porsche Carrera GT.

During the two-day festival, 15 groups of historic cars will compete on Sonoma's 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course. The paddock will be open to spectators, so fans can admire the cars close up.

In addition to the racing, patrons can take taste food and wine from Sonoma and Napa counties at the track's Wine County Pavilion.

Tickets are $40 per day or a weekend pass for $60. Youth, ages 13 to 20, will be admitted for $20 per day or $30 for the weekend. Children age 12 and under admitted free.

For more details on the racing, click on www.sonomahistoric.com. For tickets, call (800) 870-7223 or visit www.infineonraceway.com/historics.

In the realm of choral ensembles there are few that have the musical stature of the San Francisco-based Chanticleer. In the three decades that it has been performing, this all male ensemble has left a stream of excellent music-making in its wake.

Fortunately, that group has always stayed faithful to its plan on including Sacramento into its Bay Area touring paradigm, and the 2012-13 season is no exception.

This year the group celebrates its 35th anniversary season. In Sacramento, that season begins at St. Francis of Assisi church on Sept. 23, with The Siren's Call.

Photograph: Garry Moore

If you're an angler, you're likely having feelings of some sort - maybe envy? - from looking at the photograph at left.

That's longtime sportsman Tom Waters of Tahoe City with a 13-pound, 15-ounce mackinaw trout he pulled out of Lake Tahoe. The catch made him the grand prize winner in last year's Jake's On the Lake Charity Fishing Derby.

If you think you can fish, here's a chance to prove it and possibly win some cash (and braggin' rights) and help a good cause at the same time. The 19th annual derby is this Sunday, with competitive fishing starting an hour before sunrise and ending promptly at noon.

Prizes are substantial: $1,000 to the angler with the biggest mackinaw trout (known as the "great white shark" of Lake Tahoe); $500 for the biggest brown trout; and $250 for the largest rainbow trout. The weigh-in always attracts a crowd on the lawn and deck at Jake's, a lakefront restaurant on the North Shore well-known for its deck dining.

The $50 derby entry fee includes a T-shirt, buffet brunch and raffle. If you're not a contestant, the brunch is $18 for adults, $12 for ages 12 and younger. The derby benefits community charities through the Tahoe City Rotary Club Foundation.

For registration, rules and regulations, tickets and more information: (530) 583-0188 or www.jakestahoe.com. Or show up in person by 5 p.m. Saturday in Tahoe City, at either Jake's (in the Boatworks Mall, 780 N. Lake Tahoe Blvd.) or Pete 'n' Peter's tavern (395 N. Lake Blvd.).

Boat inspection and boat ramp information is at www.tahoeboatinspections.com. The Lake Forest boat launch ramp in Tahoe City (at the Coast Guard Station) will open at 4 a.m. Sunday.

To honor the 22 World War II veterans living at Pioneer House, a senior living community in downtown Sacramento, administrators there have scheduled a flag-raising ceremony on Memorial Day.

Assemblyman Roger Dickinson is scheduled to speak at the ceremony, which will also feature Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8358 and Boy Scout Troop 259.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. May 28 at Pioneer House, 415 P St. in Sacramento. For more information, call (916) 442-4906.

Business will be blooming this evening at Sacramento's newest public rose garden.

From 5:30 to 7 p.m., the Natomas Rose Garden will host members of the Natomas Chamber of Commerce at a business mixer. Besides an opportunity for networking, the setting will try to sell itself with hundreds of roses in full bloom.

Located at 2921 Truxel Road, the garden is adjacent to the South Natomas Library and Community Center and was designed to host outdoor events, such as weddings, parties and community get-togethers.

Staffed by all volunteers, the Natomas Rose Garden debuted in May 2008 with sections dedicated to veterans and historical roses. The garden features more than 500 bushes.

For rental information, call (916) 808-1571 or click on www.natomasrosegarden.org.

I remember the first time I heard Glen Campbell.

It was my parents spinning vinyl of a recording of Campbell singing "Wichita Lineman."

I felt goose pimples all over my body. I was a little more than a toddler, but even back then I knew I was listening to something special.

Here's a great opportunity for fans of Livestrong and those who want to make a difference in the many ongoing efforts related to cancer.

Anyone with a bike and some basic fitness can enjoy this event, which begins in Davis on June 24. There's still time to get your bikes tuned and get in some good training miles. You'll be able to choose the distance and difficulty that suits you.

