Email sign photos to RunnerGirl1971@gmail.com for consideration for some sort of fantastic prize.

Using your network

• If you would like a few minutes of a hiring manager’s time to learn more about a position, contact him or her to set up an appointment. Keep it quick, professional, and to the point. If calling or e-mailing, say or write, “Hi, my name is XXXXX, and my (friend/coworker/neighbor) XXXX referred me to you about the XXXX position. Could I please schedule about 15 minutes of your time to learn about this more?” This will show initiative for finding out more, will help you get a foot in the door, and you’re being respectful of that person’s time. Do not assume that he or she will have time to talk to you right then. By all means, do talk to the person right then if the timing works out in your favor.
• If you need to schedule something for a later time, follow up. If a friend/coworker/whoever referred you to someone, follow up, even if you’re not interested in the position, as the conversation might lead to something even better. If you don’t follow up, you’ll only be remembered as a flake.

Applying for the job

• Follow the employer’s process. If you’re supposed to apply online, apply online. Most employers these days use online systems to manage the recruiting, screening, and interviewing process. Your resume is not going off into space when you submit it online. If you don’t hear back from someone, it’s likely that a more suitable candidate was found.
• Believe the company representative when he or she says that you can’t submit a hard copy of your resume. Many employers in this region are some sort of government contractor and are therefore required to keep all submitted resumes (solicited or not) on file for three years. The online system is significantly easier to store resumes and keep track of who’s applied for what than a paper system. You will only tick off the company representative if you persist in submitting the hard copy after he or she has clearly told you “no.”
• Ensure your resume has no typos — this includes ensuring you’re not spelling “ensure” as “insure.” Look it up.
• There is no harm in contacting the company to learn more about the position. The hiring manager can give you details on what the job requirements are and what a typical day might be. If you’re not qualified for that particular position, ask if there are others within the company or industry that might be more appropriate. It does not hurt to ask.

The interview

• Allow plenty of time for driving, traffic, parking, any security you may have to go through, and getting inside with enough time to calm your nerves. If you show up more than 10 minutes early, sit in your car or go to a nearby business until 10 minutes before your scheduled time. Sitting in the reception area for more than 10 minutes or so might make you more nervous. Make a quick trip into the restroom to give your appearance one more quick look and also to wash your hands. If you tend to run warm and sweaty, cool off your hands with cold water and dry thoroughly. If you run cold, wash with warm water so you feel human during the handshake.
• Dress conservatively. This is not the time for anything outrageous or wearing something your kids obviously gave you (necklace made of Cheerios, cartoon character tie, etc.)
• If the interviewer offers you a beverage, take it. There’s little more distracting than talking to someone who obviously has a bad case of dry mouth.
• Make sure you keep a small stash of Kleenex in your pocket or purse. With the Sacramento area’s allergens, you never know when a sneezing fit might start. I’ll just leave it at that.

After the interview

• As someone who has always hand written her thank you notes on tasteful note cards (more economical options are just as suitable — I’m a paper snob), I have been downright shocked that a grand total of one person (out of six finalists) sent me a thank you following an interview. It was just an e-mail, but it was at least some acknowledgment of my time and consideration, and it was the opportunity for the candidate to share some of his key messages again. It’s also the opportunity for the interviewer to refer the interviewee to a different position or make recommendations for improvements.
• If you said you would send follow-up information, do so as quickly as possible.
• Even if you’re not interested in the position, follow up anyway, even if it’s just to say, “Thank you so much for your time. I realized that this might not be the best fit for me, but please do keep me in mind if something in the area of XXXXX comes up. May I contact you at a later point to talk about new developments with your company?”

Note: If you’re someone who knows me outside of this here blog, please do not make any specific references to my company or the position for which I’ve been hiring. I keep work and blogging completely separate, and I will disown you.

No long-term Sacramentan could ever forget the Union’s “Four forty-four fifty five five five. That’s the number for the classified!” Fast forward a couple of decades, and now Bonney is singing the “four forty-four” tune. That is SO not cool.

