But beware of parking leprechauns! All Ol’ Sac streets will be closed, so make plans to slide in on a rainbow or use your feet.

The event is hosted by the Old Sacramento Business Association. For more details, visit their website.

You can’t save yourself, but for god sake, save your garden! Throw some old sheets over those tender greens tonight.

May the lord save your soul—and your cilantro!

And who could blame them? An all-star line-up of female celebrities turned out to support their pal and our First Lady, Maria Shriver for her big Day at the Museum, a free event sponsored by The Governor and First Lady’s Women’s Conference in honor of Women’s History Month. Everyone from Iron Chef Cat Cora and Lisa Ling to Erin Brockovich and Rita Moreno were on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of California’s women (including their own).

If the renowned company alone wasn’t enough to spark your enthusiasm, all the inspiration in the room surely did. Poems were recited. Meals were cooked. Books were read. Photos were displayed. Artists painted. Tears were shed. Proud voices were raised in praise. There were also men speedily taking notes, trying to soak up every wise word that was uttered. Short of singing “Kumbaya,” this was one emotional-filled day!

Does all this mean that Sacramento has become the new L.A.? I wouldn’t be at all surprised if L.A.’s influentials made this their new favorite hang-out after such an incredible day of Sac-style hospitality.

Indeed, local powerhouses like Biba Caggiano and Univision 19 anchor Johanna Suarez stood side by side on this dream team. In the end, it was a spectacular day of inspiration and empowerment, but for this GreenBeet, it demonstrated one important thing: we’ve got a whole host of powerful women right here in Sac Town. Sacramento will always be our own shining L.A. (Only without the bling and limos, thank you very much).

Festivities also include yoga, chef demonstrations, basket weaving, Indian drumming, exhibits, music, you name it! You’ll be kicking yourself if you miss this grand affair. And you’ve gotta admit the price is right. Here are the details:

Location:  The California Museum, 1020 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Parking:   All-day parking is available for $5.00: 2311 6th Street, Sacramento CA 95818 between 6th and 8th Streets, and W and X Streets in downtown Sacramento. A free shuttle service will run between the lot and the Museum.

Check the event website for schedules and details.

You know you want to. Don’t hesitate any longer! Start making that dirty, dirty dirt! You know what I’m talking about. That’s right, baby. That thing that makes every girl smile: COMPOSTING!

Making dirt ain’t easy. You can’t just throw your scraps in a pile out your back door (unless you love rats). Indeed, there’s a science to the madness. It’s not rocket science, but an art nonetheless. 

Never fear! Help is near. Attend one of the following seminars, brought to you by the sexy City of Sacramento Department of Utilities Solid Waste Services, and you, too, will be making sweet dirt in no time.

You will also have the opportunity to put your fresh knowledge to use with a new, discounted Biostack compost bin, sold at each seminar for $65 (regular price: $129). If you haven’t been out shopping for a compost bin lately, this is a steal! My neighbor purchased hers for the bargain price of $300. My husband built my fancy-dancy 3-bin system with raw materials from the hardware store for $500. $65? You can’t beat that!

At each seminar, you’ll talk more than dirt. You’ll also learn about gardening basics, from cover crops to vegetable gardens. And the price of dirt love? Each seminar is FREE!

Excited yet? Here are the dates, times, and topics:

March 13, 2010 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Southside Park Community Garden
5th and W Streets
Lecture Topic: Adding green manure/cover crops to garden

April 10, 2010 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Fremont Community Garden
14th and Q Street
Lecture Topic: Planting summer vegetables

May 1, 2010 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
J. Neely Johnson Park Community Garden
516 11th Street
Lecture Topic: Planting summer vegetables

September 18, 2010 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
GEO Garden – Grant High School
1221 South Ave
Lecture Topic: Gardening for Youth

October 9, 2010 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Southside Park Community Garden
5th and W Streets
Lecture Topic: Planting cover crops

Need more info? Here are some digits: call 311 or (916) 264-5011.

Even though the price has changed, you’ll still find the same yummy, classic flavor that only the Girl Scouts know how to make. Get ‘em while they last!

Old Soul Co.