Here's the press release we received from Livestrong, including information about how to register:

Davis High School senior and flutist Margaux Filet will appear on the next broadcast of the national NPR show "From The Top."

Filet will perform Cantabille by George Enesco on the show which was taped at the Crane Auditorium at SUNY Potsdam in upstate New York.

The show airs on NPR June 3rd at 3:00 p.m. on Capital Public Radio, KXPR, 88.9 FM.

See a mid-century modern gem during a special home tour, hosted by Sacramento Modern.

On June 2, the Roush residence - one of Sacramento's most original and unusual homes - will be open to the public. Built in 1954 in Arden Oaks, the house was designed by Terry Waters, who studied and worked with Frank Lloyd Wright, John Launter and Walter S. White.

Robert Roush, the home's original owner, founded Roush Bakery Products, best known for its Hillbilly bread.

Tickets for the home tour are $45 and must be ordered in advance. Deadline is May 31. To keep the tour from overwhelming the home, tickets will be assigned in time blocks from 1 to 5 p.m. To order, click on http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/244435

Half the proceeds will go towards an upcoming California Museum exhibit showcasing the work of Sacramento native Ray Eames, among the most influential modernists.

Led by local architects and designers, the SacMod home tour includes appetizers and beverages, music, a commemorative booklet, vintage displays and photographs of the home. A restored 1956 Nash Ambassador Custom will be parked in the carport.

For more on SacMod and the home tour, visit http://sacmcmhometour.blogspot.com/.

A highlight of the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento's season happens June 3 when the country's top hornist - Philip Myers - performs with the chamber group for its final concert of the season.

Myers (pictured, right) is currently principal horn with the New York Philharmonic.

In Sacramento he will join the chamber group in a performance that includes Berkeley's Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano, Wettham's Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano and the West Coast premiere of Vaughan Williams' not-oft performed Quintet for Horn, Clarinet, by Vaughan Williams.

The Sacramento County Fair often gets overshadowed by that other Cal Expo fair, the one for the whole state. But the county fair, running Thursday-May 28, offers plenty of enticements beyond livestock and carnival rides.

Thursday afternoon and evening, local bands Hot Tar Roofers, The Generals, Walking Spanish and Dog Party will play on the community stage as part of the fair's Community Night.

There also will be a classic car show and food trucks including Drewski's and Wicked 'Wich.

That's more entertainment than you can shake a stick at, or lead a pig with, and all for just $5 for adults. Children 12 and younger are free.

Parking, however, is $10 at Cal Expo. So pile into a van, band style, or find another way to get to Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento.

For information, see the county fair's website.

The onset of summer weather means it's art auction season at the Crocker Art Museum

The auction season kicks off May 24 with "Big Names, Small Art," a silent auction event where the public will be able to bid on smaller format works (12 x 12 in. or less) by noted regional artists.

Bids will start at $25.

Celebrate spring in Sonoma and a quarter century of garden building June 2 at Quarryhill Botanical Garden.

Located in Glen Ellen, the famous Asian-themed garden marks its silver anniversary with a "Spring Celebration" luncheon.

Warren Roberts, superintendent emeritus of the UC Davis' arboretum, will serve as keynote speaker, sharing his favorite adventures as a plantsman.

Overlooking vineyards and built on the site of old rock quarries in the Mayacamas foothills, Quarryhill is home to one of the largest American collections of wild-sourced Asian plants, including hundreds of oaks, maples, magnolias, dogwoods, lilies and roses.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the celebration includes bento box lunch, silent auction and plant sale. Visitors also will get a chance to take docent-led tours of the 20-acre garden in full bloom.

Tickets for the celebration are $45 for Quarryhill members, $55 for non-members. Reservations are required.

Also in honor of its 25 years, Quarryhill offers free admission on the 25th of each month, including free self-guided tours. May's free admission day is Friday.

Quarryhill Botanical Garden is located at 12841 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen. For tickets and other details, call (707) 996-3166 or visit www.quarryhillbg.org.

The Camerata California is teaming up with the Camellia Symphony for "A Day of Rememberance" a Memorial Day-themed concert offering two West Coast premieres.

Under the baton of Les Lehr, the Camellia and Camerata musicians will perform the West Coast premieres of Lee Hoiby's "Last Letter Home" and Lewis Songer's "Elegy".

Also to be performed is Haydn's Third Mass and Jonathan Wilcock's "A Great and Glorious Victory".