This might go down in the annals as one of the landmark copyright cases. I’m just reminded so much of that Vh1 interview of Vanilla Ice explaining that “Ice Ice Baby” has one more quarter note (actually, I think it’s a hemidemisemiquaver) than Queen’s “Under Pressure.” And I quoth, “See Queen’s is din din din dindindindin, and mine is din din din dindindindin ch.” (The “ch” is the high hat — you know, with the souped up tempo. I’m on a roll; it’s time to go solo.)

Note to Mr. and Mrs. Bonney (who seem like lovely people, by the way): Just don’t touch the old “GET IT NOW! AT FLORIN ROAD TOYOTA” with the entire staff singing along, and we’ll be fine.

You can continue to badger Dustin Pedroia if you:

• Have never made a disparaging remark about the place where you grew up and how eager you were to leave
• Have never made an offhand remark when you were young (or even not so young) that you wish you could take back
• Have never thought that someone’s words could be taken out of context or interpreted differently when retold by a different person
• Think that a 25 year old who earned the American League Rookie of the Year and American League MVP titles, who is making millions, and who is living in one of America’s most wicked cool cities wouldn’t draw comparisons to his current situation vs. where he was raised

Just chill, or else this person might make a new video (warning: salty language!)

There are, however, instances where a reporter will give information on a major accident or hazard that is sure to clog up the roads for some time, and the reporter rarely repeats where this incident is located. He or she will just say, “So stay clear of THAT area!” and move on with the rest of the scoop from the (insert sponsor’s name here) traffic center.

All I ask is that they simply wrap it up by saying, “Again, that’s on northbound Watt near Folsom” or wherever the incident is.  I find myself having a DVR reflex, like I’m reaching for a phantom remote to hit the back-up-15-seconds button to hear the location. Alas, there is no such technology in my rig.

Am I just being picky?

Here are the rules:
1. Your entry must follow the traditional 5-7-5 syllable structure of haiku
2. It must address a current event
3. Entries must be received no later than noon on Friday, February 13.

Here is an example to get you started:

Obama, save us
Billions* and billions, like stars
We’re shovel-ready

*Assuming you pronounce it like “bill-yuns”  and not “beel-ee-ons”

OK. GO!

Rick Springfield, aka Dr. Noah Drake, will be performing at Tuesday’s tree lighting at the State Capitol. Festivities begin at 4:30pm.

(Maybe Luke and Laura will renew their vows on the Capitol steps during the ceremony, too.  I was always more of a Bo & “Fancy Face” Hope fan myself.)

Mario Lopez will be the MC; although, I’m sure it will be too cold outside for him to show off his ripped abs.

RunnerGirl will be out of town on business; otherwise, I would SO be there.

The downturn affected me (and also sac-eats, as he is married to me, and my layoff also greatly affected him) in early October as I was laid off.  I had the feeling that it was coming — namely, I had been involved in closed-door meetings in the previous two cycles of layoffs, yet I was not included in these meetings this time around — so I had at least mentally prepared myself a bit.

Here is how I got into an even better position in five weeks flat:

First Steps:
- Recognize that this is not personal.  This has nothing to do with you as a person or your skills (unless you’re told otherwise)
- Truly view this as an opportunity.  Even if you loved your job (as I did with mine), you know that there are things that could have been improved.  There ARE companies and organizations in growth mode, so here’s your shot to escape from a position that will likely continue to be uncomfortable until things turn around.

OK, now these:

Let everyone know that you’re looking for work, everyone. As noted in last week’s article by Claudia Buck, develop your 15 second elevator speech.  When people ask how you’re doing, and by “people” I mean anyone who asks you the general “how are you doing?” question, tell them your story.  Here was mine, “I just got laid off and am looking for new opportunities. I have nearly 15 years of communications and public affairs experience, both in the public and private sectors.  I’ve worked in regional planning, utilities, and construction, but I am flexible with what I’ll do next.  I also have seven solid years of non-profit governance and leadership experience.”

With any job, it’s all about who you know, and you never know who’s related to whom when you’re out talking to people in the community.