The new cafe offers many Old Soul standards: custom roasted coffees, house-made chai (spicy and delish!), homemade soups, sandwiches, salads, pastries, and even breakfast quiches. Their hours are 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day. Head on over to support one of Sacramento’s brightest local businesses.

Chocolate Decadence: The most direct path to your sweetie’s heart is through the stomach. Sacramento has no shortage of phenomenal bakers to treat your honey right. Place your order today to ensure your treats are ready in time!

• Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates offers sinfully elegant options including their V-day specialty Palet D’Or Entrement Cake for $32 featuring “Maracaibo Venezuelan Chocolate Mousse, layered with Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Dacquois, and Crunchy Chocolate Shortbread.” They also offer melt-your-heart chocolates starting at 6 pieces for $12. If you’re going to buy chocolates, you won’t find any better than these!
• Freeport Bakery exceeds all expectations for perfectionist pastries. Their Valentine’s options will make you weak in the knees. They’ve got The Jewel Box, which is a cake and present in one. According to their website, “Our rich chocolate cake gets a layer of luscious mascarpone–custard. We add a touch of espresso, a bit of rum and finish with a chocolate lid. Looks like a delicious little treasure box filled with hearts and roses for your special Valentine.” How precious is that for $26.95? They offer a variety of heart, strawberry, or chocolate cakes and pastries fit for royalty. You can keep it simple, yet elegant, with a gorgeous V-day themed cupcake for a mere $2.95.

Savory Harmony: If your honey is missing a sweet tooth, Sacramento is brimming with options to tempt the palette. With everyone out on the hunt for chocolate, you’ll probably beat the long lines to boot!

• Laszlo’s Gourmet Smoked Fish has the most indulgent offerings! If ever a smoked fish were romantic, Laszlo’s is it. Dripping in a honey-smoked marinade, moist and luscious in every bite, you’ll savor this finger-licking treat as much as you treasure each other. You’ll pay $7.95 per pound.
• The Sacramento Food Coop sells a variety of decadent local cheeses, including Cowgirl Creamery cheeses from Petaluma. Nothing says “love” like a rich, creamy chunk of heavenly cheese!

Tipsy Treats: Wet your whistle before the smooching begins with these local sips.

• Rail Bridge Cellars makes a brilliant 2004 Lattice, which is a perfect blend of five valley Bordeaux varietals. This is a smooth balanced wine with absolutely no bitterness—just like your ideal Valentine. You can find it at Corti Brothers for just under $25. This is a wine that will please even the pickiest aficionado.
• Hoppy Brewing Company’s Hoppy Face Amber Ale is a Valentine-must for your beer-drinking sweetie. They call it “a clean, crisp, well-balanced beer.” It’s just darn delicious! You can find it at Corti Brothers in a 1 pint 6 oz. bottle perfect for sharing for around $5.

Up the romantic-ante by packing a combination of these items in a picnic basket. Then head to the nearest park. The weather forecast is calling for sunny skies all weekend!

The book documents the colorful history of the underground Bay Area punk music scene. According to the author, “outside of New York and London, California’s Bay Area claims the oldest continuous punk-rock scene in the world.” Gimme Somthing Better is the first exclusive look inside the scene from a strictly San Francisco perspective. The San Francisco Chronicle calls the book “…a sweeping oral history likely to remain the definitive tome on the topic.”

Pick up a copy of the book and hear the author speak tonight. And rock on!

Stripes are all the rage right now. These stripes only cost me $6.

If you haven’t already visited the new Article Consignment Boutique at 5704 Elvas Avenue, I suggest you get a move on. Starting tomorrow, January 29 through February 6, you’ll get an extra 10% off items dated 12/30.

That means 60% savings, folks! This consignment store operates on the 30-day system. If an item hasn’t sold after 30 days, it gets marked down to half its original selling price. Bargains await!

This cute little shop gets all sorts of fab pieces from East Sac’s elite. I found Prada, Banana Republic, and Lucky, to name but a few. In addition to the standard women’s lines, they also carry men’s, children’s, and toddler’s clothing. They’ve got jewelry and shoes, too. You can score a few ultra-cheap finds from their $1 dish, but most things range from $6 for a shirt to $75 for a two-piece suit. Everything is clean, ironed, and in pristine condition. This stuff barely looks worn! In fact, I saw a lot of original price tags hanging about.