The California Historical Society has released a free e-book for iPads on San Francisco's Golden State Bridge, which celebrates its 75th anniversay this weekend.

The multi-media book, titled "A Wild Flight of the Imagination: The Story of the Golden Gate Bridge," features morethan 350 historical photographs, artwork, memorabilia and stories.

You can download the document from the California Historical Society's website or get it free as an app from the iTunes store.

Greg Bomhoff, the Granite Bay ultramarathoner who in the past has completed the Badwater Ultra in Death Valley to raise funds for his children's school, will embark on a 24-hour run on Thursday to benefit the Loomis School District.

This will be the second time Bomhoff has run for 24 hours at Franklin School. He ran 128.75 miles in a 24-hour period in 2010. This time, there will be considerably more hoopla. Bomhoff will run to all seven Loomis schools, where there will be assemblies featuring him, during his jaunt. Gordon Medd, the Loomis school superintendent, will accompany Bomhoff to the seven schools. There also will be a 24-hour relay in tandem with his attempt, as well as two communtiy fun runs.

Most activities, including the 6 a.m. Thursday start, will occur at Franklin Elementary in Loomis at 7050 Franklin School Road (off Laird Road). 

For more information about the charity run, or to sign up for a 5K, click here.    

Bee Staff

Nationally syndicated cartoonist Leigh Rubin is bringing his cartoon menagerie to The Sacramento Bee on Wednesday, May 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Rubin, the creator of Rubes (left), is always entertaining - if you like a twisted take on the world, that is. His comic panel, which runs Monday-Saturday, has been a staple of The Bee's comic pages since 2004.

At the event, Rubin will share his humor, talk about drawing a daily cartoon panel and take questions from the audience. He also will sign books, T-shirts and copies of his comics from that day's paper. He also will have his latest books, magnets and other funny stuff available for purchase.

To sign up, go to BeeBuzzPoints. Seating is limited so make sure to print and bring your tickets the night of the event.

Parking is free and located on the corner of 21st and Q streets. The entrance is on Q Street.

Take the family to the farm in the city Sunday during Soil Born Farms' annual "A Day on the Farm."

With something for every member of the family, this kid-friendly event features cooking classes, workshops, nature walks, local arts and crafts, children's activities, music, food, native plant sale, farm stand and more.

Among the workshop topics are raising chickens and beekeeping.

Soil Born Farms' American River Ranch is located at 2140 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova. The fun starts at 10 a.m. and runs through 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5.

For more details, click on www.soilborn.org or call (916) 363-9685.

Hikers in Northern California certainly know the dangers of rattlesnakes.

But what about their dogs?

The Hangtown Kennel Club in Placerville will hold a rattlesnake awareness clinic for canines on June 23-24. The clinic will teach dogs how to recognize the sound and smell of rattlesnakes to avoid unsavory encounters and potentially fatal bites.

Cost for the clinic is $70, and preregistration is required.

For more information, click here.

Interested in having a more sustainable backyard, but don't know where to start? Here's your chance to get free expert advice.

Saturday is Ask a Green Gardener Day, a local event that invites area residents to learn how to have a water-efficient, pesticide-free yard - and a beautiful flower-filled garden, too. Experts also will have advice for organic vegetable gardening for both beginners and longtime gardeners.

Seven local nurseries will take part:

- Big Oak Nursery, 10071 Grant Line Road, Elk Grove. Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

- Bushnell Gardens Nursery, 5420 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay. Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

- Fair Oaks Boulevard Nursery, 4681 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sacramento. Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

- Front Yard Nursery, 5801 Mother Lode Drive, Placerville. Hours: 10 a.m.-noon.

- The Flower Farm, 4150 Auburn Folsom Road, Loomis. Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

- Green Acres Nursery & Supply, 901 Galleria Blvd., Roseville; 8501 Jackson Road, Sacramento; and 205 Serpa Way, Folsom. Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

- UC Davis Arboretum teaching nursery, 920 Garrod Drive, Davis. Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

In addition, the UC Davis Arboretum will be hosting its season-end clearance sale at the nursery with sizzling deals on summer bloomers during those same hours.

For more information on Ask a Green Gardener Day or other water-saving tips, click on www.BeWaterSmart.info.

As part of AARP's national initiative on the future of Medicare and Social Security, AARP is bringing the debate to Sacramento, in a free community event called "You've Earned a Say."