Check out the indeed site. This is a central repository of almost every job that’s posted online.  You should check this no less than once per day, and use a variety of key words.  Be sure to keep clicking through all of the pages, even if it seems like there’s nothing in the search results that interest you, as I found many gems buried in pages 7-9.

Get connected online. Do you have an up-to-date profile on LinkedIn?  If not, develop your network.  Don’t be shy about asking for introductions. If you’re comfortable in your job, this is also a good thing to develop, because you never know.  If you know my real name, please add me as one of your contacts.

Clean up your online persona. Review your Facebook or MySpace profiles to ensure there’s nothing on there that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see.  They do check these things, you know.

Get up, cleaned up, dressed, and out the door each day. Do not let grass grow under your feet.  Millions of people are in the same situation you are.  Don’t let one of them beat you to your ideal job. Get in touch with old business contacts and ask to have lunch or coffee with them.  The odds are strong that they’ll even buy you your lunch or coffee because you’re the unemployed person (but don’t expect this — offer to pay for theirs when the bill comes, of course, because you invited them, remember?)

Believe it or not, now is not the time to skimp completely on haircuts or other grooming. Sure, you might be able to switch to a slightly less pricey brand, or you can try a slightly less posh salon, but do not space out your haircuts more or try to get by with one more wear before sending stuff to the cleaners — it will show (or smell), and you won’t feel as confident. Even Clark Howard says this, and that guy is cheap. Here are some previous suggestions on places to go for economical upkeep.

Are you involved in anything outside of work? If so, do you take a leadership role in those activities?  If so, why not?  Anyone can be a dues-paying member. Be specific about what your involvement is.  Anyone can write platitudes in cover letters or resumes, but specifics stand out. For example, “As the vice president of fundraising of XXX organization, I was responsible for recruiting XX volunteers for XX events, resulting in $XX,XXX raised to support programs XX and XX.”

Have you completed any leadership training or continuing education since college? Be sure to note these on your resume. If you haven’t done anything like this, please do so.  It will demonstrate your eagerness to learn new things, will increase your skills and marketability, and you will make valuable contacts outside of your regular circle.

Speaking of resumes, have an expert look at yours.  Key components should include a brief description of you at the top — it will be similar to your elevator speech but less conversational in tone. Just under there, have a bullet point list of your major skills and experience, then list your specific previous positions with a few more details about each job.  This helps you avoid an overly text heavy resume if your previous jobs had similar responsibilities. Again, be specific.

Are you on PAR? Get ready for the behavioral questions in interviews.  Develop no fewer that 20 PAR statements, meaning PROBLEM, ACTION, RESULT. This is how you answer the inevitable questions like, “Tell me about a time when you dealt with a difficult person.” Here is a list of potential questions. The job interview itself should never be the first time you’re thinking about how you would answer these questions.

Take advantage of outplacement services, if this is something that your previous employer is providing for you.  These experts will help you refine your resume, give you a host of tools to get you started, and they’ll provide the ongoing professional support and morale boost that you need.

Realize that this is a numbers game. I applied for no fewer than 35 positions (keep track of your progress on a spreadsheet — positions applied for, date applied, and any follow-up information), and I heard back from a total of four, all of which resulted in interviews, and one of which led to my fabulous new position.

And, of course, be yourself. Like dating, you want to put your best foot forward, but now is not the time to embellish who you are or what you’ve done, but you don’t want to downplay your accomplishments either.  Stay true to your values, and don’t sell yourself short.

In conclusion, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Many churches offer free meals, no questions asked.  Most of the clients at the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services are working people with homes.  Here is how to find specific help. Everyone knows that times are tough, and we’re all in this together.

Even if you didn’t grow up in a KCTC “Music Of Your Life” listening household with parents who grew up in the WWII era, it would be impossible to not enjoy The Cosmopolitan Cabaret’s presentation of Forever Plaid.

Sac-eats and I just returned from the 8pm show, where we were treated to 90 brilliantly executed minutes of ’50s and ’60s tunes in four part harmony — which proved to be the ideal antidote to the figurative election hangover. Still smiling ear-to-ear, I’m already plotting which table I need to reserve for my next visit to this show.