You can also make money by bringing in your used clothing to sell on consignment. But this story is about shopping! I digress… Pedal on over to Article this weekend. Your wardrobe will thank you for it.

These naturally sweet nuts won’t be around long! This Sunday is your last chance of the season. After that, you’ll have to wait until next fall’s crop. But don’t worry—if you want to eat pecans in the summer, stock up now. You can freeze and enjoy them until the next harvest.

Being the water girl that I am, I attempted to obtain my free ticket online. One for me, plus one for my January birthday pal. In fact, I probably have a dozen friends with January birthdays. Sadly, the online system won’t allow you to select more than one free ticket at a time. So, you’ll have to link up via cell to ensure you’re all booking seats in the same row. An added burden, but hey, they’re FREE.

Hurry! Tickets are only available for two more games: January 26 against the Warriors and January 30 against the Bobcats.

I for one would like to create a top ten list of the most horrible ways to wake up in the morning:

10. Oven door shutting, followed by the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls
9. Wind chimes tink-tinking
8. Kittens purring
7. Waves lapping the beach
6. Rain drops pattering on the window pane
5. Birds singing
4. Hummingbird humming
3. Water fountain splashing
2. Leaves rustling
1. Chickens cooing

Indeed, I’m sure the disturbed neighbors would rather wake up to my top ten list of the absolute best ways to awake each morning:

10. Garbage truck beeping (or any truck for that matter)
9. Leaf blower wailing
8. Coffee grinder grinding
7. Alarm clock blaring
6. Cell phone ringing
5. Dogs barking
4. Lawn mower droning
3. Mosquito buzzing
2. Helicopter flying
1. Cars honking

If you missed the delightful 20^th Anniversary documentary hosted by Morgan Spurlock last night, don’t have a cow, man. Rumor has it the feature is part of Disc 4 on the DVD.

Where can you buy the complete DVD set? Shop locally and head down to The Beat at 1700 J Street. It’ll cost you $49.98.

But that’s just a fact, and as we all know, the wise Homer once said, “Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that’s even remotely true!”

The City of Sacramento has the cleanest drinking water of any city in California!

• Write to the City and tell them to install your water meter today. Water meters have been called the “most effective way to encourage sensible water use” by The Guardian newspaper. We can’t wait till 2025 (the lengthy timeline set for the actual installation throughout the city). We need to start conserving today. Think of this way: if you’re a family of three, and you’re doing your part to save a little water here and there, you’re paying the same amount on your water bill as your neighbor who has a family of five and runs their sprinklers in the rain. Do it for the planet, and do it for your own water bill!
• Stop buying bottled water! A giant bottling company is about to move into town and set up a bottled water factory. In all likelihood, they’ll be pouring our delicious, pure tap water straight into those bottles and then charging you more than the City to drink it. Make your own bottled water instead: wash out empty applesauce jar; fill with tap water; drink. (Okay, maybe this doesn’t conserve water, but it’s good for the planet and keeps plastic out of the landfills, which keeps chemicals from seeping back into our groundwater.)
• Follow the rules! Karma—and Santa—are watching. If you live in Sacramento, you should only be watering your lawn one day per week (even-numbered addresses on Sundays, odd-numbered addresses on Saturdays). There’s water falling right out of the sky this time of year. You seriously don’t need any more than that.

For more info on drinking water quality in Sacramento—and throughout the U.S., read the full report issued by the Environmental Working Group. Some interesting tidbits: Sacramento’s water quality ranks 18^th in the nation, ahead of both Seattle and San Francisco. Riverside and San Diego, California rank among the lowest cities in the nation for water quality. If you’re traveling there, fill up your applesauce jar in the drinking fountain at Sac airport before you go!

Novella Carpenter

Carpenter embodies the passionate social movement surrounding locally grown, sustainable food practices. She’s sharp as a tack, yet laid-back, and comes dressed in her jeans and work boots. She opens by cheering about her afternoon class on backyard chicken farming, “I felt like I was part of the resistance movement. Yeah!” She declares with fist raised, earnest but laughing.

