Wednesday June 22, 2011
The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is arguably the most enduring and unheralded sporting events in the greater Sacramento area.
The 38th edition of the ultramarathon from Squaw Valley to Auburn begins at 5 a.m. Saturday at base of the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics.
The estimated field of 450 runners from numerous countries, including many Sacramento area entrants, will navigate more than 40,000 feet elevation changed while running primarily on firetrails to gold-mining city of Auburn. The winner will finish in about 16 hours, with three other time frames relevant.
Runners have to reach check points before designated time limits to arrive at Placer High School before 11 a.m. Sunday -- a 30-hour time limit.
Finishers is less than 30 hours receive a bronze belt buckle; Finishers in less than 24 hours receive a silver buckle.
Read more:
Watching The Western States 100
Image Courtesy of Western States 100
Saturday June 18, 2011
Fathers, sons, daughters and auto enthusiasts of any kind from the Sacramento area can share a full day of automotive nirvana on Father's Day with their counterparts in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Sacramento chapter of EuroSunday, the community and lifestyle of exotic, rare and vintage car and motorcycle owners, will join EuroSunday East Bay.
The combined groups will drive to their June event at 4000 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville and then head over to the famed Blackhawk Museum to check out the collection.
The museum has free admission for dad's on Father's Day. And with a car show in the parking lot, is there better way for those who appreciate cars old and new to meet for a should for a great celebration?
The meeting point for the Sacramento area EuroSunday is the Chevron station at the corner of El Camio Ave. and Interstate 80 at 8 a.m. Early arrivers will meet for breakfast at Black Bear Diner, located 2700 El Centro Road, off the West El Camino exit at Interstate 80 at 7 a.m.
For more information, visit the EuroSunday website, www.eurosunday.net or email jeff@eurosunday.net.
For more Father's Day activities:
Top-Five Restaurants For Father's Day
Top Father's Day Projects
Image Courtesy of EuroSunday
Friday June 17, 2011
Amid the shock rock and in-your-face sexual overtones of performers like Lady Gaga and Britney Spears is the antidote to such foolishness. Her name is Taylor Swift.
A few years ago, Swift, then 17, became the youngest person to single-handedly write and sing a number-one country single entirely on her own. Swift's "Our Song" spent six consecutive weeks at No 1. on Billboard's Country Singles Chart.
Swift is also the first female solo artist in country music history to write or co-write every song on a platinum-selling debut CD.
With her straight-forward, little-frills approach, Swift will perform September 3 at 7 p.m. at Power Balance Pavilion (formerly Arco Arena).
Tickets are available at the usual ticket kiosks, retail and online outlets.
Image Courtesy Taylor Swift
Friday June 3, 2011
Until a few years ago, I had little interest in tribute bands. I attended concerts with Beatles cover bands on New Year's Eve in Sacramento and on Bastille Day in France. But neither band was particularly good and that soured me on the concept.
The Led Zeppelin tribute outfit that played several years ago at Raley Field in West Sacramento didn't exactly change my mind.
But two cover bands have won me over, Australian Pink Floyd and Steelin' Dan. The former played to a half-full Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento a few years ago and was extraordinarily talented, even getting approving acknowledgment from Pink Floyd band members.
More recently, I've now attended a half-dozen shows by Steelin' Dan, the Sacramento-based Steely Dan tribute band.
It's also an extraordinary group of 10 musicians and singers. Not too long ago at The Palms in Winters, Mike Macchi had his debut as the band's lead singer.
Steelin' Dan's playing dates have become more frequent, with the group's reputation expanding via several publication awards.
If you haven't seen Steelin' Dan, one small venue opportunity is on the near horizon. It's scheduled at 7 p.m. at Harlow's, the midtown Sacramento club, and like all of the band's concerts I've attended, expect pure entertainment and great renditions of Steely Dan's music.