The four main characters played off of each other, the two musicians, and the audience adroitly, and their comedic touches were clever without being corny or cloying.

I’ll admit it: I used to schedule my classes around the UC Men’s Octet performances at Sather Gate, and I gasped with excitement when I learned that Richard Gilmore was in The Whiffenpoofs.

With the holidays coming up, consider buying tickets to Forever Plaid. Most people I know don’t need more stuff, but who wouldn’t love 90 minutes of smartly produced and beautifully sung entertainment?

Note: Our showtime was at 8pm, and we should have gotten there around 7:30-7:40 to get a little more settled with drinks and food.  Servers stop taking orders 10 minutes before showtime, and they don’t return during the show.  Try the cheese plate; the polenta balls were a little on the cold side. The 24 oz Stella or Sierra Nevada is just the right size for the length of the show.  There doesn’t appear to be a bad seat in the house.

Burglar wakes men with spice rub, sausage attack

- The Associated Press
Published 4:05 pm PDT Sunday, September 7, 2008

Fresno County authorities have arrested a man they say broke into the home of two farmworkers, rubbed one with spices and whacked the other with a sausage before fleeing.

Fresno County sheriff’s Lt. Ian Burrimond says 22-year-old Antonio Vasquez of Fresno was found hiding in a nearby field wearing only a T-shirt, boxer shorts and socks.

Burrimond said Vasquez was arrested after deputies found a wallet containing his ID at the ransacked house just east of Fresno.

The victims told deputies they awoke Saturday morning to the stranger applying spices to one of them and striking the other with an 8-inch sausage.

Burrimond said money allegedly stolen in the burglary was recovered. The sausage was tossed away by the fleeing suspect and eaten by a dog.

A woman called who is putting on a production of Annie. They would like to have two dogs (double casting) that weigh between 50-70 pounds and are a “Sandy” color (as this is the name of the dog!), but breed/mix doesn’t matter.

There will be 8 shows held at the end of November. There will be 3-4 dress rehearsals, and the show is 2 hours long.

The dogs need to be able to do the following:

Act I
Dog will go to the person who calls it by the name “Sandy
Dogs sit/stay on stage while Annie sings a song to the dog

End of Act I
Goes across stage
Wears a bow without trying to take it off while being walked on leash

End of Show
Comes out for final applause — walked out on a leash (no bow needed)

She is currently hooked on this season’s “Project Runway” and has taken on contestant Suede’s affectation of speaking in the third person. OK, it has already gotten old — I will stop. Someone tell Suede to do the same thing, please. And don’t think we’re NOT going to Mood fabrics while we’re in NYC. Holla at your boy. Make it work.

Now, the title of this post may lead you to believe that someone who crank calls people is the personal trainer to Ray Davies and his band members, but no.

Fellow fans of the Armstrong & Getty radio program know of Bassil, the frequent caller who immigrated to the U.S. from the Middle East more than 20 years ago. He offers astute and educated commentary on both domestic and foreign affairs, and he is such a respected caller that he has been an in-studio guest on a few occasions.

Not only does Bassil have good taste in talk radio, but he is also a certified massage therapist.

While I have my regular group of CMTs, physical therapists, and orthopedists whose services I enlist for whatever my training requires, I’m always willing to try a different massage therapist. Bassil has been a CMT since 2002, and he works out of of Perceptions in Fair Oaks. I paid him a visit last Friday, and he instantly put me at ease.

Our conversation about the A&G show was limited to, “Were you able to listen this morning?” when I first got there. He had me fill out a questionnaire with an overview of my health and exercise habits, and we talked about what areas of mine needed some extra attention during our session (calves, IT band.) The massage room was spacious, clean, and well-appointed.

He told me that I only needed to remember to breathe, and that was all that I was supposed to do.

I’ve been to many CMTs in my time, several of whom do not deviate from what seems to be a standard session. Bassil’s technique was different — he talked to me about what I wanted to get out of our time, and I really felt like the session was customized to my needs.