The 90-minute conversation, hosted by California AARP president David Pacheco, begins at 6:30 p.m. on May 24 at the Dante Club, 2330 Fair Oaks Blvd. in Sacramento. Doors open at 6 p.m., and food will be available.

More than 210,000 Social Security recipients and 190,000 residents who depend on Medicare live in Sacramento County. AARP surveys indicate that almost all Americans think that Social Security and Medicare are vital to their health and financial wellbeing during their retirement years.

The Sacramento event is open to people 50 and older. To RSVP, call (866) 448-3614 and ask for "You've Earned a Say" events in California.

With the travel season looming many Californians will be headed to the Sierras.

And they will be deeply interested in a new resource available in that pursuit.

It's called the Sierra Nevada Geotourism MapGuide. The guide - which can be accessed online at www.SierraNevadaGeoTourism.org is a partnership between National Geographic, the Sierra Business Council and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, along with hundreds of local residents.

 

Registration is now open for the annual summer bicycle jaunt, the Rex Ride, along the American River Parkway on Sunday, June 10.

The ride, sponsored by Rex Cycles, a bicyclemaker in Sacramento, supports the American River Parkway Foundation. It's a 60-mile noncompetitive ride that begins at William Pond Recreation Area, goes to Discovery Park, then all the way to Beal's Point in Folsom, before heading back to William Pond. There will beaid stations at William Pond, Discovery Park and Beal's Point.

And, of course, riders do not have to complete all 60 miles to enjoy the post-ride barbecue at the starting point. 

Cost is $75, which includes a T-shirt, and registration concludes June 1. To register to get more informatiion, click here.  

Comic-book style geekiness reaches an apex this summer with the releases of "The Avengers," "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "The Dark Knight Rises." .

But if those movies are too mainstream for you, there's Sac Con, happening June 3 at the Scottish Rite Center, at 6151 H St., across from Sacramento State.

The one-day comics convention will feature a 4:30 panel discussion on what it means to be a geek, specificially a Sacramento geek.

The panel discussion will kick off a summer of geeky inquiry and celebration by the Sac Geeks website and Meetup group.

The panel talk will help introduce a Sac Geeks project that puts images of geek-friendly local businesses and celebrities on a deck of 54 collectible playing cards.

"One of the queens will be Kiki from Warp 11," Sac Geeks' Stephanie Rector said.

For you non-geeks, Warp 11 is Sacramento's own saucy, Star Trek-themed rock band.

Ever wonder what the origin of American "classical" music is?

Sure, major influences came from Europe. But a lot came from elsewhere - and that music is the focus of the VITA Academy's upcoming concert May 26.

Much of its identity begins when Antonin Dvorak was brought to America in the 1890's to head the National Conservatory in New York. It was there that he trained a generation of composers to develop a truly "American" voice in classical composition.

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"How to Train Your Dragon," from 2010, is one of the best animated movies in recent years. Now DreamWorks, the studio behind that movie, has transformed the story of a boy and his dragon into an arena show.

The elaborate show, featuring animatronic creatures a la "Walking With Dinosaurs," will reach Sacramento's Power Balance Pavilion Jan. 2-6, 2013. Tickets are not yet on sale, but the clip above, from a recent "Today" show, offers a nice preview.

Further information on the arena show is available at the production's website.

The notion of spending a bucolic day on a 200-acre walnut farm an hour's drive from Sacramento brings to mind the "unofficial anthem" of the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969. Sure, there's a connection.

"Goin' Up the Country" by Canned Heat became an international hit after Woodstock, with lyrics that include, "I'm gonna leave this city, got to get away.../Well, I'm going where the water tastes like wine.../ I'm goin' to some place where I've never been before."

Which sounds a lot like going to Back to the Farm - yes, in the country - where you'll find live entertainment, smokin' barbecue, a farmers market, pie-eating contest, games of horseshoes and a good ol' fashioned milk bottle toss. Plus: tractor and farm equipment exhibits and demonstrations.

You'll take Highway 99 north toward Yuba City, then scenic Highway 20 west to Meridian, finding Farmlan Road when you arrive.

The good times will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 2. Admission will be $5 "per wheel," so you'll pay $20 if you arrive by car, $10 if by motorcycle. Information: (916) 355-4056, www.benalishrine.org. Back to the Farm will benefit Ben Ali Shriners.

