AUBURN, CA, U.S.A. – OCTOBER 17, 2021 What a treat! A fundraiser for the Sierra Native Alliance, today’s Big Time Pow Wow was a special experience. I was only able to stay for a few hours, but what a rich cultural experience it was. Razzle Dazzle The event began around 10am, with California Native Dancing and M.C. Razzle Dazzle. “A ho!” he told the crowd, is the only way to show appreciation for California Indians – no clapping allowed! In […]
SACRAMENTO, CA, U.S.A. – OCTOBER 9, 2021 On Saturday, October 9, 2021 Sacramento celebrated National Trans Visibility Day at Crocker Park. The first-ever event included a march around the park and a program with a variety of community leaders, activists and organizers. Why Sacramento? For the first time since the March started in 2019, the event was held outside of Washington D.C. The organization chose Orlando as the primary host city this year, but also added several satellite cities. Those […]
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau visited Kanata just a week after winning won enough seats in Canada’s general election to form another minority government. I had checked the PM’s official itinerary the day before and saw that there was an open media call at the Eva James Community Centre in Kanata. I wrote to the Press Secretary and the next morning we were on our way to Kanata. Welcome to Kanata The press corps waited, a much larger group than they had expected. After visiting the […]
Pride (in Northern California) is happening! Over the past few weeks, I\’ve visited three Pride celebrations. Silicon Valley Pride was a full week of activities, with the night festival on Saturday, August 28, and the parade on August 29. Next up was Oakland Pride, BUT it got cancelled because of COVID. Then I drove down to Merced on Saturday, September 18 to see their second annual Pride. It had been cancelled too, but I did get to see the nascent […]
Fair Oaks, CA, U.S.A. – Sept. 16, 2021 Today on my way home from my monthly Ag & Arts photo shoot in Yolo County, I noticed fire trucks on the overpasses near the airport. A mix of law enforcement and civilians were holding and waving flags, including red Marine Corps ones. When I saw a sign that mentioned Nicole Gee, I realized that the 23-year-old fallen Marine was coming home. A local hero According to the City of Roseville, Gee […]
SACRAMENTO, CA, U.S.A. – SEPT. 13, 2021 Press pass, pretty please… Ever wonder what it takes to get into the press pack for a spot when President Biden Visits Sac? Well, still not in possession of the press request email through the Governor’s office, I tracked down a press number at the White House. I was trying to cover the event for Outword Magazine, our regional and wonderful queer paper. (To whom I regularly contribute.). They called me back within […]
AUBURN, CA, U.S.A. – SEPT. 11, 2021 Here in Auburn, we had a special ceremony commemorating the September 11 20th Anniversary. The event actually celebrated the planting of the Liberty Tree 20 years ago by then-Supervisor Harriet White. The disease-resistant elm was planted at Fire station 180, where this year’s service occurred. The Service Hosted by Supervisor Jim Holmes (District 3), the program began with an opening prayer by Chaplain Boon. It was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Several […]
This afternoon a fire broke out near the Foresthill Bridge. Police quickly closed off Highway 49, which leads down to the confluence of the two forks of the American River. They also closed the the Foresthill Bridge road.. Lake Clementine was evacuated and numerous local residents watched near Lincoln Highway and Bowman Road, as Cal Fire planes drop bright red fire retardant on the fire. Dark clouds of smoke indicated structures across from the canyon were likely burning. Living in […]
Some of the most iconic public art you will find in the Sierra foothills, the Ken Fox statues are a must-see for visitors. There are six statues in the collection. Two – Claude Chana and the Chinese Laborer – are in the old and downtown areas of Auburn. Chana, the first known gold panner in the area, is the most visible at freeway exit 119A for Maple Street. The Chinese Laborer is in the downtown area by the Gold Rush […]
Here are some images from this year\’s 4th of July Parade and then one extra composite fireworks image. I started up at the beginning of the event near Cherry Street, finding a little pocket of shade near some Auburn police volunteers. The Auburn police honor guard, in full black wool uniforms (!) also came to share the shade, along with a few bystanders. Nearby, Good Day Sacramento interviewed Chamber of Commerce President Nalesh Chandra as part of their progressive live […]