He had the gift of working out my kinks, while at the same time, putting me in that almost-falling-asleep stage where I had all of the weird dreamlike images in my head. Leaving the day spa completely relaxed, I barely noticed the Friday traffic.

I felt the effects of Bassil’s work the next morning when my running buddy and I made our way up (and down) the Stagecoach trail and K2 in the Auburn-Cool area on Saturday morning. Where my calves would have ordinarily been balled up and on fire about midway up K2, I kept trucking along.

I will definitely be making a return visit; in fact, I’ll squeeze one in post-Millionaire, pre-run.

Bassil Kamas, CMT
Body Serenity
Fair Oaks Pointe Shopping Center
8525 Madison Avenue, Suite 144
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
916-247-4321

Today is Tuesday, so that means all children 12 and younger get in for free, and those carnival rides will cost you just $1 each today. This applies to next Tuesday, too.

Today, August 19th, is First Responders Day, so all First Responders (in our out of uniform) with proper identification gain free admission. (OK, so I have a First Responder card from my CPR/AED/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification — would that get me in? They mean firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and the like, right?)

All guests can gain admission for just $5 before 5pm on Thursdays and Mondays (excluding Labor Day), and you can park for free until 4pm.

If you’re a senior citizen (and I know we have lots of those reading the ‘rag), you’ll get in for $6 before 6pm on Friday. Seniors also get “Free Wheel Rides,” but I have no idea what that means.

Other ways to save a few dollars:

- Kids can read three books and get three free carnival rides by filling out a Read & Ride report form and turning it in at Guest Services. You can score an additional free ride ticket by visiting the Golden 1 booth.

- Bring some of your own food and drink: You can bring outside food, as long as it’s in paper or plastic containers. Ice chests will be searched, and no glass bottles, aluminum cans, or alcohol will be allowed.

Here’s more on what’s free.

(The one thing that’s not listed as being free is Poppy’s love for all of the citizens of California. I won’t let my disappointment that I haven’t seen Poppy at all in my past three of three visits to the State Fair tarnish my affection for the golden fluffball. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POPPY! I love you! )

The greater Sierra Boulevard area was the haven for many of my friends way back in our single days (including the more-than-a-friend sac-eats) so there have been countless hours lost while sitting on Sierra, waiting to turn left onto Howe. The poorly timed signal almost threw off the benefit of the location’s close proximity to our leisure activities like the bike trail, Thursday nights at Mace’s, and the formerly quintessential singles’ joint: the Lucky supermarket at Loehmann’s Plaza.

It’s practically more time conscious to drive east on Sierra, turn right on Fulton (no right turn on red, mind you), and go west on Fair Oaks, rather than wait for the left at Howe.

There have got to be other lights like this in the region, so do us all a favor and let us know the ones to avoid and any recommended alternative routes.

It’s the trite adage that “everything old is new again,” much like the kids who are wearing ’80s fashions (and shame on you for the adults who are — if you’re old enough to remember it from the first time, you’re too old to be wearing it now.)

Here’s what I know now about the local fro-yo joints:

Big Spoon has now become the O.G., kind of like how Honey Treat was back in the day, only without the adorable bear mascot. With several locations, Big Spoon’s toppings focus more on the candy, sauces, cookies, and nuts. This can be a true gut-buster if you’re not careful, especially if you’re a fan of candy corn and hot fudge (which do taste mighty fine together, I might add.)

Yogurtopia is equivalent to Big Spoon; although, it does have a room for rent. Don’t think I haven’t thought about hosting a board of directors meeting there at some point.

Mochii is as close as you will get to Pinkberry. I loooooove me some Mochii. Throw in the fact that they blare fun music and have magazines-a-plenty to peruse, and you’ve got a happy runnergirl on your hands. They have a wide variety of mochi flavors, in addition to fresh fruit, cereal, and nuts. Mochii will satisfy you without making you feel like a whale afterwards.

Rounding out the bunch of those I have tried is the geographically desirable and 99.99% close to Mocchi perfection: YOGURT MONKEY. The YM is close to both work and home (mine, at least), and they feature the tangy yogurt (and traditional sweeter stuff), along with a host of fresh fruit, mochi topping, and the Big Spoon-esque candy, nuts, and sauces. The people there are friendly beyond belief without being aggressively so. Your visit to this strip mall will be complete with a pop-in at Tulip Paperie.