Motocross racing and medicine intersect Thursday when elite riders from the Hangtown Motocross Classic host about 70 young patients from UC Davis Children's Hospital for a special behind-the-scenes look at their sport.

"This is something the series has talked about for some time," said Hangtown spokesman David Plag. "About three or four of our young riders actually have been patients at that hospital, so they're very committed to trying to give back."

Located on Stockton Boulevard in Sacramento, UC Davis Children's Hospital will have extra staff on hand this weekend to handle any emergencies for young riders participating in Hangtown, Plag said.

As many as 150 cyclists will gather tomorrow at 7 a.m. at Folsom Lake to embark on a four-day ride to raise money and awareness.

The annual NorCal AIDS Cycle will cover 330 miles through the Sierra foothills and Central Valley. Each participant has raised at least $1,500 for AIDS education and research. Among the participants will be Sacramento City Councilman Jay Schenirer, who will present a proclamation from the city before tomorrow's start.

For more information on the fund-raising effort and the route of the course, click here.

Civil War reenactments are slices of living history, staged by serious-minded recreationists all over the United States and even abroad. The well-planned events, which usually focus on specific battles, will be especially elaborate this year, the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States.

For a close-up look, hundreds of reenactors from around the West will perform their dramatic scenarios and recreate 1860s battlefield lifestyles and camps Saturday and Sunday in "The Civil War Experience" at 300-acre Gibson Ranch. Included will be period fashion shows, speeches by President Abraham Lincoln, food concessions, live music and 19th century-era arts and crafts.

As a walk-up to that, on Friday more than 2,000 students (fifth through 12th grades) will take part in a living history day, bringing their classroom studies to life.

The "Civil War Experience" will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Gibson Ranch Regional Park is at 8556 Gibson Ranch Road, Elverta. The $7 general admission included parking. For tickets and more information: (916) 806-3868.

The Wakamatsu Festival, honoring traditional Japanese cultural, will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony Farm at941 Cold Springs Road in Placerville.

All aspects of Japanese culture will be featured, including a sushi making display by celebrity chef Taro Arai, a samurai sword demonstration, sake tasting, a taiko drum performance and origami making.

 The Wakamatsu Farm, established in 1869, is widely believed to be the first permanent Japanese colony in the continental United States. The 272-acre ranch was recently acquired by the American River Conservancy to preserve the site's cultural and natural resources.

For details and to purchase tickets ($15 for adults, $7 for children ages 10 to 18, under-10 is free) click here.

A Sacramento event recognizing the surviving Japanese American veterans of World War II is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.

In November 2011, veterans from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the Military Intelligence Service were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal -- but because many of the elderly recipients were unable to travel to Washington, D.C., for the official ceremony, Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) is hosting the Sacramento event, as well.

The Sacramento event will take place at 11 a.m. May 26 at the California Museum's courtyard. The museum is located at 1020 O St. in downtown Sacramento.

Eligible veterans who would like to receive a replica gold medal are encouraged to RSVP at www.sacramentocgm.eventbrite.com.

The local event is co-hosted by the Sacramento Japanese American Citizens League, the Asian Community Center and AARP.

 

The Sacramento County Fair, which takes place May 24-28 at Cal Expo, has adopted the theme "Let's Eat, Have Fun & Celebrate the Red, White, & Blue" this year. 

And what's more red, white and blue than a corn dog eating contest? 

Yes, that's one of the highlights, along with other All-American acitivites such as a demolition derby, a street hot road show and bull riding.

Cost is $5 for adults. Children under 12 are free. Click here to purchase tickets.  

 

Northern California has more than its share of trail races. But a new one that will take place on May 19, called the Coloma River Run, will have several unusual twists:

• It will be a charity trail race, benefitting Type 1 diabetes.

• And it will be held at Cronan Ranch, trails that were opened to the public only last year and that have not been previously been used for trail races.

The run, which features 5K, 10K and 10-mile distances, benefits the Northern California Inland chapter of JDRF, the diabetes organization focused on Type 1 diabetes. It will start at 8 a.m. in Lotus and the Cronan Ranch trailhead. Cost is $45.

"Runners are looking forward to the challenging terrain and breathtaking views," said Roger Leasure III, a JDRF board member, and ultra-runner, said in a prepared statement. "It's a hidden gem 40 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 49."

To register, click here.

McKinley Park and the surrounding neighborhood will be bustling with garden lovers Saturday as the hub of three events.