Carpenter takes this work seriously. She lives in a “food desert” in the worst part of Oakland called Ghost Town, where gun fire is a regular occurrence. The only place to buy “groceries” is a neighborhood liquor store packed with cheese puffs and jerky. Having been raised by hippie parents who grew gardens and raised rabbits, Carpenter knows that life can be better than this. And rather than write letters or sign petitions, she has taken matters into her own hands.

In the empty lot next to her apartment, Carpenter has built a 1/10^th-acre urban farm on land she neither owns nor rents. She keeps an open-gate policy, inviting anyone from the neighborhood to share in her bounty, pick from her garden, and enjoy the space. After all, it’s not hers to begin with. And in a space that’s otherwise fraught with violence, Carpenter delights in the sense of ownership her tiny farm plot has created. “It’s about being part of the community,” she says. This might be the one spot in the neighborhood where nobody steals or vandalizes. Folks embrace the little farm, and it shows.

The farm began when Carpenter ordered some baby chickens online on a whim. Once they arrived, she knew she had to get serious. Her passion grew with the chickens, and she soon added to her flock: bees, a garden, and eventually goats, rabbits, and pigs. She fattens her animals on scraps found in restaurant dumpsters. As she describes it, “my function is to divert the waste stream of the city,” straight into her pigs’ mouths.

Farm City reveals many of Carpenter’s adventures in urban farming, but her work doesn’t end with the book. As part of her book tour, she’s been traveling the country visiting other urban farms. She’s learning and sharing with others, building bonds for this urban movement as she goes. In Sacramento, she recently taught a course on keeping urban chickens. Because the chicks are currently illegal inside the city, Carpenter is happy to be part of our local movement in her small way.

Whether you’re a backyard gardener yourself, an aspiring chicken owner, or simply looking for a witty tale that will keep you laughing, be sure to add Farm City to your holiday reading list.

The Crest, which its grand architectural detail.

Palladio 16 in Folsom.

Last night marked the grand ribbon cutting and opening of the new Palladio 16 Cinemas in Folsom. The event offered much pomp and circumstance, complete with a limo loop to drive attendees from parking lot to red “carpet” (which is actually a sparkly, red, stone addition to the actual sidewalk).

The theater seats are spacious and cozy—they even recline. The digital picture quality was sharp and pristine. The entire place still smells of plastic and new—except for the entrance, which obviously smelled of freshly popping, buttery corn.

Overall, it’s certainly a quality viewing experience. Yet, for the $19 price tag you’ll pay to experience it, you won’t find any of the exquisite character of The Crest with its grand architecture and artistic detail. Aside from the fancy red sidewalk, it’s just a basic, dark, nondescript theater. You won’t be hearing the classic Annie song “Let’s go to the Movies” with images of Broadway tap dancers floating through your head. It’s just another movie theater with an ultra-high ticket price.

This drive provides materials for the nonprofit’s art therapy program helping teens from at-risk families. They are specifically in need of art supplies for youth ages 10-18.

With art provisions in tow, you’ll be merrily welcomed at the Raphael Delgado Art Studio for an evening of food and appreciation from 5-9 p.m. You are also welcome to browse—and purchase—one of his cubist paintings: 30% of proceeds will benefit the youth project.

Delgado’s art ranges from somber to quiet intellect to the emotional and peaceful—all set to life through color, shape, and deeply-felt creativity. Through his art, you can sense Delgado’s connection to community—a feeling that will be even richer this Second Saturday as he invites others to join him in giving back to local kids.

To buy your art supplies, visit Art Ellis Supply, where you’ll receive a 20% discount by mentioning the Crayons to Canvas drive. Even if you can’t attend the art show, your donations are welcome.

Looking for something cheaper? They’ve got lots of sizes and prices from which to choose. If you love the scent of pine, but can’t bear to cut down a real tree, a living tree is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday. And buying it from a local farmer?—Double brownie points for you. Your name is sure to land on Santa’s “nice” list this year!

The movie takes place in France, so you’ll need to read subtitles. It’s about a dysfunctional family: the sister banishes a brother from her life; the mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness; and the grandson is sent to a mental institution. Then the whole family comes together for the holiday, and the viewer must endure their puffy speeches and trying interactions. The only likeable moments are those shared between the outcast son and his mother, whose constant banter about hating one another is clearly their distant manner of sharing affection.