Yo Yo Yogurt is slated to open in Lyon Village near the when-will-they-ever-remodel-it/SacRag favorite Peet’s, and Swirls is coming soon to Watt & El Camino.

For now, my favorite place is Yogurt Monkey, and it’s only Monday, so I have no good way to wrap up this post, so just go to Yogurt Monkey. Go now. Enjoy the yogurt. Post your sentiments. You know the drill.

Three weeks ago, a few of us tried out for Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and I received my postcard yesterday saying that I’m officially in the contestant pool.

Next Friday, the Jeopardy! Brain Bus will be pulling into town (at least this one won’t require a 4am wake up time!)

Who wants to go?

I asked what final things they feel like they need to do before leaving town, and Lisa asked, “Oh, like our Sacramento Bucket List?” She referenced yet another breakfast at Tower Cafe and outing to The Trap, and they’d recently gone rafting on one of our region’s raging waterways. I suggested throwing out the first pitch at a Rivercats game or spending the night at Sutter’s Fort.

What would be on your Sacramento Bucket List? Beating The Bee at pub quiz? Hitting every single gallery on Second Saturday? Riding the log ride at the State Fair with Poppy? Breakfast at the Market Club?

For those who don’t know what SACOG is, it oversees planning for the Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba, Placer, and El Dorado county region. It’s not a federal, state, county, or city agency — it’s a joint powers authority, comprised of paid staff and a board of directors who are elected officials (city council and county supervisors) from throughout the region, with some jurisdictions having more votes depending on population.

It is designated by the federal government as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and by the state as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency — which means that SACOG works with all levels of government to determine which transportation projects will happen, where they will go, and when they will happen. These include projects big and small — from major capital investments like light rail expansions to smaller projects like adding new bike lanes or sidewalks in a particular neighborhood.

In recent years, SACOG has turned to the community at large to participate in the Blueprint — an interactive, multi-media, hands-on process that gets some disparate groups of people talking to each other about transportation issues. Bicycle advocates, senior citizens, transit riders, developers, builders, disabled people, welfare-to-work clients, and everyday single-occupant-vehicle commuters throughout the region worked side-by-side to devise the best solutions to our transportation issues.

At long last, concepts like linking transportation planning to land use decisions and seriously considering transportation demand management tactics were part of the same conversation.

When I worked at SACOG in the ’90s, the agency was in a significant time of change. There were some old-timers who were around before the agency had as much authority as it does now, back when it used to be called the Sacramento Regional Area Planning Commission. Then, there was a group of us newbies, and we thought that more people should be involved in the process. Federal and state legislation required a minimum level of public involvement, and that’s essentially what had been happening for years. We wanted to involve everyone, or at least the everyones who made sense.

Early in my tenure, I distinctly remember watching Metrocable one night, and former Sacramento County Supervisor Illa Collin asked if a particular project they were discussing at the Board of Supervisors meeting had to go through SACOG, and there was a collective groan among her fellow electeds. I talked about it the next morning with my carpool partner/work friend/sharer of a cube wall, and he and I vowed to remain strong.

The middle managers always seemed to know the drill; they were right there with us.

We young’uns continued to push; the older folks retired; board members changed from election cycle to election cycle; the middle managers became upper management, and new blood was brought in.

Finally, the transportation planning process was involving more people. Elected officials didn’t groan at the thought of SACOG; rather, they wanted to be on the board, necessitating a change in the board structure to accommodate more people. Finally, the agency was strategic and looked to as THE authority.

As the tide was continuing to change, many of us moved on — whether we joined the private sector, went to work for one of the member jurisdictions, or moved to Australia to make clown documentaries.

I will always look back fondly at my experience with SACOG. They gave me, a young woman with zero planning experience and an English degree, the shot to learn something completely new. The knowledge I gained there sparked further interest in the industry and led to an ever-fulfilling career.