Starting at 10 a.m., volunteers and officials will gather at the historic Frederick N. Evans Memorial Rose Garden for its reopening ceremony. Hosted by Friends of East Sacramento, the re-dedication begins at 10:30 a.m. and will feature the release of white doves, music and light refreshments. The public is welcome to attend the free event.

With more than 1,150 roses, the 83-year-old rose garden has been closed since last fall for major renovations including the installation of a new irrigation system, new walkways and other improvements to make the garden more accessible to visitors. The rose garden is located on H Street between Alhambra Boulevard and 33rd Street.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Geranium Society is hosting its annual show and sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the park's Shepard Garden and Arts Center, located at 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento. This free show features hundreds of geraniums and their close cousins, pelargoniums. Many unusual varieties will be offered for sale.

Also on Saturday, seven outstanding residential gardens will be open to the public during the 14th annual East Sacramento Garden Tour. A fund-raiser for the David Lubin Elementary School, the tour starts at the school, 3535 M St., and winds through the Fabulous Forties neighborhood. A boutique also will be held at the school's multipurpose room from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets for the tour are $25. Too busy on Saturday? The tour also will be held on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a Mother's Day treat. Learn more at www.eastsacgardentour.com.

Author and Davis Enterprise columnist Derrick Bang has done a terrific job with his biography of San Francisco-born jazz artist Vince Guaraldi, "Vince Guaraldi at the Piano" (McFarland, $45, 400 pages). Catch Bang at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Avid Reader, 617 Second St., Davis; (530) 758-4040.

The late Guaraldi was perhaps better known among fellow musicians and the jazz cognoscenti than he was by the public. Still, it was Guaraldi who helped pioneer bossa nova and other Latin music in this country, and who charmed children and their parents with his bright and bouncy scores for 18 "Peanuts" TV specials.

What fianally put him in the public consciousness was his Grammy Award-winning "Cast Your Fate to the Wind." Though that 1963 single was popular, it wasn't until the British group Sounds Orchestral covered it in 1965 that it hit the Billboard Top 10.

It's hard to believe that it has been 25 years since John Adams' "Nixon in China" opera hit the opera stage.

That work, which has a libretto by Alice Goodman, has aged very well.

And it is only fitting that the anniversary gets honored when the San Francisco Opera performs the Bay Area permiere of the work, starting June 8.

This weekend the Vocal Arts Ensemble will perform "Inkspell," - whose choral music is married to poems by Rumi, Frost, and Shakespeare, and others.

The choral group will perform works by Debussy, Eric Whitacre, and Vaughan Williams.

The evening will also include poetry enactments directed by Russell St Clair of Daedalus Performance Company.

With Gov. Jerry Brown front and center in state politics, filmmakers Sascha Rice and Hilary Armstrong's documentary "California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown," seems more than timely.

The doc is a look into the Brown California family dynasty - a dynasty some liken to the Massachusetts-borne Kennedy dynasty. The film's main focus is Gov. Brown's father - the late Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown.

In the documentary, Rice and Armstrong enlist journalists, historians, contemporary thinkers, and politicians (including Jerry Brown) to frame a narrative that offers a political, philosophical, and psychological perspective on Pat Brown.

The Corvette has been America's sportscar since General Motors introduced the first model in 1953. The fiberglass convertible was meant to compete with the likes of British-made Triumph and Jaguar, and cost around $2,000. The Beach Boys' song "Shut Down," about a drag race involving a 1963 Stingray, helped put the official stamp on the Corvette as an icon.

That's the kind of lore that you'll hear when Corvette owners and fans gather at the "Vettes for Vets" car show at the California Automobile Museum, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 27. It's in honor of "the hard work and dedication that military veterans have committed to our country."

The Corvette showing is free to everyone; military veterans will be admitted free to two special exhibits inside the museum, opening the same day. "No Job Too Big" will display commercial vehicles such as buses, tow trucks and police cars. The second show will feature the French Citron DS.

If you're a Corvette owner, you can display your car at the "Vettes for Vets" show. Advance registration is $10, or $15 the day of the event. To register: (916) 442-6802, www.calautomuseum.org.

General admission to the museum is $8, $7 seniors, $4 students, free for age 4 and younger. The museum is at 2200 Front St., Sacramento.

They're green, growing and ready resources of both information and relaxation. Now is a great time to check out these living libraries for ideas, too.

Friday is National Public Gardens Day, when scores of great gardens will welcome visitors with special events.