Despite the jacket’s description of the film as a “black comedy,” there is truly nothing funny in the entire movie. Any fan of black comedy will be left wondering when the humor will begin. There are no Harold and Maud moments, no Juno wit. This is also not a “new holiday classic,” as the jacket claims. It’s a pompous film with lots of lengthy diatribes, literary references, and deeply artistic moments. The pace is akin to watching a slug cross the room in this overly long, 2.5 hour movie. It’s reminiscent of dialogue-heavy movies like Rachel Getting Married. Boring!

Don’t get scrooge’d! If you want to be saved from a Cindy Lou Who moment in Whoville, when what you think you’re seeing isn’t truly what it appears, for all that is sacred about holiday movies, please do not rent A Christmas Tale. Your holiday will be merrier for having missed it.

You can get involved, too! I signed up online. After that, the project provided me with an online guide containing detailed instructions for the week—with strict orders that it not be printed, of course. According to the helpful tips, as we progress through the week, we’re supposed to gradually decrease our environmental footprint, eliminating as we go.

The project asked me to set a goal for myself: Maybe I’ll discover new ways to produce less garbage.

Sunday
On Sunday, the project challenge was to consume less. As a concept, this seemed easy enough. I don’t need any new clothes. I can live without a trip to the book store. Problem is: Sunday is my errand day. I needed toilet paper, toothpaste, and food. What’s a girl to do?

Thankfully, the project recognizes the reality of our lives. They offer the option to buy greener products (like recycled toilet paper) if we must shop, or go to the thrift store for items that might be salvaged anew. They also recommend crossing off any items on the list that aren’t 100% essential (I guess I don’t need that chocolate bar). Maybe we can live without them after all.

Delightfully, when it comes to food, the No Impact project is very pro-farmers’ market. After all, you’re reducing your fuel footprint when you buy locally, because your produce is driving in from a farm nearby rather than flying in on a plane from Ecuador. So, on the first day of my experiment, I shopped at the farmers’ market. I skipped the plastic bags offered and simply dropped the produce into my cloth bags instead.

I wasn’t quite as accomplished in my efforts at the grocery store. I made a point of buying products made in California, but the olives came in aluminum cans that I’ll have to recycle. The beans, too. I should have purchased them from the bulk bins, but this store didn’t have any.

Yet, my day wasn’t a total loss. I gained personally from the experiment. By purchasing only what I absolutely needed, I saved a bundle on my bill. Being green is cheap!

Monday
Monday, day two, the challenge was to reduce my trash. Of course, for years now my husband and I have discussed building a compost bin, which has yet to materialize. This is the first set of strikes against me.

Secondly, I’m coming down with a cold. I’ve been using a lot of tissue on my runny nose, which piles up in the trash amazingly quickly! The project guidelines suggest cutting up old t-shirts to replace napkins and tissue. I think it’s time I say goodbye to the well-worn pajama shirt I’ve been wearing since high school. It will now make many hankies. It will probably be softer on my nose, too.

I didn’t fail miserably, despite my tissue snafu. While making a sandwich for my husband to take to work, I reached for a plastic zip top bag. Then, remembering the day’s challenge, I instead dropped the bagel inside a cottage cheese container I had washed. After that, I decided to move my plastic baggies out of the kitchen altogether. Out of sight; out of mind. Score one win against the landfill at least.

Also, building on Sunday’s test, I did not purchase anything. Zilch. Nada. Another small victory!

This No Impact Week challenge isn’t easy, but I feel better for trying. Wish me luck! I’ll be writing throughout the week. Check back to read my tales. And join me! Saving the planet is always better with friends.

Visit their Facebook page for a preview of what’s on sale, and to print off a coupon for a free cup of coffee.

If you’ve got any women on your gift list that like hand-made jewelry, or pretty things in general, you’re sure to find something here.

My pretty, pretty dress sewn by staff designers at Bows & Arrows. Purchased for $30.