So, to you, my fellow SACOGians both past and present, I give you a hearty RIGHT AWN! for your work on the Blueprint and the coverage in the Wall Street Journal. It is overdue and much-deserved.

There are many societal ills that likely have the Founding Fathers rolling in their collective graves, and many modern Americans have had this mentality for some time, but things could be much worse.

So raise your beverage of choice, light up a safe & sane firecracker, and take at least one moment over this three day weekend to realize that you’re pretty darned lucky.

The bottom line is that hundreds of people have invested countless hours and few thousand dollars (at least, for the locals — even more so for people coming from every corner of the world) to train for this.  I was an entrant in the race in 2006, so I know how much of an emotional, financial, and physical investment this takes.  

It’s a huge hit to the economies of Squaw Valley, Foresthill, and Auburn — the three key points of the course.  Even if the smoke cleared for the weekend, meteorologists are still predicting dry lightening for the weekend, and because most of the race is in extremely remote areas (accessible only by foot or horse), having another fire start up could easily turn tragic.

I know that the cancellation of a race pales in comparison to the threat of loss of life and property — not to mention the risk and hard work that the firefighters are facing — but this really is a shame for a lot of folks.  So, don’t be surprised if you see any very fit people roaming the streets with an empty look in their eyes, especially on Saturday when they expected to be running all through the night.

Being an avid ultramarathoner on the trails, I have a lot of experience with two issues that can easily ruin a perfectly awesome day: blisters and poison oak. Here are some of my tips for making your outdoor adventures more comfortable, whether you’re a trail veteran or considering making your debut out on one of our region’s many recreational treasures.

Poison Oak Prevention

If you’re on a real trail (nothing that’s graded or is anywhere near pavement), poison oak is virtually unavoidable. I’m severely allergic to the stuff, complete with past face-swelling, cortisone shot and Prednisone necessitating episodes, but ever since I started carefully following these steps, I have had nary a patch of it.

1. Use a topical pre-treatment, such as Ivy Block or these wipes before you head out. I prefer the wipes, but they do take a couple of days to ship. Ivy Block is found in most drugstores.

2. When you get back to your vehicle, use some post-wipes. I like these and these. The earlier you clean yourself up, the better, but if you’re out there for hours upon hours (some of my runs can last 10-16 hours), the next several steps need to be performed diligently.

3. If you’re near a water source, spray yourself and your gear down with Simple Green — yes, the household cleaner — then rinse it off. Be sure to bring a towel and washcloth with you.

4. When you get home, or to wherever you can take a shower, spray yourself down with the Simple Green again. Spray down and wipe off anything you’ve touched or have come in contact with — door handle of the car, steering wheel, car seat, etc. Spray down your gear and either hose it off or throw it into the washing machine.

5. Rinse the Simple Green off of you.

6. Scrub yourself with Technu while in the shower. Follow the directions on the tube.

If you do manage to contract poison oak, do not waste your time or money on any of the over-the-counter scrubs or sprays. I’ve tried them all. Instead, buy Oral Ivy and put several drops of it into water and drink it several times per day. The itch will subside. Note that Oral Ivy does contain alcohol, not enough to get you drunk, but enough so it’s on your breath. Take caution when using this before driving or going to work.

NOTE: Any of the poison oak remedies can be expensed out on your Flexible Spending Account, so save your receipts.

Blister Prevention

Are you prone to blisters in specific areas? Do your moleskin or bandages fall off easily? Do your shoes rub your feet wrong?

Most people think that you get blisters from having wet feet move around in your shoes. This is not true. Blisters are usually caused by ill-fitting socks or shoes, or from having dirt or grit in your shoes. To prevent dirt or grit, consider using gaiters — I like these, as they’re the easiest to use.

Everyone’s feet are different, so what works for me may not work for you. It’s a matter of trial and error, but many people aren’t aware of the variety of products available, or they might not know how to use them in combinations with each other.

1. Start with this kit, or assemble your own by purchasing elasticon tape (brown, stretchy, and sticky), paper tape, tincture of benzoin, powder, and alcohols swabs — the brown tape and benzoin are hard to find.)