"They're a rich source of ideas," said Paul James, HGTV's "Gardener Guy" and national spokesman for public gardens. "A lot of what you see has obvious impact in your own garden. You can see what grows under the shade of an oak tree, how to edge a garden bed, create a pathway or an effective mix of plants. And 99 percent of the time, the plants are clearly labeled."

In a letter posted online by his For Arts Sake initiative Mayor Kevin Johnson has put the onus on Sacramento area arts patrons to help a struggling arts community.

In that letter Johnson said "I encourage everyone to find a way to demonstrate support - whether to buy a ticket to a show, purchase a painting, listen to music, or just share great local art experiences."

It is unclear to what extent area residents are compelled to do so - up and above what they already do in that realm.

The Folsom Symphony has announced its 2012-2013 season, its ninth.

The all-volunteer orchestra will perform all of its concerts at the Three Stages performing arts complex on the campus of Folsom Lake College.

The season opens Oct. 20 with "A Heart's Jewel and Triumph," featuring Mendelssohn's Concerto in E Minor, and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," as well as Schubert's Symphony No. 8 ("Unfinished").

Van Halen will not be skipping Sacramento after all. David Lee Roth, Eddie and the boys will perform on Saturday, Aug. 25 at Power Balance Pavilion.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday through the PBP box office, One Sports Parkway, Sacramento, or Ticketmaster (800-745-3000). Tickets run $47-$147.

The initial run of Van Halen's 2012 tour skipped Sacramento, booking June dates in Oakland and San Jose instead. But Sacramento will catch the band on a new leg of its tour.

The video above offers a taste of what will happen in August at Power Balance Pavilion. Just imagine less hair and slightly less mobility.

The Wiggles, one-time regulars on the cover of Toddler Times, have been quieter in recent years. But the undulating "Hot Potato" singers have returned to original, primary-colored form, and on Tuesday, July 17, will perform at Sacramento's Community Center Theater.

Yellow Wiggle and original member Greg Page has returned to the group. The show will emphasize positive messages like the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle (a.k.a. wiggling).

Tickets run $15-$75, and are available through Tickets.com (800-225-2277) or at the Community Center Theater box office, 1301 L St., Sacramento.

Sacramento State University's "One Book" program selection for 2012-13 has been announced -- and it's "One Amazing Thing," a novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

 

Hikers looking to traverse areas not normally open to the public should head to Solano County this weekend.

The Solano Land Trust is hosting two hikes. Saturday at 9 a.m., a docent will lead a group on the King-Swett ranchland. On Sunday at 9 a.m., another group will hike the hilly Lynch Canyon Open Space.

Participants on either hike should bring a backpack with plenty of water, and snacks or lunch. They should wear boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants, layered clothes, and protection from sun. Lynch Canyon drivers should also bring $5 cash for parking. 

For Saturday's hike, participants are to meet at the Park n Ride lot off the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke Parkway exit of Interstate 80. On Sunday, hikers will meet at the Lynch Canyon trailhead lot at the intersection of Lynch Road and McGary Road, between the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke and Red Top Road exits off I-80.

More information here.

Break out your faux-sombrero and get your tastebuds primed for some tequila. The holiday known as Cinco de Mayo touches down on Saturday, commemorating the Mexican army's defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla via food and drink specials. So where are the best spots to get your Cinco de Mayo on? Here are our Top 3 picks:

* Zocalo (18th and Capitol, Sacramento) will be holding an all-day Cinco de Mayo fiesta starting at 11 a.m. Throughout the day and night you'll find drink specials, a pig roast, folkloric dancing and mariachis. Ajua! www.zocalosacramento.com

* Tequila Museo Mayahuel (12th and K streets, Sacramento) will host a two-day Cinco de Mayo party starting on Friday at 4 p.m. A beer garden and Aztec dancers will also be part of the festivities. tequilamuseo.com

* Or, you can give your liver a break and do something healthy with a Cinco de Mayo 5K/10K run or walk in Roseville. The 9 a.m. run winds through the Miners Ravine Trail in Roseville. For more information: (775) 232-7933 or www.cincodemayorun.com. After that, you can re-fuel in Roseville at Mas Cocina Mexicana (1561 Eureka Rd., Roseville) with food, drinks, plus mariachis and traditional folkloric dancing. masroseville.com.

The fourth Hot Lunch free music series at Fremont Park will kick off Thursday, May 31 with blues and jam rock band Island of Black and White . The series will continue every Thursday through Aug. 30.