Do your eyes widen at the site of acrylic? Does your closet hold a collection of pieces from your mom, your grandma, and possibly even your dad’s old wardrobe? Can you replicate the latest fashion trends just by rummaging through treasures at the back of your closet? Do you wear those clothes to your professional job?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, chances are you’re a vintage junkie. Lucky for you, there’s an elemental store that caters to the inner-most fashion dreams of the true vintage queen: Bows & Arrows. Indeed, this place, decked out with its fluffy cat idols and ultra-hip recyclables, could easily double as a museum of fashions gone by—and come back again. Filled with age-old classics ranging from fluorescent, poke-a-dot housewife dresses and faded cowgirl boots to 80s sunglasses and authentic stirrup leggings, this shop will make you drop to your knees and thank the style goddesses. If thrift stores were ever trendy, Bows & Arrows takes the lead.

Bows & Arrows opened two years ago. In fact, they’re holding an anniversary sale this Second Saturday, November 14 with 25% off everything! With prices already ranging from $5 to $30, you won’t want to miss out on these savings. They’re located at 1712 L Street in midtown, and will stay open till 10 pm. Festivities will include live music by Rip Wavez, Lite Brite, and Musical Charis with featured art by Jairus Tonel.

For anyone who’s not a vintage shopper, Bows & Arrows will make a convert out of you. I challenge you to grab a copy of the latest fashion magazine, tear out a picture of your favorite outfit, and bring it in to the store. I’m betting you’ll find most, if not all, of the pieces needed to recreate the look. As the saying so aptly goes, everything old is new again. This was never truer than at Bows & Arrows.

The creativity oozing from Bows & Arrows will draw in anyone with the slightest inkling for verve in their wardrobe. The staff even sews new, one-of-a-kind garments from vintage fabrics, creating gorgeous, sexy pieces that would sell for hundreds of dollars in the retail stores. Yet here, you’ll find them for about $30.

Additional props go to the staff for their ability to turn you into a fashionista. If you fall in love with a funky piece of clothing, but just aren’t sure how to turn it into something wearable, they’ll hunt to find you the perfect matching pieces. You’ll walk out with an ensemble fit for the runway.

So, head out to Bows & Arrows this Saturday. It’ll pierce your heart and make you fall in love, too.

The story takes place in Germany in the 1800s, yet you could easily be watching a modern drama. The themes are utterly timeless: teenage rebellion against strict parents and stern teachers; new love; curiosity about the body; heartache and hope.

In the opening act, female lead Wendla asks her mother how babies are made. She no longer believes in the stork. Her mother scolds her for talking about such subjects and refuses to provide information. Separately, two school boys, Melchior and Moritz share the content of their recent dreams. Moritz is clueless about how his body works, let alone why he’s having such indescribable yearnings.

This is a story about teenagers coming of age, awakening to their sexuality. All the while the adults stand prominently and anonymously in the background, glowering over the youth, scolding them for every straying thought and refusing to provide helpful information. The teens are left to learn for themselves—with utterly tragic results.

The emotions in this play run high, cutting to the core of the viewer through powerful song, music, and lighting. There’s an electricity of youthful fervor that comes through in rock songs like “Totally Fucked,” where the cast jump and run about the stage, crawling from ladders and pounding their bodies. The high energy is reminiscent of a rocker’s mosh pit, and the 1800s hairstyles and knickers only add to the enthusiastic punk flare.

And for those who enjoy songs in the classical Broadway tradition, this play offers plenty of those, too. There are both haunting and hopeful melodies sung with theatrical gusto.

The band and staging add to the success of this play. Rather than hiding the band in the orchestra pit, Spring Awakening sets them directly at the rear of the stage, lending even more authenticity to the rock quality of many performances.

The audience are also part of the set: bleachers filled with today’s youth double as a kind of “back stage,” where actors sit during the performance. Meanwhile, during full cast musical productions, youth from the stage audience stand at their seats to sing backup. All this plays into the timelessness of the show.

Hats must come off to the courageous actors in this dynamite play. Wendla played by Christy Altomare and Melchior played by Jake Epstein are a delightful and believable romantic match. Their love scenes are equally sweet and bitter, their yearnings affecting. They both sing like doves in perfect pitch. Meanwhile, actors Taylor Trensch (Moritz) and Steffi D (Ilse) could successfully start a rock band with their sassy stage presence and powerful vocals. The two provide a charismatic and angst-filled match to the romantic leads.

Overall, Spring Awakening is rich, dynamic, and alive with originality.

Four stars.