2. Your feet should be clean with no lotion or anything on them.

3. Use an alcohol swab on the area you’ll be taping.

4. Dab on the tincture of benzoin on the area you’ll be taping and let it dry. This is the most important step, as the benzoin will keep the tape stuck to your feet.

5. Cut a strip of the elasticon tape that’s longer than the area you’ll be covering.

6. Press it firmly onto your skin, careful not to have any wrinkles.

7. Trim any excess with scissors.

8. Coat the edges of the tape with more tincture of benzoin.

9. Cover the edges with the paper tape.

10. Powder your feet.

11. I wear the wool Injiji toe socks — the long ones, then put on a pair of trail socks over those. I buy my road running shoes 1/2 to a full size bigger than my dress shoes, and my trail shoes are a good 1 1/2-2 sizes bigger to accommodate the socks, plus the fact that your feet swell during strenuous activity, and if you’re doing lots of downhill work, your toes will thank you for the extra room.

12. Some people put bag balm all over their feet post-powder and pre-sock, but I haven’t tried that yet.

13. If there’s a spot in your shoe or boot that always rubs the wrong way, try using one of these on that spot.

Treating a Blister

1. Clean the area.

2. Apply one of these to the area — yes, the burn pads work great.

3. Put one of these over that.

4. Next, you’ll be taping OVER all of this, so follow steps 4-11 as noted above.

Blister Fix in a Pinch

If time is of the essence, dab some canker sore treatment (if available) on the blistered area to numb it, place a piece of duct tape shiny-side-to blister, then hold that in place to your foot with a larger piece of duct tape.

I’m not kidding.

The duct tape bandage got me through the final 20 miles of a 100K run in the Marin Headlands two years ago. The duct tape will likely rip off a layer or two of the surrounding area of skin, but when your primary concern is the blister, you can deal with having the other part heal up after your event.

A Word About Toenails

If you’re pretty active, don’t get too attached (physically or emotionally) to your toenails. You will likely lose a few. I’m usually missing quite a few myself (currently, four), but nail polish covers the area where the nail should be just fine. If you find that you’re about to lose a toenail, DO NOT RIP IT OFF. Tape it down, and let it come off naturally.

Note: RunnerGirl has no official affiliation with any of the products or retailers promoted above. She is, however, a proud member of the Brooks I.D. Team, so please make your next shoe purchase from Brooks.

*One thing that he doesn’t mention is the option of taking electrolyte and potassium supplements if you’re sweating a lot. Check these out if you spend a lot of time being active in the heat. I find that they’re great for getting rid of the sloshing feeling in my stomach if I’m drinking a lot of fluids. Check with your personal physician before taking any kind of supplements or OTC medication.

Caltrans, CC Myers, and a host of subcontractors worked around the clock to meet their initial deadline of 5am today.

Not enough credit is given to Caltrans for projects like this. While Myers is the main man, a lot of the brains and guts behind projects like these goes to Caltrans Director Will Kempton — a take-no-prisoners transportation expert who has laid down the law within an organization that has long been the butt of countless jokes. Kempton is more than the figurehead of the agency (as some would argue that previous directors have been), as he has the experience and clout to make things happen.

Credit, surprisingly, should also go to lawmakers who have allowed public-private partnerships to be able to expedite significant projects like this one.

It was downright impressive seeing hundreds of people and pieces of equipment moving all at once, 24 hours a day. Parts of the project were adjacent to regular traffic, so there were plenty of men and women toiling away with just a cone between them and distracted drivers.

Wondering what’s next? Check it out. (Now with the correct link. Thanks, T Mc!)

Being in California, things that are “old” to us are usually strip malls that were built in the ’70s so it’s meaningful when a local business reaches the venerable century mark (especially one in Sacramento proper, as most of our region’s oldest businesses are in the Mother Lode towns like Placerville and Auburn.)

Sac-eats will be pleased to know that The Banjo Ramblers will be part of Saturday’s entertainment, in addition to the jazz bands of local high schools.

I personally will be there for the cotton candy and to get my face painted.