Programmed by Sacramento music-scene veteran Jerry Perry and sponsored by Hot Italian restaurant and Friends of Fremont Park, the series will run 11 a.m.-1 p.m. each Thursday.

Musical acts include local favorites Kepi Ghoulie, formerly of the Groovie Ghoulies, and Jonah Matranga, former lead singer of Far, and emerging talent such as strings-enhanced rock band Exquisite Corps and indie hip hop trio the Bell Boys.

Those who like to look to the firmament already are marking May 20 on their calendars. That's when an annular eclipse of the sun, in which the moon appears smaller than the sun and is surrounded by a rings, will take place.

Elk Mountain Cabins at Redwood National Park in Orick, on the eclipse "path,"  is offering a $40 eclipse guided-tour package that includes commentary by experts.  By the way, the eclipse will take place between 5:30 and 7 p.m. and last 4 1/2 minutes. Redding, too, is considered a prime viewing spot, because it's located only 18.6 miles south of the eclipse's path.

For more information about the Orick tour package, click here.

One of the more unusual and provocative concerts this season is on tap when the Sacramento Youth Symphony's Premier Orchestra performs with Indian composer and instrumentalist Chitravina Ravikiran.

Ravikiran (pictured, right) will join the orchestra on the 20-stringed slide instrument called the chitravina.

The orchestra, with Michael Neumann conducting, will perform two Ravikiran compositions: "The Haunted Brook" and "Maltz."

You don't need to go to the Bay Area or LA to find documentarians like Sacramento natives Christopher Rufo and Keith Ochwat kicking out interesting work.

The two have produced and will be screening their latest doc "Age of Champions" - the story of five competitors who compete for gold at the National Senior Olympics.

Hailed by the Washington Post as "infectiously inspiring," the documentary plumbs the resiliency and spirit of a 100-year-old tennis champion, an 86-year-old pole vaulter, and rough-and-tumble basketball grandmothers.

The free screening is hosted by assembly speaker John Pérez and will include a Q&A with director Rufo and producer Ochwat along with aging and health experts. Free parking is included.

Age of Champions
WHEN: 6:45 p.m., May 21
WHERE: Crest Theater, 1013 K St., Sacramento
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (916) 456-5229; www.ageofchampions.org/crest.

The wild peacocks of Winters will be the subject of a special nature presentation and hike on Saturday, May 12 at the Lake Solano Park Nature Center outside of Winters.

Volunteer Barbara Cooper will lead a viewing party through the riparian forest around Lake Solano starting at 10 a.m. at the nature center, located at 8685 Pleasants Valley Road. Parking is $5. The peacock viewing is part of a twice-monthly nature program at Lake Solano.

"You may be one of the first visitors of the season to see newly-hatched pea-chicks. It's sure to be a fun and educational experience for all ages," Cooper said in a prepared statement.

For more information, call (707) 432-0105, extension 200.

Sacramento's own "California Kid" has broadened his style and published an inspiring yet straightforward book of wise advice.

Mixed martial artist and Ultimate Fighting Championship (www.ufc.com) bantamweight warrior Urijah Faber's "The Laws of the Ring" hits bookshelves May 22. The self-help/memoir "gives readers a sense of life inside the cage and how to take those rules into their own world," says promotional material (William Morrow, $25.99, 240 pages). For visuals, it includes a 16-page photo album.

Try this soundbite from page 55: "Conscious competence is the act of possessing the knowledge that you excel at something, and also the knowledge of why you excel at it."

Faber coaches fighters on the FX Network reality show "The Ultimate Fighter Live. "

By now most people now the NPR national radio show "From the Top".

The show, broadcast over 200 stations nationwide to an audience of more than 700,000 weekly, is one of the most popular classical music programs on radio. Locally, "From The Top" is broadcast on KXPR at 3 p.m., Sundays.

The formula of the show is a simple one: present the most promising and interesting young musicians in the country and have them play and interact with show host Christopher O'Riley.

Hey... if you're going to have a week of painting out-of-doors and new art viewing why not do so in the town of Winters, right?

Well, that's the deal in Winters - from May 4-30, with the below slate of Plein Air painting activities. Bring sunblock.

The festival is sponsored by Briggs & Company which is, adroitly, using it as a way to show off their new gallery and restaurant at 314 Railroad Ave. in Winters.